The Menu System What’s a Menu? Using the Remote 3 Program Guides 4 The Menu System 5 Troubleshooting ➣ 2 Don’t Forget Point and Select As with all of the on-screen displays, you use Point and Select to navigate. Setup and Connections ➣ The on-screen menu is a list of choices, just like a menu in a restaurant.
The Menu System Using the Menu System To bring up the Main menu, press MENU on the remote. Use the MENU button to bring up the Main menu, and then use Point and Select to choose a menu option. Use point and select to choose an item from 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 OK to select it. Back and Help There are Back and Help buttons at the top of most screens.
The Menu System Menu Descriptions This section briefly describes each of the available Main menu options. More information about each menu and its features is included later in this chapter. Program Guide Shows the on-screen programming schedules. Mailbox Use to read mail messages from your program providers. Purchases Use to review or cancel upcoming purchases, and to review past purchases. Timers Allows you to schedule the digital satellite system to tune to a specific channel at a specific time.
The Menu System The Program Guide Selecting Program Guide brings up your default program guide: the Detail Guide, the Grid Guide or SurfGuide. Anatomy of a Program Guide The following diagram shows you the kind of information you will see in the Detail Guide and Grid Guide.
The Menu System 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 receiver is turned on or off. • If the receiver is turned on, the mail icon in the channel banner is highlighted. • If the receiver is turned off, the power light on the front panel of the receiver flashes.
The Menu System Pay-Per-View Programs Pay-per-view programs (PPV) are programs that you purchase—like a movie ticket—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. Purchasing and Previewing There are several ways to purchase and preview PPV movies and events: • Tune to a PPV program’s channel.
The Menu System 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. You need to connect your phone line to your satellite receiver to be able to order PPV programs using the on-screen menus. The Program Details screen gives you several options.
The Menu System Using the Attractions Guide Your program providers may offer future programming events not currently listed in your Program guide. These events are called “coming attractions,” and can be previewed in the Attractions Guide. 1. Press the GUIDE button on the remote until the Detail Guide or Grid Guide appears on-screen. 2. Use the down arrow button to move the highlight to the bottom of the screen. 3. Point to and select the Other Guides button. 4.
The Menu System Using the Purchases Menu The Purchases menu allows you to review upcoming and past purchases. The Purchases menu shows you upcoming or past purchases, and spending limits. 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.
The Menu System 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 OK. You can set a per-event spending limit for each Profile. 2. Use the digits on the remote or use the arrow keys to enter a singleprogram spending limit. After a spending limit is set and the system is locked, you must enter a password to purchase a pay-per-view program that costs more than your spending limit allows.
The Menu System Timers Feature The Timers feature allows you to preset your system to automatically tune to a particular channel at a predetermined time. To use the Timers feature, select Timers from the Main menu to bring up the Timers screen. Select a Timer (1-8) and then use the arrow keys to complete the on-screen sentence. When the sentence is complete, select Run Timer. Complete the on-screen sentence to set up a timer.
The Menu System Schedule a Timer with the RECORD Button You can schedule a recording directly from the guide. 1. With a program highlighted, press the RECORD button on the remote. The Program Details appears on-screen. 2. To schedule a timer to record, select: • Record Program to set a timer to record the program. Editing or Canceling a Timer • Buy and Record to purchase the program and set up a timer to record the program. (Some Buy and Record programs may have a different purchase price.
The Menu System Profiles When you select Profiles from the Main menu, the first screen you see is the Master Edit control panel. In addition to the Family profile, you can create as many as four different profiles that can be easily accessed by using the WHO button on the remote control. You can personalize the profile by entering a name. You can personalize each profile. You can also edit the user profiles. Select a profile from the Edit Users control panel.
The Menu System Creating a Profile Channel List 1. Point to and select a user. 2. Point to Edit Channels and press OK. To start, you can add or delete all channels. 3. Use the arrow keys to point to a channel, and press OK to remove (or replace) the check mark. Checkmarked items appear in the channel list.
The Menu System 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. • 1. Note that the ratings limit cannot be enforced if a program has not been rated, if rating information for that program is not transmitted by the program provider, or if the system has not been locked. Point to Set Rating Limit and press OK.
The Menu System Viewing Hours Use the Viewing Hours option to limit the total amount of time, as well as the viewing hours a user can watch programming. 1. Point to Viewing Hours, and press OK. You can limit viewing seven days a week. 2. Use the digits on the remote or point to the + or – and press OK to complete the on-screen sentence. Choose the days to view, how many hours can be viewed each day (0-24 hours) and when programming can be viewed.
The Menu System 2. Use the digits on the remote or use the arrow keys to enter a singleprogram 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. Locking a User’s Profile Each user can be assigned a personal password to lock his or her profile. When a password is assigned, the user must enter the password before he or she can view programs using that profile.
The Menu System Locking the System You can lock the system in order to put into effect the ratings, spending, viewing, and channel limits you have set up. When you lock the system, no one can modify any of these settings without first entering the fourdigit system password. 1. Point to Lock System and press OK. Locking the system protects the limits you set up. 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.
The Menu System Choosing Your Profile Each time that you turn on the receiver, the Family profile is selected by default. To select a different profile: 1. Press the WHO•INPUT button to scroll through the profiles. The WHO•INPUT button toggles through the profiles. 2. When your profile appears, enter your four-digit personal password to activate your profile. • If the profile is not password protected, you can just press OK to activate it.
The Menu System 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 just want to check your dish pointing coordinates, or run the signal strength meter, select Dish Pointing from the Main menu. About DSS Select About DSS from the Options menu to choose from a list of on-line Help topics.
The Menu System System Options System Test The System Test display screen is accessed through the Options menu, and allows you to initiate diagnostic procedures on the DSS® system. You should use this feature to get your Access Card number, or when your receiver doesn’t seem to be working correctly. A message screen appears, telling you whether the system passed each test. If your system fails a test, run the system test several times before concluding that there is a problem.
The Menu System 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. Data Port Lets you choose whether the low speed data port is used for low speed data or communicating with the Home Control Base accessory. See the Home Control section in this book for more information.
The Menu System The Dish Pointing Menu Screen Follow these steps to obtain your dish pointing coordinates: 1. Turn on your television and satellite receiver. 2. Tune your television to the satellite receiver’s output channel. 3. Press MENU on the remote to bring up the Main menu. 4. Use the arrows to highlight the “Dish Pointing” option, and then press OK to access the dish pointing screen. NOTE: The menu screen that you see may be slightly different from the one pictured here. 5.
The Menu System Using the On-Screen Signal Meter The signal strength meter is used to determine whether or not you are receiving the satellite signal, and it also indicates the strength of the satellite signal. Follow these steps to bring up the on-screen signal meter: 1. Turn on your television and satellite receiver. 2. Tune your television to the satellite receiver’s output channel. 3. Press MENU on the remote to bring up the Main menu. 4.
The Menu System Home Control Home Control lets you remotely control several lamps and appliances through your receiver. Home Control Setup The Home Control Data Interface connects to the HOME CONTROL jack on the back of the receiver. Once connected, you must tell the receiver to use this port for Home Control. 1. Press OK to bring up the Main menu. 2. Point to and select Options. 3. Point to and select System Options. 4. Point to and select Data Port and choose Home Control as the default setting.
The Menu System Keep track of devices by assigning a label. 4. Use the arrow buttons and OK to select the house and module codes that match the device’s remote module and label the module. Select Save Setup to complete the setup. Device Control Once the device is set up, there are two ways to control it; with the menu system, or with a timer. Select a device from the Home Control menu screen. You can then, turn it on, turn it off, or adjust the brightness for lamp modules.
The Menu System Complete the on-screen sentence to schedule a timer. 3. Use the arrows and OK to enter an on and off time. 4. Point to and select Run Timer. Clear Timer removes all the timer information. Suspend turns off the timer, but saves the timer information.
The Menu System Customizing the Fetch Menu To customize your Fetch menu: 1. Press MENU to bring up the Main menu. 2. Point to and select Options, Look and Feel, and then Edit Fetch. 3. Select Fetch Control. 4. Press OK to choose Show Fetch Menu. 5. Select Fetch List from the Edit Fetch menu. 6. Choose which eight menu items you would like to include in your customized menu by checkmarking them with the OK key. Choose which menu items to include in your customized Fetch menu. 7.
The Menu System Choose which menu item to assign to the FETCH button. 7. Press the left arrow key to confirm your selection and return to the menu. You may press the FETCH button on the remote and execute the assigned function at any time while viewing satellite programming.
The Menu System 68
Troubleshooting Tips for Solving Problems Setup and Connections ➣ You may have some questions about using your satellite system that you are unsure how to answer. This section provides the answers to such questions. You will find how to run a system test, how to diagnose problems, and how to correct problems.
Troubleshooting Running the System Test The System Test allows you to run a basic diagnostics check on your satellite system. If you are experiencing any trouble with your system, run the system test. It will allow you to get your Access Card number, or to initiate diagnostic procedures on the satellite system. First make sure that • All connections—jacks, cables, etc.—are correctly in place. See the section “Setup and Connections” for more information.
Troubleshooting How Signal Flow works DSS® Signal TV Signal From dish antenna From antenna or cable Digital Satellite Receiver SATELLITE IN OUT TO TV IN FROM ANT Audio Out Right Video Out Video S-Video Left If you use audio/video cables, view the DSS® signal by tuning the TV to its Line Input Channel.
Troubleshooting Wrong Signal? The receiver and most VCRs let you toggle between signals. If you don’t see the signal you think you should be seeing, try using these buttons to toggle between the signals: • Press the TV/VCR button on the VCR remote or on the VCR’s front panel. • Press the ANTENNA button on the remote control. Taking either of these actions lets you switch the source of the video signal from satellite signals to the off-air antenna or cable signal, and vice versa.
Appendix A: Warranty Information Repair Help Thomson Consumer Electronics offers hardware repair service if you encounter any problems with your system. Many problems can be diagnosed over the phone, or if necessary a replacement unit can be shipped to you. Please have your satellite system model, serial number and date of purchase ready when you call. If your unit is out of warranty, we will quote the cost of an exchange unit to you.
Appendix A: Warranty Information 2. 3. The exchange location will notify you of its arrival. Take your unit and evidence of purchase date, such as a bill of sale, to the exchange location and you will be provided the new or refurbished unit. Please retain all accessories such as the remote control hand unit. 4. If the repairs are covered by your warranty, you will not be billed. If you are not located near an exchange point: 1.
Appendix B: FCC Regulations FCC Registration Information Your 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 Digital Satellite Systems RG-6 Coaxial Burial Cable with weatherproof “F” connectors Description DSS1 POWER TV DSS2 FETCH Remote Control replaces a lost remote. Or, order a second remote for convenience. CLEAR CH+ ALT. AUD T ELE C S WHO VOL VOL MUTE 1 CH- Qty Total D912 $12.95 25 feet D925 $15.95 50 feet D950 $21.95 75 feet D975 $29.95 D901 $35.95 S-Video Cable 12 feet D913 $12.95 Weatherproof “F” Connector (2) D905 $ 5.
Appendix C: Accessories UnitedStatesandCanadaOrders Charge your order on your VISA, MasterCard, or Discover Card by filling in below To place your order by phone, have your Visa, MasterCard or Discover Card ready and call the toll-free number listed below between 8AM and 10PM (EST) Monday through Friday or between 9AM and 5PM (EST) Saturday.
Index 78
If your DSS® system needs service, please contact your dealer or the nearest Servicenter from the yellow pages. Please do not send any products to the Indianapolis address listed in this manual or on the carton. This will only add delays in service for your product. The following materials were used in printing this publication: 10330 North Meridian Street Indianapolis, IN 46290 85% THIS PAPER CONTAINS 85% RECYCLED MATERIAL. ©1998 Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
