Scientific Atlanta 8300 User Manual

Connecting the

Explorer® 8300

Digital Video Recorder

TM

Contents

Safety Compliance Statements ........................................................................... iii

Change the Way You Watch TV ............................................................................ 1

Safety First ............................................................................................................ 1

The Explorer eClub .............................................................................................. 1

Identify Your 8300 ................................................................................................. 1

What’s On the Front Panel?................................................................................. 2

What’s On the Back Panel? ................................................................................. 3

Connecting Entertainment Devices ................................................................... 4

Connecting the 8300 to a TV and VCR ............................................................... 5

Connecting the 8300 to a Stereo TV and Stereo VCR ...................................... 6

Connecting the 8300 to a Home Theater, Stereo TV,

and External SATA Hard Disk Drive ................................................................... 7

Watching TV........................................................................................................... 8

Performance Tips ................................................................................................. 9

Compliance Information ....................................................................................... 10

Safety Compliance Statements

Note to CATV System Installer
(USA/Canada Only)

This reminder is provided to call the CATV
system installer’s attention to Article 820-40
of the NEC (Section 54, Part I of the Canadian
Electrical Code), that provides guidelines for
proper grounding and, in particular,
specifies that the CATV cable ground shall
be connected to the grounding system of
the building, as close to the point of cable
entry as practical.

This symbol is intended to alert you that
uninsulated voltage within this product may
have sufficient magnitude to cause electric shock.
Therefore, it is dangerous to make any kind of
contact with any inside part of this product.

CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electric
shock, do not remove cover (or back).
No user-serviceable parts inside. Refer
servicing to qualified service personnel.

TO PREVENT FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO RAIN OR
MOISTURE.

This symbol is intended to alert you of the
presence of important operating and
maintenance (servicing) instructions in the
literature accompanying this product.

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

AVIS

WARNING

Read and Retain These
Instructions

• Read all of the instructions before you operate this set­top. Give particular attention to all safety precautions.
Retain the instructions for future reference.

• Comply with all warning and caution statements in the
instructions. Observe all warning and caution symbols
that are affixed to this set-top.

• Comply with all instructions that accompany this set­top.

Placement

Place this set-top in a location that is close enough to an
electrical outlet to accommodate the length of the power
cord.

Note: The power cord is the mains power supply
disconnect device.

Place this set-top on a stable surface. The surface must
support the size and weight of this set-top.

Avoid personal injury and damage to this
set-top. An unstable surface may cause this
set-top to fall.

WARNING:

Ventilation

This set-top has openings for ventilation that protect it
from overheating. To ensure the reliability of this set-top,
follow these guidelines to avoid obstructing the openings:

• Do not place other equipment, lamps, books, vases
with liquid, or any other object on the top of this set­top.

• Do not place this set-top in any of the following
locations:

- On a bed, sofa, rug, or similar surface

- Over a radiator or a heat register

- In an enclosure, such as a bookcase or

equipment rack, unless the installation
provides proper ventilation

Cleaning the Set-Top

Before cleaning this set-top, unplug it from the electrical
outlet. Use a damp cloth to clean this set-top. Do not use
a liquid cleaner or an aerosol cleaner. Do not use a
magnetic/static cleaning device (dust remover) to clean
this set-top.

iii

Safety Compliance Statements

Object and Liquid Entry

Never push objects of any kind into this product through
openings as they may touch dangerous voltage points or
short out parts that could result in a fire or electric shock.
Do not expose this set-top to liquid or moisture. Do not
place this set-top on a wet surface. Do not spill liquids on
or near this set-top.

WARNING:

Avoid electric shock and fire hazard. Never
push objects through the openings in this
equipment. These objects can cause electrical
shorts that can result in electric shock or fire.
Do not expose this set-top to rain or moisture.
Do not place objects filled with liquid (such as
vases) on this set-top.

Accessories

Do not use accessories with this set-top unless
recommended by your cable service provider.

Overloading

Do not overload electrical outlets, extension cords, or
integral convenience receptacles, as this can result in a
risk of fire or electric shock. For equipment that requires
battery power or other sources to operate, refer to the
operating instructions for that equipment.

Lightning and Power Surges

Ground (earth) your cable system to provide some
protection against voltage surges and built-up static
charges. Plug your set-top into a surge protector to
reduce the risk of damage from lightning strikes and
power surges. If you have questions, call your cable
service provider.

Power Cord Protection

Arrange all power cords so that people cannot walk on
the cords, place objects on the cords, or place objects
against the cords, which can damage the cords. Give
particular attention to the cords at the point at which the
cord connects to the plug, at electrical outlets, and at the
places where the cords exit the set-top.

iv

Power Sources

A label on this set-top indicates the correct power
source for this set-top. Operate this set-top only from an
electrical outlet that has the voltage and frequency that
the label indicates.

If you are unsure of the type of power supply to your
residence, consult your cable service provider or your
local power company.

Power Cord Polarization

This set-top has a two-prong plug. Properly ground
(earth) this set-top by inserting the plug into a grounded
electrical, two-socket outlet. If this plug is polarized, it
has one wide prong and one narrow prong. This plug fits
only one way.

CAUTION:

To prevent electric shock, match wide blade
of plug to the wide slot, and then fully insert.

If you are unable to insert this plug fully into the outlet,
contact an electrician to replace your obsolete outlet.

Servicing

Do not open the cover of this set-top. If you open the
cover, your warranty will be void. Refer all servicing to
qualified personnel only. Contact your cable service
provider for instructions.

Damage that Requires Service

For damage that requires service, unplug this set-top
from the electrical outlet. Refer to qualified personnel
when any of the following occurs:

• There is damage to the power cord or plug

• Liquid enters the set-top

• There is exposure to rain or water

• Operation is not normal (the instructions in this guide
describe the proper operation)

• If you drop this set-top, or damage the cabinet of this
set-top

• If this set-top exhibits a distinct change in performance

Upon completion of any service or repairs to this set-top
(home terminal), the service technician will perform
safety checks to determine that the equipment is in
proper operating condition.

Change the Way You Watch TV

Use the Explorer® 8300™ Digital Video Recorder (DVR) to control live TV, record TV programs without a
VCR, and watch two programs at the same time.

When two of your favorite programs are scheduled at the same time, you can record one program on the
8300 while watching the other.

With the 8300 you can watch two programs at the same time, even if your TV does not have picture-in­picture (PIP) capability.

Follow the instructions in this guide to install the 8300, to become familiar with the buttons on the front
panel and to access your cable services. Then, enjoy the features of the 8300 and change the way you
watch TV!

Safety First

Before using the DVR, read the SAFETY COMPLIANCE STATEMENTS section of this guide.

The Explorer eClub

The online Explorer eClub provides news and information about the Explorer 8300 DVR. You can access
the Explorer eClub on the Internet at the following Web address:

www.scientificatlanta.com/explorerclub
To join and access the online Explorer eClub, you need the serial number of the 8300.

Identify Your 8300

To find the serial number for your 8300, look on the back
for a label that is similar to the example shown here. The
serial number begins with SA and is located in the lower
left corner of the bar code.

If the 8300 requires troubleshooting in the future, your
cable service provider may ask for this serial number.

Use the space provided here to record the serial number:
_______________________

0003B4287797

SABDQXTL N0006246618

Serial Number

T111 85

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