CCcam TV: server and config setup in 2026

If you are into card sharing and want to understand how to properly set up cccam tv on your receiver or Linux machine — this article is for you. There will be no general words about "the advantages of the technology." Only specific paths, commands, config parameters, and a debugging algorithm when something goes wrong.

We will cover everything from installing the binary to linking with OScam and configuringCCcam.prio — a file that most instructions simply ignore, and then wonder about freezes.

What is CCcam and how does the card sharing protocol work

CCcam is a softcam, a software emulator of conditional access that works on top of Enigma2 or pure Linux. It implements its own TCP protocol for exchanging control words (CW) between the server, which has a physical smart card, and the client, who is watching the channel.

The chain works like this: the receiver encounters an encrypted packet → sends an ECM request to the CCcam server → the server decrypts the ECM through the card → returns the CW to the client → the client descrambles the stream. All of this must fit within a few hundred milliseconds, otherwise freezes begin.

The role of CCcam as a softcam emulator

CCcam operates as a daemon at the operating system level. It intercepts ECM requests from the tuner, routes them to the appropriate source (local card or remote server), and returns the CW to the descrambler. On Enigma2, it runs in parallel with Enigma, on pure Linux — as a separate process.

The principle of exchanging control words between the server and the client

Control word is an 8-byte key that is updated every ~10 seconds (crypto period). The server receives it from the physical card and transmits it to the client over a TCP connection. By default, CCcam uses port12000. If the CW does not arrive on time — the screen freezes or a black frame appears.

The difference between the CCcam protocol and newcamd and mgcamd

Newcamd works with specific CAIDs and is tied to one provider per connection. CCcam transmits virtual cards in full — the client gains access to all CAIDs available on the server through a single line. Mgcamd is a client that can work with both protocols, but the CCcam protocol in it is just one of the modes.

Terms: C-line, F-line, hop, ecm

C-line (Client line) — a config line through which your receiver connects to someone else's server.F-line (Friend line) — a line that you provide to your clients.Hop — the number of intermediate servers between the physical card and your receiver. Hop 1 — the server directly holds the card. Hop 2 — already one repeater. At hop 3 and above, ECM time increases to 600-800 ms and higher, the signal becomes unstable even with good internet.

Installing CCcam on Enigma2 and Linux

Before setting anything up — you need the correct binary. CCcam is compiled for a specific processor architecture, and this is where most beginners stumble for the first time.

Loading the binary for the required architecture

Receivers on Dreambox and most STBs under Enigma2 usemipsel (MIPS Little Endian). Newer devices on HiSilicon or BCM7252 —arm. Old Vu+ Solo/Duo first generation and some TechniSat models —sh4. Before loading, check the architecture with the command:

cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep "cpu model"

If the binary does not start and immediately exits with an error — it is almost always an architecture mismatch. Check withfile /usr/bin/CCcam — it will indicate the type of ELF.

Placing the file in /usr/bin and setting permissions to chmod 755

The binary is placed in/usr/bin/CCcam. After loading, be sure to set the permissions:

chmod 755 /usr/bin/CCcam

Without this, the daemon will not start. CCcam looks for configs in two places depending on the build:/usr/keys/CCcam.cfg or/var/etc/CCcam.cfg. On most Enigma2 images from 2026, this is/etc/CCcam.cfg with a symlink in/usr/keys/.

Autostart via /etc/init.d or systemd

On Enigma2, autostart is configured via a script in/etc/init.d/. The minimal option for systemd on a clean Linux is the file/etc/systemd/system/cccam.service:

[Unit]

Then:systemctl enable cccam&& systemctl start cccam. On Enigma2, it's easier to use the SoftcamSetup plugin — it creates the necessary scripts automatically.

Checking version and startup logs

Run CCcam manually for verification:

/usr/bin/CCcam&

Logs are written to/tmp/CCcam.log. If you see in the logreading config file /usr/keys/CCcam.cfg and thenconnecting to host:12000 — the daemon has started and is trying to connect to the server. The CCcam version can be found in the web interface on port 16001 or from the log file itself in the first lines.

CCcam.cfg configuration: parsing key parameters

File/usr/keys/CCcam.cfg — this is the heart of the entire cccam tv configuration. Let's break down its structure line by line, because errors here can produce completely unpredictable symptoms.

C-line syntax: C: host port username password

C-line looks like this:

C: mydns.example.com 12000 myuser mypassword

Four fields separated by spaces: host, port, login, password. The host can be an IP address or a domain name. If the server has a dynamic IP, DDNS (DynDNS, No-IP, or your own service) is required; otherwise, after the server's IP changes, the C-line will stop working, and you will spend several hours looking for the reason until you check the logs.

F-line is a mirror story, but for your clients:

F: clientuser clientpassword

The client writes your C-line in their config, and you keep the F-line with their login and password.

Parameters SERVER LISTEN PORT and WEBINFO

If you are providing access, you need to open the server port:

SERVER LISTEN PORT : 12000

Port 12000 must be open to the outside world (forwarded through NAT if the receiver is behind a router). Port 16001 is the web monitoring interface, usually left only for the local network. Through the browser athttp://192.168.x.x:16001 you can see the status of all connected lines, ECM time, and active connections.

Common problem: the line connects (handshake completed), but CW does not arrive. Almost always this is a firewall or NAT issue — the port is open for incoming connections but blocks responses. Checkiptables -L -n and the FORWARD rules.

Options ALLOW TELNET, DEBUG, GLOBAL LISTEN PORT

Several options that are actually used in production:

• ALLOW TELNET : yes — enables telnet access to CCcam on port 16000. Convenient for quick diagnostics, but do not keep it open on the internet.
• DEBUG : no — in DEBUG mode, the log grows quickly, enable it only during debugging.
• GLOBAL LISTEN PORT : 12001 — if you want clients to connect on a non-standard port, separate from the server port.
• IGNORE RESHARE DISTANCE : 1 — limits the hop for clients you are sharing with. Set it to 1 to avoid creating long chains.

Files CCcam.prio and CCcam.channelinfo

These are files that 90% of manuals ignore — and that's a mistake.CCcam.prio is located next to the main config and sets the priority of sources for specific CAID and providers:

; CAID:ProvID

Without this file, CCcam, when there are two sources for one CAID, chooses randomly. If one source is hop 1 with ECM 200 ms, and the other is hop 3 with ECM 700 ms, and CCcam chose the second — you will experience freezes with a fully working line.CCcam.prio fixes the order and eliminates this problem.

CCcam.channelinfo — mapping SID to channel names for display in the web interface. It does not affect the operation of cccam tv, but helps in monitoring to understand which channel generates ECM load.

Linking CCcam with OScam and choosing a protocol

Pure CCcam is good for simple scenarios. But if you have several lines from different providers, detailed control over each reader is needed or cacheex is required — switch to OScam with CCcam protocol support.

When OScam is preferable to pure CCcam

OScam wins in three scenarios: when separate rules are needed for each reader (timeouts, priorities, CAID filtering), when cacheex is used to speed up responses to repeated ECM requests, and when a detailed web interface with ECM history is required. Pure CCcam is simpler to set up initially, but quickly hits a ceiling of flexibility.

Running both CCcam and OScam on the same receiver at the same time is a bad idea. Both will listen on port 12000 and conflict. Choose one. If you are using OScam, CCcam is not needed at all — OScam implements the CCcam protocol itself to connect to servers.

Converting C-line to OScam reader (protocol = cccam)

C-line from CCcam.cfg:

C: mydns.example.com 12000 myuser mypassword

Turns into a section[reader] in the file/etc/oscam/oscam.server:

[reader]

Fieldcaid — filter: OScam will send ECM to this reader only for the specified systems. This is analogous toCCcam.prio, but more flexible.group links the reader to user accounts.

Configuring oscam.server and oscam.user

The file/etc/oscam/oscam.user describes your clients (analogous to F-line):

[account]

Parameteruniq = 4 limits simultaneous connections from one account — useful if the client is trying to share your line further.au = 1 enables automatic card key updates.

Monitoring via OScam webif on port 8888

The OScam web interface is enabled in/etc/oscam/oscam.conf:

[webif]

Athttp://192.168.x.x:8888 you will see all readers, their status, current ECM time, and response history. This is significantly more informative than CCcam webinfo on 16001. For each reader, OScam shows the average response time, the number of successful/failed ECM — it is immediately clear which line is lagging.

Diagnostics and troubleshooting freezes and disconnections

Freezes while watching cccam tv are almost always one of four scenarios: too long ECM time, loss of CW, network issues, or source conflicts on one CAID. Let's analyze each in order.

Analyzing ECM time logs and line statuses

The norm for ECM time is up to 400 ms. At 400-600 ms, periodic stutters begin. At 700+ ms, there are constant freezes. You can check ECM time in the CCcam web interface on port 16001 (the "ecmtime" column) or in OScam webif.

In the CCcam log (/tmp/CCcam.log) look for lines like:

ecm time: 280 ms from server mydns.example.com

If you see zero responses or linesno card found — the server does not see your request or does not have the required CAID. The lineconnection closed — the server has closed the connection, check the line status.

Causes of freezes: high hop, long ECM time, CW loss

High hop is the main enemy of stability. With hop 1, ECM goes directly to the card and back. With hop 3, the request goes through two intermediaries, each adding latency and a point of failure. If the server claims hop 1, but ECM time consistently stays above 500 ms — most likely, the hop is actually higher or the server is overloaded.

CW loss without connection drop is a rare but unpleasant bug. It occurs when one ECM is requested simultaneously from two sources with different CW (race condition). It can be fixed byCCcam.prio or configuringcaid in the OScam reader so that only one reader processes a specific CAID.

Network check: ping, telnet to port, DNS stability

The first step when having line issues is to check basic availability:

ping mydns.example.com

Iftelnet does not connect — the port is closed by a firewall on the server or on your side. Ifping passes, buttelnet does not — check the iptables and NAT rules. Ifping has losses above 1-2% — the problem is in the network, and no CCcam settings will help.

Check DNS separately. If the C-line has a domain name, and the DNS server on the receiver is public with high TTL, when the server's IP changes, the update may be delayed for several hours. Set a minimum TTL on the DDNS side (60-300 seconds) and ensure that the receiver does not aggressively cache DNS.

Configuring CCcam.prio to prevent channel conflicts

A conflict of two sources for one CAID without a set priority is a common cause of freezes that is hard to catch. CCcam sees two readers for CAID 0500 and switches between them based on some internal logic. If one of them is hop 2+ or has high ECM time — you get instability.

The file/usr/keys/CCcam.prio fixes the order. Syntax:

; Format: CAID:ProviderID

The lines go in order of priority — CCcam first tries the first source, then the second. To find the ProviderID for the desired channel — check in CCcam webinfo or in OScam, it is displayed there during active ECM requests.