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I'm contemplating getting a HTPC, and would like to be able to play and record digital TV channels (DVB-C). For most channels, I need a CI-module and a Smartcard to decode them. Now, I'd like to be able to use either the TV alone or with the HTPC without switching cards. I don't think I can get my cable provider to give me a second card for obvious reasons.

  • Is it possible to share a smartcard between two devices? (Or would I rather share the CI module?) What do I need for that? (I'm almost sure it's technically possible, since people even share them over the internet, for money, illegally. Which leads me to the second question...)
  • Is it legal to share it between two devices / tuners of one TV?
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I do not know about DVB-C so I will post this as a comment, but for CableCard (The PCMCIA equivalent that the US uses with cable companies) it is the device/card pair that is authenticated with the cable provider. So you would be able to swap between the two but you would need to get both pairings authorized by the cable provider. – Scott Chamberlain Jul 29 '12 at 20:52

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