Casa Pacis
TV and Audio System
General Information:
--- We have a 37" flat-screen TV
serviced by DirecTV (satellite). Our TV image is
automatically HD-TV for all programs broadcast in
high-definition.
--- There are three clearly marked remotes
("TV," "DirecTV
[TV DSS]" for satellite receiver, and "DVD"),
as well as a remote for the independent stereo
system.
--- There is also a ROKU device (on
Input 5) for our guests' use of their own programming.
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Watching TV:
--- To turn on the
system, use the "DirecTV" remote and press the POWER "ON"
button (top right on the remote).
Then take press a major channel, say, 5 for the CBS channel.
If nothing happens, the satellite receiver or TV may be
still be off, and you may then try to press the "POWER ON"
button on the "DirecTV" remote again. (Note: the
satellite receiver has a blue control light indicating that it
is "on").
(Try again, if it does not work the first
time -- that one button turns on both the TV and the DirecTV
box; at minimum, the blue control light/logo top left
on the small DirecTV box must be lit, and there should be
something at the top right on the TV screen).
--- If no picture, check if the TV is set on "Input
4" (see also "problems"
below).
--- To turn the system off, simply press the POWER "OFF" button
on the DirecTV remote (underneath the "ON" button).
--- The main TV channels are numbered the same way as in the SF
Bay Area (e.g., 5 is CBS, 7 is ABC, 9 is PBS, etc.); the 200s
may include some of your favorite entertainment cable channels
such as ESPN, TBS, etc. etc. You may leave the DirecTV power on
when you depart. You may find CNN at 202, MSNBC at
356, but did you know that you can stream those and other
channels easily with your our High-Speed Internet,
connecting your laptop with your HDMI cable (Input 5) to the TV?
Watching HDMI from your
Laptop:
Use the HDMI cable from INPUT 5 on
the TV (connected to the ROKU device) into the HDMI port of
your laptop. PLEASE MAKE ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY SURE
TO RECONNECT THE ROKU DEVICE AND SWITCH THE TV BACK
TO INPUT 4 before you depart (there is nothing more
frustrating for a new guest not to find the TV "working" on
arrival).
Internet-TV:
Our high-speed Internet is ideal for for watching
Internet-based TV. Just bring your Apple-TV, or use our
ROKU device for Netflix, or alike, for your own programming.
Playing a DVD:
--- Use the "DVD"-remote; press the top right (green)
button to turn on; press the top left button to open the tray;
insert the DVD; press the same button to close the tray; then
use the "TV" remote and select the appropriate "input"
channel (#2) to connect the TV monitor to the DVD player.
Problems:
In case you
have trouble getting the TV to work, go "back to basics" and
re-boot the system by unplugging the power cord to the
power strip behind the TV and plugging it back in after
a minute. Then press by hand the TV power button on top of the
TV, then find the "TV" remote and press the "input"
button and select "Input 5" from the various input
choices. If the DirecTV power is switched on (i.e. the green
control LED is on) and the DVD-player is switched off, you
should then see some sort of life on the TV screen. Use the "DirecTV"
remote to select the channel of your choice.
Whatever the problem may be, it is likely NOT anywhere
else with the cables in the back -- unless one of
the cables is loose or came unexpectedly and obviously out of
its socket. You might then want to wiggle with
the cables in the back, just in case one is loose - but DO
NOT UNPLUG A CABLE AND PLUG IT BACK IN SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!
(If this happened, and we cannot fix the problem ourselves
before the next renter arrives, we will have to hire an expert
to diagnose and undo your action, and the (substantial) cost
will be taken from your security deposit).