What is a Digital TV Descrambler?

A digital TV descrambler is a device, usually built into a set top box, that decodes encrypted channels and allows customers to watch subscription-based channels or pay-per-view events. Usually, the television service supplier will give subscribers a smartcard that allows the descrambler to work for the duration of their subscription. Some independent traders offer unofficial descramblers designed to allow viewers to watch subscription channels without paying, though this is both illegal and unreliable.

Descramblers can be used in both satellite and cable systems. In some countries, they are also used with digital terrestrial broadcasting: that is, digital channels broadcast over the air and received with a standard TV aerial. While some countries have all digital terrestrial broadcasts available without charge, other countries have systems where some premium channels are scrambled as with cable or satellite.

Consumers should not confuse a descrambler with a cable converter box. The latter device allows someone to watch the cable channel of his or her choice on a single channel on a TV. This can be done through a standard channel, such as the VHF channels on an American TV, or through the “auxiliary” or “external” channels assigned to RSA jacks or HD inputs. The confusion arises as most cable companies will build the descrambler directly into the converter box.

The name “digital TV descrambler” is also commonly used by people selling unofficial devices. These are billed as offering the chance to get access to scrambled channels, including those broadcasting pay-per-view events, without paying a subscription fee. Putting aside the fact that this is breaking the law, such offers are often not what they are cracked up to be. Digital channels are encrypted in a much more complicated manner today than in the analog TV era, lessening the chances that such devices will actually work. Even where a device does descramble channels when first used, there is absolutely no guarantee that it will continue to work permanently.

The legal situation over owning an unofficial descrambler has been a gray area. There is little, if any, dispute that possessing such a device is a criminal offense and that law authorities could prosecute owners. It is not clear whether TV service suppliers, such as cable firms, can take civil action over owners, however. A ruling in one case appeared to suggest that companies could only bring lawsuits where they had managed to obtain evidence that the owner had actually used the device.

Sometimes an existing cable customer doesn’t want to pay extra for additional broadcasts, such as sporting events or new movies. An illegal descrambler can provide this programming for free. The box allows the customer to receive the programming signal from the cable company, but it prevents the return transmission of the box’s location to avoid being billed by the company.

However, cable companies have caught onto this practice and began sending random signals to set-top boxes. The company may deactivate the cable box if the device doesn’t respond because a descrambler is blocking the return signal. This also alerts the company that a descrambler may be in use. Unfortunately, if a person uses this device to access pay-per-view programming, the descrambler stores all the shows they could have watched when it was active. This means that the customer could be liable to pay for all the pay-per-view programs stored on the box, regardless of whether they actually watched them or not.

If a person chooses to use an illegal descrambler, the cable company must prove that a person used the device to steal programming. A cable company may recognize that someone has a box in a few different ways.

While it may seem like no one could know if an illegal descrambler is in use, there are ways that people may not even be aware of, and they should consider the fact that they could be caught and prosecuted for using it.

A cable company has the right to sue an individual if they use an illegal descrambler. However, the way the case proceeds depend on the evidence against the individual. If a company has proof that someone has used a pirated box to watch programming that they only sell by subscription, they can pursue civil litigation. In order to do this, the cable company must be able to show how long the box has been used and be able to calculate how much money that customer didn’t pay the company.

Someone who owns a descrambler that they purchased from an independent retailer isn’t necessarily breaking the law enough to be prosecuted. A person must use the box to watch programming without paying for it. So, simply having technology that shows a descrambler in a home, a technician seeing a box, or being on a seller’s list may not be enough to sue a person.

When a cable company has proof that a customer used a descrambler to steal programming, they may choose to file a lawsuit. According to U.S. federal law, the cable company can sue for an approximate amount of lost revenue that a customer would have paid if they were using the box legally and paying for their subscription. All the cable company needs to prove is how much a customer could have watched during the time they had a connected pirated box and doesn’t need to ascertain precisely how many hours they actually watched. Cable companies can also ask for damages to cover the cost of a lawyer, court fees and up to $10,000 in additional damages.

It can be challenging to prove the intent of those who sell descramblers. Since customers can use these devices to watch cable programming legally, many sellers don’t have control over how a person uses this device. Even if sellers market the item as providing free cable programming, they can state that they only sell it for legal use. Many state laws only say it’s illegal to watch stollen cable, which leaves the sellers free to make money off those who are willing to take the risk of being caught.

A digital TV descrambler is a device or software used to decode encrypted television broadcasts. When a broadcaster encrypts their signal, it prevents unauthorized viewing by making the content inaccessible without the proper decryption key. A descrambler restores the signal to a watchable state for subscribers who have paid for access. It's an essential component in pay-TV systems, ensuring that only paying customers can view the content.

A digital TV descrambler works by taking the encrypted signal received from the broadcaster and using a decryption key to convert it back into a viewable format. This key is often provided as part of a subscription service. The descrambler can be a standalone device connected to a television or integrated into a set-top box provided by the cable or satellite company. It ensures that the digital content adheres to the conditional access policies set by the service provider.

Using a digital TV descrambler is legal when it is provided by the television service provider as part of a legitimate subscription package. However, using or selling unauthorized descrambling devices to access encrypted TV content without paying for it is illegal. Such activities are considered piracy and can result in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment, under anti-piracy laws and regulations.

A digital TV descrambler does not inherently improve the quality of your TV signal; its primary function is to decode encrypted content. The quality of the TV signal depends on the source broadcast and the transmission medium. However, a high-quality descrambler can ensure that the decrypted signal is as close to the original quality as possible, without introducing additional artifacts or degradation.

Whether you need a separate digital TV descrambler for each television depends on your service provider's setup. Some providers offer multi-room solutions that allow you to share a single subscription across several TVs. In other cases, you might need a dedicated descrambler for each TV, especially if you want to watch different encrypted channels on each one simultaneously. It's best to consult with your service provider for the most suitable setup for your home.