Smart Cards

Smart cards are issued by most broadcasters to allow access to their service. Yes this includes the free to air broadcasters, ABC, SBS and the satellite commercials.

These smart cards control access to services on a serice by service basis ad is generally independent of the receiver that it is used with.

Encryption Explained

Following on from the counter piracy activities of broadcasters we now all have to live with broadcasters protecting their signals. For those who have migrated from Pirate cards it is now payback time and we all have too endure the fall out.

At the outset understand we are the messenger, so do not shoot us, Our objective is to explain how it works to the layman and what you need to do manage the situation

•  Conditional Access cards are with us to stay so let's get used to it. There is no longer a free lunch.

•  Free to air commercial broadcasters have their patch to protect- for many reasons including copyright and licence provisions. These guys now rigorously enforce their application for access. The message is do it right and there are no problems. Try to buck the system and caveat emptor. This means guys � go with the flow.

•  Campersat now has a subscription Customer Care plan to support you and to look after the nuts and bolts of these issues.

•  Broadcasters cycle codes regularly � mostly monthly but some each 2 weeks and some much more often.

•  If your equipment is off when codes are changed your will get a scrambled message when you first turn back on. This message will stay until your receiver decodes the relevant signal. .

Many operators and broadcasters include channels that are open access, that is you do not need a card to view them. This includes the Optus Tuning Channel, Imparja's second channel (ch31), Arrow FM, and SelecTV promos.

OK, the OPTUS C1 channel 1 tuning channel is not encrypted. - Similarly for SelecTV on Pas 8 Channel I is a promotional channel and is not encrypted. Use these services to make sure you are lined up on the satellite and have a picture. This is one reason why we suggest Fox or Austar customers carry a free to air box - to at lease ensure you are locked on to the correct satellite. For those of us who have automatic motorised product this is less of an issue.

Encryption codes are set for each service and each transponder not all services come up at the same time. Optus now take 8 hours to cycle so if you are wanting that special program, make sure your have been locked on to satellite and receiving programming prior to the big event.

In general those who are permanently on the road and are regularly using their equipment- say weekly loss of program from missing updates is unlikely to be an issue.

If you re an infrequent viewer of your satellite � set it up the day before you travel.

Pirate Smart Card Announcement by Optus

Optus advises that Aurora system changes will be made in the near future. These system changes are being taken to disable reception of broadcast services on receivers that have not been correctly activated using an Optus supplied smartcard.

So.. What does this mean?

It means that low costs systems supplied off the back of a truck in outback Timbuktu will sooner or later� probably sooner - fail to operate ..

Also be aware that despite what you may have been told, use of equipment to receive services by such means is illegal for both supplier and user with the usual probabilities of having to be dealt with by legal means.

All Campersat equipment uses proper Optus cards with full after sales service and Campersat has always used authorised Optus cards and arranged authorisation prior to delivery. Each card is clearly serial numbered.

Campersat offer new Optus cards to users who have been bitten by our competitors. An Authorisation service is also available.- see Customer Care

For pricing see our DIY Components or accessories in our price list

Optus Smart Card Information

Activation of Optus Aurora Smartcards needs viewers (or Campersat) to complete the Aurora Smartcard Activation Request Form and email to sss@optus.com.au or fax to 1300 555 221.

If email or fax facilities are unavailable to you, you can activate your smartcard by phoning on 1300 301 680, however you may experience difficulties leaving a message on this number.

Correct Operation of Your Set Top Box

To maintain your set top box operation in synchronism with any changes to the Aurora system it is advisable to where possible:

•  Leave the set top box connected to power and the receiving satellite dish

•  The set top box may be left in the stand by mode if not in use. This enables the set top box to receive any updates to system information as they occur.

Failure to follow this practice may result in loss of service for a period, until the box receives the latest updated information. This problem is most likely to occur if you reactivate your box after a lengthy period of disconnection.

Special note for Travellers or
Those who have unattended holiday houses

Broadcasters regularly update codes to combat piracy so it is essential to be aware the your card may loose authorisation if not looking at the satellite.

This is usually not an issue under a couple of months but if services are lost, or scarambled messages appear, it is often necessary to leave on over night to regain services.

Urgent issues can usually be resolved by contacting  Optus Master Control  as outlined above.

About Optus Aurora

The Optus Aurora system provides transmission of free�to-air services for the national broadcasters, remote area commercial broadcasters, business television providers, radio broadcasters and audio narrowcasters. Reception of the services can be direct to home (DTH) or direct to business (DTB) via a satellite dish, set top box and Optus Aurora smartcard, or via retransmission facilities using terrestrial transmitters for broadcast to TV's.

The Optus Aurora system is designed to operate in an encrypted format, making use of smartcards, within the set top boxes, to decrypt the services applicable to the entitlements on the particular smartcard, held by the set top box. There are a few special instances where a small number of Aurora services are transmitted without encryption, allowing reception without a smartcard, but in general an official Optus Aurora smartcard is required for correct operation.