Using a CAM with your TV

If you have a digital TV, you may find that it has a CI slot, which is built to accept a CAM.
On this page, we'll explain what a CI slot and a CAM are, and how to use them.

 

What is a CI Slot?

If you have a fairly new digital TV set, you may find that it has a slot somewhere, typically covered up with a blanking plate. If you remove the blanking plate, you'll see that something can be slid into that slot.

This slot is known as a CI slot, or Common Interface slot, and it's designed to accept a CAM, which will allow you to get a subscription TV service.

 

What is a CAM?

The lovely lady to the right is modeling a Setanta Sports CAM. It's a small metal adapter, known as a Conditional Access Module that slides into the CI slot on a digital TV set. A CAM measures 10 x 5.5cm.

The CAM has it's own slot, into which you can slide a credit-card-sized subscription card.

The upshot is that if you got a CAM and a subscription card, your TV would be able to watch extra content on a subscription-basis.

 

What can I get with a CAM and CI Slot?

Many years ago, you could use a CAM and CI slot to get Top Up TV (11 extra channels). Top Up TV has moved away from this service now, and offer their Anytime service instead.

Next to use the CAM was Setanta Sports. They were offering subscription to their Setanta 1 sports service to Freeview users for £9.99 a month - that was until they went bust in June 2009.

Now, you can use a CAM with ESPN, to get to their ESPN UK channel, again on a subscription basis.

 

How do I get a CAM?

If you have a CI slot on your telly and you want to sign up to a subscription service such as ESPN, then you need to get a CAM. When you have a CAM, you insert a viewing card into the CAM, then insert the CAM into your TV.

 

Where to get a CAM for ESPN: Top Up TV can now supply you with a CAM. These will cost you £20, or you can ask for a free CAM if you're happy to sign up to ESPN for 12 months. More details at www.topuptv.com/cam.   Other places to get a CAM for ESPN: You can buy a CAM for use with ESPN from the following online suppliers: Play.com - Low price, and first month of ESPN free Alternatives: Those looking for a CAM suitable for use with ESPN can also use a "Setanta Sports" CAM kit. Here is a list of online suppliers suggested by visitors to this site: £38.99 from Elite Gadgets £49.95 from Pulsat Various prices on Ebay.co.uk (Search "Setanta CAM" and tick "Include title and description") The list of alternative CAMs is supplied as-is, based on feedback from visitors. We can't vouch for any of these suppliers. If you have any comments on these suppliers, or know of any other sources for CAMs, please drop us an email

 

Setanta Sports CAM with subscription card

 

Getting ESPN with a CAM

After Setanta's collapse in June 2009, Disney-owned ESPN took over some of the rights to key sporting events, such as Barclays Premier League and Clydesdale Bank Premier League football. ESPN's UK channel started in August 2009 and is available to users with a suitable CAM and CI slot.

If you have previously watched Setanta Sports with a CAM, you should be able to get ESPN. Your existing Top Up TV or Setanta Sports viewing card can still be used (you will need to call 08444 15 20 20 to get it re-activated though. You can try the alternative number 01592 587244 which is slightly cheaper).

If you have a CAM, but you don't have a viewing card, you can call to get a new card sent to you. To get a card activated for use with ESPN, you need to call Top Up TV on 08444 15 20 20

If you don't have a CAM, you'll need to buy a CAM

More information on subscribing to ESPN can be found on our ESPN in the UK page

 

How to install a CAM

Assuming you have a CAM and a subscription card, here's how you set it up:

• Insert the subscription card into the CAM - The card goes in chip-first, with the gold chip facing upwards
  
  
• Next, turn your TV off and insert the CAM into the TV's CI slot. Do this carefully, without using too much force - the CAM may stick out. Normally the CAM logo will be facing forward, but not all TV manufacturers do it this way. If the CAM doesn't slide in easily, you may have the CAM round the wrong way
  
  
• Switch on the TV. The CAM should be automatically detected.
  
  
• At this point, it's a good idea to perform a channel rescan, to ensure that your TV has the correct Freeview channel lineup
  
  
• It's then a case of waiting for your card to be activated. With ESPN, the advice is to tune in to Five (channel 5) on Freeview, and stay on that channel for about 60 minutes to allow the card to receive its activation code over the air.

CAM being inserted into TV set's CI Slot

 

 

Problems with your CAM?

Not entitled? Some users reported messages such as "You are not entitled to watch this programme" when tuning to a subscription channel on Freeview. Most likely cause was that the module/card has not inserted correctly, or the card had not received the over-the-air command to activate the subscription

No module? If you're getting a "No module" message, chances are the module is either not inserted correctly, not suitable for your TV, or can't be inserted correctly as the pins in the TV are damaged.

Some things to try:

• If you're being told that you're not subscribed or not entitled, it could be that your card has not been activated yet. Call your provider and ask them to send the activation code again. This is sent over-the-air and could take an hour or so to get through. You should leave the TV tuned to the channel you want activated (i.e. Channel 34 for ESPN)
  
  
• If you still haven't got the activation signal, try switching off the TV, removing and re-inserting the card and CAM, switching the TV back on, and switching between channels (i.e. channel 1, channel 5, channel 34, etc.)
  
  
• Ensure that the CAM is inserted correctly (the right way up), and it's pushed home firmly
  
  
• Check that the pins are not bent or damaged. If you look at the bottom of the CAM, you will see two rows of holes - these push into two rows of pins on the TV. If the pins are bent, the card won't connect properly (you may been a torch and mirror to see into the CI slot.
  
  
• From your digital TV set, go to the on-screen menu, and look through the various options. There should be a screen somewhere that allows you to confirm that the module is inserted, and check that the smartcard is present. It should also confirm the date of your subscription. See the screenshot below for an example.
  
  
• If it looks like your module still isn't being recognised, you need to work out if the problem is with the CI slot in the telly, the CAM, or the card. One easy way to tell is to take your card and CAM to a friend / relative's house and try them in their TV's CI slot (if they have one) - This will let you work out where the problem is.

Accessing the Module set-up on a Sony Bravia TV

Got a general question about CI slots or CAMs? Get in touch

 

Other links:

• ESPN in the UK - More detail on what Setanta offered before its demise in June 2009
• Setanta Help - Advice to former Setanta subscribers
• Topping Up Freeview - Help with getting more channels
• Digital TV Podcast - Want to learn more about UK TV? Free regular shows
• Freeview Help - Need some advice on Freeview?

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