By Richard G. Merrell, Zenith Electronics Corporation
Although most VCR's can be programmed to record at different times on different channels, the latter capability is lost when the VCR is preceded by a decoder. Channel selection must be done in the decoder and normally cannot be changed when the unit is unattended. The problem is eliminated with a new remote control transmitter. The unit controls the decoder with an IR stream using well-known techniques. Containing a real-time clock, it can be programmed to turn on the decoder, tune it to any channel and then turn it off at a specified time. Multiple events can be programmed, with a different channel for each. An event can be a specific time, as for a special, it can be a specific time once a week, for a series, it can be a specific time each weekday, as for soaps, or it can be a specific time seven days a week, as for the news. The time is displayed when the unit is not being programmed. In the programming mode, the display shows a series of prompts to assist the user. The unit also serves as a hand-held remote control.