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I would like to contribute to this wonderful site so I thought I would introduce this thread to anyone who has (or is interested in getting) DirecTV.

The following is a cut and paste from a newbie FAQ. It gives some basic understanding of DTV hacking and how it works. It's a little outdated but the basics still apply.

Basicly, any script kiddie can do it. The elders have made it very easy through the use of VB scripts and loading proggy's.

Anyway, I'll post this. If anyone shows an interest, I'll go on to lessons 2 and 3 with more detail.

Post any questions and I'll try to answer the best I can.

[Begin C&P]

Getting Started

Many people have heard that there is a way to program their access card to be able to receive all the channels on your satellite receiver, and wondered if they can do it too. The answer is YES YOU CAN! And we're here to help.

I decided to write this as a starting point to those just getting into this hobby. I say hobby, because this is not just a matter of getting your card "fixed" and move on. If that's what you want, go find somebody to program your card, pay his fee, and get it over with. This is more of a hobby where we learn about smart cards, how they work, and how to program them in ways that just happens to open up all the channels for viewing. The learning process never ends, and when new challenges arise, we as a team put our collective heads together to overcome them.

TEST CARDS
The access cards, after they are altered, are referred to as "test cards". The purpose of the test card is to test your receiver to make sure it works. The card does allow reception of all the available channels, and can be used for watching free satellite programming, but this is illegal and you do this at your own risk. I don't encourage anyone to anything illegal.

CAN I GET LOCAL CHANNELS TOO?
Yes! On 4th generation receivers and below, and on some of the 5th generation receivers, all of the available local channels can be received. To determine the generation of the receiver, look at the model number. A 1st generation receiver is designated with an A and follow sequential lettering up to the 5th generations, designated by the letter E. A model DRD222RD would be a 4th generation receiver.

WHICH CARDS CAN BE USED FOR TESTING?
Presently, the only cards that can be used for testing are the H cards. UPDATE:Around the end of November, 2000, the HU hack has been introduced. Oh my things change so fast. HU loaders are available now. Please study the HU forum and feel your way around with this. The HU has some pitfalls (Alas, as does the H card, so do your homework!!!)

WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHITE SMARTCARDS?
Nope, they wont work either. Continue reading.

SO, HOW CAN I TELL IF I HAVE AN H or HU CARD?
An H card is the blue card with a picture of a satellite on it. The card numbers range from 0000 4000 0000 to 0001 6999 9999. Cards numbered 0001 7400 0000 and up are HU cards, which have a sports picture on it. Cards in between those number ranges are special purpose H cards that were supposedly not issued to the public. A scam has gone around where cards are silkscreened to look like the H card. So if you're buying a card, make sure you know who you're buying from. You can go to the dealer recommendations forum and do some research.