Frequently Asked Questions

Cable Service
How do I sign up for VisionDirect™ Cable TV service?
Will I get the local channels? Is there an additional charge for them?
Can I make changes to my channel package? Is there a cost for making changes?
Do I need to have phone service to get Digital Cable TV?
How long will the technician be at my home installing the cable service?
Do I need to be home at the time of installation?
Will DVD players work with VisionDirect™ Cable TV?
I had to get a different remote, but how do I program it to work with my TV?
How do I record using my VisionDirect™ system?

 

How do I sign up for VisionDirect™ Cable TV service?

Please print and fill out the form below and return to our office for completion. Our Customer Service Representatives will make sure we have everything we need to get you started, and let you know of any specials that might be going on at that time.

Hutchinson Service Application
Litchfield Service Application

Will I get the local channels? Is there an additional charge for them?

With VisionDirect™, the local channels 2,4,5,7,9,10,11,12,13,17,20,23,29,41 & 45 are included in the Digital TV packaging at no additional charge.

Can I make changes to my channel package? Is there a cost for making changes?

To make package changes, please call our offices at 587-2323 in Hutchinson or 593-2323 in Litchfield, or from out of the area, call 1-800-303-7039. There is no cost to make changes in your cable packaging, but there may be a difference in your monthly recurring.

Do I need to have phone service to get Digital Cable TV?

You do need to be within a certain perimeter of our facility to receive VisionDirect™, but you do not have to have phone service with Hutchinson Telephone Company or Hutchinson Telecommunications Inc. You will, however, get a free 10-channel package if you are also a telephone subscriber.

How long will the technician be at my home installing the cable service?

Time for installation will vary depending upon the type of home, how many TV’s are being installed, and if there will also be DSL service, etc. Generally speaking, you can expect about 1 to 3 hours for installation.

Do I need to be home at the time of installation?

We prefer that someone be home during the installation process, so we can make sure that everything is set up the way you are wanting it, and also that you can be shown how the service works once installed.

Will DVD players work with VisionDirect™ Cable TV?

Yes. Your DVD player should be connected directly to your television, (usually on an open video input source) and not through the Residential Gateway box provided by Hutchinson Telephone Company and Hutchinson Telecommunications Inc.

I had to get a different remote, but how do I program it to work with my TV?

Setting the Gateway ID

Your NAP (Network Access Provider) programs your N3 Residential Gateway and remote control when your system is connected. Your NAP programs the same Gateway ID into all the remote controls in your home. If there is more than one N3 Residential Gateway in your home, your NAP programs the same Gateway ID into all remote controls that communicate with a specific N3 Residential Gateway.To program the Gateway ID for your remote, do the following:

  1. Press and continue to hold the B key on your SRC-200 remote control. Enter the following three-key sequence: 7-8-9. To do this:
    Press the 7 key. This turns on the light. Releasing the 7 key leaves the light on.
    Press the 8 key. The light turns off. When you release the key, it lights again.
    Press the 9 key. The light turns off. When you release the key, it lights again.
    If you enter the valid 3-key sequence the light remains lit.
    The remote is now programming mode. You can set the Gateway ID. When the light is on, enter the 3-digit code assigned to your N3 Residential Gateway. You must enter a number with 3 digits, even if it contains leading zeros. Valid Gateway codes range from 004 to 255. If you don't know the Gateway ID associated with your N3 Residential Gateway, see "Determining the Gateway ID" below. If you entered the Gateway ID correctly, the following occurs:
    • The LED flashes on and off three times, and remains off.
    • A blue screen appears on the TV with the message containing the Gateway ID. For example, the message would say: The Gateway Id is 154.
  2. If you did not enter the Gateway ID correctly, the LED is turned off and the SRC-200 returns to normal operation. Return to step 1.
Determining the Gateway ID
  1. On the SRC-200, press and hold down the B key for three seconds and the LED flashes. Press the FAV key. A blue screen appears with a message that displays the current Gateway ID. For example, the message might say: The Gateway ID is 241.
  2. If the Gateway ID programmed into the SRC-200 does not match the Gateway ID of the N3 Residential Gateway, the system prompts you to reset the Gateway ID.

Setting the Remote Control ID

Your NAP uses the following table when programming your remote control ID to work with each TV in your household. You may use it, too.

Remote Control ID Operates TV
0 Local TV0 - TV in same room as RG
1 Remote TV1 - TV in a different room from RG
2 TV2
3 TV3

To progam the remote control ID for your SRC-200, do the following:

  1. On your SRC-200, press and continue to hold the A key. enter the following three-key sequence: 7-8-9 To do this:
    Press the 7 key. This turns on the light. Releasing the 7 key leaves the light on.
    Press the 8 key. The light turns off. When you release the key, it lights again.
    Press the 9 key. The light turns off. When you release the key, it lights again.
    If you enter the valid 3-key sequence the light remains lit.
    The remote is now programming mode. If the light is on, continue with the next step. If you enter an invalid key sequence, or if there is a 20-second lapse in key presses, the light turns off and the SRC-200 remote returns to standard operation. Enter the single-digit remote control ID from the table above. If you correctly entered the single-digit code, the LED flashes on and off and then remains off. Once you have figured out the remote control ID, write it down on a piece of masking tape and place this on the TV and the remote to help you identify the TV and the remote to which it is assigned. Your NAP may have already done this.
  2. For each remote, you may repeat this procedure.

Determining the Current Remote Control ID for Your Remote

  1. Press the A button on the SRC-200. Hold for about 3 seconds. When the light flashes rapidly, press the FAV button and watch the light.
    Following are the sequences of flashing that indicate how your remote control ID is programmed.
  2. A short burst of flickering indicates a 0 (zero). The number of longer, steady blinks indicates a non-zero digit, such as the following:
    <pause> <long blink> <long blink> <long blink> indicates a 3.
    After blinking, the remote returns to normal operation.
Number of Flashes Remote Control ID
Rapid Flickering Local TV0 - TV in same room as RG
1 Remote TV1 - TV in a different room from RG
2 TV2
3 TV3

Programming the TV Code

Your NAP programs each remote control to work with the one TV by way of a TV code. The TV code is a specific code for each brand and model of a TV. When a TV code is set, the remote control is able to address the specific signaling requirements for that TV.The TV codes can be programmed manually, or they can be scanned as described below.

Manually Programming the TV Code

You will need to program the TV code, or model information, into the remote control in order to operate your TV.

  1. Press the MUTE button and hold it down for three seconds until the LED at the top of the remote control flashes rapidly. While the LED button is flashing, enter the three digit code that corresponds to the brand name of the TV. TV codes are listed on page 113 of your N3 Residential Gateway operator's manual. If the code is valid, the LED will flash on and off three times and then remain off.
  2. If an invalid code is entered or a 20-second lapse in button presses occurs, the LED will turn off and the remote control will return to normal operation. You will need to repeat the above procedure to program the TV code.

Programming the Remote Using the Code Search Method
You can obtain TV codes by searching.

  1. Press the MUTE button and hold it down for three seconds until the LED at the top of the remote control flashes rapidly. Press the POWER button. The LED will light up and remain solidly lit. Press the up arrow to scan through all TV codes. When you reach the correct TV code, the TV will automatically turn on, or off, if it was previously on. Note that the LED will flash rapidly once you have scanned through all the codes. Press the SELECT button to store the TV code. The LED flashes rapidly, then stops, indicating that the TV code has been stored.
  2. Repeat this procedure for each remote control.

Verifying TV Codes

  1. Press the MUTE button and hold it down for three seconds until the LED at the top of the remote control flashes rapidly.
  2. Press the FAV button and observe the LED. The TV code wll be indicated by a blink sequence for each number. For example, code 130 would show a the following:
    <pause> <long blink> <off> (represents 1)
    <pause> <long blink> <long blink> <long blink> <off> (represents 3)
    <pause> <short burst of flickering blinks> <off> (represents 0)

How do I record using my VisionDirect™ system?

  1. Program your VCR to record as you always have, however, you must make sure that your VCR is set to record on the SAME CHANNEL THAT YOU RECEIVE YOUR PROGRAMMING ON YOUR TV (channel 4, 8, or 13, etc.) at the same time that the show you wish to record is on. For example, if you want to tape a program on channel 10 from 8:00 to 9:00 and you are using stream 1 (channel 4) to watch TV, you must set your VCR to record channel 4 from 8:00 to 9:00. You will later AUTOTUNE your Gateway to switch to channel 10 from 8:00 to 9:00. Make sure that your VCR is now TURNED OFF. Press GUIDE on your system remote. Using the arrow buttons on your system remote, scroll to the program you wish to record. Press INFO Using arrow keys, scroll to ACTIONS. Press SELECT. Using arrow keys, scroll down to SCHEDULE AUTOMATIC TUNE. Press SELECT. Choose whichever selection fits your needs (JUST ONCE, MON-FRI or EVERYDAY) Press SELECT.
  2. You will see AUTOTUNE REQUEST ACCEPTED. There will be a small clock icon on the Menu Guide next to the show you have auto-tuned. Now press the EXIT button on your system remote until you are clear of the Menu Guide.

    IMPORTANT:
    Your program should now be set to record. You do want to be sure that you manually turn off your TV using the power button on the TV or the remote that came with the TV. By using the remote that controls your Gateway, you will be “shutting off” the stream that brings your programming.

If at all possible, record using stream 1 (the TV that uses channel 4, usually your “main” TV) as the other streams have a time limit and will shut themselves off after a few hours of non-use. If you set up to record on these streams, you run the risk of your recording failing because the Gateway has shut itself off while you were away.