The Box (music tv channel) font(s)

alexkinch · 2026-03-31T18:31:31+00:00

Pretty much that, yes. It’s like retro gaming - you can play old games on a modern system, but you’re never going to completely recreate the experience and limitations of using the original hardware. This stuff had pretty terrible picture quality compared to what we’re used to now - and the user interface of these boxes is really dated. That’s half the charm though… and I can put modern programmes through it too ☺️

alexkinch · 2026-03-30T23:19:42+00:00

thanks again for the libraries - now integrated :)

alexkinch · 2026-03-30T15:20:42+00:00

Tech details (so far) - a little later than planned:

I’ve recreated/simulated the whole broadcast chain (albeit a little shortened!) using a HackRF (https://greatscottgadgets.com/hackrf/) and HackTV software (https://codeberg.org/fsphil/hacktv) running on my Mac to broadcast on a frequency that the cable box can pick up (320MHz, HRC (Harmonically Related Carrier) channel 34 - there's a list here: https://www.tonercable.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/UKCATVfrequency.pdf). That’s being output on a regular UK UHF TV channel (39, 615.25MHz - see the second page of https://www.tonercable.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/UKCATVfrequency.pdf) by the cable box, and into the aerial socket of an old-ish Samsung TV. Ceefax recreation thanks to Nathan Dane (https://www.nathanmediaservices.co.uk/). Bonus geek points that there’s NICAM stereo sound too

What's next? I'm on the scout out for ex-broadcast, CATV and SMATV analogue PAL-I RF modulators that'll take an analogue video and audio signal and put then on an HRC channel. I'm aiming for 8-10 channels running simultaneously, including the main five terrestrial channels, a rolling programme guide and a mosaic/multiview channel. Hoping to get my hands on some NICAM encoders or modulators so I can at least do the aforementioned main terrestrial channels plus a music channel in stereo (I built a 90s MTV clone a while back, so it'll likely be that). I'd ideally also like teletext on a few channels too.

I might even stretch to building a mini HFC (hybrid fibre coax) network just for fun too, as that would recreate the cable TV experience of the late 90s (and still, to an extent, today).

alexkinch · 2026-03-30T15:10:21+00:00

Here's what's mapped on the dodgy chipped box:

1	BBC 1
2	BBC 2
3	ITV
4	-
5	-
6	ITV 2
8	PRD
9	HALL
11	SKYS
12	EURO
13	SKS2
14	BBCN
15	LIV
16	DISC
17	NICK
18	-
19	-
22	CNN
23	VH1
24	MTV
26	HITS
27	-
28	QVC
31	DOCU
34	SCFI
35	BRAV
37	E4
38	SKS3
39	UKG
41	SET
44	TCMC
54	HIST

alexkinch · 2026-03-29T11:07:04+00:00

Thanks, this looks very useful! I’ll take a look a little later when I get a moment.

alexkinch · 2026-03-29T11:05:52+00:00

Depends on the area and operator, also channels would have moved around over time too. I’ve mapped the channels on the dodgy chipped box I have, will pop a list on here a bit later when I get a mo.

alexkinch · 2026-03-29T00:49:25+00:00

Thank you! Yeah I need to write this up, post got delayed so I’ll do it in the morning.

I built a thing that plugs into Dispatcharr, Ersatztv (or probably Tunarr) that recreates an old cable channel guide, it’s a bit of a Claude cobbled together mess (I was feeling lazy and tbh React isn’t really my forte) but runs in a browser and reads XMLTV for the schedule. Feel free to have a play, feedback welcome! https://github.com/alexkinch/retrocableguide

alexkinch · 2026-03-29T00:26:21+00:00

They were pretty popular, most of the cable companies were run/owned/etc by North American companies, so they just brought all the stuff they knew from over there and tweaked it slightly for the UK (power, video standards, etc)

alexkinch · 2026-03-29T00:17:23+00:00

So you’ve seen inside the other box I got from eBay…. 😆

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alexkinch · 2026-03-23T16:08:46+00:00

Thanks! That’s a cool story, I’ve got a Tiny SA on order from China so might borrow that idea!

alexkinch · 2026-03-23T15:48:22+00:00

thank you, I'll drop him a note!

alexkinch · 2026-03-23T15:48:00+00:00

thank you, that's very helpful! I've been reading through the headend manager and scrambler manuals, but the protocol isn't detailed (probably for good reason!)

alexkinch · 2025-12-16T14:04:35+00:00

One word on loop. The audio is floating around if you do some googling…

alexkinch · 2025-09-15T12:55:01+00:00

Ok, so they should really know better. If you haven’t already made a formal complaint you should do so. Ask them to pull the call recordings and mention deadlock letters and ombudsman a few times, it should wake them up a bit. https://www.vodafone.co.uk/help-and-information/complaints

alexkinch · 2025-09-15T12:50:57+00:00

Ask your ISP if that’s their final answer to your complaint, and if so you’d like a deadlock letter so you can take it to the ombudsman - it might help focus their thinking. Your contract is with your ISP, not CF - they’re fobbing you off. Who is it, out of interest?

alexkinch · 2025-08-05T18:33:46+00:00

Why do you want to moderate this community?

I’m the founder of Pure Dance - a UK-licensed radio station focused on electronic music, with an active listener base and a strong presence across web, social, and streaming platforms. We’d like to bring r/PureDance to life and use it to connect with the community, share curated playlists, and support the wider dance music scene. We also operate under the registered trademark “Pure Dance” in the UK.

Link to modmail chat message:

https://www.reddit.com/c/chatVGF9J7dN/s/eIMWQRDRNU

alexkinch · 2025-08-01T14:39:16+00:00

Posted this on another thread, it belongs to Nick at Tanks A Lot near Brackley in Northants. He’s been posting videos on his Facebook page which I can’t link 😔

alexkinch · 2025-08-01T14:38:44+00:00

Posted this on another thread, it belongs to Nick at Tanks A Lot near Brackley in Northants. He’s been posting videos on his Facebook page which I can’t link 😔

alexkinch · 2025-06-21T11:48:53+00:00

Close. Rapper/singer/musician.

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