raff
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just thought i would add this as it is a question that is asked a lot 
Background;
The satellites transmit the signals to us on with their transmitters known as Transponders(TP's). The satellite has 16 or more Transponder's. Each Transponder has its own frequency unique to that satellite. Each Transponder's frequency carries a data stream, this data stream has a number of channels. The faster the data stream the more channels it will carry, these channels can be allocated to what we know as TV/Radio channels. To keep the satellites data stream secure, the providers use a scrambling program that has variable encoding, the variable encoding controls the scrambling and de-scrambling, these are that we call "KEYS". These keys are indivually changeable by the provider and are kept in the receiver in sets of two or more.
How does it work?The "Keys" are PROVIDER specific, and are the same for all the currently used satellites that that provider controls. The same keys will be used for all of the satellites in ALL of the satellite orbital positions for that provider (Bev, ES). The Keys are a sequience of 16 individual 2 alpha numeric characters. There are always 2 or more SETS of keys, that the provider can change individually, and only one key that is the "active key". The "Active key" is the one that is currently used to de-scramble the data stream. The secondary or "Non-active keys" are held in reserve by the provider and the provider can switch his subscribers to one of the the secondary set of keys through the data stream. To the subscriber the key change would be seamless, provided the subscribers receiver was on and in operation.
The early FTA receivers were originally designed for manual key entry, as the providers key change was infrequent, and the FTA receivers required only a small amount of memory to accommodate this. However as a part of the providers security scheme they started more frequent key changes and manual FTA key changes became more frequent and problematic. To accommodate the more frequent key changes, and convenience, the FTA coders incorporated in their programs a automatic key change sub-program that we know as "Auto roll".
Auto Roll; is incorporated into the program (.bin/.pgm) that we down load into our receivers, its function is to detect a key change, and then (Auto) roll the keys until the receiver decodes the data stream, and we get our video/audio. The auto roll program was put into operation after the the early receiver were sold. With the increase of provider sophisticated en-coding schemes, limited memory and limited computing power of the early receivers, the receiver decoding programs are getting to large for the memory limitations of the older receivers. This is why on these receivers we are having to manually change the keys. The providers are currently increasing the frequency of the key changes, and the placement of the keys in the data stream, ECM's(Electronic Counter Measures).
Recommendations; Currently "autoroll" is a necessity, no longer a luxury. All of the current FTA receiver programs have the autoroll feature. When upgrading or purchasing a FTA receiver, the faster the processor, the more memory and most important - FAST programing support, the better it will be for you. I highly recommend a " SEASONED" receiver.
Seasoned = been on the market 2 years or longer with a good track record of supporting its products with program updates.
Support = How long does it take the receiver manufacture to get the program for the receiver adjusted and YOUR receiver up & running after a major ECM (Electronic Counter Measure). This will be YOUR down time, and the $20.00 that was saved on the bargain receiver may not have been such a great deal! The best during the last BIG ECM, Viewsat and Sonicview were the top 2.
Background;
The satellites transmit the signals to us on with their transmitters known as Transponders(TP's). The satellite has 16 or more Transponder's. Each Transponder has its own frequency unique to that satellite. Each Transponder's frequency carries a data stream, this data stream has a number of channels. The faster the data stream the more channels it will carry, these channels can be allocated to what we know as TV/Radio channels. To keep the satellites data stream secure, the providers use a scrambling program that has variable encoding, the variable encoding controls the scrambling and de-scrambling, these are that we call "KEYS". These keys are indivually changeable by the provider and are kept in the receiver in sets of two or more.
How does it work?The "Keys" are PROVIDER specific, and are the same for all the currently used satellites that that provider controls. The same keys will be used for all of the satellites in ALL of the satellite orbital positions for that provider (Bev, ES). The Keys are a sequience of 16 individual 2 alpha numeric characters. There are always 2 or more SETS of keys, that the provider can change individually, and only one key that is the "active key". The "Active key" is the one that is currently used to de-scramble the data stream. The secondary or "Non-active keys" are held in reserve by the provider and the provider can switch his subscribers to one of the the secondary set of keys through the data stream. To the subscriber the key change would be seamless, provided the subscribers receiver was on and in operation.
The early FTA receivers were originally designed for manual key entry, as the providers key change was infrequent, and the FTA receivers required only a small amount of memory to accommodate this. However as a part of the providers security scheme they started more frequent key changes and manual FTA key changes became more frequent and problematic. To accommodate the more frequent key changes, and convenience, the FTA coders incorporated in their programs a automatic key change sub-program that we know as "Auto roll".
Auto Roll; is incorporated into the program (.bin/.pgm) that we down load into our receivers, its function is to detect a key change, and then (Auto) roll the keys until the receiver decodes the data stream, and we get our video/audio. The auto roll program was put into operation after the the early receiver were sold. With the increase of provider sophisticated en-coding schemes, limited memory and limited computing power of the early receivers, the receiver decoding programs are getting to large for the memory limitations of the older receivers. This is why on these receivers we are having to manually change the keys. The providers are currently increasing the frequency of the key changes, and the placement of the keys in the data stream, ECM's(Electronic Counter Measures).
Recommendations; Currently "autoroll" is a necessity, no longer a luxury. All of the current FTA receiver programs have the autoroll feature. When upgrading or purchasing a FTA receiver, the faster the processor, the more memory and most important - FAST programing support, the better it will be for you. I highly recommend a " SEASONED" receiver.
Seasoned = been on the market 2 years or longer with a good track record of supporting its products with program updates.
Support = How long does it take the receiver manufacture to get the program for the receiver adjusted and YOUR receiver up & running after a major ECM (Electronic Counter Measure). This will be YOUR down time, and the $20.00 that was saved on the bargain receiver may not have been such a great deal! The best during the last BIG ECM, Viewsat and Sonicview were the top 2.
