Alta Vista -- Frequently Asked Questions --

TV and Audio Systems

Living Room: There is a 47" flat-screen TV serviced by DirecTV (satellite). TV input must be set at "AV1" to receive DirecTV programming.  The main TV channels are numbered the same way as in the Sacramento Valley Area (e.g., 3 is NBC, 6 is PBS, etc.); higher 200s are your favorite cable channels such as ESPN, TBS, etc. etc. You may leave the DirecTV power on when you depart.

To play a DVD, insert the disk in the SAMSUNG player. TV must be on "HDM3" input. Sound can either be through the TV or through "INPUT 1" of the SHARP stereo surround sound system (or both).

Remotes are not multi-unit programmed -- there are clearly marked, different remotes for TV, satellite receiver, DVD, audio, and ROKU device.

We have a SHARP audio system with surround sound speakers. There is a dangling connector cable which you can use to connect your i-Pad, i-Pod or similar device to the SHARP surround system (use INPUT 2). The SAMSUNG DVD player is used both for playing DVDs on the TV and for playing CDs on the sound system.
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Upper Master Bedroom: 37" flat-screen TV with DirecTV programming (no DVD player).  The TV remote has very limited function (works only for volume control).
-- Turn Monitor on:  by hand on TV
-- Select Input:  push INPUT on TV; then push Vol - or + on TV to go to desired input;  press INPUT on TV again to set selection
-- Watch from computer with HDMI cable (provided):  select HDMI 2 (on TV)
-- Watch TV: select input COMPOSITE (on TV); then turn on and operate DirecTV using  DirecTV remote
Remotes:
--  DirecTV remote: slider at very top must be all the way to the left; use this remote for GUIDE and CHANEL selection
--  Black GE remote: works only for volume control
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Lower Master Bedroom:  39" flat-screen monitor, not connected to DirecTV programming (no ROKU device set up -- bring your own for use of your programming on that TV).

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The two upstairs TVs each have a ROKU device connected to HDMI ; our guests are welcome to use this device for their own programming.

This is a private home, and no two private entertainment systems are set up and functioning exactly the same way -- please be patient and understanding. Do not start messing with the cables in the back if something does not appear to work the way you are used to. In case you have trouble getting the TV to work, go "back to basics," such as consulting the instruction sheet we have provided. For example, it may have happened that the previous renters left the system in the DVD-viewing mode or alike, and so you might have to get back to the TV-input setting. To do this, find the (VIZIO) TV remote and press the "AV" button and select "AV1" from the various input choices. Use the DirecTV (DSS) remote to select the TV  channel of your choice.  Whatever the problem may be, it is likely NOT with the cables in the back -- unless one of the cables is loose or came unexpectedly and obviously out of its socket. You might 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, our housekeeper cannot fix the problem herself before the next renter arrives, and we will have to hire an expert, and the cost will be taken from your security deposit).  

Note that, for rental dates between 16 December and 4 January, the guests' allotted daily data download is limited to 15 GB per 24 hours (averaged over the number of booked rental nights), and a charge of $3 per GB overage applies.       

We do not permit renters to buy DirecTV programming.