DStv A7 - Remote Control User Guide

About this Remote

• Only works with DStv HD Decoders and DStv Exploras
• Supports multiple modes (3)
• Backlit buttons (ideal for night-time viewing)
• Visual feedback when a button is pressed
• SMS keys for easy text entry
• The A7 remote can be programmed to control other audio/visual equipment, through SimpleSet™. Please see the Advanced A7 Remote Guide on dstv.com for detailed instructions
• 12-month warranty from date of purchase

Information correct at time of going to print. For updated information, go to dstv.com (the "DStv Website"). In the event of conflict between this information and the information on the DStv Website, the information on the DStv Website will prevail.

DStv Remote (A7)

1. STANDBY
2. TV POWER
3. TV GUIDE
4. CATCH UP*
5. INFO
6. PROFILE
7. STATUS BAR
8. REPLAY
9. OK
10. OPTIONS
11. ALT
12. SEARCH
13. P+ / P-
14. STOP
15. REW
16. ARC
17. AV
18. PLAYLIST
19. BOXOFFICE*
20. SHOWMAX **
21. BACK
22. DStv
23. TV
24. GRID
25. BOOKMARK
26. MUTE
27. V+ / V
28. REC
29. PLAY / PAUSE
30. FF
31. 1 – 0
32. HELP

Using the DStv Remote - Hotlinks

You can use the hotlinks on your remote to quickly access key features of your DStv Explora.

1. Goes to the TV Guide – 8 full days of programming information, allowing you to easily plan your viewing.
2. Goes to DStv Catch Up^* – hours of series, movies, sporting highlights, kids' shows and more, all waiting for you on your DStv Explora.
3. Goes to ShowMax** - get unlimited access to over 20 000 episodes of hit TV shows and movies. For more visit ShowMax.com
4. Goes to your Playlist – where you'll find all the programmes you've recorded.
5. Goes to BoxOffice* - where you can rent blockbuster movies from the comfort of your couch, and keep them for 48 hours.
6. Goes to DStv Central – the DStv Explora has ONE central menu with all content and settings. Press the DStv button at any time to go directly to DStv Central.
7. Goes to Search – we have multiple search options available, making it easier for you to discover even more great entertainment.

The Remote Buttons

STANDBY	Allows you to quickly put the DStv Explora into standby (or bring it out of standby). Quick tip: if you press and hold the STANDBY button, the DStv Explora will reboot.
TV POWER	This remote can be programmed to control other audio/visual equipment. Please see the Advanced A7 Remote Guide on dstv.com for detailed instructions.
AV	This remote can be programmed to control other audio/visual equipment. Please see the Advanced A7 Remote Guide on dstv.com for detailed instructions.
CATCH UP*	Your hotlink to DStv Catch Up*. You can also access DStv Catch Up* by pressing the DStv button and going to "Watch Now".
BOXOFFICE*	Your hotlink to BoxOffice*. You can also access BoxOffice* by pressing the DStv button and going to "Watch Now".
PLAYLIST	Your hotlink to your Playlist which lists all your recordings ready for you to view at any time. You can also access your Playlist by pressing the DStv button and going to "Watch Now".
SHOWMAX**	Your hotlink to ShowMax** where you can stream the best series and movies. You can also access ShowMax by pressing the DStv button and going to "Watch Now". Visit ShowMax.com for more info.
TV GUIDE	Your hotlink to the TV Guide with 8 full days of programming information, allowing you to easily plan your viewing. You can also access the TV Guide by pressing the DStv button and going to "Planner".
SEARCH	Your hotlink to Search. Get A-Z listings of sport and movies, find new series, or search for a programme by title. You can also access Search by pressing the DStv button and going to "Search".
INFO	Press INFO on any programme to see more information, including a detailed synopsis.
DStv	Goes to DStv Central. All content, settings, information, schedules and more – all at the touch of one button.
BACK	Press BACK to remove onscreen items or save your settings.
PROFILE	Used to access selected features.
TV	When using the menus or apps, the TV button is your hotlink back to video. And when watching any content, pressing TV is your hotlink back to live TV.
STATUS BAR	The Status Bar gives you more information about your current viewing position. This button also doubles up as the UP arrow. Quick tip: The Status Bar is also a great way to quickly "jump" through content. When displayed, press FF or REW to easily and quickly "jump" within the content.
BOOKMARK	Pressing this button creates a bookmark. Bookmarks mark a selected spot in recorded content, allowing you to easily find these at a later stage. This button also doubles up as the DOWN arrow.
REPLAY	Press the REPLAY button to instantly jump video back 10 seconds at a time. This button also doubles up as the LEFT arrow.
GRID	Displays the channel grid which lists available channels in an easy to use grid. Use the arrows to move the highlight and see what's on other channels. This button also doubles up as the RIGHT arrow.
OK	OK allows you to select onscreen items, and also allows you to find out everything you can do with content. Quick tip: When highlighted, press OK on any programme to see the available actions (from setting a reminder, to setting series recordings or even finding out when the programme is on again in the next 8 days).
ALT	Switches between the last two viewed channels.
MUTE	Mutes the audio. Quick tip: Can also be set to "half mute" mode. Press the DStv button and go to "User Preferences" in "Settings".
OPTIONS	Press OPTIONS on any screen to see the available choices. When viewing TV, you can change Language or Aspect Ratio (and more) and when in the menus, you can change the order of items on screen or change the display.
P+ / P-	Changes channels. Quick tip: when scrolling through a list, you can press P+/P- to scroll a page at a time, and in the TV Guide, to scroll one day at a time.
V+ / V-	Changes the volume (if audio is set to Variable). If you have set the audio to Fixed, pressing these buttons will NOT change audio. Press the DStv button and go to "User Preferences" in "Settings".
STOP	If there is a recording in progress, pressing STOP will give you the option to stop the recording. When viewing a recording, pressing STOP will stop what you are watching.
PLAY / PAUSE	Toggles between PLAY and PAUSE. Quick tip: Press and hold this button to activate Slow Motion. Then press FF or REW to view the video in slow motion at various speeds.
REC	A quick way to schedule a recording on any programme.
REW	Rewinds the content being viewed. Press once to rewind slowly, and again (up to three times) to rewind at the maximum speed. Press PLAY / PAUSE to resume viewing.
FF	Fast forwards the content being viewed. Press once to fast forward slowly, and again (up to three times) to fast forward at the maximum speed. Press PLAY / PAUSE to resume viewing.
Numbers / SMS keyboard	Used to change channels, enter/edit text and more.
ARC	Your hotlink to changing the aspect ratio on the fly. If you don't like the way the picture is being displayed on screen, press ARC until you find a suitable aspect ratio. This does not change the default Aspect Ratio setting.
HELP	Where available, pressing HELP will display contextual support. Quick tip: to go directly to the HELP section of the menu, press the DStv button followed by HELP.

Backlighting

Backlighting is automatically activated each time you pick up the remote or when you press a button. It automatically switches off (times out) when the programmed number of seconds has passed (the default is 3 seconds).

To program the backlight timing, follow these steps:

• Press and hold STANDBY and HELP simultaneously for more than 3 seconds
• The STANDBY button will give 2 short red blinks
• Now press the required number*
• The STANDBY button will give 1 red blink
• Press OK

* Press 0 to disable backlighting
Press 1 to set the timeout to 3 seconds
Press 2 to set the timeout to 6 seconds
Press 3 to set the timeout to 9 seconds
Press 4 to set the timeout to 12 seconds
Press 5 to set the timeout to 15 seconds
Press 6 to set the timeout to 18 seconds
Press 7 to set the timeout to 21 seconds
Press 8 to set the timeout to 24 seconds
Press 9 to set the timeout to 27 seconds

About the Remote Modes

If you have multiple DStv Exploras in your home, or even in the same room, you need to set the remotes (and the DStv Exploras) to different "modes", so that commands sent from one remote, won't be picked up by the other decoder.

This remote has 3 modes and can be set to mode 1, 2 or 3 (the default is mode 1).

Each time you press a button, the STANDBY button will light up. The colour tells you which mode the remote is in.

Mode 1: Red

Mode 2: Green

Mode 3: Orange

To change modes, press and hold the INFO and BACK buttons. The remote will change to the next mode, with the STANDBY button confirming the change by giving 2 blinks in the colour of the next mode.

To change to the next mode, press and hold the INFO and BACK buttons again. The remote will again change to the next mode, with the STANDBY button confirming the change by giving 2 blinks in the colour of the next mode.

The DStv Explora must be set up to "listen" for the correct mode. You can do this in DStv Central.

• Press the DStv button
• Go to "Settings"
• Select System Settings
• Select Remote Control
• If the remote is set to mode 1, set mode 2 and 3 to Ignore
• If the remote is set to mode 2, set mode 1 and 3 to Ignore
• If the remote is set to mode 3, set mode 1 and 2 to Ignore

If your DStv Explora is part of an XtraView setup, please consult with your DStv Accredited Installer for remote mode settings.

Troubleshooting

I think the battery is dead. How can I check?

Press the DStv button. If the STANDBY button lights up, the batteries are working.

How do I know if the remote is broken?

Press the DStv button. If the STANDBY button does not light up, the remote is either broken or needs new batteries. If you put in new batteries and the STANDBY button still does not light up when a button is pressed, you will need to replace the remote. This remote has a 12-month warranty from the date of purchase. Please take it to your nearest MultiChoice Service Centre or Agency together with your proof of purchase.

If your remote is older than 12 months, you can buy a new one at any MultiChoice Service Centre or Agency.

Rechargeable batteries are not recommended for use with this remote.

Nothing happens when I press a button (the DStv Explora does not respond).

Firstly, check that the remote is working by pressing the DStv button. If the STANDBY button lights up, the batteries are working.

Now check the colour of the STANDBY button when any button is pressed:

If it's red, the remote is in mode 1
If it's green, the remote is in mode 2
If it's orange, the remote is in mode 3

Change the mode of the remote and try again.

Advanced Options

Your DStv A7 remote is programmable and can be used to:

• Switch your DStv Explora and other audio/ visual equipment on or off in a predefined sequence
• Control other audio/visual equipment

Please visit dstv.com for full information, including step-by-step instructions.

^* DStv Catch Up and BoxOffice are available in selected countries on selected packages and require payment of the monthly Access Fee.

^** ShowMax on the connected Explora is available in selected countries. Separate subscription as well as a monthly DStv Subscription (including payment of the Access Fee) required. Visit ShowMax.com for more information, including Terms and Conditions

dstv.com