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Alpha Navigation and Channels Card Layout

Summary

This article provides an overview of the channels card, recording icons, and the action menu.

Solution

TV Channels - Layout

TV channels menu with important items labeled one through eight, starting in the upper left of the screen.

1. TIME

With the current time, you’ll know when your show begins.

5. AVAILABLE TV PROGRAMS

Displays all of the programs available in your TV lineup that are currently airing.

2. CURRENT CHANNEL

Displays the channel that is playing in Mini TV. If the program is recorded, an icon will display the current status - i.e., play or pause.

6. RECORDING ICON

Displays the channel that is playing in Mini TV. If the program is recorded, an icon will display the current status - i.e., play or pause.

3. MINI TV

Even when channel surfing, Mini TV always keeps you in the action.

7. INFORMATION PANEL

Even when channel surfing, Mini TV always keeps you in the action.

4. FOCUS PROGRAM

Pressing INFO on this item brings up an action menu.

8. PROGRAM INFORMATION

Displays the next three upcoming shows that will air on the channel in focus.

TV Channels - Focus

Focused view of current channel. Important items labeled one through seven, starting in the upper left and going clockwise around the image.

1. CATEGORY

The name of the category moved into focus.

5. PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Displays the selected program’s air time.

2. SHOW TITLE

The name of the program in focus.

6. CHANNEL NUMBER

The selected program’s channel number.

3. SHOW LENGTH

The selected program’s duration.

7. CHANNEL LOGO

Displays the channel logo for the selected program.

4. RECORDING ICON

Displays an icon here if the selected program is currently recording or scheduled to record.

 

Recording Icons

Channels menu with recording icons highlighted and labeled.

Your Alpha Media Player includes the following recording icons for DVR status at a glance. The following icons appear on focus cards and vertical cards throughout the main menu:

Red circle

The show is recording right now.

Blue circle three-quarters of the way filled in.

The show is scheduled to be recorded.

Yellow circle with exclamation point inside.

The show is recorded and may be deleted when space is needed for newer shows.

Green square.

The show will not delete and can only be deleted manually.

Preview Panel

Channel screen with preview panel opened on the right side of the screen.

TV Channels, like all horizontal categories that contain TV programming, has a preview panel that displays upcoming programs for the channel in focus. Press the right arrow button to select the panel, and then use the up and down arrows to browse through up to two weeks of programming for that channel.

For a shortcut back to the present time, press the MENU button.

If you see a show you would like to record, press the RECORD or the INFO button.

Channel Actions Menu

Action menu with 6 numbered items starting in the top left.

1. CHANNEL LOGO

The logo for the program’s channel.

5. NOTE PAGES

Number of pages of program information.

2. SHOW TITLE

The name of the program or item.

6. NEXT & BACK

Use the BACK and NEXT buttons to page through the note.

3. PROGRAM SCHEDULE

The time the program begins and ends.

7. OPTIONS

The list of options available for the selected TV program.

4. PROGRAM INFORMATION

Additional show information, such as show title, repeat, cast and crew.

  

Action Menu Options

Action menu screen with 7 items highlighted and numbered starting in the upper left.

If the show you're watching is currently airing, you'll see the following options in the action menu:

  • record once - Records only the currently-airing episode of the program, including the portion in the live TV buffer.
  • watch - plays the program in full-screen TV.
  • add to favorites - Adds the channel to your Favorites category.
  • lock - Activates Parental Controls for the selected channel.
  • see all times - Presents a list of all of that program’s air dates/times.
  • record series - Sets the entire series of that program to record. You’ll only see this option if the show is part of a series.

Action Menu Options

If the show will air in the future, you'll see:

  • record once
  • add to favorites
  • lock
  • see all times
  • record series

If the show is currently recording, you'll see:

  • stop recording - Stops recording the current show, but does not delete the portion already recorded.
  • watch
  • add to favorites
  • see all times
  • recording options - Gives you a list of elements to alter about the way the program will record.

If the show is scheduled to record, you'll see:

  • recording options
  • cancel recording - Removes the program from the recording lineup.
  • add to favorites
  • lock
  • see all times

Recording Options

Recording options screen

If you have record once or record series selected, you’ll see an arrow to the right that allows you to access recording options. You can also access recording options from the action menu of a show that’s currently recording or scheduled to record.

Scheduled to Record

Recording options for a single episode scheduled to record:
  • keep - lets you decide when the show will be deleted.
  • get series - sets the entire series to record.
  • stop - allows you to set the recording to stop early or late.
  • start - allows you to set the recording to start early or late.
Recording options for a series scheduled to record:
  • keep
  • series options - allows you to set recording preferences for the entire series.
  • stop
  • start

Currently Recording

Recording options screen
Recording options for a single episode currently recording:
  • keep
  • get series
  • stop
Recording options for a series currently recording:
  • keep
  • series options
  • stop

Additional Resources

Alpha User Guide PDF

Related Articles 

Navigate through the Alpha Menu Use Your Alpha Remote

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