As you might expect, TDS TV customers very frequently have the same questions about how to get the most of their service. Well, we’ve got the answers! Find out how to customize the Program Guide channel list to show just the channels you’d like to display (and nothing you don’t), and learn how to set a series recording so you’re sure to never miss an episode.
Customize your Program Guide
By using the Favorites feature you can customize the Program Guide channel list (rather than listing all the channels available in your TDS TV subscription). Just follow these simple steps:
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1. Press the MENU button on your remote.
2. Scroll down to Settings, then select Television and press the OK button.
3. Scroll down and select Set up favorites and press OK.
4. Select Set up to create a new list or favorites.
– The Favorite Channels Settings screen will appear and all the channels available in your
TDS TV package will show.
5. Use the Up and Down arrow buttons as well as the OK button, choose which channels you want included in your favorites list by checking or unchecking the box next to the channel name.
– To see only the channels in your favorites list, selected View checked from the left sidebar
and press OK.
6. Select Save.
Record a series
You can record recurring programs, such as episodes in a series. Once scheduled, a series recording occurs as long as the series is broadcast. Here’s what you do:
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1. Press GUIDE on your remote control. The Guide screen appears.
2. Use the arrow buttons to scroll through the listings to the program you want to record.
3. To schedule a series recording from the Guide screen, press the RECORD button twice on your remote control.
– A red dot appears in the program guide cell on the first press, and three overlapping dots
appear on the second press. The three overlapping dots indicate that this is a series recording.
TDS TV will now record the program at the same time on the same day each week. If a series
changes day or time, the schedule should make the adjustment.
To cancel a series recording, press the RECORD button a third time.
Is there anything else you’d like to get instructions for? Give some ideas of what to feature next by commenting below.
Where is the record button on the black TDS remote control????
You may have one of two remotes (over time, we ended using different vendors). You can consult the guides for both remotes here: http://www.tdstelecom.com/tdstv/TdsTvGuides.aspx (the first two items listed).
How do you extend record time ?
Karl, here’s what it says in the User Guide:
To modify end times and storage options for any recording, follow these directions:
1. Navigate to the program you want to record (either the channel itself if the program is currently playing or its location in the Program Guide.)
2. Press the INFO button on your remote.
3. Select Record Options from and press OK on your remote.
To change the end time of your recording, select Stop recording option and press OK on your remote. Then choose when you want the recording to end: at scheduled time, 5 minutes after, 15 minutes after, 30 minutes after, 1 hour after, 2 hours after, or 3 hours after. Then press OK on your remote.
To change how long the recording will be stored, select KEEP UNTIL (or KEEP if modifying a series) option and press OK on your remote. Then, choose your storage options: until space is needed or erase (for series recording you can also choose how many episodes you want to keep).
To change the type of shows that are recorded (applies to series only), select SHOW TYPE option and press OK on your remote. Then, choose the type: First run & rerun, or First run only.
4. When you are finished customizing, select Record and press OK on your remote.
If you already have a recording set for a program, our on-staff product expert says that you can also click Menu, then Recorded TV to see your recordings. You can then basically follow the sequence listed above. Choose a recording, select OK then choose Record Options.
I hope this helps! If you still need assistance, please do give us a call at 1-866-44-TDSTV.
How many hours of recording does my DVR hold?
Hi Sarah, it will hold up to 400 hours (depending on whether they’re SD/HD recordings). Starting on page 36 of the TDS TV user guide there is information about viewing your DVR free space and managing your recordings, if it’s helpful: https://tdstelecom.com/content/dam/tdstelecom/pdfs/helpandsupport/TDS_TV_UserGuide-2016-08_171951.pdf
While using the guide, it hesitates before changing. Jumps around. What causes this? I have changed batteries in the remote.
This is a great question for our repair team who can troubleshoot with you. They can be reached at 1-888-225-5837.
My mbr Tds box doesn’t show recorded content but main box in lr shows all recorded content.
Susan, if your DVR and set-top boxes aren’t working the way you expected, please do give our service and repair team a call so they can troubleshoot with you. They can be reached at 1-888-225-5837.
When trying to set a program to record, a message pops up stating “television service temporarily unavailable”. I have cleared multiple recordings, but no change
Joyce, it sounds like you need to speak with one of our representatives so they can troubleshoot with you. Give us a call at 1-888-225-5837 if you haven’t already.
How many wireless cable boxes can be recording a program while other ones are used to watch live tv?
For TDS TV, the whole-home DVR does the heavy lifting on recordings so every room in your house has the same experience. You can be watching on channel, while recording on others, all the same time no matter where you are in the house. Does this help?
How do I turn off parental control when it asks for a password I never put in?
Glen, I’d consult the user guide (available here:https://tdstelecom.com/support/tv/tv-user-guides-and-demos.html) or reach out to our support team by calling our toll-free number (1-888-225-5837).
Can I restore a program that was accidentally deleted?
If you have TDS TV+ you can, yes. It’s under My Shows. At the very bottom is Recently Deleted Recordings. Select that and you can choose what to restore. With TDS TV (not +), there is not a way to restore.
I followed the directions to record a program and got the message, “Your request cannot be processed.” What do I do now?
Hmmmm. Becky, I would reach out to our tech folks to get some assistance on what you’re experiencing. You can reach our repair team at 1-888-225-5837.
What do the green and yellow tags following recorded programs mean? Does the yellow one mean temporary, and how to turn it to green?
Hi Rod – here’s what the ball icons next to the recordings mean:
-No ball = recording is protected for at least another 24 hours.
-Yellow ball = recording is protected for less than 24 hours.
-Yellow ball with ! = recording is no longer protected, and will be deleted once there are no items left in the Recently Deleted folder; there are no items left in the Suggestions folder; it is the oldest recording left on the DVR; and space is needed for a new user-scheduled recording.
-Green ball = recording is marked as “keep until I delete” and will be kept until manually deleted.
-Red ball = recording in progress
-Blue ball = recording is transferring from another TiVo or downloading over the network.
So if you want to turn one to green, I would try marking it as “keep until I delete” if you haven’t otherwise done so, otherwise it’s possible you may need to delete other recordings to clear space for it.