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Click on questions below to see answer...
1. Are the units you sell Cable descramblers?
2. Are converters legal to own and operate?3. The converter I bought descrambles all the programming that my cable system offers, how can I prevent it from receiving unauthorized programming?
4. What is an addressable converter?
5. What are Avenger MX Video Boards?
6. Will any converter work on my cable system or on digital cable?
7. Why is the picture quality so poor when I use a converter?
8. How do I know what kind of converter would be compatible with my cable system?
9. Do those $7-$12 converter plans I see for sale really work? ANSWERS HERE...
10. What if the cable convertor unit I've ordered is out of stock?
1. Are the units you sell Cable Descramblers?
Please note, the units we sell are not cable descramblers. They are cable converters. They can be modified into being cable descramblers by the end user if he/she wishes to install an Avenger MX Video Board. We do not sell or stock Avenger MX Video Boards nor do we preinstall them into our cable converters. If you wish to purchase an Avenger MX Video Board, please try searching Yahoo or Ebay. Our warranty does not cover the installation of the Avenger MX Video Board into our units and/or the attempted operation of our units with an Avenger MX Video Board installed.
Return to top of page.2. Are converters legal to own and operate?
Yes, converters may be owned and operated legally, but they can also be operated illegally. Under US Federal Law, cable have the right to own and operate their own cable equipment, providing that equipment is compatible with the cable system. The converter must only be capable of descrambling those cable channels and programs that have been paid for and are authorized for reception by the cable system's operators. The unauthorized reception of cable programming is against the law and can carry stiff penalties and fines for anyone found to be violating the law. As the purchaser of a converter, you are responsible for informing you cable system's operators of your intention to own and operate your own equipment and you must inform the operators concerning all the programming that your converter is capable of receiving so you may then pay for that programming. Some converter manufacturers and distributors can pre-program your converter to only be capable of receiving those channels that you are authorized to receive, and most converters are programmable by the customer so they will exclude all unauthorized programming.
Return to top of page.3. The converter I bought converters all the programming that my cable system offers, how can I prevent it from receiving unauthorized programming?
Most single unit type cable box converters can be programmed by the cable customer by using the parental blocking feature that comes standard on most units. Unauthorized channels and programming may be blocked from being received when the appropriate codes are entered according to the instructions provided with the owner's manual for the cable box. Many dual system and activator type converters can be similarly programmed to block unauthorized programming when the cable box unit is similarly programmed. Some converters may not be equipped with an end user programmable channel-blocking feature, and for these units a qualified technician may be required to perform the necessary internal program remapping so that all unauthorized channels are blocked. Return to top of page.
4. What is an addressable converter?
An addressable converter can be programmed by remote coded signals transmitted over the cable system to receive authorized channels and to block the reception of unauthorized channels. The cable system operators can also address the customer's converter and selectively authorize special event or pay per view programming according to customer requests. Return to top of page.5. What are "Avenger MX Video Boards"?
These are electronic devices, usually an electronically programmable read only memory device (EPROM), which has been reprogrammed to allow the converter unit was designed to be operated in "test mode." The "Avenger MX Video Boards" EPROM usually replaces an existing EPROM on the converter unit. When in "test mode," the converter is usually capable of descrambling all cable system programming, or at least all the cable channels that have been specifically mapped into the memory of the "test chip." You can't legally install a test chip into a converter unit that is owned by your cable system because you can't legally modify your cable system's equipment. If you wish to purchase an Avenger MX Video Board, please try searching Yahoo or Ebay. Our warranty does not cover the installation of the Avenger MX Video Board into our units and/or the attempted operation of our units with an Avenger MX Video Board installed. Return to top of page.6. Will any converter work on my cable system or on digital cable?
No, there are probably hundreds of different cable systems that require different cable equipment to be compatible. The converter you purchase must be compatible with the equipment your cable system uses, and often must also be specifically programmed to be fully compatible with your cable system. Most converter distributors are familiar with the equipment that is compatible with your specific cable system. The units we sell are analog cable converters, they will not work on digital cable. Return to top of page.7. Why is the picture quality so poor when I use a converter?
Some converters have additional filtering to block the addressing signals sent by cable system operators. This filtering often reduces the overall signal strength and a fuzzy or color depleted picture results. Try installing a 10db amplifier near where the cable enters your converter in order to boost the signal. If your coaxial cable run length from the service connection or utility pole is excessively long, you may also need to add an additional 10db amplifier as close to the service connection as possible. Signal amplification can frequently change a very poor quality picture to nearly picture perfect reception. Return to top of page.8. How do I know what kind of converter would be compatible with my cable system?
Write down the manufacturer and model number of the equipment provided by your cable system operators. You absolutely must have this information and it must be accurate. The manufacturer should be shown on the front of the box, while the model number may be found on the bottom of the unit, usually printed on a label or sticker. Return to top of page.9. Do those $7-$12 converter plans I see for sale really work?
No, not 100% on all systems. Perhaps some of these plans would have worked 10 years ago on a few cable systems when things were a great deal simpler, but these plans would probably work on less than 10% of today's cable systems, if any. If you buy them, you're wasting your money. If you're looking for a site to download these plans, don't look here. We are not about to waste people's times by offering them. Besides, unless you purchase your own converter unit, the modification of your cable system owned equipment is illegal. Return to top of page.
10. What if the cable convertor unit I've ordered is out of stock?
If the unit you have ordered is out of stock then we will give you a complimentary upgrade to the most expensive cable convertor on our site, the Tristar MX. We perform this service as a courtesy to our buyers.
IF YOU WISH TO DESCRAMBLE SCRAMBLED CHANNELS WITH THESE UNITS, YOU WILL NEED TO INSTALL AN AVENGER MX VIDEO BOARD INTO THE UNIT. AVENGER MX VIDEO BOARDS ARE NOT INCLUDED WITH PURCHASE. WE DO NOT STOCK THEM OR SELL THEM SEPERATELY. IF YOU WISH TO PURCHASE AN AVENGER MX VIDEO BOARD, PLEASE TRY SEARCHING YAHOO OR EBAY. OUR WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THE INSTALLATION OF THE AVENGER MX VIDEO BOARD INTO OUR UNITS AND/OR THE ATTEMPTED OPERATION OF OUR UNITS WITH AN AVENGER MX BOARD INSTALLED.