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Education
Typical Problems and Solutions
Problem |
Symptom |
Solutions |
cannot see satellite receivers on TV set |
TV cable-ready? if yes If not, you must connect a cable-ready VCR to TV and use VCR's tuner to receive the satellite receiver channels (14-25) |
set TV to CCTV, CATV, or CABLE on tuner input
program channel into TV with Autoprogram function manually ADD channel with menu function |
cannot record satellite on VCR |
VCR cable-ready? if yes If not, you must feed satellite channel through another VCR which has a cable-ready tuner and tune second VCR/TV to playback channel of cable-ready VCR |
same as above
If you have an A/B switch on input to VCR, check for correct position of switch, then tune VCR to channel your satellite receiver normally comes in on on your house system ( for example, 15, 16, 17, or 19 ) |
no audio on satellite channel |
1-Green signal light?
2-RCA cable connected to L ch of receiver? 3-Audio level turned up on modulator? |
check MUTE on sat rx
check VOL on sat rx reauthorize receiver
check connections at sat rx AND modulator, replace cable if necessary check AUDIO CARRIER knob on front of modulator |
can't get commercial cable into classrooms |
only getting ETV channels in classrooms |
check for proper position of A/B Switch IF YOU HAVE COMMERCIAL CABLE coming into your school
|
clock on satellite receiver is wrong |
green signal light?
if no green signal light |
channel up or down, let sat rx lock on another channel, tune back to desired channel
2-disconnect power for 45 seconds, reapply, look for Green Signal light remap sat rx- click here for instructions |
satellite picture keeps going to black |
is it raining there? is it raining in Columbia? |
sat rx is susceptible to RAIN FADE-rain in either location can cause a problem...check signal after weather clears
is there something obstructing view from dish? Call SCETV-your dish may need to be peaked |
no ITFS signals |
all other channels okay? |
bad downconverter
call SCETV-your technician will have to check system |
no channels in classroom |
all channels? |
check for AC power to HEADEND equipment-sometimes there is a circuit breaker for the power to the room OR to the outlet your headend may be plugged into-call your house electrician to check power for you |
buzz in audio on some channels |
all channels? just one channel? |
Call SCETV-technician will have to come and adjust levels on modulators
check AUDIO CARRIER knob on modulator-may be too high |
some channels are noisy on VCR/TV |
manual tune? |
fine tune channel into VCR/TV with tuning function |
channel not showing up on system |
check power to modulator for that channel
call ETV- modulator is defective |
|
blue screen when looking at channel through VCR |
VCR is not tuned to the channel properly. Make sure VCR is set to CABLE, CCTV, CATV and channel is ADDED to VCR (see above)
|
Pointers
- Always do a test recording before you do actual recording.
- Always look at VCR on TV when setting up to record. Make sure are seeing the input to VCR and not just the channel you want to record on the house system. The VCR could be mistuned and you will never know it if you don't look through the VCR.
- Check ITV's website for monthly schedule updates and changes: http://www.itv.scetv.org/updthome.htm.
- Label tapes clearly and concisely at time of recording. Include copyright info on label.
- Break RECORD TAB on tape you want to protect from accidental erasure.
- Store tapes away from heat and direct sun light.
- Keep magnets away from tapes. Magnets will erase material on tape.
- Check NTS website for satellite information
If you decide later to RECORD over a tape that has been record protected, place a piece of tape over tab slot. Make sure tape cannot come off in machine and jam transport mechanism.

