Agreed, but let's keep in mind that it's not even the REAL MAC that we are using. They are all generated MAC addresses which are used strictly by the TV App, since the 00:1A:79 OUI (Organizational Unique Identifier) which is used by all these boxes (including STBEmu on generic Android boxes), belongs to TeleTec, which is partners with Infomir who produce the MAG line of boxes. So in reality, we are all "emulating" a MAG in terms of the MAC we are using. I understand that we need some clearly pregenerated MAC, and there should not be a reason in most cases to change it. However not allowing the modification, doesn't stop anyone from using something like STBEmu (if they want to use a service with another MAC) which kind of defeats the purpose of buying these nice powerful boxes.
And even with only having access to the last 6 digits on the MAC (since the first 6 are fixed), it still give you just under 17 Million different combinations (which I don't think should be an issue for most servers that have a couple of thousand users each). If anything it puts someone with a box that can't change address at a disadvantage. Because if someone using STBEmu (or a box allowing change) happened to play the lottery and choose your actual pregenerated MAC (1 in 17Million chances) on the same server (even bigger long shot), then you are pretty much #$% out of luck.
I am still under the opinion (we are all still entitled to one), that the MAC should be allowed to be changed (it's add to the flexibility of a box). And let's keep in mind that this is not the physical MAC of the box (because depending on chipsets, that may or not even be possible), this is just the MAC that is used by the IPTV application. And "if" the buzztv app was the only one that allowed it, I could see the worry. But reality is, that STBEmu which is used by a lot more people allows the MAC to be changed for each profile, and that is available for the changing.
And since the OUI belongs to some other entity, and every vendor uses their own way to calculate the last 6 digits, it does not mean that they are unique anyhow. It is not unlikely that a buzz, dreamlink and mag can potentially all have the exact same generated MAC. And reality is that the MAG would be the only one that is legit - and they are the only ones who could ensure uniqueness at least for their own boxes.
I know that the decision to no longer allow the change of MAC on the newer models, has turned many of my family, friends and colleagues to look elsewhere, or stick with the low xpl3000 and buzz mate 1 devices (for as long as they are still available), which they all see as "more flexible". Many use servers that are not common on these forums. And when one reseller of a server vanishes for whatever reason, it is not as EASY as it it is for us here (with all the help/representation we have to many of the servers) to get that MAC removed from the server/panel to be able to go with another reseller of the same service. Changing MAC would be the easiest way.
From a "coding" point of view, this should not be a huge issues, since it is already using a pregenerated, non-physical MAC which it uses to build the packets. This is just a business decision, or other politics on the back end with other partners.
I do love my xrs4500 , but I also wish it allowed for MAC change.
But that is not something I can change. It's a business choice.