en.Wedoany.com Reported - France's TNTSAT satellite TV platform is about to launch a major technology upgrade, with some existing decoding equipment gradually being phased out. These changes involve multiple aspects, including broadcast encoding standards, access control systems, and smart card validity periods, aiming to improve service quality and security.

TNTSAT transmits TNT channels via the Astra satellite located at 19.2° East. On the technical front, high-definition picture quality will transition from MPEG-4 encoding to HEVC encoding, while the access control system shifts from Viaccess to Nagra, and the validity period of smart cards is shortened from four years after first use to three years. These adjustments mean that many existing decoders will be incompatible with the new system in the medium to long term.

Meanwhile, new conditional access modules are entering the market. These CAM CI+ modules (also known as PCMCIA modules) can be directly inserted into the built-in satellite tuner of compatible TVs, enabling signal decryption without the need for an external decoder. Some modules are marked with a 4K logo, indicating potential for service upgrades, although receiving ultra-high-definition content via satellite remains very limited at present.

This change also represents a return to user solutions. Canal+ had previously abandoned the CanalReady type module in favor of external decoders. Now, TNTSAT is readopting an integrated form, but it is only applicable to TVs equipped with a DVB-S2 tuner and a CI+ slot; older devices cannot be used. The transition is expected to begin gradually after the end of summer, when new modules will become more widely available. The old and new systems will coexist during the transition period to allow users to migrate smoothly. Affected users need to check device compatibility and, after inserting the TNTSAT card into the corresponding module, can continue to watch TNT channels for free.