# Xtraview Encryption System

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{{Short description|Digital terrestrial television access control method}}
{{about|the video encryption system used to provide pay-per-view services on UK [Digital Terrestrial Television](/source/Digital_Terrestrial_Television)|the former pay-per-view Top Up TV owned channel|Xtraview}}

{{unreferenced|date=March 2018}}

'''Xtraview Video Encryption System''' refers to the now-defunct patented "encryption" system used on [Xtraview](/source/Xtraview) and a number of other Top Up TV services, including [Setanta Sports](/source/Setanta_Sports), [Television X](/source/Television_X), [Babestation](/source/Babestation) and [Red Hot TV](/source/Red_Hot_TV_(UK)).

Unlike the other encryption system used by Top Up TV, [Mediaguard](/source/Mediaguard), the Xtraview Video Encryption System was not a true [encryption](/source/encryption) system. Instead, an [MHEG](/source/MHEG) application directed the user's [set-top box](/source/set-top_box) to a hidden videostream when a correct [PIN](/source/Personal_identification_number) is entered. Unlike traditional channel encryption methods, Xtraview did not require a viewing card. This is an advantage over digital terrestrial television in the UK, where the vast majority of set-top boxes have no ability to decrypt pay channels.

Access to a channel protected using the Xtraview technology was granted by calling a premium rate telephone number. During the call, users were asked to give a number displayed on screen. In response, they were given a PIN to unlock the service.

{{As of|2011}} a similar system is in use by [Babestation Xtreme](/source/Babestation), Red Hot TV, Television X and briefly by the now defunct [TView](/source/The_Big_Deal_(TV_channel)) on digital terrestrial television.

==Criticism==
The [PIN](/source/Personal_identification_number) system has been subject to widespread [hacking](/source/Hacking_of_consumer_electronics). Without encryption, the system was easily circumvented by set-top boxes that are able to access individual videostreams when individual stream PIDs are entered. More recently, the PIN algorithm itself was cracked, allowing others to access the service.

Another downfall is that because the application is MHEG generated, if the set-top box was switched off, access to these channels was lost. It is also stated on-screen before purchase that not all boxes are compatible. Another factor is that a few cheaper boxes do not have MHEG support at all, and therefore cannot access the service.

==External links==
#[http://www.topuptv.com Top Up TV Homepage]

Category:Digital rights management systems
Category:Television technology

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Xtraview Encryption System](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xtraview_Encryption_System) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xtraview_Encryption_System?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.