A new decoder to foil satellite-TV pirates
Article Abstract:
General Instrument Corp will manufacture a new device to make it more difficult for satellite 'hackers' to unscramble satellite television programs without paying for service. The satellite television industry is using a two-pronged attack in attempts to prevent people from watching their programs without paying. Government raids on bars, restaurants and individual houses in addition to electronics dealerships selling illegal decoders, should curb distribution and use of the decoders. The new decoder is intended to thwart users of the estimated 530,000 decoders still in use. The new decoder, the Videocipher 2 Plus, has a reconfigured security function. A microprocessor contains the secret instructions needed to unscramble signals in a single integrated circuit that is 'virtually impenetrable.' Old decoders, which were also manufactured by General Instrument, can be replaced for $129.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: News, opinion and commentary
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1990
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
The high-tech future
Article Abstract:
Research projects funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) that have benefits outside military applications are becoming subject to political debate. A recent retreat of $20 million to $30 million worth of funds for high-definition TV (HDTV) research by the Department of Defense represents the political conflict with funding research for the electronics industry. Proponents of HDTV research note that Japan, which has spent $700 million developing HDTV, is far more advance than the US; military applications for HDTV include monitors and screens in tanks and airplanes. Those who oppose HDTV research note that it is too costly to catch up to Japan and that monies would better be used for support of technologies whose sole purpose is in the military.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: News, opinion and commentary
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1990
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
How 'fuzzy logic' improves TV clarity
Article Abstract:
Sony Corp's Active Signal Correction uses 'fuzzy logic' computer programming to monitor the color, brightness, contrast and sharpness of standard television images to improve screen clarity. The television set is dotted with a grid of 248 reference points and the circuitry monitors these points 60 times a second and compares them with 40 perfect scenes stored on a integrated circuit. The enhancement is available for the Trinitron XBR television set and costs $1,500 for the 27-inch screen set and $2,700 for the 32-inch screen set.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: News, opinion and commentary
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1990
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Take control of your credit cards. How to invest the smart way. Don't let money wreck your marriage
- Abstracts: New records of fossil birds of prey from the Miocene of Kenya. Fossil evidence for chemoautotrophic bacterial symbiosis in the Thyasirid bivalve Thyasira michelottii from the Middle Miocene (Badenium) of Austria
- Abstracts: Albertans struggling to keep their eyes open during dozy campaign
- Abstracts: Phone workers in New York agree to pact to end strike. BellSouth terminates pact with Lin
- Abstracts: The grays give way to color in desktop publishing. Citing rift with board, key Tronic's chief quits. A new supercomputer from Intel