Common Interface on Samsung TV - what is it? How to use the common interface (CI) slot in LCD TVs

Television devices of the new generation allow, with minimal hardware resources, access to a wide range of media content channels. In place of the aging system of connecting autonomous tuners, more compact modules and signal translators are coming in, effectively processing the received information. Advanced technologies in this area are actively mastered by Philips, LG and Samsung. In this case, the Common Interface is considered in the Samsung TV. What does this give to the end user? In essence, the Common Interface (CI) concept allows for a simplified scheme to access channels having an encoded signal. In other words, the device is integrated into the TV in the form of a decoder, which increases the functionality of the equipment.

General information about the interface

The Common Interface system is often and erroneously confused with the channel decoding tool itself. This is fundamentally wrong, since it is only an interface for the integration of such cards, which in turn are supplied by telecommunications operators. The presence of such a slot in the TV makes it possible to use the interface as a replacement for a traditional receiver. Therefore, such systems are sometimes called DVB Common Interface, that is, a slot that supports a certain format of interaction with the integrated tuner. And the DVB tuner at the moment is, although popular, but still giving way to more technological satellite analogues.

In practice, slot usage allows the user to view encoded channels from a particular operator who issued the card. This is a CI-module that is inserted into the corresponding interface and after making the settings on the TV itself it opens closed programs.

How the decoder works

The decoder operates in a certain decoding system of the coding algorithm, which is used by the telecommunications service provider. The interface in this case only provides the technical possibility of implementing decoding with the subsequent presentation of the signal in one or another format. Most of the coded signals are sent to the receiver along with the access key. This key is sent to the card through the same slot, which gives the answer in the form of the generated code. The latter is sent to the tuner itself, which is connected to the Common Interface system on the Samsung TV. What does this mean in terms of the legal aspect? The use of such a scheme of signal decoding is completely legal. The fact is that when you buy a card at the same time, you pay for the service of using certain channels. Usually, the whole package is purchased, to which, when connected, the installed card will be accessed.

Features of the CI +

A more advanced system based on the CI interface, changes in which are due precisely to the requirements of the rights holders of media content. The fact is that modules of this type of first generation open up wide possibilities for users in handling received materials. After the primary processing of the signal in the card, it is further broadcast to the tuner and, accordingly, to the screen in an open, i.e., decoded form. This feature allows the equipment owner to keep the content.

It is with the goal of limiting the copying capabilities and the improved Common Interface on the Samsung TV is implemented. What does this mean for the viewer? First, the inability to save materials in the process of viewing. You can perform this operation only with the use of additional playback and recording devices. Secondly, the user can not squander the ad units. Access to content is provided only in one-time order - for one show. The module with the prefix "plus" does not provide full decoding of the signal, but only allows it to enter the tuner, and already before the live broadcast on the screen, decoding is carried out.

It is this algorithm that limited the owners of TVs with CI + interfaces in the possibilities of performing additional actions with the received material.

Connecting the adapter

The adapter is required for the subsequent installation of the operator card itself. It should be built into a special niche interface on the rear panel. And the developers of Samsung recommend to perform this operation before the TV was installed in a permanent place of operation. Especially this applies to models that assume a wall-mounted method of fixation. And the card should be installed for convenience after the adapter has been successfully integrated.

The device is fixed with the help of special fasteners, which can have different designs depending on the model. Usually, clamps and apertures are used for this, providing a dense placement of the Common Interface adapter on the Samsung TV. What does this mean in the context of installing the card itself? By itself, the adapter allows you to work purposefully with specific modules, using a common interface. That is, when changing or updating the formats for connecting tuners and operating cards, the Common Interface slot will remain relevant precisely because of the possibility of using such adapters.

Integration of the module

The card is installed in accordance with the instructions for the specific model. Usually, the modules themselves indicate the direction in which to integrate. Before installation, the TV screen will record the decoded channel, but after the installation, it should disappear. Usually, when you first place such modules, the main information about the provider and specific user identification data are displayed on the screen. Its appearance means that the Common Interface card has been properly connected and the channels can be decoded. It is important to note that physically these modules are quite sensitive, so you should handle them with the utmost care, without damaging the surface.

Module settings via TV

Typically, the system automatically makes the necessary settings with the output of the broadcast from the connected signal receiver. You can find out about the correctness of the connection and the current status of the module's bundle with the tuner in the special section "common interfaces", and in some models this information is reflected in the "system" or "broadcast" menu. When the necessary partition is found, it remains only to put the CI-module on the activity and switch the TV to the display mode.

What should I do if the module does not connect?

During the module installation and signal detection, different problems may occur. Most often, their solutions can be achieved by reconnecting the components. Thus, for example, a problem is corrected in the form of a lack of card activity. But even if the CI-module for the TV is integrated correctly, automatic transmission of channels does not always begin. In this case, you need to search for channels, during which the autoscanning will be performed. But this operation is desirable to be done in advance even before the adapter is installed. Even if the channels are not registered as decoded, the system will record them.

Feedback on the interface

For the most part, such devices receive positive feedback from users. And especially the high-quality performance of decoding interfaces are famous for Samsung TVs. Feedback notes the stability of signal reception, ease of management settings and fairly high color characteristics of the image.

However, there are also negative opinions about the operation of such systems. They are related to the fact that it is not always possible to achieve a well-coordinated tuner and adapter interaction with the card. Samsung TVs are also failing this disadvantage. The reviews emphasize that a variety of tuner formats are often misleading when selecting the appropriate modules.

Conclusion

The development of technologies in the field of television equipment is guided, among other things, by the reduction of the component base. The example of the interface in question just confirms the effectiveness of the work of specialists in this field. Modern digital TVs Samsung thus allow you to get rid of third-party equipment and dispense with compact and easy-to-use maps. Another thing is that not always the technical execution of this technology is successful in terms of ergonomics. In addition, there are also dangers associated with the very fact of the intervention of inexperienced users in the technical stuffing of the hardware of the TV itself. Nevertheless, this concept is actively developing and, as more and more optimized devices appear, get rid of technical and operational problems.