I have just used this digital TV card. It should not be an IC card. I called and asked. The IC card has a chip embedded inside it.

When the digital TV card is inserted and used, the message "Smart card cannot be recognized" will appear, and the set-top box must be restarted afterwards, otherwise other TV stations (normal) will not be able to see it.

Currently, the one I use at home does not require inserting an IC card. The other party said that some TVs require checking the IC card, and some paid TVs can be reserved directly by phone.

Digital TV cards (Eastern Cable) are currently only pay cards. It is recommended to use Pay Pass, which is more popular. So I haven’t seen other digital TV cards (except for the paid function).