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| Posted By | Discussion Topic: People with Black Boxes, Beware!! | ||||
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| TeenWeek what's a status? | posted on 04-11-2001 @ 9:44 AM |    | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Oct. 00  | I feel like Tom Brokenjaw today reporting all this news. Black-Box Win Means Lots of Green for Cablevision By NANCY DILLON Daily News Staff Writer ablevision Systems won its biggest victory yet in the fight against illegal black boxes used to pirate cable TV — with big fines set for deadbeat customers. The Bethpage, L.I., company said yesterday that a federal judge ordered eight Illinois-based business partners to pay $29 million in damages for selling thousands of illegal cable signal decoders to Cablevision subscribers across the New York, Boston and Cleveland metro areas. Cablevision officials estimated that about 400 of the 2,756 illegal boxes were sold to New York-area consumers. "This is the largest case of its type against a cable pirate," said Robert Astarita, a Cablevision security exec. The lawsuit was first filed in 1999 after Cablevision seized records belonging to a network of decoder distributors including Teleview, Rec-Tec Electronics and C&G Electronics. The $29 million in damages — equal to about 1.6% of Cablevision's cable revenues last year — was reached using a formula that projected the value of services provided by each box during its life span. Cablevision also owns Madison Square Garden, the Knicks, the Rangers, Clearview Cinemas and The Wiz. Henry Hack, vice president of security at Cablevision, said his team has since contacted the 2,756 consumers listed in the seized sales records and is working to recover the illegal boxes and arrange settlements. He said those consumers who don't agree to settlements of about $2,000 face individual lawsuits. "We want them to become paying customers," Hack said, adding that he's completed 1,006 settlements so far. The National Cable Television Association, the industry's largest lobbying group, estimates cable operators lose $6.6 billion yearly from pirated service. "This $29 million judgment may not make a financial dent in overall losses, but it sends a message that bootlegging is no longer a winking offense," said association spokesman Marc Smith. According to Smith, black boxes are most frequently sold using unsolicited e-mails, fliers, Web sites and magazine ads.  Teens, making the world a better place to live in. | ||||
| smex182 | posted on 04-11-2001 @ 9:48 AM | | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Oct. 00 | quote: Does this blow or what. I hope none of you out there are going to be contacted out there! If you are I you got your money's worth and had the box for a couple years. | ||||
| spitfire421 | posted on 04-11-2001 @ 10:16 AM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Dec. 00 | Whew! I've got Comcast :) < | ||||
| Cap'n Fudge | posted on 04-11-2001 @ 10:40 AM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Oct. 00 | There is no safe company...All the years I worked for Cablevision showed me what can be done to catch illegal boxes, without ever having to leave the office. And Cablevision will share the info with the competition...bastards! He should have seen it coming, but it happened way too fast  [email protected] | ||||
| hornygoatweed23 I've Got A Vagina With Teeth. G.O.O.F.B.A.H.G.S. Dragoon Battalion My friends call me Weed | posted on 04-11-2001 @ 10:49 AM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Jan. 01 | When I got mine a few years ago, I was told to follow a very basic rule of thumb - only buy from a dealer or store WAY out of state, like cross-country or something (I got mine online from a vendor in Phoenix). Most of these boxes are made to adapt to most cable services nationwide, so what works in one city should (assuming the same original box is used) work in another - I brought mine up to Lake George with me last summer, and we enjoyed all the movie channels (as well as a WWF PPV) for nothing. Another thing I don't understand, the customers on the list that have been contacted - suppose they just say they no longer have the box? Or maybe gave it away, or sold it on E-Bay? Can the cable company really go after them? As far as I know, it is totally legal to purchase a box, and totally legal to maintain ownership - once you connect it to the cable line without telling them you have it is the point at which it becomes illegal. Just because I bought a box doesn't mean I still have it - maybe I bought it for a friend who couldn't get it shipped to him/her through the company if they live overseas, etc. And the only way they can prove you're using the box is to visibly see the box connected, which they can only do if they enter the home via appointment.  "Do me and you'll succeed :)" Graduate of the Rookie School for Newbies | ||||
| TeenWeek what's a status? | posted on 04-11-2001 @ 10:55 AM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Oct. 00 | HornyGoatweed, you brought up a lot of intersting points. I used to have a black box when I had cable and it worked I would say for about 5 years. Since that time, I have gone to Directv and for almost 2 years, I had every channel that satellite offered, a hundred PPV stations, 5 HBO'S, Showtimes, All Sports chanels and all sports packages. A couple of times there were problems, but it was fixed in a pretty short time. Since, Directv was sold, they destroyed the cards. It happened during the WWF Royal Rumble in january and I have not gotten it back since. The way it was fixed was you could download software from the internet and fix the card that way that gets inserted into the satellite receiver. However, since the end of january that does not work anymore. Both the cable and satellite companies are getting wiser and wiser to the stealing of free cable or satellite. So if you plug it in they can send bullets through the system to destroy the box. Teens, making the world a better place to live in. | ||||
I Need An Old Priest And A Young Priest | posted on 04-11-2001 @ 11:03 AM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Oct. 00 | I was totally thrown on this post... I thought this was about something else by its title. Guess I should not invest in a black box anytime soon.  Officially Part of JWO: skitchr4u & JasonFromRiverEdge Adopted Newbie: drkn2forget | ||||
| TeenWeek what's a status? | posted on 04-11-2001 @ 11:08 AM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Oct. 00 | Joey, no I was not talking about black women's genitalia. Sorry for confusing you. Teens, making the world a better place to live in. | ||||
| hornygoatweed23 I've Got A Vagina With Teeth. G.O.O.F.B.A.H.G.S. Dragoon Battalion My friends call me Weed | posted on 04-11-2001 @ 11:45 AM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Jan. 01 | quote: On my old box (I'm on my second), bullets used to effect the box, but not disable it - I would simply have to unplug it for about 5 minutes, let it reset itself, and I was back in business - I think it happened a total of three times in the 4 years I had that box. I had to buy a newer one a little over a year ago, as my cable provider went with a digital feed - and and since then, I have never had an encounter with any kind of bullet or disabling signal. I know with the DSS dishes the cards are the way to go, and they get zapped, and not only is it a pain in the ass to get another card, but its expensive - thats why I've remained loyal to my cable box. The point is, I can see cable companies going after the vendors that produce the boxes - that makes sense. What I don't understand is how they can go after the vendor's customer base? OK, sure, chances are if my name is on a list, I bought a box and I use it - but where is the proof on the cable company's end? As I said, I could've bought it as a gift, could have bought it at a discount to resell at a premium to make a quick profit, etc. Just because someone is on a list as having purchased something doesn't mean they necessarily use it. If that were the case, then the Recording Industry (by using the same school of thought) should also be able to go after Napster's member base, since everyone listed there is as guilty as Napster itself for using the service. "Do me and you'll succeed :)" Graduate of the Rookie School for Newbies | ||||
| TeenWeek what's a status? | posted on 04-11-2001 @ 11:53 AM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Oct. 00 | I have no idea how they can check. What I am saying is that they are getting smarter and they will be able to do to the cable black boxes what they just did to the satellite receivers. Put them out of commission for good. A friend of mine has the descrambler box that is connected to the internet. It downloads software and gets rid of the bullet send out by DSS. However, since Directv was bought, this does not work anymore. They wiped out the cards totally and no one at this point has any answers as to how to fix it. It also does not matter if the box had the phone line in it or not, they are still able to make the card inoperable. Obviously they don't do it by the phone line as most people would think. I guess they send it directly through the satellite itself. If they cannot prove you are using it, I am sure they will find a way to make the black boxes inoperable. Teens, making the world a better place to live in. | ||||
| hornygoatweed23 I've Got A Vagina With Teeth. G.O.O.F.B.A.H.G.S. Dragoon Battalion My friends call me Weed | posted on 04-11-2001 @ 12:30 PM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Jan. 01 | quote: You might be right, but it seems to me the cable companies are always one step behind the black-market for boxes. I've seen sites that are selling black digital cable boxes already (DTV for us Time-Warner viewers). Personally, I hope it stays that way, I'm totally pro-black box, for the amount of time that I'm actually home and that I actually watch TV, if I had to pay the full subscriber amount, I'd be getting ripped off every month. "Do me and you'll succeed :)" Graduate of the Rookie School for Newbies | ||||
| bluetarp | posted on 04-11-2001 @ 12:56 PM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Jan. 01 | Hate to sound like an adult and stuff, but Why not pay for the service? It costs them money to run the cable, maintain the system, even pay for the channels they offer. They do have ways to test if a box is connected. If your not paying for one of theirs, ... Anyway, I have never had a black box, and you cheats cause my costs to be higher. Grow up gang.  Some people think I'm a psycho, everybody else knows it! | ||||
| TeenWeek what's a status? | posted on 04-11-2001 @ 1:03 PM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Oct. 00 | Blue, I pay for my service as well. I have 3 Directv boxes. I pay for the basic package. It is around $50 a month. Black boxes, I use mostly for the big PPV's and sports packages. Isn't it a little ridiculous, for $30 a month for wrestling PPV's or $50-$60 for a fight that you are lucky if it lasts 4 or 5 rounds. Teens, making the world a better place to live in. | ||||
| spitfire421 | posted on 04-11-2001 @ 1:04 PM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Dec. 00 | hornygoatweed, could you email me a link to those sites you've seen (digital cable)? E-Mail Me < | ||||
| Just Jon | posted on 04-11-2001 @ 1:10 PM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Aug. 00 | Like previously stated, it is legal to purchase and own the box, but you cannot attach it your cable system without calling the cable company and telling them. The cable companies may have ways of detecting the boxes, but the Telecommunications Act of 1984 makes it illegal for the cable company to monitor what you're watching, so they can't legally tell if you are using the box unless they come into your house and see you using it. -----  E-mail: [email protected] AIM: JonNeedsSN Adoptee: Could be you, if you contact me You listen to me! While I will admit to a certain cynicism, the fact is I am a nay-sayer and a hatchet man in the fight against violence! I pride myself in taking a punch and I'll gladly take another because I choose to live my life in the company of Gandhi and King! My concerns are global. I reject absolutely revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method...is love. I love you, Sheriff Truman. | ||||
| hornygoatweed23 I've Got A Vagina With Teeth. G.O.O.F.B.A.H.G.S. Dragoon Battalion My friends call me Weed | posted on 04-11-2001 @ 1:24 PM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Jan. 01 | quote: Good point JJ - also, the way to get around them detecting a black box is rather than disconnect the rental and replace it with a black one, simply splice a line off of the main (very simple and inexpensive) - in other words, run a new line for the black, and connect the rental to a tv somewhere else in the house (guest room, etc.) The way they do it is the send some kind of signal out over the cable line, awaiting a response (like a ping, but its not audio) from the box(es) that you're suppossed to have. If they are connected, they will respond - even if the black one is connected on the same cable line. Its good to know people that work for the cable company :) Spitfire, workin' on it now, but I'm headin' to lunch in a few minutes - check your mail later on. "Do me and you'll succeed :)" Graduate of the Rookie School for Newbies This message was edited by hornygoatweed23 on 4-11-01 @ 1:29 PM | ||||
| 1st Sgt. Fil Stand up straight Stomach in Shoulders back SOUND OFF!!! | posted on 04-11-2001 @ 6:19 PM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Sep. 00 | The only black box I have is one I swiped from a electronic jamming aircraft. I use that one for fucking up the Gay-rock signal at the shop.  O&A Armored Division's NCOIC, and Drill intstructor. Soldiers in training: DaJack | ||||
| Tequila Fez claims this land in the name of Portugal! Why worry about the train if it never makes it around the tracks?? IrishAlkey wuz here!!! | posted on 04-11-2001 @ 8:47 PM | | |||
| O&A Board Veteran Registered: Jan. 01 | Now maybe they will lower there rates and offer more channels. | ||||
| X-Filed Rich Vos is the emobdiemnt of all that is teh funney | posted on 03-12-2002 @ 5:31 PM | | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Jun. 01 | I couldn't find another thread containing any info on what I need. I posted one in gameing, but nobody looks in there. I figured this one would have to do. Does anybody recommend any box type to get? I need some info and was wondering what the best types were to get? Thanks..... VOS IS ABOUT AS FUNNY AS GETTING A PAPERCUT ACROSS THE TIP OF YOUR MULE AND THEN DIPPING IT IN LEMON JUICE!!!! | ||||
| Evil Dead Ash G.O.O.F.B.A.H.G.S. Good? Bad? Guy with the Gun Brigade | posted on 03-12-2002 @ 5:51 PM | | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Oct. 00 | You can stop the bullets with a surge protector. HAIL TO THE FROY BABY! | ||||
| Bloody Anus P.L.F. Portugese Liberation Front- Liberating Status' everywhere from the Tyranny of Portugal HYBRID THINKS I'M A GENIUS | posted on 03-12-2002 @ 5:52 PM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Jul. 00 | Had my box for about 10 years in NY, worked great. Then moved to Vegas, worked fine for a few months here, but then just stopped working out of the blue.
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| PeterDragon | posted on 03-12-2002 @ 6:02 PM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Jan. 01 | Back a few years, cablevision nabbed a few people using illegal boxes. How? they sent out bullets disabling the boxes, and the dorks brought it in to cablevision for repair. I don't know what they can and can't, but I do know that when my legal boxes go out, I call them, and they can locate the serial number of my boxes and set them individually.  | ||||
| OAAWITE | posted on 03-12-2002 @ 6:14 PM | | |||
| Hanger-On Registered: Jan. 70 | I don't understand the illegality of it all. I understand that it should be illegal to splice of my neighbors cable, but the cable companies are sending the signal to my house regardless of whether or not I am paying for it. It does not cost them any more or less money whether or not I find a way to descramble it. They are sending a signal into my house. If they don't want me to view that signal, don't send it. They, as a business have every right to prevent me from using a service that I am not paying for. But then don't fucking send it into my house. Find another way. If it takes them an extra couple clicks or a new software upgrade then so be it. If the cable companeis were losing so much money and were all-concerned about cable piracy they would make it so that individuals who would be so dastardly as to descramble a service, just wouldn't be able to because it wasn't being sent unless they pay for it.  New Poster with a question? Reach me through ICQ | ||||
| kindredbabe | posted on 03-12-2002 @ 6:17 PM | | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Aug. 01 | Mine just went out last weekend!! I have no idea if it was a bullet or not, but I lost power in half my house and when I finally got it back on, the box was dead. I just ordered a new one and expecting it any day...I'm lost without my PPV! ;) Thank You, Barch | ||||
| DonWest | posted on 03-12-2002 @ 7:37 PM | | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Feb. 01 | Regarding the illegal boxes, The new ones they sell now are bullet proof and non-addressable so it should work. They sell them on ebay legally..Just type in cable descrambler I dont have one but people I use to know do and bought them off ebay. This message was edited by DonWest on 3-12-02 @ 7:40 PM | ||||
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