RCA 1998 User Manual

SATELLITE RECEIVER

USER'S GUIDE

Safety Information

WARNING

To reduce risk of ﬁre or shock hazard, do not expose this receiver to rain or moisture.

Cautions

Note to Cable TV Installer: This reminder is provided to call your attention to Article 820-40 of the

WARNING

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

This symbol indicates “dangerous voltage” inside the product that presents a risk of electric shock or personal injury.

Do not stack electronic components or other objects on top of the receiver. The slots on top of the receiver must be left uncovered to

allow proper airﬂow to the unit. Blocking the airﬂow to the unit could impair performance or damage your receiver and other components.

Do not stack the receiver on top of a “hot component” such as an audio power ampliﬁer.

FCC Regulations state that unauthorized changes or modiﬁcations to this equipment may void the user’s authority to operate it.

National Electrical Code (Section 54 of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1) which provides guidelines for proper grounding and, in particular, speciﬁes that the cable ground shall be connected to the grounding system of the building as close to the point of cable entry as practical.

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

This symbol indicates important instructions accompanying the product.

Note to Satellite Dish Installer: This reminder is provided to call your attention to Article 810 and in

particular article 810-15 of the National Electrical Code which covers proper installation and grounding of television receiving equipment as well as to article 820-40 of the National Electrical Code which speciﬁes that the satellite dish cable ground shall be connected to the grounding system of the building as close to the point of cable entry as practical.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This device incorporates an anticopy process technology that is

protected by U.S. patents and other intellectual property rights. The anticopy process is licensed for non-commercial, home use only. Reverse engineering or disassembly is prohibited.

Care and Cleaning: Use a soft cloth or dusting attachment of your vacuum cleaner to dust

your receiver. Remove dust from the ventilation holes on the top and bottom.

Plastic surfaces are easily scratched and can be marred by alcohol and various solvents. Avoid excessive use of oil-based furniture polishes since the materials used in the cabinet will accumulate more dust. A non-abrasive, anti-static cleaner/polisher is recommended.

Table of Contents

First Things First ................................................... 3

What is the Digital Satellite System? .............................................4

What’s in the Box ............................................................................ 5

Using This Manual...........................................................................6

The Point and Select Method................................................... 7

Connecting Your Receiver to Your TV............................................ 8

Things to Know Before Connecting Components ..................8

Jacks and Cables........................................................................ 9

Ordering Satellite Programming..................................................14

Program Guides .................................................. 15

Anatomy of a Program Guide ...................................................... 16

Anatomy of The Channel Banner................................................. 17

Using the GUIDE Button ............................................................... 18

Getting Around in the Guides...................................................... 18

Tuning to a Program............................................................... 19

The Other Program Guides...........................................................19

Sorting the Guides ....................................................................... 21

The Menu System ............................................... 27

Using the Menu System ................................................................ 28

Exit and Help........................................................................... 28

Menu Descriptions .................................................................. 29

The Program Guide ....................................................................... 30

Anatomy of a Program Guide................................................30

The Mailbox...................................................................................31

How to tell when you have mail............................................ 31

Checking your mail ................................................................. 31

Pay-Per-View Programs.................................................................32

Purchasing and Previewing .................................................... 32

Tuning to a PPV Program ....................................................... 32

Using the Program Guide for PPV Programs......................... 33

Using the Attractions Guide................................................... 34

Using the Purchases Menu .....................................................35

Reviewing and Canceling an Upcoming Purchase................35

Spending Limits....................................................................... 36

Timers Feature...............................................................................36

Profiles ...........................................................................................37

Creating a profile Channel List ..............................................37

Setting the Ratings Limit........................................................ 38

Viewing Hours......................................................................... 39

Setting Up Spending Limits.................................................... 39

Locking a User’s Profile........................................................... 40

Table of Contents

Locking the System ................................................................. 40

Choosing Your Profile............................................................. 41

Options .......................................................................................... 42

Look and Feel.......................................................................... 43

System Options ....................................................................... 43

Audio Language ..................................................................... 44

Alternate Data ........................................................................44

The Dish Pointing Menu Screen ................................................... 45

Using the On-Screen Signal Meter........................................ 46

Home Control ................................................................................ 47

Reference............................................................. 49

Home View ....................................................................................50

Front Panel Controls ..................................................................... 51

Back Panel Controls....................................................................... 51

Remote Control Buttons ............................................................... 52

Programming the Remote Control ........................................ 53

Programming the Remote to Control Your TV ..................... 53

Troubleshooting ............................................................................54

Appendix A: Warranty Information .................. 55

Appendix B: FCC Regulations ............................ 58

Appendix C: Accessories .................................... 59

Index.................................................................... 61

StarSight-Licensed: The manufacture and sale of the television schedule feature of this product was licensed under one or more of the following patents of StarSight Telecast, Inc.; U.S. Patent Nos. 4,706,121; 4,977,455; 5,151,789; 5,335,277: and 5,353,121.

First Things First

Read the First Two Chapters

The first two chapters of the manual introduce you to your digital satellite system, and show you how to use the on-screen guides and menus.

In First Things First, you’ll learn:

• how to use this manual

• how to use the menu system and guides

• different ways to connect the receiver to your TV

• how to order programming Program Guides details the items and features

associated with the different guides.

The Rest Of The Manual

The rest of the book includes menu information, reference information such as remote codes, a glossary, and an index.

First Things First

➣

Program Guides

➣

The Menu System

➣

Reference

➣

Appendices

First Things First

What is the Digital Satellite System?

You’ve purchased the digital satellite system, so you already know a lot of the great things it offers. You know that the system uses the latest satellite technology to deliver television programming to your home. And you know that the transmissions are digital, so the quality of the picture and audio rivals that of laser discs and CDs. You know the dish is small—18 inches wide—and that it often can be installed in a matter of hours. (See the satellite system Installer Guide for specific information.)

Those are the some of the things you probably know about the digital satellite system. But what about the things you don’t know? For instance...

• The system works like your TV. Pick up the remote and

push the SAT button. Press the Channel Up/Down buttons to

scan through the channels. Press the number keys to go

directly to a channel.

• There is an on-screen program guide. The program guide

is like a TV listing in the newspaper. It is designed to help you

select regular programs and pay-per-view events. You can

also sort the guide to list only specific types of programs. You

can select Sports, for example, and your guide will show

current and upcoming sports programs only. Or Movies. Or

News.

• There is the on-screen Menu System that allows you to

customize your system. You can set up your system, build

channel lists, preview coming attractions, set spending limits,

and receive mail from your program providers.

• There are three types of On-line Help to assist you in

learning how to use the system: Context-Sensitive Help (at

the bottom of most menu screens), Help buttons, and the

System Info menu.

First Things First

What’s in the Box

The following items come with your digital satellite receiver:

• Receiver (with access card inserted)

• Remote Control (Remote controls vary by model.)

ON/OFF

INFO

SELECT

ANTENNA

Receiver

OFF

SATTV

•

CLEAR

213

546

879

WHO•INPUT

ANT MUTEALT AUD

SELECT

•

INFOGUIDE

GO BACK

CHAN

VOL

DS5120RB DRD502RB DS5232RB DRD523RB

SAT1 TVPOWER

SAT

GUIDE FETCH

WHO

INFO

MUTE

2 5

4 7

INPUT

3 6 9

ANTENNA

DS5130RBC DS5230RBC

CLEAR

DRD503RBC

ALT. AUD

DS5451RB

GO BACK

DRD515RB DS7450RB DRD705RB

Remote Control

Installing Batteries In the Remote Control

Follow these steps whenever you need to install or change the batteries in your remote.

1. Remove the cover from the battery compartment.

2. Insert batteries as shown in the battery compartment,

matching the + and - end of each battery.

3. Replace the cover.

Programming the Remote

Depending on your equipment you may need to program the remote to control other devices. Check out “Programming the Remote” in the Reference section.

First Things First

Using This Manual

There are a couple of conventions used in this manual that might help you read it.

• Words that appear in ALL CAPS indicate the name of a

button.

• The names of on-screen menu options are shown in italics.

Important Note about This User’s Manual

This manual assumes that your digital satellite system has been installed, meaning:

1. The satellite dish antenna has been installed, correctly

pointed at the satellite, and connected to your digital

satellite receiver.

2. The digital satellite receiver is connected to your television

and to a telephone line.

3. The access card is installed in your digital satellite receiver.

Your access card has been matched to your receiver, and

should already be installed when you take the receiver out of

the packing box. The access card should only be taken out of

the receiver when you are issued a new card by your

programming providers.

4. The remote control has batteries and can be programmed to

control both your digital satellite receiver and your TV (if

your TV is remote-controllable). If your system has not been installed, refer to the satellite dish

Installer's Guide for information regarding proper installation. Then, refer to the next section, Connecting Your Receiver to Your TV. See your dealer for specific information regarding professional installation or the purchase of a Self-Installer’s Kit.

First Things First

The Point and Select Method

Point and Select is the two-step method you use to navigate through the menu system and program guides. Once you know how to point and select, you can explore the menus to learn more about how your digital satellite system works.

1. Point

You point by pressing the arrow keys on the remote or front

panel. Pressing the arrow keys moves the on-screen highlight

to different items in the program guide and the menu

screens. Pressing an arrow once moves the highlight one

space in the direction of the arrow.

For example, to point down (that is, to move the highlight

toward the bottom of the screen), press the down arrow. To

point right, press the right arrow.

2. Select

Once you have pointed to an item on the screen, select it by

pressing the MENU•SELECT button on the remote or front

panel. Selecting an item tells the menu system to go ahead

and make the change you have indicated.

For example, the instructions in the User’s Manual might tell

you to Point to the Exit button and press MENU•SELECT.

Once you’ve got the hang of the Point and Select rule, you

can use any part of the digital satellite system.

MENU•SELECT

Don’t worry about getting stuck inside a menu. Pressing the CLEAR button on the remote takes you out of the menu system and back to the program you were watching.

First Things First

Connecting Your Receiver to Your TV

During the satellite dish antenna installation, the receiver may have been connected to your TV with just a coaxial cable for the system test. Depending on what components you have, another connection may provide better picture and audio quality. The following sections provide cable and connection information to help you decide what connection is best for you.

Things to Know Before Connecting Components

Protect Your Components from Power Surges

• Connect all components before plugging any power cords

into the wall outlet.

• Always turn off the receiver, TV and other components

before you connect or disconnect any cables.

Position Cables Correctly to Avoid Audio Hum or Interference

• Insert all cable plugs firmly into their jacks.

• Place the audio/video cables to the sides of the TV’s back

panel instead of straight down the middle after you connect

your components.

• Try not to coil any twin-lead cables and keep them away

from the audio/video cables as much as possible.

• Make sure all antennas and cables are properly grounded.

Refer to the Safety Tips sheet packed with your unit.

Protect Your Components from Overheating

• Do not block ventilation holes in any of the components.

Arrange the components so that air can circulate freely.

• Do not stack components.

• Allow adequate ventilation when placing your components

in a stand.

• Place an amplifier or receiver on the top shelf of the stand so

heated air rising from it will not flow around other

components.

First Things First

Jacks and Cables

S-Video Jack and Cable

The S-Video jack provides the best picture quality for your system.

This jack is available on many TVs and is used in conjunction with audio cables to connect the receiver to your TV. Remember also to connect the left and right audio cables because the S-Video jack carries only the picture signal, not the sound.

Audio/Video Jacks and Cables (RCA-type)

The audio/video jacks provide very good picture and stereo sound quality, and should be used if your TV has no S-Video jack.

Theses jacks are used for most audio/video connections between components. The receiver audio/video jacks are color coded (yellow for video, red for right audio, and white for left audio). If your TV has only one input for audio (mono), connect it to the right (red) audio jack on the receiver.

RF Jacks and Coaxial Cables (F-type)

The RF jacks provide good picture and mono sound quality, and are to be used if audio/video connections are not available for your TV.

These jacks are required for antenna or cable-TV connections. The RF jacks on the receiver are labeled IN FROM ANT and OUT TO TV. The coaxial cable supplied with your system is used to connect the RF jacks between the receiver and your TV’s antenna input.

S-Video Jack

Audio/Video Jacks

RF Jack

First Things First

VIDEO

DIGITAL

SATELLITE

RECEIVER

VCR

IN FROM ANT

OUT TO TV

S-VIDEO

VIDEO

AUDIO

SATELLITE IN

AUDIO

LINRLRVIDEO

AUDIO

AUDIO INVIDEO IN

SATELLITE

DISH

CH3 CH4

OUT TO TV

IN FROM ANT

CABLE

OFF-AIR ANTENNA

CH4 CH3

AUDIO OUTVIDEO OUT

Connection A

Best Picture and Sound Quality

To use this connection you must have:

• TV with separate RF, audio/video, and S-Video inputs (jacks)

• VCR with RF and audio/video inputs

• Coaxial, audio/video, and S-Video cables

To connect TV, VCR and antenna or cable box:

1. Connect coaxial cables as shown.

2. Connect audio/video cables as shown.

3. Connect S-Video cable as shown.

To receive satellite programming:

1. Tune TV to receive the S-Video output from the receiver.

2. Tune receiver to desired channel.

To receive off-air programming (no cable box):

1. Turn off VCR and receiver.

2. Tune TV to desired channel.

To receive off-air programming (with cable box):

1. Turn off VCR and receiver.

2. Tune TV to cable box output channel (usually CH2, CH3,

or CH4).

3. Tune cable box to desired channel.

To record satellite programming:

1. Tune TV to receive S-Video output from receiver.

CAUTION

2. Tune receiver to desired channel.

3. Set your VCR to record on line input.

To view VCR programming:

Do not stack electronic components or other objects on top of the receiver. See Safety Information, inside front cover.

1. Tune TV to VCR output channel (usually CH3 or CH4).

First Things First

VIDEO

DIGITAL

SATELLITE

RECEIVER

VCR

IN FROM ANT

OUT TO TV

CABLE

OFF-AIR ANTENNA

VIDEO

AUDIO

SATELLITE IN

AUDIO

LINRLRVIDEO

AUDIO

AUDIO INVIDEO IN

SATELLITE

DISH

CH3 CH4

OUT TO TV

IN FROM ANT

AUDIO OUTVIDEO OUT

CH4 CH3

Connection B

Very Good Picture and Sound Quality

To use this connection you must have:

• TV with separate RF and audio/video inputs (jacks)

• VCR with RF and audio/video inputs

• Coaxial and audio/video cables

To connect TV, VCR and antenna or cable box:

1. Connect coaxial cables as shown.

2. Connect audio/video cables as shown.

To receive satellite programming:

1. Tune TV to receive line output from receiver

(often called Input 1).

2. Tune receiver to desired channel.

To receive off-air programming (no cable box):

1. Turn off VCR and receiver.

2. Tune TV to desired channel.

To receive off-air programming (with cable box):

1. Turn off VCR and receiver.

2. Tune TV to cable box output channel (usually CH2, CH3,

or CH4).

3. Tune cable box to desired channel.

To record satellite programming:

1. Tune TV to record line output from receiver (Input1).

2. Tune receiver to desired channel.

CAUTION

3. Set your VCR to record on line input.

To view VCR programming:

1. Tune TV to VCR output channel (usually CH3 or CH4).

Do not stack electronic components or other objects on top of the receiver. See Safety Information, inside front cover.

First Things First

Connection C

Good Picture and Sound Quality

SATELLITE

DISH

To use this connection you must have:

• TV with RF input (jack)

• VCR with RF and audio/video inputs

• Coaxial and audio/video cables

To connect TV, VCR, and antenna or cable box:

1. Connect coaxial cables and audio/video cables as shown.

To receive satellite programming:

• Tune TV to channel 3 or 4 (depending on how you set the

CH3/CH4 switch on the back of the receiver).

To receive off-air programming (no cable box):

1. Turn off VCR and receiver.

2. Tune TV to desired channel.

To receive cable programming (with cable box):

DIGITAL

SATELLITE

RECEIVER

VCR

OUT TO TV

IN FROM ANT

CH4 CH3

IN FROM ANT

CH3 CH4

OUT TO TV

VIDEO

LINRLRVIDEO

AUDIO

SATELLITE IN

AUDIO

AUDIO INVIDEO IN

AUDIO OUTVIDEO OUT

CABLE

OFF-AIR ANTENNA

1. Turn off VCR and receiver.

2. Tune TV to cable box output channel (usually CH2, CH3, or

CH4).

3. Tune cable box to desired channel.

To record satellite programming:

1. Tune TV to the channel on which you receive the satellite

signal.

2. Tune receiver to desired channel.

3. Set VCR to record on line input.

To view VCR programming:

1. Tune TV to VCR output channel (usually CH3 or CH4).

2. Turn receiver off.

CAUTION

Do not stack electronic components or other objects on top of the receiver. See Safety Information, inside front cover.

First Things First

Connection D

Good Picture and Sound Quality

To use this connection you must have:

• TV with RF input

• Coaxial cables

To connect TV and antenna or cable box:

1. Connect coaxial cables as shown.

To receive satellite programming:

• Tune TV to channel 3 or 4 (depending on how you set the

CH3/CH4 switch on the back of the receiver.

To receive off-air programming (no cable box):

1. Turn off receiver.

DIGITAL

SATELLITE

RECEIVER

SATELLITE

DISH

CABLE

OUT TO TV

IN FROM ANT

LINRVIDEO

AUDIO

CH4

VIDEO

CH3

AUDIO

SATELLITE IN

OFF-AIR ANTENNA

2. Tune TV to desired channel.

To receive cable programming (with cable box):

1. Turn off receiver.

2. Tune TV to cable box output channel (usually CH2, CH3, or

CH4).

3. Tune cable box to desired channel.

CAUTION

Do not stack electronic components or other objects on top of the receiver. See Safety Information, inside front cover.

First Things First

Interactive Setup

If you self-installed your satellite dish antenna, you may have already used the interactive setup to find the dish pointing coordinates, acquire and fine-tune the signal, and run a system test.

If you need to run the interactive setup again, select Options from the Main menu, then select Interactive Setup.

If you just want to check your dish pointing coordinates, or run the signal strength meter, select Dish Pointing from the Main menu.

Ordering Satellite Programming

After you have installed your system, you should contact the service providers, DIRECTV and USSB to receive satellite programming.

Programming with DIRECTV: Call 1-800-347-3288 Programming with USSB: Call 1-800-204-USSB

When you order programming, you need to know your Access Card number. To get the number, select Options from the Main menu, then System Options, and then select System Test.

Wait for the system to run all of it’s tests. The Access Card number is displayed at the end of the system test.

Write the Access Card number in the space below for easy reference:

________________________________

Program Guides

What is a Program Guide?

A program guide is an on-screen programming schedule. There are several types of guides, each presenting the schedule in a different format.

Using the program guide is easy as long as you remember the Point and Select rule. Point to items on the screen by pressing the arrow keys on the remote or front panel. Then, press MENU•SELECT to tune to that program.

First Things First

➣

Program Guides

➣

The Menu System

➣

Reference

➣

Appendices

Program Guides

Anatomy of a Program Guide

The following diagram shows you the kind of information you will see in the program guides.

Program titles

and information

Returns you to previous screen

Help gives you more information

Sort the guide by: Topics, Movies, or Sports

“Family” is one of five selectable Profiles

Scrolls through the guide

Indicates current time

Takes you to the Main menu

Displays more sorting options

Searches guide for specific information

Sorts the current guide alphabetically by title

Shows all available programs

Bringing Up the Program Guides

You can access the program guides by pressing MENU•SELECT on the remote and selecting Program Guide, or by using the GUIDE button on the remote.

Program Guides

Anatomy of The Channel Banner

Some of the items you select in the guides can also be selected in the channel banner.

Program titles and information

Takes you to

the Main menu

Locks and unlocks the system

Sorts the guide alphabetically by title

“Family” is one of five selectable Profiles

Use Home Control or Data Port

Read mail from program providers

Searches guide for specific information

The channel banner appears whenever you tune to a channel, exit a guide, or press INFO on the remote. Use the arrow buttons and MENU•SELECT to choose an item.

On-screen icons represent frequently used menu items. Some icons also change appearance to show the item’s status.

Green Unlock icon The system is unlocked. Spending, viewing and other limits can be accessed and changed.

Yellow Unlock icon A password has been entered to override family or profile limits. No limits can be accessed or changed.

Red Lock icon No limits can be accessed or changed. A password is required to override limits or access the system.

Highlighted Scout (binoculars) icon A Scout has found program information.

Highlighted Mail icon indicates a message in your mailbox. Home Control or Data Port icons The icon changes

appearance depending on how the Low Speed Data port is used.

Program Guides

Using the GUIDE Button

Each press of the GUIDE button takes you to an alternate type of program guide.

The Detail Guide

The Detail Guide shows five channels in a time-and-channel format, with program information for the highlighted program.

The Grid Guide

The Grid Guide shows seven channels in a time-and-channel format.

The SurfGuide

The SurfGuide displays a half-hour format. Press the right arrow button to extend the SurfGuide to a two-hour format.

Getting Around in the Guides

This section describes how to change channels and move around the program guide.

Point to Channels with the number keys (0-9)

You can point quickly to any channel in the program guide by entering the channel number with the number keys (0-9). For example, to point to channel 228, press the numbers 2-2-8 on the remote. To point to channel 530, press 5-3-0.

Scrolling Channel By Channel

The programs that you see on the TV screen make up one section—or page—of the total program guide. You can scroll to other sections using the arrows: point to other times with the left and right arrows; point to other channels with the up and down arrows.

Scrolling Page By Page

If you want to scroll up or down through the program guide faster, press the Channel Up/Down buttons on the remote control. The highlight scrolls a page at a time.

By default, the Detail Guide appears when you press GUIDE on the remote. You can change the default guide from the Detail Guide to the Grid Guide or SurfGuide.

Select Options from the Main menu. Select Look and Feel, then set the Default Guide.

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