User manual DIRECTV DIRECTV PLUS HD DVR

DIRECTV Plus HD DVR USER GUIDE Safety & Care Your DIRECTV® Plus HD DVR has been designed and manufactured to stringent quality and safety standards. You should, however, be aware of the following important precautions for safe and optimal use of the equipment. Meaning of symbols printed on the rear panel of the product: · · The " bolt of lightning" indicates un-insulated material within your unit may cause an electrical shock. For the safety of everyone in your household, please do not remove product covering. The "exclamation point" calls attention to features for which you should read the enclosed literature closely to prevent operating and maintenance problems. WARNING To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this product to rain or moisture. The apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing and that no objects filled with liquids, such as vases, shall be placed on the apparatus. Important Safety Instructions 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) Read these instructions. Keep these instructions. Heed all warnings. Follow all instructions. Do not use this apparatus near water. Clean only with dry cloth. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped. TIP We highly recommend plugging the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR into a surge protector to prevent damage from fluctuations in your power supply. IMPORTANT: Be sure not to place your DIRECTV Receiver near anything WET or HOT! 10) 11) 12) 13) 14) Chapter 1 · CAUTION: Avoid moisture to reduce the risk of fire or electric shock. The DIRECTV Receiver should not be used near water (for example, kitchen sink, bathtub, pool, damp basement). Also, never spill liquid on the receiver, and do not place vases or other vessels containing liquid on top of it. · Ensure proper ventilation -- the vent slots on the DIRECTV Receiver must be left uncovered to allow proper airflow to CAUTION: To reduce the risk of the unit. Blocking the airflow to the unit could impair performance or damage your receiver and other components. electric shock, do not remove cover · Do not stack electronic components or other objects on top of the DIRECTV Receiver. Also, do not stack the receiver on (or back). top of a "hot component" such as an audio power amplifier. · Protect your components from power surges by connecting all the components before plugging any power cords into the No user-serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified service wall outlet. Use of a surge protector is also recommended. personnel. · Don't overload power outlets or extension cords, which can result in the risk of fire or shock. It's also important to use only the type of power source indicated on the marking label or in this manual. · To prevent electrical shock, this apparatus shall be connected to a main socket outlet with a protective earthing and fully inserted. · Avoid audio hum or interference by inserting all cable plugs firmly into their jacks. Also, place Audio/Video (A/V) cables to the sides of the TV back panel rather than down the middle once connected. Try not to coil any twin-lead cables and keep them away from A/V cables as much as possible. · Never insert objects of any kind into any openings in the DIRECTV Receiver (other than the DIRECTV® Access Card as detailed in this manual). · Place it on a flat, hard surface -- do not operate the DIRECTV Receiver on a carpet or other padded surface. · Always unplug your DIRECTV Receiver before moving it. · Always unplug the DIRECTV Receiver, TV and other equipment before you connect or disconnect any cables. · Leave the main power connector accessible to the main connector at the back of the unit in case of emergency shutdown. · CAUTION: Electric Shock -- never attempt to disassemble the DIRECTV Receiver yourself; always take it to a qualified service person when repair is required. Opening or removing covers may expose dangerous voltage or other risks, and incorrect reassembly can cause shock when receiver is subsequently used. Attempted self-repair may also void your warranty. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance (by the warranty or by the manufacturer) could void the user's authority to operate the equipment. · Do not drop your DIRECTV Receiver and always move it with care. · Have your DIRECTV Receiver professionally serviced (do not attempt to service it yourself). · Any changes or modifications in construction of this device which are not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment. For your information: The identification sticker can be located underneath or on the back of your receiver. The telecommunication network voltage used is the category number 3. CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN ! What's On Note to Satellite Dish Installer This reminder is provided to call your attention to articles 810 and 820 of the 2002 National Electrical Code. Refer to article 810, in particular 810-1 and 810-15, for required grounding of the metal structure of the dish antenna. Refer also to the 810-2 which, by reference to article 820, requires that the satellite dish coaxial cable shield be connected to the grounding system of the building as close to the point of cable entry as practical. iii Great TV viewing is in your hands! A good way to begin learning about your DIRECTV® System is to familiarize yourself with the remote control. You'll find further details throughout the User Guide relating to specific functions. Navigating 101 You'll find you can get around nearly all onscreen menus the same simple way. 4Highlight... a menu or button by using the ARROW keys (up, down, left and right). 4Choose it... by pressing SELECT while the item is highlighted. To program your remote control: 1. See "Programming Your Remote Control" on page 30. MODE SWITCH Changes remote to control other equipment, for example, a DVD AV1 TV INPUT & TV POWER To place batteries in your remote control: 1. Remove cover from the battery compartment by sliding it downward. 2. Insert 2 AA batteries (supplied), matching the positive (+) and negative (­) at each end. 3. Slide the cover back on to complete installation. Note: Don't worry about getting stuck in a menu. You can always press EXIT to return to video. TV INPUT Changes the "source" -- the piece of equipment whose signal is displayed on your TV FORMAT Cycles through HD resolution and screen format options Turns your TV and DIRECTV Plus HD DVR on and off PWR FORMAT AV2 TV DIRECTV & TV POWER ON/OFF ON POWER Turns your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR and other equipment on and off, as selected with MODE switch STOP In recorded TV, stops playback and displays the MyVODTM tab in the Playlist OFF ADVANCE Jumps ahead in a recording REPLAY Jumps back 6 seconds and plays video from that location FFWD R REWIND Press up to four times to rewind at increasing speeds (recorded or live-stored video only); fifth press returns to normal play E ACTIV LIST Press up to four times to fast forward at increasing speeds (recorded or live-stored video only); fifth press returns to normal play PLAY EX I T PAUSE Pauses current video E ID GU Play/Pause current video; press and hold for slow motion RECORD SELECT GUIDE Displays the onscreen program Guide In Live TV, records current program; in the Guide, sets one-touch record for highlighted program ACTIVE Access the DIRECTV ActiveTM Channel -- local weather and more! BA CK INF O EXIT Exits any menu and returns to last channel viewed MENU LIST Displays your To Do List SELECT Selects any highlighted item BACK Takes you to the screen you visited previously ARROWS Move highlight to items in whatever direction needed RED In Guide, jumps 12 hours back; other functions vary -- look for onscreen hints VOL INFO CHAN PAGE Displays info for a highlighted or fullscreen program BLUE In live TV, displays the Mini Guide; other functions vary -- look for onscreen hints PREV MENU Displays a compact menu of settings and services GREEN In Guide, jumps 12 hours forward; other functions vary -- look for hints onscreen 1 4 ghi 2 abc 5 jkl YELLOW 3 def 6 mno VOLUME Raises or lowers volume In fullscreen TV, cycles through alternate audio tracks; other functions vary -- look for onscreen hints CHAN/PAGE MUTE 7pqrs -- Toggles sound volume on/off 8 tuv 0_ 9 wxyz ENTER In live TV, changes channel up or down; in a menu, such as the Guide, scrolls page up or down NUMBER KEYS & DASH Tune to a channel directly; also input numbers when needed in onscreen menus; DASH is also used to delete a show in your MYVOD list (press twice) PREV Tunes to last channel viewed ENTER Activates channel number entries quickly Keys in the shaded areas above operate your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR, or can be programmed to function with your VCR, DVD player or stand-alone DVR unit. Getting Started ......................................................................................... 1 Welcome ...................................................................................................................................................................... 2 About Your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR .............................................................................................................. 2 What You Can Watch.......................................................................................................................................... 3 Equipment You'll Need ....................................................................................................................................... 3 DVR Service .......................................................................................................................................................... 3 Installation & Activation ......................................................................................................................................... 3 Package Contents ................................................................................................................................................. 4 DIRECTV Plus HD DVR Front Panel .............................................................................................................. 4 DIRECTV Plus HD DVR Rear Panel ................................................................................................................ 6 Table of Contents What's On ................................................................................................. 9 Watching TV ..........................................................................................................................................................11 DIRECTV Plus HD DVR Features in Live TV.........................................................................................12 DIRECTV Plus HD DVR Features in Recorded TV...............................................................................13 The Channel Banner..........................................................................................................................................15 The Guide .................................................................................................................................................................17 Overview of the DIRECTV Advanced Program Guide® .........................................................................17 Getting Around in the Guide ..........................................................................................................................17 The Mini Guide: Program Listings While You Watch TV...........................................................................18 Recording Programs: A Great Way to Watch Your Favorites .......................................................................19 One-Touch Record with Default Options ....................................................................................................19 Autorecord a Search ...........................................................................................................................................20 Changing Record Options/Canceling a Record .........................................................................................20 Recording to VCR..............................................................................................................................................21 Pay Per View: The Latest Movies, 24 Hours a Day.........................................................................................21 The Playlist: Watching Your Recorded Programs............................................................................................22 Disk Space Bar .....................................................................................................................................................23 v Quick Menu ............................................................................................ 25 Using the Quick Menu ..........................................................................................................................................27 Help & Settings .......................................................................................................................................................27 Help .......................................................................................................................................................................27 Setup ......................................................................................................................................................................27 Scheduler ..............................................................................................................................................................28 Favorites ................................................................................................................................................................28 Parental Controls ................................................................................................................................................29 My VOD ...................................................................................................................................................................29 Audio Options .........................................................................................................................................................29 Dolby® Digital ......................................................................................................................................................30 Category Sort ...........................................................................................................................................................30 Pay Per View.............................................................................................................................................................31 Search .........................................................................................................................................................................31 Date & Time ............................................................................................................................................................32 Favorites ....................................................................................................................................................................32 Channels I Get ....................................................................................................................................................33 Caller ID & Messages ............................................................................................................................................33 Caller ID ...............................................................................................................................................................33 DIRECTV Messages .........................................................................................................................................34 Parental Controls ....................................................................................................................................................34 Ratings...................................................................................................................................................................34 Channel Blocks ...................................................................................................................................................35 Spending ...............................................................................................................................................................35 Hours .....................................................................................................................................................................35 Now, lock it ..........................................................................................................................................................36 Let me in...! ..........................................................................................................................................................36 Quick Menu Features for Recording ..................................................................................................................37 vi More Info................................................................................................. 39 Troubleshooting ......................................................................................................................................................40 System Upgrades .................................................................................................................................................40 DIRECTV Plus HD DVR or TV Problems ...............................................................................................41 Recorded TV Troubleshooting .......................................................................................................................45 Remote Control Problems ................................................................................................................................48 Running the System Test ...................................................................................................................................49 Limited 90-Day Warranty .....................................................................................................................................50 Who is Covered? ................................................................................................................................................50 What is Covered? ...............................................................................................................................................50 What is Excluded? .............................................................................................................................................51 Make Sure You Keep... ......................................................................................................................................52 Before Requesting Repair Service... ...............................................................................................................52 To Get Warranty Service... ...............................................................................................................................52 To Get Out-of-Warranty Service... .................................................................................................................52 Product Information...............................................................................................................................................54 DIRECTV PROTECTION PLAN .................................................................................................................55 DIRECTV PROTECTION PLAN Benefits.............................................................................................55 Sign up for the DIRECTV PROTECTION PLAN Today....................................................................56 FCC Customer Information ................................................................................................................................57 TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR USE OF SOFTWARE ("TERMS")..........................................60 vii Appendix A: Installation........................................................................ 63 Before You Begin .....................................................................................................................................................64 Hardware Reference ...............................................................................................................................................64 Cables & Connections ......................................................................................................................................65 Choose Your Setup .............................................................................................................................................67 Connecting Your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR to your TV or VCR .......................................................67 Making the Video Connections ..........................................................................................................................68 Making the Audio Connections ..........................................................................................................................70 Making the Basic Connections ............................................................................................................................72 Guided Setup ...........................................................................................................................................................74 HDTV Settings in Guided Setup ...................................................................................................................74 Now, let us lead the way... ................................................................................................................................75 Activate Your DIRECTV ® Service ......................................................................................................................75 Programming Your Remote Control ..................................................................................................................76 Factory Defaults ..................................................................................................................................................76 Using Your IR or RF Remote to Control Your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR .............................................77 Receiving Local "Off-Air" Broadcast Channels ...............................................................................................78 viii Appendix B: High-Def 101 ..................................................................... 79 About High-Definition .........................................................................................................................................80 Types of TV Broadcasts ....................................................................................................................................80 Resolution & Interlacing ...................................................................................................................................81 Aspect Ratio.........................................................................................................................................................82 Screen Formats ....................................................................................................................................................82 Options For Changing Video Output ...............................................................................................................83 FORMAT key on Your Remote ......................................................................................................................83 Resolution (RES) Key on Receiver Front Panel ..........................................................................................84 Supported Resolutions and Formats ...................................................................................................................85 Wide-Screen vs. Standard Formats .....................................................................................................................86 4:3 TVs Showing 16:9 programs .....................................................................................................................86 16:9 TVs Showing 4:3 programs .....................................................................................................................88 Index ........................................................................................................ 91 Icon Reference ............................................................ Inside back cover ix 2 2 Welcome About Your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR Installation & Activation DIRECTV Plus HD DVR Front Panel DIRECTV Plus HD DVR Rear Panel Chapter 1 3 4 6 Getting Started Welcome With the DIRECTV® Plus HD DVR you can expect more than ever before, with access to over 225 channels, including our awesome HD selections and over 30 premium movie channels, with something to please everyone in the family. DIRECTV® HD service offers everything you'd want in your television experience: an astounding variety of channels and choices, crisp digital-quality picture and sound and one-of-a-kind sports and events. DIRECTV Pay Per View offers a handy choice in recent hit movies, plus exciting live sports, concerts and specials, even Pay Per View selections in HD. There's exclusive sports subscriptions for every taste and team. Even access to 67 music channels! To deliver this unique programming and enhance your entertainment experience, the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR have been designed to be simple and user-friendly. You'll find that most features are self-explanatory, with onscreen directions to lead you through them. TIP You can find additional information and the latest updates at DIRECTV.com About Your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR The DIRECTV Plus HD DVR is a high-definition, digital video recorder, that lets you record up to 200 hours of your favorite programs* in standard or high-definition, and use pause and other video controls on live TV. You can select a specific program and set it to record once or every time it's on, or you can search for and record your favorite shows with your desired name, title or keywords. You can even record up to three shows at once. Important · You must subscribe to the DIRECTV DVR service in order to use the recording features. · DIRECTV hardware, programming and DVR service available separately. For information and pricing regarding programming and DVR service, please visit DIRECTV.com. · *Actual recording capacity varies based on type of programming being recorded. Fewer hours of HD can be recorded. 2 What You Can Watch With the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR, you have access to all types of televised programming, including: 4 DIRECTV high-definition and standard-definition digital programming via satellite, including local channels if offered in your area (DIRECTV service subscription required). 4 Local digital TV channels, including any local HD broadcasts shown in your area, available via the DIRECTV Satellite or an off-air antenna. Equipment You'll Need To view HD programming, you'll need, in addition to your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR: 4 A high-definition TV set (or HDTV monitor) 4 A 5 LNB Multi-Satellite dish antenna--MPEG4 and Ka/Ku compatible To enjoy select HD programming available on off-air local channels, you will also need an off-air antenna (sold separately) connected to your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR. This is possible only in cities where local broadcast stations make digital TV programs, including high-definition, available. Reception may vary based on your geographic location. Or, in some areas, you will be able to receive off-air local channels from your satellite dish. DVR Service Digital video recording capabilities are only fully functional with a land-based phone line connection and a subscription to DVR Service, sold separately. For information and pricing, visit DIRECTV.com/DVR. Installation & Activation If you or a professional installer have not yet connected your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR and other components, please see Appendix A, Installation at the end of this User Guide. Following installation, you will need to activate your DIRECTV service. If you have not activated already, see page 75 for more information. 3 Package Contents The following items are included with your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR: 4 4 4 4 A/V cables (RCA type) Remote Control & batteries Power Cord Phone cord 4 4 4 4 User Guide Component Video cable (YPbPr) Access card (2) B-band Converters (also called BBCs) DIRECTV Plus HD DVR Front Panel 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 89 10 11 12 13 14 Your equipment may not look exactly like the model illustrated. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 4 DOOR PANEL, USB PORT ­ For future use. POWER ­ Turns your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR on or off. Your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR still records and receives messages when powered off. REMOTE SENSOR ­ The infrared sensor picks up commands from the remote control. GUIDE ­ Displays the onscreen program guide. MENU ­ Brings up the Quick Menu to access settings and services. RECORD ­ In live TV, records current program; in the Guide sets one-touch record for highlighted program. 7) 8) 9) ARROWS ­ Move the onscreen highlight up, down, left or right. SELECT ­ Selects the item highlighted. LIGHT RING ­ 12 blue lights indicate the current state of the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR. Press and hold the LEFT and RIGHT arrows to dim and turn off the lights. (Repeat to brighten.) 10) ACTIVE ­ Displays the DIRECTV ActiveTM Channel--local weather and more! 11) INFO ­ Displays channel banner or info to a highlighted program or channel cell. 12) RES (RESOLUTION) ­ The RES key switches the output resolution of the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR. Each time you press the key, it cycles to the next available resolution: 480p, 480i, 720p and 1080i. 13) RESOLUTION INDICATORS ­ Lights indicate the current resolution setting. 14) DOOR PANEL, ACCESS CARD ­ The access card slot and RESET key are located behind the door panel. Insert your DIRECTV Access Card Locate the access card that came packed with your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR materials and insert the card, facing upward, fully into the slot. 5 DIRECTV Plus HD DVR Rear Panel 1 2 3 4 5 COMPONENT OUT Pr 6 AUDIO OUT R1 R2 9 10 11 S-ATA 13 14 OFF-AIR IN Pb L1 L2 ETHERNET DIGITAL AUDIO OUT (OPTICAL) HDMI S-VIDEO OUT USB AC IN PHONE SATELLITE IN SATELLITE IN 2 1 (FTM) Y V1 V2 VIDEO OUT 7 Your equipment may not look exactly like the model illustrated. 8 12 1) OFF-AIR IN ­ Connect an ATSC antenna to the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR using this jack. You will be able to watch off-air digital TV broadcasts (ATSC programming) on your DIRECTV HD DVR, and these ATSC channels will appear in the Guide. SATELLITE IN 2 ­ Use to connect the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR to the satellite dish antenna. SATELLITE IN 1 (FTM) ­ Use to connect the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR to a second LNB on the satellite dish antenna, giving you the ability to watch and record up to three programs at once (two from the satellite, and one from the Off-Air In). If your installation includes an FTM (Frequency Translator Module), connect the FTM output to this input. FTM is a technology that allows multiple tuners to work with a single satellite input. (FTM support may require a software upgrade. Ask your DIRECTV Installer for details.) PHONE ­ Connects the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR to a telephone wall jack. We require a landbased telephone connection to communicate periodically with your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR. 2) 3) The Rear Panel may look complicated, but you probably won't use all the connections. 4) 6 5) Connect video, audio, your satellite dish, a phone line, power, and you're done! COMPONENT OUT/ YPbPr (G, R, B) ­ Provides good HD picture quality, but not as good as HDMI. YPbPr carries only picture information, not sound; use it along with a digital audio connection or AUDIO (L/R red/white) jacks. AUDIO (R-Red and L-White) ­ Audio cables offer better sound quality than RF coaxial cables. You can connect a second set of audio cables to another component, such as a VCR or stereo. VIDEO (Yellow) ­ Provides good picture quality for standard-definition TV. Connect the second RCA-type composite VIDEO jack to another device, such as a VCR. You must also connect the AUDIO cables when using the VIDEO connection. 6) 7) 8) S-VIDEO OUT ­ Provides the best picture quality for standard-definition TV, better than VIDEO RCA-type jacks. If your TV has an S-Video jack, use it along with the AUDIO jacks (S-Video only carries picture information, not sound) to connect to your TV. (Cable sold separately.) 9) DIGITAL AUDIO OUT (OPTICAL) ­ Provides digital-quality audio signal. (Cable sold separately.) 10) HDMI ­ Provides the best quality HD picture (better than YPbPr/component video). The HDMI also provides audio, for a high-quality, "one-cable" solution. (Cable sold separately.) 11) S-ATA PORT ­ For future use. 12) USB ­ For future use. 13) ETHERNET (RJ45) ­ For future use. 14) AC POWER INLET ­ Connects the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR to an electrical outlet. We recommend you use a surge protector to safeguard your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR from power spikes. 7 11 Watching TV 17 The Guide Chapter 2 18 The Mini Guide: Program Listings While You Watch TV 19 Recording Programs: A Great Way to Watch Your Favorites 21 Pay Per View: The Latest Movies, 24 Hours a Day What's On 22 The Playlist: Watching Your Recorded Programs TIP Use the Channel Lineup (included in your Welcome package) to get familiar with our channel numbers. Watching TV Now that everything's set up, you're ready to grab your remote and start surfing! With the MODE switch to the left (under the DIRECTV logo), press PWR. To access the channel of your choice, simply key in its numbers on your remote (the channel will appear in a second or two, or press ENTER after the numbers and it will appear right away). You can also navigate to different channels through the Guide, described in detail later in this chapter. Keep in mind, either way, you'll only be able to access those channels in your chosen DIRECTV® programming package. For a list of the channels available in the DIRECTV programming packages, visit DIRECTV.com. Use the black keys on the left side of your remote control to adjust volume up or down (VOL) or mute the sound (MUTE). The black keys on the right side can take you to the next channel numerically up or down (CHAN), or jump to the previous channel you watched (PREV). 11 DIRECTV Plus HD DVR Features in Live TV Live Buffer: The DIRECTV Plus HD DVR saves programs to the hard drive instantly and continuously, while you watch. This "live buffer" lets you pause, rewind, fast forward or "instant replay." (Note: You cannot fast forward during live TV until you pause or rewind a program.) If you start watching a program late, even if it is not set to record, you can back up to the beginning (up to 90 minutes) using REWIND, as long as you haven't changed channels since the program started. Cruise Controls: Use the PAUSE, FFWD, REWIND, REPLAY, RECORD and ADVANCE keys to control your viewing time. Pressing FFWD or REWIND multiple times lets you increment the speed at which you cruise through a program. Pressing and holding PLAY shows the program in slow motion. If you press FFWD while a program is paused, the program is displayed in frame-by-frame. When you use Cruise Control keys, a "control bar" shows you where you are in the program, the start and end time of the program, how much of the program has been stored and the program title. If you are viewing a screen with a TV Window, such as the Guide or an Info screen, icons are displayed in the window to identify the current state (e.g., playing, paused, fast forward, etc.). R 12 DIRECTV Plus HD DVR Features in Recorded TV Recorded programs can be found in the MyVOD tab on the Playlist screen. To view the Playlist, press LIST. To return to live TV, press EXIT. Cruise Controls: The PAUSE, FFWD, REWIND, REPLAY, RECORD and ADVANCE keys work with recorded programs just as they do with live TV. Pressing STOP while you're watching a recorded program stops playback and displays the MyVOD tab on the Playlist screen. When you've reached the end of a recorded program, the recorder will ask if you want to delete it to make room for new programs. For recorded programs, the control bar shows the program duration instead of the start and end times. For screens with a TV Window, icons are displayed in the window as they are for live TV. The color of the portion of the control bar that indicates the stored portion of a program is orange for recorded programs, green for live TV. Bookmarks: "Bookmarks" are a way of keeping track of places in a program you'd like to jump to quickly. You can set Bookmarks in a recorded program by pressing PAUSE then the GREEN key. They can be deleted by pressing PAUSE, then the DASH key. You can jump to Bookmarks by pressing and holding the FFWD key to move forward, or the REWIND key to move back, or via the Quick Menu. (See Chapter 3.) 13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Current Date & Time The Channel Banner Any time you tune to a channel, the Channel Banner appears across the top of the screen, displaying info on the channel and show you are currently watching: 1) Current date & time DIRECTV Off-air Channel ­ Channel logo, number and call letters of the station you're currently viewing. Program Info ­ Program title, stop and start time and rating of the current program. Info Panel ­ Displayed when you press INFO on your remote. Contains the program description and other information. Press SELECT on the More Info button to see additional options. Current Favorites ­ Favorite Channels list currently in use. Audio options ­ A "fi lled in" icon indicates alternate audio options are available. A "hollow" icon, no alternate audio options are available. Messages ­ A "fi lled in" icon indicates new DIRECTV messages in Caller ID & Messages. A "hollow" icon, there are no new or unread messages. Parental Controls ­ Parental Controls lock status. Three icons: Locked ("fi lled-in" lock icon), unlocked ("hollow" unlocked icon) and temporarily unlocked ("fi lled-in" locked icon). Button Hint ­ Tells you that you can see the Mini Guide by pressing the BLUE key on the remote. DIRECTV or Off-air Channel Program Info 2) 3) 4) Info Panel Current Favorites 5) Audio Options 6) 7) Messages 8) Parental Controls 9) Button Hint Music Channels Your DIRECTV service includes dozens of enjoyable, continuous music channels with something for every taste. Tune to these just as you would to any channel. You'll see a special Channel Banner that initially displays the channel description (for example, "Real Jazz," "Nashville!"). As each song is played, its info will appear in the banner, including song title, artist and record company. 15 The Guide Overview of the DIRECTV Advanced Program Guide® The Guide displays listings of current and upcoming programs for up to 14 days in advance. Find out what's on (now or later), change the channel, search for and purchase a pay per view movie or event, or search for a program you're interested in. Icons you may see in the Guide: 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 ­ Broadcast in letterbox (16:9 widescreen) format ­ All Day Ticket Pay Per View showings (pay once, watch all day) ­ Scheduled to Record ­ All episodes scheduled to record (Series LinkTM) ­ Program matches a Search, set to autorecord ­ Currently recording ­ HD program ­ Dolby Digital audio available TIP Press the GUIDE key twice to skip the Channel Categories screen. GU ID E TIP You can find additional information and the latest updates at DIRECTV.com Getting Around in the Guide Press the GUIDE key on your remote, then choose how you want to filter the Guide (or press GUIDE twice to skip the filter). Select All Channels, or channels in a specific category. Moving through the Guide is simple: 17 GU I 4 The UP, DOWN, LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys move you through listings and time slots. Highlight a program or channel cell to view its description. 4 Use the CHAN key up or down to scroll a full page. 4 Press the RED or GREEN keys to move forward or back in time. 4 To tune to a program that is on now, highlight the program and press SELECT. Selecting a future program displays program information. 4 Press INFO when you've highlighted a show in the Guide to view a more in-depth description and options. Pressing INFO when you've highlighted the channel name displays the channel's listing for up to 14 days. 4 Press SELECT when you've highlighted a channel cell (far left) to view that channel in the TV window. 4 Press MENU to see Guide options, change your Favorites list, or jump to a desired date and time. 4 Press RECORD to record the program. ACTIV E LIST DE EX IT SELECT BA CK MENU INF O The Mini Guide: Program Listings While You Watch TV The Mini Guide is a special version of the Guide that displays only one channel at a time, and appears over full-screen TV. To display the Mini Guide, press the BLUE key on the remote while watching TV. Just as you can with the Guide, you can scroll through channels and times, set programs to record, access program info, and other Guide features 18 Recording Programs: A Great Way to Watch Your Favorites Recording is a great way to see your favorite programs on your schedule. You won't miss your favorite series because it moved to a different day or time, or miss your team's playoff game because you had to work late. Just set a program to record and your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR will save it for you to watch later. To watch recorded programs, use the Playlist feature. (See The Playlist on page 22.) To schedule a program for recording with specific options: 1) 2) 3) Highlight a program that interests you and press INFO. Highlight and select Record. A screen is displayed where you can set record options for that program. Follow the onscreen instructions to set the program to record as you wish. Select the Set Record button, then OK on the confirmation screen. Don't you hate when you miss a One-Touch Record with Default Options show just because On any screen, you can press the RECORD key on a highlighted program to schedule it to record with you forget it's on? default options. So do we. You can record up to three programs at once (two satellite and one from an off-air antenna). However, if a program you select to record conflicts with another recording, you will be notified of the conflict at the time and given a choice of which recording to cancel. 4 Pressing RECORD once schedules the highlighted program to record. A recording icon is displayed next to the program title to let you know it is scheduled. 4 For a one-time only program: · Pressing RECORD again cancels the record. 19 4 For episodic programs: · · Pressing RECORD a second time schedules all episodes of the program for recording (Series LinkTM). Pressing RECORD a third time cancels the recording. Autorecord a Search Programs that match a Search (see Search, page 31) can be scheduled to autorecord. When the search results are displayed, simply select Autorecord from the left menu, then follow the onscreen instructions to set the record options. Changing Record Options/Canceling a Record Once you have scheduled a program to record, you can change the record options or cancel the recording by selecting the program in the Guide or the To Do List (press LIST, then YELLOW); then, select the Record item in the left menu, and follow the onscreen instructions to change the program's options or cancel recording completely. You can change the following record options: · · For all programs, you can extend recording start and stop times (for example, start 1 minute before the program; stop 5 minutes after the scheduled end of the program). For programs with multiple episodes, you can select whether to record first run programs and repeats or just first runs, how many episodes to keep, and how long to save the recorded program. 20 Recording to VCR To record a program on your VCR, make sure you've connected your VCR properly to your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR, then select a recorded program from the MyVOD tab in the Playlist, set your VCR to record, and play the selected program. See your VCR User's Guide for information on how to set it up for scheduled or manual recording. Pay Per View: The Latest Movies, 24 Hours a Day You don't have to go out for the best and biggest movies and special events! Recent hits and events like sports, comedy and more are available 24 hours a day on DIRECTV® Pay Per View. You'll find them listed in the Guide, starting at channel 125. Tune to a pay per view program or press INFO on a highlighted pay per view program. Select the Buy option and follow the onscreen instructions. As long as your receiver has been connected to a land-based phone line, you can use your remote to order. You can cancel your pay per view order for any reason as long as none of the program has been viewed. Press LIST to display the To Do List. Press SELECT on the Purchase item in the left menu. Select the desired program and follow the onscreen instructions. TIP You can also order DIRECTV Pay Per View movies and events on the Internet at DIRECTV.com or over the phone at 1-800-531-5000. Keep in mind, though, there is an additional ordering fee for purchases placed over the phone. Important To obtain optimum picture quality, make sure the receiver is connected directly to the TV. Connecting the receiver to the TV through a VCR or DVD recorder is known to yield less than optimum picture quality, particularly when viewing copy-protected programming. 21 The Playlist: Watching Your Recorded Programs The Playlist displays all saved, recorded programs in the MyVODTM tab. To display the Playlist screen, press LIST on the remote. Other programs, which may include behind-thescenes and video extras for new movie releases, DIRECTV content packages, special offers, free events and more, are saved in the Showcases tab. Check the Showcases tab frequently for exclusive video content from premium programming providers. To quickly jump to another tab, press RED or GREEN. The time, date and channel of each recorded program are displayed to the right of the program title. Any icon identifying program status is displayed to the left of the program title. Highlighting a program title displays the program description, just as in the Guide. Episodic (Series Link) programs appear in the list in groups. For example, if you record a weekly comedy series, that series is shown in the list by its name, and the episodes for that series are saved in a group under that name. You can press SELECT on the series name to display all the episodes that have been recorded. Programs recorded as the result of a Search are also saved under a group, where the name of the group is the Search name. The number of new (not viewed) programs and total programs for each group are displayed to the right of the group name. If you press SELECT or INFO on a program under the MyVOD tab in the Playlist, an Info screen is displayed for the program that lets you update how long the program will be kept or delete the program. TIP For a list of icons you may see in the Playlist, turn to the inside back cover of this User Guide. 22 Disk Space Bar The MyVOD screen displays a Disk Space bar that shows the approximate amount of space available on your disk at any given time. The Disk Space bar shows programs you have designated Keep until I Delete in blue, programs subject to expiration in light blue, and the remaining unused disk space that is available for recording in black. 23 27 Using the Quick Menu 27 Help & Settings Chapter 3 29 My VOD 29 Audio Options 30 Category Sort Quick Menu 31 Pay Per View 31 Search 32 Date & Time 32 Favorites 33 Caller ID & Messages 34 Parental Controls 37 Quick Menu Features for Recording Using the Quick Menu Press MENU on your remote to easily access DIRECTV features. Once the Quick Menu is displayed, use the UP and DOWN arrows to highlight a desired menu item, then press SELECT to access that item. Some menu items will display a submenu, others will take you directly to a new screen. To remove the Quick Menu at any time, press MENU again. The features in the Quick Menu change as needed to display only the most helpful features at any time. For example, when the Quick Menu is displayed over the Guide, it displays special features to help you with the Guide. Help & Settings Selecting Help & Settings in the Quick Menu displays a submenu of items that lets you customize, adjust and keep track of your DIRECTV viewing experience. Help The Help item in the Quick Menu displays a list of help topics and Frequently Asked Questions. Setup The Setup item in the Quick Menu displays the Setup screen, where you can access the Info & Test, Satellite & Antenna Setup, Remote Setup, Audio Setup, Display Setup, Access Card and System Reset screens. Info & Test: The System Info option lets you view the current system information. The System Test option lets you run a test on the tuner, access card, receiver ID and phone line. 27 Sat & Ant (Satellite & Antenna): This option is useful if your DIRECTV® Plus HD DVR has lost signal strength, or you need to realign your satellite dish or setup an off-air antenna. (See "Receiving Local `Off-Air' Broadcast Channels on page 76.) Remote: Use this option to setup your remote to control your TV and other equipment. Audio: The Audio option in Setup lets you make lasting adjustments to settings such as language and Dolby Digital. To make temporary adjustments, use the Audio Options item in the Quick Menu. Display: This option lets you change display settings such as native mode, screen format, bar color, the Channel Banner display time, the language in onscreen menus, time zone (for the clock) and screen centering. TV Type: The TV Type option is where you can set your TV's aspect ratio and resolution. Access Card: Follow the onscreen directions to replace your access card. You will need your old and new access cards to complete this process. (Note: DIRECTV will provide new access cards and instructions when necessary.) Reset: From here you can restart the receiver, reset to factory defaults, or reset everything. Scheduler This feature gives you an overview of and access to all the programs you've set to autorecord or purchase. Favorites Check the current status of your Favorites list(s) by clicking here, and make changes if you like. See page 32 for more details. 28 Parental Controls Check the current restrictions of your Parental Controls by clicking here, and make any adjustments. See page 34 for more details. My VOD This option displays a submenu that lists recorded programs, and also gives you access to the Playlist screen, where you can view and edit the list of recorded programs and see DIRECTV Showcases of special programming. (See "The Playlist" on Page 22) Audio Options What is 5.1 Audio? It's 5 channels of audio for theaterstyle sound, plus a subwoofer for heart-pounding bass. Go ahead. Try this at home. 29 Some programs have alternate audio available (such as other language tracks or Dolby Digital). This option only appears in the Quick Menu over Live TV when the current program has alternate audio. You can set the default so that whenever a program has alternate audio available, it automatically plays this audio, or you can change the alternate audio temporarily for the program you are watching. In either case, press MENU while in Live TV, then: To change the default audio, from the Quick Menu, select Settings, select Setup, then select Audio in the left menu and follow the onscreen instructions. To temporarily change the audio, from the Quick Menu, select Audio Options, then select the audio track you prefer. Once the program is over or you change the channel, the audio will change back to the default setting. Dolby® Digital The recommended audio format for HDTV is Dolby* Digital. Your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR is capable of reproducing 5.1-encoded audio: five discrete channels of full-range digital audio, plus one channel of low-frequency (subwoofer) audio, for use by A/V receivers capable of decoding the 5.1-channel signal. The audio signals are broken into left-front, center, rightfront, left-rear, right-rear and low-frequency channels. The result, when your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR is connected to a compatible Dolby Digital A/V receiver and 5.1 channel speaker setup, is an experience that gives you much of the dynamic range, 360-degree imaging and sonic excitement of a real theater. Not all TV programs deliver 5.1 channel signals, and not all programs are broadcast using Dolby Digital for DIRECTV programming. Programs using this high-quality audio standard are indicated by the words Dolby Digital in the program description in the Channel Banner (see page 15) and Guide (see page 17). To change the Digital Audio format, press MENU, select Settings, then select Setup. Select Audio in the left menu. Highlight the Dolby Digital tab and press SELECT, then follow the onscreen instructions and select from the following options: 4 On: Turns on Dolby Digital audio output. (Note: True Dolby Digital is only available via HDMI or optical outputs. 4 Off: Select this option to turn off Dolby Digital Audio output. Category Sort This feature lets you temporarily arrange the Guide to list only programs in a particular category such as Movies, Sports or News. This option only appears in the Quick Menu over the Guide. Note 30 * Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories. "Dolby" and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. While in the Guide, from the Quick Menu, select Category Sort. To further narrow your search, select the category you want, then select a subcategory if you wish. To quickly move through the Category Search results, use the RED or GREEN key on your remote to advance or reverse in 90-minute increments. Press GUIDE to return to the regular Guide, or EXIT to return to live TV. Pay Per View This option enables you to check out DIRECTV Pay Per View listings by category. This option only appears in the Quick Menu over the Guide. While in the Guide, press MENU, then select Pay Per View. You will see three choices for sorting the listings. Choose All to display all current pay per view programs. Movies will give you listings of all current movies available. Pick Special Events to see specific events such as sports, comedy specials and more. The Guide will display only programs that match the selected choice. Search Would you like to locate a particular program, movie or sports event you want to see -- even shows starring a favorite actor, or games with your favorite team? Search offers some easy ways to spot just what you want to watch. Press MENU, then select Search. You can find a program by Title, Person, Keyword or Channel. Your Persona and Keyword searches will be quicker if you narrow your search by selecting subcategories; just follow the onscreen instructions. Once you've found what you're after, all you have to do is highlight and Note Keep in mind, when you use the Search feature, only those programs in the Guide slated to air within the number of days of programming supported by your receiver will appear on your list. 31 select the title to display information about the found item. If you'd like to repeat a previous search, select Recent Searches, then select your search to view matching programs. Date & Time This option gives you a convenient way to jump several days ahead in the Guide, without having to scroll through pages of programs. Favorites Favorites allows you to set up special, customized Guide that shows only those channels you choose. So you can have easy access to the channels you like best, or perhaps a grouping of family channels just for the kids. When you're using a Favorites list, the Guide will only display those channels you've chosen -- and you'll also only see those channels when you change channels using CHAN UP/DOWN on your remote. Keep in mind, no matter what Favorites list you're currently using, you can still always access any channel you receive by keying in its channel number on your remote. You can also edit or delete a list at any time by returning to Favorites and editing your list(s). 32 Channels I Get In addition to displaying all channels or creating lists of favorite channels, you can also set your DIRECTV Plus Receiver to display only the channels that are in your current subscription package. To see the channels you receive, select Ch's I Get from the left menu of the Favorites screen. To set Ch's I Get as your current channel list, select the Set Current menu item from the Favorites screen, then change the Current Favorites option to Ch's I Get. Caller ID & Messages This feature lets you receive important messages from DIRECTV about your service. Also, if you have Caller ID service*, you can also view phone calls you've received or turn call notification on or off. Press MENU to display the Quick Menu, select Calls & Msgs, then select Edit Settings. Select either Caller ID or Messages from the left menu, as desired. Caller ID The Call Log tab displays up to 25 recent incoming calls. Highlight and select a name to delete that listing from your log. The Notification tab lets you turn the notification feature on or off. When the Notification option is on, you'll see a notice on your TV screen whenever a call comes in. Note * You must subscribe to Caller ID service through your local telephone company, and your DIRECTV Receiver must be connected to a phone line. 33 DIRECTV Messages This feature lets you view a listing of current DIRECTV messages waiting for you. Simply highlight and select a message in the list to read, then you'll have the choice to keep or delete it. The messages icon will appear brightly on your channel banner whenever there's any new or unread message in your Inbox. Parental Controls Parental Controls enables parents to place certain restrictions on just who's watching what, and require a passcode to view restricted programming. Whether it's for mature content or spending amounts, you're always able to keep limitations where you want them for the whole family. Press MENU to display the Quick Menu, SELECT Parental Controls, then Edit Settings, and you'll see the current status showing any restrictions. The system default is "unlocked" for all categories. Ratings Here you can set rating limits for Movies and TV: 1) 2) SELECT Ratings. Highlight the desired tab using the ARROW keys and press SELECT. Note: You can also use RED or GREEN to cycle tabs. Movies Highlight and select the Movies tab, then set the overall rating limit you wish to impose. Brief descriptions of the ratings appear for your guidance. 34 TIP For ratings limits and channel blocks, as well as most other checkbox-type items, pressing SELECT toggles the item on and off when setting them up. SELECT TV Programs SELECT the TV tab, then highlight and select the TV rating you desire. You can also set ratings for particular content (for example, Fantasy Violence, Dialogue), each of which is described when highlighted. Other Shows To block programming that has no rating -- such as news and sports -- select the Other tab. Channel Blocks You can block viewing of a certain channel or channels from this menu. SELECT Chan Blocks in the left menu, then scroll down the channel list to SELECT those you wish to block, or key in channel numbers for quicker access. Use Block All or Allow All to save time if you wish to affect a large number of channels. Spending From the left menu, SELECT Spending, then set your preferred spending limit for any single pay per view purchase. Simply key in the amount using the numbers on your remote. Hours From the left menu, SELECT Hours, then set your preferred hours during which TV can be viewed. You can set hours based on "school nights" and weekend nights--Monday-Thursday, Friday-Saturday, and Sunday. 35 Now, lock it Once you've set the restrictions you want, choose Lock Now from the left menu. You'll be directed to create a passcode (which you'll want to make easy enough to remember, but hard enough that the little ones won't guess it!). This passcode will be your entry to unlocking and adjusting limitations in the future. An onscreen message will appear whenever anyone tries to tune to a channel or program that has been restricted, or attempts to spend or watch beyond limitations set. He or she will not be allowed to proceed without the passcode. Using your passcode, you can easily override the limits. Let me in...! Temporarily or permanently unlocking a restriction is easy. To temporarily unlock a particular program: 1) 2) 1) 2) When any controls are currently activated, Unlock Now will appear if you try to tune to a restricted program. Select Unlock Now and enter the password. Press MENU, then SELECT Parental Controls. Various options for removing restrictions temporarily or permanently will appear. Select one and enter your password. For more unlock options: TIP The Parental Control icon in the Channel Banner will tell you if the receiver is locked, temporarily unlocked, or unlocked. Note: If you have Parental Controls set and temporarily unlocked, turning the receiver power off will relock the box. Making multiple entries aimed at guessing the passcode is discouraged by a time delay; each invalid passcode entered lengthens the delay for subsequent entry by one second. Note 36 Don't use obvious numbers, like birthdays or addresses, for your passcode. Your kids are smarter than you think! Locked Unlocked Temporarily Unlocked To change your passcode at any time: 1) 2) 3) Press MENU, SELECT Parental Controls, then Edit Settings. Scroll down to Passcode and press SELECT. Enter your old password, then enter a new one twice to confirm. Quick Menu Features for Recording The Quick Menu includes special recording features over certain screens. Quick Menu over the Playlist screen: · · · List by... lets you sort how the programs appear in the list. Mark & Delete lets you mark programs and delete them from the MyVODTM screen. Open/Close All lets you open and close all groups at once. Quick Menu over recorded TV: · · · Keep... lets you change how long a recorded program will be kept on disk. Bookmarks lets you jump to bookmarks that have been set in a recorded program you are currently viewing. (See page 13.) MyVOD lets you view a list of recorded programs, or access the MyVODTM screen. Quick Menu over a Record Options screen: · Record Defaults lets you set the default selections for the Start, Stop, Keep and Type options. 37 38 40 Troubleshooting 50 Limited 90-Day Warranty Chapter 4 54 Product Information 55 DIRECTV PROTECTION PLAN 57 FCC Customer Information More Info 60 TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR USE OF SOFTWARE ("TERMS") Troubleshooting Many problems can be corrected by performing a simple reset of the DIRECTV® Plus HD DVR. If you experience image freezes, audio freezes or blank screen, or the system won't respond to front panel button or remote control, try one of these: 4 Press the red RESET button behind the access card panel door on the front of the DIRECTV® Plus HD DVR, then wait for program guide information to be acquired. 4 If the problems persist, try unplugging the power cord of the DIRECTV® Plus HD DVR for 15 seconds, then plug it in again. Running the System Test (later in this section) can also help you diagnose and solve many common problems. You can find additional troubleshooting help at DIRECTV.com. System Upgrades Your DIRECTV® Plus HD DVR are able to receive upgrades or modifications to some of its features and functions. These modifications will occur automatically, usually at times when the receiver would likely be turned off. If your receiver is on when an upgrade or modification is sent, you may experience a disruption in reception for a minute or two. Your reception should return to normal after the modification is complete. Your receiver must be plugged in to AC power to receive any upgrades. Do not unplug your receiver while an upgrade is in progress. Please consult the System Info screen to check for an upgrade or modification planned by DIRECTV. 40