Talk:Conditional Access Module

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Is this the right page to mention issues with CAMs or should there be a separate troubleshooting page? I want to share the following experience:

Using an SCM Viaccess CAM with a Nexus DVB-S 2.2, the card gets unable to receive from time to time, while the TV-Out still works. After removing and reinserting the CAM, it works again. It took me some experimentation to find the cause of this problem, so others might find this valuable.

yes, why not. I've just added a new sections Problems to it. You may add your problem and it's solution there. But before starting please read VDR_Wiki:Conventions --Wirbel 18:39, 6 March 2006 (CET)

Please also check dvb wiki. I think it's always good to document problems and solutions you've found. But beware that for a CAM for work fine, several elements must be taken into account:

  • vdr CAM code (mainly ci.c)
  • dvb ci kernel module (which depends on your card)
  • the sat card
  • the CAM itself (so you must specify the CAM type, brand and firmware version)
  • the informations sent in the broadcast.

Sometimes a CAM will work poorly (or not at all) because of:

  • incompatiblity between CAM firmware and broadcast info (e.g. SCM viaccess CAM fw 1.06 and TPS)
  • HW incompatibility between CAM and card (Aston CAM and (older?) Twinhan card )
  • dvb module bugs
  • API incompatibility (e.g low level CI API vs hi level CI API)

On my side, I've mentioned the combination I've tested in linuxtv vdr (with my old Hercules card or my new Nova CI-S)

--Ddumont 09:54, 8 March 2006 (CET)