[oscardelahoya]

I'm getting asked for a pin number to watch a film that started on channel 4 at 9.30

[tonyk]

Same here what on earth is Sky playing at!!!!!!!!!!!!
Never had a pin number, is big brother watching us.
Using a pace 2600 here.

[Daveoc64]

Originally Posted by tonyk

Same here what on earth is Sky playing at!!!!!!!!!!!!
Never had a pin number, is big brother watching us.

Quite right nobody has ever had a Personal Identification Number Number

It's part of an Ofcom rule that allows Sky Movies (9 and 10) to show films that have a higher rating than the watershed would usually allow to be shown. The only requirement is that a mandatory protection method must be used - Sky and Cable companies have chosen to use the PIN.

This means that in cases like that of tonight you may get asked to enter your PIN on other channels as the software in the box recognises the 18 rated film is being shown before 10PM.

By default, the PIN is set to the last four digits of the viewing card number first used when you got Sky Digital. If that doesn't work (it's likely the card has changed or you have changed the PIN) then call Sky, they will be able to tell you your PIN.

Recordings are not covered by this - Sky and Telewest allow you to turn off the feature for recordings with Sky+ and TV Drive.

[tonyk]

Do we take it that ch4 etc can do this without any warning?

[d3mon]

Originally Posted by Daveoc64

If that doesn't work (it's likely the card has changed or you have changed the PIN) then call Sky, they will be able to tell you your PIN.

Not quite.

If the account holder calls in, the PIN can be changed - but the CSA cannot actually divulge what the current PIN is (most of the time it isn't recorded on Chordiant).

hth

[uknetfreak]

Hmm... and what about Tivo users?

[Daveoc64]

Originally Posted by uknetfreak

Hmm... and what about Tivo users?

They will be unable to record anything that is blocked with this system (they will see a nice "Enter PIN to continue message").

[Daveoc64]

Originally Posted by tonyk

Do we take it that ch4 etc can do this without any warning?

It's not a Channel 4 decision. It's Sky's implementation of a ruling by Ofcom.

[Red Arrow]

Originally Posted by Daveoc64

It's not a Channel 4 decision. It's Sky's implementation of a ruling by Ofcom.

Say's who? Unless you spoke to Channel 4 who is to say they have not done this and not Sky? (but can't think why C4 would though )

[Daveoc64]

Originally Posted by Red Arrow

Say's who? Unless you spoke to Channel 4 who is to say they have not done this and not Sky? (but can't think why C4 would though )

Because it's due to the software programmed into a Sky Digibox or Sky+ box by Sky.

The software is programmed to ask the user for a PIN if a channel is viewed before 10PM that has an 18 rated programme showing.

A quick press of the "i" button on Channel 4 reveals that the rating of the movie is "18".

Therefore the box asks for a PIN!

(Although you are remotely right, Channel 4's decision to actually put a rating on the programme has eventually caused this to happen).

[yBSy]

I wonder if the pin number will reveal itself.
Is it possible to reset the pin without phoning Sky?

[d3mon]

Originally Posted by vbsx

I wonder if the pin number will reveal itself.
Is it possible to reset the pin without phoning Sky?

If you've forgotten it, then no - it must be reset by calling Customer Services (08702 404040, then choose an option).

If you KNOW the PIN and want to change it, this document on Sky.com will come in handy.

hth

[lnp]

Someone must have cocked up the epg listing. The 9.30 film had a 12 certificate so the pin should not have been asked for after 8pm.

[benidormgary]

And-I missed the final couple of minutes of the previous programme,because it was running late,and the PIN request kicked in at EXACTLY 9.30pm.........

[tonyk]

Same here, where do we complain too. Anybody got an e-mail No.

[davemurgatroyd]

Originally Posted by tonyk

Same here, where do we complain too. Anybody got an e-mail No.

Complain to Channel 4 both for running late and feeding the wrong EPG information.

[daio]

Just ordered a FreeSatFromSky card, do they hav PINs too? I can imagine they must as Channel Four is part oof the freesat hookup. If so, is it usually the last four digits of card number?

[davemurgatroyd]

Originally Posted by daio

Just ordered a FreeSatFromSky card, do they hav PINs too? I can imagine they must as Channel Four is part oof the freesat hookup. If so, is it usually the last four digits of card number?

Yes on all Sky dodgiboxes with or without a card (if box has ever used a card)

It depends on whether it is a new or second hand box. PIN is the last 4 digits of the FIRST card ever used in that box.

[daio]

really? well that suprises me, then I will have to phone sky for a new PIN number when the card arrives.
Box was bought recently on ebay, without a card.
Thanks for info.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Originally Posted by daio

really? well that suprises me, then I will have to phone sky for a new PIN number when the card arrives.
Box was bought recently on ebay, without a card.
Thanks for info.

Put the card in, get it authorised, then once it's working try the last four digitals of the new card - it probably won't work?, but it's worth a try!. If it doesn't work, ring Sky, and they will reset the PIN to the last four digits of the current card.

[yBSy]

Are these cards supplied for free?

[rai uno]

No. There is a charge of £20 to "cover costs".

Sky allege they still lose money on them.

[lnp]

Originally Posted by daio

really? well that suprises me, then I will have to phone sky for a new PIN number when the card arrives.
Box was bought recently on ebay, without a card.
Thanks for info.

Last year I activated a new card in a 2nd hand box and the pin was the last 4 digits of that card. I used the new installation option in the engineering menu, Not sure whether it was a factor or not but it beats quoting rows of numbers again at Sky on the phone.

[Paperhouse]

The PIN is not necessarily the last four digits of the first card ever used in the box. Whatever card I insert in any of my boxes, the PIN is the last four digits on the particular card. Can't remember why this is so, but someone on here explained it to me previously.

Also ~

Channels stored in 'Other Channels' don't require a PIN to be viewed. That's why I have Zone Horror stored in 'Other Channels', just so I can record something when I am out of the house and am not there to enter the PIN.

Also ~

Before anyone says so, yes I know it's sad to record Zone Horror.

Also ~

Remember that it's a PIN and not a PIN number.

[ready2watch]

This happened way before sky movies uses pin protection. I used to have a sky+ box, i recorded the exoricst 3 at 10:00pm, at 9:00am i wanted to watch it so i had to insert a my 4 digit pin, this pin protection was around for a while since the launch of sky + its only happening all over sky movies now and every other services. I think its a good idea because it protects the children so the parents can only get the blame if there kids watch something they shouldnt, i think this is a clever move from sky digital but also annoying sometimes.