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****PLEASE READ!!****

Please note, this unit is not a cable descrambler. It is a cable converter. This unit can be modified into a cable descrambler by the end user if he/she wishes to install an Avenger MX Video Board. We do not sell or stock Avenger MX Video Boards nor do we preinstall them into our cable converters. If you wish to purchase an Avenger MX Video Board, please try searching Yahoo or Ebay. Our warranty does not cover the installation of the Avenger MX Video Board into our units and/or the attempted operation of our units with an Avenger MX Video Board installed.

These are strictly Analog Cable boxes and for full use require the user to be
subscribed to Basic Extended/Standard Analog Cable. Analog Cable includes all channels from channel two through channels 2-125. Analog cable providers
offer two different kinds of analog cable services, Basic Analog Cable and
Basic Extended/Standard Analog Cable. Basic Analog Cable includes channels
2-13 or up to channels 2-36 and usually costs about $10-$15/month. Basic
Extended Cable includes channels 2-125 and usually costs about
$30-$40/month. You must have a video signal coming through to receive any
given channel and you must be subscribed to Basic Extended/Standard Analog
Cable in order to receive all of the channels that are available in your
area. In order to receive a channel on the cable box there has to be a video
signal coming through. You can tell that you have a video signal in a few
different ways. If the channel comes in automatically, if the channel comes
in with minor color problems (i.e. too bright, too dark, or too red, but
somewhat viewable), or if the channel comes in completely scrambled (i.e. the
image is not viewable, but you can see that there is a show on that channel,
or very wavy/swirled around colors but not snowy or static) you should be
able to unscramble it and view the channel at your leisure. If you have any
channel that comes in with snow/static, a blue screen, or a black screen, it
means that the channel is not receiving any video signals at all and you will
definitely not be able to receive the channel. In other words, your cable
provider is no longer offering anything on that channel number that you can
view at all.

1. Will this unit work on Digital Cable?
No it will not. The cable boxes sold on this site are designed for analog cable only. It is capable of viewing any channels (from 2-125) that your analog cable service provides. You must be already subscribed to Extended Basic Cable for the Tristar Masterpiece to operate at its full capacity.
WE REPEAT, THIS ITEM WILL NOT WORK ON DIGIAL CABLE!

2. Do your converters work anywhere?
Converters are specific to each cable system and different cable companies use different cable systems that are characterized by a manufacturer's brand name and model number. You must use a compatible converter that works in your area, which is why our Universal boxes are so popular.

3. Are cable converters legal?
Yes, descramblers may be owned and operated legally, but they can also be operated illegally. Under US Federal Law, cable customers have the right to own and operate their own cable equipment, providing that equipment is compatible with the cable system. The descrambler must only be capable of descrambling those cable channels and programs that have been paid for and are authorized for reception by the cable system's operators.

The unauthorized reception of cable programming is against the law and can carry stiff penalties and fines for anyone found to be violating the law. As the purchaser of a descrambler, you are responsible for informing you cable system's operators of your intention to own and operate your own equipment and you must inform the operators concerning all the programming that your descrambler is capable of receiving so you may then pay for that programming.

Some descrambler manufacturers and distributors can pre-program your descrambler to only be capable of receiving those channels that you are authorized to receive, and most descramblers are programmable by the customer so they will exclude all unauthorized programming.

4. Why should I purchase my own converter?

There are several reasons why you should purchase your own cable converter, including:
1. Eliminate monthly rental fees and possible equipment damage charges.
2. Take advantage of the latest cable converter technology.
3. Enjoy extra features that enhance your viewing pleasure.
4. Use the equipment on other tv sets to view all fully paid programming.

5. Which is better...original equipment or universal cable boxes?
Whenever possible, you should always purchase a universal cable box. For those who don't know which model is best for them or for those who may be moving about the country, we would recommend the universal units. We want you to be completely satisfied with your order, so we are not going to sell you a converter or descrambler until we know that it will work in your area. When you submit your order, we will verify that the model selected will work properly. If we have any doubts, we will contact you to discuss possible alternatives.

6. What is a cable converter/descrambler?
A converter/descrambler is a single unit that contains both a converter and a descrambler. This is usually the type of unit that the cable system operators provide their customers for use on their cable system. By US Federal Law, the cable system operators can charge a reasonable rental fee for the customers use of this equipment.

7. What is a descrambler?
A descrambler is a device that restores the picture and sound of a scrambled channel. A descrambler must be used in conjunction with a converter, although many single unit cable boxes contain both converter and descrambler. Please note, this unit is not a cable descrambler. It is a cable converter. This unit can be modified into a cable descrambler by the end user if he/she wishes to install an Avenger MX Video Board. We do not sell or stock Avenger MX Video Boards nor do we preinstall them into our cable converters. If you wish to purchase an Avenger MX Video Board, please try searching Yahoo or Ebay. Our warranty does not cover the installation of the Avenger MX Video Board into our units and/or the attempted operation of our units with an Avenger MX Video Board installed. Please see our FAQ page for Cable Descrambler information.

8. What is an addressable converter-descrambler?
This is a converter-descrambler that can be controlled by the cable company from their office location. Through remote coded messages sent via the cable system, the cable company can "address" the customers' unit to begin descrambling selected premium or pay per view channels. An addressable unit allows the cable company to access your cable box to change the descrambling configuration or program. This function provides the cable company the ability to add or delete descrambling on the channels that come in through your cable line. A non-addressable unit does not provide the cable company access to the cable box program. The program remains stationary and is unchangeable. Both cable box designs have the potential of receiving all channels, none or somewhere in between dependent on the box program.

9. Cable terms: Basic cable, Premium cable, Pay-Per-View services?
Basic cable service: the least expensive cable service provided by cable companies to their customers. This service usually includes local TV channels which can be received directly from the broadcast signal of the TV stations.

Premium cable service: additional programming service provided by the cable company to subscribing customers. The extra fee for such additional service may be based on per channel, per group of channels, or any other combination of channels.

Pay per view: selected channels that offer movies and special events such as sports or adult entertainment, for an additional fee, on a per movie or per program basis. A special "addressable " converter is furnished by the cable company to subscribers of this service. Through the use of special equipment, the cable company can "address" the customers converter to descramble the program for which the fee was paid.

10. What do you do if your converter doesn't work?
Call or email us immediately! We are here to help. Let our technical support staff know what problems exist and which unit you own. Most problems can be fixed immediately, but there will be an instance where we may not have a quick answer. Please be patient and work with us until we help you find the right solution or converter box for your area. Sometimes technology changes for your area and we may need to do some additional research to help you get the desired image.

11. How can I improve the quality of my converter reception?
If you would like to further boost your picture quality, amplification may be needed. Whenever a cable signal is split between two or more TV's or routed to some other video components such as VCR's , the signal weakens and produces a poor quality picture. The weak signal may cause a "snowy" or gray picture, or may even result in weak color or lack of color. Since most cable viewers use several different video components, it is recommended that an amplifier be used to restore the signal strength and the picture sharpens.

Try installing a 10db amplifier near where the cable enters your descrambler in order to boost the signal. If your coaxial cable run length from the service connection or utility pole is excessively long, you may also need to add an additional 10db amplifier as close to the service connection as possible. Signal amplification can frequently change a very poor quality picture to nearly picture perfect reception.

12. What are "bullets"?
The term "bullets" is very misleading and has grown way out of control in this industry. Cable companies transmit data, this is how all addressable cable systems work. Both, cable companies and cable dealers alike use the term "bullet" to describe this transmission of data . Bullets are nothing more than transmitted signal which affects the cable box program. It does not fry the guts of the equipment but rather may shut the box off temporarily, reprogram the box, or shut the box down in an error mode. The box can easily be reset by unplugging it for 15 minutes. This will allow the unit to reset and correct any error that has occurred.

13. What if my cable company upgrades or changes to a different converter?
All cable companies eventually upgrade as technology progresses and new sources become available. Keep in mind that cable companies do not change quickly or very often. It is a huge expense for cable company to swap out all of its customers' converters, replace them with brand new units, and then upgrade the entire cable system to support the new scrambling methods. It typically takes a cable company one year or more to complete an upgrade and most companies upgrade every 10-15 years.

14. When I called my cable operator to tell them I had bought a descrambler, they said that descramblers are illegal and if I hooked it up that they would take me to court!
Your cable operator may be in violation of US Federal Law. A cable operator may not prevent a cable customer from operating their own equipment if that equipment is compatible with the cable system. As long as the cable customer pays for all the programming their descrambler is capable of receiving, they are legally entitled to operate their own descrambler.

15. The descrambler I bought descrambles all the programming that my cable system offers, how can I prevent it from receiving unauthorized programming?

Most single unit type cable box descramblers can be programmed by the cable customer by using the parental blocking feature that comes standard on most units. Unauthorized channels and programming may be blocked from being received when the appropriate codes are entered according to the instructions provided with the owners manual for the cable box. Please note, this unit is not a cable descrambler. It is a cable converter. This unit can be modified into a cable descrambler by the end user if he/she wishes to install an Avenger MX Video Board. We do not sell or stock Avenger MX Video Boards nor do we preinstall them into our cable converters. If you wish to purchase an Avenger MX Video Board, please try searching Yahoo or Ebay. Our warranty does not cover the installation of the Avenger MX Video Board into our units and/or the attempted operation of our units with an Avenger MX Video Board installed.

Many dual system and activator type descramblers can be similarly programmed to block unauthorized programming when the cable box unit is similarly programmed. Some descramblers may not be equipped with an end user programmable channel blocking feature, and for these units a qualified technician may be required to perform the necessary internal program re mapping so that all unauthorized channels are blocked.

16. What if the cable convertor unit I've ordered is out of stock?

If the unit you have ordered is out of stock then we will give you a complimentary upgrade to the most expensive cable convertor on our site, the Tristar MX. We perform this service as a courtesy to our buyers.