Frequently Asked Questions What is Smartlink and how can I use it with the VTX-D800U? Smartlink allows the VTX-D800U to communicate and control other compatible Smartlink equipment, e.g., it allows the VTX-D800U to start and stop your VCR, when also connected to a Smartlink compatible television. It will also automatically determine the best possible picture and audio quality between the devices. Other Smartlink features are: Switching the VTX-D800U on will also switch on the television (Note: during timer recording, the television will stay in standby). Pressing the "REC" button will attempt to record the current viewed program on the television. This may be a freeview program from the VTX-D800U, or it may be a programme displayed from the TV's internal tuner (e.g. an analogue broadcast). Whatever is being displayed on the TV screen is recorded, wherever the source comes from. Selecting a future event in the EPG (Electronic Programme Guide), or setting a manual timer, will automatically switch the recorder on and off at the correct time. Will Smartlink work with DVD recorders as well as VCRs? The Smartlink feature will operate any Smartlink compatible DVD recorder. Will Smartlink work with non-Sony devices? Smartlink may be referred to as Megalogic, NexTView, T-V Link, Easylink, AV.Link, CinemaLink, or Q-Link. The VTX-D800U will operate any device which provides the compatible interface. I have a Smartlink VCR and the Smartlink function does not seem to work The first thing to check is that the Smartlink feature is enabled on both your VCR and on the VTX-D800U (Menu->Settings->Picture->Smartlink). Secondly, check that the VTX-D800U is connected to the Smartlink compatible Scart of your VCR and that the Scart lead you are using is ‘fully connected’. The Scart lead provided with the VTX-D800U is ‘fully connected’. The present range of Sony VCRs do not fully provide the Smartlink recording feature that has been designed into the VTX-D800U. The software for the VTX-D800U was updated to provide additional suitable signals for the present Sony VCR models SLV - SE 830 and 730 to correctly operate the Smartlink feature. If the software version of your VTX-D800U is the original 1.04.01 and you have a Sony VCR, then we advise you to switch off the Smartlink feature in the Set Up menu of the VTX-D800U until you receive the updated software. When I try to access the Tuning menu, I am asked for a PIN number. Why does this happen? When a PIN has been set, Tuning is protected by parental control because Auto Tuning will remove any parental control settings on specific channels. What is the initial PIN set to? The default PIN is 0000. When the PIN is set to 0000 no parental controls are in place and the menu entries to set an age rating or lock a channel do not appear. In order to use the parental control features of the VTX-D800U you will first have to change the PIN. If you wish to remove the PIN entry controls, simply set the PIN back to 0000. How can I configure the supplied remote control to work with my existing television? In the back of the manual, under the section titled "Additional Information", are instructions for setting up the remote control. The remote control is supplied with SONY set as the default manufacturer. Please note that the remote control set-up procedure will need to be repeated if the batteries are removed from the remote control. I have tried all the codes listed in the manual and none of them allow me to control my TV. Is there anything I can do? Sony have endeavored to provide control codes for all the popular models. However, if none of these codes work for your TV then your TV is not compatible with the VTX-D800U remote control. Signal Quality is always showing 100%. Why is this? Signal Quality is a measure of the errors in the current transmission. If there are currently no errors in the received data then the Signal Quality bar will be 100%. What is a "software upgrade"? A software upgrade will automatically update the VTX-D800U. An upgrade may enable new features, or improve the reliability of the unit. It is suggested that the software upgrade option (Menu->Technical Information->Software Upgrade) is always set to "On". The dates of any potential upgrades will be made available on this web site. How do I receive the upgrade? To receive the upgrade, the unit must be powered on and watching a BBC channel. It will take up to 30 minutes to upgrade the unit. The new software will be available once the unit has been placed into standby, and then back to normal operating mode. How do I check my current software version? The latest software version (Menu->Technical Information->Manufacturer Information) is either Software Version v1.15.01 U or Software Version v1.15.01 Z Where is the digital/analogue audio connector? The 3.5mm jack by the power cord is a combined digital and analogue connector. If you insert a standard 3.5mm jack you will get the analogue audio output. With a special cable, (available from most hi-fi stockists), you can access the optical digital output. How do I know if a new channel becomes available? The VTX-D800U automatically detects any new channels and will add them to the channel list. Can I move or delete channels in the channel list? Channels can not be deleted from the channel list, however it is possible to swap two channels using the ‘Programme Sort’ feature (Menu->Tuning->Programme Sort). The Programme Sort feature was included as a feature of the 1.09.01 U software upgrade. If you do not have this or a later version of the software it is possible to swap two channels using the manual tune feature. Is it OK to unplug the VTX-D800U overnight? The VTX-D800U is designed to be left in its standby mode when it is not in use. However, if you wish to unplug the box at night this will not cause any problems. Why can I not get a signal from the RF output of the box? The VTX-D800U provides the signal to your TV via the Scart output only. The RF output exists only to loop the aerial signal through the box. If your TV does not have a Scart socket you will only be able to use the VTX-D800U if you purchase a Scart to RF converter. I receive most of the digital channels but some of them are missing. What is wrong? This may indicate that you need to change your aerial. You should check this with an aerial installer. The signal on my TV is in black and white. What is the problem? It is likely that the output from the VTX-D800U and the input type selected on the TV are not the same (e.g., the VTX-D800U may be set to output Y/C and your TV set to RGB or PAL). Change the setting on either the TV or the VTX-D800U to ensure they are the same. I have changed the language on the VTX-D800U. How do I change it back? To change the language, press "Menu" on the remote control, press the down arrow once and the right arrow twice. Now press the up arrow until "English" is displayed. Press "OK" and the menu will revert to English. I changed the Scart settings to "Off" and the picture disappeared. How do I recover the picture? The VTX-D800U is still outputting the video signal, so use your television controls to manually select the relevant Scart input. Once you have the picture up again, enter Menu->Settings->Picture and change the Scart Control/Wss option back to "On". Does the VTX-D800U have any features not detailed in the manual? When information is displayed (Press the ‘i+’ key) the VTX-D800U allows you to cycle through information on the channels in your favourites list using the ‘heart’ key. Each press of the ‘heart’ key will display information on the next channel in the current favourites list. If you press the two ‘Prog’ buttons on the front panel at the same time the VTX-D800U allows you to toggle between TV and Radio channels without having to use the remote control.