1.0m : AP01134 (1.20)
3m : APAP01051 (1.92)
This page should apply to all products incorporating GUIDE Plus+. Currently known UK GuidePlus+ recorders include :
Philips DVDR80 and HDRW720/725
Pioneer DVR530H,630H,920H
Sharp DV-HR400,450,480
Please email me with any updates/corrections.
Any further hints/updates welcome.
| Updates |
| Aug 16th 2005 Pioneer DVR920H confirmed as working (so should also work with 530 and 630 models). |
| Jan 8th 2005. DVDR725H confirmed as working. |
| Dec 10th 2004. DVDR80 firmware update - Thanks to Bryan Palmer for the following info : Version 6.3 is on Phillips website (with readme file to explain upgrade process) downloaded zip file, extracted and burnt to CDRW (this was a lot of trouble as my OEM version of Nero doesn't allow you to change settings and so kept getting "bad disc error"). The process of burning appears to have to be done very precisely but all explained in .pdf file. I eventually downloaded CD Mate and used this to burn CDRW and DVDR80 has updated without any problem and now able to specify NTL and PACE (red eye). |
| Dec 4th 2004 - It has been reported that the HDRW720 can control the
Telewest Explorer 4000DVB (Scientific Atlanta) directly without Red-Eye. The set-up option is Cable->Other->Scientific Atlanta, and answer 'yes' to the following question about channel 12. It is not known if this also applies to the DVDR80. |
| Nov 10th 2004 - it has been confirmed that the HDRW720 works with the
10x0/2000 STBs using Red-Eye. It should therefore also work
with the 4000 and Telewest Explorer 4000/4200DVB (Scientific Atlanta). It is not currently known whether the HDRW720 can use RC5 codes to control 4001,4010 and Samsung STBs (These STBs do not work with Red-Eye) |
Please also see this page on improving reliability of channel selection.
Note that GUIDE Plus+ programme updates are transmitted via the same method as
teletext. It is believed that none of the NTL STBs output the teletext data on their video
signal, so you will require a UHF feed to the DVDR80 to get the guide updates.
This feed may be from your TV aerial, or from the UHF signal that is present on the cable
feed.
Telewest STBs are believed to output teletext on ITV, so an additional connection sould
not be necessary, however the STB will need to be set to ITV to receive updates, and using
the UHF input may be more convenient to avoid having to remember to leave the STB on ITV.
If you are on NTL and don't have access to a UHF aerial, or the signal from your aerial is not good enough to receive teletext, see this section.
Firstly, you need to identify which set-top box (STB) you have from one of the following - once you have determined your model, click on the STB model number for information on setting up with that particular STB.
| Make/Model | Quick Identification (Model number is on label underneath) |
| Pace 1000,1010 or 2000 (NTL/Telewest) | Arrow buttons are below display |
| Pace 4000 (NTL/Telewest) | |
| Pace 4001 (NTL only) | Uses Blue remote |
| Pace 4010 (NTL) | Uses Blue remote |
| Samsung (NTL only) | Samsung name on front |
| Scientific Atlanta DVB4000/4200 (Telewest only) | Scientific Atlanta name on front. |
These STBs can only be controlled by GUIDE Plus+ with the use of the Red-Eye translator, which translates the remote signals into the
IRDA system used by these STBs.
Thanks to Ingo Reese at GuidePlus
for the following information :
First it depends on the DVDR80 firmware version that you are using. Older versions don't list NTL and TELEWEST as providers. However, there is a new version (6.3) available that will list NTL and TELEWEST. The latest firmware version can be downloaded from the Phillips website
So, if you are using a version that lists NTL and TELEWEST and you use an external receiver that requires IRDA and you have the Red-Eye you just have to select during installation Cable, NTL or TELEWEST as your provider and PACE (RED-EYE) as your external receiver and everything else will work automatically: The correct code will be used for the Red-Eye and the correct channel line-up will be displayed.
However, if you use an older version it works like this:
During installation you have to specify two external receivers (GUIDE Plus+ allows for up
to three). One for the correct Red-Eye code and one for the cable channel line-up:
- The first external receiver should be the Pace cable box but defined as Terrestrial,
Freeview, PHILIPS. This selection uses code RC6 system 40 recognized by the Red-Eye and
allows the user to tune the cable box.
- A second external receiver should be defined as Cable, No Provider, any of the brands.
This is only for GUIDE Plus+ to recognise the fact that there is cable reception in the
home. Going through the sequence of IR testing the user should confirm the channel change
in order to validate the set-up.
With this set-up GUIDE Plus+ will display the correct channels and allow the Red-Eye to successfully change channel in the Pace cable box. In
order to synchronise your channel line-up in GUIDE Plus+ with your personal cable line-up
you can use the Editor screen in GUIDE Plus+ where you can allocate a source (use:
Ext.Rec.1) and the relevant channel number to each channel.
If you have more questions please check at www.europe.guideplus.com
Depending on your area, and the STB's internal software version, these STBs may or may not work correctly with GUIDE Plus+ directly, without the use of Red-Eye. This is because these STBs understand both IRDA and conventional RC5 remote control signals, However the reliability of their RC5 reception can be variable.
The first thing to do is to try setting up as for the 4001
STB below.
Note that if this does work, some of the channel numbers will be different, and you will
need to edit them using the GUIDE Plus+ editor screen.
If this does not work reliably, you will probably need to use the Red-Eye
Translator to control the STB.
This needs to be set up as for the Pace 1000,1010,2000 above
These STBs should work directly with the new DVDR80 firmware release (reported to be
available now).
These STBs do not need, and will not work with the Red-Eye
The latest DVDR80 firmware version can be downloaded from the Phillips website
Thanks to Andrew Gill for this info on setting up with the 4001 using the old Philips firmware :
Having been playing with my DVDR80 on an off since Thursday, I'm happy to say I'm one up on Philips. I can get mine to control my Pace 4001 box. I found that selecting satellite and ALBA or BEST managed the change channel in the set up mode, it didn’t change channel in the EPG or timer recordings. I'm happy to say that selecting satellite / no provide / canal satellite works my box. In monitor I can now use the grid properly and as I move down using the cursor keys, the channel on my box and the monitor window changes correctly. Only downside that I've been able to find is not all channels are listed esp. the +1 additions and channel numbers need to be manually changed to the correct NTL number i.e. CNN is 502
It has been reported that the DVDR80 can control the Telewest Explorer 4000DVB
(Scientific Atlanta) directly without Red-Eye.
The set-up option is Cable->Other->Scientific Atlanta, and answer 'yes' to
the following question about channel 12
If you wish to use Red-Eye anyway, instructions are below.
This STB requires Red-Eye firmware V7 or later. See this section of the FAQ page for more information.
Once you have this version, follow the procedure above for the Pace
1000,1010 or 2000
It has been reported that the DVB4000 always adds copy protection to all channels,
preventing recording on a DVD recorder.
See This thread on
Digitalspy for more information - the last post indicates that this has been fixed
now.
Not all digital cable set-top boxes output teletext data (which is used to carry the GuidePlus update information) on their video outputs. It is believed that at present, Telewest ones do, and NTL ones don't.
In addition to the digital TV channels, the NTL cable feed also delivers the
terrestrial TV channels in analogue form on UHF channels.
Some NTL set-top boxes have an internal arrangement known as a bypass, which
passes these channels through to the STBs TV Out UHF socket. At some point in the past,
NTL were supplying these external bypass units,
but it is not known if these are still available, or how you can get one if they are.
The first thing to try is to connect the STBs UHF (TV) output to the DVDR80's ANTENNA socket, and seeing of you can obtain the ITV (and other terrestrial channels) UHF signal. Ensure that the STB is NOT set to ITV, to ensure you get the right channel. If you can't receive the terrestrial channels like this, you will need to use a splitter, as shown below.
This setup assumes you are using the SCART output from the STB to feed the tv signal to be recorded to the DVDR80. It is not reccommended that you attempt to combine the off-the-cable UHF signal with the UHF output from the STB due to interference issues.
You will need the following parts:
| Item | Maplin part number | CPC part number (NB Prices are ex-VAT, plus postage) | |
| A 2-way splitter with 'F' type connectors | |
QQ69A (4.99) | AP00304 (3.59) |
| A short cable with 'F' type plugs on each end | |
1.5m : BM89W (2.99) | 0.5m : AP01130 (1.02) |
| A cable with an 'F' type plug on one end, and a TV UHF plug on the other | |
2m : QQ74R (2.99) | 0.5m : AP01133 (1.02) 1.0m : AP01134 (1.20) 3m : APAP01051 (1.92) |
Disconnect the incoming cable feed from the back of the set-top box (the connector unscerews). Connect it to the centre socket on the splitter. Connect one of the other splitter sockets to the STB with the F-to-F cable, and the other to the DVDR80's ANTENNA socket using the F-UHF cable.
Tune the DVDR80 receive the ITV signal from its antenna input (note that the UHF channel number will not be the same as for reception via a TV aerial,- the channel number varies between areas). It should now be able to receive the GuidePlus updates.
Note that when using this method (or with a TV aerial feed), it is not necessary to set the STB channel to ITV for updates to be received.