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From: mycal@everexn.com (Mycal Johnson)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: VCR plus + codes  (some listed)
Message-ID: <1991May17.180230.4549@everexn.com>
Date: 17 May 91 18:02:30 GMT
References: <1991May13.124701.11630@ssd.kodak.com> <1991May14.070536.1571@vpnet.chi.il.us>
Distribution: usa
Organization: Everex Systems, Sebastopol
Lines: 50

In article <1991May14.070536.1571@vpnet.chi.il.us> cgordon@vpnet.chi.il.us (gordon hlavenka) writes:
>kinsman@ssd.kodak.com writes:
>>     . 1-800-4321-VCR salesman says the device
rest deleted
>
>The way I had this explained to me was that the VCR+ knows your cable box and
>VCR so that it can produce the proper IR codes to operate them.  This is pretty
>obvious.  The way the codes work is that a local FM radio station transmits
>the code number and an "on" code at the start of a program, and the same code
>number with an "off" code at the end.  The VCR+ contains an RF scanner which
>demodulates these codes.  The codes themselves have nothing whatever to do with
>the info for the program.
What does the VCR+ scan? RF? transmitted from what? the tv the vcr? Yea, right.

>
>I would guess that the patterns you see are an artifact of the code number
>assignment process, rather than a "key" to crack a "code" that probably
>doesn't exist.  The numbers will be reused when they get back around to them.
>
>The broadcasts are made by way of an "SCA" (Subcarrier Channel Authorization)
>which transmits on an extra sideband of the FM radio program.  Digital infor-
>mation can be transmitted without disrupting the normal program material.
>
So what you are telling me is my VCR+ remote that works with my standard vcr
is getting an "SCA" signal from my TV or VCR which have no "SCA" circutry
and it is mistiriously being transmitted to my remote. I say it once more, 
yea right.


>My parents live in a small town in Arkansas.  They checked on these boxes and
>were told that even though they can get the Little Rock TV stations on their
>cable system (They don't have paved roads or running water, but they have
>cable!) they cannot use the VCR+ outside of Little Rock because it can't
>receive the FM radio station which carries the SCA.
>
>DISCLAIMER:  All the information I have related here is thirdhand.  That means
>you are getting it fourth hand.  Treat it accordingly.  I do not use the VCR+
>and so I have no experience with it myself.
Oh so thats it, sorry for the sarcastic remarks above.

>
>
>-- 
>-----------------------------------------------------
>Gordon S. Hlavenka            cgordon@vpnet.chi.il.us
>Disclaimer:                Yeah, I said it.  So what?

Mycal

Disclaimer: I try to think before I post.