DStv A6 User manual

DStv Remote A6 (Advanced Options)
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INTRODUCTION
You only need one remote to control your total viewing experience! Your DStv A6 Remote
can be used to :
Switch your DStv Explora and other audio/visual equipment into (or out of)
standby
Getting ready to watch DStv just got so much easier! There’s no need to find the remote
for the TV and the surround sound system before you settle down on the couch.
You can switch all these devices on (or off) with only one button press on your A6 remote.
Control other audio/visual equipment
Use your A6 remote to change volume on your surround sound system, or even the TV.
You don’t need to use multiple remote controls to enjoy the benefits of surround sound
while being entertained on your DStv Explora.
Set up macros
Do you have things that you do each time you use the DStv Explora? Like :
•Checking the weather forecast for the town you live in
•Going straight to the Series in DStv Catch Up
Now you can programme a macro to do that for you. Only two button presses on the A6
and the DStv Explora will automatically take you there.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................................................... 2
HINTS & TIPS WHEN PROGRAMMING YOUR A6 REMOTE ............................................................................................ 3
ADVANCED OPTIONS : STANDBY .................................................................................................................................... 4
ADVANCED OPTIONS : AUDIO........................................................................................................................................... 6
ADVANCED OPTIONS : MACRO ........................................................................................................................................ 8
TROUBLESHOOTING ....................................................................................................................................................... 10
This user guide, including the graphics and information contained herein are the subject of
intellectual property rights, including copyright, under domestic law and international
conventions. All rights are reserved.
This user guide supplements the information supplied with the packaging of the DStv Explora.
DStv Remote A6 Advanced OptionsV1.0 (Aug 2013) e&oe

DStv Remote A6 (Advanced Options)
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HINTS &TIPS WHEN PROGRAMMING YOUR A6 REMOTE
•The lights (LEDs) on the remote referred to in
these instructions are below the iand BACK
buttons. The colour of the LEDs can be
GREEN, AMBER or RED.
•When programming the A6 to duplicate another remote’s function - lie both remotes
on a flat surface, no more than 1cm apart and with the infrared “eyes” facing each
other
•When the LEDs blink repeatedly in AMBER, the A6 remote is in “learning mode” (this
means it’s ready to “learn” a command from another remote). If the A6 is in “learning
mode” and more than 20 seconds go by without interaction, the programming
sequence will time out.
•Two RED blinks (at any stage) indicate an error. If you see these two RED blinks
while programming the remote, start the sequence from Step 1.
•To delete all programming on the remote (and return the A6 remote back to factory
defaults) :
1. Press and hold ARC and STANDBY for three seconds. (LEDs are now solid
AMBER)
2. While continuing to press down ARC, release the STANDBY button (LEDs
remain sold AMBER)
3. Press 9949 (The LEDs will blink AMBER each time you press a button,
followed by three GREEN blinks when you press the last 9). This confirms
that the remote has returned to factory defaults (and all programming has
been deleted)
4. Release the ARC button
•And don’t forget, if you get a new TV or replace any of the devices that you have
used when programming the A6 remote, you will need to delete and reprogramme
the necessary sequences.
Although the DStv A6 Remote is able to “listen” (or learn”) from
other remote controls, we cannot guarantee that it is compatible
with all remotes, across all models of audio/visual equipment.
For queries and support when using the Advanced Options of your
A6 remote, please make use of our interactive forums on
www.dstv.com where our team will be able to assist you.

DStv Remote A6 (Advanced Options)
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ADVANCED OPTIONS :STANDBY
How to programme the A6 remote to switch your DStv Explora and other audio/visual
equipment into (or out of) standby
OBJECTIVE
Programme the STANDBY button on the A6 remote to switch multiple devices into (our
out of) standby in a predefined sequence.
EXAMPLE
Switch your surround sound system on, followed by your TV, followed by the DStv
Explora.
You can programme a simple sequence (option 1) or a timed sequence (option 2).
•A simple sequence will run the programmed steps without delays between each
step (example : switch on the TV, immediately followed by the surround sound
system, immediately followed by the DStv Explora.)
•A timed sequence will run the programmed steps exactly as they were programmed
(example : switch on the TV, wait 1 minute, switch on the surround sound system,
wait 25 seconds, then switch on the DStv Explora.)
Simple Sequence (Option 1)
Step 1
Press ARC and STANDBY on the A6 remote for 3
seconds.
The LEDs will go AMBER within
three seconds. When you release
these buttons, the LEDs will blink
AMBER continuously.
Step 2
Take the remote of the device that you want to
switch on or off, and place it on a flat surface, facing
the A6 remote.
Press and hold STANDBY on the other remote.
When the LEDs on the A6 blink AMBER
continuously, release the STANDBY button on the
other remote.
Repeat this step for each device that you want to
switch on or off (up to 14 devices).
The A6 LEDs will give one
GREEN blink, and then blink
AMBER continuously.
If the A6 LEDs give two RED
blinks, the sequence has timed
out or the A6 is not able to
“learn” from the other remote.
Try again from step 1.
Step 3
(optional)
If you also want to switch the Explora on (or off) as
part of this sequence, press STANDBY once on the
A6 remote.
The A6 LEDs will give one
GREEN blink, and then blink
AMBER continuously
Step 4
Once you have programmed STANDBY for all your
devices, press HELP to end the programming
sequence.
The A6 LEDs will give three
GREEN blinks, confirming that
you have successfully completed
the programming sequence.
If the A6 LEDs give two RED blinks at any time - something has gone wrong and you will need to start the
programming sequence from Step 1.

DStv Remote A6 (Advanced Options)
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Timed Sequence (Option 2)
Use this option if steps must take place with specific time lapses between each step
Example : the surround sound system must only be switched on two or more minutes after the TV.
Step 1
Press and hold down ARC and STANDBY on the A6
remote.
The A6 LEDs will show solid
AMBER within three seconds
Step 2
While continuing to press down ARC, release the
STANDBY button.
The A6 LEDs will blink AMBER
continuously
Step 3
Then press STANDBY again (you’re now holding
down both ARC and STANDBY)
The A6 LEDs will be solid AMBER
Step 4
Release both buttons.
The A6 LEDs will blink AMBER
continuously
The A6 is now in “listening mode” and the following steps should be done in “real” time (Example : if you
need two minutes between the surround sound system and TV switching on, wait two minutes after
programming the Standby button for the TV).
Step 5
Take the remote of the next device that you want to
switch on or off, and place it on a flat surface,
facing the A6 remote.
Wait the required time, then press STANDBY once
on the other remote.
Repeat this step for each device that you want to
switch on or off (up to 14 devices)
The A6 LEDs will give one
GREEN blink, and then blink
AMBER continuously.
If the A6 LEDs give two RED
blinks, the sequence has timed
out or the A6 is not able to
“learn” from the other remote.
Try again from step 1.
Step 6
(optional)
If you also want to switch the DStv Explora on (or
off) as part of this sequence, press STANDBY once
on the A6 remote.
The A6 LEDs will give one
GREEN blink, and then blink
AMBER continuously.
Step 7
Once you have programmed STANDBY for all your
devices, press HELP to end the programming
sequence.
The A6 LEDs will give three
GREEN blinks, confirming that
you have successfully completed
the programming sequence.
If the A6 LEDs give two RED blinks at any time - something has gone wrong and you will need to start the
programming sequence from Step 1.
!
The STANDBY button on the A6 is now programmed, and when pressed, will run
the steps you have programmed in sequence.

DStv Remote A6 (Advanced Options)
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ADVANCED OPTIONS :AUDIO
How to programme the A6 remote to control volume on other audio equipment (including
the surround sound system)
OBJECTIVE
Programme the volume buttons (V+, V-, MUTE) to change audio on other equipment.
EXAMPLE
Control the audio of your surround sound system using the A6 remote.
Recommendation: If you have set the DStv Explora to use “Fixed” Audio Output (see
screen below), we recommend programming your DStv A6 remote to control audio on your
surround sound system.
If you do not programme the A6 remote, you will always need two remote controls when
using the DStv Explora – one to control the DStv Explora and another one to control
volume on your surround sound system.
Note : You can only programme the A6 to control audio on one other device.

DStv Remote A6 (Advanced Options)
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Step 1
Press ARC and V+ on the A6 remote for 3 seconds.
The LEDs will go AMBER within
three seconds. When you release
these buttons, the LEDs will blink
AMBER continuously.
Step 2
Take the remote of the audio equipment that you
want to control with the A6, and place it on a flat
surface, facing the A6 remote.
Press V+ on the other remote until the LEDs on the
A6 give two GREEN blinks.
The A6 LEDs will now turn
AMBER.
Step 3
Press V- on the A6 remote.
The A6 LEDs will blink AMBER
continuously.
Step 4
With the two remotes still facing each other, press V-
on the other remote until the LEDs on the A6 give two
GREEN blinks.
The A6 LEDs will now turn
AMBER.
Step 5
Press MUTE on the A6 remote.
The A6 LEDs will blink AMBER
continuously.
Step 6
With the two remotes still facing each other, press
MUTE on the other remote until the LEDs on the A6
give two GREEN blinks.
The A6 LEDs will now turn
AMBER.
Step 7
Now that you have programmed the volume buttons,
press HELP to end the programming sequence.
The A6 LEDs will give three
GREEN blinks, confirming that
you have successfully completed
the programming sequence.
If the A6 LEDs give two RED blinks at any time - something has gone wrong and you will need to start the
programming sequence from Step 1.
!
The volume buttons on the A6 are now programmed, and when pressed, will
change volume on the other device (instead of on the DStv Explora).

DStv Remote A6 (Advanced Options)
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ADVANCED OPTIONS :MACROS
You can programme 10 macros on your A6 remote (one macro on each number button).
OBJECTIVE
Programme the keys of a regular task onto a macro.
EXAMPLE
While watching TV, check the weather forecast for the town you live in.
Tips :
•Before programming your macro, write down each step in the sequence (maximum
10) and then tick them off as they are completed.
•Each button press is considered ONE step in the sequence. Example : if your macro
includes going to channel 101, that’s three steps in the macro, ie. press 1, then press
0, then press 1.
•Macros can include commands from other remotes (like changing input of the TV)
You can programme a simple sequence (option 1) or a timed sequence (option 2).
•A simple sequence will run the programmed steps without delays between each
step (example : press OK, press left button, press LEFT arrow, press DOWN arrow,
press OK.)
•A timed sequence will run the programmed steps exactly as they were programmed
(example : press 2, press 0, press 1, wait 12 seconds, press OK, wait 5 seconds,
press OK.)
Simple Sequence (Option 1)
Step 1
Press ARC and the number button you want the
macro on for 3 seconds.
The A6 LEDs will go AMBER
within three seconds. When you
release these buttons, the LEDs
will blink AMBER continuously.
Step 2
If the macro includes a button press on the A6, press
that button.
The A6 LEDs will give one GREEN
blink and then the LEDs will blink
AMBER continuously.
Step 3
If the macro includes a button press on another
device, take the remote for that device, and place it
on a flat surface, facing the A6 remote.
Press the button on the other remote that you want to
include in this macro.
The A6 LEDs will give one GREEN
blink and then the LEDs will blink
AMBER continuously.
Step 4
Repeat step 2 or 3 for each button press in the macro
sequence (remember you can only have 10 steps per
macro).
If the A6 LEDs give two RED
blinks, something has gone wrong
and you will need to start again
from Step 1.
Step 5
Press HELP to end the programming of your macro.
The A6 LEDs will give three
GREEN blinks, confirming that
you have successfully completed
the programming sequence.
If the A6 LEDs give two RED blinks at any time - something has gone wrong and you will need to start the
programming sequence from Step 1.

DStv Remote A6 (Advanced Options)
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Timed Sequence (Option 2)
Use this option if you need the steps to take place in a timed sequence (with specific time lapses between each step).
Example : you need the i-plate to disappear before another step on your macro can be programmed.
Step 1
Press and hold down ARC and the number button you
want the macro on.
The A6 LEDs will go AMBER
within three seconds.
Step 2
While continuing to press down ARC, release the
number button.
The A6 LEDs will blink AMBER.
Step 3
Then press the number button again (you’re now
holding down both ARC and the number button)
The A6 LEDs will be solid AMBER.
Step 4
Release both buttons.
The A6 LEDs will blink AMBER
continuously.
The A6 is now in “listening mode” and the following steps should be done in “real” time (Example : if you
need 20 seconds between going to a channel and changing the subtitles setting, wait 20 seconds after the
channel change).
Step 5
Press the first button in your macro sequence
The A6 LEDs will give one GREEN
blink and then the LEDs will blink
AMBER continuously.
Step 6
Repeat step 2 for each button press in the macro
sequence (you can only have 10 steps per macro),
remembering to include time lapses.
If the A6 LEDs give two RED
blinks, something has gone wrong
and you will need to start again
from Step 1.
Step 7
Press HELP to end the programming of your macro.
The A6 LEDs will give three
GREEN blinks, confirming that
you have successfully completed
the programming sequence.
If the A6 LEDs give two RED blinks at any time - something has gone wrong and you will need to start the
programming sequence from Step 1.
To use macros on the A6 remote
Press ARC and the number button of the
macro you want to use.
The LED below iwill be GREEN and the
LED below BACK will give an AMBER blink
for each step of the macro.
Remember that you must start your macro from the same place it was programmed.
Example : you set a macro that starts when the highlight is on the Advanced Search
screen. In order to use this macro, you must be on the Advanced Search screen when you
press ARC and the number the macro is on.
Hint : remember to keep the remote control pointed at the necessary devices for the
duration of the macro.

DStv Remote A6 (Advanced Options)
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TROUBLESHOOTING
(?)
How do I know if the buttons I programme are working correctly?
A6 Button(s)
pressed
What do you see on the
A6?
What does this mean?
STANDBY
LED below iis solid GREEN while
the LED below BACK blinks
AMBER
!“Standby relay” is active and the DStv
Explora is running the sequence of steps as
you programmed them
STANDBY
One GREEN blink (either below i,
below BACK or below both)
Nothing has been programmed on this
button and it works as normal (ie. switches
the DStv Explora in and out of standby)
STANDBY
LEDs give 2 RED blinks.
"“Standby relay” is active, but there is
an error. The DStv Explora (and other
equipment) will not respond.
To get out of “standby relay” mode and
delete all programming on this button,
press and hold ARC and STANDBY until
you see the LEDs blink AMBER
continuously. Release both buttons (and
wait until the blinks stop before using the
remote again).
Press any volume
button
LEDs give 2 AMBER blinks
!“Volume Relay” is active and the volume
button on the A6 will change volume on the
other equipment.
Press any volume
button
One GREEN blink (either below i,
below BACK or below both)
Nothing has been programmed on this
button and it works as normal (ie. controls
the volume on the DStv Explora).
Press any volume
button
LEDs give 2 RED blinks.
"“Volume relay” is active, but there is an
error. The DStv Explora (and other
equipment) will not respond.
To get out of “volume relay” mode, press
and hold ARC and any volume button until
you see the LEDs blink AMBER
continuously. Release both buttons (and
wait until the blinks stop before using the
remote again).
Press ARC and a
number button that
has a macro
programmed on it
The LED below iwill be GREEN
and the LED below BACK will
give an AMBER blink for each
step of the macro.
!The DStv Explora is responding to the
steps in the macro.
Press ARC and a
number button that
has a macro
programmed on it
One GREEN blink (either below i,
below BACK or below both)
There is no macro on that number button,
or there was too much time between
pressing ARC and the number button
Press ARC and a
number button that
has a macro
programmed on it
LEDs give 2 RED blinks.
"The macro has an error.
To clear the macro on that number button,
press and hold ARC and that number
button until you see the LEDs blink AMBER
continuously. Release both buttons (and
wait until the blinks stop before using the
remote again).
If you get a new TV or replace any of the devices that you have used when programming the A6 remote, you will
need to delete and reprogramme the necessary sequences.