Welcome to the DIRECTV Family
Safety & Care WARNING Safety & Care To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this product to rain or moisture. The apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing and that no objects filled with liquids, such as vases, shall be placed on the apparatus Your DIRECTV Plus Receiver has been designed and manufactured to stringent quality and safety standards. You should, however, be aware of the following important precautions for safe and optimal use of the equipment.
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide 10) Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus. 11) Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer. 12) Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
Safety & Care IMPORTANT: Be sure not to place your DIRECTV Plus Receiver near • anything WET or HOT! • • • 0/7%2 '5)$% -%.5 2%# !#4)6% ).&/ 3%,%#4 /0%. /0%. • • • • • connected. Try not to coil any twin-lead cables and keep them away from A/V cables as much as possible. Never insert objects of any kind into any openings in the DIRECTV Plus Receiver (other than the DIRECTV® Access Card as detailed in this chapter).
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide Chapter 1 – Getting Started Welcome .............................................................................................................. 2 About Your DIRECTV Plus® Receiver ................................................................ 2 Making the Right Connections ........................................................................... 3 Hardware Reference ............................................................................................
Getting Started 1 Welcome 2 About Your DIRECTV Plus® Receiver 2 Making the Right Connections 3 Hardware Reference 4 Getting Familiar 6 Choose Your Setup 9 Guided Setup & Activation 16 Programming Your Remote Control 18
CHAPTER 1 Welcome TIP You can find additional info and the latest updates at DIRECTV.com. With its astounding variety of channels and choices, crisp digital-quality picture and sound and one-of-a-kind sports and events… DIRECTV® service offers everything you’d want in your television experience. With DIRECTV Plus® you can expect more than ever before, with access to over 225 channels, including over 30 premium movie channels, with all the convenience of DIRECTV Plus service.
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide Making the Right Connections Are you ready to connect your DIRECTV Plus® Receiver and your other components? Whether you’re having your system professionally installed or handling it yourself, be sure to read over the following few pages to familiarize yourself with some important tips for safety and care. Before you begin Your satellite dish antenna must be installed before you can begin following the procedures in this User Guide.
CHAPTER 1 Hardware Reference General Satellite Dish Antenna This is your “dish” and related hardware, affi xed to your roof or other surface, which picks up the broadcast signals from our satellites. POWER GUIDE MENU REC ACTIVE INFO SELECT OPEN OPEN DIRECTV Plus Receiver (or Satellite Receiver) Your DIRECTV Plus Receiver picks up the signal from your satellite dish antenna and translates it into viewable TV programming. Access Card Contains info about your DIRECTV® service.
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide Best Audio: Digital Audio Optical Jack and Cable The Digital Audio Optical cable provides the best quality audio. The jack and cable use light to send digital audio data to A/V receivers equipped to receive and interpret it. The jack and cable (cable not included) must be aligned before plugging in, and may be covered by protective caps, which must be removed before making connections.
CHAPTER 1 Getting Familiar DIRECTV Plus Receiver Front Panel 1) DOOR PANEL, USB PORT – For future use. 2) POWER – Turns your DIRECTV Plus Receiver on or off. Your DIRECTV Plus Receiver still records and receives messages when powered off. 3) REMOTE SENSOR – The infrared sensor picks up commands from the remote control. 4) GUIDE – Displays the onscreen program guide. 5) MENU – Brings up the Quick Menu to access settings and services.
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide DIRECTV Plus Receiver Rear Panel Your equipment may not look exactly like the model illustrated. 1) SATELLITE IN – (2 inputs) Use to connect the DIRECTV Plus Receiver to the satellite dish antenna. Both inputs must be used to get the full range of DIRECTV Plus features. 2) RF REMOTE ANTENNA INPUT – For future use. 3) USB PORT – For future use. 4) OUT TO TV – Connects the DIRECTV Plus Receiver to your TV or VCR using RF coaxial cable.
CHAPTER 1 10) AUDIO (R-Red and L-White) – Audio cables offer better sound quality than RF coaxial cables. You can connect a second set of audio cables to another component, such as a VCR or stereo. 11) PHONE – Connects the DIRECTV Plus Receiver to a telephone wall jack. We require a landbased telephone connection to communicate periodically with your DIRECTV Plus Receiver. 12) AC POWER INLET – Connects the DIRECTV Plus Receiver to an electrical outlet.
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide Choose Your Setup There are several ways to connect your receiver to match your particular equipment setup and to gain optimum signal quality. The basic steps are as follows: • Connect the satellite dish cable to your receiver. • Connect the receiver audio and video to your TV or VCR. • If you connected the receiver to a VCR, connect the VCR to your TV. • Connect the receiver to a telephone line. • Plug in all power cords.
CHAPTER 1 S-Video & Digital Optical (or A/V Audio) Connection (Best Quality) TIP When working with cables, be Using the S-Video cable, connect one end to the S-VIDEO output jack on the DIRECTV Plus Receiver and the other end to the S-Video input jack on the TV. sure to connect corresponding outputs and inputs (Video OUT to Video IN, Right Audio OUT If your TV has a Digital Optical input, connect it to your DIRECT Plus Receiver using a digital optical cable.
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide 4ELEVISION OR $)2%#46 0LUS ¤ 2ECEIVER BEST QUALITY CONNECTION – S-Video & A/V or Digital Optical Audio The back panels of your equipment may not look exactly like those illustrated.
CHAPTER 1 TIP To switch between watching your VCR and watching video from your receiver, you may need to program the INPUT key on your DIRECTV Remote. (See page 18 for info.) Some TVs also have a menu button that allows you to change the video source using an onscreen menu.
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide 4ELEVISION $)2%#46 0LUS ¤ 2ECEIVER VERY GOOD QUALITY CONNECTION – A/V The back panels of your equipment may not look exactly like those illustrated.
CHAPTER 1 TIP To switch between watching RF Coaxial Connection (Good Quality) Using an RF coaxial cable, connect one end to the OUT TO TV jack on the DIRECTV Plus Receiver and the other end to the antenna in jack on the TV. your VCR and watching video from your receiver, you may need to program the INPUT key on your DIRECTV Remote. (See page 18 for info.) Some TVs also Set the 3/4 switch on the back of the DIRECTV Plus Receiver to the “blank” local channel for in your area.
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide 4ELEVISION $)2%#46 0LUS ¤ 2ECEIVER GOOD QUALITY CONNECTION – RF Coaxial The back panels of your equipment may not look exactly like those illustrated.
CHAPTER 1 TIP You may decide to set up, change or adjust some of the MENU Now that your receiver and equipment are all hooked up and plugged in, you’re ready to finish all the details to begin receiving your DIRECTV service. settings later. When you’re ready, press MENU on your SELECT Guided Setup & Activation remote, press SELECT on Settings then select Setup. 1) Make sure the MODE SWITCH on the remote control is set to DIRECTV. 2) Press TV POWER ON. The DIRECTV Plus Receiver will turn on.
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide Activate Your DIRECTV Service Once all the setup processes are complete, all that’s left to do is activate your DIRECTV service. Before you make the call, be sure to: Tune to Channel 100 and be sure you’re picking up a satellite signal (DIRECTV channel). Have on hand your service address, social security number and a valid major credit card. N ote your access card and receiver ID numbers (find these by pressing MENU, then go to Settings and press SELECT).
CHAPTER 1 Programming Your Remote Control You can program the DIRECTV Remote Control to operate your TV power, volume and mute, additional equipment such as a DVD, VCR, stereo, or second TV or DIRECTV Plus Receiver. 1) Press MENU to display the Quick Menu. 2) Highlight Settings and press SELECT. 3) Highlight Setup and press SELECT. 4) Press SELECT on Remote in the left menu. 5) Follow the onscreen instructions to program your remote for your TV or additional equipment (AV1 and AV2).
What’s On 2 Watching TV 20 The Guide 24 The Mini Guide 25 Recording Programs 26 Pay Per View 28 The Playlist 29
CHAPTER 2 Watching TV Now that everything’s set up, you’re ready to grab your remote and start surfing! With the MODE SWITCH to the left (under the DIRECTV logo), press TV POWER ON. To access the channel of your choice, simply key in its numbers on your remote (the channel will appear in a few seconds, or press ENTER after the numbers and it will appear right away). You can also navigate to different channels through the Guide, covered in detail starting on page 24.
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide DIRECTV Plus Features in Live TV Live Buffer: The DIRECTV Plus® Receiver saves programs to the hard drive instantly and continuously, while you watch. This “live buffer” lets you pause, rewind, fast forward or “instant replay.” If you start watching a program late, even if it is not set to record, you can back up to the beginning (up to 90 minutes) using REWIND, as long as you haven’t changed channels since the program started.
CHAPTER 2 DIRECTV Plus Features in Recorded TV Recorded programs can be found in the Playlist. To view the Playlist, press LIST. To return to live TV, press EXIT. Cruise Controls: The PAUSE, FFWD, REWIND, REPLAY, RECORD and ADVANCE keys work with recorded programs just as they do with live TV. Pressing STOP while you’re watching a recorded program stops playback and displays the Playlist.
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide The Channel Banner Any time you tune to a channel, you’ll see the channel banner appear across the top of the screen. This banner displays the following useful information and options: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 The channel banner gives you info on the channel and show you are currently 1) Current date & time 2) DIRECTV Channel – Channel logo, number and call letters of the station you’re currently viewing. watching.
CHAPTER 2 The Guide Overview of the DIRECTV Advanced Program Guide® The Guide displays listings of current and upcoming programs for up to 14 days in advance. Find out what’s on (now or later), change the channel, fi nd and purchase a pay per view movie or event, or search for a program you’re interested in. Icons you may see in the Guide: Press the GUIDE key twice to GU ID E TIP skip the Category Sort screen.
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide Press INFO when you’ve highlighted a show in the Guide to view a more in-depth description and options. Pressing INFO when you’ve highlighted the channel name displays the channel’s listing for up to 14 days. Press SELECT when you’ve highlighted a channel cell (far left) to view that channel in the TV window. Press MENU to see Guide options, change your Favorites list, or jump to a desired date and time. Press RECORD to record the program.
CHAPTER 2 Recording Programs An even better way to catch all your favorites Recording is a great way to see your favorite programs on your schedule. You won’t miss your favorite series because it moved to a different day or time, or miss your team’s playoff game because you had to work late. Just set a program to record and your DIRECTV Plus Receiver will save it for you to watch later. To watch recorded programs, use the Playlist feature. (See The Playlist on page 29.
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide Autorecord a Find Programs that match a find (see Find by, page 36) can be scheduled to autorecord. When the find results are displayed, simply select Autorecord from the left menu, then follow the onscreen instructions to set the record options.
CHAPTER 2 Pay Per View The Latest Movies, 24 Hours a Day You don’t have to go out for the best and biggest movies and special events! Recent hits and events like sports, comedy and more are available 24 hours a day on DIRECTV® Pay Per View. You’ll find them listed in the Guide in the 100s, with previews on channel 100. TIP Tune to a pay per view program or press INFO on a highlighted pay per view program. Select a Buy option and follow the onscreen instructions.
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide The Playlist Watching Your Recorded Programs The Playlist displays all saved, recorded programs in the Playlist tab. To display the Playlist screen, press LIST on the remote. Other programs, which may include behind-the-scenes and video extras for new movie releases, DIRECTV content packages, special offers, free events and more, are saved in the Showcases tab. Check the Showcases tab frequently for exclusive video content from premium programming providers.
CHAPTER 2 Disk Space Bar The Playlist displays a Disk Space bar that shows the approximate amount of space available on your disk at any given time. The Disk Space bar shows programs you have designated Keep until I Delete in blue, programs subject to expiration in light blue, and the remaining unused disk space that is available for recording in black.
The Quick Menu 3 Using the Quick Menu 32 Settings 32 Audio Options 33 Category Sort 35 Pay Per View 35 Find By 36 Date & Time 37 Favorites 37 Caller ID & Messages 38 Parental Controls 39 Quick Menu Features for Recording 42
CHAPTER 3 Using the Quick Menu Press MENU on your remote to easily access DIRECTV Plus™ service features. Once the Quick Menu is displayed, use the UP and DOWN arrows to highlight a desired menu item, then press SELECT to access that item. Some menu items will display a submenu, others will take you directly to a new screen. To remove the Quick Menu at any time, press MENU again. The Quick Menu is context-sensitive, meaning it shows different options depending upon where you are when you press MENU.
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide Reset From here you can reset the receiver, reset to factory defaults, or reset everything. Scheduler This feature gives you an overview of and access to all the programs you’ve set to record or purchase. Favorites Check the current status of your Favorites list(s) by clicking here, and make changes if you like. See page 37 for more details. Parental Controls Check the current restrictions of your Parental Controls by clicking here, and make any adjustments.
CHAPTER 3 Dolby® Digital 5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1 gives you five discrete channels of mid- and high-range digital audio, plus one channel of low-frequency (subwoofer) audio, for use by A/V receivers capable of decoding the 5.1-channel signal. The audio signals are broken into left-front, center, rightfront, left-rear, right-rear and low-frequency channels. The result, when your DIRECTV® Plus Receiver is connected to a compatible Dolby Digital 5.
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide Category Sort This feature lets you temporarily arrange the Guide to list only programs in a particular category such as Movies, Sports or News. While in the Guide, from the Quick Menu, select Category Sort. To further narrow your search, select the category you want, then select a subcategory if you wish. To quickly move through the Category Search results, use the RED or GREEN key on your remote to advance or reverse in 90-minute increments.
CHAPTER 3 Find By Would you like to locate a particular program, movie or sports event you want to see — even shows starring a favorite actor, or games with your favorite team? Find by offers some easy ways to spot just what you want to watch. Press MENU, then select Find by. You can find a program by Title, Person, Keyword or Channel. Your search will be quicker if you narrow your search by selecting subcategories; just follow the onscreen instructions.
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide Date & Time This option gives you a convenient way to look several days ahead in the Guide, without having to scroll through pages of programs. Favorites Favorites allows you to set up special, customized Guide that shows only those channels you choose. So you can have easy access to the channels you like best, or perhaps a grouping of family channels just for the kids.
CHAPTER 3 Caller ID & Messages This feature lets you get messages from DIRECTV. If you have Caller ID service*, you can also view phone calls you’ve received or turn call notification on or off. Press MENU to display the Quick Menu, select Caller ID & Msgs, then select Edit Settings. Select either Caller ID or Messages from the left menu, as desired. Caller ID The Call Log tab displays up to 25 recent incoming calls. Highlight and select a name to delete that listing from your log.
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide Parental Controls Parental Controls enables parents to place certain restrictions on just who’s watching what, and require a passcode to view restricted programming. Whether it’s for mature content or spending amounts, you’re always able to keep limitations where you want them for the whole family. Press MENU to display the Quick Menu, SELECT Parental Controls, then Edit Settings, and you’ll see the current status showing any restrictions.
CHAPTER 3 Channel Blocks You can block viewing of a certain channel or channels from this menu. SELECT Chan Blocks in the left menu, then scroll down the channel list to SELECT those you wish to block, or key in channel numbers for quicker access. Use Block All or Allow All to save time if you wish to affect a large number of channels. Spending From the left menu, SELECT Spending, then set your preferred spending limit for any single pay per view purchase.
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide Let me in…! Temporarily or permanently unlocking a restriction is easy. To temporarily unlock a particular program: 1) When any controls are currently activated, Unlock Now will appear if you try to tune to a restricted program. 2) SELECT Unlock Now and enter the password. For more unlock options: 1) Press MENU, then SELECT Parental Controls. TIP The Parental Control icon in the Channel Banner will tell you if the receiver is locked, temporarily unlocked, or unlocked.
CHAPTER 3 Quick Menu Features for Recording The Quick Menu includes special recording features over certain screens. Quick Menu over the Playlist screen: • List by... lets you sort how the programs appear in the list. • Mark & Delete lets you mark programs and delete them from the Playlist screen. • Open/Close All lets you open and close all groups at once. Quick Menu over recorded TV: • Keep... lets you change how long a recorded program will be kept on disk.
Other Information 4 Troubleshooting 44 Limited 90-Day Warranty 52 Product Info 54 DIRECTV PROTECTION PLAN 55 FCC Customer Information 56 Index 57
CHAPTER 4 Troubleshooting TIP You can find additional troubleshooting help at DIRECTV.com. Many problems can be corrected by performing a simple reset of the DIRECTV Plus® Receiver. If you experience image freezes, audio freezes or blank screen, or the system won’t respond to front panel or remote control keys, try one of these: Press the red RESET button behind the access card panel door on the front of the DIRECTV Plus Receiver, then wait for program guide info to be acquired.
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide DIRECTV Plus Receiver or TV Problems Wrong picture, blue screen, snow or black/blank picture The DIRECTV Plus Receiver and most TVs, VCRs and DVDs let you toggle between video sources. If you don’t see the signal you think you should be seeing, try using these keys to toggle between the signals: Press the TV INPUT key on the DIRECTV Remote Control. Press the TV/VCR key on the VCR remote or on the VCR’s front panel. Press the TV/DVD, INPUT or SOURCE key on the DVD remote.
CHAPTER 4 Turns off while playing Electronic protection circuit may have been activated because of a power surge. Wait 30 seconds, then turn on again. Unplug the DIRECTV Plus Receiver for a few minutes, then plug back in. If this happens frequently, the voltage in your house may be abnormally high or low. Consider using a surge protector or line conditioner.
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide Partial programming loss/channels missing from the Guide/channel is in the Guide but can’t tune to Your satellite dish antenna may be incorrectly configured. Check the dish type set in your receiver’s preferences and change if necessary. Press MENU on the remote control, then select Settings, then Setup. In the left menu, select Satellite, then Repeat Satellite Dish Setup button. Follow the steps.
CHAPTER 4 A program I recorded was in the Playlist, but got deleted before I could watch it. When you schedule a recording from an Info screen, you can select how long your recording are kept: Until I Delete, or Until Space Needed. When you schedule a program with one-touch record, the recording defaults to Until Space Needed. Programs that are set to be kept Until Space Needed may be deleted as new programs are recorded.
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide When I am watching a recorded program, and the DIRECTV Plus Receiver starts to record another program, my image quality deteriorates. Press PAUSE, then PLAY. Press EXIT to return to live TV, then press LIST. SELECT the program you were watching from the Playlist and press PLAY. (You may have to fast forward back to the point where you were. I want to watch a program, but all I get is a black screen. When I go to the Guide or another screen, the TV window is black.
CHAPTER 4 Remote Control Problems Problems with the remote control Check that nothing is between the remote control and the remote sensor. Make sure the remote control is in DIRECTV mode. Slide the MODE switch to the DIRECTV position so the remote will control the DIRECTV Plus Receiver. Check the batteries in the remote control. They may be weak, dead or installed incorrectly. Try replacing batteries.
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide Running the System Test The System Test allows you to run a basic diagnostics check on your DIRECTV Plus Receiver. If you are experiencing any trouble with your receiver, run the system test. It will also allow you to get your access card and receiver ID numbers or to initiate diagnostic procedures on your digital satellite receiver. First make sure that: A ll connections — jacks, cables, etc.
CHAPTER 4 Limited 90-Day Warranty DIRECTV warrants your DIRECTV Plus Receiver (Model Number: R15) and any included accessories against defects in material or workmanship for a period of ninety (90) days after the date of purchase. Who is Covered? You must have proof of purchase to receive warranty service. A sales receipt or other document showing that you purchased the product is considered proof of purchase.
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide Any modifications or other changes to the product, including but not limited to software or hardware modification in any way other than as expressly authorized by DIRECTV will void this limited warranty. Except in the case of hardware or software provided by DIRECTV, installing software modifications, “hacks” or utilizing service access or “back doors” will void this limited warranty.
CHAPTER 4 To Get Out-of-Warranty Service... To obtain out-of-warranty service contact DIRECTV at 1-800-DIRECTV for information on the possibility of and any costs for repair or replacement of outof-warranty products. ALL WARRANTIES IMPLIED BY LAW, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE EXPRESSLY LIMITED TO THE DURATION OF THIS EXPRESS LIMITED WARRANTY. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ANY WARRANTIES IMPLIED BY THE LAW OF ANY STATE OF THE U.S.A.
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide DIRECTV PROTECTION PLAN Protect your DIRECTV® System with the DIRECTV PROTECTION PLAN. For a low monthly fee, the DIRECTV PROTECTION PLAN covers the components of your DIRECTV System, giving you peace of mind and comprehensive support to ensure that you and your family enjoy nonstop DIRECTV® entertainment. DIRECTV PROTECTION PLAN Benefits Your DIRECTV Limited Warranty provides certain remedies for this receiver during the stated coverage term.
CHAPTER 4 FCC Customer Information This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Responsible Party: DIRECTV, Inc. 2230 E.
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide This equipment complies with Part 68 of the FCC Rules and the requirements adopted by ACTA. On the back of this equipment is a label that contains a product identifier in the format US:AAAEQ##TXXXX. If requested, this information must be provided to your telephone company. This equipment uses the following USOC Jack: RJ11C.
CHAPTER 4 Index A F N Q Access card 6, 51 ARROW keys 6 Audio options 23, 33 Dolby® Digital 5.
DIRECTV Plus® - User Guide T Temporarily unlock 41 Timer 46 To Do List 27, 28 Troubleshooting 43, 44 Tuning to a program 50 TV ratings 39 U Unlock a particular program 41 W Warranty 5, 43, 52, 53, 54 Chapter 4 59
DIRECTV programming sold separately. ACTIVATION OF PROGRAMMING MAY BE SUBJECT TO CREDIT APPROVAL AND REQUIRES VALID SERVICE ADDRESS, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER AND/OR MAJOR CREDIT CARD. DEPOSIT OR PREPAYMENT MAY BE REQUIRED. Programming subject to change. DIRECTV services not available outside the U.S. DIRECTV programming is sold separately and independently of DIRECTV System hardware. A valid programming subscription is required to operate DIRECTV System hardware.
