VCR PLUS HELPS TO EASE COMPLEX PROGRAMMING

Since the first VCR rolled off the production line, Americans have struggled with the complexity of trying to program their VCRs to tape programs while they're away from home.

Many home VCRs still display the flashing hour of midnight, offering proof that owners finally gave up, or never even tried to program their VCR.

A new computer-controlled electronic programmer, VCR Plus, may end the curse of VCR programming. It allows those who have little if any experience with computer programming technology to program a VCR.

VCR Plus can be used with VCRs connected to cable TV systems or those with outside antennas. It works with nearly all wireless remote-controlled VCRs sold today.

The unit has been on sale in the St. Louis area since early summer; however, until recently it was not available in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois stores.

Gina Hess, manager of the electronics department at the Cape Girardeau Wal-Mart store, said the store received its initial shipment of VCR Plus units two weeks ago.

"We've sold one or two of the units, but that's most likely because people do not know we have them or know much about them," said Hess.

Julie Humphrey, an employee in the electronics department at the Carbondale, Ill., Wal-Mart store, said sales there also have been light, mostly because people in the area are not familiar with VCR Plus.

Darren Neader, manager of the electronics department at the Cape Girardeau K-mart store, said he had several inquiries from customers this summer who had seen ads or otherwise heard about VCR Plus.

Neader said the local store received its first shipment of VCR Plus units last week.

At the Cape Girardeau Venture store in West Park Mall, a spokesman said the first shipment of the VCR Plus units arrived about a week ago. He said sales have been very light but added, "When the word gets around, they'll start moving."

To program a home VCR, a five-digit numerical code that now appears in many television guide magazines, including TV Guide, and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch TV magazine, is punched into the unit. Each program is assigned a code number. Then, a one-time weekly or daily tape option is selected. The unit is then placed back in its base on top of the VCR.

Two minutes before the taping begins, the tiny computer in the unit is activated by a built-in clock to transmit the five-digit numerical code to the programming module in the VCR unit.

The code gives the VCR data on the date, time and channel of the program to be taped. The unit can store up to 14 programs up to four weeks in advance in its memory.

Roger Harms, Cape Girardeau manager of TCI Cablevision of Missouri, said the TCI Cablevision program schedule magazine does not include the five-digit code needed to use VCR Plus.

"But I'm sure they will put it in if enough cable customers ask for it," said Harms. "There is a place in the front of the magazine for subscribers to send in comments. I would suggest those who want to see the code included in our magazine write directly to the publisher. Please do not call our office because we have nothing to do with the printing of the magazine."

VCR Plus is manufactured by GEMSTAR Development Corp., of California. It sells locally for about $55 to $60.