How SMART-card for TV works

Digital television offers the highest quality of TV programming today, and it is made possible through the use of a SMART card. This innovation in the domestic television market has been used in the West since the 1990s. The majority of modern TV receivers are designed to accommodate SMART cards and SAM modules (adapter-decoders). Let’s delve into what these components are all about.

Features and advantages of SMART-card

SMART-card is a plastic card embedded with a microchip that enables subscribers to access digital television services. When a consumer purchases a SMART-card, they enter into an agreement with the service provider, specifying the available package of TV programs.

Note that every card has a distinct identification number and is associated with a specific provider. This identification number allows the provider to identify users and potentially deactivate the service in case of payment delays.

There are several benefits to using a SMART card to access digital video images. These include:

• The convenience of easily connecting to the service;
• The high resolution of the TV picture, which is Ultra HD;
• The independence of image and sound quality from weather conditions;
• The ability to change the program package at the user’s request without needing to contact the provider;
• Additional services such as a video library, TV program, and text information;
• An affordable price;
• A compact design without the need for additional wires, devices, or boxes.

An important benefit is the ability to switch providers without incurring significant financial expenses, as well as the absence of the requirement to buy extra equipment (which is important for owners of contemporary television sets). However, one of the downsides is the device’s relative fragility. The card can easily break or get damaged from bending or exposure to moisture, and its contacts are susceptible to dirt.

In order to receive television channels in digital format, it is necessary to insert a card into the television set. This can be accomplished through the use of either a SAM module, which is a metal container, or a set-top box. Both of these devices are provided by the service provider and come equipped with one or more card receivers.

By the way! The SAM module is utilized if the TV has a built-in device that is compatible with it – a cable receiver, as stated in the user manual. Otherwise, a set-top box is supplied.

Using the SAM module

In order to install the SMART card on a television receiver equipped with a built-in cable receiver, it is necessary to insert the card into the SAM-Module with the chip facing the front side of the adapter. Subsequently, ensuring that the television is turned off, the resulting composite cartridge must be installed into the designated PCMCIA or CI slot, typically located on the rear of the television receiver. The accuracy of these performed actions will be confirmed by the corresponding message displayed on the screen upon turning on the television. The next step will involve configuring the television broadcast programs, although the specific procedure may vary depending on the manufacturer of the television set.

If your TV does not have a compatible PCMCIA or Cl slot, you can use a set-top box to connect the SMART card. The SMART card can be purchased separately or provided by the service provider as part of the subscription fee. To connect the card to the receiver, follow the same steps as described above. The set-top box is a standard black plastic box, measuring approximately 10×15 cm, and can be connected to the TV using an HDMI or VHS cable for older TV receivers. Place the box on or near the TV and control it using the remote control. Keep in mind that you will need to use two remotes to adjust settings and change TV channels.

The set-top box is equipped with an integrated processor. Certain variations of the model also come with a USB port, allowing users to play video from external devices. Additionally, a WiFi module and an Ethernet connector are provided to enable connection to a router and Internet access. Moreover, the set-top box is equipped with a built-in magnetic media for video recording and a keyboard.

Note: It is worth mentioning that some Russian providers distribute "flashed" TV set-top boxes, which do not support the use of smart cards with a chip.

Features of SMART cards of Russian providers

There is a unique encryption format for each manufacturer’s cards, making it impossible to decrypt one provider’s signal using another’s decoder. In Russia, the most widely used cards are from MTS, Tricolor TV, and NTV-Plus.

Digital cable television MTS

In order to avail the services provided by this company, it is necessary to connect to MTS’s digital network. You can purchase a SMART-card with a SAM-module in 2026 for a one-time payment of 1300 rubles or for a monthly rent of 85 rubles (as stated on the official website). Meanwhile, the cost of the equipment itself is significantly higher (approximate prices are listed in the table).

Satellite TV from Tricolor

This service provider offers a basic television package, priced at 1200 rubles for a year or 200 rubles per month. "Tricolor" presents itself as a company that grants access to a wide range of programs, including options for children, football enthusiasts, and more. However, to enjoy the service, users must install a satellite dish since the broadcasting is exclusively done through satellites, necessitating precise equipment adjustment for optimal image reception.

By the way! In order to maintain the integrity of the SMART card, it is not recommended for users to remove it once the broadcast has started. Fortunately, the company offers card replacement in cases of damage.

Satellite TV from NTV-Plus

NTV-Plus offers a subscription for 3490 rubles, which includes a subscription agreement, SAM-module, and SMART-card with a pre-paid one-year access to the "Basic" package. To receive the broadcasts, a satellite dish is required. The TV module should be installed in the TV set’s CI+ slot, which must support DVB-S/ DVB-S2 standards. The picture quality ranges from mpeg-4 to HD and Ultra HD, and it can be controlled using a single TV remote control.

If there is an internet connection available, the service can be connected using an interactive set-top box without the need for a satellite dish. Otherwise, a digital receiver with satellite equipment is required. The table below shows the approximate cost of the equipment needed for connecting NTV-Plus TV, including the annual subscription to the "Basic" package and additional services.

Some of the extra services provided by NTV-Plus include automatic channel tuning, access to their extensive video library, parental control options, a TV guide, as well as the ability to pause and record TV programs for supported devices. It’s worth mentioning that NTV-Plus is the owner of the largest video library on the Runet.

By the way! The SAM-module and SMART-card from NTV-Plus may experience compatibility issues with SONY TV sets.

Cable and mobile TV in Russia

In addition to the mentioned providers, Rostelecom offers digital TV packages through their service "Rostelecom onlime telecard" which can be accessed with a SMART-card. To enjoy this service, you must be within the coverage area of Rostelecom’s cable network and own a television set that supports DVB-C. The initial connection fee is 3000 rubles and there are no monthly subscription charges.

Another option for digital television is provided by MGTS. In this case, TV set-top boxes are used instead of SMART-cards. The basic tariff costs 145 rubles per month, with an additional 99 rubles per month for receiver rental.

There is no need for TV cards to access Beeline’s digital TV channels. However, this provider offers a broader array of services compared to its competitors, including cable digital television, home television through the Internet, and Beeline TV, which enables phone connectivity through mobile communication.

These are just a few examples of the available providers. Overall, there are numerous companies that provide digital television broadcasting services.

Setting up digital TV channels

The process of setting up TV channels varies depending on the TV manufacturer, but there are common steps that apply to all. These include the option for manual configuration and the need to disable automatic channel refresh, if it is enabled. Manual tuning is necessary when automatic channel connection is not possible. In such cases, it is recommended to contact the provider and obtain the frequency information for the channels. Many companies provide this information on their websites.

To automatically connect, you will need to access the TV menu and choose the appropriate option, which may be referred to as Auto Search, Auto Setup, or Auto Install, depending on the TV’s firmware. The step-by-step configuration process for various commonly used TV models is outlined in the following table:

Pro Tip: When configuring, it’s recommended to choose Finland as the country. In Russia, digital TV is relatively new, and older TV models with built-in receivers might not support this feature in our country.

Thus, the SMART-card serves as an exemplar of the cutting-edge gadgets utilized for linking digital television. Its utilization negates the need for a set-top box, supplementary television remotes, and cables. Furthermore, the self-contained module paired with the card is notably more diminutive than its counterparts. Its principal benefits are its ease of use and affordability. Nevertheless, numerous providers have not yet transitioned to this innovative connection format, and some have no intentions of doing so. This is due to the absence of novel functionality and the supplemental expenses associated with incorporating this novelty.

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