True Visions - 2nd And 3rd Box Won't Unscramble

[Mobi]

I have had 3 boxes (all identical) for my UBC/True Visons service for over 3 years. Originally I used a "splitter box" which enabled me to receive the signal through all 3 boxes. I had no idea this set up was illegal, as I just asked the local contractor to provide me with 3 UBC outlets.

When I was advised it was illegal, I removed the splitter box, and just kept the one smart card which I could use in any one of my 3 boxes, but obviously not at the same time.

A week or so ago, I discovered that only one of my 3 boxes will decode the signal. On the other 2 boxes I get the "E17 service is currently scrambled" message. I have put the box that works at the other two outlets, and it works fine. But the 2nd and 3rd box won't unscramble. The only channel I can get is the TGN channel which is not scrambled. I can't even unscramble the Thai channels.

I have checked the signal settings, and installation settings on all 3 boxes and they are identical, as are the boxes.

Can anyone throw any light on why 2 of my boxes won't work? Has True Visions somehow disabled them, as they now insist on customers buying or renting expensive boxes from them, which they didn't do when I bought my boxes some years back.?

I have run out of inspiration on this, so thanks for any suggestions.

[shaunoro]

I had the same problem.

I suspect that True changed their conditional access to stop the people pirating True abroad.

You have to get True to come to you house with another smart card.

They did this for me and fitted a second sat.Dish.

I was charged for ther install 1500THB i think.

You get charged for 2 set top boxes on your monthly bill.

[robertsonmartin]

I have two boxes and cards through a splitter to one satellite dish. True installed this setup for me. I added a signal amplifier before the splitter as my dBm value was -34 which dropped out the picture with light to moderate rain. The amplifier improved it to -14dBm which allowed me to maintain my picture during heavy rain.

Anyway, sorry to digress.

I was told by True that if I don't use one of the boxes for two weeks then it automatically disables the system (don't ask me why). I recently had a short period without 1 TV so one box stayed off and uplugged. When I got the TV back and plugged everything back in the box was scrambled (incl Thai channels).

A quick call to True and a few instructions over the telephone enabled the box to show all the channels again. I'm not sure if they did anything at their end with their computer system though.

[NanLaew]

I have 2 boxes on a UBC splitter and the single dish; standard UBC installation I reckon. I noticed that if the power was removed from the boxes (total unplug, not just turned 'Off' with the remote) and left that way for a few weeks while I was away, either box would display the 'scrambled' error message when turned on again. The first time this happened, I was about to visit UBC for a 'fix' but got sidetracked at home. About 5 hours later, both boxes were suddenly working without problems with no intervention from me or UBC. My mate subsequently told me that you should always leave the power plugged in (box switched 'Off' but LED's and clock still on) when not at home as total power-off means the boxes can take ages to 'reset' on the UBC system and eventually access your subscribed channel set.

Try and leave the card in the 'scrambled' box(s) and leave it powered up (during the day while you are out?) and see if it miraculously finds itself like mine did. Then make sure your leave it in the 'standby' power mode as above when you swap cards about.

If by some chance UBC have somehow configured their system to identify and block 'unregistered' boxes, or if they have done some other system maintenance that missed your other 2 boxes because they were 'offline', maybe take one of the duff boxes and card along to their store, play dumb farang and see if they will change it for a working one. They did that for me when they did some system hardware changes while I was out of the country. The new boxes were totally different from the old ones. Don't forget to bring the remote! The new boxes have different remotes and they carp on about it if you don't exchange box AND remote.

On another point, I thought I would save money and disconnect and return one of the boxes since I removed one of the TV's, but the box rental is only a few hundred baht against the 50% saving I thought it would be so left it alone in case I decide to get another TV for the bedroom.

PS. Just noticed: if these are the original boxes from 3 years ago, they probably will need replacing as the swap out they did with my boxes was some time in the last 14 months.

[Mobi]

Thanks NL and others.

Your information is most interesting.

When I used to use the splitter box, it worked fine for over 2 years, but then started to play up. Nearly every day the boxes would not unscramble the signal until I had removed the card from the splitter box and inserted it into the individual boxes, one at a time, and powered them up etc, until the signal unscrambled.

As I said in my earlier post, I got fed up with doing this every day, as the splitter box was located in the roof in my store room, so I called a 'freelance' TV guy in who told me the set up was illegal, and suggested I just get a second legal card from UBC /True Visions.. He removed the splitter box, reinstalled my other box locations and tested all my original boxes with my smart card to make sure they all worked, which they did. (when I put the card in.)

I subsequently went down to UBC to find how much it would cost for a second card. They told me that my current contract didn't expire for several months, and I couldn't add a new card to it until the contract was renewed. If I wanted and extra card straight away, I would have to sign a new contract for the full amount, and what is more, I would have to buy or rent a new box from them, and pay deposits and installation fees etc, even though I already had boxes (from the days they allowed you to buy your own boxes) and no installation was necessary. I had been a platinum customer (24K /year, paid in advance) for over 6 years in BKK and Pattaya, and I told them to take a running jump.

It would seem they now have the ability to disable boxes, as they both worked fine before.

I will certainly try leaving one on, maybe with the smart card inside over night, and see what happens.

Otherwise it would seem I am fcked. (However, I do have other alternatives to watch UBC via the internet, so I have the last laugh anyway as they get nothing.)

[longball53098]

The bottom line is they can control many things in every box just with the click of a mouse on the transmission end. They have security features enabled that basically marries a box and a card to prevent you from using the card in a "friend's" box down the street. I don't know the fine details of the security of the system but I do know they are continually sending update codes to every box on periodic schedules to allow the box to unscramble the signals correctly. If you unplug a box for a period of time it will not receive the proper codes at the scheduled update and hence when you do power that box up it will be blocked until the next round of updates is sent. They usually tell the end user to leave the box connected to the mains at all times. When the unit is placed in standby with the power button it still is powered and receiving updates from the mother ship.

[robertsonmartin]

Just to clarify my setup. I have two cards (one for each box). The splitter I mention is exactly that which takes one wire from the dish and gives two wires out to the two set-top boxes.

When I called UBC to get my second box working (which had been un-plugged for a few weeks) the told me to (I think):

1. Remove Card.

2. Unplug from wall for 30 secs.

2. Re-instate power to box and switch box on with remote.

3. Go to Menu and display signal strength.

4. When signal locked insert viewing card.

Shortly after all the scrambled channnels returned.

However, I don't know if they did anything at their end.

I wouldn't leave my system plugged into the wall if I was leaving the house unoccupied for any length of time. Besides the use of electricity (minimal I know), there is a potential risk of fire (also minimal but I'd rather call UBC to re-activate than burn my place down).

One of my mates is fireman and he unplugs everything from the wall even when he goes to bed on a night. I couldn't be doing with setting all those clocks everyday though, but he has seen so many domestic fires from electrical gear.