Foxtel DS250 User's Guide

®

Welcome to FOXTEL Digital!............................... 1

The FOXTEL Digital set-top unit....................................1

Updates to the digital set-top unit..................................1

Getting in touch with FOXTEL.........................................1

For your safety ...................................................... 2

Getting Started ....................................................3

Switching the digital set-top unit on and off .............3

Changing channel......................................................................3

Blocked channels..............................................................3

Changing the volume..............................................................3

What is the FOXTEL Digital Guide?..............................4

Using the FOXTEL remote control with

the FOXTEL Digital Guide.........................................5

Using the i-search banner....................................................6

Setting a reminder...........................................................6

Displaying the i-box.................................................................7

What are Closed Captions?..........................................7

Codes and symbols in the programme

information screens.....................................................7

Using the FOXTEL Digital Guide......................... 9

TV Guide ..................................................................... 9

Finding a programme..................................................10

Choosing a programme to watch now

or later............................................................................. 15

Personal Planner.......................................................16

Programme Reminders .............................................17

Using AutoTune .............................................................18

Programme clashes...................................................... 19

Deleting a programme from your

Personal Planner ........................................................19

FOXTEL Box Office ................................................20

Ordering a FOXTEL Box Office title

............... 21

Active..........................................................................22

Accessing Active Applications................................22

Setup.................................................................... 23

Using the Setup screens ....................................................25

Changing your Parental Control settings..................26

Blocking Channels.........................................................27

Setting Viewing Restrictions ....................................28

Setting Adult Filter........................................................30

Changing your PIN.......................................................31

Changing your Personal Planner settings .................32

Setting Favourite Channels...............................................33

Contents

Using the System Settings.................................................34

Picture Settings...............................................................34

Audio and Language Settings................................. 36

System Details ................................................................36

Signal Test........................................................................... 36

System Test .......................................................................36

Using AV mode to watch

a video recording.......................................................37

Looking after the FOXTEL Smartcard ......................38

Replacing the batteries in the remote control......39

The FOXTEL Digital set-top unit ......................40

Front panel ................................................................................40

Rear panel..................................................................................41

Connections to the digital set-top unit.....................42

Viewing the Help Channel ...............................................43

Solving Problems .................................................43

On-screen messages............................................................ 44

General problems..................................................................47

Specification........................................................49

Glossary ...............................................................50

Welcome to FOXTEL ..........................................52

Using the Setup banner.....................................................23

Welcome to FOXTEL Digital! ...............................1

The FOXTEL Digital set-top unit....................................1

Updates to the digital set-top unit..................................1

Getting in touch with FOXTEL.........................................1

For your safety ...................................................... 2

Getting Started ....................................................3

Switching the digital set-top unit on and off .............3

Changing channel......................................................................3

Blocked channels..............................................................3

Changing the volume..............................................................3

What is the FOXTEL Digital Guide?..............................4

Using the FOXTEL remote control with

the FOXTEL Digital Guide.........................................5

Using the i-search banner....................................................6

Setting a reminder...........................................................6

Displaying the i-box.................................................................7

What are Closed Captions?..........................................7

Codes and symbols in the programme

information screens.....................................................7

Using the FOXTEL Digital Guide......................... 9

TV Guide ..................................................................... 9

Finding a programme..................................................10

Choosing a programme to watch now

or later............................................................................. 15

Personal Planner.......................................................16

Programme Reminders .............................................17

Using AutoTune .............................................................18

Programme clashes...................................................... 19

Deleting a programme from your

Personal Planner ........................................................19

FOXTEL Box Office ................................................20

Ordering a FOXTEL Box Office title

............... 21

Active..........................................................................22

Accessing Active Applications................................22

Setup.................................................................... 23

Using the Setup screens ....................................................25

Changing your Parental Control settings..................26

Blocking Channels.........................................................27

Setting Viewing Restrictions ....................................28

Setting Adult Filter........................................................30

Changing your PIN.......................................................31

Changing your Personal Planner settings .................32

Setting Favourite Channels...............................................33

Contents

Using the System Settings.................................................34

Picture Settings...............................................................34

Audio and Language Settings................................. 36

System Details ................................................................36

Signal Test........................................................................... 36

System Test .......................................................................36

Using AV mode to watch

a video recording.......................................................37

Looking after the FOXTEL Smartcard ......................38

Replacing the batteries in the remote control......39

The FOXTEL Digital set-top unit ......................40

Front panel ................................................................................40

Rear panel..................................................................................41

Connections to the digital set-top unit.....................42

Viewing the Help Channel ...............................................43

Solving Problems .................................................43

On-screen messages............................................................ 44

General problems..................................................................47

Specification........................................................49

Glossary ...............................................................50

Welcome to FOXTEL ..........................................52

Using the Setup banner.....................................................23

The FOXTEL remote control

FOXTEL

Takes you from the TV Guide
(or any FOXTEL Digital
screen) to the last channel
you were watching

av

Switches to ‘AV mode’

box office

To order movies and events
from the FOXTEL Box Office

tv guide

Displays the FOXTEL Digital
Guide’s programme listings
screen

setup

Displays the Setup screen
where you can change the
set-top unit’s settings

vol + and –

Changes the volume up or
down

mute

Turns the sound on or off

colour buttons

Use to select the matching
colour option shown on
screen

red colour button

Launches an active service
when you see the red button
on your TV screen

number buttons (0-9)

Use to change channel, enter
numbers and select
on-screen options

S

Puts the set-top unit into or
out of standby

active

Displays the Active screen
for FOXTEL’s range of
interactive services

planner

Displays your Personal
Planner, to view your
programme reminders

i

Displays more information
about a programme

ch + and –

Changes channel and pages
up and down through listings
in the TV Guide

arrow buttons

U, D, L, R
Moves the highlight around
the screen

select

Confirms a choice or makes
a selection
Also displays the i-search
banner

help

Tunes to the Customer Care
channel or displays help
information

back

Jumps back to the previous
screen or previous channel
you were watching

This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by U.S.
patents and other intellectual property rights. Use of this copyright protection technology
must be authorised by Macrovision, and is intended for home and other limited pay per
view uses only, unless otherwise authorised by Macrovision. Reverse engineering or
disassembly is prohibited.

A product with the Dolby Digital decoder system. Manufactured under license from
Dolby Laboratories. “Dolby”, and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby
Laboratories. All rights reserved.

Declaration of Conformity No. 4409 (cable); 4410 (satellite)
Trademark of the DVB - Digital Video Broadcasting Project

Important TV care information

Do not allow a still image to be displayed on your TV screen for an extended period of time. This can
cause a permanent residual image (‘burn-in’) remaining on your screen. Examples of still images include:

- Channel logos and certain channel formats;

- Images displayed in a 4:3, 14:9 and 16:9 mode that are different to your TV set up;

- On-screen information (ie Tickers and Active features) that are part of programmes;

- Electronic Programme Guides;

- Games and voting features;

- Audio channels.

Plasma, Rear Projection and LCD televisions are at a higher risk of burn-in. These televisions are more
prone to burn-in during the first 200 hours of use.

Always consult your television manufacturer’s manual for proper operating instructions.

Version 1.0 November 2006

WELCOME

Welcome to FOXTEL Digital!

Thank you for choosing FOXTEL Digital. This User Guide provides
you with easy to understand instructions on how to use the FOXTEL
Digital set-top unit and FOXTEL remote.

v The FOXTEL Digital set-top unit

The FOXTEL Digital set-top unit receives digital information via cable
or satellite, decodes this information and sends it to the TV.

v Updates to the digital set-top unit

From time to time, the digital set-top unit may be updated. Updates
will usually occur automatically. You should not unplug the digital
set-top unit from the power point, as this may affect the installation,
and the availability of any updates which may occur.

Updates provide enhanced features; and new screens may become
available. Although any new screens may look a little different from
those described in this User Guide, you will be able to use the same
techniques (e.g. highlight and select) to navigate around the screens.

v Getting in touch with FOXTEL

If you have any questions about your new FOXTEL service
please call FOXTEL on 131 999 (7:30am -11pm AEST).

1

For your safety

The digital set-top unit has been manufactured to meet international
safety standards. To obtain the best results and operate the digital
set-top unit safely it is important that you read the safety instructions
below.

If you have any doubts about the installation, operation or safety of the
digital set-top unit, please consult FOXTEL.

WARNING!

Remember that contact with 240 V AC power can be lethal
or can cause a severe electric shock. To avoid this risk:

Never remove the top cover from the digital set-top

unit as there are high-voltage live parts inside. There are
no user-serviceable parts inside the digital set-top unit.

Make sure that all electrical connections are safe and

secure.

Do not connect any of the equipment (digital set-top

unit, TV, video recorder etc.) to the power supply until
you have properly connected all the other leads.

Disconnect the digital set-top unit from the power

supply (by disconnecting its power lead from the power
point on the wall) before you disconnect any other
equipment from its rear panel.

Never push anything into the holes, slots or other

openings of the digital set-top unit case (except the
FOXTEL Smartcard into its correct slot).

CAUTION!

4 To ensure a free flow of air around the digital set-top unit, allow at

least 5 cm of space above and around the digital set-top unit.

8 Never stand the digital set-top unit on soft furnishings or carpets.

Do not cover any ventilation slots.

8 Do not place the digital set-top unit in an unventilated cabinet or

on top of a unit which emits heat (e.g. a TV).

4 If the digital set-top unit is placed with other items of audio/video

equipment in a cabinet, make sure all items have sufficient space
all around them, to allow ventilation and prevent overheating.

8 Do not stack items of audio/video equipment in a crowded space.

8 Do not use or store the digital set-top unit in hot, cold, damp or

dusty places.

8 Do not put anything on the digital set-top unit which might melt,

drip or spill into it. Never stand objects filled with liquids, such as
vases, on top of the digital set-top unit.

8 Never place naked flame sources, such as lighted candles, on top

of the digital set-top unit.

2

Using the FOXTEL Digital set-top unit

GETTING STARTED

Getting started

v Switching the digital set-top unit on and off

Whenever you are not using the digital set-top unit you should put it
into standby. You should not unplug it at the power point.

u To put the digital set-top unit into standby, press S.

The standby light on the front panel shines red.

u To take the digital set-top unit out of standby and switch it on,

press FOXTEL (or S again).

The standby light on the front panel shines green.

Note

You can also press tv guide, box office, active or planner to take
the digital set-top unit out of standby.

v Changing channel

You can change the channel by using:

u the ch + and ch - buttons;

u the back button, to return to the previous channel you were

watching;

u the number buttons (channel numbers are always three digits,

for example 108); or

u one of the on-screen methods described in the following

sections.

When you change channel, a banner (the i-search banner) displays
briefly to show information about the channel. It automatically
disappears after a few moments, or you can press back to remove it
immediately.

For more information about the i-search banner, see page 6.

Blocked channels

Sometimes you might change channel to a blocked channel or
programme. This means the channel or programme has been
restricted by your settings in Parental Control, so you will not be
permitted to view it simply by changing channel to it.

To unblock the channel or programme, you will need to enter your
PIN. For more information, see page 26.

v Changing the volume

u To change the volume, press vol + or vol -.

u To turn the sound on or off, press mute.

3

Getting started

4

Using the FOXTEL Digital set-top unit

v What is the FOXTEL Digital Guide?

The FOXTEL Digital Guide helps you to experience the most out of
FOXTEL Digital. It is an easy-to-use on-screen guide to the FOXTEL
Digital service. All of the FOXTEL Digital Guide features are
controlled by using the FOXTEL remote. The FOXTEL Digital Guide
allows you to:

u see on-screen TV programme listings for up to seven days via

the TV guide;

u see programme times for FOXTEL Box Office titles and

pay-per-view sports and events,

u set reminders for future programmes using the Personal

Planner;

u access a range of Active services, such as Sky News Active, as

well as games you can play using the FOXTEL remote;

u watch programmes and at the same time find out what is

showing on other channels;

u change settings on the FOXTEL Digital set-top unit, including

the Parental Control settings, to customise the FOXTEL Digital
set-top unit to your preferences.

u Search for programmes by genre, time, and closed captioning.

The digital set-top unit will be updated from time to time; some
FOXTEL Digital screens may change.

GETTING STARTED

Getting started

v Using the FOXTEL remote with the

FOXTEL Digital Guide

Whichever section of the FOXTEL Digital Guide you are looking at,
you always use the FOXTEL remote in the same way.

u To display any section of the FOXTEL Digital Guide, press the

corresponding button on the FOXTEL remote, for example, to
display FOXTEL Box Office, press box office.

u Use the arrows to move the highlight around the screen, then

to choose the highlighted item, press select.

u On many of the FOXTEL Digital Guide screens, you use the

colour buttons to choose options or change the display. When
a colour button is displayed next to an option, press the same
colour button on the FOXTEL remote to choose that option.

u Press the number buttons to enter numbers on the screen.

You can also use the number buttons as a short-cut, whenever
a numbered list is shown.

u You can use the number buttons to write the letters and

symbols marked on the buttons onto the screen. Press the
button once for the first letter, and again for the next letter,
until the letter you want is displayed (similar to sending text
messages with your mobile phone).

u To see information about a highlighted programme, press i.

u To remove any screen, without saving any changes, and go back

to the previous FOXTEL Digital Guide screen, press back.

u When full screens of listings are displayed, you can press ch +

and ch - to ‘page up’ and ‘page down’ a full screen of listings.

u To return to the digital channel you were last watching, press

FOXTEL.

5

Getting started

6

Using the FOXTEL Digital set-top unit

v Using the i-search banner

You can display the i-search banner to find out:

u what is showing on any channel, now and later on;

u more about a programme you are interested in.

While the i-search banner is displayed, you can continue to watch the
current channel.

u To display the i-search banner, press i (or select).

u To see the programmes showing on different channels, press U

or D to scroll through the channels.

u To see programmes showing on your Favourite channels, press

the yellow button to scroll through all Favourite channels - see
page 29 for Setting Favourite Channels.

u To see what programmes are on at different times, for up to the

next six hours, on the channel listed in the i-search banner, press
R or L to scroll through the times.

u To display the i-box (see page 7), press i again.

u If you see a programme you want to watch, press select.

u If the programme is on now, the FOXTEL Digital set-top unit

tunes to it automatically. If it is on at a later time, the digital
set-top unit sets a reminder for you - see below.

u To remove the i-search banner without changing channel, press

back, or wait a few moments - it disappears automatically.

Setting a reminder

u If you see a programme in the i-search banner that you want to

watch, but it is on at a later time, press select.

The programme is added to your Personal Planner (see page 16) and
the digital set-top unit sets a reminder for you. A reminder symbol
(see right) displays on the i-search banner, next to the programme, to
show you the programme has been added to your Personal Planner.

Reminder

symbol

GETTING STARTED

Getting started

When the programme is about to start, a message displays to let you
know the programme you selected is about to start.

v Displaying the i-box

While the i-search banner is displayed, you can view the i-box, which gives
extra information about the programme listed in the i-search banner.

u While the i-search banner is displayed (see page 6), to view the

i-box, press i.

The i-box includes a programme synopsis (summary) and codes and
symbols which provide you with additional information about the
programme. These are explained on page 8.

u To remove the i-box, press i again.

Note From the i-search banner, i-box information is available for the
current and next programmes showing on all channels.

What are Closed Captions?

Closed Captions are a transcription of the audio soundtrack, displayed
on-screen. If Closed Captions are available you can choose whether
you wish to see them or not - (see pages 23, 34 and 35). The Closed
Captions symbol (see page 8) is displayed in the i-box when Closed
Captions are available.

Search Programmes By Closed Caption is available to assist in finding
captioned programming – see page 14.

Codes and symbols in the programme information
screens

The i-search banner, i-box, FOXTEL TV Guide and Box Office (see
later sections in this User Guide) may include symbols and codes giving
particular information about programmes.

The list on page 8 provides an explanation of these symbols and codes.

7

Getting started

CC

Symbol / Code: Explanation:

The start and finish times of the programme.

Classification symbol (see below for classification codes).

The programme is shown in widescreen format.

Closed captions are available for this programme. (For
more information about Closed Captions, see pages 14,
23, 34 and 35.)

Subtitles are available for this programme.

Dolby Digital 5.1 or Dolby Surround. If your TV has Dolby
Digital decoding capabilities, you will experience enhanced
sound on this programme.

Indicates that a reminder has been set for the programme.

Classification codes

P

C

G

PG

M

MA

AV

R

–

Content codes

a

d

h

l

m

n

s

v

Suitable for pre-school children.

Suitable for children.

General, suitable for all audiences.

Parental guidance is recommended as to the suitability of
the programme for children under 15.

Recommended for viewers aged 15 years or over.

Suitable only for viewers aged 15 or over - children under
15 are not permitted to watch MA programmes unless in
the company of a parent or adult guardian.

Suitable for adult viewers only - violent content.

Suitable only for adult viewers aged 18 and over.

Not classified (exempt from classification).

Adult themes

Drugs

Horror

Strong language

Medical procedures

Nudity

Sexual scenes

Violence

8

Using the FOXTEL Digital set-top unit

FOXTEL DIGITAL GUIDE

Using the FOXTEL Digital Guide

v TV Guide

The TV Guide provides you with a listing of all programmes available
on all channels for the next seven days, making it easy to find the
programmes you want to watch.

u To see the TV Guide, press tv guide on the FOXTEL remote.

TV listings are displayed as follows:

u All Channels - all programmes on all channels for today and

the week ahead, listed by channel number.

u Channels 9, 7,10, ABC, SBS - Open Broadcaster channels

included with your digital channels.

u Entertainment, Movies, Sport, News &

Documentaries, Kids & Family, Music & Radio and
Special Interest - programmes for the next seven days, in the

channel genres shown, listed by channel number.

u Search Programmes - programmes on all channels, sor ted

into the genres above, listed by start time, A-Z or Closed
Captions.

Note

Not all Open Broadcast channels are available to all subscribers.
Listings are not available for all Open Broadcast channels.

9

Using the FOXTEL Digital Guide

10

Using the FOXTEL Digital set-top unit

Finding a programme

There are a number of ways to search for a programme. You can
search by all channels, by channel genre, or by the search programme
options (see page 11).

Searching by All Channels

To choose a programme from the full listings, press tv guide on the
FOXTEL remote, highlight ‘All Channels’ then press select. The All
Channels screen displays.

The start times and the day are shown at the top of the listings.

u To see what programmes are on at different times, press

L or R.

u To move through the list of channels, press U or D.

u You can use the page up (red) and page down (green)

buttons on the FOXTEL remote to see the previous or next
section of the channel listing. ch + and ch - will also page up
and page down.

u Use the +24 hours (yellow) and -24 hours (blue) buttons on

the FOXTEL remote to move forward and backwards by 24
hours through the listings.

u To display the i-box (see page 7), press i.

u To remove the All Channels listing, press back, or to exit the TV

Guide and return to viewing, press FOXTEL.

Searching by Channel Genre

If you know what channel genre you want to watch, you can search
by genre, such as Sport.

u To choose a channel by genre, press tv guide, highlight a genre

then press select. The listings screen for that genre displays.

You use this screen in the same way as the All Channels screen.

FOXTEL DIGITAL GUIDE

Using the FOXTEL Digital Guide

Search Programmes

If you want to search through programmes you are able to search
programmes by time, by A-Z and by Closed Caption. To access
this area, press tv guide, highlight ‘Search Programmes’, then press

select

The Search Programmes screen displays.

Programmes by Time

If you want to see a list of all the programmes showing at a particular
time, you can search in programmes by time.

u To chose a programme by time, press tv guide, highlight

‘Programmes By Time’, then press select.

The Programmes By Time screen displays.

u Highlight one of the programme genres listed, then press

select.

11

Using the FOXTEL Digital Guide

12

Using the FOXTEL Digital set-top unit

The listings screen for that genre displays, with the programmes listed
in the order they are showing.

u To move through the list of programmes, press U or D.

u You can choose to view by sub-genre. Press a colour button

(shown at the bottom of the screen) to choose the sub-genre
you want.

u Different sub-genres may be available. Press L or R to view all

the available sub-genres.

u Programmes shown in the next 66 hours are included.

u Use ch + and ch - to page through the list.

Programmes by A-Z

To choose a programme sor ted by title, highlight ‘Programmes A-Z’
then press select.

The Programmes A-Z screen displays.

u Highlight one of the genres listed, then press select.

FOXTEL DIGITAL GUIDE

Using the FOXTEL Digital Guide

The listings screen for that genre displays, with the programmes listed
by title then showing time.

To search using Programmes by A-Z you are able to use the FOXTEL
remote to enter in the first letter of the programme you are looking
for.

u To jump to a letter use the FOXTEL remote number buttons to

enter the first letter of the programme, for example press the
3 button to jump to programmes starting with ‘d’ or press the 5
button three times to jump to programmes starting with ‘l’.

u To move through the list of programmes, press U or D.

u You can choose to view by sub-genre. Press a colour button

(shown at the bottom of the screen) to choose the sub-genre
you want.

u Different sub-genres may be available. Press L or R to view all

the available sub-genres.

u Programmes shown in the next 66 hours are included.

u Use ch + and ch - to page through the list.

13

Using the FOXTEL Digital Guide

14

Using the FOXTEL Digital set-top unit

Programmes By Closed Caption

If you want to see a list of all closed captioned and subtitled
programmes, showing at a particular time, you can search by closed
caption.

u Highlight one of the genres listed, then press select.

The listings screen for that genre displays, with the programmes listed
in the order they are showing.

u To move through the list of programmes, press U or D.

u Programmes shown in the next 66 hours are included.

u Use ch + and ch - to page through the list.