This is a VCR plus encoder/decoder. The source code is in the public domain, and, to my knowledge, originally came from the Internet. This Macintosh implementation by Deirdre Maloy (Deeny2@aol.com).
VCRplus is an algorithm that, given a few pieces of information, will generate a 4-9 digit number that uniquely identifies that show.
It works by encoding a NETWORK, not a channel. Thus, different people in the same area could have different channels for HBO and not be affected.
This program works, but with the following caveats:
GENERAL CASE ONLY:
It must be a show that starts on an even hour or half-hour, and must run for some increment of half-hours. The show must be less than five hours long.
CHANNEL IS VCRPLUS CHANNEL
This isn't the one on your television screen folks. The channel you use is the VCRplus coded channel, which you can get out of TV Guide or your local listings.
If you have NO information about channel mapping in your area, you can either call VCRplus (1-800-4321-VCR) or you can experiment. Note that this program is not written or supported by anyone, especially VCRplus, who makes their money selling the little gadgets and the number information to television listing services such as TV Guide, TV Data Technologies, and Tribune Media.
The whole point of this program is so you can take networks that are NOT listed in your television listings and generate VCRplus codes for them.
If, like me, you watch QVC (which doesn't get VCRplus codes) but not ESPN, you can enter ESPN's channel code (34 in my area) as QVC's channel code in this program. Then, on your VCRplus controller, set up 34 as the channel QVC is on.
HOW TO ENTER TIME
Time is entered as 24 hour time, no periods, just like this: 2000 for 8pm. Durations are entered as integer number of minutes: 30.
