Here are some basic tips for operating Sound Racer's Audio-Video systems. Detailed directions are also included in the Renter's Guide and there are laminated instructions in the Great Room, Mid-level Den, and Game Room. If you experience a problem please call Village Realty. We have also posted some advanced troubleshooting tips in a separate post.
This post was updated in January 2012 to incoporate the new upgraded components.
Great Room, Den and Rec Room
1. These three systems use a Harmony Universal remote that has been customized for each system. Labels on the back of the remote identify the A/V system each remote "belongs to".
2. The Harmony Remote control is used to choose a function (e.g. "Watch TV") and controls all components including the TV, Receiver, DVD, etc. Note that in the top level Great Room, the Harmony Romete should be pointed at the top of the TV where we've installed an "IR Blaster". In general the Harmony Remote must be used at a distance where it can "see" all components. This is especially important in the lower level Rec Room, where the TV and Receiver are a few feet apart. In this room, the remote works best from a distance of around ten feet.
3. Functions that can be accessed directly from the Harmony Remote include "Watch TV", "Watch Movie", and "Listen to Music" for CDs. The "More Activities" button is used to access "Listen to Digital Music" (the iPod dock on the ground and top levels); "Listen to FM Radio"; and "Play A Game" (using the game inputs in the Den).
4. In case of a problem, the "Help" Button is very, um, helpful. It will walk you through a series of diagnostics to make sure each components is in the correct mode. When using Help, make sure that the Harmony remote is at a distance where it can "see" all components.
5. If the "Help" button doesn't fix the problem, turn off all the components with the Harmony Remote and then start again. Tip: Always use the Harmony Remote to turn components off and on.
Bedroom TV / DVD
1. Each Bedroom has a DirecTV box and a combo TV/DVD on the wall. To watch TV, use the DirecTV remote control. The slider at the top of the remote should be all the way to the left under the "D".
2. To turn on (or off) the TV use the "D&TV" On/Off buttons located on the top right of the DirecTV remote control.
3. Channels can then be switched with the channel button or the keypad on the DirecTV remote.
4. Troubleshooting tip: If you receive "snow" and the TV displays "Cable Analog", use the "TV input" button (top left of the remote) to change the input to "Video". Simply press the input button until "Video" is selected.
5. To watch a DVD, slide the DVD (label facing out) into the slot on the left side of the TV. The Toshiba remote can then be used to access DVD functions such as play, pause, etc. After finishing the movie, we've found that "powering off" (and then "on") both the TV and the DirecTV box is the best way to return to TV viewing.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Advanced A/V Troubleshooting TIps
On occasion one of Sound Racer's A/V systems may require more advanced troubleshooting. This may occur after a power outage, or if connections or setting on a major component have been changed. Here are some "real world" procedures based on our experience during Sound Racer's first two years. These are intended as a resource for us (the owners), Village Realty, and tech-oriented guests.We update these regularly based on situations that have arisen. (Last Update: January 2012)
A. Check Basic Settings
If one of the main systems in the Great Room, Den or Rec Room is not behaving as expected, a good first step is to confirm all of the component settings are correct. If the Harmony remote is suspected to be "out of sync", many of these settings can be adjusted manually i.e., without using the Harmony remote control. This information is also helpful if the Harmony remote is temporarily lost. (Hint: check under the cushions.)
Great Room Settings
1. Watch TV: Samsung TV Input* [HDMI1]; DirecTV Box [ON]; Onkyo Receiver [CBL/SAT]; Speakers [A]
2. Watch Movie: Samsung TV Input* [HDMI1]; DirecTV Box [OFF]; Samsung Blu-ray Player [ON] Receiver Source [BD/DVD]; Speakers [A]
3. Digital Music (ipod): Receiver Source [USB]; Speakers [A]
*Note that in the Great Room, the TV Input can be changed via a touch-sensitive "TV Source" button on the lower right front panel.
Den Settings
1. Watch TV: Samsung TV Input [HDMI1]; DirecTV Box [ON]; Denon Receiver Source [TV/CBL (which is DirecTV)]; Speakers [A]
2. Watch Movie: Samsung TV Input [HDMI1]; DirecTV Box [OFF]; Receiver Source [DVD/HDP]; Speakers [A]
B. Problem: No DirecTV service or not all channels received
A power outage or interruption can cause a DirecTV box to need a "reset". Sometimes the box comes back with only a limited selection of channel choices. We've followed these steps to reinstate service:
C. Problem: No sound from remote speakers on the top floor.
If there is no sound coming from the Russurround remote speakers, there are two possible problems. Investigate in this order:
1. Is the power "on" for the remote speakers? Even when "off", each control panel should have a small green LED "lit"; this indicates power is present at the control. If not lit, this indicates the power source has been disconnected from the Russuround hub located behind the Onkyo amplifier on the bottom A/V shelf in the Great Room. The power source is a "brick" -- a transformer similar to those used from computers. One end plugs into the main power strip (the AC end); the DC end plugs into the circular receptacle on the lower left of the Russurround hub. (The hub resembles a two-gang electrical switch with power and audio connections on the front and speaker cables on the back.) Once the power is restored, the Green LEDs on the wall controls will light up.
2. [Check Audio Connection into Russurround Hub.]
D. Problem: No sound or picture when trying to use DirecTV or watch a movie in the Great Room. If all components (TV, Receiver plus DirecTV Box or Blu-Ray player "on", this can be a sign that the HDMI cable has become loose at the back of the receiver. This can happen when the components have been moved -- sometimes the cleaners will do this. Village Realty can be called to check and reconnect the cable.
A. Check Basic Settings
If one of the main systems in the Great Room, Den or Rec Room is not behaving as expected, a good first step is to confirm all of the component settings are correct. If the Harmony remote is suspected to be "out of sync", many of these settings can be adjusted manually i.e., without using the Harmony remote control. This information is also helpful if the Harmony remote is temporarily lost. (Hint: check under the cushions.)
Great Room Settings
1. Watch TV: Samsung TV Input* [HDMI1]; DirecTV Box [ON]; Onkyo Receiver [CBL/SAT]; Speakers [A]
2. Watch Movie: Samsung TV Input* [HDMI1]; DirecTV Box [OFF]; Samsung Blu-ray Player [ON] Receiver Source [BD/DVD]; Speakers [A]
3. Digital Music (ipod): Receiver Source [USB]; Speakers [A]
*Note that in the Great Room, the TV Input can be changed via a touch-sensitive "TV Source" button on the lower right front panel.
Den Settings
1. Watch TV: Samsung TV Input [HDMI1]; DirecTV Box [ON]; Denon Receiver Source [TV/CBL (which is DirecTV)]; Speakers [A]
2. Watch Movie: Samsung TV Input [HDMI1]; DirecTV Box [OFF]; Receiver Source [DVD/HDP]; Speakers [A]
B. Problem: No DirecTV service or not all channels received
A power outage or interruption can cause a DirecTV box to need a "reset". Sometimes the box comes back with only a limited selection of channel choices. We've followed these steps to reinstate service:
1. Check Settings: In a bedroom, insure that the DirecTV box is on (blue light on front), the TV is on (green light on front) and that the TV input is set to "Video". TV input can be changed using the DirecTV remote.
2. Insure that the Panamax A/V power strip in the second floor den is plugged in and turned on. It is located in the TV stand. It plugs into the wall, and also has an "On / Off" switch on the front left panel. The main DirecTV amplifier is plugged into the power strip, and must have power for the system to operate. Sometimes this alone will correct problems with DirecTV. However, if the strip was plugged in to begin with, or not all channels are appearing after plugging it in, proceed to step 3.
3. Reset the DirecTV boxes, one at a time. First, make sure the A/V system where you will reset the box is set to "Watch TV". Use the Harmony remote in the Great Room, Den, and Rec Room. In the bedrooms, insure the DirecTV box and the TV is on, and that the TV input is set to "Video". The input can be changed using the "Input" button on the left side of the Toshiba TVs.
Next, open the small door on the lower right front of the DirecTV box and press the small red "Reset" button for a few seconds. The DirecTV picture will go black, followed by a welcome screen and a screen with a "progress bar" that says "Acquiring information from satellites..." Once this process completes, the DirecTV service should be restored.
C. Problem: No sound from remote speakers on the top floor.
If there is no sound coming from the Russurround remote speakers, there are two possible problems. Investigate in this order:
1. Is the power "on" for the remote speakers? Even when "off", each control panel should have a small green LED "lit"; this indicates power is present at the control. If not lit, this indicates the power source has been disconnected from the Russuround hub located behind the Onkyo amplifier on the bottom A/V shelf in the Great Room. The power source is a "brick" -- a transformer similar to those used from computers. One end plugs into the main power strip (the AC end); the DC end plugs into the circular receptacle on the lower left of the Russurround hub. (The hub resembles a two-gang electrical switch with power and audio connections on the front and speaker cables on the back.) Once the power is restored, the Green LEDs on the wall controls will light up.
2. [Check Audio Connection into Russurround Hub.]
D. Problem: No sound or picture when trying to use DirecTV or watch a movie in the Great Room. If all components (TV, Receiver plus DirecTV Box or Blu-Ray player "on", this can be a sign that the HDMI cable has become loose at the back of the receiver. This can happen when the components have been moved -- sometimes the cleaners will do this. Village Realty can be called to check and reconnect the cable.
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