Modular broadcast receiver system and method

A digital television signal receiver, comprising:

• a tuner for receiving a scrambled digital television signal;
• a demodulator for demodulating said received scrambled digital television signal;
• an interface for outputting said demodulated scrambled digital television signal to a descrambling module attachable to said receiver and for inputting an encrypted descrambled digital television signal from said descrambling module;
• a decryptor for decrypting said encrypted descrambled digital television signal;
• a demultiplexer for demultiplexing said decrypted descrambled digital television signal;
• and
• a decoder for decoding said demultiplexed digital television signal.

A descrambling module attachable to a digital television signal receiver, said descrambling module comprising:

• an interface for inputting a scrambled digital television signal from the receiver;
• a descrambler for descrambling said inputted scrambled digital television signal;
• and
• an encryptor for encrypting said descrambled digital television signal and for outputting said encrypted descrambled digital television signal to the receiver through said interface;
• wherein said interface is configured to input data packets extracted by the receiver and relating to a single program, and said descrambler descrambles said inputted data packets.

A method of descrambling digital television signals, comprising:

• receiving a scrambled digital television signal by a receiver;
• demodulating said received scrambled digital television signal;
• outputting said demodulated scrambled digital television signal to a descrambling module attachable to said receiver;
• descrambling said scrambled digital television signal by said module;
• encrypting said descrambled digital television signal by said module;
• outputting said encrypted digital television signal to said receiver;
• decrypting said encrypted digital television signal received from said module by said receiver;
• demultiplexing said decrypted digital television signal;
• and
• decoding said de-multiplexed digital television signal.