Hardware and software setup

Advantages of using a self-module for a TV. What is Common Interface in Samsung TV What is ci module for TV

The standard scheme for connecting Tricolor satellite television is as follows: satellite dish - receiver (receiver) - TV. If you have a modern TV model, then this chain can be simplified: instead of a separate set-top box, use the CAM module. What it is, how it works, how to connect and how to set up the Tricolor TV Ci module, we will consider further.

What is a CAM module?

CAM module, or conditional access module, is a special device that is inserted into the Ci or Ci + slot in a TV equipped with a built-in DVB-S2 receiver. The task of the module is only to decode the pay channels of the provider using a smart card with a chip and a unique individual number. The satellite signal is processed by the TV itself.

How does the Tricolor TV CI module work?

How the Tricolor TV Ci module works can be described as follows: it decodes the received signal and then transmits it in decrypted form to the receiver built into the TV. The previously encoded channels of the Tricolor TV operator become available for viewing. When using the module, it is important to follow the software updates of the TV itself, because. the signal is handled by the DVB-S2 tuner built into the TV. If access to channels is terminated (channels are encrypted), and the module and smart card are not damaged, then you need to configure the TV itself.

What are the Tricolor TV CAM modules?

Custom CAM modules for viewing "Tricolor TV" are released in only one format: single-system single-channel. They are easy to set up and operate and provide access to the DRE-crypt coding system on a single TV. Universal multi-channel modules, with which you can watch several channels simultaneously on different devices, are too complicated to set up and require special expensive equipment for operation.

Single system variant

Universal option

Universal modules are able to support several channel coding systems and broadcast different channels to subscribers in a television network. You will watch the channels of the operator whose smart card you bought and inserted into the module. But for the operation of such devices, special expensive television stations and complex programming and equipment settings are needed. For this reason, universal modules are used only when connecting a large number of subscribers, for example, in apartment buildings.

The advantages of such equipment

The following are the significant advantages of using the CAM module:
- the absence of a second remote control from the TV tuner, as well as himself as a separate element;
- satellite dish is connected directly to the TV, which eliminates unnecessary wires and improves the quality of broadcasting;
- higher picture quality - the ability to view channels in both SD and HD formats, as well as in the new ultra-high quality - Ultra HD 4K (UHD).

How to set up the Ci "Tricolor" module on the TV?

Module "Tricolor TV" Ci: how to connect and configure? This procedure is quite simple. To connect the Tricolor TV conditional access module, first you need to make sure that your TV is equipped with a Ci-slot, purchase a CAM module and a smart card. To connect the Tricolor TV Ci module, you need to insert a module with a smart card installed in it into a special port on the TV. You need to do this with the TV turned off.
Now let's figure out how to set up the Ci + "Tricolor" module on the TV.
After turning on the TV, information about the identification of the module and the Tricolor TV smart card should appear on the screen: "Attention, access rights are being checked." If the check did not take place, then go to the Ci settings of the module and click on the "Reset to factory settings" button. The TV will restart. When the module is identified, it will turn green. After that, you need to set up channels. In many modern TVs (especially Samsung and LG), channel tuning is carried out automatically when you select the Tricolor TV operator. If your TV does not support this mode, then you need to manually enter the parameters: type of antenna, satellite, converter. If all this turned out to be done, then we proceed to setting up channels in the corresponding section of the menu. Request channel search frequencies in advance at Tricolor TV technical support or look on the Internet. At the end of the channel setup, leave the TV turned on on the Russia-1 channel until the programs are activated (from several minutes to 8 hours).

How to update the Tricolor TV CI module?

For the continuous display of channels and the correct operation of the Tricolor TV Ci module, it is necessary to update in a timely manner: the software of the TV and the module itself.
If the TV is connected to the Internet, set the "Automatic software update" in the settings, then it will occur automatically. If it is not possible to connect the TV to the Internet, then follow the updates on the manufacturer's website yourself, download to a usb flash drive and update according to the instructions via the usb connector.
Module software update is done via satellite. You only need to turn on channel number 333 "Telemaster", which will offer to update to the latest version, and click the "OK" button. After installing the update, the module should automatically reboot. If this does not happen, you need to turn off the TV, remove the adapter from the slot and put it back, then turn on the TV. If for some reason you were unable to update automatically, you can download instructions on the Tricolor website that describe how to update the Tricolor TV Ci module yourself by downloading files with the latest software version to a USB drive. If all else fails, you can contact the Tricolor TV support service or call the wizard to configure the module.

Until recently, to watch satellite TV from leading providers, it was required to have an additional “set-top box” to the TV - a digital receiver. The task of this device is to decode closed paid channels, access to which is open only to authorized customers according to the terms of their package plan. In other words, this receiver, or as it is often called a decoder, provided uninterrupted access to all information content.

Nowadays, the technological process is rapidly moving forward, thanks to which users of digital satellite television from leading providers (such as Tricolor TV, NTV Plus, Raduga TV, TeleKarta) can enjoy watching their favorite TV programs without using a receiver. This is possible if you have at your disposal a modern TV with a built-in digital tuner, as well as a special CI connector for the CAM module.

What is a CAM module?

Modern TV models are equipped with built-in digital TV tuners that can independently decode closed television programs without using an external receiver. But in order for the built-in tuner to function, there is a mandatory requirement - the presence of a special signal conditioning module, that is, a CAM module.

By definition, a CAM module is an electronic device that is used as an adapter when decoding paid media content supplied to the encryption. It can support work with one coding system or several at once. In addition, such a device has a special slot designed for a smart card, an individual access key that each subscriber of digital satellite television providers receives.

In turn, the smart card has a unique number and allows the service provider to control the degree of access to encrypted TV channels for each specific user.

How exactly does the conditional access module work?

In practice, everything looks more simple and clear than in theory. Each new satellite television subscriber receives a smart card containing access keys. It looks like a simple plastic card with a small electronic chip. The card is placed in the CAM module slot, after which it is inserted into the CI slot on your TV.

As you know, any TV channels that go on your satellite TV are divided into two groups, namely:

Free (open). These are the simplest and most common channels that are always open to all users;

Paid (closing). These include the most interesting, high-quality and informative TV channels. They can be dedicated to sports events, show the life of wild animals, or they can broadcast good domestic and foreign films, for example, in HD quality. Naturally, it makes no sense for the provider to provide them for free, so they are encoded.

The built-in digital tuner reads access codes from your smart card and decodes all closed channels according to the terms of your package, so you can always enjoy high-quality and interesting TV programs.

An important advantage of the built-in digital tuner and CAM module is that there is no need to use additional equipment, namely a separate external receiver in the form of a set-top box. This is very convenient, because everything you need is already on your TV. While a separate receiver takes up space, collects dust, and a whole bunch of wires are used to connect it. In turn, a TV with a conditional access module is much easier to mount on vertical surfaces, for example, on a wall. Minimum wires and maximum space savings.

Which TV models are suitable for using the CAM module?

It should be noted that not all models of television devices can be used with a conditional access module. It is important that the TV has a built-in digital TV tuner and also supports the appropriate digital TV satellite standard (eg DVB-S or DVB-S2).

There may be a connector for a CAM module on the back of the TV, but the TV may not have a built-in DVB-S or DVB-S2 tuner, and in order to make sure that your TV can work with a CAM module for receiving satellite TV, there must be a special threaded connector for connecting a satellite dish. If there is a connector for the CAM module but no threaded connector as in the photo, then your TV does not have a tuner for receiving satellite channels and, accordingly, the CAM module will not work for you !!!


In general, almost all modern TV models of popular world brands (LG, Samsung, Philips and many others) are equipped with built-in digital tuners, as well as a special CI connector designed for the CAM module. If you do not know if your TV meets the requirements described above, then you can determine this by studying the technical characteristics of the device or by consulting the seller.

How is the CAM module configured?

With the help of the conditional access module, you can tune the channels of satellite digital television. To do this, you just need to first make sure that the device is installed correctly and your TV "sees" it, and also reads data from the smart card.

The pace of development of modern technologies is impressive. Every day there are new devices aimed at improving the comfort of people. In this regard, the entertainment industry leads by a wide margin.

It has become commonplace for a modern person to spend free time in front of a TV screen, the functionality of which is expanding every year. LG is considered to be the leader in electronics manufacturing.

Not all owners of equipment of this brand know what a pcmcia card slot is on an LG TV, so we have prepared a detailed answer in this article.

With the development of cable television, the question arose of how to make viewing programs available to a specific subscriber. To protect the user from hacking, it is necessary to use, which are installed on the TV in the Pcmcia Card Slot.

A smart card performs the function of a pass, which contains information about the owner, the selected channel package, tariff and other services. You can purchase such a pass for your home theater from a digital television operator.

It is important to know that the card for the Pcmcia slot is registered for one device, that is, if a person decides to move it to another, he will need to contact the digital television operator to change the broadcast conditions.
Depending on the type of cable, coaxial or fiber optic, the signal will be given at a certain frequency. At intervals of several seconds, the signal coming through the smart card is encrypted with a new key.

This provides a high level of security and ensures that no one else can use the services of the tariff plan.

How does he work

Pcmcia Card Slot is present on most modern TVs. This connector is used to connect TV signal decoding cards.

When purchasing from a cable TV operator a special access card with the appropriate encoding that is installed in the Pcmcia slot, you must pay for the channel package.

After paying for the tariff services, the card will be activated and will allow the user to view all available channels. The TV signal passes through the demodulator and reads information from the card installed in the Pcmcia Card Slot.

A secure connection guarantees the subscriber and the operator that only the person who paid for these services will use the TV broadcasting services.

Why do I need Pcmcia Card Slot in LG TV

The use of technologies that make watching cable channels safe was no exception. Therefore, all new LG TVs have a smart card and a pcmcia card slot.

Most often, this slot is located on the back or side of LG TVs. In the place where you want to place the card there is a corresponding inscription - Pcmcia.

After the equipment detects an activated smart card in the Pcmcia slot, the following functions will be available to the subscriber:

  • tariff and available channels management;
  • secure access to television broadcasting;
  • possibility of use on other devices.

How to install a cam module in a TV

Manufacturers of LCD and plasma screens are equipping all new Pcmcia Card Slot models, which eliminates the need to purchase additional devices.
The digital signal built into the TV receives an encrypted signal, but they use it to decrypt it. Such a device is a pay TV service conditional control module.

It is a small box in which a smart card is installed, with connectors for connecting to a TV. To connect this device, it is enough to install it together with the card in the appropriate one on any TV that is previously turned off.

After switching on, an inscription about the found new equipment will appear on the screen. In some cases, you will need to search for channels.

Benefits of using the CAM module:

  • cheaper than a set-top box;
  • simple installation and configuration;
  • compact dimensions;
  • remote control.

Pcmcia Card Slot allows you to watch only cable TV, but makes this process as safe and convenient as possible. Perhaps, further development of electronics will allow using the Pcmcia slot for other functions, so all TV manufacturers embed it as a standard on their devices.

At the moment, LG equips all new models with this connector, which is located on the side or back of the device.

common interface that this is an expansion slot, now installed in all TVs with DVB digital tuners, this is nothing more than an electronic module with a slot, a CAM module is installed in the slot, and an access card is installed in the module.

What is a CI slot for?

DVB digital broadcasts can be encoded. Coding is used by TV channels that broadcast on a paid subscription via satellites. Coding is also used by cable operators. By providing the client with access cards and CAM modules, TV channels open access to watching a certain package of TV programs.

CI vs. CI+

CI - Common Interface is an interface designed to connect various devices to a TV, most widely used to connect CAM modules, this allows you to view encoded television signals (from satellite or cable television, terrestrial can also be encoded, but this is practically not done), that is, television programs provided for viewing paid users. The CI interface is now a thing of the past and has been replaced by the improved CI+ interface.

what is the difference between ci and ci+

The difference between them is that CI Plus or Common Interface Plus implemented a form of copy protection between a conditional access module (CAM) and a television receiver. The CI+ standard is compatible with the CI of older TV receivers that have CI.

Together with CI slot, it can be used with CI + CAM and vice versa, but only those TV programs that are not marked as CI + will be available for viewing.

CAM modules (Conditional-access module) what is it

The Cam module is a conditional access module, it supports the digital video decoding algorithm, in a word, the CAM module is a decoder, and the access card is the key to the code. Quite a few coding systems have been invented by Conax, Irdeto, Viaccess, VideoGuard.

CAM module IRDET0


Viaccess CAM module

There are a lot of types of CAM modules, modules are usually released under a certain encoding protocol, even cable providers release their own access modules.

How does TV decoding work?

When receiving an encoded TV program by the receiver (tuner), for proper signal processing, it needs to know the encryption algorithm.

Leading encodings use the following coding principle, a request is sent with a television signal to receive an access key, for example, once every 3 minutes, the receiver, having received a request from the air, sends a request to the CAM module, the module accesses the access card, having received information from the card, the module generates a response code access, which is transmitted to the receiver (tuner). The tuner understands which signal decoding algorithm should be used and decodes the television signal.

In modern systems, the transfer of information about active cards is also implemented. For example, you bought access to NTV with a monthly subscription, you forgot to pay the subscription fee. When receiving a TV signal, information will be transmitted that your card is not active and you cannot watch TV programs. After payment, your card number will be activated and watch TV shows again.

Signal decoding scheme using the CAM module.


Now in all TVs with digital tuners, an electronic module is installed with a slot for installing a CAM module, and an access card is placed in the module. CI - Common Interface This is a technology that allows you to view coded television signals (TV programs provided for viewing by users on a paid basis). The CI interface is now a thing of the past and has been replaced by the improved CI+ interface. The difference between them is that CI Plus or Common Interface Plus implemented a form of copy protection between a conditional access module (CAM) and a television receiver. The CI+ standard is CI compatible with older TVs that have CI. Together with CI slot, it can be used with CI + CAM and vice versa, but only those TV programs that are not marked as CI + will be available for viewing.
There are a lot of types of CAM modules, modules are usually released under a certain encoding protocol, even cable providers release their own access modules.

How does TV decoding work?

When receiving an encoded TV program by the receiver (tuner), for proper signal processing, you need to know the encryption algorithm. The principle of coding is this, with a television signal a request is sent to receive an access key, for example, once every 3 minutes, the receiver, having received a request from the air, sends a request to the CAM module, the module accesses the access card, having received information from the card, the module generates a response access code, which transmitted to the receiver (tuner). The tuner understands which signal encryption algorithm should be used and decodes the television signal. In modern systems, the transfer of information about active cards is also implemented.
For example, you have access to NTV with a monthly subscription, but you forgot to pay the subscription fee. When receiving a TV signal, information will be transmitted that your card is not active and you cannot watch TV programs. After payment, your card number becomes active and watch TV shows again.
Liked the article? Share with friends!
Was this article helpful?
Yes
Not
Thanks for your feedback!
Something went wrong and your vote was not counted.
Thank you. Your message has been sent
Did you find an error in the text?
Select it, click Ctrl+Enter and we'll fix it!