Guide+

MrGeod · 12-05-2008, 12:52

Hiya hope this is the right place to seek help???

I have a virgin media "Scientific Atlanta Explorer 4200" cable box and have tried to get my DVD recorders Guide plus system to interact with it but it wont, but the Guide+ website says that it recognizes SA boxes. When setting it up it asks when the signal is being sent if the box changes to channel 12 (it doesn't have channel 12) it doesn't change but it does bring up the favourite guide, would I say yes at this point?

Anyone have any idea what could be wrong?

the-cable-guy · 12-05-2008, 14:24

your DVD recorder's model number mite help

MrGeod · 12-05-2008, 14:35

Hi, sorry about that, didn't think it would make a difference. Its a Philips DVDR5520H-05. That seems to be working ok, the G-Link also seems to be working ok too. When going through the set up the DVDR sends 3 codes and one of them brings up the Fav Guides on Cable but doesn't change channel to 12, but it doesn't have channel 12 all channels are 3 digits????

the-cable-guy · 12-05-2008, 15:15

ok 2bh i aint got a clue but giving more info will help others to help you better, hence why i asked for the model number

JethroUK · 12-05-2008, 21:46

If you select Virgin as your TV service you will only be given a limited choice of digiboxes which might not include your SA box
If this is the case choose "any service" where you will have a choice of 100's of digiboxes - you may need to try a few but i guarantee one will work for you (make a note of the number for next time) - then you will need to assign all the channel numbers manually - phew! - but you only have to do this once - good luck

---------- Post added at 21:46 ---------- Previous post was at 21:43 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrGeod

.. but it doesn't have channel 12 all channels are 3 digits????

it will change it to 012 - it will definately work - you just need to try some more boxes - might be worth a google to see if SA use the same IR codes as another digibox brand to limit your fishing

MrGeod · 12-05-2008, 22:50

Thanks.
I did choose other service provider and selected SA box. Are you saying to try choosing a different brand of box? When it works do I have to go through the channel listings on VM and copy the relevant channel numbers into the G+ system? Bit confused Sorry.

JethroUK · 12-05-2008, 23:29

If the SA doesn't work - try a different brand & one will work - if you've chose 'any services' it just downloads all channels & you have to set the VM channel numbers yourself (i think it uses Sky numbering by default)

anap · 13-05-2008, 18:10

I chose Samsung and one of the codes changed my V+ box to channel 101. This works fine although I don't really need it for a V+ box!

Wild Oscar · 17-05-2008, 10:10

Does anyone know if Guide+ works with the older Pace boxes .. ie Pace Di1000?

DVD recorder is a Sony RDR-HXD870 which I've just bought btw so I'm still finding my way around its setup ...

Thanks for any insights folks ...

JethroUK · 17-05-2008, 10:58

Some pace boxes use IRDA - in which case you need an adaptor - a quick google will tell you which models are affected

Wild Oscar · 17-05-2008, 12:56

Thanks JethroUK ! ... eventually got to this page .. http://www.redremote.co.uk/ ..
which although it looks a bit dated, seems to have loads of info about remotes and signalling and stuff like that .. very useful!

Another question springs to mind though .. Guide+ information depends on an analog signal (as I understand it?) .. given that analog is gradually being phased out, is there much point in using it?

Thanks again ...

JethroUK · 18-05-2008, 14:57

I'm not quite sure where Gemstar/Guide+ goes after analogue is phased out - currently the signal comes on the back of teletext transmission

could have a look if there are any clues on gemstar website

MrGeod · 03-06-2008, 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by JethroUK

If the SA doesn't work - try a different brand & one will work - if you've chose 'any services' it just downloads all channels & you have to set the VM channel numbers yourself (i think it uses Sky numbering by default)

Hi I have went through the entire list of the available manufactures and tried to send the code to my SA box and still none works. I know that i can just do it manually, but being the dimwit that i am I keep forgetting and have missed several things I have meant to record. I have mailed SA and VM and still no reply from them so I guess I am stuck, unless anyone out there knows any better????

Thanks for all the advice though.

George

JethroUK · 03-06-2008, 16:51

It works with any box guaranteed - I don't know of a single box it won't operate - just check your sender unit is plugged in neatly

Lots of manufacturers use same codes as each other - do a little googling and you'll find other manufacturers that use the same codes Sci-Atlanta - try the Guide+ codes for these manufacturers

spiderplant · 03-06-2008, 21:29

MrGeod: the SA4200 is an IrDA box, so you'll need a RedEye. See http://www.redremote.co.uk/faqs.html#SA4000.