By Michael T. Hayashi, Pioneer Communications of America, Inc.
Various scrambling systems have been introduced to the market place as a possible solution to the industry wide problem of theft of service. The effectiveness of scrambling is often a very confusing and difficult factor to determine. Classification of the various scrambling systems available today yields two basic forms static and dynamic. The effectiveness of the two varies depending upon the key signal and reference signal used in the descrambling process. Majority of scrambling systems are designed by slightly deviating from NTSC TV standards. Thus, from its initial design concept, these scrambling systems are vulnerable to pirate designs. Complete video encryption may certainly be the solution. However, the associated price is not affordable today. What compromises can be made to design an affordable ultimate scrambling system?