I watched HBO for free because the decoder was very simple, just an capacitor and a coil. After that, I watched sattelite TV for free (Digi) because Nagra2 enc

I watched HBO for free because the decoder was very simple, just an capacitor and a coil. After that, I watched sattelite TV for free (Digi) because Nagra2 encryption was broken and I could change the firmware of the STB to simulate an encryption card. I did that because I was dirt poor. Now I don't watch TV anymore. Some guys I've heard of, were using some Linux powered, Internet connected STB and the actual decryption happened on another STB who had the actual card on. That way, they could watch any sattelite network, provided they also share their paid for card.