Common Interface — decrypting with a CAM module

Many DVB cards have a CI slot (Common Interface) for a CAM module with the operator's smart card. The card passes the received stream through the module, and the module decrypts the programmes it is asked for. Castreon talks to the module directly (EN 50221): it opens the session, reads which conditional-access systems the module supports, tells it which programmes your channels use, and shows you the module's own menu in the panel.

Available since Castreon 3.0.0, in all editions. Standard CI modules (EN 50221). CI+ modules that require a certified host (CI+ host certificates) are not supported.

Turning the slot on

DVB adapters → edit the adapter of the card with the slot → CI slot (CAM module) → on, and CA device — the number of the CA device of that card (/dev/dvb/adapterN/caX, usually 0). Save; the adapter restarts.

Insert the module with the smart card before or after — Castreon notices when a module is inserted or removed and starts it again.

The CI slot section

In the adapter panel, CI slot shows:

• the state — no module, starting the module, connecting, ready or error — and the module's name;
• CA systems — the CA system IDs the module supports (for example 0x0B00, 0x0100), to compare with the programmes' access systems;
• for each programme sent to the module, its reply: descrambling possible, possible after purchase or after a technical dialogue (both from the module menu), the card has no entitlement for this programme, the module cannot descramble it, or sent, no reply yet.

Castreon asks the module only for the scrambled programmes that running channels on that adapter use, and updates the list when a channel starts or stops. A module decrypts a limited number of programmes at the same time (often 1–4, sometimes more with a professional module) — that limit belongs to the module and the card subscription, not to Castreon.

The module menu

Module menu opens the menu of the CAM itself — subscription status, entitlements, PIN, maturity rating, software version — exactly as a TV would show it. Click an item to enter it, Back to go up, Close menu to leave. When the module asks for a value (a PIN, for example), a field appears; a hidden entry is shown with dots. The menu is available to operators; what the menu items do is up to the module.

Problems

• no module with the module inserted → wrong CA device number, or the card's driver does not expose the slot (ls /dev/dvb/adapter*/ should show a ca0).
• the card has no entitlement → the subscription does not include that programme, or the card has not been paired with the module.
• Picture only for some programmes → the module's limit of simultaneous programmes has been reached.

For programmes scrambled with a fixed key (feeds), use BISS instead — no module needed.