Satellite Receiver User’s Guide GRD33G2A We bring good things to life.
SAFETY INFORMATION WARNING WARNING To reduce risk of fire or shock hazard, do not expose this receiver to rain or moisture. RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN Cautions 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 “dangerous voltage” inside the product that presents a risk of electric shock or personal injury.
TABLE OF CONTENTS First Things First ...........................................................3 What is the DSS® System? ............................................................4 Ordering DSS® Programming ...................................................... 4 Unpacking the Box .......................................................................... 5 Installing Batteries In the Remote Control ................................... 5 Using This Manual ..................................................
TABLE OF CONTENTS More Features .............................................................27 Pay-Per-View Programs ................................................................ 28 Using the Attractions Guide ......................................................... 29 Using the Purchases Menu ..........................................................30 Timer Feature ................................................................................ 31 Editing or Canceling a Timer ........................
FIRST THINGS FIRST Read the First Four Sections ➣ The first four sections of the manual introduce you to your DSS® system, and show you how to use the on-screen guides and menus. Reading these sections gives you the basic information you need to navigate the DSS® system.
FIRST THINGS FIRST What is the DSS® System? You’ve purchased the DSS® Digital Satellite System, so you already know a lot of the great things it offers. You know that the DSS® 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.
FIRST THINGS FIRST Unpacking the Box The following items come with your DSS® receiver: • Receiver (with access card inserted) • Remote Control ON/OFF DISPLAY MENU SELECT ANTENNA Receiver • OFF ON TV DSS • MENU SELECT GUIDE DISPLAY PREV CH CLEAR Remote Control 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 VOL 0 ANT CHAN • FAV INPUT ALT AUD MUTE Installing Batteries In the Remote Control Follow these steps whenever you need to install or change the batteries in your DSS® remote. 1.
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 option are shown in italics. Important Note about This User’s Manual This manual assumes that your DSS® system has been installed, meaning: 1. The DSS® satellite dish has been installed, correctly pointed at the satellite, and connected to your DSS® receiver. 2.
POINT AND SELECT A Navigation Method ➣ Point and Select is a method of navigating 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 DSS® system works.
POINT AND SELECT What is Point and Select? Point and Select is the two-step method you use to control the DSS® system. 1. Point MENU•SELECT 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.
PROGRAM GUIDES What is a Program Guide? 2 POINT AND SELECT 3 PROGRAM GUIDES 4 THE MENU SYSTEM 5 LISTS & LIMITS ➣ Using Program Guides 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 go to that program. 1 FIRST THINGS FIRST ➣ A program guide is an on-screen programming schedule. There are several types of guides, each presenting the schedule in a different format.
PROGRAM GUIDES Bringing Up the Program Guides You can access the program guides by using the GUIDE button on the remote, or by selecting Program Guide from the Main menu. When you press the GUIDE button on the remote, the Grid Guide appears on-screen. The Grid Guide is one type of program guide. Using A Program Guide • OFF ON There are several ways to navigate through a program guide, once it has been selected.
PROGRAM GUIDES 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. This is called “paging.” Tuning to a Program To tune to a program listed in the guide, point to the program and press MENU•SELECT. Then, you can select View Channel to tune to that program.
PROGRAM GUIDES Types of Program Guides There are three types of program guides: the Grid Guide, the Channel Guide, and the Attractions Guide. The Grid Guide Shows the schedule in a time-and-channel format, similar to a TV schedule listed in a newspaper. The seven-channel Grid Guide. The Channel Guide Displays the programming schedule in a channel-by-channel format. The Channel guide.
PROGRAM GUIDES The Attractions Guide Displays coming attractions and special events information. The Attractions guide. Sorting the Grid Guide There are six on-screen choices—called “buttons”— at the bottom of the Grid Guide: down arrow, Movies, Sports, Other, All, and Sort. The Sorting buttons are at the bottom of the screen. Down Arrow The down arrow button allows you to scroll down through other channels in the guide.
PROGRAM GUIDES Using the Sorting Buttons The remaining buttons at the bottom of the guide are called “sorting buttons.” These buttons allow you to simplify the guide to show specific types of information such as movies, or sports. The Movies button lists movies only. After selecting Movies, point to the Theme button that appears and press MENU•SELECT to sort the guide to list specific types of movies, such as comedies or thrillers. The Sports button lists sporting events only.
PROGRAM GUIDES Using the Themes Button After you select one of the sorting buttons, the name of that button changes into the Themes button. Use the Themes button to further sort the Grid or Info Guide to show subtopics (“themes”). For example, you could simplify the guide to show “baseball” under the Sports sorting button, or “comedies” under Movies. Exiting A Program Guide There are two ways to exit a Program Guide: • Tune to a program. • Press CLEAR on the remote.
THE MENU SYSTEM What is a Menu? POINT AND SELECT 3 PROGRAM GUIDES 4 THE MENU SYSTEM ➣ As with all of the on-screen displays, you use Point and Select to navigate. 2 ➣ Don’t Forget To Point and Select ➣ The DSS® menu is a list of choices, just like a menu in a restaurant. And, just as a restaurant menu is divided into sections such as appetizers, entrees, and desserts, the on-screen menus are also separated into sections to help you find the information you need.
THE MENU SYSTEM Using the Menu System To bring up the Main Menu, press MENU•SELECT on the remote. The Main Menu. To use the menu system, you need to know the Point and Select rule. Use the arrows on the remote to point to an item on the screen, and then press MENU•SELECT to select it. Exit and Help There are Exit and Help buttons at the top of most screens. Point to Exit and press MENU•SELECT to leave that screen. Point to Help and press MENU•SELECT to see more information about that screen.
THE MENU SYSTEM Menu Descriptions This section briefly describes each of the available Main Menu options. Detailed information about each menu is included in the sections of the manual which describe each menu. Program Guide Shows the on-screen programming schedule options. Mailbox Use to read your mail messages. Purchases Use to review or cancel upcoming purchases, and to review past purchases. Timers Allows you to schedule the DSS® system to tune to a specific channel at a specific time.
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LISTS & LIMITS Controlling The System ➣ The Lists & Limits feature puts you in control of your DSS® viewing by letting you create channel lists and set ratings and spending limits which can be password protected. 1 FIRST THINGS FIRST POINT AND SELECT 3 PROGRAM GUIDES 4 THE MENU SYSTEM ➣ 2 Especially for Parents ➣ In addition to activating the ratings, spending, and channel limits, the system lock feature keeps anyone from changing any of the limits without first entering a four-digit password.
LISTS & LIMITS An Overview When you select Lists & Limits from the Main Menu, the first screen you see is the Ratings Limit screen. By moving down through the other options, you can set per-event spending limits, create favorite channels lists, and also lock the system by assigning a password. Setting the Ratings Limit The Ratings Limit menu enables you to set a maximum viewing limit for rated movies (based on the MPAA ratings system), as long as the program provider has transmitted the proper code.
LISTS & LIMITS Setting Up Spending Limits Use the Spending Limit option to indicate a per-event spending limit for pay-per-view programs. 1. Point to Spending Limit, and press MENU•SELECT. Set a per-event spending limit. 2. Use the arrow keys to enter a single-event spending limit. After a spending limit is set and the system is locked, you must enter the system password to purchase a pay-per-view program that costs more than your spending limit allows.
LISTS & LIMITS 1. Point to Channel Lists and press MENU•SELECT. Select a Favorite channel list to edit. 2. Point to a channel list option and press MENU•SELECT. Channels containing a checkmark are included in the channel list . 3. Use the arrow keys to point to a channel, and press MENU•SELECT to remove (or replace) the check mark. After you have set up the channel lists and locked the system, you will need to enter the system password before you can modify the existing channel lists.
LISTS & LIMITS Parent Approved Channel List The Parent Apprv channel list enables you to limit access to channels by creating a list of acceptable channels, and then locking the system. When the system is locked, the Parent Apprv list overrides all other channel lists, and requires that you enter the four-digit system password to view an unapproved channel.
LISTS & LIMITS 2. Use the arrows or the digit keys to enter a four-digit system password. 3. Enter the password a second time to confirm it. After the system has been locked, you must enter the correct password in order to access the Lists & Limits menu, so Don’t Forget Your Password! If you do forget your password, contact your program provider’s authorization center. Unlocking the System When the system is unlocked, the spending and ratings limits, that you have set are no longer in effect. 1.
MORE FEATURES Up to this point in the manual, you’ve learned how to use the on-screen program guides, how to get around in the menu system, and how to use the Lists & Limits feature.
MORE FEATURES Pay-Per-View Programs Pay-per-view programs (PPV) are programs that you purchase on an event-by-event basis. For instance, there might be a specific channel that runs nothing but previews for movies. After previewing the movie, you can purchase it or find out more details about it. PPV programs can also be found in the Program Guide.
MORE FEATURES Using the Program Guide for PPV Programs When you use the Program Guide to select a PPV program, the Program Details screen gives you a few more options. Use the Program Guide to get to the Program Details screen. Select View Channel to see go to that channel and view a program preview (if a preview is available). Select Channel Guide to go to the channel guide. Select Buy Program to purchase the program. Select Other Times to see additional show times.
MORE FEATURES Using the Purchases Menu The Purchases menu allows you to review upcoming and past purchases. The Purchases menu shows you upcoming or past purchases. The list of purchases may be longer than one screen; use the down arrow keys to see more items. The display also shows the title, channel, date, time, and cost of each program. • Note that the Past Purchases list might be modified after each billing cycle and still show purchases for which you have already paid.
MORE FEATURES Timer Feature The Timer feature allows you to preset your system to automatically tune to a particular channel at a predetermined time. To use the Timer feature, select Timers from the main menu to bring up the Timers screen. Select a Timer (1, 2, 3, or 4) and then use the arrow keys to complete the on-screen sentence. When the sentence is complete, select Run Timer. Complete the sentence to set up the timer for each of the four available Timer options.
MORE FEATURES The Mailbox The mailbox shows you messages that are sent—or “mailed”— from your program providers. For example, you may receive a message calling your attention to a new service. How to Tell When You Have Mail There are two ways to tell if you have mail, depending on whether the DSS® receiver is turned on or off. • If the DSS® receiver is turned on, a mail icon appears in the upper right corner of the channel marker.
MORE FEATURES Mailbox Size The mailbox has enough memory to store as many as ten (10) 200-character messages. You should periodically review and erase your mail messages to prevent any mail messages from being erased by the system when memory runs low. Alternate Audio Programs Alternate Audio allows you to select different audio programs (when available) to be played with the video. For example, audio broadcast in a second language may be available for certain programs.
MORE FEATURES Picture Size The Picture size display screen allows you to choose between a standard TV screen and a Cinema option. A standard TV screen has an aspect ratio of 4:3; the Cinema option has an aspect ratio of 16:9. You should only use the Cinema option if you have a CinemaScreen® TV; using the Cinema option on a standard TV screen could crop the picture.
MORE FEATURES Using On-Line Help On-line Help is available for all of the menus and display screens. The System provides Auto Help, Help buttons, and Menu Help. Auto Help Most menus contain a short description of that menu. Help Buttons Help buttons appear in many display screens. To see information about the display screen you are using, point to the Help button and press MENU•SELECT. Press MENU• SELECT again to remove the message from the screen.
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CONNECTIONS 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 DSS® 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.
CONNECTIONS Connecting Your DSS® Receiver to Your TV If your DSS® system has not been professionally installed, or if you move your system or add a component, refer to these pages to help you connect your system. Jacks and Cables S-Video Jack and Cable (S-VHS) The S-Video jack provides the best picture quality for your DSS® system. This jack is available on many TVs and is used in conjunction with audio cables to connect the DSS® receiver to your TV.
CONNECTIONS Choosing a Connection The following pages show four examples of hookups commonly used to connect the DSS® receiver with a TV and other components. Refer to your TV and VCR Owner’s Manuals for more information on hooking up your specific components. Connection A Provides the best possible picture and stereo audio quality. To use Connection A, you must have: • TV with S-Video input, plus separate RF and audio/video inputs (jacks).
CONNECTIONS Connection A TV IN S-VIDEO VIDEO R AUDIO L SATELLITE DISH 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 inputs and outputs (jacks) • Coaxial, audio/video, and S-Video cables To connect TV, VCR and antenna or cable box.
CONNECTIONS Connection B TV IN VIDEO R AUDIO L Very Good Picture and Sound Quality SATELLITE DISH To use this connection you must have: • TV with separate RF and audio/video inputs (jacks) DSS RECEIVER OUT TO TV IN FROM ANT • VCR with RF and audio/video inputs • Coaxial and audio/video cables To connect TV, VCR and antenna or cable box. VCR CH3 CH4 IN FROM ANT CH4 CH3 VIDEO IN R VIDEO AUDIO L SATELLITE IN CABLE OR OFF-AIR ANTENNA AUDIO IN R L OUT TO TV 1.
CONNECTIONS Connection C TV IN SATELLITE DISH Good Picture and Sound Quality To use this connection you must have: DSS RECEIVER OUT TO TV IN FROM ANT • TV with RF input (jack) • VCR with RF and audio/video inputs • Coaxial and audio/video cables CH4 CH3 VCR IN FROM ANT CH3 CH4 To connect TV, VCR, and antenna or cable box. VIDEO IN R VIDEO AUDIO L SATELLITE IN CABLE OR OFF-AIR ANTENNA AUDIO IN R L OUT TO TV VIDEO OUT AUDIO OUT 1.
CONNECTIONS Connection D TV IN SATELLITE DISH Good Picture and Sound Quality To use this connection you must have: DSS RECEIVER CABLE OR OFF-AIR ANTENNA OUT TO TV IN FROM ANT • TV with RF input • Coaxial cables CH4 CH3 VIDEO R AUDIO L SATELLITE IN To connect TV and antenna or cable box: 1. Connect coaxial cables as shown. To receive DSS® programming: • Tune TV to channel 3 or 4 (depending on how you set the CH3/CH4 switch on the back of the DSS® receiver.
CONNECTIONS Interactive Setup If you self-installed your satellite dish, 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, go to the Assistance menu and select Setup. If you just want to check your dish pointing coordinates, or run the signal strength meter, select Dish Pointing from the Main menu.
REFERENCE DSS® System Overview Although the DSS® system is simple to use, there are a number of parts in the system. Don’t be overwhelmed. This section explains how these different parts work together to bring a picture to your screen. Controls and Buttons This section also describes the controlls located on the front and back of the receiver. Programming the Remote Control This section tells you how to program the remote to contol most brands of remote controllable televisions.
REFERENCE Parts of the DSS® System One way to understand the DSS® system is to look at the different parts of the system—from the studio down to the DSS® receiver and remote control in your living room. Uplink Center Satellite Dish Antenna Satellite ➣ Authorization Center World View These parts make up the DSS® system “big picture.” Uplink Center Transmits programming up to the satellite. Satellite Relays the programming signals back to your satellite dish.
REFERENCE Home View These parts are inside of or attached to your house. Satellite Dish DSS Receiver Telephone Jack Access Card and Security Clip Remote Control DSS® Satellite Dish Picks up the satellite’s coded program information and relays it to your DSS® receiver. (Your satellite dish may be installed in different locations on or around your house. The satellite dish must, however, be pointed in a southern direction toward the satellite.
REFERENCE Front Panel Controls ON/OFF DISPLAY MENU SELECT ANTENNA ON/OFF Turns the DSS® receiver’s power on or off. DISPLAY Brings up the on-screen channel marker. ANTENNA Switches the source of the video signal from DSS® satellite signals to an off-air antenna or cable signal. ARROWS Press the navigation arrows to move the on-screen highlight up, down, left, or right. Using the arrows to highlight a menu item is also called “pointing.” MENU•SELECT Brings up the Main menu.
REFERENCE Remote Control Buttons • OFF ON OFF•ON TV DSS Turns the device you are controlling on or off. TV Tells the remote to control the TV. • MENU SELECT GUIDE DISPLAY CLEAR PREV CH DSS Turns on the DSS® receiver and tells the remote to control DSS® system functions. DISPLAY Brings up the on-screen channel marker. MENU•SELECT Brings up the Main menu. If you are already in the menu system, press MENU•SELECT to select a highlighted choice.
REFERENCE Programming the Remote Control The DSS® remote can be programmed to control most brands of remote controllable televisions. Programming the Remote to Control a TV To determine whether the remote needs to be programmed, turn the TV on, point the remote at the TV, and press the TV button. Then press CHAN UP or DOWN to see whether the TV responds to the remote commands. Follow these steps to program your remote to control your TV. 1. Turn on the TV. 2.
REFERENCE Remote Codes TV Codes Akai ..................................................... 002 Anam National ................................... 038 AOC ............................. 011, 019, 027, 088 Candle ................................. 011, 027, 033 Citizen ......................... 011, 027, 033, 064 Colortyme ........................... 011, 027, 084 Concerto ..................................... 011, 027 Contec/Cony ...... 036, 037, 040, 042, 064 Craig .............................................
REFERENCE Glossary The following is a list of terms used in this manual. There is also a glossary contained within the Assistance menu of your DSS® system. Access Card Identifies you to the DSS® service providers and is required for your DSS® system to work. Do not remove the access card except when a new card has been issued to replace the original. Alternate Audio Refers to the different audio channels that may be broadcast in conjunction with a video program.
REFERENCE Main Menu The first list of choices in the DSS® on-screen menu system. Press the MENU button on the remote or front panel to bring up the Main menu. Past Purchases Detailed list of the programs that you have already purchased and viewed. Point and Select The method of using the remote control (or front panel) buttons to navigate to and make choices among the different parts of the on-screen displays.
REFERENCE Troubleshooting The DSS® System Test allows you to run a basic diagnostics check on your DSS® system. If you are experiencing any trouble with your system, run the system test. Make sure that • All connections—jacks, cables, etc. are correctly in place. See Connecting Your DSS® Receiver, page 46, for more information. • There are batteries in the remote, and that they are working correctly. • The access card is installed in the receiver.
APPENDIX A: WARRANTY INFORMATION Toll-Free Telephone Product Help You can reach Thomson Consumer Electronics at the following number: 1-800-679-4776 (Toll free inside U.S.A.) Our toll-free DSS® System number operates from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. EST on weekdays and 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. EST Saturday and Sunday. Thomson provides a toll-free telephone number to help you with any problems you may encounter with your DSS® System, as many problems can be diagnosed over the phone.
APPENDIX A: WARRANTY INFORMATION What we will do: • • During the initial 90 days: Exchange the defective portion of your DSS® with a new or, at our option, refurbished unit and correct any basic installation defects at no cost to you. After the 90 days and within one year: Exchange the defective portion of your DSS® with a new or, at our option, refurbished unit. We will bill you a flat exchange charge to replace a defective receiver. This charge covers the labor cost for its repair.
APPENDIX A: WARRANTY INFORMATION To receive a replacement receiver after we have received your unit: • • • • • Write the RA number on the outside of the carton used to return the unit. Make sure you insure your shipment in case of damage or loss. Carefully pack the unit using the original box and packing material if possible. Please retain all accessories that were included with your unit such as the remote control hand unit. Include with the shipment: – Evidence of purchase date such as a bill of sale.
APPENDIX B: FCC REGULATIONS FCC Registration Information Your DSS® equipment is registered with the Federal Communications Commission and is in compliance with parts 15B and 68, FCC Rules and Regulations. 1. Notification to the Local Telephone Company. On the bottom of this equipment is a label indicating among other information, the FCC Registration number and Ringer Equivalence Number (REN) for the equipment. You must, upon request, provide this information to your telephone company.
APPENDIX C: ACCESSORIES Accessory Order Form for GE DSS® Models Audio/Video Cables Description RG-6 Coaxial Burial Cable with weatherproof “F” connectors Part No. Price Qty Total RG-6 Coaxial Cable Stereo Audio/ Video Cable with gold RCA-type connectors 12 feet D912 $12.95 25 feet D925 $15.95 50 feet D950 $21.95 75 feet D975 $29.95 100 feet D901 $29.95 6 feet D906 $12.95 12 feet D914 $14.95 S-Video Cable D913 $12.95 “F” Connector D905 $ 5.30 Grounding Block D902 $ 2.
APPENDIX C: ACCESSORIES To order accessories, follow the instructions below to order by telephone. United States and Canadian Orders To place your order by phone, have your Visa or MasterCard ready and call the toll-free number listed below between 8 AM and 8 PM Eastern Standard Time. Use this number only to place an order for accessory items listed on this order form. 1 – 800 – 338 – 0376 Most times your order will be shipped UPS within 72 hours of receipt.
INDEX A F N R Access Card 47 Flashing ON/OFF light 32 New Access Card Setup 34 Receiver 47 new card setup 34 Front Panel controls 48 Remote control Access Card number 4 ANTENNA 48 O ALT AUD button 33 ARROWS 48 On-Line Help 35 Remote Control Buttons 49 Alternate audio programs 33 DISPLAY 48 ON/OFF Light, flashing 32 Arrow keys 8 MENU•SELECT 48 Ordering programming 4 Remote Control, programming 50 Attractions Guide 13, 29 ON/OFF 48 Audio/video jacks 38 Auto Help 35 Back Panel contr
Thomson Consumer Electronics is one of the first corporations to take part in a special program to improve our environment. Thomson has committed itself to a voluntary initiative program through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The program’s purpose is to reduce toxic air emissions and to promote pollution prevention. Thomson’s involvement includes a concentrated effort to phase in new water-based paints to replace solvent-based paints normally used in our manufacturing operations.
