OScam DVBAPI: configuration of dvbapi and configs in 2026

If you have already set up OScam, configured the reader, and see in the log that the line is working — but the channels are still black — the problem is most likely in the connection between oscam dvbapi and the receiver's demultiplexer. This is the most common place where people get stuck. Below we will go through everything step by step: from the principle of operation to specific lines of the config and log reading.

What is DVBAPI in OScam and how does it work

DVBAPI is an interface between the firmware core of the receiver and OScam. The firmware (Enigma2, Neutrino, or another) receives the encrypted DVB stream and transmits ECM packets to OScam through a special socket or files. OScam requests the control word from its source — a local smart card or a network CWS line — and returns the CW back. The core uses it for real-time descrambling.

The role of the dvbapi module in the decryption chain

The chain looks like this: DVB tuner → demultiplexer (demux) → ECM PIDs → OScam (dvbapi module) → key source → CW → demultiplexer → decrypted video. OScam acts here as an intermediary between the receiver's "hardware" and the key source. If any link in the chain breaks — the picture will not appear.

The connection of OScam with the receiver's demultiplexer (demux)

On Enigma2 devices, the connection is made through the socket/tmp/camd.socket. Some firmware also uses PMT files in the directory/tmp/ — for example/tmp/pmt0.tmp,/tmp/pmt1.tmp. The specific mechanism used is determined by the parameterpmt_mode in the config.

On receivers with two tuners and multiple demuxes, you need to keep track of which demultiplexer is busy. OScam works withdemux 0 anddemux 1 in parallel, but sometimes conflicts with another softcam that already has one of the demuxes open.

The difference between local DVBAPI and network mode

The key point: oscam dvbapi works only on a device with a real DVB tuner. If you have a server without a tuner or a virtual machine — dvbapi is not needed there and will not work. In server mode, OScam acts as a newcamd/camd35 host, while the client descrambles on its side. Mixing these modes is a typical mistake for beginners.

OScam in Docker or LXC on a machine with a passed-through DVB adapter is a separate case. You need to pass the devices/dev/dvb/adapter0/ into the container, otherwise the dvbapi module simply will not find the demultiplexer and will silently ignore all ECM.

Supported firmwares: Enigma2, OpenATV, Neutrino, TVHeadend

Enigma2 and its distributions (OpenATV, OpenPLi, OpenDROID) are the main environment where oscam dvbapi is used. Neutrino is supported, but there pmt_mode is usually needed differently. TVHeadend works as a separate demux source through a socket — it uses the modepmt_mode=6 and a separate port for CAPMT. If you have TVHeadend, the setup is slightly different from standard Enigma2.

Enabling and basic configuration of DVBAPI in oscam.conf

The entire module is enabled with one section in the main config. The file is usually located at/etc/tuxbox/config/oscam.conf on Enigma2, or/usr/keys/oscam.conf or/var/keys/oscam.conf on some firmware — depends on the distribution.

Section [dvbapi] in oscam.conf

A working minimal example for Enigma2:

[dvbapi]

This works on most OpenATV/OpenPLi receivers out of the box. We will analyze each parameter separately.

The enabled parameter and boxtype selection

enabled = 1 — is obvious, but the forgotten zero here is the most common reason for a black screen. Check this first.

boxtype defines how OScam interacts with the demultiplexer. Options:

• dreambox — for all Enigma2 devices (Vu+, Gigablue, Formuler, real Dreambox)
• dbox2 — outdated, for original dbox2
• ipbox — for IPBox and its equivalents
• pc — for Linux PC with a DVB card without firmware (for example, with TVHeadend)
• pc-nodmx — PC without direct access to demux, through network CAPMT

On Enigma2 always setdreambox. On TVHeadend —pc orpc-nodmx.

The user parameter — binding to the reader/line

The valueuser must match the account name inoscam.user. This user is used by the dvbapi module for authorization within OScam. If the name does not match — OScam will not find under which account to process requests, and ECM will not go to the reader.

Example inoscam.user:

[account]

The pmt_mode parameter and its values from 0 to 6

This is the least obvious parameter, and this is where the configuration often breaks. Values:

• 0 — OScam reads PMT through the socket/tmp/camd.socket. Standard for Enigma2.
• 1 — PMT only from files in/tmp/pmt*.tmp. Used in firmware where the socket is unavailable.
• 2 — PMT from files, with automatic detection.
• 3 — combined: first tries the socket, then files.
• 4 — only files, rescanning on each request.
• 6 — network CAPMT via TCP port. Used with TVHeadend and some IPTV players.

If withpmt_mode=0 channels do not open — try3, then6. On Neutrino,1 or4 often works.

The parameter request_mode and au for autoupdate

request_mode=0 — OScam sends one ECM request and waits for a response. Mode1 — parallel polling of several readers simultaneously, faster when changing channels, but creates more load. If there are freezes when changing channels due to high ECM time on the network line, tryrequest_mode=1.

au=1 enables auto-updating of EMM (Entitlement Management Messages) — needed if a local card with a subscription is used.

File oscam.dvbapi: priorities, mapping, and ignore

If you have multiple sources or channels are broadcast with multiple CAIDs — without the fileoscam.dvbapi OScam will choose the source randomly or in an inconvenient order. This file allows precise control over which CAID and provider are used for decryption.

Syntax of lines P, I, M, D, L

Each line starts with a directive letter:

• P: — Priority. Sets the order of polling sources.
• I: — Ignore. Excludes CAID or provider from processing.
• M: — Mapping. Reassigns CAID to another.
• D: — Delay (in ms). Delay before requesting ECM.
• L: — Length. Sets the length of the ECM packet for non-standard cards.

Format:directive: CAID:ProviderID:SID:ServiceID. Fields can be omitted (by replacing with zeros or leaving empty).

Priority CAID:provid for the desired source

Specific example: the channel is broadcast with CAID0500 (Viaccess) and1802 (Nagravision). If you want OScam to always take the key via Viaccess:

P: 0500:032830

Here032830 — provider ID in hexadecimal format. You can find it in the OScam log during the first ECM request — a line likeECM 0500@032830.

Ignoring unnecessary ECM PIDs (I lines)

When OScam pulls the wrong ECM — this often manifests as a freeze when switching or no picture at all — I lines help. For example, if the tuner catches an extra ECM with CAID0604 (Irdeto), which your source does not support:

I: 0604:000000

This will make OScam completely ignore this CAID and not waste time on requests that will return "not found".

Mapping CAID and delay for problematic channels

M lines are rarely needed, but sometimes they are indispensable. If your card works with CAID1800, but the channel is broadcast with1801:

M: 1801:000000:1800:000000

D-strings help with non-standard cards where a small pause is needed before the request. The value in milliseconds:

D: 0500:032830:200

Where the file is physically located and access rights

Fileoscam.dvbapi is located in the same directory as the other OScam configs:

• Enigma2/OpenATV:/etc/tuxbox/config/oscam.dvbapi
• Neutrino:/var/keys/oscam.dvbapi
• Some distributions:/usr/keys/oscam.dvbapi

Permissions should be644 (chmod 644 oscam.dvbapi), the owner is the same user that OScam is running under. After editing, the file is picked up via reload in the web interface without a full restart of the process — the "Reload" button in the Files section.

Diagnostics and troubleshooting DVBAPI errors

The OScam log is the main tool. By default, it is written to/var/log/oscam.log or to thetmpdir from the config. To view in real time:tail -f /var/log/oscam.log.

Reading logs: dvbapi connected, demux, ECM not found

Upon successful initialization, you will see a line like:

dvbapi: DVBAPI version 6 connected

If the demux did not open — either the line is missing, or there is an errorfailed to open /dev/dvb/adapter0/demux0. This means either there are no permissions for the device, or the demux is occupied by another process.

With a normal ECM request:

dvbapi: Demux 0 Trying to descramble PID 0 CAID 0500 PROVID 032830 ECMPID 0701 ANY SID 1234

If after this there is no line withCW — the reader did not return the key. Check the reader status in the web interface.

Error "no stream" and empty demux

“No stream” in the log — OScam opened the demux but is not receiving PMT. Reasons: incorrectpmt_mode, socket/tmp/camd.socket not created by the firmware, or OScam started before the firmware GUI initialized the demux. Try restarting OScam after the receiver has fully booted.

FTA channels open, encoded ones do not

This is good news — it means dvbapi and demux are working, the problem is only with decryption. Most likely: no working line or card for the required CAID, incorrect user in the [dvbapi] section, or P/I lines inoscam.dvbapi block the required CAID.

Check via the OScam web interface (readers status)

The web interface is available by default on port8888 (or whatever is set inhttpport section [webif]). The Readers section shows the status of each reader: connected/disconnected, last ECM time, number of cache hits. If the reader is offline — the problem is with the line, not with dvbapi. The Services section will show which CAID/providers are available.

Using debug level (-d 65535 / loglevel)

For detailed logging, run OScam with the flag-d 65535:

oscam -c /etc/tuxbox/config -d 65535

Or inoscam.conf section [global]:

[global]

At level 255, the log will become very detailed — all ECM requests, reader responses, mapping errors will be visible. After diagnostics, be sure to lower the level back, otherwise the log will fill the section in a few hours.

Criteria for choosing a key source for DVBAPI

When oscam dvbapi is configured correctly, but the picture still freezes — often the key source is to blame, not the config. Let's break down what is important when choosing.

Local card vs network CWS line

A local card is the best option for stability and latency. ECM time is usually 50–150 ms, with no dependence on the internet. But a physical card reader and an original card with an active subscription are needed.

A network CWS line (via newcamd, camd35 orcccam protocol) adds network latency. With a ping to the server of 20–30 ms and ECM time of 200–400 ms, everything works fine. If ECM time exceeds 800–1000 ms — there will be freezes of 1–3 seconds when changing channels.

What to look for when choosing a line provider (in general)

A few things that are really important:

• Supported CAID and providers — make sure the required package is actually available
• Server uptime — less than 99% is already uncomfortable
• Policy on simultaneous connections — one account for one tuner
• Trial period before payment — a decent provider will offer this

Stability, ping to the server, and ECM response time

Geographical proximity of the server really matters. A server in the same country will give 10–30 ms ping, a server on another continent — 120–200 ms, and this is noticeable when switching channels. You can check ECM time in the OScam web interface in the Readers section — the "Avg" column.

A good indicator: ECM avg up to 300 ms. 300–600 ms — acceptable. More than 800 ms — there will be problems with fast channel switching.

Support for required CAID and packages

Before connecting, clarify the specific list of supported CAIDs with the provider. The same provider may work well with Viaccess 0500 and poorly with Nagravision 1800. OScam logs the CAID of each channel — you can cross-check.

Legality is important: the use of network lines is regulated differently in different countries. The responsibility for complying with local laws lies with the user.