VCR Programmer
(150-1996) Preparation Faxback Doc. # 63956
Installing Batteries
Your programmer requires three AAA batteries (not supplied) for power. For
the best performance and longest life, we recommend RadioShack alkaline
batteries.
CAUTIONS: Use only fresh batteries of the required size and recommended
type.
Do not mix old and new batteries, different types of batteries
(standard, alkaline or rechargeable) or rechargeable batteries
of different capacities.
Do not press any of the VCR Programmer's keys while installing
batteries.
Follow these steps to install batteries.
1. Lift the battery compartment cover's tab, then remove the cover.
2. Place the batteries in the compartment as indicated by the polarity
symbols (+ and -) marked inside.
3. Replace the cover.
When batteries become low, LOW BATTERY appears for one second. Although
the VCR Programmer sill continue to operate, we recommend replacing the
batteries before the screen fades and cannot be seen. Replacing the
batteries restores full functionality and does not require you to
reprogram manufacturer's codes or programmed events. However, the clock
time must be reset to record programs.
WARNING: Dispose of old batteries promptly and properly. Do not burn or
bury them.
CAUTION: If you do not plan to use the programmer for a month or longer,
remove the batteries. Batteries can leak chemicals that can
destroy electronic parts.
Notes: The VCR Programmer is designed to turn itself off when not in use,
to conserve battery life.
Do not place objects on top of the VCR Programmer after you have
installed the batteries. This can depress keys for an extended
period of time and reduce the battery life.
Device Types
You can use the VCR Programmer's device keys to control the following
types of devices:
VCR - VCRs
CBL - Cable converters and satellite receivers
Setting up the Programmer
Setting the Day and Time
To set the correct day and time on your programmer, perform the following
steps in sequence. If you pause for longer than 30 seconds between steps,
the programmer exits setup. Begin again.
Note: If you accidentally press the wrong key in a sequence, INVALID
appears. Simply press the correct key and the sequence will continue
uninterrupted.
1. Hold down CLOCK SET until CLOCK SET appears.
Note: If you see CODE SET instead, press VCR +/- once. CLOCK SET
appears.
2. Press CLOCK SET once. The current day and time appear or, if the
programmer has not been programmed before, the default day and time
(e.g., Sunday, 12:00 A.M.) appear.
3. Press DAY repeatedly to set the current day, or hold it down to scroll
forward through all the days.
4. Press HOUR +/- repeatedly to set the current hour, or hold it down to
scroll (up or down) through all the hours.
Note: Be sure the hour you select correlates to AM or PM.
5. Press MINUTE +/- repeatedly to set the current minute, or hold it down
to scroll (up or down) through all the minutes.
6. Check the displayed time against your time reference. If the time is
incorrect, repeat necessary steps. If the time is correct, press CLOCK
SET once to accept your settings. SUCCESS, then EXIT SETUP, then your
programmed day and time appear. The programmer then turns off to
conserve battery life.
Setting Up the Device IDs
The instructions in "Setting Up the Device IDs" and "Testing the Setup"
must be performed in sequence without pausing. We suggest you read these
sections before starting setup. Pausing for longer than 30 seconds
between steps exits the program.
Note: If you accidentally press the wrong key in a sequence, INVALID
appears. Simply press the correct key and the sequence will continue
uninterrupted.
Locate and note the brand names and codes of your VCR and cable converter
(or satellite receiver) in "Manufacturer's Codes" on Faxback Doc. # 63959.
The brands are listed in alphabetical order with the most popular codes
listed first. Use the appropriate codes to operate your VCR and cable
converter (or satellite receiver's) output.
Make sure your TV, VCR and cable converter (or satellite receiver) are
turned on, and you are watching the TV through your VCR. If you are using
a cable converter (or satellite receiver), your VCR must be set to Channel
3 or 4, and be connected to the cable converter's (or satellite
receiver's) output.
Setting Up Your VCR
1. Insert a blank videocassette into your VCR.
2. On the programmer, hold down CLOCK SET until CLOCK SET appears.
3. Press VCR +/- once. CODE SET appears.
Note: VCR +/- toggles between CODE SET and CLOCK SET.
4. Press CLOCK SET once. VCR 0000 appears.
5. Repeatedly press VCR + to move through the manufacturer's codes, or
hold it down to scroll through all the codes. If you bypass your code,
press VCR - to go back to it.
Note: Only codes available in the code library appear.
6. Aim the programmer at your VCR and press RECORD LENGTH once. IR
appears and flashes as the programmer tests your VCR. If you have
found the correct code, the VCR plays the tape.
If the tape does not play, repeat steps 5-6, trying each code for your
brand until you find one that works. If you still cannot find your
code, try searching the code library as follows:
While still in VCR code set-up mode, aim the VCR Programmer at your
VCR.
Slowly alternate between pressing VCR + and RECORD LENGTH.
Stop when the VCR begins to play the tape.
Note: If your tape is blank, you will see video noise (or "snow") when
the VCR begins to play.
7. Press CLOCK SET once to accept your settings. SUCCESS appears, then
CAB 0000.
8. If you have a cable converter (or satellite receiver), go to "Setting
Up Your Cable Converter" (or "Satellite Receiver").
If you do not have a cable converter (or satellite receiver), press
CANCEL once to exit cable setup. Move to "Testing the Setup" below.
Setting Up Your Cable Converter (or Satellite Receiver)
1. Repeatedly press VCR + to move through the manufacturers' codes, or
hold down to scroll through all the codes. If you by pass your code,
press VCR - to go back to it.
Note: Only codes available in the code library appears.
2. Aim the programmer at your cable converter/satellite receiver and
press RECORD LENGTH once. IR appears and flashes as the programmer
tests your cable converter (or satellite receiver). If you have found
the correct code, the cable converter (or satellite receiver) changes
channels.
If the channels do not change, repeat steps 1 and 2, trying each code
for your brand until you find one that works. If you still cannot find
your code, try searching the code library as follows.
While still in CBL mode, aim the VCR Programmer at your cable
converter (or satellite receiver).
Slowly alternate between pressing VCR and RECORD LENGTH.
Stop when the cable converter (or satellite receiver) changes
channels.
3. Press CLOCK SET once to accept your settings. SUCCESS appears, then
POWER OFF.
4. Turn off your VCR and cable converter (or satellite receiver) within 5
seconds and move to "Testing the Setup".
Testing the Setup
Once you have programmed your VCR and (optional) cable converter (or
satellite receiver), the programmer performs a test tomake sure your
devices are programmed correctly.
Due to differences in the way devices are manufactured, four possible
tests are required to determine which IR codes created by the programmer
will control your devices. If the first test is not successful, try the
next three tests in sequence, until you find one that operates your VCR
and (optional) cable converter (or satellite receiver).
Note: If you accidentally press the wrong key in a sequence, INVALID
appears. Simply press the correct key and the sequence will continue
uninterrupted.
The fist test takes about 30 seconds. If it is successful, the programmer
turns on your VCR, switches to channel 13 (or 113, if your VCR uses three
digits for channels), records for 10 seconds, stops recording and turns
off your VCR.
If you also have a cable converter (or satellite receiver), a successful
test turns on your VCR and cable converter (or satellite receiver),
switches it to channel 13 or 113, records for 10 seconds, stops recording
and turns off your VCR and cable converter (or satellite receiver).
Follow these steps to perform the test.
1. After completing setup, make sure your VCR and cable converter (or
satellite receiver) are turned off. TEST 1 appears.
2. Aim the VCR Programmer at your VCR and/or cable converter (or
satellite receiver).
3. Press CLOCK SET once to start the first test. TESTING appears as the
programmer tests your VCR.
4. When the test is over, ACCEPT appears. If the test was successful,
your VCR recorded 10 seconds of channel 13 or 113. Press CLOCK SET
once to accept your settings. DONE, EXIT SETUP, and your programmed
day and time appear. The display then turns off to conserve battery
life.
If test was unsuccessful, press CANCEL once. TEST 2 appears. Repeat
Steps 3 and 4. You may have to try tests 3 and 4 in order to find the
right test for your devices.
When a test completes and the display turns off, you are ready to program
your programmer to record an event.
Note: You do not have to set up your programmer for device IDs again
unless you change your brand of VCR or cable converter (or satellite
receiver).
(EB 1/29/1)