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VCR Plus+ and Cable

VCR Plus+ and Analog Cable

When you record programs via a cable box, the cable box will have to be tuned to that station. VCR Plus+ C3 and VCR Plus+ GOLD have the functionality to control most cable boxes automatically.

If you don't have VCR Plus+ C3 or VCR Plus+ GOLD, you can still use VCR Plus+. Simply preset your cable box to desired channel number and pair up all VCR Plus+ channel numbers to 3 or 4, whichever is used for manual recording on your VCR.

Input the PlusCode number from tvguide.com. To get the code, click on a television show within the TV Listings and click on the “Get VCR Plus+ Codes” link in the middle of the page. VCR PlusCode numbers are the 2 to 8 digit numbers listed after the program channel. The VCR Plus+ system automatically will turn on the VCR on the correct date and time, then shift to channel 3 or 4 to record the preset channel on the cable box. To record the next program, preset the cable box to the next desired channel.

VCR Plus+ and Digital Cable

'Digital-Tier' cable systems offer programming on their dial numbers in the 100s, 200s and up to the 900s. Most newer VCRs are equipped to record channels up to 125; some VCRs may record channels even higher. VCR Plus+ users who receive channels higher than number 99 on their cable systems can use their one-touch recording feature (assuming a conventional hookup) by following these four easy steps:

1. During set-up of the VCR Plus+ system, indicate "No cable box".
2. Map all VCR Plus+ guide assignments to channel 3 or 4, whichever is used for manual recording on your VCR.
3. To record a program, preset the cable box to the desired channel. Input the PlusCode number from the close-up page on tvguide.com. To get to the close-up page, go into TV Listings and click on a show. VCR PlusCode numbers are the 2 to 8 digit numbers listed after the program channel. The VCR Plus+ system automatically will turn on the VCR on the correct date and time, then shift to channel 3 or 4 to record the preset channel on the cable box. To record the next program, preset the cable box to the next desired channel.

VCR Plus+® and PlusCode® are registered trademarks of Gemstar-TV Guide International.

How Does VCR Plus+ Work?

VCR Plus+ makes taping your favorite shows easy. Simply enter the VCR PlusCode number for the show you wish to record and the show will automatically be recorded.

VCR PlusCode numbers are located within the TV Listings at tvguide.com. To get the code, click on a television show within the TV Listings and click on the “Get VCR Plus+ Codes” link in the middle of the page. The VCR PlusCode numbers are the 2 to 8 digit numbers listed after the program channel.

Then, simply enter the PlusCode numbers into your VCR Plus+ equipped VCR (the VCR Plus+ logo should be on the front of the VCR). With VCR Plus+ you can choose to record the programs Once / Weekly / Daily. Recording programs Weekly is the best way to record a TV series such as sitcoms or dramas. Daily recording is the best way to record shows everyday such as soap operas. Make sure you turn off your VCR after entering the PlusCode numbers. The VCR will turn itself on and switch to the appropriate paired-up channel when it is time to record your favorite program.

VCR Plus+ does require a set-up procedure. Please refer to the Setting Up Your VCR section for instructions.

VCR Plus+® and PlusCode® are registered trademarks of Gemstar-TV Guide International.

Setting Up Your VCR to Use the VCR Plus+ System

Using the VCR Plus+ system is easy. Simply enter thePlusCode number of the show you wish to record into your VCR and the show will be recorded.

Here's how it works:
To get the code, click on a television show within the TV Listings and click on the “Get VCR Plus+ Codes” link in the middle of the page. They are the 2 to 8 digit numbers listed in the right column. Simply enter these numbers into your VCR Plus+ equipped VCR. (The VCR Plus+ logo should be on the front of the VCR) Make sure you turn off your VCR after entering the PlusCode numbers and insert a tape into your machine. The VCR will turn itself on and switch to the appropriate paired-up channel when it is time to record your favorite program. VCR Plus+ does require a set-up procedure called channel mapping. Please refer to the channel mapping section below for instructions

Channel Mapping

If you own VCR Plus+ SILVER or VCR Plus+ GOLD (indicated by the logo on the front of the VCR) this process is done automatically after you enter your Zip Code during the set-up process.

VCR Plus+ requires a one-time setup process that is called channel mapping. However, if your cable company moves a channel to a new number, you will need to repeat this process.

Step 1: Click on the Channel Mapping Guide.
Step 2: For almost every channel there is a VCR Plus+ assigned number. These 2 to 3 digit numbers are called GUIDE Numbers. (Note: for broadcast stations these numbers are usually identical to their broadcast channel numbers and therefore no channel mapping process is required) These Guide Numbers can be found on the Channel Mapping Guide.
Step 3: Go into set-up function for VCR Plus+ on your VCR (Please consult your VCR manual as this procedure varies by VCR manufacturer). You must pair up the GUIDE number for every station you wish to record with VCR Plus+ by entering the dial number of that station. Again, the GUIDE number is the number assigned to each channel, located on your Channel Mapping Guide, and the dial number is the number you tune your TV to receive that station. For example: you would pair up the GUIDE number 33 for HBO and then enter 24 since that is the number you receive it at home.

There is no GUIDE channel or VCR Plus+ number for the channel I want to record.

There are up to 600 channels available on all the cable systems in each local area, thus many channels can't have VCR Plus+ guide assignments or PlusCode numbers. This is because VCRs with VCR Plus+ are limited in the number of channels that can be accommodated in the VCR Plus+ system. Most VCRs today can pair up 125 VCR Plus+ guide channels with your cable system channels. TV Guide Online accommodates up to 120 channels available in your local area. These 120 channels have been selected because they are available to the greatest number of subscribers in the local cable systems.

VCR Plus+® and PlusCode® are registered trademarks of Gemstar-TV Guide International.

Help

Thank you for inquiring about VCR Plus+

For help with your VCR, please call the toll-free telephone number for your VCR manufacturer. A complete list of VCR manufacturers and their toll free numbers is listed below.

MFG	United States	Canada
Admiral/A&E Signature Service	800-905-9505	800-905-9505
Bell & Howell/Kodak	800-247-3724	800-247-3724
Emerson	800-695-0098	N/A
Fisher/Sanyo	800-421-5013	800-421-5013
Funai/Symphonic	201-288-2666	800-242-7158
GE (Thomson Consumer Electronics)	800-447-1700	800-336-1900
Goldstar/LG Electronics	800-243-0000	905-670-0650
Hitachi	800-448-2244	800-448-2244
JVC	800-252-5722	416-293-1311
Philips/Magnavox	800-531-0039	800-363-7278 or 800-894-5463
Mitsubishi	800-332-2119	N/A
Montgomery Wards/A&E Signature Services	800-905-9505	N/A
Panasonic/Quasar	800-222-4213	800-211-7262
ProScan (Thomson Consumer Electronics)	317-415-4151	800-336-1900
RCA (Thomson Consumer Electronics)	800-447-1700 or 317-415-4151	800-336-1900
Samsung	800-726-7864	905-542-3535
Sansui/Orion	800-289-0981	800-663-5954
Sharp	800-237-4277	800-567-4277
Sony	800-222-7669	877-899-7669 Option 1
Toshiba	800-631-3811 & Press 4	604-303-2500
Zenith/LG Electronics	800-877-0521 or 256-772-1515	905-670-0650

For general VCR Plus+ information, call (818) 739-0000. Choose #5 from the automated menu. This 24-hour automated telephone service offers menu choices that will address specific areas of inquiry. Please note that this is not a toll free number.

For inquiries regarding VCR PlusCode numbers online, please fill out the form below. (Types of inquiries include, but not limited to - VCR GUIDE numbers don’t match your channel lineup).

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VCR Plus+® and PlusCode® are registered trademarks of Gemstar-TV Guide International.