receiving channels w/no subscription

clang664

I'm currently subscribed for cable internet through the local provider. However, I'm not subscribed to their cable TV.

I split the signal and hooked it up just out of curiosity. I'm pulling in 90+ digital cable channels (including the music channels). My non-HD set pulls in nothing but "snowy" shapes.

In short, is this common? Do I have to pretend I don't have them?

Bluto

The cable carries both TV and internet access.
I guess in theory you could buy your own tuner to get the HD channels.
It certainly sounds un ethical, but since you are paying for the info on that line to your house I wonder if it is illegal.

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somerandomguy

I don't know if it's illegal, but my view is that they're the one's who are sending an unencrypted signal to my house and I just happen to have a tv with a tuner that can understand it. That's how we've been getting our 8 HD channels. Sony SXRD has a built in QAM tuner and was able to pick it up. We don't get them anymore as they have added some, moved some, and supposedly encrypted them. Although, it's funny, cause we lost all of them but the local HD, then the two HDnet channels came back without any sound and then left. That same day i did a another scan and a new one they had added popped up but none of the others did. Kinda weird.

wyreless

It would absolutely be Illegal to utilize the Digital TV Signal that you are not subscribing to and watch the channels on a TV. I'm not even here for the ethical point of view, just talking legality. For instance, if you move into a home and the previous customer did not disconnect cable/ or did for that matter, and it is still on and you continue to just watch it, your breaking the law. It is called Theft of Service.

This conversation sprouts up every few weeks somewhere and usually sparks an interesting conversation. It's variant is if your neighbor is running an unsecured WiFi Network next door and the Radio Waves "intrude" into your home why cant you just use them, after all they are in your home! Same deal, you are not paying the Internet Service Provider for their service, thus it is Theft of Service. It used to be not such a big deal. Now it is, and people get busted and fines, and some have had jail.

Look up the recent case of a guy that was sitting outside a Towns Library after hours using their WiFi. Sheriff came by, asked him what he was doing, guy told him, and he was busted. It goes on and on. CLICK HERE for more on thatstory

Let the conversations begin!!!

Here is an interesting paragraph from COX Cables WEBSITE CLICK HERE for full details:

I receive cable but have never been billed for it. Could I be doing something illegal?

You are doing something illegal. There are two kinds of cable theft: active and passive. Active theft is when a person knowingly makes an illegal connection to the cable system or tampers with the equipment in order to obtain unauthorized services. For example, cutting into your neighbor's cable to get free service is theft. Passive theft is when a customer knowingly receives free services due to the unlawful connection of a previous homeowner. Even though passive theft is the result of an illegal pat action, if you don't report it and receive the free service, it's still a crime.

A more "intense" site is located at the TimeWarner Theft Page.
"Theft of cable services is the reception of any services offered over a cable system without paying for such services. Cable theft is a widespread problem that results in revenue losses to the cable industry totaling several billions of dollars per year." In addition.. "Theft of cable services are broken down into two types:
Passive Theft

Passive theft occurs when someone moves into a new residence or business facility, notices that the premises receives cable services without an account, but nevertheless does not take any steps to become a subscriber or have the service disconnected.
Active Theft

Active theft occurs when someone takes active steps to receive services offered over a cable system without the authorization of the cable company.

Contrary to the common understanding of cable theft - that it involves only the theft of cable television services - cable theft also includes:

Broadband Internet abuse
Uncapping of Modems - The vast majority of broadband Internet users do not need more bandwidth than is provided by most cable operators as part of standard residential subscriptions. Some dishonest users though will they hack into their modem and uncap their bandwidth limits. Some people uncap their own modems, and others who do not possess the necessary skills receive assistance from others who do. Individuals who uncap their modems and steal excessive bandwidth slow down their neighbors transmission rates.

WiFi Theft - WiFi theft occurs when someone installs a wireless network in a residence or business location and intentionally enables others to receive broadband service for free over their wireless network.

Wireless networking is a great product, but when using a wireless network subscribers should always secure their home networks from unauthorized users. Unsecured wireless networks allow others to access a subscriber's network and potentially see all of the subscriber's personal files, allow potential criminals and terrorists to send untraceable communications or allow an individual to download illegal materials, such as copyrighted or obscene material that would lead back to the subscribers modem. "
END EXCERPT


Pretty much sums it up! Although the COX site uses a bad example of the previous owner connecting it up illegally and then you continue to watch it, it doesnt matter, you are receiving a service and utilizing it and you are not paying for it.

One more thing, it may be very well be that they are completely aware that you ar recieving these channels and it is "one of those things" that the sytem is designed that it must be sent with those channels. They may very well thank you for being honest and tell you to keep it quiet. But if so, make sure you get a name and a persons Cust Service ID #. Always CYA!

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Ratdaddyo8

What if your computer has a tuner and can recieve live tv ??????

allhailxenu009

I think so

Bluto

I don't see where any of this covers the scenario of paying for cable internet and spliting it to watch TV as well. You can split it and hook up to another computer, why not a TV. This guy is paying for the information, bandwidth, data transfer, etc..

Not saying it isn't illegal, but just wondering if its covered.

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Still waiting for Smell-o-Visontm

slreno

if you tv has a qam tuner you can pull in local high defs also.. that is per the fcc!

BrianO

The FCC has nothing to do with it unless he is paying for TV service, which according to the OP's post, he is not. The cable company charges a fee for cable TV service. It is not free. Unless the internet service fee also explicitly includes basic TV service as well, then it is theft.

jjufon

it's not theft. he has paid for cable internet, he had done nothing to bypass filters, etc. if, (and this is a big if since everyone i've ever spoken to gets basic with internet service. i've been told they can't block it without blocking the internet) he shouldn't be receiving it. the tech made a mistake or failed to do his/her job. does it state anywhere you shouldn't be getting them?
i would just call them and ask about becoming a new customer and ask the question; if i buy your internet service, do i get any TV channels too?

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JJufon

BrianO

Oh yes it is, if he is only paying for his internet connection (as is indicated by his post) and no part of his fee is for TV reception. Taking something that you have not paid for simply because you can is still theft and illegal. No amount of rationalization or self-serving justification on your part will change the legality of the issue.

Bluto

But he pays for the cable that runs to his house. He is not stealing.
Does anyone know if, in a cable internet service agreement does it explicitly calls out this issue and says its prohibited?

It is not his fault they are not sophistcated enough to encrypt the TV signal that they are piping into the house. They should do a little more than say "please don't use your cable internet for TV viewing". They shoudl protect thier product a little better.

Very interesting.....

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Still waiting for Smell-o-Visontm

jjufon

This is my point; he IS paying for the cable into his house. It’s not the customer’s responsibility to ensure that the CC has set his account up correctly. (Again, I’ve never seen anyone who didn’t get basic with their internet service).
If they call you several months later and say, “huh, we made a mistake and gave you basic cable for the last two months; you own us XX$ for this service. Guess what? BS. You didn’t order it, the CC is out of luck. It IS NOT STEALING. BrianO must work for the CC.
To BrianO: so when you get home from the store and the scanner charged you too little for that box of Jell-O, do you go back? If they charge too much who’s responsible to bring it to their attention?

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JJufon

BrianO

Are you completely dense? Read his post. Assuming that he has accurately described his situation, he is only paying for a cable internet connection. He is not paying for TV service which would involve an extra charge. By hooking up his TV he is deliberately using a service for which there is a monthly fee that he has not paid. It is theft.

jjufon

yeah, i have cable service, with a box but i also split it and have the cable connected directly to my SXRD. samething. the channels (some) move around. after re-scanning i can sometime pickup PPV!! it will even FF, pause and RR. crazy!
i used to get the spanish playboy channel with no sound LOL.
not a damn thing wrong with it.
It might (and I mean might) be technical illegal, but again, there is no way we can know if you should be getting it or not; they could add or remove a channel and you not know it. They even sometime have “free weekends” If the CC made a mistake THEY made a mistake. As long as you didn’t bypass, hack, etc we’re good to go.
who's going to convict you? You: "hey i didn't do anything"
Judge: "CC what your take?"
CC: "we forgot to install the correct filter."
Judge: "so the defendant didn't "hack into it?"
CC: "no".
Judge: "case dismissed"
LOL!

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