SoftCSA on OpenATV — The End of StreamRelay (2025)

SoftCSA is one of the most significant developments for the Enigma2 ecosystem in years. Introduced natively in OpenATV 7.6, it replaces the problematic StreamRelay workaround with true software-based descrambling — fixing timeshift, recordings, FCC and audio track issues in one move.

What is SoftCSA?

SoftCSA stands for Software Common Scrambling Algorithm. It is a software descrambler integrated directly into Enigma2 that handles channels encrypted with CSA-ALT (Algorithm 3) — the encryption variant used by several European pay-TV platforms including some Sky channels.

Previously, Enigma2 receivers couldn't descramble CSA-ALT channels in hardware, so a workaround called StreamRelay was used — it re-routed the stream over HTTP through an internal server to apply software decryption. StreamRelay worked, but it came with a long list of limitations.

SoftCSA does the same decryption, but transparently inside Enigma2 itself — no HTTP routing, no workarounds, no side effects.

The Problem with StreamRelay

If you've used StreamRelay, you'll know its frustrations. Here's a complete comparison:

How SoftCSA Works

SoftCSA uses a transparent integration model:

1. Your receiver tunes to the satellite signal and receives the encrypted stream normally
2. OSCam decrypts the ECM (Entitlement Control Message) and provides the Control Word to Enigma2 via the extended CW API
3. Enigma2 applies the CSA-ALT decryption in software using libdvbcsa
4. The descrambled stream is passed to the standard AV decoder — just like any free-to-air channel

Critically, OSCam still provides the decryption keys — SoftCSA only replaces the hardware descrambling step. This means your CCcam C lines continue to work exactly as before — CCcam fetches the key, OSCam passes it to Enigma2, SoftCSA applies it.

Requirements

To use SoftCSA you need:

• OpenATV 7.6 (built after 1 February 2026) — SoftCSA is included natively
• OSCam build 11907+ compiled with WITH_EXTENDED_CW flag
• libdvbcsa1 library (included in OpenATV 7.6)
• Compatible receiver chipset: Broadcom, HiSilicon or AMLogic

SoftCSA is also being adopted by other firmware projects: Open Blackhole, OpenPLi, Open ViX and Egami have all announced or already shipped support.

Installation Guide

Step 1 — Flash OpenATV 7.6

If you're not already on OpenATV 7.6 (February 2026 or later), flash it fresh. Download the correct image for your receiver from the OpenATV website, write it to USB with Balena Etcher, and install.

SoftCSA is included by default — no separate installation needed in OpenATV 7.6.

Step 2 — Install OSCam with Extended CW Support

Standard OSCam builds do not include WITH_EXTENDED_CW. You need the special build. Via SSH on your receiver:

The oscam-master package from the OpenATV feed is compiled with WITH_EXTENDED_CW enabled. Do not use generic OSCam IPK files from other sources.

Step 3 — Configure OSCam

In your oscam.conf, add or update the [dvbapi] section:

The critical settings are:

• pmt_mode = 6 — enables the new PMT handling required for SoftCSA
• extended_cw_api = 1 — activates the extended Control Word API that SoftCSA reads from

Step 4 — Verify the Connection

Start OSCam and check the log. You should see a line like:

Protocol version 3 confirms that Enigma2 and OSCam are communicating via the extended CW API — SoftCSA is active.

Step 5 — Disable StreamRelay (Optional)

With SoftCSA working, StreamRelay is no longer needed for CSA-ALT channels. Disable it to avoid conflicts:

Go to Menu → Settings → Decryption — you can disable StreamRelay system-wide or per-channel using the whitelist file.

Version History

SoftCSA has been actively developed and improved since its release:

• v13.1.3 — Fixed CSA-ALT streaming and ECM parsing bugs
• v13.1.5 — Cleaner channel switching, optimized decoder startup
• v13.2.0 — Added FCC (Fast Channel Change) support — major milestone
• v13.2.2 — Fixed video resolution display across all Enigma2 skins

Always keep your OpenATV image updated to benefit from the latest SoftCSA fixes.

Supported Receivers

SoftCSA works on receivers with the following chipsets:

• Broadcom — Dreambox DM900/DM920, VU+ Duo 4K, VU+ Uno 4K SE, GigaBlue Quad 4K
• HiSilicon — Zgemma H9S, H9.2H, H7S, Octagon SF8008, Edision OS Mio 4K
• AMLogic — Various Android-based Enigma2 hybrid boxes

If you're unsure about your receiver's chipset, check the OpenATV forums or your receiver's hardware specifications.

SoftCSA and CCcam — Do They Work Together?

Yes, and the combination is excellent. Here's the full picture for CCcam users:

• Your CCcam C lines connect to our server and fetch the Control Word (unchanged)
• OSCam receives the Control Word from CCcam and passes it to Enigma2 via the extended CW API
• SoftCSA inside Enigma2 uses that Control Word to descramble the CSA-ALT stream in software
• Result: perfect picture, fast channel switching, working timeshift and recordings

You don't need to change your CCcam C lines or your plan. Just update OSCam, adjust the two config settings, and SoftCSA activates automatically when a CSA-ALT channel is detected.

Troubleshooting

• Protocol version = 1 in OSCam log: OSCam was not compiled with WITH_EXTENDED_CW — reinstall using opkg install oscam-master from the OpenATV feed
• Channel still scrambled: confirm pmt_mode = 6 and extended_cw_api = 1 are in oscam.conf, then restart OSCam
• StreamRelay still activating: explicitly disable it in Menu → Settings → Decryption
• Black screen after switching: update to v13.1.5+ — this was a known bug in earlier builds
• FCC not working: requires v13.2.0 or later — update your OpenATV image