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The type of encryption depends on whether the transmission is analog
or digital. In North America, there are still encrypted analog
channels, although more and more channels are switching to digital
compression and the encryption methods used with digital channels.
The only important remaining analog encryption method is VideoCipher
II+ Renewable Security, or VC-II RS for short. VC-II RS was developed
by General Instruments. The original VideoCipher I was developed in
the mid-1980's by M/A-Com (who was later bought out by GI) when
satellite encryption was just beginning. VideoCipher I was short-lived
and was replaced by VideoCipher II, and later VideoCipher II+. VC-II
RS is the last version of this encryption scheme that will probably
ever be developed as more and more channels use digital encryption
methods. All modern IRDs have VC-II RS decoding capability.
Besides VC-II RS, the other common form of analog encryption still
used is Leitch. This is used primarily by networks such as ABC and
ESPN. The other notable types of analog encryption are Oak Orion and
BMAC. Oak Orion was a standard used by Canadian satellite
transmissions until most Canadian subscription channels moved to Bell
ExpressVu (DBS) and StarChoice (DigiCipher II). Oak Orion is no longer
used. BMAC was a third analog encryption scheme but is no longer used
much anymore.
More importantly these days are digital encryption methods. Here is a
description of these methods:
1. DigiCipher II - DigiCipher II (DC2) is the defacto American
standard for digital TVRO encryption. The only hybrid digital/analog
IRD is Motorola/GI's 4DTV receiver. With the introduction of the
Motorola/GI 4DTV sidecar receiver in 2001, you no longer need to
replace your older analog IRD to enable DC2 reception. There are no
third-party DC2 receivers, unlike analog TVRO IRD's. No third-party
companies have requested a license, so Motorola/GI never has licensed
the technology. Canadian StarChoice is transmitted in DC2, and
StarChoice receivers are manufactured by Motorola/GI.
(The following are DVB/MPEG-2 encryption methods.)
2. PowerVu - used by AFRTS, NBA TV, RDS - Roseau des Sports, Musique
Plus, MusiMax, Le Canal Nouvelles TVA; others
This is a standard developed by Scientific Atlanta. You need
either the
Scientific Atlanta PowerVu 9223 receiver, which runs about $1600,
or
the Scientific Atlanta PowerVu 9234 receiver, which runs about
$750.
The 9223 is designed for cable companies to allow them to receive
MPEG-2 signals that are uplinked for their benefit. Consequently,
its
user interface is very complex and is not designed for channel
surfing.
The 9234 "Business Satellite Receiver" is a little more user
friendly.
3. Irdeto - used by ABS-CBN International, Lakbay TV, Channel D;
others
This is a standard developed by Irdeto Access.
4. Nagravision - used by Caliber Learning Network, other private
networks
This is a standard developed by Kudelski.
5. Viaccess - used by some programming on Telstar 5 satellite
This is a standard developed by France Telecom.
6. Wegener - used by Empire Sports Network, Televisa, XEW - Canal 2,
XHGC - Canal 5; XEQ - Canal 9; others
This is a standard developed by Wegener Communications.
Note: There is no consumer receiver that can receive both DigiCipher
II/VC-II RS *and* DVB/MPEG-2 programming and there probably won't be
one available anytime soon. General Instruments produces a commercial
grade receiver (DSR-4800) that will receive both Digicipher II and
DVB/MPEG-2.
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