Post Any Tips For Parental Control Blocking in TWC Navigator Here

[Jack 1000]

Hi All,

One of the users on the AVS forums is trying to find out more information on how to block Adult content from the guide,  While he has a TWC SARA system, which is not used here, I figured that there were many people that are confused how to set up Parental Control Blocking preferences in Navigator as well as how to use them.

A couple of points:

1.) Back when I had Passport, I did use a Purchase Pin to control PPV programs.  But when one of my boxes died I never set up purchase protection on the second box.  After Navigator, with no kids in the house, it is just something that many of us don't think of doing until its necessary, or shockingly we find the kids watching inappropriate stuff.  Passport had Parental Control turned on by default.  Navigator does not.

2.) Some of the information below is from memory and some is from the TWC Wisconsin Site.  I tried (perhaps in vain) to help this other user explain how to set up parental control believing that the functions should be similar.  Therefore, let me post what I have below and we can add/change and ask questions for parents or anybody else who may not want to see  things like the Adults Only Movie Category in the guide:

Parental Controls

What is Parental Control?

Parental Control allows you to control the programs that can be viewed on your TV. This way, you can make sure your family doesn't watch anything you don't want them to. Before you can turn Parental Control on, you must set up your Parental Control blocking preferences. You may block programs in five (5) different ways:

By Channel
By Content
By Rating
By Time
By Title

Which TWC Navigator™ block option is more inclusive?

No option is more inclusive than another. Rather, the blocking options are meant to be used in concert and as needed. You may use as many combinations of blocks as needed to control the programming reaching your home.

How do I determine if a channel, show, or time period is blocked?

Using the remote, go to the Navigator™ SETTINGS screen to check the status of blocked categories.

Turn on the PARENTAL CONTROLS.

Check that your choices are indeed designated as blocked. That is, they are highlighted and have a CLOSED LOCK next to the program title, the channel, the time slot, etc. Also, if you tune to a blocked channel, you will see a BLOCK SCREEN with instructions on how to disable all blocks, or how to disable blocks only while you watch the currently blocked program.
Make any changes needed.

Select SAVE/RETURN.

What will I see if a channel block is in effect?

As mentioned above, you will see a CLOSED LOCK next to a program title, channel, content, time slot, etc. on a highlighted background. If there is no CLOSED LOCK icon next to the channel, content, program title, time slot, etc., it is likely that the PARENTAL CONTROLS are turned off.

Is there a list of the Blocked Channels and Blocked Ratings I have selected in the Blocking Settings option?

There are no lists of blocked channels available at this time. This information is found in the GUIDE format only at this time. As mentioned above, you will be able to check upon the status of a program by entering PARENTAL CONTROLS section within the SETTINGS menu and checking for the CLOSED LOCK icon next to that which you wish to block or you may simply attempt to tune in to something you wish to check. If the program is blocked, a BLOCKED CHANNEL message will be displayed on the screen in place of the blocked channel or program.

Is my Purchase PIN the same as my Parental Control PIN? If I modify one does it change the other?

The Purchase PIN and the Parental Control PIN are separate.

The Purchase PIN is found under PURCHASES within the SETTINGS menu.
The Parental Control PIN is found under PARENTAL CONTROLS within the SETTINGS menu.

The default for both PINs is set by each local Time Warner Cable office (typically 0000). You will be prompted to create your own, personal PINs.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The thing that people always forget to do is after they set up their parental control blocking preferences, they forget to turn on the Parental Control Master Setting (indicated by a pad lock showing a closed position.)

Users need to set up their pin numbers for blocking or purchasing first. (They can be set to be the same or different.) Set up Purchase Pin or Blocking Pin under Parental Control Settings. First time users, would enter the Pin# OOOO when prompted. (You may have to reenter your PIN for confirmation) than make sure the enable function is selected and press the SAVE prompt.

Than you can block by any or all of the choices above. Not sure about this in Navigator, but in Passport, if you set up your blocking pin and turned on Parental Control and selected BLOCK BY TITLE. In Passport, this would block any R-rated or above titles that contain explicit language or sex from being shown in the guide.

IN PASSPORT, BLOCKING BY TITLE DOES NOT RESTRICT VIEWING. This may also be true in Sara or Navigator. Therefore, if you did not want your kinds to see any R-rated programs, you would also have to set up a Ratings Block, and in this example Select the R rating and confirm it. (Selecting any rating block automatically blocks that rating and anything higher above it.) R blocks, would also block NC-17, and TV-MA automatically.) Than make sure Parental Control is turned on.

You also need your pin number every time you turn Parental Control on or off. However, you are given the option in viewing a previously blocked program to:

1.) Disable blocking just for the show you want to watch OR

2.) Disable all blocking controls at once.

I hope this helps.

Jack