How to watch/save scrambled (but free!) TV channels from TNTSat?

[calande]

Hello,

I access TNTSat satellite TV channels, from Astra 19.2E satellite. They are freely accessible to those who can receive them with an aerial antenna, but they are scrambled for those who only can get them with a dish antenna (where I live, aerial reception is not possible).
I watch these channels using a certified set-top-box, but I'd like to access them from my computer as well, especially to schedule recordings on my NAS. I'd like to know if some geeks managed to descramble these channels. I searched but didn't find any information on this specific topic.

Thank you!

[larley]

It'll be relatively easy when they're available on the browser as well but the things some providers do to these set-top-boxes is just unbelievable.
On a browser you're limited to what can run in a browser, meaning that almost everything is somewhat transparent (except for WebAssembly).
Apps can get more complicated, but most are also just using Widevine and are - on Android - easily inspectable via the Network.
Set-top-boxes on the other hand can use anything they want, as deeply integrated as they want. I suspect they're using Videoguard but without further detail it won't be possible to say anything for sure.

[calande]

Thanks... Indeed, it's a step higher in terms of difficulty...
The set-top-box has a card such as this one with a chip:

[larley]

Well, this is far beyond my capabilities...

[Subtitles]

Hello,

I access TNTSat satellite TV channels, from Astra 19.2E satellite. They are freely accessible to those who can receive them with an aerial antenna, but they are scrambled for those who only can get them with a dish antenna (where I live, aerial reception is not possible).
I watch these channels using a certified set-top-box, but I'd like to access them from my computer as well, especially to schedule recordings on my NAS. I'd like to know if some geeks managed to descramble these channels. I searched but didn't find any information on this specific topic.

Thank you!

The TNTSat are really great value for money, but they only work in certified set-top boxes like what you have.
If you want to do what you want, then an Enigma satellite receiver which has a smartcard slot might help you. You can use OpenWebif in your computer browser to schedule recordings from the EPG and play the TV channels on your computer.
I suggest to first buy just another TNTSat card from their website it should work for four years and activate it in your current receiver.
Join satellite forum https://satellites.co.uk/ there should be some discussions about how to do it or even post your questions there.
Let us know if you have any success.
In addition, you should search Google for information on French websites, but first make a translation in French about what you want to ask. I am sure there must be a lot of solutions there.

[Subtitles]

It'll be relatively easy when they're available on the browser as well but the things some providers do to these set-top-boxes is just unbelievable.
On a browser you're limited to what can run in a browser, meaning that almost everything is somewhat transparent (except for WebAssembly).
Apps can get more complicated, but most are also just using Widevine and are - on Android - easily inspectable via the Network.
Set-top-boxes on the other hand can use anything they want, as deeply integrated as they want. I suspect they're using Videoguard but without further detail it won't be possible to say anything for sure.

You can see the encryption methods in this link. They use Nagravision, Viaccess, Mediaguard to suit different set-top satellite receivers.
https://en.kingofsat.net/pack-tntsat.php

[calande]

Thank you for your reply. Indeed, this sounds interesting. I grasped how you suggested to connect and integrate the set-top-box, with the smartcard slot, and the web interface to control it... I'll look into it.

[Subtitles]

Don't invest in buying anything until you find a solution that really works in an Enigma satellite receiver.
In the past people got their smartcard become useless when they tried to use them in unofficial satellite receivers.
You mentioned that terrestrial broadcast are not encrypted. How far is your location from where a reception is possible? Can you install a powerful antenna that can make reception possible or you are too far?
I would also look into Fransat on Eutelsat 5 West B at 5.0°W
https://www.lyngsat.com/packages/Fransat.html
You can buy official cards and dedicated satellite receivers from TV Corner

[calande]

The house is in a valley, surrounded by trees, and the TV tower is 30km away, as the crow flies. A few years ago, an antenna technician came and put on the roof his most powerful aerial antenna with a preamp. He said the signal is very weak and has noise, which we were able to observe on screen: sometimes there was pieces of image, most of which was pixelated, most of the time the image was freezing for a few seconds ; same for audio: brief moments separate by silence most of the time. The TV technician said that was the best he could do, so we decided to remove the aerial antenna and the preamp, and to put a satellite antenna with a quattro LNB and a multiswitch.

Yes, Fransat could be another solution. It is also encrypted using Viaccess... This would involve adding another satellite antenna if I want to keep access to Astra 19.2E...I'll focus on Enigma satellite receivers and see if I can make it work with a TNTSat smartcard and a CI+ module.

[Subtitles]

Thanks for the update.
As I mentioned before, find a working solution first.
I had few years back a Technisat satellite receiver for TNTSat and couldn't get the card to work in an Enigma receiver.
Since then they changed the card version several times to make it even harder to use the card in a non official receiver.
Then they pulled the plug on broadcasting to my location so I couldn't continue on making it work.
Your cheaper other solution would be going the IPTV route, but this would strip the broadcast from other useful features such as having original audio (English for example) and the subtitles would disappear and you are left only with French audio.

[calande]

Indeed... I actually watch TV, sometimes, using IPTV, from my ISP. To tell you the truth, varying the types of TV reception, be it off the Internet, or from the satellite, is a hobby and a challenge I like to take (more than an actual need). I wrote a tutorial (fr) to receive the IPTV channels of my ISP, and to watch them on an Android TV set-top box. I also follow a discussion (fr) of geeks that scan the network activity between their set-top box and their ISP to grab the stream protocols, IP addresses and ports. Are you based in Israel? You look like a French speaker, aren't you? (based on your knowledge of the French TV environment).

[Subtitles]

Same here I mean it is a great hobby and challenging.
These days satellite reception has declined immensely and gave way to streaming platforms which lack the thrill of using satellite reception.
Yes I am located in Israel but my mother tongue is English. I enjoy learning other languages and how other countries watch TV. In Israel TV offers are over priced but a lot of people subscribe because they need Hebrew audio and for this they are willing to pay what these providers offer.
We have (had) free TV and radio terrestrial reception called Idan+ but the idiots from the ministry of communication canceled the DVB-T reception and moved to DVB-T2 reception and over the past two months most parts of the country can't receive any free TV channels even though they have DVB-T2 receivers and installed powerful antennas in vain, simply because there are no powerful transponders to make the signal good enough for reception. The rumors are that they want people to pay for TV because this way the government would get 18% VAT tax if they start paying for TV entertainment.
I would rather pay for Polish TV, Sky Italia, TNTSat than give a penny to Israeli TV.

[calande]

Oh... I see that many countries have misfortunes with TV broadcast... Here, a few years ago, TF1 (the oldest and most popular TV channel), and its sister channels (TMC, TFX, TF1 Séries, and LCI) were banned from one (out of two) satellite (i.e. Astra 19.2E, impacting CANAL and TNTSat), because TF1, the owner of these TV channels (which are freely available over the air) was asking CANAL (a private company that sells TV subscriptions) for a license-fee (CANAL owns TNTSat, by the way). As TF1 and its sister channels are free, CANAL refused to pay, and decided to turn off the TF1 stream to its client base, as well as to the TNTSat users. This power struggle lasted months until they reached an agreement and CANAL started to stream these free channels through the satellite to its customers and to TNTSat users again.
It's interesting, the situation you describe in Israel. To me, this will only lead to piracy. People will find it a ripoff, and will come up with a solution to watch national TV at a low cost or freely.

[Subtitles]

That's was an interesting story. Thanks for sharing.
If you have never used an Enigma satellite receiver, I think you will enjoy using one. I have bought the first Enigma receiver that was available on the market called Dreambox. It was a revolutionary receiver but was and still is a very expensive one. Since you mentioned you might need a box which supports CI+ CAM then I would recommend Mutant HD51 which also supports 4K TV channels but I am not sure if it still available to order.
The best cheaper alternative but has only a smart card reader is Octagon SF8008 which you can order from amazon.de
There is also a combo version for satellite and terrestrial. I have the one with two satellite tuner and the price is reasonable.
But if you must have a model with both CI+ CAM and smart card reader then VU+ model is a possibility but it is rather expensive
https://www.hm-sat-shop.de/en/vu-uno-4k-se-1x-dvb-s2x-fbc-twin-tuner-pvr-ready-linux-r...160p/13120-200
Available from 22/04/2025