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[Thu, 25 Apr 2024]
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Hardware Reviews
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Editorial Review [07 January 2001]
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Aston Mediaguard CI module version 1.04 - Little French marvel. (Page 1 of 1)
The Hardware
Not much to describe here - 1U in height PCMCIA module, manufactured by SCM
in Singapore with no change whatsoever to the external label (probably just
to confuse customers). The only significant change is the fact that Aston in
line with the latest Irdeto CI's, chose to use the same Euro type compliant
base for its newest baby. The bad news for all home grown electronics is that
they can't apply 1.04 dumped .bins to their old 1.00/1.03 CAM's. The good news
is that with a bit of luck you might be able to interchange Irdeto II and Seca
1.04 .bins should you wish to do so. The rumour has it that by the end of the
year all CI CAMs will be of the same Euro type…
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No CAMs were harmed during this review...
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The Cards
Aston 1.04 is much more user friendly than it's predecessors.
 First
of all - there is no longer 1+8 provider limit. Before you throw your arms and
legs in the air screaming "yes!" we are legally obligated to remind
you that sticking whatever plastic bits you might have in an attempt to view
programs without an authorised license is strictly prohibited. OK, you've been
warned.
Second
of all Aston 1.04 is symulcrypt friendly. That's right - you will now see TPS
part of NC NumeriCABLE and Canal Horizons on your receiver just like owners
of original SECA subscription boxes.
More good news - infamous channel switching accidents in Kiosque PPV's area
driving your box into standstills were much reduced. Channel pickup while switching
is also overall slightly faster now.
On the down side Euro compliancy of the CAM means unfortunately that you're
now open to the provider's precautions against pirated cards. We have had a
situation where a Humax 5400 with Aston 1.04 and random test PIC card would
jump and reboot itself at the will of the provider's nano's just like original
subscription boxes do. Just in case anybody wonders why we think of it as a
downside from a legal point of view we rush to explain that we just don't like
the idea of molesting someone's hardware remotely in general and take no interest
whether it's in good name or not.
Nothing has been changed to CAM's compatibility with educational loggers. Unlike
latest Kenwood and Micronik products Aston 1.04 matched with Season gets busy
right away without any problems.The Final Word
Aston 1.04 is definitely a step forward from its previous versions. After recent
shortages in supply you can bet it's price will be much higher than it's manufacturing
costs. But whatever the price you pay it's worth the money compared to what
you would pay in the past for 1.03 series. Keep in mind that some temporary
difficulties may occur due to CAM being more provider friendly than ever before
and providers themselves being more aggressive towards eventual unlicensed viewers.
So don't treat it as opportunity to get rid of your subscription and all that.
SatCritics Team
Photos by Zmiennik [ ] 2001
execept Cinestar screenshot (c) by www.multimania.com
[ ]
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