HU USW8 --> TiVo System??

[TheBigDog]

Has anybody investigate the possibility of DirecTV destroying the DTiVo EEPROM date via stream using the code implemented in USW8?

[boboli]

Originally posted by TheBigDog
Has anybody investigate the possibility of DirecTV destroying the TiVo EEPROM date via stream using the code implemented in USW8?

Just my opinion, mind you. But I think that they would run a huge legal risk by doing that.

I would think it would be like Microsoft destroying someone's computer because there is a hacked copy of Windows 2000 on it.

I may be wrong, but that's my thoughts... B

[captain_video]

I'm not sure that DTV would even have the capability of sending anything downstream that could actually harm or alter the Tivo in any way. The DirecTivo is essentially two separate entities in a single chassis. In theory, DTV should only be able to send updates, ECMs, or firmware updates that would affect only the access card and DTV receiver portion of the DTivo. The Tivo section should be unaffected by anything DTV does to the datastream. From the knowledge I've gleaned from this forum, I believe that the Tivo can only be affected by a software update downloaded via the phone line. If your DTivo is not connected to the phone line or is blocked from connecting via the internet then your DTivo should be unable to take any updates. I'm no expert on the subject so if anyone else does have an expert opinion please feel free to set me straight.

[zabs]

With regards to the legality of destroying a Dtivo unit:

How far is it from DirecTV, ECMing/Black Sunday'ing/Looping H or HU cards???

I guess they get around it by stating that the card itself is not actually yours???

On the otherside they have the ability to flash a prom on the DirecTV reciever and while they may have done this to prevent illegal use of certain older cards, I never heard of a receiver being rendered useless by an update.

[TheBigDog]

Originally posted by zabs
..............I never heard of a receiver being rendered useless by an update.


Charlie does that a lot to the Dish Network system. They "ECM" your IRD (basically destroy / clean your EEPROM image) But people now use a JTAG to backup their EEPROM. I just wonder if we need to start worrying about the same issue for our expensive TiVo. From what I have heard, DirecTV can only do it to 5th gen and HIGHER IRD, which I believe a TiVo is a 5th Gen IRD.

[captain_video]

I think you're mixing apples and oranges here. The Tivo is not an IRD. The DTV receiver portion of the DTivo is an IRD but it is a separate entity. I can certainly see where DTV can send down a firmware update or an ECM that will affect anyone pirating DTV using a DTivo but there are a lot of legitimately subbed DTivos out there that have been Xtremed. Why would DTV risk losing all of the legit subscribers in the process? I sincerely believe that DTV could care less about us hacking our DTivos as long as we pay for the DTV service. As far as they're concerned, the DTivo is just another receiver and, as long as we're paying a monthly fee for it they'll leave us alone.

The Tivo service is another issue but I'm sure that most of us wouldn't have any major heartburn if we had to shell out another $5/month to keep DTV happy once they take over the Tivo subs. Besides, it's highly unlikely that DTV will send down another ECM as physically devastating as Black Sunday if there's any potential of damaging expensive equipment. To date, all of DTV's efforts have been focused on hackers that receive DTV illegally. The DTivo community is but a small percentage of the subscriber base so it's unlikely that DTV would waste their time with any sort of major campaign to thwart DTivo hacking.

[AlphaWolf]

Originally posted by TheBigDog



Charlie does that a lot to the Dish Network system. They "ECM" your IRD (basically destroy / clean your EEPROM image) But people now use a JTAG to backup their EEPROM. I just wonder if we need to start worrying about the same issue for our expensive TiVo. From what I have heard, DirecTV can only do it to 5th gen and HIGHER IRD, which I believe a TiVo is a 5th Gen IRD.

There would be no point in this. It would certainly require an update, and they couldn't ever force anybody to use that update without swapping out the older 1st to 3rd gen receivers with brand new 4.5th gen IRDs. (many 1st to 3rd gens have regular rom chips)