What is a Cam, CI reader?

[ALIEN1X]

Hi, I'm new to FTA Satellite systems and still tryingh tyo put a spec together in what I want.

I have noticed that some sat reciever box's have cam slots, CI readers etc, what are these?

I here people talking about 'Dragon,Matrix Cams/cards' etc, why are these used etc?

Reagrds
Alien

[Topper]

I have noticed that some sat reciever box's have cam slots, CI readers etc, what are these?

CI stands for Common Interface, which is an industry standard and has the same pinouts as the PCMCIA slot on a laptop. They allow a CAM Conditional Access Module such as a dragon or Matrix to be inserted into a receiver

I hear people talking about 'Dragon,Matrix Cams/cards' etc, why are these used etc?

They are used to decrypt certain types of encrytion.

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[ALIEN1X]

Hi,

So the 'CAM' is the satellite card which fits into the recievers 'CI' slot.

I know you have to buy Cams to decode certain channels, but is it legal?

And to watch FTA channels, do I need a special TV license etc.

I'm sure there are Cams that give ilegal access to channels which can be traced by TV Licence authorities, broadcasters etc.

Regards
Alien1x

[erosennin]

Hi,
So the 'CAM' is the satellite card which fits into the recievers 'CI' slot.

Yes, the CAM fits into the receiver's CI slot BUT it's not the card itself, the card fits into the CAM.

I know you have to buy Cams to decode certain channels, but is it legal?

You can get an irdeto cam that will allow you to insert a valid card that uses that encription, that's legal.

Using a dragon or matrix CAM to open channels without the use of a valid card can be considered illegal by some dudes

And to watch FTA channels, do I need a special TV license etc.

No, the only restriction could be the dish itself in some areas.

I'm sure there are Cams that give ilegal access to channels which can be traced by TV Licence authorities, broadcasters etc.

traced by TV License authorities or broadcasters?

that's just impossible