How do the TV program codes for VCR Plus+ work?
Dear Cecil: How do the television program codes for VCR Plus+ work? VCR Plus+ is a handheld device similar to a TV remote control that tells the VCR to record a target program at a specific time, channel, and duration based on a numeric code listed in TV Guide and many newspapers. I see no pattern to these codes, which have a different meaning each month. One month “12345” may indicate a Friday night news show on channel 2, the next month something entirely different. How can this be? There must be some sort of algorithm. Any ideas? — Frederick C. Lee, Honolulu, Hawaii Dear Frederick: Yes, there is an algorithm. If we had any sense we would leave it at that. But no, I can see you want to know what the algorithm is. Maybe you’d also like to know how to perform brain surgery with a can opener. Either way we are stretching the limit of what human ingenuity can accomplish in a 600-word column. But hey, your wish is my command. The VCR Plus+ control box, which is sold by Gemstar Development
