Hacking Satellite TV

People are always talking about hacking satellite TV and whether or not it is possible. There are a lot of people who claim that they are able to hack into DirecTV and get free programming and even free equipment.It sounds too good to be true and it is because you can get caught if you hack satellite TV and can end up getting in serious trouble.There is no satellite TV company that is going to allow people to just rip them off and get hundreds of channels without paying a dime.

Hacking into cable has long been a problem but even trying to start hacking satellite TV can get you into a world of trouble.In fact, there have been quite a few cases particularly recent cases that go to show just how serious a crime this is and how much trouble you can get into.There was one man who had to pay nearly $1,000,000 and face three years in prison for hacking satellite TV from DirecTV for a year.He now faces $750,000 in fines and also jail time of up to three years.

Sure the idea of hacking satellite TV may sound like a dream but it is just not worth it.Satellite hackers are putting themselves at great risk and all over TV it is really not worth it.The rates of satellite television piracy are continuing to spike and as they do, authorities are taking all the proper measures to ensure that these satellite pirates are getting what they deserve and getting harsher punishment.Satellite TV piracy continues to grow at an alarming rate.

People are always going to think that they are ingenious and come up with different ways to get their satellite TV for free but the smartest move is to just keep paying your bills.Of course the reason that these satellite providers are so upset over this matter is because they are at such a loss from all of this.These satellite TV providers are losing millions of dollars a year from people stealing their programming and getting it for free.The worst part is that most of these people have the audacity to make a profit off of their satellite TV which they are getting for free.

Whether you know it or not, there are sports and other bars and businesses that will hack satellite TV and then charge their customers money to see the different programs.So not only are the satellite companies at a loss for their own programming but then the pirates are making the profit from it.You can hack satellite TV as many people do but the risks are great and the punishment harsh.It is a far better idea to do things the legal way and get signed up with a satellite TV provider and pay your bills than try to cheat your way around it.

AT&T slowly begins rollout of CruiseCast in-car satellite TV service

AT&T's entrance into the satellite radio/video market (dubbed AT&T CruiseCast) has soft-launched at select retail outlets, representing a delay from the company's original plans for a full launch in March, according to a report from TWICE.

Still despite the delay, the company is targeting a hard-launch date in early June, although no actual date has been set, said company president Winston Guillory. The service will provide 22 channels of live TV service and 20 channels of radio service direct to equipped vehicles via its satellite service. Orbitcast had a live demonstation of AT&T CruiseCast earlier this year - see the writeup and photos here.

AT&T is currently working with "small groups" of car audio specialists, expediters and distributors to sign up a few dozen customers to test its distribution, merchandising and promotional network, said Guillory.

Approximately 373 outlets have signed up to carry the product, according to TWICE, although many are not participating in the soft launch. Some retailers are taking an aggressive stance on the new offering, while others appear more cautious.

"We think it's a great technology - we wanted to take a position," said Al & Ed's Autosound product manager John Haynes. The retailer reportedly ordered 50 units about two weeks ago.

Crutchfield is taking preorders on its Web site, while others such as Car Toys and Abt Electronics are looking into selling the product. Gary Yacoubian, president and COO of MyerEmco, said AT&T CruiseCast "will create a ton of buzz," and the chain will be investigating it over the next few weeks.

Still, considering the current economic climate, the AT&T CruiseCast service is likely priced too high out of the range for most consumers.

The AT&T CruiseCast device itself will retail at a suggested price of $1,299 and will come with a subscription price of $28 a month. Professional installation is required, and no free trials are planned at launch. "I am still collecting data, but preliminary feedback is that both the price of this unit along with the monthly cost of the limited programming will limit the number of potential customers that will be willing or able to justify this product in these very difficult financial times," Audio Express purchasing director Grant Phillips to TWICE.

Currently, the announced content partners for the service are MTV and NBC networks which includes programming such as MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, The N and Noggin. The 20 audio channels are provided by MusicChoice, Orbitcast has learned.

This is hardly competition to Sirius XM Radio (yet). The AT&T CruiseCast service is less of a threat to "traditional" satellite radio right now - rather it's more of an alternative to the KVH DirecTV system, which is billed at nearly $3,000 and features a much larger antenna. Still, more competition is looming on the horizon.

Audiovox is planning on offering its FLO TV service provided by MediaFLO, at a target price of $599 - $699 (installed) through car dealers in late September or early October (read Orbitcast's coverage of the press event here). And don't forget ICO mim, the in-vehicle satellite service which could reach the market next year by suppliers including Kenwood.

But it's still too early to say whether in-vehicle live TV entertainment will ever grow out of a niche market.Right now Sirius Backseat TV is arguably the most reasonably priced live in-vehicle video service at $6.99/month, though it's a limited 3 channel offering. Backseat TV is also the first to market with live video installed at the OEM level, giving a slight leg up on the competition - but being first to market doesn't always mean being the market leader. It's still an extremely nascent market, and the jury's out on the long-term success.

So here's a question - if the price of in-vehicle video went down, would you consider it? Or is watching live TV in your car something you think you would never need? Sound off in the comments below.

TracVision M1, a New In-motion Satellite TV System

KVH Industries, a provider of in-motion satellite TV and communication systems, has released the new TracVision M1 at the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show. KVH’s new, ultra-compact 12.5" TracVision M1 antenna lets boat owners enjoy hundreds of channels of high-quality satellite TV programming from DIRECTV while at the dock, sailing, or cruising around the continental U.S. and coastal waters.

Weighing close to 7.5 pounds, the in-motion TracVision M1 offers the tracking and in-motion performance one might expect from a larger antenna, while fitting the sleek exterior design of vessels as small as 20 feet. TracVision M1’s small size, easy setup, ultra-quiet motors, and versatile mounting options allow convenient installation. This new, all-digital device is fully automatic, connecting boaters to more than 300 channels of standard-definition DIRECTV programming and satellite radio music. The system also requires only a single cable for easy installation, even when an installation includes multiple receivers.

KVH innovation repeatedly changes what is possible when it comes to satellite TV at sea. For years, industry wisdom held that you needed at least an 18" diameter antenna to enjoy satellite TV. Two years ago, KVH shattered that myth with our 14" TracVision M3 antenna. Now, they've set a new standard for compact design with their 12.5" TracVision M1 antenna. KVH's exclusive, high-efficiency RingFire(TM) technology enables the TracVision M1 to provide the high signal gain no competing product in this antenna class can match. The new product offers all the features boaters want such as DIRECTV programming, a lightweight and rugged antenna, easy installation, crystal-clear reception, and the reliability of KVH's products and service.

KVH says its mission is to connect mobile customers with the same digital television entertainment, communications, and Internet services that they enjoy in their home and offices.