PDC

[Allen Crisp]

Our extremely old VCR has given up the ghost and we've had to buy a new one. We've managed to set the timer and record programmes as per the instruction book, but don't understand part of the instructions. Apparently the final thing to do when setting the timer is to set the 'PDC mode' to on or off. It works OK with it off but, staggeringly, the manual does not say anywhere what PDC is! Anyone know? (The machine's a Samsung if that's important.)

[powerless]

Program Delivery Control - If i the proggie is running late, the VCR can adjust the time when it starts and stops the recording.

[Hippy]

That's clever. How does it work?

[powerless]

Each TV proggie is given a unique code to which the code is transmitted throughout the duration of the proggie from start till finish. Just before the proggie starts the broadcaster sends out the unique code (this then makes the VCR record) when the code is no longer broadcasted the VCR stops recording. If a proggie is running late then its useful to have or a football match that is into extra time.

[jenstar]

PDC only works on analogue services, so if you're recording from a digital source (Freeview, digital cable or satellite), you will need to turn PDC off anyway.

[Allen Crisp]

This machine doesn't have VideoPlus - so will this PDC business still work?

[jenstar]

VideoPlus and PDC are two completely separate things, so you don't need one for the other to work. In any case you know that PDC will work on that VCR because it says so in the manual!