VCR Commander™ Service User's Guide
IMPORTANT RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN AVIS RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE NE PAS OUVRIR CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove cover (or back).. No user-serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified service personnel. WARNING This symbol is intended to alert you that uninsulated voltage within this product may have sufficient magnitude to cause electric shock.
IMPORTANT RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION, Continued 8. For damage that requires service, unplug this product from the IR port. Refer service to qualified personnel under the following conditions: a. e. When there is damage to the cord or plug b. If liquid enters, or an object falls on this product c. d. If this product does not operate normally by following the operating instructions If you expose this product to rain or water 9.
Introducing the VCR Commander Service The VCR CommanderTM service allows you to easily record programs whether your television is on or off. You simply select programs to record from the Explorer® Digital Home Communications Terminal (DHCT) Interactive Program Guide (IPG) or use the VCR Timer feature. The VCR Commander service works with models of the Explorer DHCT that have the infrared (IR) port on the back of the unit to control VCR recording.
In This Guide Installing the IR Blaster ........................................................................ 6 Attaching the IR Blaster Cable ........................................................ 6 Attaching the IR Blaster to Your VCR ............................................ 7 Setting Up VCR Commander Service ................................................ 8 Scheduling VCR Recording ............................................................... 14 One-Touch Recording ...........................
Installing the IR Blaster This section explains how to • Attach the IR Blaster cable to the Explorer DHCT • Attach the IR Blaster to your VCR Attaching the IR Blaster Cable Connector WARNING: Avoid electric shock. Disconnect the DHCT from the AC power outlet before attaching the connector. To attach the IR Blaster cable to the Explorer DHCT, complete these steps. 1. Disconnect the Explorer DHCT from the AC power outlet. 2. Locate the port labeled IR on the back of the Explorer DHCT. 3.
Installing the IR Blaster, Continued Attaching the IR Blaster to Your VCR 1. Refer to your VCR user’s guide to locate the IR sensor window. (The IR sensor is where the VCR receives the remote control signal.) 2. Remove the covering on the adhesive strip from the loop tape, which is attached to the hook fastener on the IR Blaster. Notes: • Attaching the IR Blaster to the VCR may be easier if the loop tape remains attached to the hook fasteners.
Setting Up VCR Commander Service Use your Explorer Remote Control to set up the VCR Commander service. After you connect the IR Blaster, you must program the code for your brand of VCR into the memory of the VCR Commander. Before you begin • Be sure the VCR is off • Be sure the TV is on and tuned to your cable channel (3 or 4) Note: At any time during this procedure, you can press C or EXIT to manually record a program on your VCR. 1. Turn on the power to your Explorer DHCT. 2.
Setting Up VCR Commander Service, Continued 5. Scroll to VCR Input; then, press SELECT . General Settings Highlight a SETUP, press SELECT to advance to next setting. PREFERENCE Set: VCR Comnder Setup SETUP VCR Code VCR Input VCR Code 6. Your VCR is connected to your DHCT by one of the following cable types. Locate your cable type in this step and follow the instructions: • For RF/coaxial cable, choose Channel 3/4; then, press SELECT .
Setting Up VCR Commander Service, Continued 7. Press SELECT again; press s or t to scroll to Setup and press SELECT again. General Settings Highlight desired VCR Commander setting, press SELECT to change. PREFERENCE Set: VCR Comnder STATUS Disable Setup Enable Accept 8. Press s or t to scroll to VCR Code; then, press SELECT to display the VCR Commander Instructions screen. General Settings Highlight a SETUP, press SELECT to advance to next setting.
Setting Up VCR Commander Service, Continued 11. Wait for the test process to complete and the power to your VCR to turn on. 12. Did the power to your VCR turn on? • If yes, press A . • If no, choose one of the following: – There are additional code choices for your brand of VCR; press B and repeat steps 8 through 10 using the next code in your list of choices. – There are no additional code choices for your brand of VCR, go to step 16. 13.
Setting Up VCR Commander Service, Continued 15. Did the VCR begin recording? • If yes, the VCR Commander service setup is complete. Press SELECT to return to the General Settings menu. • If no, press A and choose one of the following: – There are additional code choices for your brand of VCR; enter the next code in your list of choices and press SELECT . Then, repeat steps 11 through 15. – There are no additional code choices for your brand of VCR, go to step 16. 16.
Setting Up VCR Commander Service, Continued 17. Wait for the test process to complete. General Settings Highlight a SETUP, press SELECT to advance to next setting. VCR Commander PREFERENCE SETUP Instructions VCRwait Inputduring the test process. Set: VCR Comnder Please VCR Code 000 Setup VCR Input Cancel Changes Accept 18. Press SELECT slowly and repeatedly, and wait for the VCR power to turn on; then, press A to begin the recording test process.
Scheduling VCR Recording One-Touch Recording You can instantly record the current program using your remote control. 1. Turn on the power to your Explorer DHCT. Quick Settings Highlight an option, then press SELECT. 2. Press SETTINGS once while Choose SAP Language English viewing a full-screen TV Start Recording HGTV2 Now Set Sleep Timer (minutes) OFF program. More Settings Return to TV 3. Press s or t to scroll to the Start Recording...Now option. EXIT 4. Press SELECT to setup the recording process.
Scheduling VCR Recording, Continued 8. Verify that the DHCT power is on by checking the LED under the Power button on the front panel. If the LED is not illuminated, press POWER or CBL on your remote control. 9. Press EXIT to stop recording. Using the IPG You can program your VCR to record future TV programs, directly from the IPG, using your remote control. You can select up to eight programs to record. 1. Turn on the power to your Explorer DHCT. 2. Press GUIDE . The IPG appears. 3.
Scheduling VCR Recording, Continued 5. Press EXIT to return to the TV program. 6. Put a blank tape in your VCR. 7. Turn off the power to the VCR. Note: When you set a timer from the IPG, you are setting a one-time only timer for that program. See Using the VCR Timer for information about setting 7-day, weekday only, weekend only, or single-day timers.
Scheduling VCR Recording, Continued Using the VCR Timer The VCR timer sets your VCR Commander service to record programs at specific days and times. Use your remote control to set the channel, day, start time, and stop time of the program or programs you want to record. You can select/choose up to eight timers including the timers set from the IPG. Important: Do not overlap program times when setting up the VCR timer.
Scheduling VCR Recording, Continued 4. Follow the on-screen instructions to set the recording time. Refer to your Interactive Program Guide for Explorer® Digital Home Communications Terminal User’s Guide for detailed instructions to set the VCR Timer. 5. Press A to accept the timer settings. 6. Put a blank tape in your VCR; then, set the Input option you selected on your VCR. 7. Turn off the VCR. 8. Press SELECT to set the timer; then, press EXIT to return to the TV program.
Scheduling VCR Recording, Continued Clearing a VCR Timer You can delete a scheduled VCR Timer program from the VCR Timer. 1. Turn on the power to your Explorer DHCT. 2. Press SETTINGS twice while viewing a full-screen TV program. 3. Press s or t to scroll to the Timer: VCR preference number for the VCR Timer you want to delete. General Settings Highlight a Preference, press SELECT to change its setting(s).
Manufacturer’s VCR Codes Find the code for your brand of VCR and use this code in Setting Up the VCR Commander Service procedure. Start with the first code in the list and continue through the choices. The most common codes are listed first.
Manufacturer’s VCR Codes, Continued VCR Brand Name Electrophonic Emerex Emerson Code 051, 551, 651, 751, 851 046, 546 014, 016, 050, 051, 057, 075, 082, 102, 135, 198, 222, 223, 225, 226, 292, 308, 309, 375, 493, 516, 524, 551, 557, 635, 651, 657, 698, 723, 751, 792, 824, 851, 893 Fisher 061, 068, 080, 118, 561, 618, 718 Fuji 047, 049, 547 Funai 014 GE 062, 049, 069, 074, 079, 216, 254, 562, 754, 854 Garrard 014 Go Video 246, 293, 364, 446, 540 GoldStar 032, 051, 052, 494, 551, 651, 751, 851, 894 Gradiente
Manufacturer’s VCR Codes, Continued VCR Brand Name MGN Technology MTC Magnasonic Magnavox Magnin Marantz Marta Matsushita Memorex Minolta Mitsubishi Motorola Multitech NAD NEC Nikko Nikon Noblex Olympus Optimus Optonica Orion Panasonic Penney Pentax Philco Philips Pilot Pioneer Code 254, 754, 854 014, 254, 754, 854 292, 792 014, 049, 053, 095, 117, 163, 553 254, 754, 854 049, 095, 160, 175 051, 551, 651, 751, 851 049, 176 060, 062, 014, 049, 051, 053, 061, 118, 176, 254, 282, 313, 551, 553, 560, 561, 562,
Manufacturer’s VCR Codes, Continued VCR Brand Name Portland Profitronic Proscan Protec Pulsar Quarter Quartz Quasar RCA Radio Shack Radix Randex Realistic Ricoh Runco STS Salora Samsung Sanky Sansui Sanyo Scott Sears Semp Sharp Shintom Shogun Singer Code 034, 534 254, 754, 854 069, 074, 216 086, 586 053, 065, 553 060, 560 060, 169, 560, 669 049, 091, 176 062, 049, 056, 058, 069, 074, 079, 091, 119, 120, 163, 216, 254, 291, 467, 556, 558, 562, 754, 854 014, 051, 551, 651, 751, 851 051, 551, 651, 751, 851 05
Manufacturer’s VCR Codes, Continued VCR Brand Name Code Sony 048, 047, 014, 025, 036, 046, 049, 267, 289, 546, 547, 548 Sunpak 267 Sylvania 014, 049, 057, 095, 117, 557, 657 Symphonic 014 TMK 050, 222, 254, 754, 854 Tatung 055, 555, 655, 755 Teac 014, 055, 555, 655, 755 Technics 049, 176, 260 Teknika 014, 049, 051, 066, 551, 651, 751, 851 Thomas 014 Toshiba 057, 059, 071, 080, 224, 226, 380, 557, 559, 657 Totevision 051, 254, 551, 651, 751, 754, 851, 854 Unitech 254, 754, 854 Vector 059, 559 Vector Research
Troubleshooting Check the following list for possible problems. If a problem occurs, you may be able to easily resolve it before calling your cable service provider. Message or Problem Possible Cause Check and Correct VCR Commander service did not turn on the power to the VCR for the scheduled recording and/or did not begin recording. A blank tape is not in the VCR. The VCR is not off. The IR Blaster is improperly positioned. Insert a blank tape. VCR Timer is improperly set.
FCC Compliance This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the applicable limits of Part 15 of FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning this equipment off or on.
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Scientific-Atlanta, Inc., Scientific Atlanta, the Scientific-Atlanta logo and Explorer are registered trademarks of Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. VCR Commander is a trademark of Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Product and service availability are subject to change without notice. All other trademarks shown are trademarks of their respective owners. ® United States: Scientific-Atlanta, Inc., 4261 Communications Drive, P. O.
