Do cable filters block out premium channels?

Question

Recently we just hooked up our cable for an apartment complex that is brand new and we are the first cable customers.

We ordered both phone, internet and cable service. A tech came out and wired up all the jacks and placed round filters at the service entrance all except for the line that the cable modem is on. Just out of curiosity I removed those filters a short time after we had it installed and was able to get all of the premium channels (HBO, Encore, Starz etc...) but not PPV.

How exactly does the system work on a digital system? Do these filters need to be placed somewhere between the head end and the customers home to filter out non-paid service or can the system work without them and rely on the cable box to do as its told from the head end?
What do these filter do exactly and why do they need to isolate them on a customers service entrance or utility distribution hub? Why not just filter it from the head end?

Answer 1

The little round metal things you removed are called 'traps' in that they trap out channels. If you look at it there will be numbers or letters stamped in them. 2-13 will trap those respective channels while letters A, B, C etc. trap out those channels 14 on up.



When I was an installer what we were told to do in a situation like yours was to hide the trap in the wall or at the tap on the side of the building to prevent reception of pay channels. I didn't know any premium channels were still available on the analogue band in any CATV system.



For digital cable they use the box solely to allow for the reception of premium and PPV channels. The cable system where you live may only now be getting ready for a complete digital roll out that will require a box for all subscribers.



If you're worried about getting caught -don't, they'll never know you're receiving premium channels unless you tell them!

Answer 2

Cable Filter

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

Do cable filters block out premium channels?

Recently we just hooked up our cable for an apartment complex that is brand new and we are the first cable customers.



We ordered both phone, internet and cable service. A tech came out and wired up all the jacks and placed round filters at the service entrance all except for the line that the...

Answer 4

if is the copper one is just to keep the data clean. In short wlrds filters are just to keep the data clean. And the reason why you were able to see the premium channels is because most of the cable companies out ther gives them to you any way for the first 30 days to keep you hook. So eventually it would stop working. And it would come to you once you order it.



Once again the filter has nothing to do with the data they are sending. Also some apartment complexes gives you free premium channels like Wilson Convington.

Answer 5

I just had fios tv installed and they only put 1 filter on the set closest to the line coming in the house. The tech said it was because the signal was "too hot". He also said most people believe its to block channels and he said not true for fios. Don't know if thats BS or not. I cannot get any more channels on the 2 sets without the filter so I tend to believe it. Anyone know for sure?

Answer 6

Yes they do. I would highly NOT reccomend it but there is this sight called what would maguiver do based off the hit 1980's show maguyver ,lol i dunno how to spell that,lol. But you get the idia, it shows how to unblock those caible signals and pirate the living s*it out of caible,lol. Good luck and dont get into trouble,lol.

Answer 7

They are usually included for a while.