TWC Today Forums
Present - The Weather Channel 2000 => TWC and your Cable Company => Topic started by: shadyjay on August 21, 2008, 08:20:51 PM
-
A friend of mine who ran a small cable system here in Vermont is selling his Weatherstar JR.
He's asking $200, which includes:
* unit w/ keyboard and original Wagner manual
* c-band satellite receiver
* wedge type video cypher II descrambler
If interested, PM me for the details!
Jay
-
Have pics of the apparatus? (videocipher? manual?)
BTW, isn't that illegal? :P
-
Have pics of the apparatus? (videocipher? manual?)
BTW, isn't that illegal? :P
Yeah, it is. 100%. Plus its a violation of TWC's terms of use.
-
I'm willing to barter. I'll send an autographed picture of myself in exchange for the STAR. Deal? :cool3:
-
I'm willing to barter. I'll send an autographed picture of myself in exchange for the STAR. Deal? :cool3:
I wish I has a STAR so I could take part in this offer!! :(
-
I'm willing to barter. I'll send an autographed picture of myself in exchange for the STAR. Deal? :cool3:
I wish I has a STAR so I could take part in this offer!! :(
Me too... though I could always steal the one from my Comcast headend. It's only about two miles away. :D
-
I'm willing to barter. I'll send an autographed picture of myself in exchange for the STAR. Deal? :cool3:
Mmm, that'll make a great dart board! :rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2: :P
-
LOL! for a second, I thought this thread title said "Weatherstar JR for sale - own a piece of crap"
:rofl2:
I take it no satellite comes with this?
-
I've put a ticket in with the support desk to locate the owner of the unit, and get it shipped back.
-
I've put a ticket in with the support desk to locate the owner of the unit, and get it shipped back.
Will he be fined?
-
I've put a ticket in with the support desk to locate the owner of the unit, and get it shipped back.
Will he be fined?
I've never dealt with this type of thing, so I have no clue.
-
Well that's a fine f*** you. :whistling:
-
I've put a ticket in with the support desk to locate the owner of the unit, and get it shipped back.
:thrilled: :clap: :twothumbs:
-
Well that's a fine f*** you. :whistling:
I could care less about the STAR, its the IRD that concerns me. Thats all TWC is problaly concerned about as well. That IRD can access more than TWC, it can access any encrypted signal off of the AMC satellites.
-
Well that's a fine f*** you. :whistling:
I could care less about the STAR, its the IRD that concerns me. Thats all TWC is problaly concerned about as well. That IRD can access more than TWC, it can access any encrypted signal off of the AMC satellites.
Yeah well it shouldn't be any concern to any of us IMHO. None of us are true employees of TWC. You come the closest, but really your only an employee at will. IOW, your only employed by them when they need you. Your not a true full time employee of TWC. IMHO its crossing the line for any of us to report this, as none of us are truly in a position to make it our business.
-
Can you seen a picture and possibly a video of your Junior?
-
Well that's a fine f*** you. :whistling:
I could care less about the STAR, its the IRD that concerns me. Thats all TWC is problaly concerned about as well. That IRD can access more than TWC, it can access any encrypted signal off of the AMC satellites.
What would that mean? Free premium channels or something bigger, like classified Government transmissions?
-
Well that's a fine f*** you. :whistling:
I could care less about the STAR, its the IRD that concerns me. Thats all TWC is problaly concerned about as well. That IRD can access more than TWC, it can access any encrypted signal off of the AMC satellites.
What would that mean? Free premium channels or something bigger, like classified Government transmissions?
Free premium channels? Oh how awful. Certainly makes it worth reporting. :rolleyes:
-
I know, because it would be horrible to get free Skinemax with a WeatherStar Jr.
But seriously, if that's all it lets you get, I don't see the big deal. The big deal would be classified Government data.
-
I know this is an old (and I mean OLD) topic, but is this product still for sale? I'm looking around for any kind of Weatherstar or Intellistar I can buy... but I'm not having luck. This is the only thing I've come close to.
-
Just ask the person who started the topic instead of bumping it. Plus I doubt its for sale still. It has been since 2008 so its probably long gone.
-
No. I acquired it
-
I would love to own and try to operate a STAR, especially an XL. Though the chances are slim, I can always hope. I have a lot of technology intelligence in my family, so we'd probably get it to work.
-
Me, too. I am actually the operator of the SKYWARNAL Storm Center and I am planning on running a live feed of weather broadcasts and prerecorded programming (for the overnight hours) and then getting a Weatherstar. I really want to use the Junior, not only due to it's inexpensiveness, but I am just very interested in that STAR. I have a question, though. How much are the current STAR's averaging right now (including Intellistar)?
-
Why do you guys want a weatherstar of any kind? They are illegal Plus you have to have a cipher and other equipment to run it. Once a weatherstar is replaced the old one gets sent back to the weather channel so they are hard to get.
-
Once again (do I have to say it?)
I am actually the operator of the SKYWARNAL Storm Center and I am planning on running a live feed of weather broadcasts and prerecorded programming (for the overnight hours) and then getting a Weatherstar.
-
Once again (do I have to say it?)
I am actually the operator of the SKYWARNAL Storm Center and I am planning on running a live feed of weather broadcasts and prerecorded programming (for the overnight hours) and then getting a Weatherstar.
He isnt lying.. you should be lucky to come across an authorized VideoCipher II so you can receive TWC over satellite and so the Junior can download data.. also, its virtually impossible to get a Jr reconfigured for your area
-
Once again (do I have to say it?)
I am actually the operator of the SKYWARNAL Storm Center and I am planning on running a live feed of weather broadcasts and prerecorded programming (for the overnight hours) and then getting a Weatherstar.
He isnt lying.. you should be lucky to come across an authorized VideoCipher II so you can receive TWC over satellite and so the Junior can download data.. also, its virtually impossible to get a Jr reconfigured for your area
Yep. After it has been used, it's pretty much a box. :P
-
Me, too. I am actually the operator of the SKYWARNAL Storm Center and I am planning on running a live feed of weather broadcasts and prerecorded programming (for the overnight hours) and then getting a Weatherstar. I really want to use the Junior, not only due to it's inexpensiveness, but I am just very interested in that STAR. I have a question, though. How much are the current STAR's averaging right now (including Intellistar)?
Intellistar: 500-1000
XL: 300-500
4000/Jr/Etc: 50-150
As mentioned before the only possible way to modify a star is if it is software based. The only other way to function a 4000/Jr/Etc is to operate your own satellite feed (meaning a big C-band dish) with the proper authorization hardware
Why do you guys want a weatherstar of any kind? They are illegal Plus you have to have a cipher and other equipment to run it. Once a weatherstar is replaced the old one gets sent back to the weather channel so they are hard to get.
I imagine these folks think they can plug it in and magically connect it to their computer to plug in weather data. Well thats not possible.
-
So basically, the only way to do this is try and get one for the SSC from TWC (which I know will likely not happen in my life) or not get one at all and just save my money and get a SAME ENDEC machine for my other materials?
-
*SAGE Endec
-
So basically, the only way to do this is try and get one for the SSC from TWC (which I know will likely not happen in my life) or not get one at all and just save my money and get a SAME ENDEC machine for my other materials?
Above all else, I think you'd be better off acquiring equipment legally. The Weather Channel doesn't license its WeatherStar products to be used other than at cable headends exclusively for acquiring local forecast information and broadcasting it as part of TWC's programming. At worst, you could find yourself in some serious legal trouble.
-
So basically, the only way to do this is try and get one for the SSC from TWC (which I know will likely not happen in my life) or not get one at all and just save my money and get a SAME ENDEC machine for my other materials?
Building a machine is pointless. Its like a human without a brain. The XL is just an SGI computer in a big case but without the software its just a regular computer. If you are really that into it just look around online at used cable headend supply sites. Often times when a small cable company goes under (or a large company reorganizes) they sell off all of their equipment
-
So basically, the only way to do this is try and get one for the SSC from TWC (which I know will likely not happen in my life) or not get one at all and just save my money and get a SAME ENDEC machine for my other materials?
Above all else, I think you'd be better off acquiring equipment legally. The Weather Channel doesn't license its WeatherStar products to be used other than at cable headends exclusively for acquiring local forecast information and broadcasting it as part of TWC's programming. At worst, you could find yourself in some serious legal trouble.
In a way its the cable companies fault in the first place that these units were sent back in the first place. Most of the time the companies that sell the used equipment dont realize that its supposed to be sent back. They are really a rare item in the cable equipment world so that makes sense. As always its important to be lawful and make wise decisions.
-
*SAGE Endec
Aren't those illegal, too?
FYI, for anyone who doesn't know....the SAGE Endec is the machine that receives and rebroadcasts the Emergency Alert System over the air.
-
*SAGE Endec
Aren't those illegal, too?
FYI, for anyone who doesn't know....the SAGE Endec is the machine that receives and rebroadcasts the Emergency Alert System over the air.
I can't imagine the FCC would want these in the possession of unlicensed private persons.
-
The only way an ENDEC is illegal is if you use it illegally, which means using it to broadcast fake alerts to the public (like if I recorded a zombie attack or something).
-
The only way an ENDEC is illegal is if you use it illegally, which means using it to broadcast fake alerts to the public (like if I recorded a zombie attack or something).
Are you sure? What documentation have you found by the FCC that states this?
A false emergency broadcast can create devastating consequences, at least potentially, which is why I am rather certain the FCC doesn't let just anyone have them. It would be too hard to trust people with this.
-
SAGE Endec: Originating an alert and sending it to my weather radio (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agGg8qlowP4#)
This should bring truth to it. The ENDEC doesn't broadcast directly to the public from one's private home.
-
That system is NOT distributed by the FCC. The FCC simply regulates that a station must have X capabilities. To the best of my knowledge the systems are made by various third parties. In the case of the WeatherSTAR/Intellistar the cable companies essentially lease it from TWC. Thats the only reason its illegal to buy. Not because the technology is controlled.
-
It's not illegal. I don't know where you guys get this information from. The STAR agreement does not state that TWC owns anything, other than the fact they can elect to buy it back for less money than it was paid for. And as for the videocipher, there is nothing illegal about that either. Once the account is closed, or is unpaid, or the digital feed is used, the videocipher isn't sent any new keys, so eventually loses video. No legal trouble, no lawyers, no jail time, no arrests. It baffles me where you guys come up with this stuff.
-
It's not illegal. I don't know where you guys get this information from. The STAR agreement does not state that TWC owns anything, other than the fact they can elect to buy it back for less money than it was paid for. And as for the videocipher, there is nothing illegal about that either. Once the account is closed, or is unpaid, or the digital feed is used, the videocipher isn't sent any new keys, so eventually loses video. No legal trouble, no lawyers, no jail time, no arrests. It baffles me where you guys come up with this stuff.
No offense, but you're asking us to take the word of a member who has made two posts total in this forum. Doesn't necessarily mean you're wrong, but do you have any actual proof, such as a copy of a contract, to show us? Otherwise, you have to admit it's a bit of a stretch asking us to believe someone who's just appeared out of the blue and says, "believe me because I say I'm right."
-
It's not illegal. I don't know where you guys get this information from. The STAR agreement does not state that TWC owns anything, other than the fact they can elect to buy it back for less money than it was paid for. And as for the videocipher, there is nothing illegal about that either. Once the account is closed, or is unpaid, or the digital feed is used, the videocipher isn't sent any new keys, so eventually loses video. No legal trouble, no lawyers, no jail time, no arrests. It baffles me where you guys come up with this stuff.
No offense, but you're asking us to take the word of a member who has made two posts total in this forum. Doesn't necessarily mean you're wrong, but do you have any actual proof, such as a copy of a contract, to show us? Otherwise, you have to admit it's a bit of a stretch asking us to believe someone who's just appeared out of the blue and says, "believe me because I say I'm right."
He knows his stuff. Quite frankly I was under the impression that the agreement was a cable company payed X for a star unit and when their contract ended they were supposed to send it back. I never heard of any case where TWC actually went after someone over it.
-
I have a copy of a STAR agreement, and due to privacy issues, I won't share. But, I can tell you this: The cable operator bought the STAR from TWC according to the agreement, and it was theirs. In fact, the 4000 that I have has an asset tag on it with a number and "Propery of XYZ".
-
I have a copy of a STAR agreement, and due to privacy issues, I won't share. But, I can tell you this: The cable operator bought the STAR from TWC according to the agreement, and it was theirs. In fact, the 4000 that I have has an asset tag on it with a number and "Propery of XYZ".
VERY Interesting! Thanks for sharing that information :) I am unsure why I was under that impression. What your saying seems quite logical
-
I have a copy of a STAR agreement, and due to privacy issues, I won't share. But, I can tell you this: The cable operator bought the STAR from TWC according to the agreement, and it was theirs. In fact, the 4000 that I have has an asset tag on it with a number and "Propery of XYZ".
So what you are saying is that the STAR is property of the purchaser, not TWC?
-
I have a copy of a STAR agreement, and due to privacy issues, I won't share. But, I can tell you this: The cable operator bought the STAR from TWC according to the agreement, and it was theirs. In fact, the 4000 that I have has an asset tag on it with a number and "Propery of XYZ".
So what you are saying is that the STAR is property of the purchaser, not TWC?
Exactly. TWC can't take the equipment away or any of that.
As for the discussion about that Sage Endec... that unit is broadcasting over the air. The guy who owns it took off the antenna of his broadcaster (Which is a special radio that broadcasts on those frequencies). So in reality, yes, it is broadcasting. Is it illegal? No. It's not interfering with any other signals, or being used to trick the public. Besides, it is legal to broadcast on VHF as long as the transmitted signal does not exceed 500ft in radius. But if people were smart, they wouldn't do it (They can cause panic and get in trouble for that) :thumbsup: