Why new cards??

[Jasonbp]

What's up with having to put new cards into my boxes? I got two new cards today in the mail. I looked at the paper and watched 222 on Directv that told me how to do it. It never gave a reason why, new cards had to be used. Just wondering more than anything.

[Geronimo]

Believe it or not there are unscrupilous people out there who would steal satellite service. DTV takes various measures to counteractt his. This is one.

[Karl Foster]

it seems like a good plan by D*. after they have mailed out the 20 million or so, they will deactivate all of the old-style cards making it that much harder for hackers to steal service.

[MarkA]

More than that. The old cards were made by NDS (I don't know who made the new system), but basically there is reason to believe that NDS was deliberately helping hackers. I don't know if that's true, but I did hear it.

[James_F]

It sounds like they are still using NDS technology...

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/aboutus/headline.jsp?id=04_02_2002A

[MarkA]

Okay, forget my NDS conspiracy theory.

[James_F]

Oh I wouldn't say that. I wouldn't trust NDS as far as I could throw them... :nono:

[Jacob S]

I thought that they were going in house for this new P4 card, yet it says NDS technology on the card.

[James_F]

Well maybe they are making them and licensed the technology from NDS. That way the'd control the distribution of the cards... :shrug:

[Mike123abc]

There is the acusation that NDS competitors helped to hack the card to wrest the contract away from NDS. No way to know for sure.

[Jacob S]

Also why would they do a card swap with all that expense and hassle when a merger is around the corner if the equipment may be swapped anyways by the time or before the card swap woudl be done?

[James_F]

DirecTV has to run like there will be no merger. Anyway do you think that they will be able to get new receivers for everyone in the next year. I doubt it.... Anyway who knows, they might go with DirecTV technology anyway...

20 million users. How long would that take to get new receivers to everyone? 2 years?

[Darkman]

Originally posted by James_F
It sounds like they are still using NDS technology...

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/aboutus/headline.jsp?id=04_02_2002A

hehe

[Darkman]

Jacob S amd James_F:

I hear you both..and agree with both of your thinkings and comments on why DTV does what it does...

P.S. - should add: when it does it :)

[Geronimo]

If there is a merger a merged service and equiipment swap could still be months awy. lok at how long it took for PRimestar to go away.

[Jacob S]

It looks more like DirecTv will be what will be used HOWEVER Charlie I believe wants to use that type of technology he uses to combat piracy and his equipment, especially since he manufactures it and makes money off of it. He says he loses money on the equipment in which he would be better off letting someone else make it for him so he would not lose so much but have heard that he does in fact make money of of the equipment so I dont know what to think, there are two sides to everything.

[James_F]

So then why did you think it was amazing that they would send out new cards?

[raj2001]

Originally posted by karl_f
it seems like a good plan by D*. after they have mailed out the 20 million or so, they will deactivate all of the old-style cards making it that much harder for hackers to steal service.

Sounds like there will be a hell of a lot more Canadian bird baths when this is done...

[raj2001]

Originally posted by James_F
Anyway who knows, they might go with DirecTV technology anyway...


I hope so. I don't want to give up UTV or TiVo for a crappy DishPVR!

[James_F]

Well the 721 seems better than the Dishplayer (not that it was hard). Most people who have it seem to be really excited. I don't want to give up my Tivo, but I doubt I will have to...

[MarkA]

Even if they go with DISH technology, I believe receiver contracts will be maintained so you'll wind up with a DISHTiVo!

[andrzejpw]

hmm, so if I now have a 501, will I be upgraded to a dishtivo? That'd be great! :)

[Jacob S]

The reason why I still was awed in how they are swapping the DirecTv cards is because I figured they would at least hold out and see if the merger was approved first before doing any card swaps BUT the card swap could have been in the making before merger talks as they had to make all of those cards before sending them out.

Charlie at Dish announced a card swap this year but I think they will wait now.

[James_F]

Originally posted by andrzejpw
hmm, so if I now have a 501, will I be upgraded to a dishtivo? That'd be great! :)

You wish! :D

[HarryD]

Originally posted by andrzejpw
hmm, so if I now have a 501, will I be upgraded to a dishtivo? That'd be great! :)

Say your prayers my son... (and click your heels together three times and say.. there's nothing like a Tivo, nothing like a Tivo..):D

[raj2001]

Originally posted by andrzejpw
hmm, so if I now have a 501, will I be upgraded to a dishtivo? That'd be great! :)

More likely the other way around. If I now have a DirecTiVo or UTV, I will be downgraded to a DishPVR. So if they merge I'm going back to cable.

If I have to support a monopoly at least let me get my money's worth.

[snagel]

Originally posted by HarryD


Say your prayers my son... (and click your heels together three times and say.. there's nothing like a Tivo, nothing like a Tivo..):D

Or perhaps HarryD you might just be hearing "I'll get you my little pretty, I'll get you and your little dog Tivo tooooooo. eh hehehehehaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii ." lol.

[BearsFan]

I wonder if EVERY D* sub is getting a new card(s).

I haven't received any yet...does it depend on the model of D* receiver? I have a Hughes from about 1999...

--BearsFan

[Jacob S]

I read on one of these forums where the H stream is shutting down next week completely.