Teletext Recovery Viewer

Part of the Computer Legacy Teletext Recovery Project

This is a static representation of a Teletext stream that meets the following parameters:

Note:If this page has sub-pages, they will all appear in a line!

P394 4-Tel 394 Sat 30 Aug C4 21:19:48    VIDEOPLUS PDC GUIDE  ——————————————————————————————————————— The most reliable method of recording television programmes with your VCR is to do it manually, by switching to the correct channel and then pressing the "record" button at the right time. But if you want to record a programme automatically, the VCR needs to be told when the programme starts, when it ends and on what channel it will appear. By using the timer, the start time, end time and channel number for the show(s) are entered into the VCR timer. ——————————————————————————————————————— An idiot's guide to PDC is given on 393 Main index C4 today Tomorrow Previews
P394 4-Tel 394 Sat 30 Aug C4 21:24:08    VIDEOPLUS PDC GUIDE  ——————————————————————————————————————— When the internal clock matches the start time, it will switch to the correct channel and start recording. This makes the assumption that the programme will be transmitted at the exact time printed in the listings magazines (the "billed" time). In fact, programmes generally start a couple of minutes before or after the billed time, so it is advised to check the latest billed time on the relevant broadcaster's teletext listing page. ——————————————————————————————————————— An idiot's guide to PDC is given on 393 Main index C4 today Tomorrow Previews
P394 4-Tel 394 Sat 30 Aug C4 21:27:28    VIDEOPLUS PDC GUIDE  ——————————————————————————————————————— Then, time your recording to start a couple of minutes beforehand and stop it about five minutes after the end time. This will capture your programme in the vast majority of cases. But ensure that the instructions in the VCR handbook are adhered to in full. The method of using the timer will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Another way of entering the timer information is to use VideoPlus codes printed in the listings magazines. ——————————————————————————————————————— An idiot's guide to PDC is given on 393 Main index C4 today Tomorrow Previews
P394 4-Tel 394 Sat 30 Aug C4 21:20:48    VIDEOPLUS PDC GUIDE  ——————————————————————————————————————— VideoPlus codes are adopted b9 listings magazines according to a formula known only to them, and are included in the details for each programme. The broadcasters do not generate these codes and are not responsible for them. When decoded in the VCR, they give the information required by the timer mechanism, ie the start time, duration, and channel number. As such, VideoPlus is merely an easy way of setting the timer, usually via the VCR's remote. ——————————————————————————————————————— An idiot's guide to PDC is given on 393 Main index C4 today Tomorrow Previews
P394 4-Tel 394 Sat 30 Aug C4 21:22:08    VIDEOPLUS PDC GUIDE  ——————————————————————————————————————— Consequently, it starts the recording exactly at the billed time - relying on the programme to start at the same time To counteract inaccuracies, a system called Programme Delivery Control or PDC was devised. This was introduced by the brand name Startext. When a programme is transmitted, a unique PDC code is also transmitted as part of the teletext system. This code is selected by the viewer via a screen cursor, which identifies the programme. ——————————————————————————————————————— An idiot's guide to PDC is given on 393 Main index C4 today Tomorrow Previews
P394 4-Tel 394 Sat 30 Aug C4 21:18:28    VIDEOPLUS PDC GUIDE  ——————————————————————————————————————— A Startext VCR will recognise this code and start recording at whatever time the programme is transmitted. This required a teletext decoder in the VCR which slightly increased the price, adversely affecting sales of this type of VCR. Consequently, PDC declined too. VideoPlus then introduced a partial version of PDC which used the start time as determined by the printed code, and tried to match that with the printed code as transmitted. ——————————————————————————————————————— An idiot's guide to PDC is given on 393 Main index C4 today Tomorrow Previews
P394 4-Tel 394 Sat 30 Aug C4 21:11:18    VIDEOPLUS PDC GUIDE  ——————————————————————————————————————— This would work well as long as the actual start time coincided with the billed time, within a few minutes. If the actual start time is significantly moved, then the VideoPlus code printed and the PDC code will not match. As a consequence, this means that the recording will not start. Some broadcasters try to counter this by transmitting two PDC codes for such programmes - one for the original billing and one for the new one. ——————————————————————————————————————— An idiot's guide to PDC is given on 393 Main index C4 today Tomorrow Previews
P394 4-Tel 394 Sat 30 Aug C4 21:13:18    VIDEOPLUS PDC GUIDE  ——————————————————————————————————————— As PDC uses teletext data as its way of communicating, it is essential that teletext reception is reliable when looking at the TV via your VCR. If your set can decode teletext pages without error, PDC info will decode reliably. Select 4-Tel page 399 for a reception test. Any corrupted/missing characters indicate marginal reception, so PDC controlled recording may be unreliable. Not all broadcasters support PDC. ——————————————————————————————————————— An idiot's guide to PDC is given on 393 Main index C4 today Tomorrow Previews