Cameras in Digital Convert Boxes!?

Antaletriangle · 02-18-2009, 06:59 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ4iIM8Eljc

Written by the video poster:

could not believe my eyes.

I have a friend who is kind of a conspiracy theorist. He was trying to convince me that the many of the digital TV convert boxes that our coming out have microphones and cameras built into them. Knowing a bit about electronics I bought one of these devices opened it up fully intending on proving him wrong. To my surprise he was right. This device has both a miniature camera lens and what looks like a microphone. I was so shocked I took pictures and video Please send this out to every one you know who is using one of these devices.

Hear are the details on the device I bought.
Its the MAGNAVOX TB110MW9 Digital to Analog Converter

eurosceptic · 02-18-2009, 07:20 PM

Dont computers, PC speakers etc have the same??!

Orion11 · 02-18-2009, 07:27 PM

yeah
and its fkd up!

glad i got rid of my tv years ago.

you all should do the same.. if you value your privacy.

Orion11 · 02-18-2009, 09:18 PM

ok,
you pushed me to find out for myself...

I just went out and grabbed the exact model that guy shows in the video....
Im going to take pics and show you...

i see no obvious camera like in the video... brb

Orion11 · 02-18-2009, 09:48 PM

the only reason i went ahead and bought this was because I was told i could get a refund for it if i wanted to bring it back,
So they better give me my refund. lol

Quote:

From original Video poster: Hear are the details on the device I bought.
Its the MAGNAVOX TB110MW9 Digital to Analog Converter

Here is the box, and the model# on the bottom..
same as in the video~

______________________________________
Here it is upon opening the box.....

I hope this sets some minds at ease....
I know it does mine.. and i dont even have a television.

I am sure these kinds of intrusions are very real, no doubt about it..
but its nice to know that what we see in this video is not real.
Im guessing the guy just glued on a camera from inside a webcam or something?
I dunno... who knows... lol
But the exact same model as his,
that I just picked up..

clearly does not have the same thing in it.

So whatever that is worth.

Czymra · 02-18-2009, 09:54 PM

Yes but on computers you can have control.

For the mac crowd:
http://techslaves.org/index.php?action=tpmod;dl=item18

If you have solution to turn off the mic I'd welcome it.

Jack · 02-18-2009, 10:12 PM

I wouldnt be a bit suprised if this kind of technology was already implemented into our beloved brain boxes.

And it wouldnt be half as obvious.

Jack · 02-18-2009, 10:21 PM

And also ;

Quote:

Written by Chris Albrecht
Posted Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 11:42 AM PT

Comcast Cameras to Start Watching You?

If you have some tinfoil handy, now might be a good time to fashion a hat. At the Digital Living Room conference today, Gerard Kunkel, Comcast’s senior VP of user experience, told me the cable company is experimenting with different camera technologies built into devices so it can know who’s in your living room.

The idea being that if you turn on your cable box, it recognizes you and pulls up shows already in your profile or makes recommendations. If parents are watching TV with their children, for example, parental controls could appear to block certain content from appearing on the screen. Kunkel also said this type of monitoring is the “holy grail” because it could help serve up specifically tailored ads. Yikes.

Kunkel said the system wouldn’t be based on facial recognition, so there wouldn’t be a picture of you on file (we hope). Instead, it would distinguish between different members of your household by recognizing body forms. He stressed that the system is still in the experimental phase, that there hasn’t been consumer testing, and that any rollout “must add value” to the viewing experience beyond serving ads.

Perhaps I’ve seen Enemy of the State too many times, or perhaps I’m just naive about the depths to which Comcast currently tracks my every move. I can’t trust Comcast with BitTorrent, so why should I trust them with my must-be-kept-secret, DVR-clogging addiction to Keeping Up with the Kardashians?

Kunkel also spoke on camera with me about fixing bad Comcast user experiences, the ongoing BitTorrent battle and VOD. But he mostly towed the corporate line on these issues (the monitoring your living room came up after my camera was put away).

Straight from the horses mouth. Video can be found here

And for the record we are no longer classified as humans, we are now consumers. Kind of makes me feel like a virus... . or a bin.

Dantheman62 · 02-18-2009, 10:32 PM

Wow O11, good job, I'm impressed and that guy with the video should be shot then! LOL!

Antaletriangle · 02-18-2009, 10:32 PM

Yeah good one Orion, very good to do this mate!!Take the initiative...Thanks.

Czymra · 02-18-2009, 10:35 PM

As mentioned before. I think it will be exceedingly difficult to even know what a camera or mic looks like. These things are tiny! Hackers needed.
(Maybe somebody at Lifehacker.com has had a look into this?)

AussieG · 02-18-2009, 10:51 PM

It is also rumored that digital TVs have the same camera & mic setup. Has anyone confirmed this.

Orion11 · 02-18-2009, 11:21 PM

haha, thanks peoples!

i did get my money back...

and also learned...

that instead of having to buy just the box..
you also have to buy a special antenna... LOL
looks exactly like regular ole rabbit ears people use.

but the box wont work without it. hahaha!!! :P

Quote:

Kathleen~It'll be 3 years this summer since I got rid of the television. I recommend it to all. You'll be surprised......I'll leave it at that.

definitely.

glad you all liked the post.

thanks for the wise and kind words! <3

LOL@ Dan!! hahaha.....
i almost signed into youtube to tell that dude he was a joker..
but figured it not worth the time. lol

<3

blastawaycas · 02-19-2009, 12:04 AM

ORION ARE YOU RELATED TO SHERLOCK HOLMES THAT WAS REAL DETECTIVE WORK AND YOU SHOULD BE AWARDED FOR IT
WARRA GUY TOP OF THE POPS MY MAN

KINDEST REGARDS DAVE CASTER

Dantheman62 · 02-19-2009, 12:14 AM

Hey O, HaHa I am signed in on youtube and I told him HOAX and that a friend of mine just proved it by going out and buying one and showed me pictures that there's nothing inside, no camera, no mic.

Some other idiot sent me a message saying that I'm a jewish debunker, and I'm so full of s...t and now he knows who I work for and blah,blah,blah. I just laughed it off, probably some little 16 year old kid who can't tie his own shoes yet. LOL!

And what's funny is I'm not only not jewish, but I'm actually German, and I haven't worked for a long time. bwahahaha, ah there's one in every bunch. Makes you wonder how some people get through life. LOL!

blastawaycas · 02-19-2009, 12:19 AM

GOOD GRIEF DANTHEMAN NICE WORK AND WHAT A PLONKER THIS SILLY BOLLOCKS WHO SENDS YOU S*IT LIKE THIS ......... WANNA BORROW AN AIRPISTOL !!!!!

KINDEST REGARDS DAVE CASTER

Orion11 · 02-19-2009, 12:28 AM

hahahaha. thanks blastawaycas! <3 too funny.

LOL Dan!! save the pics and email them to his gooney asse. lol

Orion11 · 02-19-2009, 12:40 AM

also....

just because i didnt find anything in this one..
doesnt mean anything....

im not in on the world of high tech bond gadgets used nowdays to spy ...

but i looked all through it with a flashlight..
and everything that was in there was recognizable...

no doubt there are cameras and mics unjustly watching people,
even in their own homes.....

and i dont know how else to stop that..

but to say.....

just toss it altogether.
it is not vital..
it is not even beneficial...
youll get used to not having it...

if everyone did this... or even a majority..

do you know what kind of statement that would make to these money hungry war mongering control freak DIX!!?!?!?!!

lol

sorry...
i jus cant stand fascists.. lol

say ef you to these clowns..
show them that we are smarter than a turd in a box,
staring at another box... lol

show them we can do just fine without their meaningless garbage.

man... i could say soo much.......
<3

i love yous.

Dantheman62 · 02-19-2009, 01:15 AM

Yup, I haven't had tv for a long time now and probably won't ever again.

Orion11 · 02-19-2009, 01:29 AM

that is why i let you on my spaceship, Dan. lol

alyscat · 02-19-2009, 01:46 AM

Just as an aside, I got a recall notice from Sony that my little laptop had to go in for some service, so very sorry, but it might overheat and burn up, we'll pay shipping overnight, etc. yadda yadda.

When it came back there was a note informing me that they also had to change out the chip or card that was used for my wi-fi connex. I tried not to be paranoid, LOL.

alys

Swanny · 02-19-2009, 09:39 AM

Nice one Orion

I have a virgin V+ box which I think wants me to take it apart

Humble Janitor · 02-19-2009, 11:03 AM

I already subscribe to very basic cable so I will not be needing one of these newfangled boxes.

Rarely even watch TV but very basic cable is quite cheap so if I ever have time to veg out, sure.

Dantheman62 · 02-19-2009, 12:28 AM

HaHa, good one Dave, actually I've got several!

Dantheman62 · 02-19-2009, 12:30 AM

I was thinking about it O but it's youtube and there's no way to get pics on there as far as I know

02-18-2009, 06:59 PM	#1
Antaletriangle Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: U.K. Posts: 3,380	Cameras in Digital Convert Boxes!? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ4iIM8Eljc Written by the video poster: could not believe my eyes. I have a friend who is kind of a conspiracy theorist. He was trying to convince me that the many of the digital TV convert boxes that our coming out have microphones and cameras built into them. Knowing a bit about electronics I bought one of these devices opened it up fully intending on proving him wrong. To my surprise he was right. This device has both a miniature camera lens and what looks like a microphone. I was so shocked I took pictures and video Please send this out to every one you know who is using one of these devices. Hear are the details on the device I bought. Its the MAGNAVOX TB110MW9 Digital to Analog Converter

02-18-2009, 07:20 PM	#2
eurosceptic Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The Flatlands of Eastern England Posts: 226	Re: Cameras in Digital Convert Boxes!? Dont computers, PC speakers etc have the same??!

02-18-2009, 07:27 PM	#3
Orion11 Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,098	Re: Cameras in Digital Convert Boxes!? yeah and its fkd up! glad i got rid of my tv years ago. you all should do the same.. if you value your privacy.

02-18-2009, 09:18 PM	#4
Orion11 Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,098	Re: Cameras in Digital Convert Boxes!? ok, you pushed me to find out for myself... I just went out and grabbed the exact model that guy shows in the video.... Im going to take pics and show you... i see no obvious camera like in the video... brb

02-18-2009, 09:54 PM	#6
Czymra Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 1,151	Re: Cameras in Digital Convert Boxes!? Yes but on computers you can have control. For the mac crowd: http://techslaves.org/index.php?action=tpmod;dl=item18 If you have solution to turn off the mic I'd welcome it.

02-18-2009, 10:12 PM	#7
Jack Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 454	Re: Cameras in Digital Convert Boxes!? I wouldnt be a bit suprised if this kind of technology was already implemented into our beloved brain boxes. And it wouldnt be half as obvious.

02-18-2009, 10:32 PM	#9
Dantheman62 Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: So. Cal. U.S. Posts: 4,205	Re: Cameras in Digital Convert Boxes!? Wow O11, good job, I'm impressed and that guy with the video should be shot then! LOL!

02-18-2009, 10:35 PM	#11
Czymra Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 1,151	Re: Cameras in Digital Convert Boxes!? As mentioned before. I think it will be exceedingly difficult to even know what a camera or mic looks like. These things are tiny! Hackers needed. (Maybe somebody at Lifehacker.com has had a look into this?)

02-18-2009, 10:51 PM	#12
AussieG Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 187	Re: Cameras in Digital Convert Boxes!? It is also rumored that digital TVs have the same camera & mic setup. Has anyone confirmed this.

02-19-2009, 12:04 AM	#14
blastawaycas Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Middlesbrough United Kingdom Posts: 229	Re: Cameras in Digital Convert Boxes!? ORION ARE YOU RELATED TO SHERLOCK HOLMES THAT WAS REAL DETECTIVE WORK AND YOU SHOULD BE AWARDED FOR IT WARRA GUY TOP OF THE POPS MY MAN KINDEST REGARDS DAVE CASTER

02-19-2009, 12:14 AM	#15
Dantheman62 Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: So. Cal. U.S. Posts: 4,205	Re: Cameras in Digital Convert Boxes!? Hey O, HaHa I am signed in on youtube and I told him HOAX and that a friend of mine just proved it by going out and buying one and showed me pictures that there's nothing inside, no camera, no mic. Some other idiot sent me a message saying that I'm a jewish debunker, and I'm so full of s...t and now he knows who I work for and blah,blah,blah. I just laughed it off, probably some little 16 year old kid who can't tie his own shoes yet. LOL! And what's funny is I'm not only not jewish, but I'm actually German, and I haven't worked for a long time. bwahahaha, ah there's one in every bunch. Makes you wonder how some people get through life. LOL!

02-19-2009, 12:19 AM	#16
blastawaycas Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Middlesbrough United Kingdom Posts: 229	Re: Cameras in Digital Convert Boxes!? GOOD GRIEF DANTHEMAN NICE WORK AND WHAT A PLONKER THIS SILLY BOLLOCKS WHO SENDS YOU S*IT LIKE THIS ......... WANNA BORROW AN AIRPISTOL !!!!! KINDEST REGARDS DAVE CASTER

02-19-2009, 12:28 AM	#17
Orion11 Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,098	Re: Cameras in Digital Convert Boxes!? hahahaha. thanks blastawaycas! <3 too funny. LOL Dan!! save the pics and email them to his gooney asse. lol

02-19-2009, 12:40 AM	#18
Orion11 Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,098	Re: Cameras in Digital Convert Boxes!? also.... just because i didnt find anything in this one.. doesnt mean anything.... im not in on the world of high tech bond gadgets used nowdays to spy ... but i looked all through it with a flashlight.. and everything that was in there was recognizable... no doubt there are cameras and mics unjustly watching people, even in their own homes..... and i dont know how else to stop that.. but to say..... just toss it altogether. it is not vital.. it is not even beneficial... youll get used to not having it... if everyone did this... or even a majority.. do you know what kind of statement that would make to these money hungry war mongering control freak DIX!!?!?!?!! lol sorry... i jus cant stand fascists.. lol say ef you to these clowns.. show them that we are smarter than a turd in a box, staring at another box... lol show them we can do just fine without their meaningless garbage. man... i could say soo much....... <3 i love yous. Last edited by Orion11; 02-19-2009 at 12:42 AM.

02-19-2009, 01:15 AM	#19
Dantheman62 Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: So. Cal. U.S. Posts: 4,205	Re: Cameras in Digital Convert Boxes!? Yup, I haven't had tv for a long time now and probably won't ever again.

02-19-2009, 01:29 AM	#20
Orion11 Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,098	Re: Cameras in Digital Convert Boxes!? that is why i let you on my spaceship, Dan. lol

02-19-2009, 01:46 AM	#21
alyscat Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Washington state Posts: 743	Re: Cameras in Digital Convert Boxes!? Just as an aside, I got a recall notice from Sony that my little laptop had to go in for some service, so very sorry, but it might overheat and burn up, we'll pay shipping overnight, etc. yadda yadda. When it came back there was a note informing me that they also had to change out the chip or card that was used for my wi-fi connex. I tried not to be paranoid, LOL. alys

02-19-2009, 09:39 AM	#22
Swanny I dont need a label ! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The Shire of Wilt Posts: 2,889	Re: Cameras in Digital Convert Boxes!? Nice one Orion I have a virgin V+ box which I think wants me to take it apart

02-19-2009, 11:03 AM	#23
Humble Janitor Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3,201	Re: Cameras in Digital Convert Boxes!? I already subscribe to very basic cable so I will not be needing one of these newfangled boxes. Rarely even watch TV but very basic cable is quite cheap so if I ever have time to veg out, sure.

02-19-2009, 12:30 AM	#25
Dantheman62 Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: So. Cal. U.S. Posts: 4,205	Re: Cameras in Digital Convert Boxes!? I was thinking about it O but it's youtube and there's no way to get pics on there as far as I know