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Press DASH twice to delete a show in the Playlist. Keys in the shaded areas above operate your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR, or can be programmed to function with your VCR, DVD player or stand-alone DVR unit.
Safety & Care WARNING Your DIRECTV® Plus HD DVR has been designed and manufactured to stringent quality and safety standards. You should, To reduce the risk of fire or electric however, be aware of the following important precautions for safe and optimal use of the equipment.
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• If you move your DIRECTV Receiver between locations at diff erent temperatures, allow it to reach room temperature before you apply power to it. • Do not pick up or otherwise move your DIRECTV Receiver while it is connected to the AC power supply. If you want to move your set-top box, fi rst disconnect it,...
Table of Watching TV ................................11 Contents DIRECTV Plus HD DVR Features in Live TV..................12 DIRECTV Plus HD DVR Features in Recorded TV ................13 The Channel Banner ............................15 The Guide .................................17 Overview of the DIRECTV Advanced Program Guide® .................17 Getting Around in the Guide ..........................17 The Mini Guide: Program Listings While You Watch TV................18...
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Pay Per View ................................31 Search ..................................31 Date & Time ................................32 Favorites ..................................32 Channels I Get ..............................33 Caller ID & Messages ............................33 Caller ID ................................33 DIRECTV Messages ............................34 Parental Controls ..............................34 Ratings...................................34 Channel Blocks ..............................35 Spending ................................35 Hours ..................................35 Now, lock it ................................36 Let me in…! ................................36...
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To Get Warranty Service..........................52 To Get Out-of-Warranty Service........................52 Product Information...............................54 DIRECTV PROTECTION PLAN .........................55 DIRECTV PROTECTION PLAN Benefits.....................55 Sign up for the DIRECTV PROTECTION PLAN Today ..............56 FCC Customer Information ..........................57 TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR USE OF SOFTWARE (“TERMS”) ..........60...
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HDTV Settings in Guided Setup ........................74 Now, let us lead the way… ..........................75 Activate Your DIRECTV® Service........................75 Programming Your Remote Control ........................76 Factory Defaults ..............................76 Using Your IR or RF Remote to Control Your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR ..........77 viii...
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Appendix B: High-Def 101 ..............79 About High-Definition ............................80 Types of TV Broadcasts ............................80 Resolution & Interlacing ...........................81 Aspect Ratio .................................82 Screen Formats ..............................82 Options For Changing Video Output .......................83 FORMAT key on Your Remote ........................83 Resolution (RES) Key on Receiver Front Panel ..................84 Supported Resolutions ............................85 Wide-Screen vs.
Welcome About Your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR Chapter 1 Installation & Activation DIRECTV Plus HD DVR Front Panel DIRECTV Plus HD DVR Rear Panel Getting Started...
Welcome With the DIRECTV® Plus HD DVR you can expect more than ever before, with access to over 250 channels, including our awesome HD selections and over 30 premium movie channels, with something to please everyone in the family. DIRECTV® HD service offers everything you’d want in your television You can fi...
If you or a professional installer have not yet connected your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR and other components, please see Appendix A, Installation at the end of this User Guide. Following installation, you will need to activate your DIRECTV service. If you have not activated already, see page 75 for more information.
Your equipment may not look exactly like the model illustrated. DOOR PANEL, USB PORT – For future use. POWER – Turns your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR on or off . Your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR still records and receives messages when powered off .
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SELECT – Selects the item highlighted. LIGHT RING – 12 blue lights indicate the current state of the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR. Press and hold the LEFT and RIGHT arrows to dim and turn off the lights. (Repeat to brighten.) 10) ACTIVE –...
DIRECTV Plus HD DVR Rear Panel Your equipment may not look exactly like the model illustrated. SATELLITE IN 1 (SWM-2) – Use to connect the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR to a second LNB on The Rear Panel the satellite dish antenna, giving you the ability to watch and record up to two programs at once. If may look your installation includes an SWM (Single Wire Module), connect the SWM output to this input.
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Demand broadband programming. (Note: Th is socket provides 5 Volts DC Power. Please ensure your equipment is compatible prior to connection.) 13) PHONE – Connects the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR to a telephone wall jack. We require a land- based telephone connection to communicate periodically with your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR.
11 Watching TV 17 The Guide Chapter 2 18 The Mini Guide: Program Listings While You Watch TV 19 Recording Programs: A Great Way to Watch Your Favorites 21 Pay Per View: The Latest Movies, 24 Hours a Day 22 The Playlist: Watching Your Recorded Programs What’s On...
* You may have noticed your DIRECTV remote contains keys labeled PWR and DIRECTV & TV POWER. The PWR key turns your DIRECTV Receiver on and off. The DIRECTV & TV POWER keys turn both your receiver and your TV on and off.
DIRECTV Plus HD DVR Features in Live TV Live Buffer: The DIRECTV Plus HD DVR saves programs to the hard drive instantly and continuously, while you watch. This “live buffer” lets you pause, rewind, fast forward or “instant replay.” (Note: You cannot fast forward during live TV until you pause or rewind a program.) If you start watching a program...
DIRECTV Plus HD DVR Features in Recorded TV Recorded programs can be found in the My Playlist tab on the Playlist screen. To view the Playlist, press LIST. To return to live TV, press EXIT. Cruise Controls: The PAUSE, FFWD, REWIND, REPLAY and ADVANCE keys work with recorded programs just as they do with live TV.
Audio options – A “fi lled in” icon indicates alternate audio options are available. A “hollow” icon, Audio Options no alternate audio options are available. Messages – A “fi lled in” icon indicates new DIRECTV messages in Caller ID & Messages. A Messages “hollow” icon, there are no new or unread messages.
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, search for and purchase a pay per view movie or event, or search for a program you’re interested in.
The UP, DOWN, LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys move you through listings and time slots. Highlight a program or channel cell to view its description. Use the CHAN key up or down to scroll a full page. SELECT Press the RED or GREEN keys to move forward or back in time in 12-hour increments. To tune to a program that is on now, highlight the program and press SELECT.
Recording to VCR To record a program on your VCR, make sure you’ve connected your VCR properly to your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR, then select a recorded program from the My Playlist tab in the Playlist, set your VCR to...
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, starting at channel 125.
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.
Disk Space Bar The My Playlist screen 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.
27 Using the Menu 27 Help & Settings Chapter 3 29 My Playlist 29 Audio Options 30 Category Sort 31 Pay Per View Menu 31 Search 32 Date & Time 32 Favorites 33 Caller ID & Messages 34 Parental Controls 37 Menu Features for Recording...
Info & Test: The System Info option lets you view the current system information. The System Test option lets you run a test on the tuner, access card, receiver ID and phone line. Satellite: This option is useful if your DIRECTV® Plus HD DVR has lost signal strength, or you need to realign your satellite dish.
HDTV: The HDTV option is where you can set your TV’s aspect ratio and resolution. Access Card: Follow the onscreen directions to replace your access card. You will need your old and new access cards to complete this process. (Note: DIRECTV will provide new access cards and instructions when necessary.) Reset: From here you can restart the receiver, reset to factory defaults, or reset everything.
This option displays a submenu that lists recorded programs, and also gives you access to the Playlist screen, where you can view and edit the list of recorded programs and see DIRECTV Showcases of special programming. (See “The Playlist” on Page 22) Audio Options Some programs have alternate audio available (such as other language tracks or Dolby Digital).
The result, when your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR is connected to a compatible Dolby Digital A/V receiver and 5.1 channel speaker setup, is an experience that gives you much of the dynamic range, 360-degree imaging and sonic excitement of a real theater.
Pay Per View This option enables you to check out DIRECTV Pay Per View listings by category. This option only appears in the Menu over the Guide. While in the Guide, press MENU, then select Pay Per View. You will see three choices for sorting the list- ings.
Date & Time This option gives you a convenient way to jump several days ahead in the Guide, without having to scroll through pages of programs. Favorites Favorites allows you to set up a 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.
In addition to displaying all channels or creating lists of favorite channels, you can also set your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR to display only the channels that are in your current subscription package. To see the channels you receive, select Ch’s I Get from the left menu of the Favorites screen. To set Ch’s I Get as your current channel list, select the Set Current menu item from the Favorites screen, then change the Current Favorites option to Ch’s I Get.
DIRECTV Messages This feature lets you view a listing of current DIRECTV messages waiting for you. Simply highlight and select a message in the list to read, then you’ll have the choice to keep or delete it. The messages icon will appear brightly on your channel banner whenever there’s any new or unread message in your Inbox.
TV Programs SELECT the TV tab, then highlight and select the TV rating you desire. You can also set ratings for par- For ratings limits and channel ticular content (for example, Fantasy Violence, Dialogue), each of which is described when highlighted. SELECT blocks, as well as most other Other Shows...
Now, lock it Once you’ve set the restrictions you want, choose Lock Now from the left menu. You’ll be directed to cre- ate a passcode (which you’ll want to make easy enough to remember, but hard enough that the little ones won’t guess it!).
To change your passcode at any time: Press MENU, SELECT Parental Controls, then Edit Settings. Scroll down to Passcode and press SELECT. Enter your old password, then enter a new one twice to confi rm. Menu Features for Recording The Menu includes special recording features over certain screens. Menu over the Playlist screen: •...
40 Troubleshooting 50 Limited 90-Day Warranty Chapter 4 54 Product Information 55 DIRECTV PROTECTION PLAN 57 FCC Customer Information 60 TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR USE OF SOFTWARE (“TERMS”) More Info...
You can fi nd additional troubleshooting help at Many problems can be corrected by performing a simple reset of the DIRECTV® Plus HD DVR. If you directv.com. experience image freezes, audio freezes or blank screen, or the system won’t respond to front panel button or remote control, try one of these: Press the red RESET button behind the access card panel door on the front of the DIRECTV®...
If Satellite Data Acquisition still does not move forward, press the RESET button behind the access panel door on the front of the DIRECTV® Plus HD DVR and wait for program guide 1. Cables and information to be acquired.
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Press the POWER button on the front panel of the receiver. Check to make sure the power cord is plugged into the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR and the wall outlet. Check the wall receptacle (or extension cord) to make sure it is “live” by plugging in something else.
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DIRECTV Plus HD DVR to see if the channel banner appears. If it does not, check the Setup and Connections section for instructions about connecting your satellite receiver. Press the TV INPUT key on the remote to make sure your TV input is set to the TV input your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR is connected to.
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If neither of those work, restart your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR. Press the RESET button behind the access panel door on the front of the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR. You can also press MENU, press SELECT on Settings, then SELECT Setup. Select the Reset item from the left menu and follow the onscreen instructions.
If that doesn’t work, restart your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR. Press the RESET button behind the access panel door on the front of the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR. You can also press MENU, press SELECT on Settings, then SELECT Setup. Select the Reset item from the left menu, then press SELECT on Restart Receiver.
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What do I do? Your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR can record up to two programs at once, or it can record one program while you watch (or record) another. If you exceed these limits (for example, if you try to record three programs at 8 p.m. on Thursday), you will be notified there is a conflict.
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INFO key when the program is highlighted in any list or the Guide), then select the Record menu item and change the options as needed. When I am watching a recorded program, and the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR starts to record another program, my image quality deteriorates.
Press ENTER after entering a channel number to tune immediately. If you are trying to operate a device other than the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR that you have programmed the remote to control, make sure you first slide the MODE switch to the mode that is programmed for that device (AV1 or AV2).
Running the System Test The System Test allows you to run a basic diagnostics check on your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR. 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 num- bers or to initiate diagnostic procedures on your digital satellite receiver.
(whichever is deemed necessary) if it becomes defective or inoperative. This exchange is done without charge to you for parts and labor. You will be responsible for the cost of shipping to and from the location designated by DIRECTV. If DIRECTV cannot reasonably repair or replace the Receiver then DIRECTV may, at its sole discretion, refund the price you paid for the product or the current retail price of the product.
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”...
To Get Warranty Service... Warranty service will be provided by DIRECTV. If you believe you need service for your Receiver, contact DIRECTV at 1- 800-DIRECTV. A representative will go through a diagnostic checklist with you. If it is determined that the product needs to be returned for service or exchanged, you will receive a return authorization number.
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WILL DIRECTV BE LIABLE FOR ANY AMOUNT GREATER THAN THE RETAIL PRICE OF THE DIRECTV RECEIVER. DIRECTV SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES FOR BREACH OF ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY ON THE DIRECTV RECEIVER. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON WARRANTIES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
Product Information Keep your sales receipt to obtain warranty parts and service and for proof of purchase. Attach it here and record the serial and model numbers in case you need them. These numbers are located on the product. (You may have noted some of this information on page 73 when you connected the cables to your receiver.) Model No.
Note *A fee of $55 for standard IRD equipment, $200 for DIRECTV DVR, DIRECTV PLUS DVR or Ultimate TV equipment, $240 for HD equipment, or $470 for DIRECTV HD DVR equipment will be charged to your DIRECTV bill if the defective equipment that we are replacing for you is not returned within 21 calendar days.
Sign up for the DIRECTV PROTECTION PLAN Today If you have standard DIRECTV Receiver(s), visit directv.com and SIGN IN using the simple steps below or call 1-800-DIRECTV. SIGN IN with your user name and password, or click on the “Register Now” link and go through the easy steps, then continue with Step 2.
El Segundo, CA 90245 1-800-DIRECTV Trade Name: DIRECTV Type of Equipment: DIRECTV Satellite Receiver Model Number: HR21 Federal Communications Commission (FCC): This equipment complies with both Part 15 and Part 68 of the FCC rules. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits of a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules.
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Increase the separation between the equipment and the DIRECTV Receiver. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the DIRECTV Receiver is connected. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. CAUTION: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
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If this DIRECTV Receiver causes harm to the telephone network, the telephone company will notify you in advance that temporary discontinuance of service may be required. But if advance notice isn’t practical, the telephone company will notify the customer as soon as possible. Also, you will be advised of your right to file a complaint with the FCC if you believe it is necessary.
C. Ownership of Software and Reservation of Rights The Software is licensed, not sold, to you for use only under the terms of this license agreement, DIRECTV is NOT transferring title or any ownership rights in the Software to you and DIRECTV and its suppliers reserve all rights not expressly granted to you. Except as stated above, this license agreement...
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D. Termination These Terms are effective until terminated. You may terminate these Terms by returning the Receiver to DIRECTV or your supplier. These Terms will terminate automatically without notice if you fail to comply with these Terms or any other agreement between you and DIRECTV. Upon termination you must return the Receiver to DIRECTV or your supplier.
68 Making the Video Connections 70 Making the Audio Connections Installation 72 Making the Basic Connections 74 Guided Setup 75 Activate Your DIRECTV ® Service 76 Programming Your Remote Control 77 Using Your IR or RF Remote to Control Your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR...
This is your “dish” and related hardware, affixed to your roof or other surface, which picks up the broad- cast signals from our satellites. DIRECTV Plus HD DVR (Satellite Receiver) Your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR picks up the signal from your satellite dish antenna and translates it into DOLBY D I G I T A L...
Cables & Connections HDMI Jack and Cable The DIRECTV Plus HD DVR incorporates HDMI™ [or High-Definition Multimedia Interface] tech- nology. HDMI offers a high-quality connection that combines the video and audio signal into a single cable. The HDMI jack uses HDCP content protection to allow you to view HD programming that has been encoded using the HDCP protection system.
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(mono), connect it to the left (white) audio jack on the DIRECTV Receiver. Telephone Jack and Cord The telephone line cord connects your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR to a land-based telephone line. The Phone phone line connection is used to periodically call DIRECTV. This connection is required for sports pack- Jack age subscriptions and for purchasing Pay Per View movies and events.
Connect the satellite dish cable to your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR. and inputs (Video out to Video in, • Connect the audio and video outputs of your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR to your TV or VCR. Right Audio out to Right Audio in, •...
Best (HD Video and Digital Audio): Connect the HDMI cables to the HDMI jacks on the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR and your TV. HDMI cables also carry digital audio, so you do not need to make a separate audio connection, unless you would like to use other audio outputs; for example, To switch between watching your if you want to connect your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR to a stereo or home theater system.
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* Note: Do not confuse the component YPbPr cable with a standard Audio/Video (RCA-type) cable. Observe the Red, Green, Blue color-coding. You will not get HD video if you use the Video Out connector on your TV, or your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR.
Good: For analog audio, connect the white (L) and red (R) RCA-type cables from the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR to your TV. Note If your TV only has one audio input jack use AUDIO L (white) jack on the back of the DIRECTV Receiver to make the connection.
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DIGITAL DIGITAL AUDIO IN AUDIO IN (COAXIAL) (OPTICAL) DIGITAL OPTICAL (S/PDIF) DIGITAL COAXIAL RCA-type * NOTE: For BEST audio quality, use the HDMI cable for audio and video. (See “Making the Video Connections.”) ® DIRECTV Plus HD DVR...
Your DIRECTV installer will make the appropriate connection. Connect the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR to land-based telephone line. Plug one end of the telephone cord into a phone jack on your wall (or into a phone splitter that is plugged into a phone jack) and the other end into the PHONE JACK on the back of the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR.
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While you’re looking at the back of your DIRECTV ® Plus HD DVR DIRECTV Plus HD DVR, write down the serial number, receiver ID and model number. You’ll need them later. Serial #...
INPUT ing your DIRECTV service. Make sure the MODE switch at the top of the remote control is set to DIRECTV, which is the far- left position. Press PWR. Th e DIRECTV Plus HD DVR will turn on. (Make sure your TV is also turned on!) Th e fi...
Service for you. 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: Have on hand your service address, social security number and a valid major credit card.
You can pro- Remote Control gram the DIRECTV Remote Control to operate your TV power, volume and mute, additional equipment during Guided such as a DVD, VCR, stereo, or second TV or DIRECTV Receiver.
Using Your IR or RF Remote to Control Your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR The DIRECTV Plus HD DVR comes with a dual IR/RF remote. You can skip this section if you are using another, non-RF, remote, or you set up your RF Remote Control during Guided Setup. This infor- mation is included here if you skipped that part, or if you want to change your Remote setup later.
“Digital TV” refers to a television that can receive and display digital images. Following are terms you might see used regarding Digital TV broadcasts. Although your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR is a “true” HD receiver, the type of TV or monitor you plug it into (SD, ED, or HD) can affect the resolution of the TV picture you see.
The term “interlacing” refers to whether each of those frames contains all of the lines of image, or every other line. Interlaced signals take every other line from 2 frames, each lasting 1/60th of a second, and DIRECTV Plus combine them into one frame lasting 1/30th of a second. In this way, interlacing tricks the eye into think- HD DVR.
Screen Formats What if you’re watching a nearly square-shaped 4:3 broadcast on a 16:9 TV, or vice versa? The DIRECTV Plus HD DVR lets you choose from a variety of screen formats to deal with those scenarios. You can set up your preferences for format during Guided Setup and change them at any time.
There are two keys that can be used to make changes: the FORMAT key Keep pressing on the remote control and the RES (Resolution) key on the front panel of the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR. the FORMAT key...
Resolution made simple: Set This key is used to cycle all available resolutions on your DIRECTV Plus HD DVR. It does not cycle format settings. If video and audio are not appearing, it may be because the current resolution setting is the resolution not supported by your television.
Supported Resolutions The following table shows the resolutions that can be output from each type of connection: Output Connection Available Resolutions YPbPr 1080i, 720p, 480i, 480p HDMI 1080i, 720p, 480i, 480p S-Video 480i Video (RCA Type/Yellow) 480i NOTES: 720p and 1080i are HD formats. 480i and 480p are not. S-Video and RCA outputs display all resolutions as 480i.
Wide-Screen vs. Standard Formats Only Letterbox 4:3 TVs Showing 16:9 programs shows the entire original 16:9 For a standard 4:3 TV showing a wide screen program, the program is too wide to fit on the screen. To alleviate this, choose: image without distortion.
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If your display is a 4:3 format TV or monitor, your format options include these: For 4:3 program signals: Fills TV Screen You can watch HD programs on For 16:9 program signals: a standard TV, but Letterbox Stretch Crop you won’t really be watching HD.
16:9 TVs Showing 4:3 programs For a wide screen 16:9 TV showing a standard 4:3 TV program, the program is too tall to fit the screen. Your choices here include: Pillar box Here the 4:3 image is shrunk until the entire height of the program fits on your TV. Since the aspect ratio is maintained, the image is no longer wide enough to fill the screen, so gray or black bars are seen at the left and right edges.
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Fortunately, you If your display is a 16:9 format TV or monitor, your format options include these: can still watch regular TV on your HD TV. Isn’t For 4:3 program signals: it nice to be one Pillar Box Stretch Crop step ahead of the rest of the world? For 16:9 program signals:...
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ACTIVATION OF PROGRAMMING SUBJECT TO CREDIT APPROVAL. PREPAYMENT MAY BE REQUIRED. CREDIT CARD REQUIRED (except in MA and PA). Programming subject to change. DIRECTV services not available outside the U.S. DIRECTV pro- gramming is available separately and independently of DIRECTV System hardware. A valid programming subscription is required to operate DIRECTV System hardware.
Icon Reference Other Icons Arrow Icons Indicate that a show’s start or end time is earlier or Denotes one or more alternate audio tracks available later than is visible in the Guide program cell. for a program. LEFT and RIGHT arrows on the remote off er special Denotes that no alternate audio tracks available.