Abstract: A video recorder system adapted to receive subscription television services is of the type which controls access to the subscription services by means of a smart card. Where payment is due for each program received, the viewer is required to make a positive affirmation of purchase by pressing an affirmation button as the program is received. To enable reception in the absence of the viewer by use of the programmer in the recorder, the programmer is provided with means actuable by the viewer when a programmer is being set into the programmer. An indication of whether an affirmation of payment is associated with the program to be recorded is stored in the programmer, and when the program to be recorded is received, automatically authorises the descrambler control circuit, which charges the card and enables the descrambler as though the affirmation button had been pressed.

Abstract: A dual compatible computer has first and second program retrieval means, for example of two disc drives or a disc drive and a games cartridge reader (12, 14) each dedicated to a respective operating system. A shutter (16) is slidable to expose one or the other of the retrieval means. Movement of the shutter switches on the CPU which is dedicated to the exposed retrieval means.