Xtraview Encryption System
Encyclopedia
Xtraview Video Encryption System refers to the now-defunct patented "encryption" system used on Xtraview
and a number of other Top Up TV services, including Setanta Sports
, Television X
and Red Hot TV.
Unlike the other encryption system used by Top Up TV, Mediaguard
, the Xtraview Video Encryption System was not a true encryption
system. Instead, an MHEG application directed the user's set-top box
to a hidden videostream when a correct PIN
is entered. Unlike traditional channel encryption methods, Xtraview did not require a viewing card. This is an advantage over digital terrestrial television in the UK, where the vast majority of set-top boxes have no ability to decrypt pay channels.
Access to a channel protected using the Xtraview technology was granted by calling a premium rate telephone number. During the call, users were asked to give a number displayed on screen. In response, they were given a PIN to unlock the service.
a similar system is in use by Babestation Xtreme
, Red Hot TV, Television X and briefly by the now defunct TView
on digital terrestrial television.
Another downfall is that because the application is MHEG generated, if the set-top box was switched off, access to these channels was lost. It is also stated on-screen before purchase that not all boxes are compatible. Another factor is that a few cheaper boxes do not have MHEG support at all, and therefore cannot access the service.
Xtraview
Xtraview was a British pay-per-view television channel run by Top Up TV. It replaced Top Up TV Sampler, a promotional channel showing Top Up TV's latest offers presented by Alice Beer. Xtraview showed a selection of programs from the Top Up TV package, at a cost of one pound per day...
and a number of other Top Up TV services, including Setanta Sports
Setanta Sports
Setanta Sports is an international sports broadcaster based in Dublin, Ireland. Setanta Sports was formed in 1990 to facilitate the broadcasting of Irish sporting events...
, Television X
Television X
Television X is the name of a series of adult television channels in the UK, produced by Portland TV, a subsidiary of Northern & Shell owned by Richard Desmond, the proprietor of the Daily Express...
and Red Hot TV.
Unlike the other encryption system used by Top Up TV, Mediaguard
Mediaguard
Mediaguard is a conditional access system for digital television developed by SECA , company renamed to Canal+ Technologies SA , a subsidiary of Canal+ Group, sold to Thomson...
, the Xtraview Video Encryption System was not a true encryption
Encryption
In cryptography, encryption is the process of transforming information using an algorithm to make it unreadable to anyone except those possessing special knowledge, usually referred to as a key. The result of the process is encrypted information...
system. Instead, an MHEG application directed the user's set-top box
Set-top box
A set-top box or set-top unit is an information appliance device that generally contains a tuner and connects to a television set and an external source of signal, turning the signal into content which is then displayed on the television screen or other display device.-History:Before the...
to a hidden videostream when a correct PIN
Personal identification number
A personal identification number is a secret numeric password shared between a user and a system that can be used to authenticate the user to the system. Typically, the user is required to provide a non-confidential user identifier or token and a confidential PIN to gain access to the system...
is entered. Unlike traditional channel encryption methods, Xtraview did not require a viewing card. This is an advantage over digital terrestrial television in the UK, where the vast majority of set-top boxes have no ability to decrypt pay channels.
Access to a channel protected using the Xtraview technology was granted by calling a premium rate telephone number. During the call, users were asked to give a number displayed on screen. In response, they were given a PIN to unlock the service.
a similar system is in use by Babestation Xtreme
Babestation
Babestation is a British soft porn TV programme aired since 2002. The first and most well-known show of its kind in the UK, it allows viewers to communicate live with female presenters via a premium-rate telephone number or text messaging...
, Red Hot TV, Television X and briefly by the now defunct TView
The Big Deal (TV channel)
The Big Deal is a TV channel in the United Kingdom on the Freeview platform.When launched in 2009, The Big Deal broadcast live interactive quiz show 7 days a week from 22:00-05:00 on Freeview channel 37, then changed to channel 32, timesharing with the RT Network and Create and Craft...
on digital terrestrial television.
Criticism
The PIN system has been subject to widespread hacking. Without encryption, the system was easily circumvented by set-top boxes that are able to access individual videostreams when individual stream PIDs are entered. More recently, the PIN algorithm itself was cracked, allowing others to access the service.Another downfall is that because the application is MHEG generated, if the set-top box was switched off, access to these channels was lost. It is also stated on-screen before purchase that not all boxes are compatible. Another factor is that a few cheaper boxes do not have MHEG support at all, and therefore cannot access the service.