RCA DSS1 User Manual
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. RCA Manuals
  4. Receiver
  5. DSS1
  6. User manual
RCA DSS1 User Manual

RCA DSS1 User Manual

Satellite receiver
Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading

Related Manuals for RCA DSS1

Summary of Contents for RCA DSS1

  • Page 2 TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICSHOCK, DO NOTREMOVE WARNING COVER (OR BACK). NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFERSERVICINGTO QUALIFIED SERVICEPERSONNEL. To reduce risk of fire or shock hazard, do not expose this receiver to important instructions "dangerous voltage" inside the rain or moisture.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    First Things First ........... What is the DSS® System? ........_......What's in the Box ................Using This Manual ................The Point and Select Method ....... :....Connecting Your DSS® Receiver to Your TV ..:......Things to Know Before Connecting Components ....
  • Page 4 Viewing Hours .., .... ,;..; ..........Setting Up Spending Limits ............ Locking a User's ?rofile ............Locking the System ...._ ......;..:..:... 46 Choosing Your Profile ............. options .., .... _.___..._..:.._ .._ ........... Look and Feel ,..,,.,...L.; .............

  • Page 5: First Things First

    READ THE FIRST TWO CHAPTERS FIRSTTHINGS FIRST The first chapters of the manual introduce you to your DSS ® system, and show you how use the on-screen guides and menus. In First Things First, you'll learn: • how to use this manual •...

  • Page 6: What Is The Dss® System

    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 discsand CDs.

  • Page 7: What's In The Box

    WHAT'S I N TH E BOX The following items come with your DSS ® receiver: • Receiver (with access card inserted) • Remote Control • VCR Controller Receiver Remote Control INSTALLING BA'I-FERIES IN THE REMOTE CONTROL Follow these steps whenever you need to !nstall or change the batteries in your DSS®remote.

  • Page 8: Using This Manual

    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 options are shown in itali_. IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THIS...

  • Page 9: The Point And Select Method

    THE POIN'T AND SELECT METHOD Point and Select isthe two-step method you use to navigate 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 You point by pre_ssing the arrow keys on the remote or front panel.

  • Page 10: Connecting Your Dss® Receiver To Your Tv

    CONNECTING YOUR DSS® RECEIVER TO YOUR TV During the satellite dish antenna installation, the receiver may have been connected to your TV with just a coaxial cable for the system test. Depending on what components you have, another connection may provide better picture and audio quality. The following sections provide cable and connection information to help you decide what connection...

  • Page 11: Jacks And Cables

    S-video Jack carries only the picture signal, not the sound. Audio/Video Jacks and Cables (RCA-type) The audio/video jacks provide very good picture and stereo sound quality, and should be used if your TV has no S-Video jack.
  • Page 12 CONNECTION BEST PICTURE SOUND QUALITY _IELU_ To use this connection you must have: • TV with separate RF,audio/video, and S-Video inputs (jacks) REe.EIV_ • VCR with RF and audio/video inputs • Coaxial, audio/video, and S-Video cables To connect TV, VCR and antenna or cabl_ box: Connect coaxial cables as shown.
  • Page 13 CONNECTION VERY GOOD PICTURE SOUND QUALITY o_r_AIRIJCIT_€_ To use this connection you must have: • "IV with separate RF and audio/video inputs (jacks) RE_EIVER • VCR with RF and audio/video inputs • Coaxial and audio/video cables connect TV, VCR and antenna or cable box:...
  • Page 14 CONNECTION GOOD PICTURE SOUND QUALITY To use this connection you must have: R_NER • TVwith RF input (jack) OFF-NR N_flENNA • VCR with RF and audio/video inputs • Coaxial and audio/video cables To connect TV, VCR, and antenna or cable box: Connect coaxial cables and audioiv;deo cables as shown.
  • Page 15 CONNECTION GOOD PICTURE SOUND QUALITY To use this connection you mu_ have: • TV with RF input • Coaxial cables To connect TV and antenna or cable box: 1. Connect coaxial cables as s_own. 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 receiver.

  • Page 16: Connecting The Vcr Controller

    CONNECTING TH E VCR CONTROLLER - In order for the DSS® receiver and VCR to communicate, you need to attach the VCR Controller to the back of the receiver. Plug the VCR Controller into the VCR CONTROL jack on the back of the DSS®...
  • Page 17 SELECTING A VCR TYPE When you connect a VCR Controller, you need to tell the DSS ® receiver which VCR brand you are using. PressMENUeSELECT on the remote to bring up the Main menu. Point to Options and press MENUoSELECT. Point to System Options and press MENUoSELECT.

  • Page 18: Choosinga Dss® Output Channel

    CHOOSING A DSS® OUTPUT CHANNEL If you are using the OUT TO TV jack to send the signal to a TV, you need to know about the agile modulator. The agile modulator allows you to select the television channel you want to use when you output the DSS ®...
  • Page 19 SENDING DSS ® SIGNAL TO MULTIPLE The most important feature of the agile modulator is that it creates a unique DSS ®television channel. This unique channel _ECEMER can be combined with other TV channels on your antenna or cable system. Combining the signals and distributing them to all the televisions in,/our home lets you watch DSS ®...

  • Page 20: Connectinga Compatible D'vhs Vcr

    1) Connect a digital audio/video (DAV) cable as shown. Connect RCA type audio/video cables as shown. The D-VHS VCR and DSS ® receiver communicate through the DAV r .._-_.

  • Page 21: Program Guides

    WHAT IS A PROGRAM.GUIDE? A program guide is an on-screen programming schedule. There are several types of guides, each presenting schedule in a different format. Using the program guide is easy as long as you PROGRAM GUI DES remember Point and Select rule.

  • Page 22: Anatomy Of A Program Guide

    ANATOMY OF A PROGRAM GUI DE The following diagram shows you the kind• of information will see in the program guides. "Family" is one of five Program titles and information selectable Profiles Returns you you to previous scroQn the Main menu Displays more Help gives you more information...

  • Page 23: Anatomy Of The Channel Banner

    ANATOMY OF THE CHANNEL BANNER Some of the items you select in the guides can also be selected in the chan.nel banner. Program titles "Family" is one of five and Information selectable Profiles Use Home Control Takes you to or Data Port the Main menu Read mail from Locks and unlocks...

  • Page 24: Using The Guide Button

    USING THE GUIDE BUTTON Each press of the GUIDE button takes you to an alternate type of program guide. The Detail Guide The Detail Guide shows five channels in a time-and-channel format, with program information for the highlighted program. The Grid Guide The Grid Guide shows seven channels in a time-and-chartnel format.

  • Page 25: Tuning To A Program

    TUNING TO A PROGRAM To tune directly to a current program listed in the guide, point to the program and press MENU.SELECT. To see information about a program in the guide, press INFO. The Program Details screen appears and gives you several options.
  • Page 26 The Channel Guide Displays a channel's programming schedule in a channel-by- channel format. Logo Guide Displays channel Iogos for the current user's profile. You can point to any program tune to that channel, get more The Attractions Guide information, or set a timer to record.

  • Page 27: Sorting The Guides

    SORTING GUIDES Sorting the guide is a way of organizing'the guide to show only the types of programs that interest you. There are several on- screen buttons that sort the guide in different ways. The Sorting buttons appear at the bottom of the Grid Guide and Detail Guide.
  • Page 28 Movies Select the Movies bu_on to list movies only. After selecting Movies, the Movies button changes to a Movies Themes button. Select the Movies Themes button to sort the guide to list specific types of movies, such as comedies or musicals. Movies button Movies Themes button Select a Movies Themes that interests you.
  • Page 29 AlphaSort AlphaS°rt lists in alphabetical order all the program titles in the current guide. Select the AlphaSortbutton to search for specific program titles that are in the current program guide. Use the arrow button to highlight a character, then press MENUoSELECT. AlphaSort button For example, to search for the program, Auto Racing, the first...
  • Page 30 Scout The Scout button lets you assign "Scouts" to search the guide for very specific program information, such as actor's names or " program descriptions. Select the Scout button to View the available scouts. Scout button Point to an available Scout, and select it. Select'the Enter Text button to set up the information th'e Scoutwill look for in the program guide.
  • Page 31 Other Guides The Other Guides button lets you sort the guide by different variables, such as future times, user profile channel lists, and channel groups. You can then choose a guide format to view the Other Guides button progra m information. Select the Other Guides button.
  • Page 32 The other buttons Exit Exits the guide and returns you to normal viewing on the current channel. Press MENUeSELECT to continue. Exit button Help 'Brings up additional information about the guide. Press MENU=SELECT to continue. Help button Down Arrow The arrow button allows you to scroll down through other channels in the guide.

  • Page 33: The Menu System

    WHAT'S A MENU? The DSS e system 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 also seParated into sections...

  • Page 34: Using The Menu System

    USING TH E MENU SYSTEM To bring up the Main menu, press MENU•SELECT on the remote. Use point and select to choose an item from the Main menu. To use the menu system, you neecl to know the Point and Select rule.

  • Page 35: Menu Descriptions

    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.

  • Page 36: The Program Guide

    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 will see in the Detail Guide and Grid Guide. Program titles "Family"...

  • Page 37: The Mailbox

    TH E MAI LBOX 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. TO TELL WH EN YOU HAVE There are two ways to tell if you have mail, depending whether the DSS ®...

  • Page 38: Pay-Per-View Programs

    PAY- P ER-VI EWpROG RAMS Pay-per:vieWprogram_ (PPV)'are programs that you purchase- like a movie ticketIon 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 purchase1it or find out more details about it.

  • Page 39: Using The Program Guide For Ppv Programs

    USING_THE_ PROGRAM GUIDE FOR PPV" PROG R_A_S • when you use the program guide to select a PPV program, the Program Details screen gives you a few more options. The Program Details screen gives you several options. You can select: •...

  • Page 40: Using The Attractions Guide

    USING THE ATTRACTIONS GUIDE Your program providers may offer future programming events not current!y listed in your Program guide. These events are called "coming attractions," and can be previewed in the Attractions Guide. Press the GUIDE button until the Detail Guide or Grid Guide appears on-screen Use the down arrow button to move the highlight to the - bottom of the screen.

  • Page 41: Usingthe Purchases'menu

    USINGTH E PURCHASES'MENU The Purchases menu a ows 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.

  • Page 42: Spending Limits

    SPENDING LIMITS Use the Spending Limit option to indicate a per-event spending limit for pay-per-view programs. Point to Spending Limit, and press MENU,SELECT. You can set a per-event spending limit for each Profile. Use the digits on the remote or use the arrow keys to enter a single-program spending limit.

  • Page 43: Timers Feature

    TIME RS FEATU RE The Timers feature allows you to preset your system to automatically tune to a particular channel at a predetermined time. Recording with Timer To use the Timers feature, select Timers from the Main menu to bring up the Timers screen. Select a Timer (1-8) ana then use the arrow keys to complete the on-screen sentence.
  • Page 44 Setting Up Timer Recordings The Timers feature allows you to set up timer recordings if: • You connect the VCR Controller to your DSS® receiver, and tell the receiver what type of VCR you are using. • Or, if using a D-VHS VCR, the digital audio/video (DAV) cable is connected.

  • Page 45: Profiles

    PROFILES When you select Profiles from the Main menu, the first screen you see is the User Profiles 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.

  • Page 46: Setting The Ratings Limit

    Add or Delete All Channels You might be able to save time when creating a channel list bY using the Add All Chans option or the Delete All Chans option t ° either add all channels or delete all channels before removing o1_ adding individual channels.

  • Page 47: Viewing Hours

    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. Point to Viewing Hours, and press MENU.SELECT. You can limit viewing sevendaysa week. Use the digits on the remote or point to the + or - and press MENU-SELECT to complete the on-screen sentence.

  • Page 48: Locking A User's ?Rofile

    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. Profile passwords do no allow accessto, or editing of the profile limits.

  • Page 49: Choosing Your Profile

    Unlocking the System When the system is unlocked, the channel, spending, viewing, and ratings limits, that you have set are no longer in effect. Point to Unlock System and press MENUoSELECT. Point to Yes and press MENUoSELECTto con:firm that you want to unlock the system.

  • Page 50: Options

    OPTIONS The Options menu lets you set up personal preferences for the look and feel of the system as well as how some of the features work. The Options menu lets you change how the system works. The following sections explain your options when changing your personal preferences.

  • Page 51: Look And Feel

    About Select About DSS from the Options menu to choose from a list of on-line Help topics. Point and select to find out about the specific parts of the DSSe system, then use the right arrow key to continue through each of the Help screens or press MENU*SELECT to return to the Help menu.

  • Page 52: System Options

    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.

  • Page 53: Alternate Audio

    RF Remote Setup The remote can control the DSSe receiOer using both IR (Infrared) Signals and RF (radio frequency) signals. IR signals require line of-sight to the receiver's front panel remote sensor. RF signals can control the receiver from other parts of your house-even through walls.

  • Page 54: The Dish Pointing Menu Screen

    THE DISH POINTING MENU SCREEN Follow these steps to obtain your dish pointing coordinates: Turn on your television and satellKe receiver. Tune your television to the satellite receiver's output channel. Press MENU-SELECT on the remote or front panel to bring up the Main menu.

  • Page 55: Using The On-Screen Signal Meter

    USING THE ON-SCREEN SIGNAL METER The signal strength meter is used tQ 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: Turn on your television and satellite receiver.

  • Page 56: Home Control

    HOME CONTROL Home Control lets you remotely control seve_rallamps and appliances through your DSS e receiver. To control these devices, you must connect a Home Control Data Interface to the receiver ano a remote module to the device you want to control. These devices are available as accessories sold through your digital satellite dealer or the accessoriesorder form at the back of this book.
  • Page 57 Select a device you would like to control. Keep track of devices by assigning a label. Complete the on-screen sentence using the arrow buttons and MENU,SELECT. Press MENU,SELECT to scroll through lists of appliances and locations. Use the arrow buttons and MENU-SELECT to select the house and module codes that match the device's remote module.

  • Page 58: Fetch Menu

    FETCH MENU The Fetch menu is a list of favorite menu items that you define. Pressthe FETCH button on the remote. The Fetch menu appears. You can select up to eight menu items to appear in this menu. The Fetch menu isa convenient way to call up frequently used menu items.

  • Page 59: Reference

    IT ALL WORKS Although DSS ® system is simple to use, ¥ there area number of parts in the system. Don't be overwhelmed. This section explains these different parts work together bring a picture to your screen. ¥ WHAT'S IT FOR? This section also describes controls...

  • Page 60: Parts Of The Dss System

    PARTS OF T H E DSS ® SYSTEM One way to understand the DSS®system isto look at the different parts of the system--from the studio down to the DSS ® receiver and remote control in your living room. Salell_ I Dt_ An_nna Ceql_ WORLD VI EW...

  • Page 61: Home View

    HOME VIEW These parts are inside of or attached to your house. DSS• Satellite Dish Antenna Picks up the satellite's coded program information and relays it to your DSSe receiver. (Your satellite dish may be installed in different locations on or around your house.

  • Page 62: Controls And Buttons

    CONTROLS BUTFONS This part of the Reference sections discusses the controls and buttons located on the receiver and the remote control. The Access Card door slides open so that you can replace the card when necessary. FRONT PANEL CONTROLS ON/OFF Turns the DSS ®...

  • Page 63: Back Panel Controls

    u_wM _em=*tA BAC K PAN EL CONTROLS IN FROM ANT Use to connect an off-air antenna or cable TV signal to the DSS®system. OUT TO TV Use to connect the DSS ® receiver to your TV. However, if your TV has audio/video jacks, you should use those jacks to get better picture and sound quality.

  • Page 64: Remote Control Buttons

    - REMOTE CONTROL BU'I-FONS POWER Turns the device you are controlling on or off. Tells the remote to control the IV. _OWER VCR DSS1 Tells the remote to control the VCR. Tells the remote to control an alternative device DSS2 connected to your TV.

  • Page 65: Programming The Remote Control

    The DSS ® remote can be programmed to control most brands of remote controllable TVs, VCRs, and cable boxes. The remote is programmed to control most RCA, GE and ProScan TVs and VCRs. The remote needs to be programmed to control other manufacturers' brands.

  • Page 66: Programming The Remote To Control Your Tv

    PROGRAMMING REMOTE TO CONTROL This remote may not operate models of the brands that are YOURTV shown. Use the codes shown in this manual, or on the sheet To determine whether your remote needs to be programmed, packed with your remote. turn the "IV on, point the remote at the TV, and press the TV button.

  • Page 67: Programming The Remote To Control Other Devices

    PROGRAMMING THE REMOTE TO CONTROL This remote may not operate OTHER DEVICES models of the brands that are shown. Use the codes shown this manual, or on the sheet • The AUX button is a device button that can be programmed packed with your remote.

  • Page 68: Remote Codes

    Radio Shack ..00_ 021,025, 036, infinity .......... JBL ..........013 ......037,059,064,078 Jensen ........011,027 RCA..;... 00_ 00_ 011,019,027,034, JVC ....... 012, 02_03_ 037 ..03_ 044, 046, 088, 100, 101, 109 ......040,04_ 051,074 Reali_ic., ......:..021 Laserdisc/DVD Player Codes RCA ........
  • Page 69 Zenith ... 011,017, 026, 072, 079 Hitachi ....005, 015, 035, 036 Quasar ........008, 053 RCA ...... 000, 005, 007, 008, Instant Replay ......JCL ............... 028, 035, 037, 054, 069 JC Penney ..002, 005, 007, 008, 014, Radio Shack/Realistic ..

  • Page 70: Glossary

    GLOSSARY The following is a list of terms Used in this manual. There is also a glossary contained within About DSS menu of your DSS®system. Access Card identifies you to the DSS®system service providers and is required for your DSS ® system to work.
  • Page 71 Mailbox Stores incoming electronic messages sent to you by your program providers. The Mailbox is accessed through the on-screen menu system. Main Menu The first list of choices in the DSS ®system on-screen menus. Pressthe 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.

  • Page 72: Troubleshooting

    TROU BLESHOOTI 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, ru n the system test. Make sure that • All connections--jacks, cables, etc. are correctly in place. See the section, Connecting Your DSS®Receiver, for more information.

  • Page 73: Appendix A: Warranty Information

    Thomson assumes no responsibility for warranty shipments from the customer to the factory if not shipped in the manner prescribed by Thomson. RCA DIGITAL SATELLITE SYSTEM LIMITED WARRANTY What your warranty covers: •...
  • Page 74 you get service: • Call 1-800-679-4776 and have your unit's date of purchase and model/serial number ready. The model/serial number information is on the back of your receiver. • A representative will troubleshoot your problem over the phone. • If the representative determines that you should receive a replacement receiver _/ou will be provided with a Return Authorization (RA) number and the location of a nearby exchange point if one exists.
  • Page 75 What your warranty does not cover: • . Acts of God, such as but not limited to lightning damage. • Adjustment of customer controls. • - Damage from misuse or neglect. • A unit that has been modified or incorporated into other products or is used for institutional or other commercial purposes.

  • Page 76: Appendix B: Fcc Regulations

    FCC Registration Information Your DSS® equipment is registered wi;ch the Federal'communications Commission and is in compliance'with parts 15B and 68, FCC Rules and Regulations. Notification to the Local Telephone Company. On the bottom of this equipment is a label indicatin_gamong other information, the FCCRegistration number and Ringer Equivalence Number (REN) for the equipment.

  • Page 77: Appendix C: Accessories

    RG-6 Coaxial Cable connectors 12 feet D912 $12.95 25 feet D925 $15.95 Stereo Audio/Video Cable S0 feet D950 $21.95 with gold RCA-type 75 feet D975 $29.95 connectors 100 feet D901 $29.95 Stereo Audio/video Cable 6 feet D906 $12,95 Self-lnstaller's 12 feet D914 $14.95...
  • Page 78 United States and Canada orders Chargeyottr order on your VISA, MasterCard,or Discover Card by To place your order by phone, have your Visa, fill_ i ng in below USE YOUR CREDIT CARD MasterCard or DiscoVer Card ready and call the toll-free VISA"...

  • Page 79: Index

    • DSS back panel 61 Locking About DSS49 front panel 60 a profile 46 Access card 59 system 4, 58 the system 21, 43, 46 number 18 system test 70 Logo Guide 24 Accessories 75 troubleshooting Loqk and feel 49 Agile modulator 16 DSS receiver resetting...
  • Page 80 Passwords 46 Timer feature Ratings limit 44 I_ECORD button 42 Pay-per-view programs 36 editing or cancelling 41 tuning to 36 Recording setting up 42 Profiles with timers 42 Timers channel lists 43 Remote control Home Control 55 choosing 47 batteries icons 41 Io_cking 46 buttons 62...
  • Page 82 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 on ly add delays in service for your product.

Table of Contents