User Guide Cisco Explorer 8540HDC DVR and 8550HDC DVR with Multi-Stream CableCARD Interface Explorer 8550HDC CH+ VOL- VOL+ POWER SELECT CH- GUIDE INFO EXIT LIST L AUDIO IN R VIDEO IN
Notice to Installers The servicing instructions in this notice are for use by qualified service personnel only. To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not perform any servicing other than that contained in the operating instructions, unless you are qualified to do so. Note to System Installer For this apparatus, the coaxial cable shield/screen shall be grounded as close as practical to the point of entry of the cable into the building.
Contents IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ......................................................................................iv What’s in the Carton? ...................................................................................................................vi Additional Equipment You Might Need .........................................................................................vi Welcome.............................................................................................................
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) Read these instructions. Keep these instructions. Heed all warnings. Follow all instructions. Do not use this apparatus near water. Clean only with dry cloth. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. 8) Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS, continued Protect the Product from Lightning In addition to disconnecting the AC power from the wall outlet, disconnect the signal inputs. Verify the Power Source from the On/Off Power Light When the on/off power light is not illuminated, the apparatus may still be connected to the power source. The light may go out when the apparatus is turned off, regardless of whether it is still plugged into an AC power source.
What’s In The Carton? The set-top carton contains the following items: Explorer 8550HDC CH+ VOL- VOL+ POWER SELECT Explorer 8550HDC CH+ VOL- VOL+ POWER CH- SELECT CH- GUIDE GUIDE INFO EXIT LIST INFO EXIT LIST L AUDIO IN R L AUDIO IN R VIDEO IN VIDEO IN • 8450HDC and 8550HDC DVR with M-Card • Quick Reference Guide • Power Cord Additional Equipment You Might Need You might need some of the cables and adapters shown below for connecting the set-top to your home entertainment device
Welcome The Cisco® Explorer® 8450HDC and 8550HDC DVR Set-Tops with Multi-Stream CableCARD™ (M-Card™) provide high-definition (HD) capability and broadband digital video services. Follow the instructions in this guide to install the 8450HDC and 8550HDC, to become familiar with the buttons on the front panel, and to access your cable services. Then, enjoy the features of the 8450HDC and 8550HDC and change the way you watch TV. Important: If the M-Card is removed, the set-top will not operate correctly.
Front Panel Features Explorer 8550HDC CH+ VOL- VOL+ POWER SELECT CH- GUIDE INFO EXIT LIST L AUDIO IN R 1 23 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 VIDEO IN 12 1 Power Turns the DVR on and off 2 USB Connects to external USB devices (Reserved for future use) 3 VOL +, VOL - Increases and decreases the volume 4 CH+, CH - Scrolls through the channels 5 Select Accesses your on-screen selection 6 IR Sensor Receives the infrared signal from the remote control T13662 7 Guide Accesses the on-screen guide
Back Panel Connectors ARCHIVE STB SN: SABPQBQGD VIDEO OUT 1 VIDEO Y DIGITAL AUDIO OPTICAL AUDIO OUT MULTI-STREAM CABLE CARD eCM MAC: 001AC3F4F757 M-CARD SN: PKCPKPDBT STB RF MAC: 001AC3F$F756 THIS DEVICE IS INTENDED TO BE ATTACHED TO A RECEIVER THAT IS NOT USED TO RECEIVE OVER-THE-AIR BROADCAST SIGNALS. CONNECTION OF THIS DEVICE IN ANY OTHER FASHION MAY CAUSE HARMFUL INTERFERENCE TO RADIO COMMUNICATIONS AND IS IN VIOLATION OF THE FCC RULES, PART 15. SCIENTIFIC-ATLANTA, INC.
Connecting the Set-Top To connect your set-top to your entertainment devices, complete these steps. 1 Determine if your TV is HD or SD and whether it is wide-screen (16:9) or standard-screen (4:3). See page 10 for more information. 16 4 or 9 3 Make the connections for your TV and VCR as follows: 2 3 4 • If you are using an HDTV, see page 5 and the connection diagrams at the end of this guide. • If you are using an SDTV, see page 6 and the connection diagrams at the end of this guide.
Connections for an HDTV and VCR To use the set-top with an HDTV, you must make one of the following connections to view the HD content. In addition, you can make connections to a digital or analog VCR to record to a VCR tape. Refer to your TV and VCR user guides and the cabling diagrams in this guide for more detailed connection information. Note: The labeling on your set-top, HDTV, and VCR may vary slightly.
Connections for a Standard-Definition TV and VCR When using the set-top with an SDTV, you must make one of the following connections to view content. Some SDTVs may not have all these connections. In addition, you can make connections to a VCR to record to a VCR tape. Refer to your TV and VCR user guides and the cabling diagrams in this guide for more detailed information. Note: The labeling on your set-top, SDTV, and VCR may vary slightly.
View Television Programming Access Services and Programs Access cable services and programs by pressing the following keys on the remote control: • Guide–Access the on-screen guide. The on-screen guide displays schedules of TV programs and other services available from your cable service provider, such as video-on-demand and pay-per-view programs. • Arrows–Select a program in the schedule. • Info–Display a specific program description (either from the on-screen guide or while viewing a program).
Troubleshooting If the set-top does not perform as expected, the following tips may help. If you need further assistance, contact your service provider. No Picture • Verify that the M-Card module is installed. • Verify that the power to your TV is turned on. • Verify that your HDTV is in HD mode. If necessary, run the HD Setup Wizard to select HD mode. • If the set-top is plugged into a wall switch, verify that the switch is in the ON position.
Frequently Asked Questions What is Digital Television? Digital television (DTV) is a huge leap forward in television technology compared to analog television that has been widely available since the 1940s. DTV is delivered and displayed using digital encoding, similar to the way a PC operates. By using digital technology, there is no variation in picture and sound quality from the origination point until it is displayed on your television.
Picture Formats What is the Difference Between a Standard-Screen and a Wide-Screen HDTV? The type of screen your HDTV has (wide-screen or standard-screen) determines how the set-top displays programs on the screen. The picture format for an HDTV is a combination of aspect ratio and screen resolution and is different for standard-screen and wide-screen HDTVs. What is Aspect Ratio? An aspect ratio is the ratio of the width to the height of the TV screen.
Connecting to an HDTV with an HDMI Connector WARNING: Electric shock hazard! Unplug all electronic devices before connecting or disconnecting any device cables to the set-top. Required cables: • 1 HDMI-to-HDMI cable Explorer Set-top ARCHIVE STB SN: SABPQBQGD VIDEO OUT 1 DIGITAL AUDIO VIDEO Y OPTICAL AUDIO OUT MULTI-STREAM CABLE CARD STB RF MAC: 001AC3F$F756 THIS DEVICE IS INTENDED TO BE ATTACHED TO A RECEIVER THAT IS NOT USED TO RECEIVE OVER-THE-AIR BROADCAST SIGNALS.
Connecting to an HDTV with a DVI Connector WARNING: Electric shock hazard! Unplug all electronic devices before connecting or disconnecting any device cables to the set-top.
Connecting to an HDTV with Component Input (YPbPr) WARNING: Electric shock hazard! Unplug all electronic devices before connecting or disconnecting any device cables to the set-top.
Connecting to a Home Theater System with Component Input (YPbPr) WARNING: Electric shock hazard! Unplug all electronic devices before connecting or disconnecting any device cables to the set-top.
Connecting to a Stereo VCR and HDTV (optional) WARNING: Electric shock hazard! Unplug all electronic devices before connecting or disconnecting any device cables to the set-top. Required cables: • • 1 RF coaxial cable 2 sets composite A/V cables Explorer Set-top ARCHIVE STB SN: SABPQBQGD VIDEO OPTICAL AUDIO OUT OUT 1 VIDEO Y DIGITAL AUDIO MULTI-STREAM CABLE CARD STB RF MAC: 001AC3F$F756 THIS DEVICE IS INTENDED TO BE ATTACHED TO A RECEIVER THAT IS NOT USED TO RECEIVE OVER-THE-AIR BROADCAST SIGNALS.
Connecting the Set-Top in HD Mode to an SDTV with Component Input (YPbPr) WARNING: Electric shock hazard! Unplug all electronic devices before connecting or disconnecting any device cables to the set-top.
Connecting an External SATA Hard Disk Drive (optional) Complete the following steps to install an external SATA (eSATA) drive. 1. Verify that both the DVR and the eSATA drive are unplugged from power. 2. Connect the data cable for the eSATA drive to the DVR. 3. Plug in power to the eSATA drive. 4. Plug in the DVR power cord, and then turn on the DVR. 5. Follow the on-screen instructions. One of the following occurs: • If it is a new eSATA drive or one used on another device, you will be asked to format it.
Connecting an External SATA Hard Disk Drive (optional), continued Recommendations for the eSATA Drive Contact your service provider for a list of approved external SATA hard disk drives. At a minimum, your eSATA drive should have the following capabilities: • External SATA Connector – SATA II Cable and Connector, Revision 1.0 (Refer to www.sata-io.org for more information) • Drive Speed – 7200 RPM (5400 RPM without Multi-RoomTM DVR); 133 Mbps • Capacity – Only one eSATA drive can be connected to the DVR.
Index A F AC Outlet FAQs iv, v, 4 Power input Aspect ratio 3 10 9 FCC compliance 21 Formats, picture 10 Frequently Asked Questions. See FAQs Front panel B Back panel 2 3 Burn-in of screen H 7 HD broadcasting C CableCARD Cables mode vi, 1, 3, 8 vi 5, 6, 8, 16 format Cable Out, connector 3 9 9 HDTV Compliance, FCC and Canadian EMI 21 Connections Component video connection.
Index, continued P T Picture Time display Doesn’t display Formats 10 No color 8 4 Troubleshooting 8 8 TV digital, what is it formats Ports. See Connectors Product information 9 10 HDTV, what is it 1 Programming, viewing 7 programming Progressive scan rate 10 resolution 9 7 10 standard-screen 10 R standard-definition, What is it Remote control wide-screen 7, 10 9 10 RGB connector.
Software and Firmware Use FCC Compliance United States FCC Compliance This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy. If not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, it may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Scientific Atlanta, A Cisco Company 5030 Sugarloaf Parkway Box 465447 Lawrenceville, GA 30042 678.277.1000 www.scientificatlanta.com Cisco, Cisco Systems, the Cisco logo, the Cisco Systems logo, Scientific Atlanta, Explorer, and Multi-Room are registered trademarks or trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and certain other countries. CableCARD and M-Card are trademarks of Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories.
