BISS

BISS is a basic conditional access system with a static key to protect content from unauthorized access.

Caution

BISS has weak protection and can be broken with brute force attacks. Use it only when stronger encryption isn’t available.

BISS Key Format

BISS keys are 16 hexadecimal characters long. You can use either format:

• Full key with checksums: 1234569C789ABCCE (16 characters)
• Simplified key: 12345600789ABC00 (Astra calculates checksums automatically)

We recommend using the simplified format to avoid checksum calculation errors.

Encrypting a Stream

Add the biss option with your key to the output address:

udp://239.255.1.1:1234#biss=12345600789ABC00

Key without Checksums

In version 250502 and later, you can use a BISS key as is, without checksum calculation. Append option no_checksum to the address:

udp://239.255.1.1:1234#biss=12345600789ABC00&no_checksum

As a result, the key will be used as is, without calculating checksums.

Checking if Encryption Works

Use the Astra analyzer to verify the stream is scrambled:

astra --analyze udp://239.255.1.1:1234

The analyzer will show messages confirming the stream is scrambled.

Playing Encrypted Streams

With VLC Player:

vlc --ts-csa-ck 1234569C789ABCCE udp://@239.255.1.1:1234

Note: VLC requires the full key with checksums.

With Astra:

See How to decrypt BISS CAS for receiving encrypted streams.