A method and apparatus for activating an optical media device with a conditional access mechanism is presented. The optical media device is configured with a conditional access system such as an optical shutter assembly and the apparatus is configured to receive such an optical media device and establish communication with the optical media device. The apparatus may include one or more electrodes that are positioned such that they come into physical or near physical contact with a corresponding electrode on the optical media device and thereby establish electrical communication. The apparatus may also be configured to send and receive acoustical signals to establish an acoustical communication path with the optical media device. A data communication path may also be established between the optical media device and the apparatus. Upon establishing communication with the optical media device, the apparatus may send an activation signal to the optical media device to activate the conditional access system. The activation signal may originate from a remote activation center that itself is configured to authenticate access requests. The apparatus may communication with the activation center via a data communication network or a public switched telephone network.