NEW SKY CARDS(latest information)

magaiver

a friend of mine(works for sky)told me that sky may not change the cards with new!!anyone knows something about that?personal i think that sky will change the cards soon

carrolls

The card changeover announced in November seemed to me to be a horrendous business plan.
Over 7 Million cards to be posted out plus all of the implementation headaches.
I think NDS (the owner of the Videoguard System) originally demanded that they changed all of the cards for security reasons.
If 'magaiver' is right, Sky must have negotiated a u-turn with NDS.

Tony

Negotiate? NDS is a Murdoch owned company AFAIK

Originally posted by carrolls
The card changeover announced in November seemed to me to be a horrendous business plan.
Over 7 Million cards to be posted out plus all of the implementation headaches.
I think NDS (the owner of the Videoguard System) originally demanded that they changed all of the cards for security reasons.
If 'magaiver' is right, Sky must have negotiated a u-turn with NDS.

John R

Originally posted by Tony
Negotiate? NDS is a Murdoch owned company AFAIK

Indeed it is, all one big happy profit making family.

It did seem to be a bit un-necessary to replace all the cards considering there have been no successful hacking attempts.

TVDX

Well for everyone with FTV cards sakes i hope to god that this is true.

byte

Originally posted by TVDX
Well for everyone with FTV cards sakes i hope to god that this is true.

Yea, couldn't agree more!

telecinesk

Dont think theres much to worry about.
I received 3 bbc cards this week and all looks same.

Then again............ btw conax // heeee, heeeeeee

sayireland

quote:

I received 3 bbc cards this week and all looks same


Do the cards physically look the same?

I think I heard somewhere or did I see a picture in the magazine before Christmas that the supposed new cards would have the 'house with the smoking chimney' on it as part of the new design.


When did you ask for them? I have a mate in Scotland who has been waiting since before Xmas!!

telecinesk

Eh, just opened the envelope of the last one> No smoking thingy. S/N starts with 102 so theyre busy enough by my standards. MMM time to marry box next. Austria is becoming part of Northern Ireland hee hee...
Got mine from uncle in NI. Id love a Scot card for the football but no relatives there..

Charles Slane

Quoting from bronzebird on the DigitalSpy forum -

"7,000,000 cards to be replaced

P2 cards have new artwork numbers

P2 vc numbers will range above 11million, anything above 30 million is invalid

P2 cards are on their way 100,000 cards are to be mailed from 20th Jan as an initial test

Cards should be delivered 24-72 hrs after the account has been selected

Followed by 120,000 cards a day Mon-Sat for 10-12 weeks.

Personal planner items will be wiped (series links/reminders)

Sky+ cards will be issued last

Recordings on Sky+ pre-dating Mar '02 will be wiped

Once your card has been mailed you have 2 weeks to insert the new card before ever persistent OSM's will encourage you to change

The chaining process is automated and relies on an over-air security action and your STB's EPG being 3.0.11(*)

Chaining should take 20 seconds after inserting P2
OSM 19 - Initialising new VC please wait
OSM 04 - This card is not authorised please call....
OSM - Authorising new VC
OSM 20 - Card changeover complete (backup to continue)

Watch channel 998/999, Sky Active, Sky Enquiries soon...!!!!

All subject to change but should be pretty much correct have fun guys!"


I can't pretend to understand all of that, but it seems that the card changeover is going to happen after all.

chernobyl

Originally posted by Charles Slane


P2 cards have new artwork numbers

P2 is just the version number.
We can logically assume that what we have now is P1.
Blade, you should find it funny that we are only on V2 considering your previous endevours with Sky.

Originally posted by Charles Slane


P2 vc numbers will range above 11million, anything above 30 million is invalid

VC is "viewing card" i assume.
..and the other is a serial number

Originally posted by Charles Slane

Once your card has been mailed you have 2 weeks to insert the new card before ever persistent OSM's will encourage you to change

Skys version of that annoying "helper" is MS word.
OSM = on screen message..nag nag nag!

Originally posted by Charles Slane

The chaining process is automated and relies on an over-air security action and your STB's EPG being 3.0.11(*)

This says you box has to have the latest EPG version..i think.

Funky Phantom

Just wondering, the fact that a figure of 7m is used, would that SUGGEST!!??!! that the FTA/ FTV cards are omitted. I seem to remember somewhere that Sky's current subscribers amount to some 6 point odd million. :rolleyes:

Heres hoping

carrolls

Theres 6.4 million Subscriptons including Ireland.
There is a 10% churn rate every year.
There are about 150,000 FTV cards. Therefore I'd say its likely.

robert muldoon

Originally posted by Charles Slane
Quoting from bronzebird on the DigitalSpy forum -

"7,000,000 cards to be replaced

P2 cards have new artwork numbers

P2 vc numbers will range above 11million, anything above 30 million is invalid

P2 cards are on their way 100,000 cards are to be mailed from 20th Jan as an initial test

Cards should be delivered 24-72 hrs after the account has been selected

Followed by 120,000 cards a day Mon-Sat for 10-12 weeks.

Personal planner items will be wiped (series links/reminders)

Sky+ cards will be issued last

Recordings on Sky+ pre-dating Mar '02 will be wiped

Once your card has been mailed you have 2 weeks to insert the new card before ever persistent OSM's will encourage you to change

The chaining process is automated and relies on an over-air security action and your STB's EPG being 3.0.11(*)

Chaining should take 20 seconds after inserting P2
OSM 19 - Initialising new VC please wait
OSM 04 - This card is not authorised please call....
OSM - Authorising new VC
OSM 20 - Card changeover complete (backup to continue)

Watch channel 998/999, Sky Active, Sky Enquiries soon...!!!!

All subject to change but should be pretty much correct have fun guys!"


I can't pretend to understand all of that, but it seems that the card changeover is going to happen after all.

In a nytshell what does all this mean to us commoners?

rav

Does anyone know if the FTA cards are affected?
A friend of mine may give me his as he is thinking of emigrating! But is it any good if they are changing the cards?

If that doesnt work out I might buy a card and box at this site http://www.solsat.com/astra.htm

but I would appreciate to hear all your expert views on this site and if its a trusty operation.

They sell the box and the card - it seems expensive but if its the only way I can get itv and itv 2 and channel 4 then I will go this road eventhough it will cost an arm and a leg.

Thank you
Rav

eirman

According to channel 999 a phoneline connection is required for the activating the new cards. I doubt that it is an absolute requirement as I'm sure there are 1 million+ boxes not connected to phone lines.

sayireland

The video does mention the phoneline but in the text of 'Changeover Steps' it doesn't so I imagine that it¡s optional.

Originally posted by eirman
According to channel 999 a phoneline connection is required for the activating the new cards. I doubt that it is an absolute requirement as I'm sure there are 1 million+ boxes not connected to phone lines.

Hmmm, this Gem of information might go un noticed, but it potentially hashuge implications for FTV bbc cards in ROI.
As it implies that you need a phone line to activate them and as this cannot be done with an Irish line, it means both box and card will have to be in the UK at first to be activated.

Are they going to end manual switch on's for FTV cards , ie what is done at present??
mm

byte

Don't like the phoneline idea!

Anyone notice the new Sky leaflets? They show ITV2 as part of the Family Pack! If only... :rolleyes:

magaiver

I called sky.the information is clear if you have your box connected to the telephone line ok if NOT no problem the activation of the new card will be automated!!SO DONT WORRY ANY MORE ABOUT THE TELEPHONE LINE!!

telecinesk

Do you think the phoneline will stretch from austria to the uk??
Looks funny, having just had some bbc cards activated this week.
Is this for Sky cards only? This is the question nobody has a straight answer for.
One other thing to watch, somethings afoot regarding card emulation. Sky is next and I will enjoy this "If" it works... Interface built...

carrolls

I think Sky themselves are still pondering on whether to spend up to a million pounds replacing the FTV cards

Darby OGill

Is it clear as to why Sky are replacing the cards at all?

No-one has indicated that Sky's security systems have been breached (unless you count non-UK FTV's). The amount of FTV cards in use outside of the UK would seem to be insignificant compared to the number of Sky subscribers and legitimate FTV card holders. So what is it all about? Murdoch is not one to waste money, and this looks like an expensive exercise, even by his standards.

irishgeo

Any body get a new card yet.

robert muldoon

Originally posted by irishgeo
Any body get a new card yet.

I am getting two new cards from the Uk next week, but i am going to New York for the week and i wont be installing them for about 2 weeks

Robert

Got my new card in the post to day rang up they the actived it strait away. All working perfectly.

magaiver

why you called them?the new cards become active without calling sky

DMC

Me thinks folk are confusing the soon-to-be-replaced Sky Subscription cards with FTA cards.

This thread really is only in regard to the Sub cards Sky want to replace, and has anyone got one yet.

So with that clarification done......

Has anyone got one of the new Sky sub cards?

mojolaw

I rang FTV card information no. recently to change my FTV card over to a different box. The guy on the other end was very helpful and I mentioned to him that I heard that the cards were being changed soon. "Indeed they are ", he said, and " you will receive your new card within the next three months"....(this was just before Christmas)......

rovingrover

Anybody know yet if it will still be possible to use a FTV card and a Sky sub in the same Digibox.

I had read somewhere that this may be stopped with the card changeover.

Obviously not a question to ask the call centre clones.

watty

I have NO idea...
Won't stop me guessing though...

I think not. Though you may have to do some particular sequence to get EPG to go right.

The more usefull option if you have more than one card is to get a 2nd Digibopx and replace the LNB for a Dual or Quad.

Advantages:
Different channels in two rooms
Tape one channel while watch another
No card swapping

If you get a Digibox a quick phone call with box detials and card number makes it work in a few minutes. I changed my ROI sub card to a different box and reactivated a cancelled sub in one phone call and nothing to sign, no wait for someone to reconnect a cable etc, 2 minute later all working. (If I only had my sub active alternate months would they get fedup? After first year the minimum sub is 1 month notice to cancel, minutes to reactivate)

Robert

Originally posted by magaiver
why you called them?the new cards become active without calling sky

I rang because for some strange reason the card they sent me was for my old digi box even though I changed my old card to my new box a long time ago.

rovingrover

Thanks watty - I already have a 2nd Digibox as you suggested however I have 2 FTV cards - one permanently in the other box and one that I swop as required.

I still like the convenience of having ITV, Channel 4 & Five downstairs as well. I suppose I could get another box. I could live without the EPG on the FTV card though as I don't use it too often.

rovingrover

>>>>>
I rang because for some strange reason the card they sent me was for my old digi box even though I changed my old card to my
new box a long time ago.
>>>>>

I assume by this that the new cards are already paired to a box and not to the first box they are inserted in. This has further implications for FTV card users.

Makes it harder to swop those cards. I had been hoping to swop and english and a Scottish card.

byte

I did a Sky install today and the customer had the new viewing card. He was the first person I seen with the new card. It's a darker blue with Sky's logo of a house and dish. Was mildly worried that it wouldnt' activate but it did.

Which brings me to another thing

FAO Tony, did you encounter problems activating cards during December? I had quite a few which would not finish callback process, and Sky will now not activate the cards any other way anymore. I assumed that the servers were busy or something or else a problem with Panny boxes (though I doubt it).

TinMan

Saw an ad on Sky One Mix last night for the new Sky Cards so hopefully we will all get them soon.

Tony

Originally posted by irishbyte

FAO Tony, did you encounter problems activating cards during December? I had quite a few which would not finish callback process, and Sky will now not activate the cards any other way anymore. I assumed that the servers were busy or something or else a problem with Panny boxes (though I doubt it).

Yes I did indeed have more problems than usual with callback, I put it down to excessive server load. What did sky say when you asked for manual switch on?

Tony

carrolls

quote:

---

Originally posted by irishbyte

FAO Tony, did you encounter problems activating cards during December? I had quite a few which would not finish callback process, and Sky will now not activate the cards any other way anymore. I assumed that the servers were busy or something or else a problem with Panny boxes (though I doubt it).

---

Does this mean that the replacement FTV cards need phone line activation?.

Greenman

Look here Carrolls http://www.satellites.co.uk/php-bin/forum/showthread.php?threadid=3487

rovingrover

Replacement FTV cards don't need a phone line but there is a concern that it may be one crad per box after the upgrade so existing FTV cards won't work in a Sky sub box.

Fine if your fTV card is in a separate box but otherwise it will be a real pain.
Wiating with baited breath for an answer here but no sign of either of my FTV cards yet - East of Scotland and London.

carrolls

Good link greenman.

dmeehan

Originally posted by TinMan
Saw an ad on Sky One Mix last night for the new Sky Cards so hopefully we will all get them soon.

theres a section in the new mag this month, but it says it could take a few months before everyone gets their new cards

sergeant121

Originally posted by rovingrover
Replacement FTV cards don't need a phone line but there is a concern that it may be one crad per box after the upgrade so existing FTV cards won't work in a Sky sub box.

Fine if your fTV card is in a separate box but otherwise it will be a real pain. Wiating with baited breath for an answer here but no sign of either of my FTV cards yet - East of Scotland and London.

Picked this up on the alt.satellite.tv.europe Newsgroup this afternoon:

Well this confirms that the FTV cards are also being replaced. Got mine this morning and wait for it will ONLY work with the correct version number and serial number. I rang the FTV help line and gave them my correct set top box details and surprise surprise "Sorry that set top box is active in ROI."

So it looks like the ROI "one subscription and one UK FTV card" loophole has been plugged - by the sharing of data between the Sky and FTV databases?

Ludo

Originally posted by sergeant121
So it looks like the ROI "one subscription and one UK FTV card" loophole has been plugged - by the sharing of data between the Sky and FTV databases?

I dont understand how this plugs any loophole. Your sub card will be for your box AND your replacement FTV card will come married to your box also hopefully and therefore they should still both work.

Wheres the plug???

carrolls

Well this confirms that the FTV cards are also being replaced. Got mine this morning and wait for it will ONLY work with the correct version number and serial number. I rang the FTV help line and gave them my correct set top box details and surprise surprise "Sorry that set top box is active in ROI."

This was the case for the last year although it was more random. (Asking for these numbers)
What you have to do in a case where they ask for the Serial Number is swap the 3rd and 4th digits. The version number is a red herring. Your version number on the Sub box is not cross referenced or recorded. (though maybe on new subs it is.)

Tony

Originally posted by carrolls
This was the case for the last year although it was more random. (Asking for these numbers)
What you have to do in a case where they ask for the Serial Number is swap the 3rd and 4th digits. The version number is a red herring. Your version number on the Sub box is not cross referenced or recorded. (though maybe on new subs it is.)

Surely if you give the wrong serial no. the box will not pair correctly.

Tony

Tony

Originally posted by Ludo
I dont understand how this plugs any loophole. Your sub card will be for your box AND your replacement FTV card will come married to your box also hopefully and therefore they should still both work.

Wheres the plug???

As already metioned some cards are arriving which are paired to previously owned boxes, thats where problems will arise.

Tony

carrolls

Surely if you give the wrong serial no. the box will not pair correctly.

When I rang up to activate my Scottish card in July, the Sky Person asked me to quote my box serial number.
I switched the 3rd and 4th digits in my Sub. box serial number and it worked fine.
If I gave the real serial number of the box, my Scottish card would be a bookmark now.

muffinhead

Having read this post what would you advise me to do when I get my SKY stuff installed in the next week or so? I have sent off for an English FTV card - do I quote my Irish serial box number or what? I said to the girl in the FTV call centre that I was not subscribed to SKY!

zak

Picked this up on a few of the "News Groups Today"

---

"Well this confirms that the FTV cards are also being replaced. Got mine this
morning and wait for it will ONLY work with the correct version number and
serial number. I rang the FTV help line and gave them my correct set top box
details and surprise surprise "Sorry that set top box is active in ROI.
(South Ireland)" So we are F**ked now over here in Ireland for FTV unless we
can get a UK digibox as well."

---

It was only a matter of time..........

markyboy

If you cancel your Sky subscription (after the contract year) will you have any problem with a FTA card as you won't be upgrading?