VAST and third party recievers

**hazman** · 01-12-13, 06:03 PM

Got a couple of questions, first one is if you are using a third party stb with a cam and vast card will the stb receive software updates from vast like the uec and Humax stb’s do? Second question is can you move the channels around on UEC and Humax stbs?

**Tiny** · 01-12-13, 06:13 PM

IMO, you would get software/firmware updates from the decoder manufacturer when available.
The smart card in the cam will get encryption updates OTA from VAST.

**Smacca** · 01-12-13, 11:35 PM

Originally Posted by hazman

Second question is can you move the channels around on UEC and Humax stbs?

No. Part of the VAST Certification is locking down the positions and numbers of the channels, as well as not being able to delete them.

**EKGEKH** · 16-03-14, 05:53 PM

It has been over a year since any posts were added to this thread. Does anyone have any personal experience with PVRs other than the paper weight that is UEC?

**LeroyPatrol** · 16-03-14, 05:57 PM

Get and VAST CAM and card and choose your receiver

Leroy

**mtv** · 16-03-14, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by EKGEKH

It has been over a year since any posts were added to this thread. Does anyone have any personal experience with PVRs other than the paper weight that is UEC?

There's several threads on the Humax and Satking.

**Tassie Devil** · 16-03-14, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by EKGEKH

It has been over a year since any posts were added to this thread. Does anyone have any personal experience with PVRs other than the paper weight that is UEC?

I've got 4 Humax PVRs in the home & one Satking.

Humax is still having problems but is claiming they will be solved with new firmware this month so there is little point in listing them at the moment.

I'm not impressed with the Satking as a PVR. It lacks many features of the Humax (and I guess the UEC) so I would not recommend it beyond casual recording. Its main purpose is that of a STB. Most units like this with "add on" hard drives to turn them into recorders are not really satisfactory although the UEC might be an exception.

Much as I hate the Freeview features forced on us by Optus, I must admit gratitude that VAST exists. We are having more terrestrial reception problems this year than ever before so can only rely on satellite reception.

Interested to see that VAST cards are still out there and available. I thought sale of them had been curtailed. With the Humax twin tuner costing under $300 and its simple conversion to a PVR would indicate to me they are a better buy that card + recorder. My Ultra Plus 9000 is not totally reliable and can freeze on occasions when viewing recorded files - a real PIA, so I would not enthusiastically recommend them.

**husky61** · 16-03-14, 08:40 PM

+1 Leroy

Cheers

**sdrambo** · 16-03-14, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by LeroyPatrol

Get and VAST CAM and card and choose your receiver

Leroy

Does this mean there might be a possible use for my Ultraplus F9000HD PVR, its been no good at anything else I have used it for. !

**Tassie Devil** · 16-03-14, 11:01 PM

Originally Posted by sdrambo

Does this mean there might be a possible use for my Ultraplus F9000HD PVR, its been no good at anything else I have used it for. !

Not at all. Point the dish at Optus D and you can receive all the ABC & SBS channels. That is what I use mine for.

But then maybe you can get an (illegal?) VAST card somewhere and have access to ALL the VAST broadcasts. If so that makes a mockery of the Freeview restrictions that have been imposed on VASST receivers.

That said, except for the Freeview ban on jump functions, the Humax here is a far more ergonomic recorder than the Ultra Plus 9000.

**sdrambo** · 17-03-14, 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by Tassie Devil

Not at all. Point the dish at Optus D and you can receive all the ABC & SBS channels. That is what I use mine for.

But then maybe you can get an (illegal?) VAST card somewhere and have access to ALL the VAST broadcasts. If so that makes a mockery of the Freeview restrictions that have been imposed on VASST receivers.

That said, except for the Freeview ban on jump functions, the Humax here is a far more ergonomic recorder than the Ultra Plus 9000.

I already have a legal vast and uec box in the van. All the vast broadcasts would be handy like we had with aurora. I sort of dont mind the restrictions in that I always get local news no matter where I'm at. Its just a pain having to renew etc.

**hazman** · 14-06-14, 04:36 PM

Has anyone ever given any thought of the possibility on transferring the smartcard unit in a UEC decoder to another brand of hd decoder? Wonder if it would work.

**Tassie Devil** · 14-06-14, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by hazman

Has anyone ever given any thought of the possibility on transferring the smartcard unit in a UEC decoder to another brand of hd decoder? Wonder if it would work.

Unfortunately this is not possible.

The card is married to the unit it came with and cannot be bused anywhere else. I have more than one Humax PVR here but MUST keep the original card in the unit it came with. Swapping cards, even within the one brand is not possible.

Thank you VAST (alias Optus) for another nicety.

John

**gordon_s1942** · 14-06-14, 05:57 PM

Every thing written over the last 2 years indicates the VAST card is mated to its respective decoder and cannot be interchanged even to the same make of decoder.

Dont blame Optus for this encryption because they only provide the 'Platform' to broadcast the signal as directed and most likely they couldnt care less if it was encrypted or FTA so long as they get paid by whoever wants it transmitted.
I base this on the fact there are FTA channels available on Optus satellites because the Broadcasters like Al Jazerra, NITV and TVSN have wanted it that way.

**hazman** · 14-06-14, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by gordon_s1942

Every thing written over the last 2 years indicates the VAST card is mated to its respective decoder and cannot be interchanged even to the same make of decoder.

yeh but how are they mated is it in the smartcard reader or somewhere else in the unit because you can use a cam in any receiver that is hd with a cam slot.

**OSIRUS** · 14-06-14, 06:11 PM

I think basically a virginal card is mated with either a STB or a cam at the Factory ...... & it is then activated by Vast activations to your details

**hazman** · 14-06-14, 06:17 PM

Next time is see a cheap UEC box for sale I might buy it and have a play around with it. If I owned one and it shit itself and could not be repaired I would be a little bit peed off.

**Tassie Devil** · 14-06-14, 06:27 PM

Good luck, but it is unlikely you will get far because the whole process needs VAST approval and the units are locked out of reception until given their tick. That side of it all does not particularly bug me but the FREEVIEW restrictions do. Slower FF and inability to quickly skip (I can only get the Humax to hop kangaroo style) now that is a big irritation, particularly if you have got used to this function with terrestrial PVRs.

John

**gordon_s1942** · 14-06-14, 06:34 PM

I think the comment made by Osirius is correct as to the mating of the card and decoder being done at the decoders manufacturer.
All you do when activating it is to supply the card number for their records for both ownership and what area your in which allows them to 'send' the necessary codes for the services you are eligible to receive.

One thing I am not sure of is, do they leave in or change the 'Smart card' in a decoder that has been 'refurbished' after being returned as defective ???

I had one done under warranty (UEC) and I was told both the Decoder and card were 'deregistered' by VAST so I wonder did they junk it or fix and recycle it?

**OSIRUS** · 14-06-14, 06:59 PM

I have herd from the guy at UEC that it is possible to un-marry the card & receiver ...... but that's as far as that conversation went ....... but I don't think it is a common practice ......

They are more likely to give you a new STB & card to replace a faulty one .... (not like Foxtel who keep their cards for the replacement STB .....& are re-activated/married by Foxtel over the phone) .... unless things have changed recently .....

all vast need to know now is the smart card number to activate it ...... no need to identify the STB (it knows its mated partner) ......

It would be interesting to hear what hazman is suggesting ....... surgically implanting the card reader & card into another STB .... like a heart transplant .... ? if it would work or not ?

(or would it require special STB firmware to drive it ..... ?)