Dream CCcam: setting up CCcam on Dreambox in 2026

If you are a Dreambox owner and want to understand dream cccam — from installing the binary to a working config — this material is written just for you. Not general words, but specific paths, commands, and an explanation of why the line is red instead of green.

CCcam on Dreambox is an old but relevant topic. Enigma2 images are still being installed on DM800, DM900, and their clones, and questions like "why doesn't it start" and "where is the config" are asked every day.

What is CCcam and why is it needed on Dreambox

CCcam is a softcam, a software emulator of a smart card. It works on top of the receiver's operating system (Enigma2 or OE/Gemini) and allows receiving decryption descriptors not from a physical card, but over the network. In fact, dream cccam is a client-server system where the receiver connects to a remote server with a real card and receives ECM responses.

An important point: CCcam is a closed binary. There is no source code, and active development stopped at version 2.3.x many years ago. Don't expect new releases. This is why part of the community has long moved to OScam — but more on that below.

CCcam as a card sharing protocol

The CCcam protocol works over TCP. The client (your receiver) connects to the server on a specific port, authenticates, and requests a CW (Control Word) for decrypting a specific channel. The server with the real card processes the request and returns a response. All this happens in milliseconds — or doesn't happen if something is configured incorrectly.

The protocol supports reshares: the server can pass decryption rights further down the chain. Each step is called a hop. The more hops, the higher the latency and the greater the chances of freezing.

Compatibility with Dreambox (DM500S, DM800, DM900, and clones)

Dreambox is a DVB receiver manufactured by Dream Multimedia. Historically, they became the platform for CCcam: Linux on board, open architecture, active community. DM500S runs on the IBM STB 04500 (MIPS) processor, DM800 is also MIPS, while DM900 and DM920 are already on SH4 or ARM depending on the firmware version.

Clones (VuPlus, Xtrend, Gigablue, and others) also support CCcam, but the binary must match the architecture of the specific processor. If you upload a MIPS binary to an ARM device, the process will silently fail to start. No errors, just silence.

CCcam vs OScam: when to choose what

OScam is an open project with active development. It supports more protocols (CCcam, newcamd, radegast, gbox), can work with USB smart card readers, and is more flexible in configuration. But the OScam config consists of several files (oscam.conf, oscam.server, oscam.user), and figuring them out from scratch is more complicated.

CCcam is simpler in basic configuration: one file CCcam.cfg, the syntax is readable at first glance. If the receiver is old, the image for it is not updated, and you just need to connect the line and watch channels — CCcam will handle it. If you want flexibility, support for physical cards, and up-to-date code — look towards OScam.

Installing CCcam on Dreambox

The standard way is to upload the binary manually. You will need an FTP client (FileZilla, WinSCP) or SCP. Connect as root, port 21 for FTP or 22 for SCP. The root password for most images is dreambox or just dreambox if you haven't changed it.

Choosing the right binary for the processor (MIPS/ARM)

Before uploading, determine the architecture of your receiver. Execute the following via telnet or SSH:

uname -m

Resultmips — you need the MIPS binary.armv7l oraarch64 — ARM. On SH4 devices, it will returnsh4. The CCcam binary is usually distributed in archives with the architecture suffix in the filename — check before installation.

Uploading via FTP to /var/bin or /usr/bin

The correct location for the binary is/var/bin/CCcam. This path is used by most softcam panels in Enigma2 for auto-start. In some images, the path/usr/bin/CCcam — check what is specified in the startup scripts of your image.

Upload the file via FTP, rename it toCCcam (without extension, case sensitive). Next, permissions.

Permissions for execution via chmod 755

After uploading via telnet or SSH:

chmod 755 /var/bin/CCcam

Without this, the file will not run. After updating the image, permissions are reset — this is one of the most common reasons why CCcam "suddenly stopped working after flashing." Always check chmod after any image update.

Autostart: scripts in /etc/init.d or via softcam panel

If the receiver has an image with a softcam panel (PLi, OpenATV, VTi), simply select CCcam in the Softcam Panel → Active Softcam section. The image will automatically set up the autostart.

If there is no panel — create a script in/etc/init.d/softcam and add it to autostart viaupdate-rc.d or the equivalent. Minimum content of the script:

#!/bin/sh
/var/bin/CCcam &

Check that CCcam has started:

ps | grep CCcam

If the process is in the list — everything is fine. If not — there is a problem with the binary or permissions.

Structure of the CCcam.cfg file

The CCcam configuration file is the most important part of setting up dream cccam. One file, simple syntax, each parameter on a new line. Comments start with#.

Location: /var/etc/CCcam.cfg

The standard path is/var/etc/CCcam.cfg. In some images, the file is searched for at/etc/CCcam.cfg. If you edit the file and the settings do not apply — check which path your binary actually reads. You can temporarily create both files with the same content.

Line C: for client connection to the server

This is the main line for connecting to thecard sharing server. Syntax:

C: hostname port username password

Example (with placeholders instead of real data):

C: server.example.com 12000 mylogin mypassword

Each line C: is one connection line. You can add several for different servers or backup lines. CCcam will use the first available.

Line N: for the newcamd protocol

If the server operates under the newcamd protocol (instead of native CCcam), line N: is used. The syntax is slightly different:

N: hostname port username password 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14

The last 14 bytes are the DES key. It should be provided to you by the server. Without the correct key, the newcamd connection will not be established, even if the login and password are correct.

Line F: for sharing (server line)

Line F: is needed if your receiver shares cards with other clients (you act as a server):

F: username password uphops downhops

Parameteruphops — how many hops up are allowed to be requested by your client.downhops — how many hops down your client can pass on. Usually values are 1 and 1. If you want to prohibit resharing — set downhops to 0.

Global parameters: WEBINFO, telnet port 16001

Minimum working set of global parameters:

# Порт, на котором CCcam слушает входящие подключения
SERVER LISTEN PORT : 12000

# Веб-интерфейс для мониторинга статуса линий
WEBINFO LISTEN PORT : 16001

# Разрешить telnet-доступ к CCcam
ALLOW TELNET : yes

# Путь к лог-файлу
LOG FILE : /tmp/cccam.log

# Уровень логирования (0 = минимум, 3 = подробно)
LOG DEBUG LEVEL : 1

After any change to CCcam.cfg, the process needs to be restarted — the config is read only at startup.

Ports, protocols, and network settings

The network part — where configuration often fails. Especially if the receiver is behind a router with NAT.

Default CCcam port (12000) and custom ports

Standard CCcam server port —12000. This is the default value, most servers use it. The port can be changed in CCcam.cfg via the parameterSERVER LISTEN PORT. If you are a client — the port is specified in the line C: and must match what is set on the server.

Default CCcam web interface — port16001. Open in your browserhttp://IP_receiver:16001 and see the status of all lines, connected clients, and card list. Green indicator = line is active, red = no connection.

Newcamd protocol (N:) and its ports

Newcamd — a separate protocol with a different handshake structure and its own ports. The standard newcamd port —15050, but servers often use non-standard ones. Check with your line provider. The line N: in the config and line C: are not interchangeable — they are different protocols.

Port forwarding on the router for sharing

If the receiver is behind NAT (which is almost always the case for home users), and you want to share cards with other clients via line F: — you need to forward port 12000 from the router to the local IP of the receiver. Without this, external clients will not be able to connect.

Double NAT — router behind router — a separate pain. In this case, the port needs to be forwarded at each level. Check that the receiver gets a real local IP, not 100.x.x.x (CGNAT from the provider) — in the latter case, forwarding is impossible without VPN or tunnel.

Connection check via telnet and web interface

To check if the server is accessible at all, use telnet directly from the receiver:

telnet server.example.com 12000

If the connection is established — the server is accessible at the network level. If "Connection refused" or timeout — either the server is unavailable, or the port is blocked by a firewall (yours or the provider's).

The web interface on port 16001 shows ECM time for each active line in milliseconds. This is the main metric of connection quality — more details in the diagnostics section.

Diagnostics and troubleshooting common errors

System diagnostics dream cccam — what most guides are silent about. Let's break it down by symptoms.

Line is red / not connecting

A red line in the web interface indicates no TCP connection to the server. Check algorithm:

1. Check the correctness of the host, port, username, and password in line C:. Typos in the password are the most common reason.
2. Check the availability of the port with telnet:telnet hostname 12000. Timeout = network or firewall.
3. Check if your router is blocking outgoing connections on non-standard ports.
4. Make sure the server is actually running — exceeding the connection limit also gives a red line.
5. Some internet providers block port 12000 — try using a VPN.

Channels do not open (black screen, encoding)

The line is green, but channels do not open — this is a different problem. There is a connection, but the server does not hold the required CAID (conditional access identifier) or specific provider.

In the web interface, check the list of cards on the connected line. If the required CAID is not there — the server simply does not support this package. Also, check the downhops parameter in the F: line on the server — if it is 0, resharing is prohibited and you will not receive a response even with a card present.

CCcam does not start after reboot

Three reasons in order of frequency. First: permissions on the binary have been reset — run againchmod 755 /var/bin/CCcam. Second: incorrect architecture of the binary — the process tries to start, the kernel returns an "Exec format error", but this is not noticeable without console output. Third: the autostart script is not configured or was overwritten during the image update.

For diagnostics after reboot, immediately runps | grep CCcam. No process — problem with startup. There is a process, but the lines are red — network or configuration problem.

Freezes and long channel switching (ECM time)

ECM time — the time in milliseconds from request to receipt of the decryption key. This is the main indicator of connection quality. With ECM time up to 300 ms, channel switching is unnoticeable. From 300 to 500 ms — slight delay. Above 500 ms — noticeable freezes. Above 800 ms — channels freeze constantly, making it impossible to watch.

Check ECM time in the web interface on 16001. A high value means: the server is geographically far, a long chain of resharing, server overload. The solution is to find a server with a direct local card and minimal hops.

Separate case: two softcams running simultaneously. If CCcam and OScam both try to occupy port 12000 or listen on the same port — both will work unstably. Run only one softcam.

Reading logs via telnet

Connect via telnet to the receiver and connect to the CCcam console:

telnet localhost 16001

Or read the log file directly:

tail -f /tmp/cccam.log

The log shows connection attempts, reasons for refusals, ECM requests, and response times. Lines with "CONNECT" and "LOGIN OK" indicate a successful line connection. "REJECTED" or "TIMEOUT" — reason for the red indicator.

How to choose a server for card sharing (common criteria)

I won't name specific providers — it's pointless, quality changes constantly. But the criteria for evaluation are always the same.

Stability of uptime and low ECM time

The first thing to look at is ECM time. A good server consistently provides less than 300 ms, not just at the moment of testing. Request a test line for 24-48 hours and measure ECM time at different times of the day — evening load often doubles the values.

Uptime is the second indicator. Servers with 95% uptime look fine on paper, but 5% downtime means 36 hours a month without a picture. Look for 99%+.

Support for required CAIDs and packages

CAID is the identifier of the encryption system. For example, Viaccess — 0x0500, Nagravision — 0x1800, Irdeto — 0x0600. Before subscribing, make sure the server holds cards specifically for your packages. It is pointless to pay for a line with 500 CAIDs if your channels use 0x0963, which is not there.

Local cards vs resharing

A local card on the server is a physical smart card in the reader. ECM goes directly to it, the delay is minimal. Reshare means that the server itself is a client of another server. Each hop adds delay and a point of failure.

Good servers clearly indicate "local cards" for specific CAIDs. If the description only says "reshare" — ECM time will be unpredictable, and stability depends on the chain of servers that you do not control.

What should raise concerns when choosing

Free public lines are always unstable. Hundreds of clients on one server, no guarantees, often ECM time is off the charts. Use for testing settings, but not for regular viewing.

Pay attention to the legal side:card sharing violates the terms of content use and the legislation of many countries. It is your choice and your responsibility.

You should be cautious about: the absence of a trial period, the inability to check ECM time before payment, promises of "100% uptime" without confirmation, support only through automated bots without a live person.