Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site hou2b.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!security!genrad!grkermit!masscomp!clyde!burl!we13!ihnp4!houxm!hou2b!sims From: sims@hou2b.UUCP Newsgroups: net.tv,net.video Subject: Re: cable ready TV/VCR Message-ID: <202@hou2b.UUCP> Date: Fri, 27-Jan-84 16:02:38 EST Article-I.D.: hou2b.202 Posted: Fri Jan 27 16:02:38 1984 Date-Received: Tue, 31-Jan-84 02:22:24 EST Organization: Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ Lines: 19I don't know how general this is, but I can tell you how my cable-ready TV (19" RCA portable) works. If the coax cable is connected directly to the coax plug on the set, I can get all of the standard cable channels EXCEPT for any pay channels (HBO, Showtime, etc.) which require unscrambling. The selector box supplied by the cable company contains the necessary filters for de-scrambling said pay channels. An interesting sidelight - a co-worker who subscribes to basic cable service recently purchased a VCR (don't know the brand). Upon hooking it up she discovered, much to her surprise, that she can now get Showtime. Apparently the synch locking electronics in the VCR happen to match (or override?) the scrambling signal put on by the cable company. -- Jim ..!houxm!hou2b!sims