Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 exptools 1/6/84; site ihuxk.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!harpo!ihnp4!ihuxk!rs55611
From: rs55611@ihuxk.UUCP (Robert E. Schleicher)
Newsgroups: net.tv,net.video
Subject: Re: cable ready TV/VCR (Showtime on VCR)
Message-ID: <555@ihuxk.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 6-Feb-84 18:38:07 EST
Article-I.D.: ihuxk.555
Posted: Mon Feb  6 18:38:07 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 9-Feb-84 10:07:19 EST
References: <202@hou2b.UUCP>, <176@pucc-i> <203@hou2b.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 17

In the situation described (had no premium cable channels, got a VCR,
now pick up Showtime through VCR, without bable box, and TV without
cable box shows no Showtime), the explanation is as follows:

1.  The cable company does not filter out premium channels
from non-paying customers cables, by using trap filters at
the customer's drop box.

2.  Also, the cable company does not scramble the pay channels.

3.  Access to pay channels is only controlled by programming of
the cable box tuner to not allow tuning in of the pay channels.

Thus, a cable-ready VCR can tune in the pay channels without paying
for them.  Showtime doesn't appear on a TV without the cable box
because the TV's tuner can't tune in anything but normal VHF 
on the cable.