By default, your TV should be set to channel 3. If you need to
change the cable box to work on channel 4, see the instruction
manual that came with your. If you receive only channels 5 and
6, you will need to change the STD/HRC mode switch located on
the bottom of the unit.
I am not getting picture (picture tube is black) but sound is
OK.
On rare occasions the video card does not initialize when your
Converter/Descrambler is plugged into the power. The fix for this
is to unplug the box from the power strip and wait about 10 seconds.
Then plug the power cord back in. The video will now come in perfectly.
I am still only getting the basic channels.
Our Converter/Descramblers comes shipped to work in STD mode.
You most likely need to switch to HRC mode. You may not have cable
or be on a system where you are only paying for basic service.
If you do have basic, this can usually be remedied by going to
extended basic service. Remember that a Converter/Descrambler
must have a signal to descramble. If the cable company is not
sending a signal you’re Converter/Descramblers has nothing
to descramble!
Picture colors are inverted.
Using the M2 button will change your picture mode from inverted
to normal. If many channels appear nverted, you may need to change
the STD/HRC mode.
Picture is grainy or snowy.
Press the CFT button and then use FT+ and FT- to fine tune the
picture. "MEM" and then "FT+" within 3 seconds
and then the channel parameters are stored. If all channels are
snowy try changing the STD/HRC mode. If the signal from the cable
company is very weak, sometimes installing an amplifier (available
at Radio Shack) solves this problem.
How do I set up my Converter/Descrambler?
Please refer to our diagrams below for instructions and directions
on how to setup your Converter/Descrambler.
Can I use my Converter/Descrambler with my VCR? Can I record
these channels?
Yes, refer to the diagrams above for instructions and directions
on how to setup your Converter/Descrambler with your VCR. If you
have any problems recording channels, check to make sure you have
set the equipment up right. Your VCR's instruction manuals and
setup guides may have further useful information.
Can I use my Converter/Descrambler with my DVD Player?
Yes, your DVD Player can be setup normally. DVD Players will not
interfere with the operation of your Converter/Descrambler if
setup correctly. Refer to your instruction manuals and setup guides
that came with your DVD player.
How can you improve the quality of your Converter/Descrambler
reception?
Amplification may be needed to correct the problem. Whenever a
cable signal is split between two or more TVs or routed to some
other video components such as VCRs, the signal weakens and produces
a poor quality picture. The weak signal may cause a "snowy"
or gray picture, or may even result in weak color or lack of color.
Since most cable viewers use several different video components,
it is recommended that an amplifier be used to restore the signal
strength and the picture sharpness. In most cases, the amplifier
brings the picture "back to life" and restores its original
quality. Consider using a 10db or greater Amplifier to improve
signal strength.
TV screen turns blue.
Check to ensure that you have hooked up the cables correctly. A
"blue screen" is an indication that the TV is not receiving
a signal. Sometimes when the signal strength changes, you’re
TV or VCR thinks that there is no signal. If this occurs, try your
cable box on another TV or do not hook it up through your VCR. If
the signal from the cable company is very weak, sometimes installing
an amplifier (available at Radio Shack) solves this problem.
Are Descramblers legal?
YES! Descramblers are legal. If your cable TV company can possess
& rent the box to you then you can own the box yourself. An
example in time would be when AT&T rented telephones to consumers.
The government directed that it was legal for consumers to own
their own telephone, and so you wouldn't buy your phone from the
phone company! The cable TV industry is in its early stages relative
to this development. It is legal for you to purchase, and it is
legal for you to own. When you buy a cable box it is your responsibility
to inform the cable TV company that you are accessing their signal.
It is illegal to receive their transmission without paying for
it. This is true even if your cable box is purchased as a non-addressable,
non-detectable, and "bullet proof" unit. Here is an
excerpt from the Telecommunications Act of 1996:
"SEC.629. COMPETITIVE AVAILABILITY OF NAVIGATION DEVICES.(a)
COMMERCIAL AVAILABILITY OF EQUIPMENT USED TO ACCESS SERVICES
PROVIDED BY MULTICHANNEL VIDEO PROGRAMMING DISTRIBUTORS -
The commission shall, in consultation with appropriate industry
standard-setting organizations, adopt regulations to assure
the commercial availability, to the consumers of multi-channel
video programming and other services offered over multi-channel
video programming systems, of converter boxes, interactive
communications equipment, and other equipment used by consumers
to access multi-channel video programming and other services
offered over multi-channel video programming systems, from
manufacturers, retailers, and other vendors not affiliated
with any multi-channel video programming distributor."
For Additional Information regarding your rights regarding your
cable providers, feel free to check out this information provided
by the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC).
Cable terms: Basic Cable, Premium Cable, Pay Per View Services?
Basic Cable Service: The least expensive cable service provided
by cable companies to their customers. This service usually includes
Local TV channels which can be received directly from the broadcast
signal of the TV stations. Premium Cable Service: Additional programming
service provided by the cable company to subscribing customers.
The extra fee for such additional service may be based on a per
channel, per group of channels, or on any other combination of
channels. Pay Per View: Selected channels that offer movies and
special events such as sports or adult entertainment, for an additional
fee, on a per movie or per program basis. A special "addressable"
converter is furnished by the cable company to subscribers of
this service. Through the use of special equipment, the cable
company can "address" the customer's converter to descramble
the program for which the fee was paid.
What are "bullets" and can the cable company destroy
my box?
Bullets are nothing more than transmitted signal which affects
the cable box program. It does not fry the guts of the equipment
but rather may shut the box off temporarily, reprogram the box,
or shut the box down in an error mode until service can rectify
the problem. A non-addressable box such as ours, will manage this
process effectively. This is what is meant by a "bullet-proof"
cable box.
Will a Descrambler System help me see Digital Cable TV?
No. Currently there are no cable descramblers on the market that
will descramble digital cable signals.
Do you need a Converter if you have the cable company box, VCR,
or a cable ready TV?
Yes you do. In order to establish a non-addressable system, it
is essential to have a converter. A cable ready TV, VCR and a
Cable Company box do not provide for this feature and in not doing
so, cannot replace a converter. You must have a converter to use
a descrambler. This is especially true if you desire a converter/descrambler
that cannot be altered or addressed by your cable company.
What is a Cable Converter?
An electronic tuning device that transposes all available channels
from the cable company into either channel 3 or channel 4. A converter
is simply a "channel changer" that cannot by itself
descramble encoded premium channels. It allows you to receive
all basic channels if your TV is not the cable ready type. When
you add a descrambler to your converter, it allows you to view
all premium channels.
What is a Descrambler?
A descrambler is a device that restores the picture and sound
of a scrambled channel. A descrambler must be used with a converter
(in a two-piece configuration) to be able to descramble all the
premium channels of a cable system not using base band.
What is a Converter/Descrambler?
A single (one-piece) unit capable of descrambling premium cable
channels. This unit contains a converter and a descrambler, enclosed
in a common box. This is also the most common type of equipment
supplied by the cable company to subscribing customers. Customers
usually pay a specified monthly rental fee for such equipment.
Can your Descrambler work anywhere?
No. Descramblers are specific to each cable system. Different
cable companies use different cable systems, characterized by
the manufacturer's brand name and model number. You must use a
compatible descrambler that works in your area but may not work
in a different area. Our Universal Cable box has remedied this
problem in most areas.
How do you determine the replacement for your cable box?
Get the brand name & the model number of the converter/descrambler
unit that was supplied to you by your cable company. The brand
name is located on the front of the box. The model # is located
on the bottom of the box on a tag.
What is an Addressable Converter/Descrambler?
This is a Converter/Descrambler that can be controlled by the
cable company from their office location. Through remote coded
messages sent via the cable system, the cable company can "address"
the customer's unit to begin descrambling selected premium or
pay-per view channels. An addressable unit allows the cable company
to access your cable box to change the descrambling configuration
or program. This function provides the cable company the ability
to add or delete descrambling on the channels that come in through
your cable line. A non-addressable unit does not provide the cable
company access to the cable box program. The program remains stationary
and is unchangeable. Both cable box designs have the potential
of receiving all channels, none or somewhere in between dependent
on the box program.
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