Samsung SIR S4080R 20040713135113265 Trinity User Guide
User Manual: Samsung SIR-S4080R Samsung SIR-S4080R user manual - User Manual (ver.1.0) - ENGLISH (USA)
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Welcome to DIRECTV
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ii
SDOC-00072-501 Rev. A
AH68-01335A
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS AMERICA, INC.
HEADQUARTERS
105 Challenger Road, Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660-0511 
TEL : 1-800-SAMSUNG
SERVICE DIVISION
400 Valley Road, Suite 201, Mount Arlington, NJ 07856
1-800-SAMSUNG(1-800-726-7864)
www.SAMSUNGUSA.com
           DIRECTV and the Cyclone Design logo, DIRECTV SPORTS, and Advanced 
Program Guide are trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc., and are used with permission. 
All rights reserved. DIRECTV, 
2230 East Imperial Hwy., El Segundo, CA 90245.
TiVo and the TiVo logo are registered trademarks of TiVo Inc. The Instant Replay logo,
 the Jump logo, TiVolution Magazine, Season Pass, WishList, Overtime Scheduler, 
the Thumbs Down logo and text, the Thumbs Up logo and text, TiVo and Line Design (smile) 
are trademarks of TiVo Inc. 1999, 2000. All rights reserved. 
TiVo Inc., 2160 Gold Street, P.O. Box 2160, Alviso, CA 95002-2160.
Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories.
“Dolby” and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.
© 1999, 2002 by TiVo Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part without 
written permission is prohibited.
TOC-FrontMatter.fm  Page ii  Thursday, May 20, 2004  5:10 PM

iii
Welcome to the DIRECTV family!
DIRECTV offers you more Hollywood hits, classic movies, family programming, news, and 
a wide range of exciting sports action. Plus access to 36 commercial-free audio channels. 
And that’s only the beginning.
More Choices than ever before.
With access to over 225 channels, it’s easy to see why DIRECTV has become the 
entertainment choice for millions of American families. And it’s all digitally delivered, so 
you get digital-quality sound and razor-sharp picture every time you turn on your TV!
DIRECTV® Pay Per View movies and events.
With DIRECTV service, the main event is at your house! You’ll have access to great 
movies, exclusive special live sports, concerts and special events. DIRECTV offers up to 55 
different pay per view choices a day. There’s no need to order by phone. Just use your 
remote control to give all your friends and family a front-row seat! (Phone connection 
required.)
DIRECTV knows sports.
DIRECTV offers access to more sports than you ever thought possible. So you can follow 
your favorite team across the country with our pro & college sports subscriptions. 
DIRECTV will take you to the arena for the best sports has to offer. Tune to Channel 212 for 
DIRECTV SPORTS THIS WEEK®. 
With DIRECTV you're in control.
Your new DIRECTV® DVR brings you the hottest new entertainment technology, 
including the DIRECTV Advanced Program Guide™, with up to 14 days of program 
listings, and the ability to pause and replay live TV. Plus, with Pick Programs to Record and 
the other incredibly powerful and easy to use features of your DIRECTV DVR service, you 
will have a Season Pass™ to all your favorite programming. 
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Table of Contents
Using this Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
Chapter 1: Connecting  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Overview  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Before You Begin   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Useful Terms  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Cables and Accessories  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Setup Examples  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Chapter 2: Guided Setup  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Overview  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Satellite Dish Guided Setup  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Activate   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Phone Setup  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Chapter 3: The Basics in 5 Short Tours   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Tour 1: Play with Live TV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Tour 2: DIRECTV Advanced Program Guide™ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Tour 3: Find and Record Your Favorite Programs   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Tour 4: Search for New Programs  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Tour 5: Now Playing List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Cool Things You Can Do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Chapter 4: Watching Live TV  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Let’s Go!   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
DIRECTV Advanced Program Guide™  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
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Channel Banner  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Play with Live TV  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Status Bar  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Music Channels  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Standby   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Chapter 5: Finding and Recording Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Recording Programs: The Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Finding Programs to Record   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
I Already Know What I Want to Record  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
I Know What I Like  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Help Me Find New Programs   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Chapter 6: Messages and Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
Messages from DIRECTV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Purchases  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
My Preferences   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Recorder & Phone Setup  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
System Information  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Troubleshooting  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Restart or Reset System  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Chapter 7: Programming the Remote Control  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
Introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Instructions: TV Power, Volume, and TV Input  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Resetting the Programmable Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Setting a Remote Address  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
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Chapter 8: Troubleshooting   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Contacting Customer Care  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Questions About Installation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Questions About Live TV (Including Satellite Signal)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Questions About Pick Programs to Record  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Questions About Parental Controls  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Questions About the DVR’s Phone Calls   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Questions About Audio  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Questions About Pay Per View  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Questions About the Remote Control   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Questions About the DVR Service   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Chapter 9: Warranty and Specifications   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141
Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
FCC Information   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Specifications  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Safety Instructions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Appendix A: Back Panel Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151
Appendix B: GNU General Public License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155
Index  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161
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Using this Guide
This User’s Guide describes how to connect your new DIRECTV® DVR to your 
television and other audio/video equipment. It also provides valuable information about 
the features and use of the DVR.
Glossary of Icons. The inside front cover of this guide provides an introduction to the 
remote control. The inside back cover has a “Glossary of Icons” that explains many of the 
graphic symbols you will see when using your DVR.
Useful Terms. Many of the technical terms you may encounter in this guide are explained 
in the “Useful Terms” section beginning on page 5.
Screen Paths. Notes at the bottom of some pages show you how to find the screen being 
discussed on that page. For example, page 70 describes the “Record by Time or Channel” 
feature. At the bottom of the page is the note “DIRECTV Central   Pick Programs to 
Record   Record by Time/Channel” This note means you can find Record by Time/
Channel, the screen being discussed, by going to DIRECTV Central (press the DIRECTV 
button on your remote control) and selecting Pick Programs to Record, then Record by 
Time/Channel.
DIRECTV® DVR with TiVo® Service. The recording service provided through the 
DIRECTV® DVR.
DIRECTV DVR.  Refers collectively to the satellite antenna receiver and the DVR hardware.
Throughout this guide, you will see 
important and helpful notes and 
tips in this format.
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viii
The TiVo Logo. As you use your  DIRECTV DVR, you’ll see the TiVo logo in places like 
the Now Playing List and TiVo Suggestions. Your new DVR incorporates the latest DVR 
(Digital Video Recorder) technology from TiVo. This means you have access to exclusive 
TiVo features such as WishList™ searches, Season Pass™ recordings, Thumbs Up™ and 
Thumbs Down™, TiVo Suggestions, and TiVolution Magazine®, all in one seamlessly 
integrated product that will change the way you watch television.
Getting Started
After a satellite dish antenna has been installed, you’re ready to start using this guide: 
1. Connect the DVR according to the proper setup for your Audio/Video equipment. (See 
chapter 1, “Connecting.”)
2. Complete Guided Setup to point your satellite dish antenna and activate the 
DIRECTV® DVR with TiVo® service following the instructions in chapter 2, “Guided 
Setup.”
Start using your DIRECTV DVR. It’s easy! Learn the basics by browsing the back of the 
Start Here card. Take the five tours in chapter 3 of this User’s Guide for an interactive 
way to learn about the DVR’s powerful features. Chapters 4, 5, 6, and 7 describe the DVR 
service in detail. Read through them to become familiar with the service. Chapter 8 
provides a comprehensive troubleshooting guide in case you have questions.
Before you install the DVR, mount 
the satellite dish antenna. 
Professional installation is highly 
recommended. Your dish must be 
mounted, with cables running to the room 
where your DVR will be installed, before 
you can begin the DVR installation as 
described in this guide. Dual LNB dish 
antenna connection required for full 
functionality.
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CHAPTER        
1
Connecting
Overview 2
Before You Begin 3
Useful Terms 5
Cables and Accessories 9
Setup Examples 10
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2
Chapter 1 Connecting
Overview
TV used to be simple: no color, no digital video, no stereo sound, no digital audio, no 
choices. All you needed was an antenna and a TV. The antenna captured pictures and 
sounds. A wire connected the antenna to the TV to transfer pictures and sounds. 
As televisions have acquired more features, and new devices have been created to work 
with them, it may seem that everything has become more complex. Fortunately, the 
fundamentals haven’t changed. You may have a VCR, a DVD player and a game system, 
in addition to a satellite dish antenna. However, one thing has remained the same: what 
you need to do is get the pictures and sounds from their source (the satellite dish antenna) 
to your TV.
You use cables to make a path over which the pictures and sounds travel from your 
satellite dish antenna to your TV.
On the back of your equipment you will find several jacks. Some are labeled IN and some 
are labeled OUT. The pictures and sound enter a piece of equipment through a cable 
connected to an IN jack and leave through a cable connected to an OUT jack. 
When you connect your DIRECTV® DVR to your television and other audio/video 
equipment, you are simply creating a path that starts at the satellite dish antenna and goes 
in (through IN jacks) and out (through OUT jacks) of your equipment until it reaches 
your TV.
Jacks are places where cables can 
be connected.
OUT IN
Always connect cables from the 
OUT jack of one device to the IN 
jack of the next. Never connect an IN to an 
IN or an OUT to an OUT. 
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3
1
Before You Begin
Before You Begin
Make sure that all of your equipment is turned off and the DIRECTV DVR is unplugged.
Connecting to a Phone Line
You will need access to a standard analog phone jack. Your DVR needs to be connected to 
a phone line to communicate with DIRECTV. The DVR occasionally makes a brief  
phone call to get updates to the DVR service and Showcases, and for pay per view 
functionality. 
You do not need to install a new telephone jack or phone number for the DVR to work; it 
can detect when your phone line is in use and will only make calls when the phone line is 
available. If you don’t have a phone jack nearby, you can use the 25 foot phone cord that 
ships with the DVR. If your phone jack is being used for a phone, you can use the 
provided splitter to connect both the phone and the DVR to the same phone jack.
Connecting a Dual LNB or a Multi-Satellite Dish Antenna
Your DVR comes equipped with two jacks for satellite input. While the DVR will work if 
connected to only one satellite input, connecting both allows you to record from two 
channels at the same time. All of the connection examples in this chapter give instructions 
for configuring the DVR with connections to both satellite input jacks. 
Both a Round Dual LNB dish antenna and an Oval 2 or 3 satellite dish antenna connect to 
at least two coaxial RF cables. To connect both of your DVR’s satellite input jacks, you 
must have two coaxial RF cables coming from your satellite dish antenna to the room 
where the DVR will be installed.
Your DVR should not be used with 
a digital PBX phone system. Doing 
so may permanently damage your DVR’s 
modem and will void your warranty. 
Digital PBX phone systems allow many 
phones to share a single telephone 
number and are usually used in hotels and 
office buildings. If you are installing the 
DVR in your home, it is very unlikely that 
you are using a digital PBX phone system.
If you have a Single LNB satellite 
dish antenna, you will need to  
upgrade to a Dual LNB for full 
functionality. Contact your satellite dish 
antenna manufacturer for more 
information about upgrading.
Your DIRECTV DVR is multi-satellite 
capable if used with a DIRECTV 
Multi-Satellite Dish Antenna, 
not included.
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4
Chapter 1 Connecting
If you currently own a Dual LNB satellite dish antenna that is already connected to two 
TVs, you can purchase a multiswitch (described on page 6) that will allow you to connect 
two cables to your new DVR as well as one to an existing receiver for your second TV.
Using an Antenna or Cable Connection, in Addition to DIRECTV   Programming
If you have an antenna or cable connection in addition to your satellite dish antenna, you 
can watch antenna or cable channels while recording DIRECTV® channels. However, 
recording and other features (such as parental controls, purchasing pay per view programs, 
viewing on-screen menus, or pausing live TV), do not work on cable or antenna channels.
Caring for your DIRECTV DVR
Do not drop. Your new DVR contains a hard disk drive that is constantly in motion; it 
may be damaged if the DVR falls or is dropped. Place the DVR in a stable location.
Unplug before moving. To prevent damage to sensitive components such as the hard disk 
drive, always unplug your DVR and then wait a moment for the hard disk to stop spinning 
before moving it.
Do not stack. Your DVR is NOT designed to carry the weight of other consumer 
components such as VCRs, DVD players, or A/V receivers. 
Flat, hard surface. The DVR should rest on a flat, hard surface only. Do not operate it on 
a carpet or other padded surface, as this can inhibit proper ventilation and cause the unit to 
overheat.
Use a surge protector. Like all electronics equipment, your DVR can be damaged by 
fluctuations in your power supply. Purchasing a surge protector is highly recommended. If 
you purchase a surge protector that allows you to plug in both your DVR’s power and 
your telephone cord, you may prevent damage to the parts of your DVR that are connected 
to your phone line as well!
For information on how to switch 
between watching antenna or 
cable channels and watching DIRECTV 
channels, see the connection example in 
Chapter 2 that is most appropriate to your 
configuration.
The DVR does not have an on/off 
switch. To turn the DVR on, plug it 
in. The DVR, like a clock or a refrigerator, 
is designed for constant use and does not 
need to be turned off. If you must turn it 
off—for example, to move it—simply 
unplug it. (The DVR does have an optional 
standby mode, explained on page 55.)
Be sure to read the safety 
instructions on page 148.
®
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1
Useful Terms
Useful Terms
If you’re not an audio/video wizard, you may find yourself stumbling over some of the 
names, features and functions of various pieces of equipment. Here’s a quick reference to 
help you understand some of the terms you may encounter during installation.
Satellite Dish Antennas—Types and Terms
Round Single Satellite Dish Antenna, Oval 2 Satellite Dish Antenna, and Oval 3 
Satellite Dish Antenna: The names Round single, Oval 2, and Oval 3 satellite dish 
antennas refer to both the most common shape of the dish and the number of satellites 
from which a dish can receive information. To determine what type of dish you have, look 
at the arm extending out from the dish. At the end of this arm are one or more “fingers” 
ending in mushroom shaped parts pointing back at the dish. A single satellite dish antenna 
has one of these “fingers” pointing back at the dish, a 2 satellite dish antenna has two, and 
a 3 satellite dish antenna has three. If you own a 2 or 3 satellite dish antenna, your DVR 
will not work properly unless you have connected a multiswitch with at least four inputs 
and two outputs. For a definition of a multiswitch, see page 6.
Single LNB and Dual LNB Satellite Dish Antennas: Single LNB and Dual LNB refer to 
the number of independent signals a dish can send to your audio/video equipment. A 
Single LNB sends one signal and has one jack, or connector, inside the arm extending 
from the dish. A Dual LNB sends two signals and hpas two jacks. The easiest way to 
determine what type of dish you have is to consult the documentation that came with the 
dish. Disassembling the dish to determine its type is not recommended. 
Satellite Receiver: A satellite receiver does what its name suggests and more. It 
“receives” the signal from your satellite dish antenna, then translates it into a signal your 
TV can understand, then sends it to the TV. Your DIRECTV® DVR has a built-in satellite 
receiver.
Round Single 
satellite dish 
antenna
Oval 2 
satellite dish 
antenna
Oval 3 
satellite dish 
antenna
Single LNB 
(Single Satellite)
Dual LNB 
(Single Satellite)
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Chapter 1 Connecting
Dual Tuner: A tuner picks one channel out of all of your available channels. This allows 
you to view a single channel and to change channels. “Dual tuner” means your DIRECTV 
DVR has two tuners. It can pick out two channels at once, allowing you to record programs 
on two channels at the same time.
Multiswitch: A multiswitch lets you use the signal from one satellite dish antenna for more 
than two TVs. If you currently own a Dual LNB dish that is connected to two televisions, a 
multiswitch will allow you to connect two cables to your new DVR as well as one to a 
satellite receiver on your second television. If you own a 2 or 3 satellite dish antenna, your 
DVR will not work unless you have connected a multiswitch with at least four inputs and 
two outputs.
Access Card: Your access card contains information about your DIRECTV programming 
subscription. It must be properly inserted and activated for your DVR to work.
Transponder: A transponder is a piece of radio equipment on a satellite. The DIRECTV 
transponders receive information from DIRECTV and rebroadcast it to your satellite dish 
antenna. Each transponder rebroadcasts a different set of channels. If the DVR does not 
receive a signal for an individual transponder, it will not be able to show that transponder’s 
channels. Each satellite may have a different number of transponders on it.
Cables and Connections
Composite Video and Left/Right (L/R) Audio Cables: Composite Video and Left/Right 
(L/R) Audio cables may appear to be just one cable, but are actually three separate cables. 
The yellow composite cable transfers video. The white and red L/R Audio cables, when 
used together, transfer stereo sound. These three cables can be used together or separately. 
For example, you could use an S-Video cable to transfer video and use white and red L/R 
Audio cables to transfer audio. In this case, you would not need to use the yellow 
Composite Video cable at all.
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1
Useful Terms
Coaxial RF Cable: A coaxial RF cable transfers both audio and video on a single cable.
Optical (or Digital) Audio Cable: An optical (or digital) audio cable transfers audio only. 
This cable transfers audio at the highest possible quality from your DIRECTV DVR to an 
A/V receiver. If you have a home theater, own an A/V receiver capable of receiving 
Dolby Digital audio, and wish to use Dolby Digital audio, then you must use this cable. 
Not all A/V receivers with optical audio inputs are capable of receiving Dolby Digital 
audio. An optical audio cable is not included with the DVR.
BNC Cable: A BNC Cable is similar to a coaxial RF cable and transfers both audio and 
video. This type of cable is not included with your DVR. However, you may already be 
using a BNC cable in an existing connection to your TV. If so, you can purchase an 
adapter that will allow you to connect BNC cables to the RF In or RF Out jacks on your 
DVR.
Telephone Line Splitter: The included telephone line splitter allows you to plug both a 
telephone and your DVR into a single telephone wall jack.
Video, Audio, and Electronics Equipment and Terms
Switch Box: A switch box is a small box that allows you to connect multiple devices to 
your TV, even if your TV does not have enough input jacks to connect them all directly. It 
allows you to switch easily between viewing DIRECTV channels, viewing video from 
your DVD player, or running your game system. Switch boxes are inexpensive and can be 
purchased at electronics stores.
A/V Receiver: An A/V receiver is similar to a switch box but is more sophisticated. It may 
offer additional features such as remote control or Dolby Digital audio capabilities. An 
A/V receiver allows you to connect multiple devices to your TV, even if your TV does not 
have enough input jacks to connect them all directly. It allows you to switch easily 
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8
Chapter 1 Connecting
between viewing DIRECTV channels, viewing video from your DVD player, or running 
your game system by changing the input source.
Dolby Digital Audio: Dolby® Digital audio is recorded on six separate channels, each of 
which can be heard on one of six separate speakers. To use Dolby® Digital audio, you 
must use an optical audio cable to connect your DIRECTV DVR to an A/V receiver 
capable of supporting Dolby® Digital audio. Not all A/V receivers with optical audio 
inputs are capable of receiving Dolby® Digital audio. You must also set your DVR to 
record using Dolby® Digital audio. For more information, see page 96.
Dolby Surround Sound: Dolby® Surround Sound audio is recorded on two channels, 
which can be heard on two or more (usually five) speakers. To use Dolby® Surround 
Sound audio, you must have an A/V receiver capable of supporting Dolby® Surround 
Sound audio connected to your DVR using either L/R Audio cables or an optical audio 
cable.
Digital PBX Phone System: Digital PBX phone systems allow many phones to share a 
single telephone number and are usually used in hotels and office buildings. If you are 
installing the DVR in your home, it is very unlikely that you are using a digital PBX phone 
system. Do not connect your DVR to a digital PBX phone system. Doing so may 
permanently damage your DVR’s modem and will void your warranty.
Surge Protector: Surge protectors are devices that protect electronic equipment from 
power fluctuations. Like all electronics equipment, your DVR can be damaged by 
fluctuations in your line voltage. Purchasing a surge protector is highly recommended. If 
you purchase a surge protector that allows you to plug in both your DVR’s power and 
your telephone cord, you may prevent damage to the parts of your DVR that are connected 
to your phone line as well! Surge protectors can be purchased at hardware, electronics, or 
general merchandise stores.
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1
Cables and Accessories
Cables and Accessories
In addition to your television and the equipment that shipped with this DIRECTV DVR 
(shown below), you’ll need a satellite dish antenna—which should be properly mounted 
before you connect the DVR—and a standard, analog phone line (see page 3 for details).
Composite A/V Cable
25' Phone Cord
Power Cord
RF Coaxial Cable
1. These are the basics: 2. See page 10 to choose 
audio/video cables. The carton 
contains one of each of the 
following: 
3. You may need to purchase 
these additional items for 
some setups:
Extra RF Coaxial Cable
DVR  DIRECTV Access Card
Remote Control 
and 2 AA 
Batteries
Extra Composite A/V 
Cables 
Phone Line Splitter
1
0
23
79
8
46
5
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S
l
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TVSAT
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t
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(  )
-
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TV
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y
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S-Video Cable
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10
Chapter 1 Connecting
Setup Examples
Audio and Video Cables
Composite. Many TVs and VCRs have connectors for Composite A/V cables. If your 
equipment has them, you can use the Composite A/V cables for both audio and video.
RF Coaxial. Some TVs only have connectors for RF Coaxial cable. If your TV only has an 
RF connector, use the RF Coaxial cable for both audio and video and see Example 4 on 
page 18 (or see Example 1 on see page 12 if you also have a VCR):
S-Video. If you have S-Video connectors on your equipment, and want the highest quality 
video, use the included S-Video cable. The S-Video cable carries a video signal. You can 
connect the red and white ends of a Composite A/V cable to carry the audio signal.
If your TV has only one audio 
connector, connect just the white 
and yellow ends of the Composite A/V 
cable (don’t connect the red end).
Composite Video 
and L/R 
Audio Cables
Connect to 
Composite Video
and L/R Audio Jacks
(yellow)
(white)
(red)
Coaxial RF
Cable Connect to RF or 
VHF/UHF jack
Connect to S-Video
and L/R Audio jacks
S-Video and Left/
Right Audio Cables
(S-Video)
(red)
(white)
(yellow)
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1
Setup Examples
Digital Audio. The receiver includes a Digital Audio Out jack for compatibility with 
Dolby Digital audio. To use this feature, you will need an optical audio cable   
(not supplied), and a device that accepts Dolby Digital input. The optical audio cable will 
carry the audio signal. To complete the setup, you'll also need a connection for the video 
signal. You can use an S-Video cable to make the connection (for the best video signal), or 
the yellow ends of a composite cable. If you use a composite cable, you do not need to 
connect the red and white ends of the cable.
Ordinarily, your DVR produces tones to indicate when certain buttons on the remote 
control are pressed or to indicate signal strength when you are positioning your dish. If 
you use Digital Audio Out, you will not hear these tones.
Setup Examples
This chapter provides detailed examples showing how to connect the DIRECTV DVR to 
your existing audio/video system. Choose the example closest to your configuration and 
follow the steps in that section. 
•Example 1: DVR with VCR, DVD and/or game system, and switch box or A/V 
receiver (see page 12)
•Example 2: DVR with VCR (see page 14)
•Example 3: DVR only (see page 16)
•Example 4: DVR with VCR, antenna or cable, multiple input TV (see page 18)
•Example 5: DVR with VCR, antenna or cable, single input TV (see page 20)
If you have trouble or if your configuration isn’t covered by one of these examples, see the 
“Back Panel Reference” on page 152.
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12
Chapter 1 Connecting
INPUT
Audio
RL
Video Audio
RL
Video Audio
RL
Video
OUTPUT
RL
Video
Audio
RF
In
RF
Out
Ch
3/4
Audio RLVideo
OUT
IN
Audio R
 Audio  L
Video
RF
In
IN
AC~In
RF
Out
Ch
3/4
Audio RLVideo
OUT
DIRECTV DVR
Switch Box or  
A/V Receiver
Television
DVD Player or  
Game System
VCR
Example 1: VCR, DVD and/or Game System, and Switch Box or A/V Receiver
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
9
Note: Audio/Video cables shown are examples only. Use the best connections available on your equipment.
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1
Setup Examples
Example 1: VCR, DVD and/or Game System, and Switch Box or A/V Receiver
1 Connect the coaxial RF cables from your satellite dish antenna to the DIRECTV DVR. 
Connect one coaxial RF cable that comes from your satellite dish antenna to the jack labeled 
“Satellite In 1” on the DVR. If you have a second coaxial RF cable from your satellite dish 
antenna, connect it to the jack labeled “Satellite In 2.”
2 Connect the DVR’s output to the switch box or A/V receiver’s input.
3 Connect your switch box or A/V receiver’s output to your TV’s input.
4 Connect the DVR’s output to your VCR’s input. This will allow you to save programs 
recorded on your DIRECTV DVR to videotape.
5 Connect your VCR’s output to your switch box or A/V receiver’s input.
6 Connect your DVD player and/or game system’s output to your switch box or A/V 
receiver’s input.
7 Connect the phone line. (For more about the phone connection, see page 3.) 
8 Insert the Access Card that came with your DVR. Open the card door on the DVR’s front 
panel. Insert the card into the slot in the direction indicated on the card. Stop when the card 
makes contact with the back of the slot, then you can completely close the card door. To 
watch DIRECTV channels, you must insert the card correctly and activate it (activation is 
covered in the next chapter). 
9 Plug in all power cords. After you see the Welcome screen, skip to “Guided Setup” on 
page 23. If you do not see the Welcome screen, see page 119.
To switch between watching 
DIRECTV programming and 
watching video from your VCR, DVD or 
game system:
• With a switch box, press the buttons 
on your switch box
• With an A/V receiver, use the “Input,” 
or “Source” button on the receiver or 
its remote control.
If you are having trouble changing the 
video source, refer to the instructions that 
came with the A/V receiver or switch box.
POWER      REC           STANDBY
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14
Chapter 1 Connecting
 Example 2: DVR with VCR
To switch between watching your 
VCR and watching video from your 
DVR, you will need to use the “Input,” 
“Source,” or “TV/Video” button on your 
TV or TV’s remote control to change the 
video source. Some TVs also have a 
“Menu” button that allows you to change 
the video source using an on-screen 
menu. 
If you have trouble changing the video 
source refer to the instructions that came 
with your TV.
RF
In
RF
Out
Ch
3/4
Audio RLVideo
OUT
IN
AC~In
Antenna
In
INPUT
VIDEO
RLS-VIDEO
VCR
Television
DIRECTV DVR
1
23
4
5
7
Note: Audio/Video cables shown are examples only. Use the best connections available on your equipment.
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1
Setup Examples
Example 2: DVR with VCR
1  Connect the coaxial RF cables from your satellite dish antenna to the DIRECTV DVR. 
Connect one coaxial RF cable that comes from your satellite dish antenna to the jack 
labeled “Satellite In 1” on the DVR. If you have a second coaxial RF cable from your 
satellite dish antenna, connect it to the jack labeled “Satellite In 2.”
2  Connect the DVR to your TV. Look at the back of your TV and see what types of jacks 
are available. Connect the DVR’s output to the TV’s input using the best connection 
available. The example in the diagram shows a composite cable connected for audio and 
an S-Video cable connected for video. The connection can also be made using only a RF 
coaxial cable, or using only a composite cable.
3  Connect the DVR to your VCR. Connecting the DVR to your VCR will allow you to 
save programs recorded on your DIRECTV DVR to videotape. The example in the 
diagram shows an RF cable running from the DVR’s output to the VCR’s input.
4  Connect your VCR’s output to your TV’s input. This will allow you to watch 
videotapes. The example in the diagram shows an RF cable running from the VCR’s 
output to the TV’s input.
5 Connect the phone line. (For more about the phone connection, see page 3.) 
6 Insert the Access Card that came with your DVR. Open the card door on the DVR’s 
front panel. Insert the card into the slot in the direction indicated on the card. Stop when 
the card makes contact with the back of the slot, then you can completely close the card 
door. To watch DIRECTV channels, you must insert the card correctly and activate it 
(activation is covered in the next chapter). 
7  Plug in all power cords. After you see the Welcome screen, skip to “Guided Setup” on 
page 23. If you do not see the Welcome screen, see page 119.
POWER      REC           STANDBY
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Chapter 1 Connecting
Example 3: DVR Only
AC~In
Antenna
In
INPUT
VIDEO
RLS-VIDEO
DIRECTV DVR
Television
1
2
3
5
Note: Audio/Video cables shown are examples only. Use the best connections available on your equipment.
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1
Setup Examples
Example 3: DVR Only
1 Connect the coaxial RF cables from your satellite dish antenna to the DIRECTV DVR. 
Connect one coaxial RF cable that comes from your satellite dish antenna to the jack 
labeled “Satellite In 1” on the DVR. If you have a second coaxial RF cable from your 
satellite dish antenna, connect it to  the jack labeled “Satellite In 2.”
2 Connect the DVR to your TV. Look at the back of your TV and see what types of jacks 
are available. Connect the DVR’s output to the TV’s input using the best connection 
available. The example in the diagram shows a composite cable connected for audio and 
an S-Video cable connected for video. The connection can also be made using only a RF 
coaxial cable, or using only a composite cable.
3  Connect the phone line. (For more about the phone connection, see page 3.) 
4 Insert the Access Card that came with your DVR. Open the card door on the DVR’s 
front panel. Insert the card into the slot in the direction indicated on the card. Stop when 
the card makes contact with the back of the slot, then you can completely close the card 
door. To watch DIRECTV channels, you must insert the card correctly and activate it 
(activation is covered in the next chapter). 
5 Plug in all power cords. After you see the Welcome screen, skip to “Guided Setup” on 
page 23. If you do not see the Welcome screen, see page 119.
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Chapter 1 Connecting
Example 4: DVR, VCR, Antenna or Cable, and Multiple Input TV
To switch between watching 
DIRECTV channels and antenna/
cable channels, or tapes on your VCR, use 
the “Input,” “Source,” or “TV/Video” 
button on your TV’s remote to change the 
video source. Some TVs have a “Menu” 
button and an on-screen menu that lets 
you change the video source.
You can watch an antenna or cable 
channel while recording a DIRECTV 
channel. You will NOT be able use DVR 
functions on antenna or cable channels. 
You will also need to use your TV’s remote 
control to change antenna/cable 
channels.
If you are having trouble changing the 
video source, refer to the instructions that 
came with your TV.
RF
In
RF
Out
Audio R
LVideo
OUT
IN
AC~In
Ch 3/4
Antenna
In
INPUT
VIDEO
R
L
S-VIDEO
DIRECTV DVR
VCR
Television
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
Note: Audio/Video cables shown are examples only. Use the best connections available on your equipment.
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1
Setup Examples
Example 4: DVR, VCR, Antenna or Cable, and Multiple Input TV
If your TV has both coaxial RF and composite video inputs, follow this connection 
example to connect your antenna or cable to your TV. You will NOT be able to use 
DIRECTV DVR functions while watching antenna or cable channels, even if you connect 
your antenna or cable directly to your DVR.
1  Connect the coaxial RF cables from your satellite dish antenna to the DVR. Connect 
one coaxial RF cable that comes from your satellite dish antenna to the jack labeled 
“Satellite In 1” on the DVR. If you have a second coaxial RF cable from your satellite dish 
antenna, connect it to  the jack labeled “Satellite In 2.”
2  Connect the DVR to your TV. 
3  Connect the DVR to your VCR. Connecting the DVR to your VCR will allow you to 
save programs recorded on your DIRECTV DVR to videotape. 
4  Connect your VCR’s output to your TV’s input. This allows you to watch videotapes.
5  Connect your antenna or cable to the CABLE/ANTENNA RF In jack on your TV.
6  Connect the phone line. (For more about the phone connection, see page 3.) 
7  Insert the Access Card that came with your DVR. Open the card door on the DVR’s 
front panel. Insert the card into the slot in the direction indicated on the card. Stop when 
the card makes contact with the back of the slot, then you can completely close the card 
door. To watch DIRECTV® channels, you must insert the card correctly and activate it 
(activation is covered in the next chapter). 
8  Plug in all power cords. After you see the Welcome screen, skip to “Guided Setup” on 
page 23. If you do not see the Welcome screen, see page 119.
 “Multiple input” means the TV has 
multiple input plugs for A/V 
connectors.
 Steps 2, 3, and 4 are shown  
using composite and s-video 
cables. You can make these connections 
with other cables, as explained on page 
10.  Your DIRECTV DVR comes with one 
composite and one s-video cable. To 
complete the setup example as shown, 
you will need to use cables that came with 
your VCR, or purchase additional cables.
POWER      REC           STANDBY
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20
Chapter 1 Connecting
Example 5: DVR with VCR, Antenna or Cable, and Single Input TV
T
o sw
it
c
h
b
e
t
ween wa
t
c
hi
ng 
DIRECTV channels and watching 
antenna/cable channels, or watching 
tapes on your VCR, use the “Input,” 
“Source,” or “TV/Video” button on your 
TV’s remote control to change the video 
source. Some TVs have a “Menu” button 
that allows you to change the video 
source with an on-screen menu.
You can watch an antenna or cable 
channel while recording a DIRECTV 
channel. You will NOT be able use DVR 
functions on antenna or cable channels. 
You will also need to use your TV’s remote 
control to change antenna/cable 
channels.
If you are having trouble changing the 
video source, refer to the instructions that 
came with your TV.
AC~In
RF
In
RF
In
RF
Out
Ch
3/4
Audio RLVideo
OUT
IN
VCR
Television
DIRECTV DVR
2
1
3
4
5
7
Note: Audio/Video cables shown are examples only. Use the best connections available on your equipment.
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1
Setup Examples
Example 5: DVR with VCR, Antenna or Cable, and Single Input TV
If your TV has composite video inputs, use the example on page 18. You will NOT be 
able to use DIRECTV Receiver functions while watching antenna or cable channels.
1  Connect the coaxial RF cables from your satellite dish antenna to the DVR. Connect 
one coaxial RF cable that comes from your satellite dish antenna to the jack labeled 
“Satellite In 1” on the DVR. If you have a second coaxial RF cable from your satellite dish 
antenna, connect it to the jack labeled “Satellite In 2.”
2  Use coaxial RF cable to connect the DVR’s output to your VCR’s input. Be sure to 
select an output of channel 3 or 4 using the small switch on the back of the DVR. You will 
then need to set your VCR’s output to the same channel (3 or 4), and tune your TV to that 
same channel (3 or 4), to receive a signal. 
3  Use coaxial RF cable to connect your VCR’s output to your TV’s input. If your VCR 
is already connected to your TV, continue to Step D. Be sure to set your VCR’s output to 
the same channel (3 or 4) that you set on your DVR.
4  Connect your antenna or cable to the RF In jack on the back of the DVR.
5  Connect the phone line. (For more about the phone connection, see page 3.) 
6  Insert the Access Card that came with your DVR. Open the card door on the DVR’s 
front panel. Insert the card into the slot in the direction indicated on the card. Stop when 
the card makes contact with the back of the slot, then you can completely close the card 
door. To watch DIRECTV channels, you must insert the card correctly and activate it 
(activation is covered in the next chapter). 
7  Plug in all power cords. After you see the Welcome screen, skip to “Guided Setup” on 
page 23. If you do not see the Welcome screen, see page 119.
 I
f
 you 
h
ave a DVD p
l
ayer or game 
system in addition to your TV, VCR 
and DIRECTV DVR, you may need to use a 
switch box or an A/V receiver. A switch 
box or A/V receiver will allow you to 
connect all of your devices to your TV, 
even if your TV does not have enough 
input jacks to connect them all directly. 
For more information about these devices, 
see “Useful Terms,” on page 5.
POWER      REC           STANDBY
6
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22
Chapter 1 Connecting
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CHAPTER          
2
Guided Setup
Overview 24
Satellite Dish Guided Setup 25
Activate 29
Phone Setup 30
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24
Chapter 2 Guided Setup
Overview
Now that you have finished connecting your DIRECTV DVR, you are ready to begin 
Guided Setup. When you first plug in the DVR, screens appear which display its progress 
as it starts up. After a few minutes, you will see the Welcome screen, indicating that you 
are ready to begin Guided Setup. 
During Guided Setup, you will point your satellite dish antenna (if you haven’t already), 
activate your DIRECTV programming and DVR service, and set up your DVR to access 
service updates by phone. Guided Setup includes on-screen instructions. If you need 
additional assistance, this chapter contains detailed directions.
Guided Setup includes three steps. They are described on pages 25-32.
1. Satellite Dish Guided Setup
2. Activating services
3. Phone Setup
Using the Remote Control
To complete Guided Setup, you use the remote control to move through screens and select 
menu items that are on your television’s display. For an introduction to the remote control, 
see “Introducing the Remote Control” on the inside front cover of this guide.
Welcome. When you first turn on your DIRECTV DVR, you will see a gray screen that 
says “Welcome. Powering up,” followed by the Welcome screen (shown to the side). 
Read the screen then press SELECT to move to the next screen.
If you do not see the Welcome screen, see page 119.
Satellite Dish Guided Setup is used 
to test signal strength, position 
the satellite dish antenna and configure 
the DVR for use with a multiswitch or new 
multi-satellite dish antenna.
If you have connected your 
television or audio/visual 
equipment only to the DVR’s digital audio 
output, you will not hear any audio during 
Setup, or at any time while you are 
navigating through on-screen menus. 
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2
Satellite Dish Guided Setup
Satellite Dish Guided Setup
Satellite Dish Guided Setup tells the DIRECTV DVR what type of satellite dish antenna 
you are using, so you must go through it at least once, even if you are only replacing a 
DVR that was already working. Satellite Dish Guided Setup usually takes about five 
minutes, plus whatever time you may need to position your dish.
Connect Cables. After you press SELECT on the Welcome screen, you’ll see a reminder 
to make sure all cables are properly connected to the DVR and to your TV. Press SELECT 
when you are ready to continue.
Satellite Dish Type. Choose the type of satellite dish antenna you have installed. If the 
manual for your satellite dish antenna is available, you can find its type there. Most people 
should select “Round dish (Single or Dual LNB).” The most important feature of this type 
of dish is that it receives a signal from one satellite in the sky. Some manufacturers 
produce a dish that receives a signal from one satellite but is slightly oval in shape. If you 
have such a dish, choose “Round dish (Single or Dual LNB).” 
An oval 2 satellite dish antenna can receive signals from two satellites. An oval 3 satellite 
dish antenna receives its signal from three satellites. 2 and 3 satellite dish antennas are 
always Dual LNB. To see the next screen, highlight the type of satellite dish antenna you 
are using, then press SELECT.
Notice the progress bar at the 
bottom of the screen. It can help 
you keep track of how far along you are in 
Guided Setup.
Most new satellite dish antennas 
are Dual LNB. One cable extends 
from a single LNB dish to a home; two 
cables extend from a Dual LNB dish to a 
home (or to a multiswitch). 
 Oval 2 satellite dish antenna           Oval 3 satellite dish antenna
Round dish antenna 
(Single or Dual LNB)
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Chapter 2 Guided Setup
Satellite Connections. If you connected an RF coaxial cable to each of the DIRECTV 
DVR “Satellite In” jacks, select “Two cables.” If you connected only one RF coaxial cable 
(to the “Satellite In 1” jack), select “One cable.” To be able to record two programs at the 
same time, you must connect an RF coaxial cable from the satellite dish antenna (or a 
multiswitch) to both of the “Satellite In” jacks and then choose “Two cables” on this 
screen.
ZIP Code. Use the number keys on your remote control to enter your ZIP code. The DVR 
uses your ZIP code to determine the direction your satellite dish antenna should point. If 
you make a mistake, press LEFT arrow to correct it.
Satellite Dish Direction. Based on your ZIP code and dish type, this screen shows 
roughly how to position your satellite dish antenna. You will fine tune the position later on 
during Satellite Dish Guided Setup at the Test Signal Strength screen. Before positioning 
the dish, be sure the mast (the pole on which the dish is mounted) is straight up and down. 
For 2 or 3 satellite dish antennas, the screen provides a required tilt in addition to side-to-
side (azimuth) and up-down (elevation) information available for round dishes. 
Professional satellite installers are available in most areas to ensure correct installation. If 
your satellite system was installed by a professional, the satellite dish antenna direction 
should be correct. To see the next screen, press SELECT.
Satellite Checklist. The items on this list help ensure you receive a clear satellite signal. 
To see the next screen, press SELECT when you are satisfied that each item is complete.
Test Signal Strength. You use this screen to check the strength of the signal received by 
your satellite dish antenna. If you have two cables connected to the Satellite In jacks, it 
shows you the signal strength for each connection. It lets you see the signal strength from 
individual transponders one at a time. To be sure you receive all your channels, you 
should check signal strength on all transponders.
A transponder is a piece of radio 
equipment on a satellite. The 
DIRECTV transponders receive information 
from DIRECTV and rebroadcast it to your 
satellite dish antenna. Each transponder 
rebroadcasts a different set of channels. If 
the DVR does not receive a signal for an 
individual transponder, it will not be able 
to show that transponder’s channels. 
Satellites may have different numbers of 
transponders.
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Satellite Dish Guided Setup
Note: You can check signal strength while you adjust the position of your satellite dish 
antenna. The signal strength meter on this screen provides audio feedback—a tone that 
becomes higher pitched as the signal gets stronger. You may be able to turn the volume on 
your TV up so you can hear the tone while you adjust your satellite dish antenna. 
Alternatively, you might have someone watching the signal strength meter and then 
reporting through a cell phone or walkie-talkie to the person who is adjusting the satellite 
dish antenna. 
• To change the currently selected transponder, use the UP arrow to highlight the 
transponder number. Press the RIGHT or LEFT arrow to change the transponder. It is 
best if each transponder has a signal strength above 60. 
• If you have connected both Satellite In jacks, the signal strength for each connection is 
shown. You should have a good signal on all transponders for both connections.
If you have a 2 or 3 satellite dish antenna, you should check the signal strength from 
transponders on each satellite. 
• To change the selected satellite, press the UP arrow until the satellite number is 
highlighted. Press the RIGHT or LEFT arrow to change the satellite. 
When you have finished, select “Done Testing Signal Strength.” If you cannot acquire a 
good satellite signal, see Satellite Signal Troubleshooting on the next page.
Confirming Setup, Satellite Info. At each of the next two screens there is a short wait 
while the DVR confirms your set-up then gathers a list of channels from the satellite.
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28
Chapter 2 Guided Setup
Program Guide Data. Over the first 1 to 2 days, the DIRECTV DVR will gather and 
process up to two weeks of program data from the DIRECTV satellites. Program data 
includes program titles, times, channels, program descriptions, and more. 
Many of the DVR’s features use program data. Although you may be able to use such 
features immediately, you may not be able to find all the programs you are looking for 
right away. If programs you are looking for do not appear in the program information, 
check on them again after the DVR has been set up for a while.
Steps to Activate. This screen explains the next steps of Guided Setup, activation of  
DIRECTV services. When it appears, press the LIVE TV button on your remote control 
and go to the next page of this manual.
Satellite Signal Troubleshooting. If you encounter problems during Satellite Dish 
Guided Setup, you will see an error screen with some suggestions. For example, you may 
have made a mistake entering your ZIP code or your type of satellite dish antenna. 
If you are trying to set up the DVR, choose one of the options that return to part of 
Satellite Dish Guided Setup. For example, if you received the “Satellite Info Error,” 
choose “Try Again to Acquire Information.” You can also repeat Satellite Dish Guided 
Setup. This allows you to check that your ZIP code and satellite dish antenna type are 
correct. If you repeat Guided Setup and still receive error notifications, it is possible that 
your satellite dish antenna is not pointed correctly or the dish or multiswitch is miswired. 
Check the cabling, or consult a professional satellite system installer.
If you are trying to bypass Satellite Dish Guided Setup—for example, if you are setting up 
the DVR in a place without a satellite signal—the bottom choice on the error screens 
allows you to continue without resolving potential problems. While you may receive 
fewer or no TV channels, you can still watch previously recorded programs.
If the DVR is low on Program Guide Data, 
this message at the bottom of the screen 
tells you how much Program Guide Data it 
has.
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2
Activate
Activate
Now it’s time to activate services for your DIRECTV DVR. Before you make the phone 
call:
• The DVR should be on, tuned to channel 100, and receiving a signal from the satellite 
dish antenna. (Channel 100 shows preview programming from DIRECTV.) 
• You will need: a valid service address, social security number, and a major credit card 
(deposit or prepayment may be required). You will also need the 12 digit number on 
your DIRECTV access card and the make, model, serial number, and 12 digit Receiver 
ID number of your DVR, found on a label on the back of the DVR and on the System 
Information screen. (Press the DIRECTV button, then select “Messages & Setup” then 
“System Information.”)
•Important! The access card that came with your DIRECTV DVR must be inserted in 
the appropriate slot in front of the DVR before you call. Also, be sure to tell your 
customer care agent that you have a “DIRECTV DVR” and that you also want to 
activate the DIRECTV DVR with TiVo service. Without the DVR service, your 
DVR will not be able to record programs.
When you are ready, call 1-800-DIRECTV.  After you have activated, you can begin 
Phone Setup, the last step of Guided Setup, by pressing the DIRECTV button.
What does DIRECTV DVR with TiVo service provide?
The DVR service provides you with the ability to record programs, create Season Pass™ 
recordings and WishList™ searches. It also gives you access to  Showcases, TiVo 
Suggestions, and several convenient ways to find programs to you want to record. Without 
the DVR service, the unit functions only as a DIRECTV Receiver, without recording 
capability.
Remember to place the access card 
in the appropriate slot in front of 
the DVR. See the setup examples in 
chapter two for details.
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30
Chapter 2 Guided Setup
Phone Setup
Press the DIRECTV button on your remote control to start Phone Setup.
Final Steps. The last step of Guided Setup, Phone Setup, begins automatically the first 
time you press the DIRECTV button on your remote control. The DIRECTV DVR should 
be connected to a telephone line. The DVR occasionally makes a brief phone call to get 
updates to the DVR service and Showcases, and for pay per view functionality. 
By default, the DVR will not pick up the phone if the line is busy. If you pick up the phone 
while the DVR is using the line, the DVR’s modem will disconnect. To use the phone line 
you should hang up, wait at least 45 seconds, then pick up the phone again to get a dial 
tone.
DVR Service Terms. This screen appears after the Final Steps screen. The DIRECTV 
Service Agreement is printed on your first monthly statement from DIRECTV. We 
encourage you to read it.
Area Code. The DVR service uses your area code to determine which local dial-in 
numbers are available. If you make a mistake, press LEFT arrow to correct it.
Phone Dialing Options. Most people will not need to change the settings the DVR uses to 
dial out. However, if your phone system uses special dialing options, select “Yes.” See 
“Phone Dialing Options” on page 102 for help with the various settings.
Update Dial-In Numbers. The DVR makes a toll-free call to get a list of local dial-in 
numbers. The call usually takes less than five minutes, and its status displays on the 
screen. If the call fails, check the Troubleshooting chapter of this guide, on page 132.
Dial-In Numbers. The DVR uses the dial-in number you select from the list on this screen 
to make its daily calls to the DVR service. The list may be too long to fit on one screen. To 
see more numbers, press CHAN DOWN.
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2
Phone Setup
No Local Numbers. If you chose a local dial-in number, you will not see this screen. If 
you selected “None of the Above” on the Dial-In Numbers screen, select “Request 800 
number authorization” here. Selecting this option temporarily selects the toll-free number 
and submits a request to use the toll-free number. It is the current policy of DIRECTV to 
allow you to use the toll-free number if there are no local numbers available. 
Dialing Format. Choose the dialing format you need. For example, should the dial-in 
number be preceded by your area code, and should a “1” precede the area code? In some 
areas, even local numbers must be dialed using the area code.
Test Phone Connection Call. This screen appears while the DVR tests the phone dialing 
options and local dial-in number you have chosen. You should see a message that says 
“Test Successful!” Press SELECT or the RIGHT arrow to continue. If the phone test does 
not succeed, you may need to pick a different dial-in number, or change the dialing 
format. Use the LEFT arrow to go back to previous screens and make changes to dialing 
options.
Congratulations! You’ve completed Guided Setup. You can now press the DIRECTV 
Button on your remote control to go to DIRECTV Central. 
Care of Your DIRECTV DVR. Your DVR should remain connected to your satellite dish 
antenna and plugged in to a live power source and a phone line at all times. This lets it 
record programs and make phone calls to keep its data up-to-date. 
Moving Your DVR. If you take your DVR with you to a location without satellite access—
for example, on a weekend get-away to a mountain cabin—you will still be able to 
connect it to a television and watch programs saved in the Now Playing List. 
After completing Guided Setup one time, whenever you unplug the DVR and plug it back 
in, it will search for a satellite signal. When you see the message “Acquiring Satellite 
If your DVR is having difficulty 
dialing out, try the following: Press 
LEFT arrow until you return to the Phone 
Dialing Options screen. Select Set Dial 
Prefix, and enter the dialing prefix 
“,#034” (comma, pound, zero, three, 
four). Use the PAUSE button to enter a 
comma, and the ENTER button to enter a 
pound. This command sets the DVR’s 
modem to a slower speed, which helps 
phone calls succeed in some 
environments. The DVR does not dial the 
prefix as part of the number.
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Chapter 2 Guided Setup
Information,” you can press the DIRECTV button on the remote control to go directly to 
DIRECTV Central. From DIRECTV Central, programs in your DVR’s Now Playing List 
are always available. If you start your DVR without properly connecting it to a DIRECTV 
satellite television signal, the DVR will not show live TV or provide any live TV 
functions.
Your DVR should NOT be used with any digital PBX phone system. Doing so may 
permanently damage your DVR’s modem and will void your warranty. Digital PBX 
phone systems allow many phones to share a single telephone number and are usually 
used in hotels and offices. If you are installing the DVR in your home, it is unlikely you 
are using a digital PBX phone system.
Next Up, the 5 Tours. Now that you are finished with Guided Setup, you’re ready to have 
fun with your DVR! We suggest you start with the five short tours provided in “The 
Basics in 5 Short Tours” on page 33. These will guide you through the basics and show 
you some fun features of the DIRECTV DVR.
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CHAPTER   3
The Basics in 5 Short Tours
Tour 1: Play with Live TV 34
Tour 2: DIRECTV Advanced Program Guide™ 36
Tour 3: Find and Record Your Favorite Programs 38
Tour 4: Search for New Programs 40
Tour 5: Now Playing List 42
Cool Things You Can Do 43
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34
Chapter 3 The Basics in 5 Short Tours
Tour 1: Play with Live TV
In this tour, you’ll take a look at how you can control live TV. So grab your remote!
First, press the PAUSE button—the program you’re watching pauses. Now you can 
stand up and stretch, or go to the kitchen and get a snack. You can pause live TV for up to 
30 minutes! With Dual Tuner, you can switch between two channels in live TV without 
losing the saved portion of either one.
But for now, press PLAY and the program resumes. 
Next, press BACK  and the program rewinds. Press BACK a second time—it goes 
faster! A third time—faster still! Both the FORWARD  and BACK buttons have three 
speeds. Press BACK a fourth time to return to normal speed.
Press PAUSE once more, then immediately press FORWARD and you get frame-by-
frame forward! Press BACK and you get frame-by-frame backward! When your show is 
paused, FORWARD and BACK let you go frame by frame. Press PLAY to resume 
watching at normal speed.
Try out the INSTANT REPLAY button. INSTANT REPLAY  jumps you back 8 
seconds—useful for when you miss a great sports play or a bit of dialog, or for when you 
fast forward too far.
Press INSTANT REPLAY again, then immediately press SLOW  — you get your 
own slow-motion replay!
Finally, try the ADVANCE  button. Presto! You’re caught up to live TV.
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3
Tour 1: Play with Live TV
Status Bar 
Press PAUSE or PLAY to see the status bar. It shows a one-hour period. The green 
segment is the portion of the current hour that has been saved by your DIRECTV DVR. 
The right edge of the green part is always the current time.
The white line marks the part of the program you are currently watching. If it is anywhere 
back in the green segment you are “behind” real time.
Press CHAN UP. When you change channels, the DVR starts to save what is showing on 
the new channel. With Dual Tuner, 30 minutes of live TV is saved on both tuners. That 
means you can use the instant replay, slow motion and pause features on either channel. If 
you leave one of these two channels, however, the saved information on the original 
channel is cleared, and the DVR starts saving live TV on the new channel.
Channel Banner
The channel banner describes the program you’re currently watching. Press INFO or the 
RIGHT arrow to see the channel banner. The channel banner is only there for a few 
seconds, but you can bring it back by pressing INFO or the RIGHT arrow again. While the 
banner is visible, press the RIGHT arrow to switch from a small, to medium, to large 
banner. Each version has a different amount of information. 
Keep pressing the RIGHT arrow until you see the largest version of the channel banner. 
Notice the small icons on the right side. Each symbol represents a useful feature, like 
swapping tuners or setting Parental Controls. Press the UP and DOWN arrows to highlight 
different icons. Pressing SELECT while an icon is highlighted will take you to that 
feature. Finally, press the EXIT button—the channel banner disappears. (EXIT gets rid of 
graphics that aren’t part of the program you’re watching.)
Now go have fun playing with live TV, then come back for the next tour!
Status Bar This white line 
tells you where 
you are.
selectable 
icons
channel banner
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36
Chapter 3 The Basics in 5 Short Tours
Tour 2: DIRECTV Advanced Program Guide™
While you’re watching live TV, the Advanced Program Guide lets you see what’s on, 
change channels, schedule recordings, and more. To see it, press the GUIDE button on 
your remote control. 
Changing Channels
The guide shows a list of channels on the left and different times across the top. One 
program is highlighted—it’s a different color than the others. Its description appears at the 
top of the grid. Press the UP or DOWN arrows to move to a different channel, then press 
SELECT. Pressing SELECT on a program that is currently showing changes the channel 
to display that program and hides the guide.
Scheduling a Recording
Press the GUIDE button to bring back the Program Guide. It’s easy to record a program 
using the guide. Simply highlight the program you want and press the RECORD button. A 
transparent screen appears, from which you select “Record this Showing.” If the program 
is currently playing, the DVR changes channels and begins recording; otherwise, the 
recording is scheduled for the future. When you’re recording, the red light on the front of 
the DVR illuminates.
Making a List of Favorite Channels
You can create a list of your favorite channels and then set the guide to show only 
channels that are on the list. This is a quick way to see programs coming up on the 
channels that are most important to you.
If you find that the Program Guide 
or the CHAN UP/DOWN buttons 
are not showing channels you want to 
see, filtering or a custom channel list is 
probably turned on. Check the Guide 
Options (from the Program Guide, press 
INFO).
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3
Tour 2: DIRECTV Advanced Program Guide™
First, create a list of favorite channels. Press the DIRECTV button to see DIRECTV 
Central. Highlight “Messages & Setup,” then press SELECT. Next, select “My 
Preferences,” then “Customize Channels,” then “Favorite Channels.” A list of all 
DIRECTV channels appears. (DIRECTV provides many, many more channels than will 
fit on one screen!) Press CHAN DOWN a few times. Each time you press it, you see the 
next screen of channels. Press CHAN UP to see a previous screen. You can also jump to a 
specific channel by entering the channel number on the remote.
Highlight a channel you want to include in your list of favorites and press SELECT. A 
checkmark appears beside the channel. To remove a channel, highlight one that has a 
checkmark and press SELECT—the checkmark disappears. Now find a few more 
channels for your list and select them to give them checkmarks.
Using Your Channel List
When you want to change the way the guide appears and what it displays, you can use 
Guide Options. Press the GUIDE button to see the guide. While it is visible, press the 
INFO button to see Guide Options.
On the Guide Options screen, press the DOWN arrow once so “All” (to the right of 
“Channels”) is highlighted. “All” is the current channel list and includes all available 
DIRECTV channels. Press the RIGHT arrow twice to change the list to “Favorites,” then 
press SELECT. “Done changing options” becomes highlighted. Press SELECT again and 
voilà, the guide appears using your new custom channel list! 
Now the guide only shows channels in your list. Use the UP and DOWN arrows to move 
around a bit on your new customized guide, then press the EXIT button to hide the guide. 
Press CHAN UP a few times—notice it skips some channels now. CHAN UP/DOWN is 
also affected by the channel list; it only tunes to channels that are on the list. You can still 
tune to other channels by entering numbers.
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38
Chapter 3 The Basics in 5 Short Tours
Tour 3: Find and Record 
Your Favorite Programs 
You can always record a program you’re watching by pressing the RECORD button on 
your remote control. What’s more, if you have not changed the channel for a while, your 
DIRECTV DVR will add to your recording whatever part of the program it has already 
saved, up to 30 minutes. Your DVR also provides many ways to quickly search large 
numbers of programs, find your favorites, and schedule recordings in advance. Even 
buying and recording pay per view events is quick and easy, without any need to use a 
phone. What’s more, if a program is part of a series, you can get a Season Pass™ to the 
series. A Season Pass records every episode of a selected program that airs on a given 
channel.
Search by Title
In this tour, we’ll show you how to get a Season Pass. As an example, we’ll be searching 
for a fictitious show called The Downtown Lawyers, but you can use the same steps to 
search for your favorite program. 
To get started, press the DIRECTV button to see DIRECTV Central. Press the DOWN 
arrow to highlight Pick Programs to Record. Press SELECT. The Pick Programs to 
Record screen appears. As you can see, there are many ways to search for a program. 
Since you know the program’s title, highlight Search by Title and press SELECT. The 
next screen lets you limit your search to any of several categories, but for now, choose 
“All Programs” and press SELECT. 
The next screen has a picture of an alphanumeric keypad. Notice the white box around the 
“A”. Use the RIGHT, LEFT, UP, and DOWN arrows to move the box. To find The 
Downtown Lawyers, you would move the box to “D” and press SELECT. A list of 
programs appears on the right side of the screen. (Notice, the list alphabetizes without “A” 
If you do not see the program you 
wish to find in the list of programs, 
it may be because the DVR is still gathering 
Program Guide data. A message at the 
bottom of the screen will tell you how much 
data the DVR has. The DVR should be done 
collecting Program Guide data within 48 
hours of finishing Guided Setup.
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3
Tour 3: Find and Record Your Favorite Programs
or “The.”) Move the white box to “O” and press SELECT again. The list changes. Your 
DVR searches through all available programs (usually, data for the next two weeks) to 
find those that begin with “DO,” then lists those programs. This can be a great way to find 
a show if you are not sure of its full name.
If you make a mistake entering text, select “DEL” on the screen (or press BACK on the 
remote control). To clear all text, use CLR on the screen (or press the CLEAR button on 
the remote control). Next, enter a “W.” If The Downtown Lawyers existed, you would see 
it in the title list at the right. Press the RIGHT arrow until you move off the alphanumeric 
keypad and onto the list of programs. Press the UP or DOWN arrow to highlight the show 
of your choice, then press SELECT. The Program Information screen appears. This screen 
tells you about the program and lets you set up a recording. 
Highlight Get a Season Pass, and press SELECT. A screen appears to confirm your 
choice. Confirmation screens help you make sure the DIRECTV DVR is doing what you 
want. Press SELECT again. You now have a Season Pass. 
To see all your scheduled recordings, go to DIRECTV Central, then Pick Programs to 
Record, then To Do List. To cancel a recording, highlight it and press SELECT. The 
Program Information screen appears. Select “Cancel only this episode.” On the next 
screen confirms that the recording has been deleted from the To Do List. Press select to 
return to the To Do List. To cancel an entire Season Pass, go to DIRECTV Central, then 
“Pick Programs to Record,” then “To Do List.” Select a program, then select “Cancel/edit 
the Season Pass.” Select “Cancel this Season Pass.” 
Pay Per View
You can order pay per view events using your remote control. Some events have dedicated 
channels that allow ordering more than 24 hours in advance, but for most events, pricing 
information becomes available within 24 hours of the event’s air-time. Once that 
information is available, you can select and record the event as you would any other 
program. When you select an event, a special pay per view Program Information screen 
will appear with options to purchase it. For a complete description, see page 85.
There may be more than one 
listing for the show you are 
searching for. Select the one that airs new 
episodes of the show on a channel you 
receive.
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Chapter 3 The Basics in 5 Short Tours
Tour 4: Search for New Programs
Your DIRECTV DVR helps you find what you want to watch—both exciting new shows 
and old favorites you might have forgotten. 
Showcases
Showcases list the best programs offered by television’s biggest networks. These 
Showcases group programs in theme packages, giving you one-stop-shopping 
convenience when browsing for programs to record. Packages include the biggest 
blockbuster movies, mini-series, hottest specials, hit series and shows from the greatest 
stars on TV, as well as special Showcases featuring entertaining and informative video. 
Showcases are updated during your DVR’s daily phone call. 
Once you’re inside a Showcase, use the arrow buttons and SELECT to explore the 
selections. When you get to a list of programs, select a title to see the Program Information 
screen. If the program airs on a channel you receive, you can set up a recording here—it’s 
that easy!
TiVolution Magazine®. You’ll always find something fun and unusual in TiVolution 
Magazine, an interactive guide to the best upcoming shows on television. You’ll find 
premieres, specials, and offbeat gems, making it easy for you to schedule recordings. New 
content is delivered fresh to your DVR during the daily phone call. TiVolution Magazine 
is always available under Showcases. To find it, press the DIRECTV button, select 
“Showcases,” then “TiVolution Magazine.”
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3
Tour 4: Search for New Programs
TiVo Suggestions (Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down)
TiVo Suggestions is a personalized list of shows selected to match your preferences. How 
is this magic possible? Any time you watch programs, live or pre-recorded, or browse 
programs with the Program Guide, you can rate them. If you like a program, press the 
green THUMBS UP™ ™ button on your remote control. If you dislike it, press the red 
THUMBS DOWN™ ™. You can give a program up to three Thumbs, up or down. 
Over time, the more shows you rate with your Thumb buttons, the better TiVo 
Suggestions will be at finding programs you like. The suggestions are listed under TiVo 
Suggestions in order of how closely they match your preferences. 
Try it! Press GUIDE to bring up the DIRECTV Advanced Program Guide™. Highlight a 
few programs and rate them by pressing the THUMBS UP™ ™ or THUMBS DOWN™ 
™ button. Then go to “DIRECTV Central,” then “Pick Programs to Record,” then 
“TiVo Suggestions.” Suggested programs based on your Thumb ratings appear in TiVo 
Suggestions. (If you don’t see programs yet, come back later—it may take a few hours the 
first time.) You can press SELECT on a suggestion, then set up a recording.
As an added bonus, when the DIRECTV DVR has empty space, it may automatically 
record some of TiVo Suggestions. You will find them at the bottom of the Now Playing 
List, below programs you requested. TiVo Suggestions never replace shows you explicitly 
request and they do not prevent those shows from being recorded. Recorded suggestions 
are always the first programs deleted to make room for recordings you request. 
Your personal TV preferences are 
just that: personal. (DIRECTV 
privacy policies are included in your first 
monthly statement.)
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42
Chapter 3 The Basics in 5 Short Tours
Tour 5: Now Playing List
Your DIRECTV DVR can record many hours of programming. (Enough to fill a slew of 
video tapes!) Fortunately, it also labels and organizes all those saved programs. Unlike a 
VCR, the Now Playing List on your DVR gives you instant access to all recorded 
programs—no need to spend time searching for an episode on that tape you thought you 
used.
To go to the Now Playing List, press the LIST button. Programs you recorded are at the 
top of the list, in the order they were recorded. An icon (like this one: ) to the left of a 
program’s title tells you the recording’s current status. (For a summary of what these icons 
mean, see the inside back cover of this guide.)
Programs you request will appear in the Now Playing List the moment recording begins. 
You can watch any title in the list—even one that is still being recorded—by highlighting 
it, then pressing the PLAY button.
Try it!  Highlight a program in the Now Playing List and press PLAY. OK, now for the 
cool part: Watch the program for at least five minutes, then press the LEFT arrow to go 
back to Now Playing List. Select the same program again—the Program Information 
screen says “Resume Playing” instead of “Play.” Select “Resume Playing” and return to 
the program from the point you left it!
Save until . . . Programs you choose to record are saved at least two days by default. To 
see options for saving a program longer, highlight the program in the Now Playing List, 
then press SELECT.
The Program Information screen appears. Select “Save until....” On the next screen, use 
the UP/DOWN arrows to highlight the date, then use the RIGHT/LEFT arrows to change 
it. When you are done, press SELECT.
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3
Cool Things You Can Do
Cool Things You Can Do
Never be late for your favorite programs: Working late? Stuck in traffic? Don’t worry. If 
you set up a recording or a Season Pass, the program will be waiting for you in the Now 
Playing List. You can even start watching from the beginning while it finishes recording.
Make your television wishes come true with a WishList™: Have a favorite actor? A 
favorite hobby or interest? How about a favorite sports team? If they’re on TV, chances 
are a WishList™ will find them. See page 73.
Looking for good movies? Kids’ shows? Science fiction? With Search by Title, you can 
browse all the upcoming programs in a particular category and find shows you didn’t 
know were on (see page 38).
See a good preview, record the show: If you’re watching live TV and a promotion 
comes on for an upcoming program, you may see an iPreview™ icon like this 
one:  Press THUMBS UP while you see the icon to automatically set up a 
recording for the program. You don’t have to remember when it’s on—it will be recorded! 
(If you didn’t schedule a recording when you saw the icon, rewind until it’s visible again.)
Filter the Program Guide: Want to try something new for dinner tonight? It’s easy to 
make the Program Guide show only a certain kind of program—for example, cooking 
shows. You’ll use the Guide Options screen to choose the desired filter (in this example, 
it’s “Lifestyles,” then “Cooking”) and turn on filtering. (See page 50.) Once you’ve turned 
on the filter, programs that do not fit the selected category appear in gray on the guide 
until you highlight them. In addition, if a given channel doesn’t have any shows that fit the 
category within the next six hours, that channel doesn’t show up in the guide. You can 
always turn filtering off to show all channels in the guide.
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Chapter 3 The Basics in 5 Short Tours
Use the Overtime Scheduler™ (and don’t miss overtime!): Programs sometimes start 
before they’re supposed to and often end later than scheduled. With Recording Options, 
you can “pad” your recordings to account for variations by using the Overtime 
Scheduler.™ See page 62.
Use the EXIT button: The EXIT button hides the status bar, guide, channel banner, and 
anything else that is not part of the program.
Record two programs at the same time with Dual Tuner! Your DIRECTV DVR has two 
tuners—which means it can record programs on two channels at the same time. To 
activate both tuners, both Satellite In jacks on the back of the DVR must be connected to 
cables from your satellite dish antenna (or a multiswitch), and you must choose the “Two 
cables” option in of Satellite Dish Setup (described on page 25). With dual tuner you can 
watch more of your favorite programs, even when they’re on at the same time.
The Star and the Clapboard: You will occasionally see a yellow star ( ) on 
DIRECTV Central. The star signals a new selection that may change the next time you 
visit. Depending on the selection, it may allow you to record a program, watch a preview, 
or go to a special Showcase. Don’t worry if you pass up a particular new selection; keep 
going back to DIRECTV Central until it appears again.
The clapboard icon—on DIRECTV Central, or in a Showcase—indicates that a selection 
includes a video preview. If the clapboard has a green triangle in it ( ), you can press 
PLAY to play the video. If there is no green triangle, the current selection takes you to 
another screen where you’ll find the actual video clip.
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CHAPTER            
4
Watching Live TV
Let’s Go! 46
DIRECTV Advanced Program Guide™ 48
Channel Banner 51
Play with Live TV 52
Status Bar 53
Music Channels 54
Standby 55
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Chapter 4 Watching Live TV
Let’s Go!
Here are two ways to watch live TV:
• Press the LIVE TV button on your remote control.
• From DIRECTV Central, highlight Watch Live TV and press SELECT.
Changing Channels
There are a number of ways to change channels—choose what’s easiest for you:
• Tired of channel surfing? Press GUIDE to bring up the Advanced Program Guide™. 
Then highlight a program in progress and press SELECT. 
• You can also change channels by pressing the numbers on your remote control. The 
channel automatically changes after a few seconds, or you can press ENTER/LAST to 
make the change right away. If you make a mistake, press CLEAR to clear numbers 
you have entered. Use the ADVANCE button ( ) for long channel numbers that 
include a dash, to separate the primary digits from the other digits.
• Use the CHAN UP/DOWN button on your remote control to tune to channels on the 
current channel list. 
• To jump back to the previous channel you were on (without entering any numbers), 
press ENTER/LAST.
Your DVR automatically saves up to 
30 minutes of live TV on the 
channel you’re watching. With Dual Tuner, 
you can switch between two channels, 
and 30 minutes of live TV will be saved on 
each channel. If you leave one of these 
two channels, the saved information on 
the original channel is cleared, and the 
DVR starts saving live TV on the new 
channel.
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4
Let’s Go!
Recording a Live Program
To start recording a program while you’re watching it, press RECORD. From the options 
that display, choose “Record this showing.” Or you can choose “Season Pass and other 
options” to see the Program Information screen and either get a Season Pass (page 59) or 
change Recording Options (page 60). The recording will stop automatically when the 
program ends. You can stop it before that by pressing the RECORD button. A transparent 
screen will appear with a selection to “Stop the current recording.” You can also select a 
program in the Now Playing List, and then choose “Stop recording.”
Even when you are not recording a program, the DVR saves up to 30 minutes of live TV 
from the current channel. If you change channels and you have Dual Tuner enabled, the 
DVR starts saving on the new channel as well. When you start to record a live program, if 
the DVR has saved a portion of that program, it adds what has been saved to the beginning 
of your recording.
With Dual Tuner, if you’re switching between two channels by using the DOWN arrow, 
the DVR saves up to 30 minutes of live TV on both channels. If you move to a new 
channel (that is, a third channel), the saved portion on the first channel is cleared, and the 
DVR starts to save live TV on the new channel (in addition to the other most recent 
channel you were watching). You can use the fast forward, instant replay, and slow 
motion features on either of the two current channels.
As soon as the DVR starts 
recording a program, you can find 
that recording on the Now Playing list by 
pressing the DIRECTV button twice.
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Chapter 4 Watching Live TV
DIRECTV Advanced Program Guide™
While you are watching live TV, the Advanced Program Guide™ shows you current and 
upcoming programs. You can use it to see what’s on, change the channel, schedule a 
recording, purchase and/or record pay per view events when pricing information is 
available, alter Thumb ratings, or select a channel filter. The guide has program 
information for up to the next two weeks.
To display the guide, press the GUIDE button. To hide the guide, press GUIDE again (or 
press EXIT).
There are two styles of the Advanced Program Guide™: the Grid Guide and the List 
Guide. They provide similar information. The Grid Guide is the default style. You can 
choose the one you prefer when you customize the guide (see page 50).
Use the UP, DOWN, RIGHT and LEFT arrows to move through the guide. Use CHAN 
UP/DOWN to page up or down. On the Grid Guide, use the FORWARD and BACK 
buttons to jump through programming information 90 minutes at a time. (On the List 
Guide, the FORWARD and BACK buttons jump through 30 minutes of programming 
information at a time.)
Changing channels. To change the channel you are watching while in the guide, 
highlight a program in progress and press SELECT. 
Recording a program. If the program is in progress, highlight it in the guide and press 
RECORD. If the program is on later, highlight it and press RECORD or SELECT. If the 
program you have chosen is not a pay per view event, a transparent screen displays. Select 
“Record this showing.” If you have chosen a pay per view program, the pay per view 
screen displays.
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49
4
DIRECTV Advanced Program Guide™
Program listings
Grid Guide T
h
e 
f
o
ll
ow
i
ng 
i
cons may appear 
beside programs in the guide:
This appears beside pay per view 
events that are All Day Ticket 
replays.
This appears beside programs 
that have an alternate 
audio track.
This appears beside programs 
that have a Dolby Digital 
sound track.
This appears beside programs 
that are broadcast in letterbox 
format, which displays the full 
width of the program and leaves 
a black margin at the top and 
bottom of the screen.
Program description
and Thumb rating
Time slots
Channel list and
category filter
currently in use
Title, date, time the program airs, and 
other applicable information (rating, 
alternate audio, CC, Dolby Digital)
Guide options (Push INFO button 
to set)
Channel number and channel 
call letters
List Guide
Programs during this 
time slot
Upcoming programs 
on the selected 
channel
Selected channel
Current time
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50
Chapter 4 Watching Live TV
Customizing the Guide
Guide Options. By customizing the guide, you can choose to use either the Grid Guide or 
the List Guide. You can also change the day and time displayed, select a channel list, and 
set the guide to filter program information by category. To customize the guide, press 
GUIDE to make it visible, then press INFO to see Guide Options. Highlight an option and 
then change it with the LEFT and RIGHT arrows. Save your changes by pressing INFO 
again or GUIDE. To discard your changes, press EXIT.
•Channels. Select a channel list to use in the guide (“All,” “Channels You Receive,” or 
“Favorite Channels”). The default, “All,” displays all of the DIRECTV channels. If 
you have customized the Channels You Receive list in My Preferences to include only 
channels you receive, you can select “You Receive” on this screen to show only 
channels you receive in the guide. Similarly, if you have customized the “Favorite 
Channels” list, the guide will only show channels in that list.
•Day and Time. Use the LEFT and RIGHT arrows to change the day or time displayed 
in the guide. 
•Style. Change the style of the guide to Grid Guide or List Guide.
•Filtering. Turn guide filtering on or off. 
•Choose filter. Choose a category with which to filter the guide. When filtering is on, 
programs that do not fit the selected category appear grayed on the guide until you 
highlight them. In addition, if a channel has no programs in the selected category 
within six hours of the time on the guide, the Grid Guide will not show that channel.
By customizing the guide, you can 
use it to display only program 
information you want to see. For example, 
you can use the movie filter to quickly 
check what movies are on, or use the 
“Favorite Channels” list to see 
information for  your previously selected 
channels.
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4
Channel Banner
Channel Banner
The channel banner appears at the top of the screen when you change channels or press 
INFO, THUMBS UP or THUMBS DOWN, or the RIGHT arrow during a program. It 
disappears after a few seconds. You can set a preference (see page 96), to decide how long 
the banner stays on the screen when you change channels. Press EXIT (or INFO) to hide 
the channel banner.
Use the RIGHT arrow to cycle through three versions of the channel banner: small (with 
only the current time and channel), medium (adds the title, running time, and ratings), and 
large (with a program description and icons for useful shortcuts). The size of the banner 
you last viewed becomes the default size when you change channels.
Channel Banner Shortcuts. The large channel banner has a number of selectable icons. 
To select an icon, use the UP and DOWN arrows to highlight it, then press SELECT.
Select to start a recording. This icon is bright when the DVR is recording a 
program, dim when it is not recording.
Select to display what’s on the other tuner (for Dual Tuner). This icon is bright if 
the program on the other tuner is being recorded. It is dim if the program on the 
other tuner is not being recorded.
Alternate audio usually changes the language of the program. Sometimes there are 
other types of alternate audio. If an alternate audio track is available, this icon will 
be bright, otherwise it will be dim. Highlight this icon and press SELECT to choose 
an alternate audio track. 
Select to display Parental Controls (see page 90). If Parental Controls are off, the 
padlock appears unlocked and dim. If they are on, it appears locked and bright. If 
they are temporarily turned off, it appears unlocked and bright.
If this icon is bright, you have new messages. Select to display Messages & Setup.
Pressing the RIGHT arrow cycles through 
channel banner styles, from 
small . . .
to medium . . .
to large . . .
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Chapter 4 Watching Live TV
Play with Live TV
Part of the fun of watching live TV and recorded programs with your DIRECTV DVR is 
using the pause, instant replay, and slow motion features. Here’s a list of the things you 
can do with the special buttons on your remote control:
Record: Records a program. You can press RECORD when you are watching a 
program in live TV, or when a program title is highlighted on the guide.
Play: Shows programs at normal speed. The status bar appears for five seconds.
Pause: Freezes the picture. To resume, press PLAY, or press PAUSE again.
Frame-by-Frame: To move frame-by-frame: first press the PAUSE button. Then 
press either the BACK or  FORWARD button. For continuous frame-by-frame 
back or forward, hold down the BACK or  FORWARD button. 
 Back: Plays the program in reverse. Press BACK once, twice, or three times to go 
backward fast, faster, or fastest.
Forward: Plays the program in fast forward. As with reverse, pressing the 
FORWARD button repeatedly cycles through three speeds of fast forward.
Slow: Slows down the speed of the program.
Instant Replay: Instantly plays the last eight seconds of the program again.
Advance: (a) If you are watching live TV, catches up to the current time. (b) When 
you are fast forwarding in a recorded program, instantly jumps ahead to the next 
tick mark (short white line on the status bar). When you are rewinding, jumps back 
to the previous tick mark. (c) If you are watching a recorded program, jumps to the 
end of the recording. Press again to jump to the beginning of the recording.
.
The INSTANT REPLAY button has 
many uses but one of the most 
helpful is to compensate when you fast 
forward too far. Press INSTANT REPLAY to 
rewind eight seconds. Press it again if you 
really missed the mark. (You could rewind 
through a whole program using only 
INSTANT REPLAY!)
WARNING TO PROJECTION TV 
OWNERS! Be careful about using 
the pause feature for long periods of time 
if you have a projection TV. Most 
projection TVs are sensitive and “burn in” 
still images very quickly. If you pause 
your program for too long, you may 
permanently damage your screen.
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4
Status Bar
Status Bar
When you press PLAY, PAUSE,  FORWARD or BACK, a status bar appears on the lower 
part of your screen. In live TV, the status bar represents one hour (notice the white tick 
marks every 15 minutes). In recorded programs, the bar shows the program’s length. The 
green portion of the bar represents the part of the program saved by the DVR. The DVR 
automatically saves up to 30 minutes of live TV. You can rewind and fast forward through 
the saved portions of a program.
In live TV, the right edge of the green segment represents the current time. A white 
vertical line shows where you are in the saved portion of the program. If the white line is 
anywhere back in the green segment, you are behind live TV. When you’re behind live 
TV, you can press the ADVANCE button ( ) to catch up.
The EXIT button hides the status 
bar, guide, channel banner, and 
anything else that is not part of the 
program. 
This is where you 
catch up with live TV 
and the current time.
This is where you are 
now.
Status bar for live TV.
This shows which 
special feature you are 
using. (This is the 
symbol for pause.) 
Status bar for a two- 
hour recorded 
program.
The BACK button has 
been pressed twice.
This recorded program 
is two hours long.
tick marks (15 min. apart)
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Chapter 4 Watching Live TV
Music Channels
Some DIRECTV channels feature continuous music. You can tune to a music channel 
just as you would any other channel. You cannot record music channels or use special 
features—such as pause or rewind—on a music channel.
Music Channels have a special music banner that displays for five minutes when you first 
tune to them. You can bring the music banner back to the screen by pressing the RIGHT 
arrow, or INFO. The music banner is updated continuously as information comes in from 
the satellite. It may not always have complete information.
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4
Standby
Standby
You can put your DIRECTV DVR in standby mode by selecting “Standby” from 
DIRECTV Central, or by pressing the STANDBY button on the front of your DVR.
• If you temporarily turned off Parental Controls, standby mode enables them again.
• The lights on the front of the DVR go out and it shows a black screen on your TV. It 
responds to only a few buttons on the remote control.
• The DVR will not tune to previously ordered pay per view programs unless you have 
them scheduled to be recorded.
• Programs that are recording or scheduled to record will record in standby mode.
To turn off standby mode, press the DIRECTV button on your remote control.
Standby mode and local channels. If you have an antenna or receive cable service in 
addition to DIRECTV® programming, you may have it connected to your DVR’s RF 
input. In this case, standby mode lets you watch channels received by your antenna or 
cable. However, you won’t be able to use the DVR service or other features with those 
channels. (For example, you cannot make Season Pass recordings for those programs.)
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Chapter 4 Watching Live TV
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CHAPTER       
5
Finding and 
Recording Programs
Recording Programs: The Basics 58
Finding Programs to Record 68
I Already Know What I Want to Record 69
I Know What I Like 73
Help Me Find New Programs 79
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58
Chapter 5 Finding and Recording Programs
Recording Programs: The Basics
All programs saved on your DVR are listed in the Now Playing List (no more searching 
through unlabeled videotapes!). To go to the Now Playing List, press the DIRECTV 
button on your remote control twice, or press the LIST button. As soon as a recording 
begins, it appears at the top of the list. You can watch any title in the Now Playing List, 
even one that is still being recorded. 
Now Playing List
To watch a program in the Now Playing List, highlight it and press PLAY. If you have 
watched part of the program already, it resumes from the point you stopped watching. To 
delete a program in the list, highlight it and press CLEAR. Press SELECT to confirm.
Selecting a program in the Now Playing List displays a Program Information screen where 
you can: 
• Play (or Resume playing).
•Save until.... To change the date when the program may be deleted, press the DOWN 
arrow until the date is highlighted, then press the RIGHT or LEFT arrows until the 
date you want appears. Press SELECT to return to the Program Information screen.
• Stop Recording.
• Delete Now.
•Save to VCR.  Saves a program from the Now Playing List to a videotape (see 
page 66).
DIRECTV Central   Now Playing List
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5
Recording Programs: The Basics
Getting a Season Pass
A Season Pass records every episode of a series that airs on a certain channel—even if the 
day or time slot changes! It is totally automatic and really easy to set up. Just select a 
program (from the DIRECTV Advanced Program Guide™, for example) and choose “Get 
a Season Pass.” Season Pass™ recordings have the following characteristics:
•No duplicates within 28 days. If you watch or delete a particular episode or showing, 
it will not be recorded automatically again for 28 days. This prevents the Now Playing 
List from filling up with shows you probably don’t want. If you want to record 
duplicates, select the program on the Season Pass screen, then choose “Change 
recording options,” highlight “Show Type options,” and select “All (with duplicates).” 
•Parental Controls. If Parental Controls are on when you schedule a Season Pass, the 
DVR checks its current program information to see if any upcoming program violates 
a Parental Control. If a program does, the DVR requires the current password to 
continue. See page 90.
•Keep at Most=5. By default, five episodes of the program are kept in the Now Playing 
List. You can change this setting. See page 60.
•Resolving conflicts. The DVR service resolves scheduling conflicts by comparing 
recording priorities. You can change priorities using the Season Pass Manager. See 
page 60.
Repeating Recordings. In addition to being characteristics of the Season Pass, the above 
also apply to two other types of recordings that repeat automatically:
•A manual repeat recording records on a specific channel at a specific time (much like 
the recordings you would set up with a VCR). See page 72.
•An auto-recording WishList records all the programs a WishList finds. See page 78.
If some Season Pass programs are 
not recording, you may need to 
change their priority with the Season 
Pass Manager. See page 60.
An exception to the 28-day, no-
duplicates feature may occur if the 
program wasn’t watched but was deleted 
from the Now Playing List to make room 
for another recording you requested. 
Another reason a duplicate recording 
might be made is if the program 
information describes the program 
incorrectly.
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Chapter 5 Finding and Recording Programs
Managing Your Season Pass recordings. With Dual Tuner, you can record two 
programs at the same time. Conflicts will occur only if you try to schedule a third 
recording that overlaps the other two. By default, the oldest Season Pass has the greatest 
priority. If some Season Pass programs are not recording, you may need to change their 
priority with the Season Pass Manager. To do this, go to DIRECTV Central, then select 
“Pick Programs to Record,” then “Season Pass Manager.”
To change the priority order:
1. Use the UP/DOWN arrow buttons to highlight one of your repeating recordings.
2. Press the RIGHT arrow to highlight the arrows to the right of the title. 
3. Use the UP/DOWN arrows to move the selected title up or down in the list.
Resolving Conflicts. If a conflict occurs when you’re setting up a new repeating 
recording, you’ll be shown which programs are involved. You’ll also be given options to 
resolve the conflict:
• Record the program you just requested and cancel one of the already scheduled 
programs. This gives the new repeating recording the highest priority.
• Record only those programs that do not conflict with others previously scheduled to 
record. This gives the new repeating recording the lowest priority.
Setting Recording Options
When you set up a recording, you can set various recording options. You can change them 
later by selecting the program in the To Do List or Season Pass Manager.
The Program Information screen that appears when you select a program includes choices 
to “Record this episode” and “Get a Season Pass.” When one of these recording actions is 
DIRECTV Central   Season Pass Manager   Get a Season Pass   Options
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5
Recording Programs: The Basics
highlighted, “Options” appears to its right. To see the current Recording Options, use the 
arrow buttons to highlight “Options,” then press SELECT.
To set Recording Options:
1. On the Recording Options screen, use the UP/DOWN arrows to highlight an option.
2. Press the RIGHT and LEFT arrows to change the setting.
3. When you are done, press SELECT or highlight “Record with these options.”
4. Press SELECT again to schedule the recording with the new options.
To cancel your changes, press the LEFT arrow.
Recording Options include:
•Keep At Most. (Only available for a repeating recording.) This option sets the 
maximum number of programs to save as part of the series. The default is five. This is 
useful for news programs for which you only want the most recent episode, or 
children’s programs for which you may want to keep several episodes but do not want 
to fill up the Now Playing List.
•Show Type. (Only available for a repeating recording.) You can select “Repeats & 
first run,” “First run only,” which records only new episodes, and “All (with 
duplicates).” 
•Keep Until. (Only available for a repeating recording.) If you change this setting from 
“Space needed” (the default) to “Until I delete,” programs are saved until you delete 
them. If your DVR fills up with programs marked “Until I delete,” it will stop making 
new recordings until you delete some old programs.
DIRECTV Central   Season Pass Manager or To Do List
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•Keep At Least. (Only available for an individual recording.) This option sets the 
minimum amount of time for the DVR to keep a recording. The default setting is two 
days, except for pay per view events, which default to “Save until I delete.”
The next two items on the list are collectively known as the Overtime Scheduler™. 
•Start Recording. Use this setting to start recording a program before its scheduled 
beginning. For example, to catch the first joke of a comedy series, you can set the 
Season Pass to start recording one minute early. The default is “On-time,” but you can 
choose to start recording 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10 minutes before the program is scheduled to 
begin.
•Stop Recording. Use this setting to stop recording a program after its scheduled end 
time. For example, you may want to continue recording for a while after the scheduled 
end of a sports event, should it go into overtime. The default setting is “On-time,” but 
you can stop recording 1, 2, 5, 15, or 30 minutes, or 1, 1.5 or 3 hours after a program is 
scheduled to end.
Tip. You can sometimes resolve recording conflicts by changing the Stop Recording or 
Start Recording options. For example, if you set a program to start recording one minute 
early, it may conflict with a recording of the program before it. To resolve the conflict, 
simply change the Start Recording option back to “On-time.”
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Program Information Screen
In the Program Guide, highlighting a program title (that is not currently playing) and 
pressing SELECT displays some information about the program. You can also choose 
“Season Pass & other options” to get to the Program Information screen. The Program 
Information screen includes a brief description of the selected program. It also shows the 
program’s start time, channel, duration, ratings, advisories, and other attributes. For more 
details on a given program, press INFO at a Program Information screen. The Program 
Details screen appears.
If you have given a program a Thumb rating, Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down icons appear at 
the top of the Program Information screen. You can change the rating here by pressing 
THUMBS UP or THUMBS DOWN.
Ratings and Advisories. The Program Information screen shows ratings and advisories 
for the selected program. For a description of movie and television ratings, and of 
television advisories, see “Parental Controls” on page 90. A movie may also have 
advisories, regardless of whether it has a rating. The following movie advisory codes may 
appear in parentheses after the description:
Other attributes. Other attributes may appear in parentheses after the description of a 
program. These may include genre information or technical notes such as CC (for closed 
captioning), letterbox (which means the program is broadcast in letterbox, a wide-screen 
format) and Dolby Digital.
AC: Adult Content SC: Sexual Content N: Nudity
AL: Adult Language MV: Mild Violence BN: Brief Nudity
GL: Graphic Language GV: Graphic Violence RP: Rape
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Actions you can take. The lower part of the Program Information screen shows actions 
you can take. Available actions vary depending on what kind of program is selected and 
whether the program is already recorded or is scheduled to record.
• For actions you can take on programs that are scheduled to record (programs in the To 
Do List), see page 65.
• For actions you can take on pay per view programs, see page 39.
• For actions you can take on recorded programs (programs in the Now Playing List), 
see page 58.
If the program is not yet scheduled to record, you can take these actions:
•Record this program/episode. Schedules a recording of the current program. You 
can also use the RIGHT arrow to highlight “Options,” then press SELECT to change 
Recording Options. 
•Get a Season Pass. (Only available if the program is part of a series.) Select this to 
get a Season Pass for the program. 
•View upcoming episodes/showings. Displays a list of upcoming episodes/showings 
of the program on all channels. 
•Don’t do anything. Returns to the previous screen without making changes. LEFT 
arrow also selects “Don’t do anything.”
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Reviewing the To Do List
The To Do List shows all scheduled recordings. To view it, go to DIRECTV Central, then 
Pick Programs to Record, then To Do List. After setting up a recording, you can confirm 
that it is scheduled on the To Do List. Individual recordings have a single checkmark 
( ) to the left of the program title. Season Pass and manual repeat recordings have a 
double checkmark ( ), and WishList searches (see page 73) have a star ( ). 
Season Pass recordings with no upcoming episodes to record appear at the bottom of the 
list.
Select a recording from the To Do List. Then you can:
•Change recording options. Highlight Record as planned, then press the right arrow 
and select  “Options” to see Recording Options. If the program is part of a Season 
Pass, changing Recording Options from the To Do List only makes changes for a 
single episode, not for the Season Pass. Choose Cancel/edit the Season Pass to make 
changes for all episodes.
•View upcoming episodes/showings. Displays a list of upcoming episodes/showings 
of the selected program. Programs scheduled to record have a checkmark, double 
checkmark, or a star. Select a program to see the Program Information screen.
•Cancel this recording or Cancel only this episode/showing. Cancel a single 
recording or a single episode from a Season Pass.
•Cancel/edit the Season Pass. From this screen you can cancel the Season Pass, view 
upcoming programs, or change recording options for the whole Season Pass.
•Cancel/edit manual repeat recording. Lets you cancel or change recording options 
for a manual repeat recording.
Canceling the recording of a pay 
per view event does not 
automatically cancel the purchase. You 
must cancel the purchase on the 
Purchases screen, described on page 85.
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View Recording History
This is an advanced feature for those who really want all the details. It is available as a 
selection in the To Do List, and displays a history of programs that have been deleted or 
have not recorded. The history also lists recordings that were requested but will not be 
recorded, as well as the reason for not making the recording. 
Selecting a program displays a screen that explains how and when the program was 
removed from the Now Playing List or To Do List. If the program is scheduled for the 
future, you can select “More recording options” on this screen to reschedule it.
Saving Programs to a VCR
If you have a VCR, you can save a program from the Now Playing List to a videotape. 
You will not be able to watch live TV or recordings while saving.
Most of the buttons on your remote that control live TV work as usual during Save to 
VCR. Keep in mind that the VCR will record the video exactly as it plays. This means you 
can fast forward through the boring parts! (It also means the VCR will record the channel 
banner, status bar, and any icons that appear if you press buttons on the remote.)
Preparing for Save to VCR:
1. Set up your VCR. Be sure you have connected your DVR’s video and audio to the 
VCR’s video and audio. See the Start Here poster that came with your DVR.
2. Be sure your VCR is set to record input from your DIRECTV DVR, not some other 
video source. (See your VCR’s instructions for how to set the input.)
3. Make sure you have a videotape in the VCR.
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Using Save to VCR:
1. Go to the Now Playing List, highlight the show you want to save, then press SELECT.
2. Using the arrow buttons, highlight “Save to VCR,” then press SELECT.
3. Select “Start saving from the beginning.”
4. A title screen appears for ten seconds. When you see it, press your VCR’s record 
button.
5. When the program is over, press stop on your VCR.
Stopping Save to VCR:
Going to live TV interrupts (or stops) the transfer. You can resume saving later. 
1. Press a button (for example, the DIRECTV button) that would interrupt Save to VCR. 
The videotape icon appears.
2. While the icon is visible, press the same button again.
3. A confirmation screen appears. On the confirmation screen, choose either “Stop saving 
for now. Resume later” or “Cancel saving to VCR.”
4. Press stop on your VCR.
To resume saving the program:
1. Go to the Now Playing List, select the program, and then choose “Save to VCR.”
2. Choose “Save from the paused location.” A countdown screen appears.
To ensure that your VCR has time to begin recording, press record on your VCR before 
the countdown gets to “1.”
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Finding Programs to Record
Find shows to record. The DVR service allows you to quickly set up recordings for the 
shows you already know you love. It also helps you search for fun, exciting new programs 
that match your interests, hobbies, favorite stars and genres. Which of the following 
statements fits your mood today?
Set up recordings. After finding a program, it’s easy to schedule a recording. You can 
schedule one recording or choose one of these options to set up a repeating recording:
• Season Pass recordings record every episode of a program on a specified channel (see 
page 59).
• An auto-recording WishList records every program a WishList finds (see page 78).
• A manual recording records a chosen time and channel and can be set to repeat once 
each week, every day, or just on weekdays or weekends (see page 72).
Programs you have scheduled to be recorded appear in the To Do List (see page 65). To 
watch recorded programs, select them in the Now Playing List (see page 58).
I already know what I want to record
(page 69)
Describes Search by Title and
Record by Time or Channel.
I know what I like
(page 73)
Describes Wishlist searches.
Help me find new programs
(page 79)
Describes TiVo Suggestions and 
Showcases
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I Already Know What I Want to Record
The following options are useful if you already know the title of the program you want to 
record:
• Search by Title
• Record by Time or Channel
• Manually Record by Time or Channel
Search by Title
Use Search by Title if you are looking for a specific program and you know its name. 
1. After selecting Search by Title, you have the option of limiting your search to a 
category of programs (such as movies or sports). This is useful if you just want to 
browse through a list of upcoming programs in a given category and/or subcategory. If 
you do not want to choose a category, select “All Programs.”
2. The next screen lets you type the title of the program you are looking for. Use the 
arrow buttons on the remote to move around the keypad. Press SELECT on each letter 
of your program title. As you select letters, a list of programs appears to the right of the 
keypad. Continue entering letters until you see your program in the list. (For a quick 
review of how to enter titles using the onscreen keypad, see “Tour 3: Find and Record 
Your Favorite Programs” on page 38.)
3. Use the RIGHT arrow to move the highlight to the program list. 
4. When you find a program you want to record, highlight it and press SELECT to bring 
up the Program Information screen.
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Record by Time/Channel
Record by Time/Channel offers you three choices: Browse by Time, Browse by Channel, 
and Manually Record Time/Channel. These options are described separately in the next 
few pages.
Browse by Time
Browse by Time lets you browse all programs on a particular day and time. For example, 
you can browse all the movies on Saturday night. With Browse by Time, you can filter the 
list to see only programs on your Favorite Channels or only programs in a particular 
category. To learn how to program your list of Favorite Channels, see page 50. To find a 
program:
1. Use the arrow buttons to highlight a category (for example, “Movies”) to narrow the 
list of programs. Then press SELECT.
2. Select a subcategory (for example, “Comedy”), then press SELECT.
3. Use the UP and DOWN arrows to select the day of programming that you want to see. 
Press the RIGHT arrow to move the highlight to the time column.
4. Use the UP and DOWN arrows to select a time. The time will advance in half-hour 
increments. 
5. Press SELECT to bring up the list of programs without leaving the time selector (or 
press the RIGHT arrow to bring up the list of programs and move to the list at the same 
time). When you find a program you want to record, highlight it and press SELECT to 
bring up the Program Information screen. 
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Browse by Channel
Browse by Channel lets you browse through programs on a particular channel. You can 
start with all channels or just your favorites. To browse by channel:
1. Highlight and select either “All Channels,” which includes all the channels you 
receive, or “Favorite Channels,” which includes just the channels you have selected as 
your favorites.
2. Use the UP and DOWN arrows to select the date you want to browse. Press the 
RIGHT arrow to move the highlight to the channel column.
3. Use the UP and DOWN arrows to select a channel. (You can also use the numbers on 
the remote to type in a channel, then press ENTER/LAST.) 
4. Press SELECT to bring up the list of programs without leaving the channel selector (or 
press the RIGHT arrow to bring up the list of programs and move to the list at the same 
time).
5. When you find a program you want to record, highlight it and press SELECT to bring 
up the Program Information screen. Then you can view upcoming episodes, set up a 
Season Pass, or record an individual showing.
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Chapter 5 Finding and Recording Programs
Manually Record by Time or Channel
Manually Record Time/Channel lets you schedule a recording on a specific channel at a 
specific time, just as you would with a VCR. You can also create a manual repeat 
recording for every week, every day, or every weekday. To create a manual recording:
1. To choose the Recording Type, use the UP and DOWN arrows to select “One Time,” 
or “Repeating.” Then press the RIGHT arrow.
2. To choose the day(s) for the recording, use the UP and DOWN arrows to change the 
current selection. If you chose “Repeating,” you can also choose to repeat the 
recording on a specified day of the week, on every weekday (select “Every M-F”) or 
every day (select “Every Day”).
3. To choose a channel, use the UP and DOWN 
arrows or enter a number from the number 
keypad. Press the RIGHT arrow.
4. To set the hour, minute, and am/pm for the 
start and stop time, use UP/DOWN arrows to 
change the current selection. Press the 
RIGHT arrow to move to the next step, LEFT 
arrow to move back.
5. To schedule the recording, press SELECT. A 
confirmation screen appears. The recording will be named with a “best guess” based 
on program guide listings for that time and channel. This will help you find your 
program later in the To Do List or Now Playing List.
Record by Time or Channel is 
useful for times when you  want to 
record only a portion of a program, for 
example, the opening monologue of a talk 
show. 
Pick Programs to Record   Record by Time/Channel  Manually Record by Time/Channel  
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I Know What I Like
I Know What I Like 
If you know what you like, WishList searches are great! They allow you to find and 
automatically record shows that match your interests, tastes, passions, and whims. You 
can search for future programs with your favorite actor or director by creating an Actor or 
Director WishList. You can also create a Category Only WishList to find programs 
tailored to particular categories. The Keyword WishList and the Title WishList allow you 
to search for specific words or phrases in program descriptions and titles.
Try a WishList!
For example, you could create a Category Only WishList for the category “Movies” and 
subcategory “Action/Adventure.” You could then use it occasionally to look at a list of all 
action/adventure movies airing in the next two weeks. The list would be constantly 
updated by program guide data.
You could search for something more specific by creating an Actor WishList for Elizabeth 
Myer, and then include the category “Movies,” and subcategory “Romance.” This 
WishList would only find romance movies with Elizabeth Myer.
Using a Keyword WishList, you can look for something very specific. For example, the 
Keyword WishList “LIGHTNING” with category “Football” would find Lightning 
football (but not baseball) games for you.
Here’s another example: You could make a Keyword WishList to find a 1986 remake of ta 
movie called The Fright, starring Chris Fields. The keyword entry would look like this: 
“CHRIS FIELDS” FRIGHT. Not only does this WishList find a specific program—it 
finds the specific version! (You could also find this movie by making a Keyword 
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Chapter 5 Finding and Recording Programs
WishList for the movie’s title and year. In that case, the keyword entry might look like 
this: “THE FRIGHT” 1986.) 
After you make a WishList, you can periodically view what it finds by selecting “View all 
upcoming WishList programs,” or selecting an individual WishList, then selecting “View 
upcoming programs.” Then you can schedule recordings for the programs or episodes you 
want. (See page 78 for more details.)
Can a WishList Do More Than Search?
You can set a WishList to auto-record, and it will record every program the WishList 
finds. For example, with the Elizabeth Myer Actor WishList, you would automatically 
collect Elizabeth Myer romance movies in the Now Playing List. 
Some WishList searches are better suited to browsing than to auto-recording. For 
example, you could create a Category Only WishList for the category “Documentary.” 
This WishList would find every upcoming documentary. You could then occasionally 
browse the WishList and choose the upcoming documentaries you want to record. 
The more specific a WishList is, the better suited it is to auto-recording. For example, an 
auto-recording Keyword WishList with the keywords SNICKS and RABBITS, and 
category “Sports/Basketball” would only record basketball games with both of these 
teams—a great way to ensure that you enjoy this season’s rivalry. (For more on auto-
recording a WishList, see page 78.)
 If you set up an auto-recording 
WishList for sports, consider using 
the Overtime Scheduler™ (a recording 
option described on see page 62) to make 
sure you don’t miss the most exciting part 
of the game! 
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Creating a WishList
From Search Using WishLists, select “Create new WishList.” Next, select the type of 
WishList: Actor, Director, Category Only, Keyword, or Title. For most WishList 
searches, you use the keypad on the next screen to spell out what you’re looking for. 
As the last step, you’ll then be able to select a category and subcategory to narrow your 
search. For example, if you want movies with Elizabeth Myer, but not documentaries or 
talk shows, select “Movies.” To search every category, select “Don’t specify a category.”
Category Only WishList: Use the UP and DOWN buttons to highlight a category, then 
press SELECT. A subcategories list appears. Highlight a subcategory, then press 
SELECT. To search all subcategories, you can also select “Don’t specify a subcategory.”
Actor or Director WishList Searches: Spell the person’s last name first by using the 
arrow keys to move the selection box around the keypad and pressing SELECT to enter 
the highlighted letter. As you select letters, a list of names appears to the right of the 
keypad. 
If you see the person’s name, press the arrow 
buttons to highlight the name you want and press 
SELECT. To search for a name that is not on the 
list, enter the name in the format: LAST NAME, 
FIRST NAME. You must match the spelling of the 
name exactly, and you must use a comma (in the 
keypad under the letter W). If an actor or director is 
not listed, and none of their programs are in the 
Program Guide, try a Keyword WishList.
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Keyword or Title WishList Searches: You can create a Keyword WishList with one 
keyword or with several. If you enter more than one keyword, the WishList only finds 
programs that match all of your keywords. With Keyword WishList searches, the DVR 
service checks for your keywords in the program or episode title, description, actor, 
director, year, and category information. Title WishList searches work very similarly, but 
the DVR service searches only program and episode titles. 
Spell your keyword(s) by using the arrow buttons to move around, then pressing SELECT 
to enter highlighted letters on the keypad. You can enter as many characters as will fit on 
the screen. When you have finished, use the RIGHT arrow to highlight “Done creating 
keywords,” then press SELECT.
Using * in WishList Searches. To search for similar words in Keyword and Title 
WishList searches, use the asterisk (*) as a special symbol that replaces the endings of 
words. For example, the keyword HELI* would find shows containing “helicopter,” 
“heliport,” “helium,” as well as the movie “Helicopter Cops.” To enter an asterisk, press 
the SLOW ( ) button as you are spelling out your keyword or title.
The asterisk can be helpful when you’re looking for a range of similar words, as in the 
example above, or if you’re just not sure how something is spelled. Pop quiz: is it 
“irresistible” or “irresistable?” Use the keyword IRRESIST* and don’t worry about it! 
Two things to note about using the asterisk: 
• It can only be used at a word’s end; it cannot be used to omit letters at the beginning or 
in the middle of a word. (For example, HELI*ER or *COPTER would not work.)
• Be as specific as possible. For example, do not use keywords like TH*. There will not 
be enough room to show all the results of a keyword that is too general.
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Tips for entering keywords
• To specify an exact phrase in a Keyword or Title WishList, surround a set of words 
with quotation marks (to enter quotation marks, press PAUSE ( ). For example, the 
keyword BILL SIMON might also turn up a documentary about Simon Branden with a 
director whose name is Bill. Use “BILL SIMON” to be certain you find programs that 
only feature Bill Simon.
• If you enter more than one keyword in Keyword or Title WishList searches, only 
programs that match all of your keywords (for example, “CHRIS FIELDS” FRIGHT) 
are found.
• If you want to include an exact phrase and additional keywords, there should be a 
space between the final quotation mark and the beginning of the next word. You can 
place a space character by selecting SP on the grid of letters or by pressing 
FORWARD ( ).
• Replace hyphens ( - ), slashes ( / ) and periods ( . ) with spaces. For example, you 
would use the keyword phrase 10 10 to search for the title “10/10.” For an Actor 
WishList for Sarah Mills-Jones, use MILLS JONES, SARAH. You can place a space 
character by selecting SP on the grid of letters or by pressing FORWARD ( ).
• Any other marks, such as apostrophes ( ’ ) and ampersands ( & ), are ignored. For 
example, you would use the keyword phrase 6 OCLOCK NEWS to search for the title 
“6 O’Clock News.” (Note that commas ( , ) are also ignored, except in actor and 
director WishList searches, where they are essential.)
• For dollar signs ( $ ) substitute the letter S. For example, to find “$50,000 Chance,” 
use S50000. (In Search by Title, skip the dollar signs to find these titles.)
Title WishList searches are an 
excellent way to search for a 
program that is not on in the next couple 
of weeks, but that you would want to 
record if it ever came on. For example, if 
you want to record “The Shadow Country” 
the next time it airs, create a Title 
WishList for the phrase “Shadow 
Country.” Set the WishList to auto-record. 
If you want to make sure the program will 
record, give the WishList a high priority 
with the Season Pass Manager. (See page 
59.) The next time “The Shadow Country” 
comes on, your WishList will record it.
If you see too many programs 
when you select “View upcoming 
programs,” the WishList you are using is 
probably better suited for searching and 
browsing than for auto-recording.
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Browsing, Recording, and Editing WishList Searches
To browse all WishList items: Select “View all upcoming WishList programs.” This 
displays a list of up to 10 programs from each of your WishList searches—and up to 200 
programs total. The list is divided to display programs found by each WishList. To record 
a program, select its title, then choose “Record this episode” on the Program Information 
screen.
To browse an individual WishList: Highlight the WishList and press SELECT. Select 
“View upcoming programs,” which searches through current program information and 
creates a list of up to 200 unique upcoming programs that match this WishList. This list 
displays the first airing of an episode or program. 
To see all the showings of upcoming episodes (up to two weeks into the future), select the 
title of the program in the “Upcoming programs” list generated by your WishList. Then 
select “View upcoming episodes.” A comprehensive list appears, including several 
episodes with showings on different channels and different time slots. The Program 
Information screen also includes an option for recording a particular program. 
Auto-recording WishList searches. When you create a WishList or select it, you can 
choose to “Auto-record WishList programs.” This means every program the WishList 
finds will be automatically recorded.
Auto-recording WishList searches themselves and their upcoming recordings are marked 
with a star ( ). To be sure that all your WishList programs are recorded, give the 
WishList a high priority in the Season Pass Manager. See page 59 for details.
To edit a WishList. Select the WishList, then select “Edit WishList.” You can change 
your WishList—for example, to correct a misspelling or to add a category.
If you create an auto-recording 
WishList with the category 
“Sports,” previews of pay per view 
programs may be recorded and appear on 
your Now Playing List. These will be 
marked as partial recordings on the 
Program Information screen. You will not 
be charged for such recordings.
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Help Me Find New Programs
Help Me Find New Programs
The DVR service provides special features that help you sift through upcoming programs 
to find shows you’d like:
TiVo Suggestions
Your DVR tries to make sure there is always something interesting on for you to watch. 
How does it know what you will like? It tries to predict your preferences based on Thumb 
ratings you have given other programs, and on the single THUMBS UP given to programs 
you choose to record. You can check TiVo Suggestions occasionally to see what’s new. 
The list of programs is ranked, so shows you are more likely to enjoy are near the top. To 
view the list, go to DIRECTV Central, then select “Pick Programs to Record,” then “TiVo 
Suggestions.”
TiVo Suggestions improve over time as you record and rate programs. The more you use 
the Thumb buttons, the better TiVo Suggestions become. You can use the Thumb buttons 
while you are browsing TiVo Suggestions or whenever you are:
• Watching live TV or browsing the guide.
• Viewing a Program Information screen (for example, to schedule a recording).
• Looking through a Showcase such as TiVolution Magazine.
TiVo Suggestions these show up in the Now Playing List if they’re recorded.
Showcases go to DIRECTV Central, then select this option.
Only programs airing on channels 
in the Channels You Receive list 
can be recorded as TiVo Suggestions. 
Your personal TV preferences are 
just that: personal. DIRECTV 
privacy policies are available on the web 
at DIRECTV.com.
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When there is empty space in the Now Playing List, the DVR service may record TiVo 
Suggestions for you. Suggestions are marked in the Now Playing List with a TiVo icon 
( ). The DVR never deletes a program you requested to make room for a suggestion. 
Instead, suggestions are deleted to make room for recordings you schedule. A preference 
that prevents TiVo Suggestions from recording automatically is described on page 97. 
TiVo Suggestions that have been recorded once will not record again for at least 28 days.
Showcases
Looking for the biggest shows on TV? Showcases are your shortcut to the most exciting 
events and the best movies. Whether you’re looking for a hit comedy or want to get the 
most from your subscription to the premium channels, Showcases offer you a quick, 
interactive way to get what you want.  You’ll always find something fun and unusual in 
the TiVolution Magazine Showcase. Showcases are updated several times weekly during 
the DVR’s daily phone call.
To explore Showcases and schedule recordings:
1. Press the DIRECTV button to see DIRECTV Central. 
2. Select Showcases. A collection of Showcases appears.
3. All of the showcases may not fit on the screen. You can use the CHAN DOWN button 
to see showcases that are not visible at first. Each showcase is represented by a 
graphic. A white box appears around the highlighted showcase and a graphic displays 
at the top of the screen. Use the navigation buttons, RIGHT, LEFT, UP and DOWN, to 
highlight the showcase you want and then press SELECT. A list of themes in that 
Showcase appears.
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Help Me Find New Programs
4. Use the CHAN DOWN button to see themes that are not visible at first. When you 
highlight a theme, a short description of it appears at the top of the screen. Select a 
theme. A list of programs appears.
5. You can use the CHAN DOWN button to see programs that are not visible at first. 
When you highlight a program, a short description of it appears at the top of the 
screen. Select a program to see its Program Information screen. If the channel that 
carries the program is included in your “Channels you Receive” list, you can schedule 
a recording from the Program Information screen.
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CHAPTER            
6
Messages and Setup
Messages from DIRECTV 84
Purchases 85
My Preferences 89
Recorder & Phone Setup 99
System Information 106
Troubleshooting 107
Restart or Reset System 108
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Messages from DIRECTV
From time to time DIRECTV may send you messages about updates to your service and 
other important notices. These messages are important, useful and easy to get to—we 
made them that way because we really want you to read them. When you receive a new 
message, a message icon ( ) appears on the channel banner and in DIRECTV 
Central. 
To read a message:
1. From DIRECTV Central, select “Messages and Setup.”
2. Select “Messages.”
3. Select the message you want to read. 
Use the CHAN DOWN button to see text that does not fit on the screen. When you are 
finished reading a message, select “Done” or “Delete Message.”
Selecting the message icon in the channel banner will take you to your list of messages. 
The message list will display No Messages if there are no messages to read.
DIRECTV Central   Messages and Setup
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Purchases
Purchases
To see the Purchases screen, first press the DIRECTV Button, then Messages and Setup, 
then select “Purchases.” The Purchases screen displays a list of all pay per view programs 
you have purchased, along with their date and time. Each program in the list is also 
marked either “Upcoming,” “Purchased,” “Canceled,” or “Unviewed.” 
•Upcoming. These programs are scheduled to be purchased but have not aired yet. You 
have not yet been charged for them. You can cancel upcoming purchases by selecting 
them. The Purchase Info screen, described below, will appear.
•Purchased. These programs have been viewed. You were charged for them.
•Canceled. Purchase of these programs was canceled before the programs aired. You 
were not charged for them.
•Unviewed. These programs were scheduled to be purchased but were not viewed and 
not recorded. You were not charged for them.
Purchase Info. The Purchase Info screen shows a selected pay per view event’s date, 
time, channel and purchase price. You can cancel upcoming purchases on this screen. 
Canceling a scheduled pay per view recording in another place—for example, the To Do 
List—does not cancel the purchase. You must cancel the purchase from the Purchases 
screen. To see Purchase Info, highlight a program and press SELECT. 
To cancel an upcoming purchase:
• On the Purchases screen, highlight an upcoming purchase and press SELECT. The 
Purchase Info screen appears.
• Select “Cancel this purchase.” A confirmation screen appears.
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• Press SELECT. The purchase is canceled. You return to the Purchases screen. If you 
cancel a purchase that is scheduled to record, the recording is also canceled. 
Pay Per View
Your DIRECTV® DVR makes buying and recording pay per view events a snap. You can 
order them when they are promoted on live TV, or during a search for programs. You can 
order them to watch, or to be recorded. And the whole transaction can be handled using 
your remote control.
The Purchases screen keeps a record of all your pay per view purchases. You can also go 
to the Purchases screen to cancel purchases of pay per view events that have not yet aired.
Ordering from live TV. While watching live TV, you may see a promotion for a pay per 
view event, including instructions to press SELECT for ordering information. If you press 
SELECT, you will see the Program Information screen for pay per view.
If the promotion happens when you are not caught up to live TV, a small message that 
says “Press Select” and “Next Showing” will appear. If you press SELECT, you will see 
the Program Information screen for pay per view. If you don’t want the program, you can 
press EXIT to remove the message.
Program Information for Pay Per View. When you order a pay per view event from live 
TV, or select a pay per view event in Pick Programs to Record or the Program Guide, you 
see the Program Information screen for pay per view. Options on the Program Information 
screen vary, depending on whether the event selected is currently showing, is already 
scheduled to record, or is currently available to be purchased through the DVR. Though 
some events have dedicated channels that allow ordering more than 24 hours in advance, 
If a pay per view program exceeds 
spending or rating limits you have 
set with Parental Controls, a password 
will be required to purchase it.
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Purchases
you usually cannot use the DVR to purchase a pay per view event more than 24 hours 
before the event airs. Recorded pay per view programs are marked “Save Until I Delete” 
(the green icon) by default. That way your recorded movies are saved until you manually 
delete them from the Now Playing screen.
•Purchase & record info. If the DVR does not have purchase information (such as the 
price of the pay per view event) immediately available, it can do a short check for it. If 
the DVR gets purchase information, the event will become available to purchase and 
record. To check for purchase information the DVR must briefly tune to a special 
channel. If you are recording a program, checking for pricing information this way 
may create a short skip in the recording. The skip is usually less than two seconds but 
may be up to ten seconds long. The DVR provides a confirmation screen so you can 
avoid such a skip by choosing not to check for purchase information. 
If the DVR finds purchase information by tuning away, the pay per view screen will be 
refreshed with the new information and you will have the option to purchase the 
program. If the DVR cannot find purchase information, you will be informed that 
purchase information is not available. 
•Buy and record. When you select this option, the pay per view event is purchased and 
a recording of it is scheduled on the To Do List. A verification screen appears 
describing any scheduling conflicts. If you verify that you want to buy and record the 
event, a second screen confirms the purchase. You can select “Options,” to the right of 
“Buy and record,” to change Recording Options for the pay per view event.
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Chapter 6 Messages and Setup
•Buy; don’t record. When you select this option, you purchase the pay per view event. 
A verification screen appears with a description of any scheduling conflicts.
•View upcoming showings. Press SELECT to display a list of upcoming showings for 
the program. Highlighting one of these showings and pressing SELECT displays the 
Program Information screen for that showing. LEFT arrow from the list returns to the 
previous screen.
•Watch Now. Available if the program has been purchased and is currently playing.
•Review/cancel purchases. The pay per view screen includes this option if you have 
already purchased a program. Selecting “Review/cancel purchases” displays the 
Purchases screen, where you can cancel any purchases you have not yet watched or 
recorded.
•Record as planned. Available if you already scheduled the program to record. 
Selecting this leaves the pay per view screen without making any changes.
•Cancel this recording. Available if the program has been purchased and is being 
recorded. Selecting this option cancels the recording. (Because the DVR began 
recording the program, you will still be charged for the purchase.)
•Continue recording. Available if the program is already recording. Selecting this 
option leaves the pay per view screen without making any changes.
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My Preferences
My Preferences
To see My Preferences, press the DIRECTV button, and then select “Messages & Setup” 
and then “My Preferences.” My Preferences are your personal preferences—you change 
them to make the DVR work more to your liking.
Customize Channels
What are channel lists for? Features such as Search by Title and Search Using WishLists 
only look at programs available on channels selected in the Channels You Receive list. 
Your DVR also uses lists of channels to decide which channels the List Guide displays 
and which channels to search in Browse by Channel.
There are two selections available in Customize Channels:
Channels You Receive. The Channels You Receive list starts with all DIRECTV® 
channels. It can be customized to include only channels you actually subscribe to and 
to reflect your viewing preferences (for example: if you never watch a channel and 
don’t plan to set up any recordings on it, or let the DVR service search for programs on 
it, you can de-select it here). 
Favorites. The Favorites list is for channels you watch frequently. Include only a few 
channels in this list, so that you can quickly look at what’s coming up on them.
To set up a custom channel list:
1. Select the Channels You Receive or Favorite Channels list. A check mark appears to 
the left of channels that are part of the selected list.
2. To remove or add a channel, highlight it and press SELECT. (You can speed through 
the list with the CHAN UP/DOWN. To go directly to a specific channel, press the 
number buttons, then press ENTER/LAST.)
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Your changes are saved automatically. Press the LEFT or the RIGHT arrow to return to 
the Customize Channels screen. 
Parental Controls
Parental Controls allow you to set limits on movie and television ratings and to lock 
specific channels so that a password is required to view them. If you try to watch a 
program in the Now Playing List that violates a Parental Control, you will also be asked 
for the password. In addition, when Parental Controls are on, you must enter a password to 
delete a program that violates a Parental Control. 
The padlock icon shows the current state of Parental Controls:
  Off. No password or controls set. Padlock appears unlocked and dark.
  On. Password and controls set. Padlock appears locked and bright.
Temporarily off. Parental controls are set, but a password has been entered to 
temporarily turn them off. The padlock appears unlocked and bright.
While Parental Controls are on, you can watch a locked program or channel by pressing 
SELECT, then entering the Parental Controls password. This temporarily turns off 
Parental Controls.
The large version of the channel 
banner has a shortcut to Parental 
Controls. Press INFO, then press the 
DOWN arrow to highlight the lock icon, 
then press SELECT.  
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My Preferences
To turn on Parental Controls and define a password ()
1. Select “Turn on Parental Controls.”
2. Use the number buttons on the remote control to enter a four-digit password.
3. Enter the same password again for confirmation.
To temporarily turn off Parental Controls () 
• Enter the password to watch a program or channel—Parental Controls become 
temporarily turned off, or 
• Select “Temporarily turn off Parental Controls” on the Parental Controls screen, then 
enter your password.
When Parental Controls are temporarily turned off, any program or channel can be 
viewed, but the correct password is still required to change Parental Controls settings.
To re-enable Parental Controls ()
• On the Parental Controls screen, select “Re-enable Parental Controls,” or
• Put the DVR in Standby, then take it out of Standby. To do this, press the DIRECTV 
button on the remote control, then select “Standby,” or press the Standby button on the 
DVR.
Auto Re-lock Option
When Parental Controls are temporarily turned off, they re-lock automatically after four 
hours if you don’t use your remote. Parental Controls won’t re-lock in the middle of a 
show. By default, the Auto Re-lock option is on.
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To turn off Auto Re-lock:
Go to Messages & Setup, then My Preferences, then Parental Controls. Press the DOWN 
arrow to highlight “Auto Re-lock,” then press SELECT. Enter your password, then 
highlight and select “Auto Re-lock off.”
Rating Settings for TV and Movies ( )
Movies that are originally meant for release to theaters have a different rating system from 
programs that are made for TV. You can use Parental Controls to set limits for both rating 
systems. There is also a rating system for TV content that allows you to set limits for 
specific types of content that may be objectionable—such as sexual content or violence. 
To set Rating Limits for TV and Movies:
1. From Parental Controls, select “Rating Settings,” then enter the password and press 
SELECT.
2. Select the kind of limit you want to change: TV or Movies. 
3. The next screen contains a box listing all potential ratings. Ratings shaded in green are 
not locked; those in red are locked. Use the UP and DOWN arrows to move the red 
shading and adjust which ratings are locked. Your changes are saved automatically. 
When you are done, press the RIGHT or LEFT arrow to return to Parental Controls.
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My Preferences
To set Rating Limits for Specific TV Content:
1. From Parental Controls, select “Rating Settings,” then enter the password and press 
SELECT.
2. Select Block by TV Content. 
3. A list of categories appears on the next screen. Select a category (for example, 
V-Violence). 
4. A box containing all the possible ratings appears. Ratings in green are not locked; 
ratings in red are locked. (Ratings in gray do not apply to the category. For example, a 
TV-Y program would not have V-Violence content so there is nothing to block.)
Use the UP and DOWN arrows to adjust which ratings are locked or unlocked. The 
display to the right of the box will change to tell you exactly what ratings level you are 
allowing. Your changes are saved automatically. To return to the Parental Controls 
screen, press SELECT or the RIGHT arrow.
gray = does not apply 
to the category
green = not locked
red = locked
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Motion Picture Association of America ratings for movies
Ratings for television movies and programs (including content ratings):
G: General Audiences. Most parents would find this material suitable 
for all ages.
R: Restricted. This material is specifically designed to be viewed by 
adults and therefore may be unsuitable for children under 17.
PG: Parental Guidance Suggested. Parents may find portions of this 
material unsuitable for younger children.
NC-17: Adult Content. This material contains intense, disturbing, or 
graphically portrayed themes or content that are not suitable for 
viewing by children under 17.
PG-13: Parents Strongly Cautioned. This material contains portions 
many parents would find unsuitable for children under 13 years of age.
X: Explicit Sexual Content. This material contains explicit sexual 
content and is intended to be viewed by adults ONLY.
NR: (Not Rated). This program has not been rated.
TV-Y. All children. This program is designed to be appropriate for all 
children. Whether animated or live action, the themes and elements in 
this program are specifically designed for a very young audience, 
including children from ages 2-6. This program is not expected to 
frighten younger children.
TV-PG. Parental guidance suggested. This program contains 
material that parents may find unsuitable for younger children. Many 
parents may want to watch it with their younger children. The theme 
itself may call for parental guidance and/or the program contains one 
or more of the following: moderate violence (V), some sexual 
situations (S), infrequent coarse language (L), or some suggestive 
dialogue (D).
TV-Y7. Directed to older children. This program is designed for 
children age 7 and above. Themes and elements in this program may 
include mild fantasy or comedic violence, or may frighten children 
under the age of 7. Programs where fantasy violence that may be more 
intense or more combative than other programs in the TV-Y7 category 
are designated TV-Y7-FV.
TV-14. Parents strongly cautioned. This program contains some 
material that parents would find unsuitable for children under 14 years 
of age. Parents are strongly urged to exercise greater care in 
monitoring this program and are cautioned against letting children 
under the age of 14 watch unattended. This program contains one or 
more of the following: intense violence (V), intense sexual situations 
(S), strong coarse language (L), or intensely suggestive dialogue (D).
TV-G. General audience. Most parents would find this program 
appropriate for all ages. Although this rating does not signify a 
program designed specifically for children, most parents may let 
younger children watch this program unattended. It contains little or 
no violence, sexual dialogue, or situations; and no strong language.
TV-MA. Mature audiences only. This program is specifically 
designed to be viewed by adults and therefore may be unsuitable for 
children under 17. This program contains one or more of the 
following: graphic violence (V), explicit sexual activity (S), or crude, 
indecent language (L).
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My Preferences
Channel Lock for Live TV ()
You can lock individual channels so that a password is required to view any program on 
those channels. To lock or unlock channels:
1. From the Parental Controls screen, select “Channel Lock,” and then enter the 
password.
2. A channel list appears with a padlock icon to the left of any locked channels. Highlight 
a channel and press SELECT to add or remove a padlock icon. Use CHAN UP/DOWN 
to move through the list quickly. You can highlight a specific channel by entering its 
channel number with the number buttons on the remote.
3. When you are done, press the RIGHT or LEFT arrow to return to Parental Controls. 
Your changes are saved automatically.
Spending limit. You can limit the amount that may be spent on a single pay per view 
event. When Parental Controls are on, a password is required to purchase any event that 
exceeds the limit. To set the spending limit:
1. Select “Spending Limit.” A password screen appears.
2. Enter the password and press SELECT. If Parental Controls are off, you are asked to 
create a new password and they are turned on. 
3. The Spending Limit screen appears. Use the number buttons on the remote control to 
enter a spending limit. 
4. Press SELECT to save your changes and return to Parental Controls, or press LEFT 
arrow to discard your changes and return to Parental Controls.
If you set the spending limit to zero 
(“0”), pay per view programs 
cannot be purchased without entering the 
correct password.
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To change the Password ()
To change the password for Parental Controls, Parental Controls must be on.
1. Select Change Password on the Parental Controls screen.
2. Enter a new password. 
3. Re-enter the new password.
To turn off Parental Controls ()
1. Select “Turn off Parental Controls.”
2. Enter the password and press SELECT. 
When Parental Controls are turned off, the password is deleted and anyone can view any 
programs or watch any channels.
Channel Banner
Normally, when you change channels, a channel banner displays for a few seconds. If you 
want the channel banner to disappear quickly, select “Clear banner quickly.”
Audio Options
Dolby® Digital. This sets your DVR’s default to automatically record and output Dolby® 
Digital audio whenever a program includes it. You should do this if you have the digital 
output of your DVR connected to an audio/visual system equipped with Dolby® Digital 
decoding. If you are watching a program with Dolby® Digital audio, you will not hear the 
DVR’s sound effects. You can change to Dolby® Digital audio for individual programs 
that include it by selecting the Dolby® Digital icon ( ) in the channel banner.
When you turn Parental Controls 
off, you don’t need to know a 
password to turn them back on. You may 
prefer to temporarily turn off Parental 
Controls, so that another person in your 
household does not choose a new 
password.
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Sound Effects Volume. Allows you to change the volume or turn off your DVR’s sound 
effects (the tones played when you press buttons on the remote control). The default 
setting is Medium. Sounds effects are not currently available from the DVR’s digital audio 
output.
Audio Language. This sets your DVR’s default to automatically play the sound track in 
the language chosen, if that language is available. If the language you choose here is not 
available, the program’s default language is used. When programs include alternate audio 
tracks (alternate audio usually provides the sound track in a different language), you can 
change the audio track for individual programs by selecting the Alternate Audio icon 
( ) in the channel banner. 
TiVo Suggestions
This screen lets you turn automatic recording of TiVo Suggestions on or off. When 
automatic recording is on, TiVo Suggestions may be recorded onto free disk space. 
Programs you have recorded or scheduled to record will never be deleted to make room 
for TiVo Suggestions. If space is needed to save programs you have scheduled to record, 
TiVo Suggestions are the first things to be deleted. When you set up your DVR, automatic 
recording of TiVo Suggestions is on.
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TV Aspect Ratio
This screen lets you choose one of two settings, the default Standard Screen–4:3 or Wide 
Screen–16:9. If you have a normal television, you should leave this setting at the default. 
If you have a wide screen set, select “Wide Screen–16:9.” Doing this allows programs 
transmitted in a wide screen format to fill the wider screen. If you are unsure of the correct 
setting, leave it at the default Standard Screen–4:3. If this is the wrong setting for your 
television, programs in wide screen format may appear 'squashed' horizontally—people 
would seem very tall and thin.
Movies are generally made in a wider format than standard television images. Movie 
images on television deal with the difference in one of the following three ways:
Standard or “Pan-and-Scan”. The edges of the movie are carefully edited to make it fit 
the television format. This format is unaffected by the TV Aspect Ratio setting.
Letterbox. The full width of the movie image is displayed. On standard TVs, this leaves a 
black margin on the top and bottom of the image. Some wide screen TVs can eliminate the 
margins and make Letterbox fill the screen. (See the owner's manual for your wide screen 
TV.) This format is unaffected by the TV Aspect Ratio setting.
Anamorphic. This method allows the DVR to choose how to display the image. If TV 
Aspect Ratio is set to Wide Screen, the DVR displays a wide screen image. If TV Aspect 
Ratio is set to Standard, the DVR displays a Letterbox image.
4:3
Standard Screen Wide Screen
16:9
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Recorder & Phone Setup
Recorder & Phone Setup
Options under Recorder & Phone Setup affect the basic functioning of the DVR. Most of 
these settings were established before or during Guided Setup, and you may not ever need 
to change them.
Satellite Dish Setup
If you have a loss of signal and wish to diagnose the problem, or you need to re-point your 
satellite dish antenna, or if you add additional equipment, you can select “Satellite Dish 
Setup” to reconfigure your satellite dish antenna setup.
Test Signal Strength. This screen shows approximate pointing information for your 
satellite dish antenna. You can also use this screen to check the strength of the signal 
received from each transponder on a selected satellite dish antenna. It shows you the 
signal strength from individual transponders one at a time. To be sure you receive all of 
your channels, you should check signal strength on all transponders. 
A transponder is a piece of radio equipment on a satellite. The DIRECTV transponders 
receive information from DIRECTV and rebroadcast it to your satellite dish antenna. 
Different channels are rebroadcast by different transponders, and different satellites have 
different numbers of transponders.
Note: You can check signal strength while you adjust the pointing of your satellite dish 
antenna. The signal strength meter on this screen provides audio feedback—a tone that 
becomes higher pitched as the signal gets stronger. You may be able to turn the volume on 
your TV up so you can hear the tone while you adjust the position of your satellite dish 
antenna. Alternatively, you might have someone watching the signal strength meter and 
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then reporting through a cell phone or walkie-talkie to the person who is adjusting the 
satellite dish antenna. 
When you first come to this screen, it shows signal strength for the transponder that carries 
the current channel. If you are having trouble with a specific channel, tune to that channel, 
then come to this screen to check the signal for that transponder.
• To change the transponder, use the UP arrow to highlight the transponder number. 
Press the RIGHT or LEFT arrow to change the transponder number. It is best if each 
transponder has a signal strength above 70. 
If you have an Oval, 2 or 3 satellite dish antenna, you can check the signal strength from 
transponders on each satellite. 
• To change the selected satellite, press the UP arrow until the satellite number is 
highlighted. Press the RIGHT or LEFT arrow to change the satellite. 
• Press the DOWN arrow to highlight the transponder number, then press the LEFT or 
the RIGHT arrow to check the signal on different transponders.
If your signal strength is low, see “Satellite Signal Troubleshooting,” on see page 28.
Repeat Satellite Dish Guided Setup. After selecting this, you need to enter a safety code 
(press THUMBS DOWN three times, then press ENTER). This option lets you repeat 
Satellite Dish Guided Setup. For more information, see page 25.
Reset Satellite Information. Only use this feature if directed to do so by a professional 
installer or a DIRECTV customer care representative. In most cases, you can use Satellite 
Dish Guided Setup, rather than this option.
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Recorder & Phone Setup
Phone Connection
The DVR makes a daily call to communicate with the DIRECTV® DVR with TiVo® 
service, so a telephone line should be connected to it. The DVR occasionally makes a brief 
phone call to get updates to the DVR service, Showcases, and  pay per view functionality. 
You can see details of the daily call on the Phone Connection screen, including the time of 
the last successful call and last call attempt, and the status of the last call.
Below the call details are the menu options Change Dialing Options, Make Test Call and 
Make Daily Call Now. If your area code has changed and/or you need to choose a 
different dial-in number, you will need to change your dialing options. You should make a 
test call after any changes to your dialing options.
Make Test Call. After selecting Make Test Call, the Test Phone Connection screen will 
display and the call will start automatically. When the call has finished, press SELECT to 
continue.
Make Daily Call Now. Under normal use, you do not need to make the daily call manually. 
However, for troubleshooting or other unusual circumstances, you may wish to use this 
option.
After you start the call, the status indicator reads “Starting Up.” The status will update as it 
cycles through various states. You can watch TV and use your DVR while the call is in 
progress. The DVR typically uses the phone for less than ten minutes during a daily call.
Change Dialing Options. Selecting this displays the Phone Dialing Options screen, from 
which you can change the following settings:
Your DVR should NOT be used with 
any digital PBX phone system. For 
more information, see page 3.
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Phone Dialing Options
Set Dial-In Number. The number your DVR is currently using to call the DVR service is 
displayed on the Phone Dialing Options screen. To change it:
1. Select Set Dial-In Number on the Phone Dialing Options screen.
2. Use the number keypad on the remote to set the area code, then press SELECT. If you 
changed the area code, or if the DVR has not made a daily call in the last twenty-four 
hours, the Update Numbers screen appears and the DVR calls the DVR service. After 
the phone call, press SELECT. The Dial-In Number screen appears.
3. Use the UP/DOWN arrow to choose one of the numbers on the Dial-In Number 
screen. The DVR will use this number to access the DVR service. After you press 
SELECT, the Dialing Format screen will appear. 
• If your area code has no access numbers, you can press the LEFT arrow to return to the 
Area Code screen and try to enter a nearby area code. 
• If none of the numbers listed on the Dial-In Number screen are in your local calling 
area, select “None of the Above.” The No Local Numbers screen will appear.
4. The No Local Numbers screen appears if you selected None of the above on the Dial-
In Numbers screen. Select Request 800 number authorization on the No Local 
Numbers screen. This temporarily authorizes you to use the toll-free number and 
submits a request to DIRECTV Customer Care. It is the current policy of DIRECTV to 
allow you to use the toll-free number if there are no local numbers available. 
DIRECTV will research available dial-in numbers at your location and send a message 
to your DVR authorizing you to use the toll-free number, or suggesting a local 
alternative.
Messages and Setup   Recorder & Phone Setup   Phone Connection   Change Dialing Options
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103
6
Recorder & Phone Setup
5. The Dialing Format screen appears after you have chosen a dial-in number. You 
should use this screen to tell the DVR which dialing format to use. For example, 
should the dial-in number be preceded by your area code and should a “1” precede the 
area code? In some areas, even local numbers must be dialed using the area code. Press 
SELECT to return to the Phone Dialing Options screen. 
6. To test your new dial-in number, select “Test Phone Connection Now.” The Test 
Phone Connection screen appears and a test phone call begins. When the call 
completes, you should see the message “Test Succeeded!” Press SELECT to return to 
Phone Dialing Options. (If the phone call does not succeed, see troubleshooting on 
page 132.)
Set Dial Prefix. You can use this screen to specify a prefix if the DVR needs to use one to 
reach an outside line (for example, the DVR may need to dial “9” before it dials out). Use 
the number keys on the remote control to enter the prefix. Press the PAUSE button after 
you have entered the prefix. This will insert a comma, which will create a two second 
pause after the prefix is dialed. If you make a mistake, use the BACK button to backspace.
Set Call Waiting Prefix. If you have call waiting, you may choose to disable it while the 
DVR is making a call, so that the DVR’s phone call is not interrupted. If you do not 
disable it, the DVR may drop the call and allow the second call to ring through, depending 
on your phone system. The DVR will then try its call again later. The most common code 
that phone companies use to disable call waiting is *70. Sometimes a comma is needed 
(,*70). Check with your phone company to find out how to disable call waiting in your 
area. If you make a mistake, use the BACK button to backspace.
Set Tone/Pulse. If your phone system uses pulse dialing, rather than tone dialing, you can 
change the setting here.
Messages and Setup   Recorder & Phone Setup   Phone Connection   Change Dialing Options
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104
Chapter 6 Messages and Setup
Set ‘Phone Avail.’ Detection. Off by default. When Set ‘Phone Avail.’ Detection is on, 
the DVR determines whether the phone line is in use by detecting voltage on the line. This 
allows it to avoid disrupting a call in progress (such as another modem call). However, if 
you are experiencing “Failed, Line unavailable” errors, or if the DVR is not making daily 
calls, you may have a low-voltage phone system that the DVR cannot detect. In this case, 
try selecting “Off” for ‘Phone Avail.’ Detection. 
With ‘Phone Avail.’ Detection turned off, the DVR must pick up the line to check for a 
dial tone. If you are on the phone when the DVR tries to call, you may hear a click on the 
line. If you have another modem call in progress (on your computer or other device), that 
call may be disrupted if the DVR attempts to make a service call.
If you turn off ‘Phone Avail.’ Detection and you have a standard dial-tone, turn on Dial 
Tone Detection (described next).
Set Dial Tone Detection. On by default. When this is on, the DVR checks for a dial tone 
before dialing. If this is on and you have a non-standard dial tone (for example, an analog 
PBX system), or a stuttering dial tone (as some voice messaging systems have), the DVR 
will be unable to detect the dial tone and will not make its daily call. 
Phone Troubleshooting
This screen provides a list of hints for troubleshooting problems with your phone 
connection. To view all of the hints, use the CHAN DOWN button to scroll down the 
page; use the CHAN UP button to scroll up the page.
Remote Control Setup
You can set your remote control to control power, muting and volume on your TV or A/V 
Receiver. See page 111 for instructions.
With Dial Tone Detection and 
‘Phone Avail.’ Detection both 
turned off, if you happen to be talking on 
the phone when the DVR tries to call you 
will hear the modem dial and try to 
communicate with the server.
Messages and Setup   Recorder & Phone Setup   Phone Connection   Change Dialing Options
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105
6
Recorder & Phone Setup
Time Zone/Daylight Savings
DIRECTV sets the time on your DVR to be accurate at your billing address. If you 
temporarily move the DVR to a new location, you can change the time zone here. After 
changing the time zone, you can change the Daylight Savings setting.
Replace Access Card
If you need to replace your DIRECTV access card, follow the on-screen instructions.
System Test
System Test runs tests on the DVR’s signal, tuning, access card and phone connection, 
then shows whether or not the test succeeded. You can also see the ID Number for your 
DIRECTV access card on this screen. The tests begin as soon as the screen appears. 
If the tests succeed, press SELECT to return to Recorder & Phone Setup. If the tests fail, 
press SELECT to retry them or LEFT arrow to return to Recorder & Phone Setup.
• If the Signal or Tuning test failed, you need to troubleshoot the signal from your 
satellite dish antenna. For hints, see “Satellite Signal Troubleshooting” on page 28.
• If the Access Card test failed, check your Access Card. The proper side of the Access 
Card should be inserted firmly into the slot on the front of the DVR. If you have 
inserted the correct card firmly, and the Access Card test is still failing, see the 
Customer Care information on the back of this manual.
• If the phone connection test fails, see page 132 in the Troubleshooting chapter.
DIRECTV Central   Messages and Setup   Recorder & Phone Setup
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106
Chapter 6 Messages and Setup
System Information
This is where you can find the DVR’s serial number, Receiver ID number, the 
manufacturer and model number, the software version, information about recent service 
calls, and the DVR’s storage capacity. You’ll need some of this information if you call 
Customer Care for support. You can use CHAN UP/DOWN to see all of the screen.
Remember, you can use CHAN UP/DOWN to see text below or above what is displaying on the 
current screen.
* SIR-S4040R
* SIR-S4080R
* SIR-S4120R
DIRECTV Central   Messages and Setup   Recorder & Phone Setup   System Information
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107
6
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
Parental Controls Troubleshooting
This screen provides a brief description of how to use Parental Controls. Use CHAN UP/
DOWN to see all of the text on the screen. 
Phone Troubleshooting 
This screen provides tips to help you troubleshoot problems with your phone connection. 
Use CHAN UP/DOWN to see all of the text on the screen.
Satellite Troubleshooting
This screen provides basic information about connections to your satellite dish antenna 
and dual tuner, and has some troubleshooting steps. Use CHAN UP/DOWN to see all of 
the text on the screen.
DIRECTV Central   Messages and Setup   Recorder & Phone Setup   Troubleshooting
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108
Chapter 6 Messages and Setup
Restart or Reset System
You may need to restart the DVR as a routine troubleshooting step. These options erase 
information and restore original factory settings. Selecting a reset option brings you to a 
warning screen. To continue press THUMBS DOWN three times, then press ENTER.
Restart the DVR. Shuts down the DVR and starts it up again. It will not affect recorded 
programs, Season Pass items, WishList searches, or TiVo Suggestions. 
Reset Thumb Ratings and Suggestions. Removes all Thumb ratings and deletes the list 
of TiVo Suggestions under Pick Programs to Record. It does not delete TiVo Suggestions 
that have been recorded and are in the Now Playing List.
Clear Program Data and To Do List. Clears all program information, cancels all Season 
Pass items and everything in the To Do List, and removes all Thumb ratings. It does not 
delete programs in the Now Playing List. The DVR acquires new program guide data from 
the Satellite, over the next one to two days. Completing this process may take over an 
hour.
Clear and delete everything. Clears all Season Pass items, WishList searches, Thumb 
ratings, TiVo Suggestions and Now Playing List recordings, program information, and the 
To Do List and setup information, including the Channels You Receive and Favorite 
Channels lists. It also clears the current password and resets Parental Controls to the 
factory specified default. Completing this process may take over an hour.
If you do not have the remote 
control, you can also press buttons 
on the front of the DVR to enter the safety 
code. Press the INFO button three times 
and then press DOWN.
DIRECTV Central   Messages and Setup    Restart or Reset System
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CHAPTER            
7
Programming 
the Remote Control
Introduction 110
Instructions: TV Power, Volume, and TV Input 111
Resetting the Programmable Buttons 114
Setting a Remote Address 115
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Programming the Remote ControlChapter 7
110
Introduction
For information about the individual buttons on the remote control, please refer to the 
inside front cover of this guide. Before programming the remote control, you must first 
insert the batteries and complete Guided Setup.
Using the Remote with a TV and A/V Stereo System
The DIRECTV remote will already work with your DVR. You can also set it up to control 
your TV and A/V stereo system. For example, you can set up the remote to:
•Control TV power, volume, mute, and input settings: Complete the instructions on 
page 111 using the first column in each of the tables (TV power, volume, and mute). 
Then repeat the instructions using the second column (TV input).
•Control TV and A/V receiver power; A/V stereo system volume and mute: 
Complete the instructions on page 111 using the first column in each of the tables. 
Then repeat the instructions using the third column (A/V receiver power, volume, and 
mute). In this case, the TV POWER button turns on/off both the TV and the A/V 
receiver. The VOL and MUTE buttons control only the A/V receiver.
•Control TV power and A/V stereo system volume and mute: Complete the 
instructions on page 111 using the first column in each of the tables. Then repeat the 
instructions using the fourth column (A/V receiver volume and mute). The VOL and 
MUTE buttons control only the A/V receiver.
The SAT/TV switch sets the remote control to send channel changing signals to either the 
DVR (SAT) or the television (TV). If you program the remote to control the volume on 
the A/V receiver, it continues to control the A/V receiver’s volume when you change the 
SAT/TV switch to TV.
The TV INPUT button can control 
which video signal—or “input”—
y
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7
Instructions: TV Power, Volume, and TV Input
111
Instructions: TV Power, Volume, and TV Input
1. Go to the Remote Control Setup screen. 
Press the DIRECTV button; then select “Messages & Setup,” then Recorder & Phone 
Setup, then Remote Control Setup. Choose which device/functions you want to 
control: 
2. Select the brand of your device. 
Using the UP/DOWN arrows, highlight the brand of the device you wish to control, 
then press SELECT. (If you have been using a universal TV remote control, select 
your TV or A/V receiver’s brand, not the brand of the universal remote.) Next you’ll 
see a screen with four-digit codes. 
3. Prepare the remote control. 
Point the remote away from your DVR. Refer to the table below and determine which 
two buttons to press to prepare the remote. Press and hold the buttons simultaneously 
for about 5 seconds (until the red light at the end of the remote control lights up and 
stays on when you release the buttons). 
To Control: TV power, volume, and 
mute
TV input A/V system power, 
volume, and mute
A/V system volume 
and mute only
Choose: Remote Control–TV 
(power, volume, mute)
Remote Control–
TV (TV Input)
Remote Control–
A/V Stereo Receiver 
Remote Control–
A/V Stereo Receiver 
To Control: TV power, volume, 
and mute
TV input A/V system power, 
volume, and mute
A/V system volume 
and mute only
Press the: TV PWR and 
DIRECTV buttons
TV Input and 
DIRECTV buttons
TV PWR and DIRECTV 
buttons
MUTE and DIRECTV 
buttons
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Programming the Remote ControlChapter 7
112
4. Enter a code. Use the number buttons on the remote control to enter a four-digit code 
(starting with the first code in the list on the screen). After you press the fourth digit of 
the code, the red light on the end of the remote control should flash. If it doesn’t, try 
the next code.
5. Test the code. Point the remote towards the TV and test the button (refer to the table):  
If pressing the button works (e.g., turns the TV or A/V stereo system off, or changes 
the TV input), the code is correct. If it does not work, repeat steps 3 and 4 using the 
next code on the list. If none of the codes works, perform a code search (see below).
Performing a Code Search
If none of the codes listed allows you to control your device, a code search may detect the 
correct code. Performing a code search can take up to 20 minutes.
1. Prepare the remote control. Point the remote away from your DVR.
Refer to the table below and determine which two buttons to press to prepare the 
remote. Press and hold the buttons simultaneously for about 5 seconds (until the red 
light at the end of the remote lights up and stays on when you release the buttons).
To Test the: TV power, volume, 
and mute
TV input A/V system power, 
volume, and mute
A/V system volume 
and mute
Press the: TV PWR button TV Input button TV PWR buttons MUTE button
To Control: TV power, volume, 
and mute
TV input A/V system power, 
volume, and mute
A/V system volume 
and mute only
Press the: TV PWR and 
DIRECTV buttons
TV Input and 
DIRECTV buttons
TV PWR and DIRECTV 
buttons
MUTE and DIRECTV 
buttons
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7
Instructions: TV Power, Volume, and TV Input
113
2. Enter the search code. Refer to the table below and use the number keys on your 
remote control to enter the appropriate code.  
 After you press the fourth digit of the code, the red light on the end of the remote 
control will flash twice, then remain on.
3. Test the remote control. Point the remote control at the TV or A/V stereo system. 
Press CHAN UP. Did the TV or A/V stereo system turn off? If not, wait two or three 
seconds, then press CHAN UP again. Continue doing this until the TV or A/V stereo 
system responds.
When the TV or A/V receiver does turn off, press ENTER to select the current code. 
The red light at the end of the remote control will flash three times to indicate that the 
remote control is properly coded to control your device.
When the red light on the end of the remote control turns off, you have reached the end 
of the available codes.
Unfortunately, due to the great variety of TVs and A/V stereo systems, some makes 
and models are not compatible with your DVR’s remote control. If you reach the end 
of the available codes without finding a code that works with your device, you will 
need to use your TV or A/V stereo system’s remote to turn it on and off, and control 
the volume.
To Test: TV power, volume, 
and muting
TV input A/V system power, 
volume, and mute
A/V system volume 
and mute only
Enter: 0999 0999 1999 1999
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Programming the Remote ControlChapter 7
114
Resetting the Programmable Buttons
If you make a mistake, or are having difficulty, you can reset the programmable buttons. 
Once you do so, all the buttons on the remote will return to the unprogrammed state of a 
new remote.
1. Prepare the remote control. Point the remote away from your DVR. Press and hold 
the TV PWR button and DIRECTV button simultaneously until the red light at the end 
of the remote control comes on, remains steady, then stays on when you release the 
buttons.
2. Press THUMBS DOWN three times, then press ENTER. (To cancel, press CLEAR 
before you press ENTER.)
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7
Setting a Remote Address
115
Setting a Remote Address
If you have two DVRs in the same house, you may want to assign a remote address to each 
remote control. This will prevent the crossing of signals between one DVR’s remote and 
the other’s.
1. If the DVRs are both in the same room, cover the area around the shiny, dark plastic 
window on the front of one DVR. You can use a dark piece of cloth, a magazine, or 
anything thick and opaque. This prevents the DVR from receiving signals.
2. Point the remote control at the DVR for which you want to set the remote address. 
Press the DIRECTV button, and select “Messages & Setup.” Select “System 
Information,” and press the DOWN arrow until you see “Remote Address.” 
3. Point the remote control away from the DVRs, and cover the front end of the remote 
with your hand. Press and hold the PAUSE and DIRECTV buttons until the red light at 
the end of the remote control comes on and stays on when you release them.
4. Point the remote control at the DVR for which you want to set the remote address, and 
press the number “1.” Press the RIGHT arrow. On the screen, the “Remote Address” 
changes to 1. Exit System Information by pressing the DIRECTV button. 
5. Repeat steps 1-4 on the second DVR and its remote control, pressing the number 2 for 
the second remote address.
The remote controls are now set to send signals exclusively to the DVR for which they are 
addressed. You may want to label the remote controls so that you remember which DVR 
they control. Addresses 1 to 9 are unique. 0 is a universal address, meaning it will try to 
control any DVR that “hears” its signal.
If you do not exit system 
information before you go to step 
5, you may transmit information to the 
original DVR and overwrite the first 
address you entered.
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Programming the Remote ControlChapter 7
116
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CHAPTER            
8
Troubleshooting
Contacting Customer Care 118
Questions About Installation 119
Questions About Live TV (Including Satellite Signal) 120
Questions About Pick Programs to Record 125
Questions About Parental Controls 131
Questions About the DVR’s Phone Calls 132
Questions About Audio 135
Questions About Pay Per View 136
Questions About the Remote Control 138
Questions About the DIRECTV® DVR with TiVo® Service 139
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118
Chapter 8 Troubleshooting
Contacting Customer Care
For questions about your SAMSUNG DVR
After checking the Troubleshooting chapter of this guide, you can call the Samsung 
customer care center at 1-800-726-7864  if you need help:
• Connecting your Receiver to your TV and other A/V equipment.
• With Guided Setup or daily phone calls that are failing.
• With a Receiver that does not function properly even after restarting it.
• With other questions regarding the DVR or remote control.
For questions about your DIRECTV® programming or DVR service
After checking troubleshooting, call DIRECTV Customer Care at 
1-800-DIRECTV (1-800-347-3288) if you need help:
• Activating or using a feature of the DIRECTV® programming or DVR service.
• Understanding an on-screen message regarding your service.
• When you call either SAMSUNG or DIRECTV, you will need the 12 digit number on 
your DIRECTV access card and the make, model, serial number, and 12 digit Receiver 
ID number of your DVR, found on a label on the back of the DVR and on the System 
Information screen. (Press the DIRECTV button, then select “Messages & Setup” then 
“System Information.”)
Websites
You will find all of the most up to date information about DIRECTV’s products and 
services at the DIRECTV website, DIRECTV.com. The Samsung Electronics America 
website at www.samsungusa.com has links to a wide variety of products and information.
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119
8
Questions About Installation
Questions About Installation
I do not see the Welcome screen
If you do not see the Welcome screen, you may need to change channels or change the 
video source your TV uses:
• If you used coaxial RF cable  to connect your DVR to the TV, make sure 
you’re viewing the same channel (3 or 4) that you selected using the switch on the 
back of your DVR. 
• If you used Composite Video and L/R Audio cables   to connect your DVR, 
make sure your TV is displaying the appropriate video source. You may need to use 
the “INPUT,” “SOURCE,” or “TV/VIDEO” button on your TV or TV’s remote 
control to change video sources. If you are having trouble changing the video source, 
refer to the instructions that came with your TV.
• If you did not connect the DVR directly to the TV but are instead passing the signal 
through your VCR, make sure your VCR is displaying the appropriate video source. 
You may need to use the “Input,” or “Source” button on your VCR or VCR’s remote 
control. Also, some VCRs only pass the signal through when they are turned either on 
or off. If you are having trouble displaying the correct video source, refer to the 
instructions that came with your VCR.
• If you are still having trouble, double-check your connections.
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120
Chapter 8 Troubleshooting
Questions About Live TV 
(Including Satellite Signal)
During Satellite Guided Setup, the screen got stuck on the Satellite Info screen.
•  Press the DIRECTV button, then select “Messages and Setup,” then select “Recorder 
& Phone Setup,” then “Satellite Dish Setup,” then choose “Reset Satellite 
Information.” The screen will warn you not to proceed unless you have been instructed 
to do so by a customer care representative. In this instance, it is safe to proceed past 
this screen without consulting Customer Care.
How do I see what’s on TV on every channel?
• From live TV, press the GUIDE button on the remote to display the program guide. 
You can use the CHAN UP/DOWN button to scroll the list a page at a time and use the 
FORWARD and BACK buttons to go forward and back in time.
How long can I pause live TV?
• You can pause for up to 30 minutes on each tuner. After 30 minutes, the video will 
start playing again, 30 minutes behind “real time.” 
How far back can I rewind live TV? 
• The length of time you can rewind depends on how long you have been watching the 
same channel. The recording starts over each time you change the channel, so if you 
have just changed the channel, you won't be able to rewind very far (the green area on 
the Status Bar will be very small). You can store up to 30 minutes of the current 
channel. If you have been watching the same channel for more than 30 minutes, you 
can rewind for up to 30 minutes. The same is true for two channels with dual tuner.
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121
8
Questions About Live TV (Including Satellite Signal)
Can I watch TV while a program is recording? 
• Yes, you can watch what is recording as it is being recorded. You can also watch any 
program stored in the Now Playing List while another program is being recorded. If 
you have dual tuner, you can record one program while watching another. See page 3 
for information about Dual Tuner.
• If you have an antenna or cable signal in addition to DIRECTV® service, you can 
watch programs carried by that signal—without the DVR service—while your DVR is 
in standby mode. For more information, see page 55.
After changing the channel, how do I rewind to what I was watching before?
• You can only rewind Live TV to the point where you last changed the channel. When 
you change the channel, you skip ahead to the current time on the new channel, and 
start recording fresh, on that channel. If you are behind live TV and watching 
something you still want to see, you shouldn’t change the channel. If you have Dual 
Tuner, however, you can “surf ” two channels and the DVR saves up to 30 minutes of 
each channel’s programming. 
How do I know if I’m watching live or delayed TV? 
• Press PLAY to bring up the Status Bar. If the white line is at the right edge of the green 
area, you are caught up to live TV. If the white line has green to the right of it, you are 
watching delayed TV. To catch up to live TV, press the ADVANCE ( ) button.
When does the DVR get program data? 
• Your DVR downloads program guide data throughout the day from your satellite 
connection. It takes a day or two for the DVR to get all of its guide data (up to 14 days) 
after you have completed Guided Setup.
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122
Chapter 8 Troubleshooting
How do I get back to the last channel I was watching?
• When watching live TV, typing a channel number jumps the DVR to that channel. 
Press ENTER/LAST if you want to go back to the prior channel.
I can’t tune to one of my channels.
• You may be using a channel list that does not include the channel you want. Use the 
number buttons on the remote control to enter the channel number, then press the 
ENTER button. For more information on using a channel list, see page 89.
• The channel you want may be showing a program that exceeds a limit set with Parental 
Controls. In this case, you will be able to tune to the channel, but will see only a black 
screen with a notice that a limit has been exceeded. For more information, see page 90.
• Check to make sure you subscribe to the channel you are trying to tune to. Tune to the 
channel and read the message at the bottom of the screen.
I can’t use the Favorite Channels channel list.
• The Favorite Channels list is empty until you put channels in it. For more information, 
see page 89.
• If category filtering of the guide is turned on, channels on your list of favorites may be 
being filtered out. You can use the guide’s options to turn off filtering. See page 50.
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123
8
Questions About Live TV (Including Satellite Signal)
When I power on my TV, I see the message “Searching for satellite signal....”
Your DVR is having trouble tuning to the channel you are on. Follow these steps to restore 
the video:
• Try changing channels. If you see the same message on every channel, your video 
cable may have come loose. Check to make sure all the cable connections on the back 
of your DVR are secure.
• If multiple channel changes do not work, try restarting your DVR. From DIRECTV 
Central, choose “Messages & Setup,” then “Restart or Reset System,” then “Restart 
the Recorder.” Follow the instructions on the screen to restart the DVR. 
• In unusual circumstances, stormy weather may interfere with your satellite signal. If 
this is the case, the signal should return when the weather changes.
• Try replacing your video cables to determine if one of your cables is bad.
• The position of your satellite dish antenna may have changed and you may have to re-
position it. Professional installers are available in most areas to position satellite 
dishes. You can also find positioning information by repeating Satellite Dish Guided 
Setup, available by pressing the DIRECTV button, then selecting “Messages & Setup” 
and then “Recorder & Phone Setup.”
• There may be an obstruction (for example, trees) between the satellite dish antenna 
and the sky. If this is the case, you may have to change the position of your satellite 
dish antenna.
The channel I want to watch has the message “This program is not available in your 
area,” and the image is blacked out.
• Some sports events may be blacked out in areas that are considered local areas for the 
events.
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The audio and video are out of sync.
• Try changing channels.
• Press the PAUSE button on the remote control, then press BACK to move back a 
frame or two, then press PAUSE again to resume play.
• Press the DIRECTV button; then press the LIVE TV button to return to live television.
• Restart your DVR. From Messages & Setup select “Restart or Reset System,” then 
“Restart the Recorder.” You will see the Welcome screen and the system will restart 
within about 45 seconds.
My DVR was working, but now the picture does not move. 
• First, press PLAY to be sure the video is not paused.
• Try to restart your DVR. From Messages & Setup select “Restart or Reset System,” 
then “Restart the Recorder.” You will see the Welcome screen and the system will 
restart within about 45 seconds.
I don’t get a picture now, even though I have been able to get one in the past.
• Any time you have a problem with your system, you can run a system test. To run the 
test, from Messages & Setup, select “System Test.” The system test checks the DVR’s 
signal, tuning, access card and phone connection. 
• You may be able to fix the problem yourself. Try restarting the DVR: From Messages 
& Setup select “Restart or Reset System,” then “Restart the Recorder.” If you cannot 
fix the problem, call DIRECTV Customer Care at 1-800-DIRECTV 
(1-800-347-3288).
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8
Questions About Pick Programs to Record
Questions About Pick Programs to Record
There are very few or no shows listed when I press GUIDE or look for programs to 
record. I can’t find my program in the listings, although I know it's on. 
• Your DVR may not have all its program guide data yet. When you first begin to use 
your DVR, it begins to download guide information from the DIRECTV satellites. It 
takes a day or two before complete information (up to 14 days) is available for you to 
use. If you cannot find a specific show that you know is on, information for that show 
may not have been downloaded and indexed yet. Wait a few hours and then try to find 
your program again.
• The guide may be using a channel list that does not include the channel you are 
looking for. You can change the channels in a channel list, and change the channel list 
that the guide uses. See page 36.
What do the different icons on the Now Playing List screen mean? 
• For a description of each icon’s meaning, see the Glossary of Icons on the inside back 
cover of this guide.
Can I record multiple programs simultaneously?
• It depends on how many satellite Inputs you have connected to your DVR. With one 
input, you can only record one program at a time. With two inputs, you can utilize the 
dual tuner and record 2 programs at the same time, or record one program while 
watching another.
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Can I recover a recorded program that was deleted?
How can I save a program longer?
• Unfortunately, there is no way to bring back a program that has been deleted from the 
Now Playing List. You can, however, choose to save programs longer. From the Now 
Playing List, highlight the program you wish to save longer and press SELECT to 
display the Program Information screen. Here you can choose “Save until I delete,” or 
choose “Save Until...” to set the number of days before a program may be deleted.
• Be sure also that you pay attention to conflicts. You may choose not to approve any 
conflict that says it will delete a program sooner than you want. 
• If the program was a Season Pass, you may have too many Season Pass items. In order 
to accommodate all of your Season Pass requests, programs may occasionally be saved 
for as little as one day. Try deleting some Season Pass requests. 
• You can archive special recordings to a videotape to preserve them longer. From the  
Program Information screen, choose “Save to VCR.” See page 66.
How do I check the upcoming programs that I’ve scheduled to record?
• From the DIRECTV Central screen, select “Pick Programs to Record.” From there, 
select the To Do List. 
How do I cancel a recording?
• If you change the channel while a program is recording, you will be given the option to 
cancel the recording.
• To cancel a scheduled recording: In the To Do List, highlight the program and press 
the “Clear” button.
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Questions About Pick Programs to Record
What happens if a sports event I have scheduled to record goes into overtime?
• The DVR service cannot predict whether a sporting event might go into overtime, but 
we provide a feature that lets you add from one extra minute to three hours at the end 
of a recording. The Overtime Scheduler™ has two options: Start Recording and Stop 
Recording. Both are available on the Recording Options screen. You can even use the 
Overtime Scheduler to change the scheduled end of a recording while the program is 
still being recorded. You can use the Overtime Scheduler with any kind of program, 
not just sports. For more information, see page 62.
Can I schedule to record a program that will not be aired for months?
• You can create a WishList to set up recordings for programs that are not yet listed in 
the guide. For example, create a keyword WishList that uses the program’s title as the 
keyword. See page 73.
Can I save a program from the Now Playing List to my VCR?
• Yes. You can use the “Save to VCR” function. See page 66 for more information.
Can I copy or archive programs to a ZIP drive or any other computer storage media? 
• No, the DVR does not copy or archive recordings to any device other than a VCR. 
How do I go back to the beginning of a recording I’m watching?
• Press the ADVANCE button ( ) on the remote to go to the end of a recording you’re 
watching. Press it again to go to the beginning.
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How do I clear all the letters I’ve entered on the alphanumeric keypad and start over? 
• Use the CLEAR button on the remote, or select “CLR” in the on-screen keypad. To 
remove one letter, select “DEL” in the keypad or press the BACK button on the 
remote. 
How can I fit more programs on Now Playing List, and why does it tell me I don't have 
enough space? 
• Your DVR can save a limited number of programs, and then it runs out of space. 
Usually, it then begins to delete old programs to make room for new recordings. 
However, if you have marked too many programs in Now Playing List “Save until I 
delete,” (programs marked “Save until I delete” have a green circle beside them) your 
DVR may tell you that you do not have enough space. To make space, delete some of 
the programs listed in the Now Playing List. You can delete a program by highlighting 
it in Now Playing List, then pressing CLEAR. On the confirmation screen that 
appears, press SELECT.
How do I set the clock so that my shows are recorded on time? 
• Your DVR’s internal clock is updated by the DIRECTV satellites. If you find that the 
DVR’s time is consistently wrong, you can change the Time Zone and Daylight 
Savings Time settings manually, as described on page 105. If the clock still shows the 
wrong time, you can call DIRECTV Customer Care at the number on the back of this 
guide.
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Questions About Pick Programs to Record
My program didn’t get recorded. I set the DVR up to record something, and it’s not in 
Now Playing List.
• If this happens, you can check Recording History for an explanation why the program 
did not record. Recording History is the first selection available in the To Do List. 
Here are some reasons why a program may not be available in the Now Playing List:
• The program may have been canceled by the network. 
• You may have two season pass requests that were on at the same time this week. 
Only one can be recorded, unless you have dual tuner, in which case only two can 
be recorded at once. The DVR records the Season Pass (or Passes with dual 
tuner) with the highest priority. To change priority settings on Season Pass 
recordings, go to “Pick Programs to Record” and select “Season Pass Manager.”
• The program may have been deleted from the Now Playing List by someone else. 
• You may have gotten a conflict when requesting another program, and the 
proposed solution was to delete the missing program earlier than planned. 
• The DVR may have lost power during the time the program was broadcast. 
I haven’t scheduled enough programs to fill my DVR, but when I try to schedule more 
programs, the DVR says there isn’t room.
• With satellite broadcasts, the amount of recording space the DVR needs varies from 
channel to channel and from show to show. In general, the more action you see on 
your screen, such as in fast-moving sports or action movies, the more recording space 
is required. The space required for each show you record affects the total hours of 
recording capacity in your DVR.
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What does it mean when my DVR says programs will be deleted earlier than 
planned?
• By default, all programs except pay per view events are kept for at least two days. 
After that, programs may be deleted to make room for other recordings you request. 
Recordings of pay per view events are kept until you delete them. The DVR service 
uses this information to figure out not only what space will be available but when it 
will become available. If enough space will not be available at the time of recording, 
the DVR service tells you which programs would be deleted to make more room. 
However, you always have the final say on how long the DVR keeps recorded 
programs. You can delete programs at any time and can always change how long a 
program is saved by changing the “Save Until…” option described on page 60.
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Questions About Parental Controls
Questions About Parental Controls
My Parental Controls are not working.
• For Parental Controls to work, they must be on (and not temporarily turned off). 
Whenever you enter a password to bypass Parental Controls, Parental Controls 
become temporarily turned off. If they are turned off, you can turn them back on at the 
Parental Controls screen (see page 90), or by putting your DVR in standby mode and 
then taking it out of standby.
Do I have to change Parental Controls settings before I can watch a program that 
exceeds the current limits?
• No, you don’t. You can enter the current password to temporarily turn off Parental 
Controls. If they are temporarily turned off, you can turn them back on at the Parental 
Controls screen (see page 90), or by putting your DVR in standby mode and then 
taking it out of standby. 
I’ve lost my password for Parental Controls. What should I do?
• If you have lost your password, you can call DIRECTV Customer Care at the phone 
number provided on the back of this guide.
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Questions About the DVR’s 
Phone Calls
How long does the daily call to the DVR service take? 
• It is typically a short call, less than three minutes. When the software is being updated, 
it may take longer, but this happens rarely (a few times a year). 
My DVR is not making the daily call to the DVR service.
• If you use a wireless phone, retry the call using a phone which is connected to a 
standard wall jack.
• Verify that your phone line is working by connecting a phone to the phone cord and 
checking for a dial tone. Make sure the phone cord is connected to the DVR and the 
wall jack.
• Try another local dial-in number from the Phone Dialing Options screen. To get to 
Phone Dialing Options, from DIRECTV Central, select “Messages & Setup,” then 
“Recorder & Phone Setup,” then “Phone Connection,” then “Change Dialing 
Options.”
• You may need to change your Phone Dialing Options from the default. After making 
changes, make a test call. (Choose Make Test Call from the Phone Connection screen.) 
If the test call succeeds, choose “Make Daily Call Now.”
• If you have voice mail or use another non-standard dial tone, go to “Messages & 
Setup,” then “Recorder & Phone Setup,” then “Phone Connection,” then “Change 
Dialing Options.” Turn off “Dial Tone Detection.”
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Questions About the DVR’s Phone Calls
• If you have call waiting, go to “Messages & Setup,” then “Recorder & Phone Setup,” 
then “Phone Connection,” then “Change Dialing Options.” Disable call waiting by 
entering the correct prefix in Call Waiting Prefix (usually *70,).
• If you dial a prefix for outside lines, go to “Messages & Setup,” then “Recorder & 
Phone Setup,” then “Phone Connection,” then “Change Dialing Options.” Set a Dial 
Prefix—for example, “9,” (nine, followed by a comma for a pause).
• Your phone line may have low voltage. Try setting Phone avail. detection to Off under 
Dialing Options, described on page 101.
• If you have a caller ID box, try removing it from the line since some models interfere 
with the DVR modem's ability to make a call. 
• If your DVR is having difficulty dialing out, try the following: Press LEFT arrow until 
you return to the Phone Dialing Options screen. Select Set Dial Prefix, and enter the 
dialing prefix “,#034” (comma, pound, zero, three, four). Use the PAUSE button to 
enter a comma, and the ENTER button to enter a pound. This command sets the 
DVR’s modem to a slower speed, which helps phone calls succeed in some 
environments. The DVR does not dial the prefix as part of the number.
• If you have a cordless telephone, fax machine, or computer modem connected to the 
same line, go to “Messages & Setup,” then “Recorder & Phone Setup,” then “Phone 
Connection,” then “Change Dialing Options.” Turn off  “Phone avail. detection.”
• You might have too much line noise to make a connection. The DVR ships with a 25 
foot phone cord. Try a shorter cord, or buy a line noise filter at your local electronics 
store. 
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Why does the DVR have to be connected to a phone line? Do I need to keep the phone 
connected all the time?
• The DVR should be plugged in to a land-based phone line at all times to receive the 
DVR service and DIRECTV® sports packages, and to communicate the purchase of 
pay per view events.
Does the DVR service phone call each day cost me any money? 
• Calling the DVR service via your local dial-in number is the same as making a local 
telephone call. 
Does the occasional phone call to DIRECTV cost me any money?
• No, because your DVR only calls DIRECTV periodically and a toll free number is 
used to make the call.
What if I need to make a call while the DVR is using the phone? 
• When you pick up the phone, the DVR will interrupt the download process and free 
the phone line for your call. Hang up, wait at least 45 seconds, and pick up the line 
again to make a call. The DVR will attempt its call again later. 
What if my phone line is not operating when the DVR tries to make a service call? 
• The DVR will continue to attempt to call several times a day until it is successful. You 
can check the status of the phone calls by going to Messages & Setup and looking at 
the Phone Connection screen. 
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Questions About Audio
Questions About Audio
I can’t select an alternate audio track.
• Alternate audio tracks are not available for all programs. If a program has an alternate 
audio track, you can select it through the channel banner.
• Programs are recorded with only one audio track, either the primary or an alternate 
audio track, so you cannot select an alternate audio track on a recorded program.
• If you are watching a live program, but are not caught up to live TV (i.e., you could 
use the FORWARD button to move forward through the program), alternate audio will 
not be available until you catch up with live TV.
Programs are playing in the wrong language.
• There may be an alternate language selected in My Preferences. To check, press the 
DIRECTV button; then select “Messages & Setup,” and then “My Preferences.” Select 
“Audio Options,” then “Audio Language.” Make sure the language selected is the one 
you want to hear.
• An alternate audio track may be selected. (See page 96.)
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Questions About Pay Per View
How do I record a pay per view event?
• If it is on now, tune to the channel carrying the program and press RECORD.
• If it is on later, go to live TV, press the GUIDE button to see the guide. Highlight the 
program and press SELECT.
How do I cancel a pay per view purchase?
• You can cancel pay per view purchases before the program airs on the Purchases 
screen. For more information, see page 85.
• Pay per view purchases made by phone must be canceled by phone as well. (There is 
an additional $1.50 charge when pay per view events and movies are ordered by phone 
utilizing the automated ordering system or an additional $5.00 charge for an operator-
assisted order.)
I can’t order a pay per view program.
• It may be too late to purchase the program you want. To quickly see other times the 
program will be on, do this: In Live TV, tune to the station carrying the pay per view 
program you want. There should be a notice saying “This showing is no longer 
available.” Press GUIDE to see the guide. Press the RECORD button to see Program 
Information for the program. Select “View upcoming showings.” To see live TV 
again, press GUIDE.
• In general, pay per view events can be ordered through the DVR within 24 hours of 
their air time. If you see a message that says cost information is not available, you can 
wait until less than 24 hours before the program airs and try again.
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Questions About Pay Per View
• If the program exceeds a limit set with Parental Controls, and Parental Controls are on, 
you will need a password to view it.
• If you are attempting to order a pay per view selection with your remote control and 
cannot, call DIRECTV Customer Care at the number provided on the back of this 
guide.
I can’t find the station of a pay per view program I ordered.
• Information about pay per view programs you have purchased using your remote 
control is available by selecting Messages & Setup from DIRECTV Central, and then 
selecting Purchases.
I can’t cancel a pay per view purchase on the Purchases screen.
• You cannot cancel pay per view orders that you have watched, recorded, or tuned to. 
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Chapter 8 Troubleshooting
Questions About the Remote Control
My remote control doesn’t work with my television.
• You need to program the DVR’s remote control to control some functions of your 
television or audio/visual equipment. See page 109.
My remote control doesn’t work with my DVR.
• Your remote control’s batteries may be weak. If its batteries are weak, the red light on 
the end of the remote control will not flash when you press buttons.
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Questions About the DIRECTV® DVR with TiVo® Service
Questions About the DIRECTV® DVR 
with TiVo® Service
How do I prevent TiVo Suggestions from being automatically recorded and listed on 
Now Playing List?
• Press the DIRECTV Button, then select “Messages & Setup,” then “My Preferences,” 
then “TiVo Suggestions,” then “No.”
Will my DVR still work without the DVR service? 
• Without the DVR service, your DIRECTV® DVR will have no recording 
functionality. The DVR uses the DVR service to record shows you request, provide 
Season Pass recordings, allow you to search for programs by name, and so on. The 
DVR service also provides you with new Showcases. Lastly, the service keeps your 
DVR updated to make sure you have the most current functionality available for your 
DIRECTV® DVR.
Will the DVR service collect information about my viewing habits? 
• At DIRECTV, we absolutely respect and guard your right to privacy. We have a 
privacy policy that maintains complete viewer confidentiality. DIRECTV has created 
a very sophisticated system with both protection and customization for our viewers in 
mind. It is DIRECTV’s promise to you that you will always maintain control over your 
personal information. For more information, see the DIRECTV Privacy Promise, 
included in your first monthly statement.
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How does my TiVo Suggestions list get generated? How does it know what I like?
• Your personal TV preferences are based on programs you have rated with THUMBS 
UP and THUMBS DOWN. Also, any program you record that does not already have a 
Thumb rating is automatically given one THUMB UP.
TiVo Suggestions isn’t making accurate suggestions for me.
• If you haven’t had your DVR for very long, give it time. It may take a week or two of 
use before your personal preference profile has enough data to make interesting 
suggestions. The more you press THUMBS UP and THUMBS DOWN and the more 
programs you record, the better TiVo Suggestions will be.
If other members of your household are pressing THUMBS UP on shows you don’t 
care for, and vice versa, you may find TiVo Suggestions is making some suggestions 
that you like, and some that are more appropriate for other members of your 
household.
Will I lose my personal preferences and my programs if I lose power temporarily? 
• No, everything is saved—your personal preferences, your To Do List, and your Now 
Playing List programs—regardless of the length of time you have lost power. The only 
thing you might miss is a recording that was scheduled to occur during the time the 
power was out.
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CHAPTER            
9
Warranty and 
Specifications
Limited Warranty 142
FCC Information 144
Specifications 146
Safety Instructions 148
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Chapter 9 Warranty and Specifications
Limited Warranty
Limited Warranty
SAMSUNG Manufactured DIRECTV® DVR
90 Days Free Labor/One Year Parts Exchange
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.
WHAT IS COVERED?
Warranty coverage begins the day you purchase the product. For 90 days 
from the purchase date, the DVR will be replaced with a new, repaired, 
renewed or comparable product (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. From 90 days to 1 year from the date of purchase, your DVR 
will be replaced with a new, repaired, renewed, or comparable product 
(whichever is deemed necessary) if it becomes defective or inoperative. 
You will be responsible for all labor and shipping costs. Contact 
Customer Support at the phone number found on the back of this User’s 
Guide to obtain your cost (labor costs) for exchange. 
All products, including replacement products, are covered only for the 
original warranty period. When the warranty on the original product 
expires, the warranty on the replacement product also expires. After one 
year from the date of purchase, you pay for the replacement of all parts, 
and for all labor charges.
WHAT IS EXCLUDED?
Your warranty does not cover: 
• Labor charges for installation or setup of the product.
• Installation, performance of, or repair of: audio/video cabling, 
telephone line, or accessory attachments used with the product. 
• Product replacement because of misuse, accident, lightning damage, 
unauthorized repair, or other cause not within the control of TiVo Inc. 
• Incidental or consequential damages resulting from the product. 
(Some states do not allow the exclusion of incidental or 
consequential damages, so the above exclusion may not apply to 
you.) 
• Reception transmission problems caused by signal conditions, 
telephone line, or cable or antenna systems outside the unit. 
• A product that has been modified or adapted to enable it to operate in 
any country other than the country for which it was designed, 
manufactured, approved and/or authorized, or repair of products 
damaged by these modifications. 
• A product used for commercial or institutional purposes. 
• TiVo Inc. makes no warranty that the access connection will be a 
local (not long distance) phone call.
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Limited Warranty
MAKE SURE YOU KEEP...
Please keep your sales receipt or other document showing proof of 
purchase. Attach it to this User Guide and keep both nearby. Also keep 
the original box and packing material in case you need to return your 
product.
BEFORE REQUESTING SERVICE...
Please check the troubleshooting section of this guide. This may save you 
a call to Customer Care.
TO GET WARRANTY SERVICE...
Warranty service will be provided by SAMSUNG. If you believe you 
need service for your DVR, contact  the SAMSUNG customer care 
center at 1-800-726-7864. A representative will go through a diagnostic 
checklist with you. If it is determined that the product needs to be 
exchanged, you will receive a return authorization number. The 
representative will give you complete shipping details. 
TO GET OUT-OF-WARRANTY SERVICE...
Out-of-warranty service can be obtained at a nominal cost for 
replacement and handling. To obtain out-of-warranty service contact the 
SAMSUNG customer care center at 1-800-726-7864 to obtain the cost of 
out-of-warranty exchange for your product.
REMEMBER...
Record the model and serial numbers found on the product below. Also, 
fill out and mail your registration card promptly. The return of the 
warranty card is not a condition for warranty coverage, but it will be 
easier for us to notify you if necessary.
MODEL # _____________________________________
SERIAL # _______________________________________
All implied warranties, including implied warranties of merchantability 
and fitness for a particular purpose, are limited in duration to the duration 
of this express warranty. Some states do not allow limitations on how 
long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not apply to 
you.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may have other rights 
which vary from state to state.
Samsung Electronics America, Inc. 400 Valley Road, Suite 201, Mount 
Arlington, NJ 07856
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Chapter 9 Warranty and Specifications
FCC Information
Declaration of Conformity—Standards to which Conformity is declared: 
FCC Part 15
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: 
Samsung Electronics America, Inc. 400 Valley Road, Suite 201, Mount 
Arlington, NJ07856  1-800-726-7864
• Trade Name: SAMSUNG
• Type of Equipment:  DIRECTV® DVR
• Model Number: SIR-S4040R, SIR-S4080R, SIR-S4120R with the 
Remote Control
Federal Communications Commission (FCC): This equipment complies 
with both Part 15 and Part 68 of the FCC rules.
Your DIRECTV® DVR complies with the limits for a Class B digital 
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules.These limits are designed to 
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a 
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate 
radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with 
the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio 
communications. However there is no guarantee that interference will not 
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful 
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by 
removing and applying power to the equipment, the user is encouraged to 
try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving satellite dish antenna.
• 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.
The user may find the following booklet, prepared by the Federal 
Communications Commission, helpful: “How to Identify and Resolve 
Radio and TV Interference Problems.” This booklet is available from the 
U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC. To meet FCC 
requirement, only peripherals (computer input/output devices, terminals, 
printers, etc.) certified to comply with Class B limits may be attached to 
this device. Operation with noncertified peripherals is likely to result in 
interference to radio and TV reception. To meet FCC requirements, 
shielded cables are required to connect the device to a personal computer, 
peripheral, or other Class B certified device.
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.
A plug and jack used to connect this equipment to the premises wiring 
and telephone network must comply with the applicable FCC Part 68 
rules and requirements adopted by ACTA. A compliant telephone cord 
and modular plug is provided with this product. It is designed to be 
connected to a compatible modular jack that is also compliant. See 
installation instructions for details.
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FCC Information
The REN is used to determine the number of devices that may connect to 
a telephone line. Excessive RENs on a telephone line may result in the 
devices not ringing in response to an incoming call. In most but not all 
areas, the sum of the RENs should not exceed five (5.0). To be certain of 
the number of devices that may be connected to a line, as determined by 
the total RENs, contact your local telephone company. For product 
approved after July 23, 2001, the REN for this product is part of the 
product identifier that has the format US:AAAEQ##TXXXX. The digits 
represented by ## are the REN without the decimal point (e.g., 03 is a 
REN of 0.3). For earlier products, the REN is separately shown on the 
label.
If this DIRECTV® DVR 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.
The telephone company may make changes in its facilities, equipment, 
operations or procedures that could affect the proper functioning of your 
equipment. If they do, you will be notified in advance in order for you to 
make necessary modifications to maintain uninterrupted service. 
If trouble is experienced with this unit, for repair or warranty 
information, please contact customer care at the address and phone 
number listed below. If the equipment is causing harm to the network, 
the telephone company may request that you disconnect the equipment 
until the problem is resolved.
Samsung Electronics America, Inc. 400 Valley Road, Suite 201, Mount 
Arlington, NJ07856  1-800-726-7864
DO NOT DISASSEMBLE THIS EQUIPMENT. It does not contain any 
user-serviceable components. 
We recommend the installation of an AC surge arrester in the AC outlet 
to which this equipment is connected. Telephone companies report that 
electrical surges, typically lightning transients, are very destructive to 
customer terminal equipment connected to AC power sources.
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146
Chapter 9 Warranty and Specifications
Specifications
Satellite In: F-Type Connector Female (2)
Video Out: S-Video 4-Pin Mini DIN
Composite Video RCA (2)
Audio Out: Stereo L/R RCA (2 pairs)
Optical SPDIF Digital
RF In: F-Type Connector Female
RF Out: F-Type Connector Female
Channel 3 or 4 switchable
Telephone: RJ-11 Female, 2-Wire
Control Out: 3.5mm Mini Jack Sockets (2)
Card Slot: Access Card Connector
Expansion Port USB (2)
Power: 120VAC, 60Hz, 40W
Ambient (external) 
Operating Temperature:
15 C to 35 C
Operating Humidity: 5% to 80%
Dimensions: 15" w X 12" d X 3" h
Remote Control: 36 Button with AA Batteries (2)
Modem v.34 capable
°°
CAUTION: To prevent electrical 
shock, match wide blade of plug to 
wide slot, and fully insert.
Recording capacity depends on 
signal quality and type of 
programming being recorded.
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147
9
Specifications
MACROVISION COPYRIGHT PROTECTION
The DVR incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected 
by U.S. patents and other intellectual property rights. Use of this 
copyright protection technology must be authorized by Macrovision, and 
is intended for home and other limited pay per view uses only unless 
otherwise authorized by Macrovision. Reverse engineering or 
disassembly is prohibited. U.S. patent Nos. 4,631,603, 4,577,216, 
4,819,098 and 4,907,093 licensed for limited pay per view uses only.
LINUX SOURCE NOTICE
The DIRECTV® DVR is powered by the Linux operating system. The 
machine-readable copy of the corresponding source code is available for 
the cost of distribution. Please visit www.tivo.com/linux for more 
information. To read the Linux software license, see Appendix B, “GNU 
General Public License” on page 155.
TELEPHONE LINE INTERRUPTION
Periodically, the DIRECTV® DVR dials in to the DVR service via your 
telephone line. If you pick up your telephone during the time information 
is being transferred, you will hear static noise. If you would like to use 
your telephone while the information is being transferred, you can hang 
up, wait at least 45 seconds, and pick up your telephone again. The DVR 
will disconnect and allow you to place your call. You can also interrupt 
the transfer at any time by temporarily unplugging the phone line from 
the DVR. If the transfer is interrupted, it will resume at a later time.
DIRECTV UPGRADES
Your DVR is able to receive upgrades or modifications to some of its 
features and functions. These modifications will occur automatically, 
usually at times when the DVR would not be in use. If your DVR is in 
use when an upgrade or modification is sent, you may experience a 
disruption in reception for a minute or two. Your reception should return 
to normal after the modification is complete. Your DVR must be plugged 
in to receive the upgrade. Do not unplug your receiver while an upgrade 
is in progress.
LOCAL CHANNELS FROM DIRECTV
With this DVR and the proper satellite dish antenna, you may be able to 
subscribe to local channels from DIRECTV in certain areas. Additional 
equipment may be required in some markets. Check with your retailer or 
visit DIRECTV.com for information on availability of local channels 
from DIRECTV in your area.
DIRECTV DISCLAIMERS
DIRECTV programming and DIRECTV DVR service subscriptions 
required and 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. You must be physically located in the U.S. to be an authorized 
DIRECTV customer. DIRECTV services not provided 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.  Activate your 
DIRECTV programming today at 1-800-DIRECTV (1-800-347-3288).
Receipt of DIRECTV programming is subject to the terms of the 
DIRECTV Customer Agreement; a copy is provided in your first billing 
statement. DIRECTV service not available outside the U.S. Signal theft 
is subject to civil and criminal penalties.
For full functionality, this recorder requires connection of two (2) 
satellite inputs from a dual-LNB DIRECTV System dish antenna; the 
second satellite input must be connected into the recoder’s Satellite 2 In 
jack.  Professional installation required.
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Chapter 9 Warranty and Specifications
Safety Instructions
This product was designed and manufactured to meet strict quality and safety standards. There are, however, some installation and operation 
precautions of which you should be particularly aware. Please read these instructions before operating the equipment and save them for future 
reference.
1. Read Instructions—All the safety and operating instructions should be read and understood before the appliance is operated.
2. Retain Instructions—The safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference.
3. Heed Warnings—All warnings on the appliance and in the operating instructions should be followed.
4. Follow Instructions—All operating and use instructions should be followed.
5. Water and Moisture—The appliance should not be used near water—for example, near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet 
basement or near a swimming pool, etc.
6. An appliance and cart combination should be moved with care. Quick stops, excessive force, and uneven surfaces may cause the appliance and cart 
combination to overturn.
7. Tilt/Stability—All televisions must comply with recommended international global safety standards for tilt and stability properties of their cabinet 
design. Do not compromise these design standards by applying excessive pull force to the front, or top, of the cabinet, which could ultimately overturn 
the product. Also, do not endanger yourself, or children, by placing electronic equipment/toys on top of the cabinet. Such items could unexpectedly fall 
from the top of the set and cause product damage and/or personal injury.
8. Ventilation—This appliance should be situated so that its location or position does not interfere with its proper ventilation. The openings should 
never be blocked by placing the product on a bed, sofa, rug, or similar surface. This product should not be placed in a built-in installation such as a 
bookcase or rack unless proper ventilation is provided.
9. Heat—The appliance should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other appliances (including amplifiers) 
that produce heat.
10. Power Cord Protection—Power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against 
them, paying particular attention to cords and plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the appliance.
11. Battery Caution—Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced.  Replace only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the 
manufacturer.  Dispose of used batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 
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149
9
Safety Instructions
12. Object and Liquid Entry—Never push objects of any kind into this product through cabinet slots, as they may touch dangerous voltage points or 
short the parts, resulting in the risk of fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of any kind on this product.
13. Damage Requiring Service—The appliance should be serviced by qualified service personnel when:
• The power supply cord or plug is damaged or frayed;
• Liquid has spilled into the product;
• The product has been exposed to rain or water;
• The product does not operate normally when you follow the operating instructions (adjust only those controls that are discussed in the User’s 
Guide, as improper adjustment of other controls may result in damage, often requiring extensive work by a qualified technician to restore the 
product to normal performance);
• The product has been dropped or the cabinet damaged;
•The product exhibits a distinct change in performance.
14. Servicing—The user should not attempt service to the appliance beyond that described in the Troubleshooting section of this guide. All other 
servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel.
15. Cleaning—Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners; use a damp cloth for cleaning. 
If the product comes in contact with any liquid, unplug the phone line and the power adapter and let the unit dry thoroughly before plugging it back in.
16. Power Source—This product should be operated only from the type of power source indicated on the marking label or in the User’s Guide. If you 
are not sure of the type of power supply to your home, consult your dealer or local power company.
17. Overloaded Power Outlets—do not overload wall outlets and extension cords, as this can result in the risk of fire or electric shock.
18. Electric Shock—To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not disassemble this product. Take it to a qualified serviceperson when service or repair 
work is required. Opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage or other risks. Incorrect reassembly can cause electric shock when 
this product is subsequently used.
19. Telephone Usage—When using your telephone equipment, basic safety precautions should be always followed to reduce the risk of fire, electric 
shock and injury to persons. To reduce the risk of fire, use only No. 26 AWG or larger telecommunication line cord.
20. Movement—Avoid moving the unit while it is plugged in to avoid accumulative shock and vibration damage to the internal hard disk drive.
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Chapter 9 Warranty and Specifications
21. Polarization—The DIRECTV® DVR is equipped with a plug that will fit into the power outlet only one way. Do not modify the plug. If the plug 
does not fit, contact your electrician to replace your outlet. To prevent electric shock, do not use this plug with an extension cord or outlet unless you 
can fully insert the blades without blade exposure.
22. Satellite Dish Antenna Grounding—The outdoor satellite dish antenna and the cable which connects the satellite dish antenna to the DVR must  
comply with local installation codes and the appropriate sections of the National Electric Code (NEC). In particular they must comply with Article 810-
15, which covers proper installation and grounding of television receiving equipment. They must also comply with Article 820-33, which specifies that 
the satellite dish antenna cable ground shall be connected to the grounding system of the building as close to the point of cable entry as is practical. 
These codes require proper grounding of the metal structure of the outdoor satellite dish antenna and grounding of the connecting cable at a point where 
it enters the house (or other building). If a professional installs the Satellite Dish Antenna, be sure that the installer observes installation codes. If 
additional local installation codes apply, contact local inspection authorities. It is important to comply with these codes for proper operation of the 
DVR.
Example of Proper Antenna Grounding
Note: If the Satellite/Antenna cable is grounded correctly (as specified above), connecting it to the DIRECTV® DVR will properly ground the DVR. 
The DVR must be properly grounded before you connect it to a telephone line, and it must remain grounded thereafter.
Ground clamp
Electric service
equipment
Ground clamps Power service grounding electrode
(NEC Art. 250 Part H)
Grounding conductors
Coaxial cable
Grounding block
Coaxial cable
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APPENDIX   A
Back Panel Reference
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152
Appendix A Back Panel Reference
Back Panel Reference
This section describes the use of the connection jacks and switch on the back panel of the 
DIRECTV® DVR. If your setup doesn’t match any of the examples, you can use this 
information for general reference as you set up your equipment.
1. AC ~ In: When you’ve finished making all of the other connections, plug the AC 
power cord (supplied) into this opening to turn on the DVR. The DVR does not use a 
separate on/off switch; plugging it in switches it on.
2. Phone Line: Connect the DVR to your phone line using the telephone cord (supplied) 
and optional telephone line splitter (supplied). Your DVR needs to be connected to a 
phone line to receive updates from DIRECTV. The DVR occasionally makes a brief 
phone call to get updates to the DVR service and Showcases, and for pay per view 
AC~In
1 2
3
45 6 78
9
10 11 12 13
14
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153
A
Back Panel Reference
functionality. Do not connect the DVR to digital PBX systems. Doing so may 
permanently damage your DVR’s modem and will void your warranty.
3. Cntrl Out (Serial): For future use. 
4. Cntrl Out (IR): For future use.
5. USB (Universal Serial Bus) (2): For future use.
6. Composite Video Outputs (2): If your TV or VCR has a Composite Video jack you 
can connect the DVR to your TV or VCR’s Video In using the yellow video connector 
on the Composite Video cable (supplied). If you have both a TV and a VCR, you 
might use one cable for the TV and another cable (not supplied) for the VCR.
7. L/R Audio Outputs (2 each): If your TV or stereo features Composite Input jacks, 
connect the Left (white) and Right (red) Audio Output jacks from the DVR to your TV 
or stereo using the L/R Audio cables (supplied). If you have both a TV and a VCR, 
you might use one set of L/R Audio cables for the TV and another set (not supplied) 
for the VCR; see chapter 1 of this guide for examples. If you are using an S-Video 
cable to connect to your TV or VCR, you must use it with the L/R Audio outputs. 
Ignore the L/R Audio jacks if you’re using RF Out or Digital Audio Out.
8. S-Video Output: If your TV or VCR features an S-Video input jack, you can connect it 
to the DVR using an S-Video cable. S-Video provides a higher quality picture than 
composite. If you use the S-Video Output, you must also connect the supplied L/R 
Audio outputs (red and white cable ends). When connecting S-Video and the red and 
white L/R Audio outputs, do not plug in the yellow Composite Video cable.
9. Digital Audio Out: You can use the Digital Audio Out to connect your DVR to an A/V 
receiver with a digital audio input. To do so, you will need an optical audio cable (not 
supplied). Ordinarily, your DVR produces tones to indicate when certain buttons on 
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154
Appendix A Back Panel Reference
the remote control are pressed or to indicate signal strength when you are positioning 
your dish. If you use Digital Audio Out, you will not hear these tones.
10. Satellite In 2: If you have a Dual LNB satellite dish, you can connect the second 
satellite cable from your wall to the Satellite In 2 jack. Connecting both Satellite In 1 
and Satellite In 2, and completing the required steps in Satellite Setup, allows you to 
record two programs at the same time (dual tuner).
11. Satellite In 1: Connect the satellite cable from your wall to the Satellite In 1 jack. You 
will not be able to watch DIRECTV® channels if you do not make this connection.
12. Channel 3/4 Switch: If you use RF Out, set the output to channel 3 or 4 using this 
switch. To get the best picture, select the channel that is not occupied by a local 
broadcast channel. For example, if there is a local broadcast station on channel 4, 
select channel 3 for the output on the DVR. You need to set your television to this 
channel (3 or 4) in order to view programs through the DVR.
13. RF Out: If your TV only has RF In, connect the DVR to your TV’s RF In using the 
coaxial RF cable (supplied). The RF In jack on your TV may not be labeled “RF In;” it 
may be labeled “VHF/UHF In” or “Antenna/Cable In” instead. If your TV has 
multiple inputs and you can use the DVR’s S-Video Output or Composite Video 
Output, don’t use this jack.
14. RF In: If you use an antenna, and your TV has only one input, connect your antenna to 
the DVR using your existing coaxial RF cable (the one coming out of the wall). If your 
TV has multiple inputs, you can ignore this jack and connect your antenna directly to 
your TV instead. You will NOT be able to you to use DIRECTV and DVR functions 
while watching antenna or cable channels, even if you connect your antenna or cable 
directly to your DVR.
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APPENDIX   B
GNU General Public License
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156
Appendix B GNU General Public License
GNU General Public License
Version 2, June 1991
Copyright (C) 1989, 1991 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307  USA
Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this 
license document, but changing it is not allowed.
Preamble
The licenses for most software are designed to take away your freedom to 
share and change it.  By contrast, the GNU General Public License is 
intended to guarantee your freedom to share and change free software—
to make sure the software is free for all its users.  This General Public 
License applies to most of the Free Software Foundation’s software and 
to any other program whose authors commit to using it.  (Some other 
Free Software Foundation software is covered by the GNU Library 
General Public License instead.)  You can apply it to your programs, too.
When we speak of free software, we are referring to freedom, not price.  
Our General Public Licenses are designed to make sure that you have the 
freedom to distribute copies of free software (and charge for this service 
if you wish), that you receive source code or can get it if you want it, that 
you can change the software or use pieces of it in new free programs; and 
that you know you can do these things.
To protect your rights, we need to make restrictions that forbid anyone to 
deny you these rights or to ask you to surrender the rights. These 
restrictions translate to certain responsibilities for you if you distribute 
copies of the software, or if you modify it.
For example, if you distribute copies of such a program, whether gratis or 
for a fee, you must give the recipients all the rights that you have.  You 
must make sure that they, too, receive or can get the source code.  And 
you must show them these terms so they know their rights.
We protect your rights with two steps: (1) copyright the software, and (2) 
offer you this license which gives you legal permission to copy, distribute 
and/or modify the software.
Also, for each author’s protection and ours, we want to make certain that 
everyone understands that there is no warranty for this free software.  If 
the software is modified by someone else and passed on, we want its 
recipients to know that what they have is not the original, so that any 
problems introduced by others will not reflect on the original authors’ 
reputations.
Finally, any free program is threatened constantly by software patents.  
We wish to avoid the danger that redistributors of a free program will 
individually obtain patent licenses, in effect making the program 
proprietary.  To prevent this, we have made it clear that any patent must 
be licensed for everyone’s free use or not licensed at all.
The precise terms and conditions for copying, distribution and 
modification follow.
GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE
Terms and conditions for copying, distribution and modification.
0. This License applies to any program or other work which contains a 
notice placed by the copyright holder saying it may be distributed under 
the terms of this General Public License.  The “Program,” below, refers 
to any such program or work, and a “work based on the Program” means 
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157
B
GNU General Public License
either the Program or any derivative work under copyright law: that is to 
say, a work containing the Program or a portion of it, either verbatim or 
with modifications and/or translated into another language.  (Hereinafter, 
translation is included without limitation in the term “modification”.)  
Each licensee is addressed as “you”.
Activities other than copying, distribution and modification are not 
covered by this License; they are outside its scope.  The act of running 
the Program is not restricted, and the output from the Program is covered 
only if its contents constitute a work based on the Program (independent 
of having been made by running the Program). Whether that is true 
depends on what the Program does.
1. You may copy and distribute verbatim copies of the Program's source 
code as you receive it, in any medium, provided that you conspicuously 
and appropriately publish on each copy an appropriate copyright notice 
and disclaimer of warranty; keep intact all the notices that refer to this 
License and to the absence of any warranty; and give any other recipients 
of the Program a copy of this License along with the Program.
You may charge a fee for the physical act of transferring a copy, and you 
may at your option offer warranty protection in exchange for a fee.
2. You may modify your copy or copies of the Program or any portion of 
it, thus forming a work based on the Program, and copy and distribute 
such modifications or work under the terms of Section 1 above, provided 
that you also meet all of these conditions:
    a) You must cause the modified files to carry prominent notices stating 
that you changed the files and the date of any change.
    b) You must cause any work that you distribute or publish, that in 
whole or in part contains or is derived from the Program or any part 
thereof, to be licensed as a whole at no charge to all third parties under 
the terms of this License.
    c) If the modified program normally reads commands interactively 
when run, you must cause it, when started running for such interactive 
use in the most ordinary way, to print or display an announcement 
including an appropriate copyright notice and a notice that there is no 
warranty (or else, saying that you provide a warranty) and that users may 
redistribute the program under these conditions, and telling the user how 
to view a copy of this License.  (Exception: if the Program itself is 
interactive but does not normally print such an announcement, your work 
based on the Program is not required to print an announcement.)
These requirements apply to the modified work as a whole.  If 
identifiable sections of that work are not derived from the Program, and 
can be reasonably considered independent and separate works in 
themselves, then this License, and its terms, do not apply to those 
sections when you distribute them as separate works.  But when you 
distribute the same sections as part of a whole which is a work based on 
the Program, the distribution of the whole must be on the terms of this 
License, whose permissions for other licensees extend to the entire 
whole, and thus to each and every part regardless of who wrote it.
Thus, it is not the intent of this section to claim rights or contest your 
rights to work written entirely by you; rather, the intent is to exercise the 
right to control the distribution of derivative or collective works based on 
the Program.
In addition, mere aggregation of another work not based on the Program 
with the Program (or with a work based on the Program) on a volume of 
a storage or distribution medium does not bring the other work under the 
scope of this License.
3. You may copy and distribute the Program (or a work based on it, under 
Section 2) in object code or executable form under the terms of Sections 
1 and 2 above provided that you also do one of the following:
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158
Appendix B GNU General Public License
    a) Accompany it with the complete corresponding machine-readable 
source code, which must be distributed under the terms of Sections 1 and 
2 above on a medium customarily used for software interchange; or,
    b) Accompany it with a written offer, valid for at least three years, to 
give any third party, for a charge no more than your cost of physically 
performing source distribution, a complete machine-readable copy of the 
corresponding source code, to be distributed under the terms of Sections 
1 and 2 above on a medium customarily used for software interchange; 
or,
    c) Accompany it with the information you received as to the offer to 
distribute corresponding source code.  (This alternative is allowed only 
for noncommercial distribution and only if you received the program in 
object code or executable form with such an offer, in accord with 
Subsection b above.)
The source code for a work means the preferred form of the work for 
making modifications to it.  For an executable work, complete source 
code means all the source code for all modules it contains, plus any 
associated interface definition files, plus the scripts used to control 
compilation and installation of the executable.  However, as a special 
exception, the source code distributed need not include anything that is 
normally distributed (in either source or binary form) with the major 
components (compiler, kernel, and so on) of the operating system on 
which the executable runs, unless that component itself accompanies the 
executable.
If distribution of executable or object code is made by offering access to 
copy from a designated place, then offering equivalent access to copy the 
source code from the same place counts as distribution of the source 
code, even though third parties are not compelled to copy the source 
along with the object code.
4. You may not copy, modify, sublicense, or distribute the Program 
except as expressly provided under this License.  Any attempt otherwise 
to copy, modify, sublicense or distribute the Program is void, and will 
automatically terminate your rights under this License.
However, parties who have received copies, or rights, from you under 
this License will not have their licenses terminated so long as such parties 
remain in full compliance.
5. You are not required to accept this License, since you have not signed 
it.  However, nothing else grants you permission to modify or distribute 
the Program or its derivative works.  These actions are prohibited by law 
if you do not accept this License.  Therefore, by modifying or distributing 
the Program (or any work based on the Program), you indicate your 
acceptance of this License to do so, and all its terms and conditions for 
copying, distributing or modifying the Program or works based on it.
6. Each time you redistribute the Program (or any work based on the 
Program), the recipient automatically receives a license from the original 
licensor to copy, distribute or modify the Program subject to these terms 
and conditions.  You may not impose any further restrictions on the 
recipients' exercise of the rights granted herein. You are not responsible 
for enforcing compliance by third parties to this License.
7. If, as a consequence of a court judgment or allegation of patent 
infringement or for any other reason (not limited to patent issues), 
conditions are imposed on you (whether by court order, agreement or 
otherwise) that contradict the conditions of this License, they do not 
excuse you from the conditions of this License.  If you cannot distribute 
so as to satisfy simultaneously your obligations under this License and 
any other pertinent obligations, then as a consequence you may not 
distribute the Program at all.  For example, if a patent license would not 
permit royalty-free redistribution of the Program by all those who receive 
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159
B
GNU General Public License
copies directly or indirectly through you, then the only way you could 
satisfy both it and this License would be to refrain entirely from 
distribution of the Program.
If any portion of this section is held invalid or unenforceable under any 
particular circumstance, the balance of the section is intended to apply 
and the section as a whole is intended to apply in other circumstances.
It is not the purpose of this section to induce you to infringe any patents 
or other property right claims or to contest validity of any such claims; 
this section has the sole purpose of protecting the integrity of the free 
software distribution system, which is implemented by public license 
practices.  Many people have made generous contributions to the wide 
range of software distributed through that system in reliance on 
consistent application of that system; it is up to the author/donor to 
decide if he or she is willing to distribute software through any other 
system and a licensee cannot impose that choice.
This section is intended to make thoroughly clear what is believed to be a 
consequence of the rest of this License.
8. If the distribution and/or use of the Program is restricted in certain 
countries either by patents or by copyrighted interfaces, the original 
copyright holder who places the Program under this License may add an 
explicit geographical distribution limitation excluding those countries, so 
that distribution is permitted only in or among countries not thus 
excluded.  In such case, this License incorporates the limitation as if 
written in the body of this License.
9. The Free Software Foundation may publish revised and/or new 
versions of the General Public License from time to time.  Such new 
versions will be similar in spirit to the present version, but may differ in 
detail to address new problems or concerns.
Each version is given a distinguishing version number.  If the Program 
specifies a version number of this License which applies to it and “any 
later version”, you have the option of following the terms and conditions 
either of that version or of any later version published by the 
FreeSoftware Foundation.  If the Program does not specify a version 
number of this License, you may choose any version ever published by 
the Free Software Foundation.
10. If you wish to incorporate parts of the Program into other free 
programs whose distribution conditions are different, write to the author 
to ask for permission.  For software which is copyrighted by the Free 
Software Foundation, write to the Free Software Foundation; we 
sometimes make exceptions for this.  Our decision will be guided by the 
two goals of preserving the free status of all derivatives of our free 
software and of promoting the sharing and reuse of software generally.
No Warranty
11. Because the program is licensed free of charge, there is no warranty 
for the program, to the extent permitted by applicable law. Except when 
otherwise stated in writing the copyright holders and/or other parties 
provide the program “as is” without warranty of any kind, either 
expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties 
of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. The entire risk as 
to the quality and performance of the program is with you.  Should the 
program prove defective, you assume the cost of all necessary servicing, 
repair or correction.
12. In no event unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing 
will any copyright holder, or any other party who may modify and/or 
redistribute the program as permitted above, be liable to you for 
damages, including any general, special, incidental or consequential 
damages arising out of the use or inability to use the program (including 
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160
Appendix B GNU General Public License
but not limited to loss of data or data being rendered inaccurate or losses 
sustained by you or third parties or a failure of the program to operate 
with any other programs), even if such holder or other party has been 
advised of the possibility of such damages.
End of terms and conditions.
How to Apply These Terms to Your New Programs
If you develop a new program, and you want it to be of the greatest 
possible use to the public, the best way to achieve this is to make it free 
software which everyone can redistribute and change under these terms.
To do so, attach the following notices to the program.  It is safest to 
attach them to the start of each source file to most effectively convey the 
exclusion of warranty; and each file should have at least the “copyright” 
line and a pointer to where the full notice is found.
<one line to give the program’s name and a brief idea of what it does.>
Copyright (C) <year>  <name of author>
This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it 
under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the 
Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your 
option) any later version.
This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but 
WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of 
MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR 
PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License for more details.
 You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License 
along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, 
Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307  USA
Also add information on how to contact you by electronic and paper mail.
If the program is interactive, make it output a short notice like this when 
it starts in an interactive mode:
Gnomovision version 69, Copyright (C) year name of author
Gnomovision comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY; for details 
type ‘show w’.
This is free software, and you are welcome to redistribute it under certain 
conditions; type ‘show c’ for details.
The hypothetical commands ‘show w’ and ‘show c’ should show the 
appropriate parts of the General Public License.  Of course, the 
commands you use may be called something other than ‘show w’ and 
‘show c’; they could even be mouse-clicks or menu items—whatever 
suits your program.
You should also get your employer (if you work as a programmer) or 
your school, if any, to sign a “copyright disclaimer” for the program, if 
necessary.  Here is a sample; alter the names:
Yoyodyne, Inc., hereby disclaims all copyright interest in the program 
‘Gnomovision’ (which makes passes at compilers) written by James 
Hacker.
<signature of Ty Coon>, 1 April 1989
Ty Coon, President of Vice
This General Public License does not permit incorporating your program 
into proprietary programs.  If your program is a subroutine library, you 
may consider it more useful to permit linking proprietary applications 
with the library.  If this is what you want to do, use the GNU Library 
General Public License instead of this License.
Users_Guide_DTV3.1.book  Page 160  Wednesday, June 4, 2003  7:08 PM

Index
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162
Index
A
A/V receiver 7
Programming remote to control 110
Access Card 6
Accessories and cables 9
Activate DIRECTV and DVR Services 29
Actor WishList. See WishList.
Advance button 52
Advisories 63
Anamorphic 98
Antenna or cable connection 4
Area Code 30
see also Dial-In Number
Aspect Ratio 98
Audio cables
Choosing 10
Audio Controls
Choosing alternate audio on the 
Channel Banner 51
Setting preferences 96
Audio language 97
Auto re-lock option for 
Parental Controls 91
Auto-recording WishList
Setting up 78
B
Back button 52
Back Panel Reference 152–154
BNC cable 7
Browse by Channel 71
Browse by Time 70
C
Cable connection or antenna 4
Cables and accessories 9
Call waiting 103
Call waiting prefix 103
Capacity 129
Category Only WishList. See WishList.
Channel Banner 51
Clearing the banner quickly 96
Channels
Changing your lineup 89
Creating channel lists 89
Customize channels 89
Favorite 89
Locking channels. See Parental Controls.
Using channel lists in the 
Program Guide 50
Channels You Receive 89
Clock
How the DVR’s clock is set 128
Coaxial cable 10
Coaxial RF cable 7
Code search
Performing 112
Composite A/V cable 6, 10
Customer Support 118
Customize channels. See channels.
D
Daily Call 132
Daylight Savings 105
Dial Prefix 103
Dial Tone Detection 104
Dial-In Number 30
Dial-In number 102
Dialing options 101
Digital audio 11
Digital PBX phone system 8
Digital video cable 10
Director WishList. See WishList.
DIRECTV Messages 84
DIRECTV Service iii
Dolby Digital Audio 8
Dolby Digital Audio 96
Dolby Surround Sound 8
Dual LNB 3
Dual Tuner 6
F
Favorite Channels 36
Customize Channels and 89
Favorite channels 89
Favorites 89
FCC information 144
Filter
Filter the program Guide 50
see also Channels, Customize Channels
Forward
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163
Fast Forward 52
Forward button 52
Frame Back 52
Frame Forward 52
G
Glossary of Icons vii
GNU General Public License 156
I
In jack 2
Instant replay button 52
J
Jacks 2
L
Language
Audio language 97
Letterbox 49, 98
Linux software license 156
LINUX source, obtaining 147
Live TV 52
M
Macrovision 147
Manual Season Pass 72
Manually Record Time/Channel 72
Messages 84
MPAA Ratings 63
Multiswitch 6
MUTE button, programming 111
My Preferences 89
N
Network Showcases 40
O
Optical (or digital) audio cable 7
Out jack 2
P
Pan-and-Scan 98
Parental Controls 90–96
Channel Lock 95
Lost password 131
Spending limit 95
Parental Controls Auto Re-lock option 91
Password
Lost Parental Controls Password 131
Pause button 52
Pay per view 86
For spending limits, see also Parental Con-
trols
Performing a code search 112
Phone Avail. Detection 104
Phone connection
Daily call 101
Test call 101
Phone jack 3
Phone line 3
Interruption 147
Phone Number 118
Phone Setup 30
Phone Troubleshooting 132
Program Guide
Display Options 50
Program Guide Data 28
Program Guide Options 37
Program Information
Pay per view 86
Programmable buttons
Resetting 114
R
Rating Settings
MMPA definitions 94
Movies and 92
TV Content and 92
TV Movies and 92
TV ratings definitions 94
Ratings 63
Record
From live TV 47
Recording History 66
Recording Options
Keep At Least 62
Keep At Most 61
Keep Until 61
Show Type 61
Start Recording 62
Stop Recording 62
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164
Index
Remote control
Incompatibility with some makes and 
models 113
Using 24
Using with both TV and A/V equipment 
110
Reset System 108
Restarting the DVR 108
RF coaxial cable 10
S
Safety instructions 148
Satellite dish antenna types 5
Satellite Dish Guided Setup 25
Satellite Receiver 5
Satellite Signal Strength 26
Satellite Signal Troubleshooting 28
Save longer, see Save Until...
Save Until... 58
Setup
Activate DIRECTV and DVR Service 29
Overview 24
Phone Setup 30
Satellite Dish Guided Setup 25
Setup examples 10
Signal Strength, Satellite 26
Slow button 52
Sound Effects Volume 97
Sound effects volume 97
Splitter, telephone 7
Status Bar 53
Surge protector 4, 8
S-video cable 10
Switch box 7
System Information 106
System Reset 108
System Test 105
T
Terms, useful 5
Test signal strength 99
Thumb ratings 41
Resetting 108
Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down
see also TiVo Suggestions
Time
How the DVR’s clock is set 128
Time Zone 105
TiVo Logo viii
TiVo Suggestions
Resetting 108
TiVolution Magazine 40
Tone/Pulse 103
Transponder 6
Troubleshooting
General 117–140
Satellite Signal 28
TV Aspect Ratio 98
TV INPUT button, programming 111
TV PWR button, programming 111
V
Video cables
Choosing 10
View Upcoming 64
VOLUME button, programming 111
W
Warranty 142–143
Watching recorded programs 58
Wide screen TV, see TV Aspect Ratio
WishList 73–78
Actor WishList 75
Auto-recording WishLists 78
Browsing 78
Category Only WishList 75
Director WishList 75
Editing 78
Keyword tips and 77
Keyword WishLists 76
View all upcoming and 78
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These appear when you press the THUMBS UP or THUMBS 
DOWN button. You can give a program up to three Thumbs 
Up™ or three Thumbs Down™.
These appear when an option—such as automatically 
scheduling an upcoming program or watching an additional 
program segment—is available. Press SELECT or 
THUMBS UP to choose thes option.
Now Playing 
(Green) This program will be saved until you delete it.
(Yellow) In less than one day, this program may be deleted to make 
room for other programs you have requested, but only if space is 
needed.
(Yellow with exclamation mark) At any time, this program may be 
deleted to make room for other programs you have requested, but only 
if space is needed.
(Red with black border) This program is currently being recorded.
This program is a TiVo® Suggestion. TiVo Suggestions are recorded 
on empty space and are the first programs to be deleted.
To Do List and View Upcoming Episodes
Program is an individual recording (not part of a Season Pass™ or 
WishList™). In other places, it means an item has been selected.
Program will be recorded as part of a Season Pass.
Program will be recorded as part of a WishList.
DIRECTV Central and Showcases
Appears on DIRECTV Central beside an option that changes. Select 
it to record a program, watch a preview, or visit a Showcase.
Indicates a selection in DIRECTV Central or Showcases that has 
some special video content.
Channel Banner
Select to start or stop a recording.
Select to display or turn on Parental Controls. 
Select to view Messages.
Select to choose an alternate audio track, if an alternate audio track 
is available.
Select to turn Dolby Digital audio on or off, if Dolby Digital audio 
is available. 
Highlight to see what’s on the other tuner. This icon becomes bright 
if the other tuner is recording a program. 
DIRECTV Advanced Program Guide™
This appears beside pay per view events that are All Day Tickets.
This appears beside programs that are broadcast with Dolby Digital 
audio.
This icon appears beside programs that are broadcast in Letterbox 
format.
TM
TM
Glossary of Icons
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