I would assume that since this is a satellite forum then ITV digital in its own sense would not be included, but Hey Presto ! there it is.
Since it uses Mediaguard as its proprietry embedded sytem of encryption then it is linked in more than one way with the system as used in Europe by the most successful broadcasters (and so is the most heavily pirated)
ECMs - Entitlement Control Management/Message or something similar, are the cat and mouse of the programme provider and the viewer.
You want it - the provider wants you to pay for it
If the provider has some funds then a new ECM will stop the viewer with the dodgy cards until the authorisation block is overcome, usually by a new code. If they (and I use the term 'they' as the provider, not the subscriber management centre) release a new key, or PMK, the official viewer gets a new card - in most cases by post, the dodgy card supplier - gets to reprogramme his card once the key is known
If the provider and SMC believe the piracy is serious enough that the funds given for the service are being undermined then a new proprietry system is issued, in most cases this will be a new solution, downloaded into the box by the broadcaster, or in the case where the broadcaster has not subsidised the receiver of choice during manufacture, a different PCMCIA module or CAM (the viewer has to pay for this out of his own pocket), as well as a new card.
In all cases the question of money on both sides is the key issue.
Those services that
1) can provide programmes,
2) subsidise the manufacture,
3) issue boxes on rental, and
4) monitor the use of that box by a telephone line,
have the most money - and for the most part ignore those boxes that go astray by selling on. However the chances of them making a scapegoat out of those that are caught abusing the system are somewhat higher than
a) the broadcaster that puts a late night channel on satellite,
repeats programmes and commercials ad infinitum,
c) advises the potential viewer to get a CI receiver and CAM out of his own pocket during the first three months of material , and then d) pulls the plug in six months
ITV Digital has the terrestrial property of the UK (and some other small territories by virtue of spillover and large aerials); its got there by persuading the government that its capable of giving the best entertainment to those that live within that territory,and is capable of sending its SMC employees (AKA bouncers) coming down like a ton of bricks on those that wantonly exploit the system, by working the patch with the best of the SMCs that are around.
Best not to upset them
Then again from what Ive seen , satellite knocks the spots of ITVD so it would be difficult in court to argue that one has taken away the revenue, as most of the programmes have been round at least once on satellite anyway - Milud !.
I would however prefer if the ITVD business was dropped from this forum as its likely to result in the whole hobbyist thing being undermined and the forum becoming history.
Stick with satellite, space has no exclusions, except nuclear propulsion which is a shame, man would have reached Proxima Centauri, got back and had the photos developed by now.
Rant rant rant - its the red wine and cider chasers, honesht !
, but it's not out of the question in the future. What is more possible is that they will upgrade the encryption and make it very difficult for the hackers.
