root said:
The encryption algorithm was implemented by a guy
from Caltech (Gemstar's CEO) so that only Gemstar
could create the schedules published in seleted
newspapers. You and a previous poster may be
correct in the wwv option, but I have an
"atomic watch" which is sensitive to orientation
when it is receiving the update. The watch might
be too small to have an omnidirectional antenna.
I dunno at this point what to think. Guess the answer depends on when that
remote you have was made. I had a couple of them in the past, but don't
remember anything about setting the time on them. The point to making that
statement is, I'm pretty sure I had them in early/mid 90's.
After using my google finger for a bit, I can't find any reference to them
having one of those wwv/wwvb clocks built into them. That feature (radio
clocks as they are called) seem to have gained ground starting in 1999 and
becoming common in home use by 2003 or so.
So I'm going to venture to guess, if it was made before 2000, it's not
likely the "atomic clock" is built into it.
It's pretty obvious the vcrplus+ remote was introduced in november of 1990,
looking at the various product reviews for the next few years, no mention of
it/them having a radio type clock is made, which seems to me would of been a
major selling point.
The problem is, by the late 90's, there is basically no mention of "the
remote" anymore, being the function was already incorporated in most brands
of vcr's.
I'm sure they probably had a stand alone remote until they cratered, so if
that thing is in the "within 10 years" age, the radio clock is likely but
can't be proven by me.
The thing that bothers me is, from the pictures of the VIP-18 I could find,
it seems to be the same one I had in the early/mid 90's. Then again, I could
be wrong about that too. One of them (from the dozens of remotes I've own in
the past) had a "large head" on it, and might of even had some kind of plate
or base it velcro'ed into.
Point was, it wouldn't go any good if you left it on the couch or in a
different room, the base was intended so it was aimed at the vcr when it was
needed.
-bruce
[email protected]