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It just occurred to me, maybe the DU controller does not even output video, maybe the TV just displays the video from the VCR!
I did some research on the Addressable Interface/Smart Port/Data Communication Module (DCM) interface. It turns out that it was supported by Philips/Magnavox, but only for two purposes:
1. You can connect a device called a SmartLoader (Clon99-BK) to the port. Its purpose is to clone custom setup settings (channel configuration, volume and function restrictions, etc.) from one TV to another. This way, a hotel or other institution could set up one TV, then clone its settings to other TVs. The SmartLoader uses the TV's character generator and remote sensor. You use the TV remote to select functions which then appear on screen.
2. You can connect the TV to a pay-per-view interface like a LodgeNet box. The box then gets access to the TV's remote sensor and character generator, and the box can control TV functions like power, volume and channel settings. The box needs a separate connection for audio/video (either an RF connection or some form of video connection).
So maybe the DU controller just superimposes text on the video which is supplied by the VCR (its channel 3 output being connected directly to the TV's input). The closed caption decoder on the DU controller could be used to sync the on-screen text with the video contents. Or, maybe the DU controller is just used to control the TV and VCR instead of a remote.
Next I need to come up with a cable and connect the DU controller to the TV, and see what happens....
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