Media Center User Guide
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Planning your Media Center setup 4 Getting ready to set up Media Center resources 6 Setting up Media Center hardware 8 Setting up optional computer connections 11 Turning on and setting up software 14 Learning about the remote control 17 Using Media Center 18 Media Center FAQs 22 Getting more information 25 Note: Your computer may vary from the following illustrations.
Planning your Media Center computer setup Locate connections You’ve probably already decided where you want to set up and use your Media Center computer, but before you start connecting computer components, take a few minutes to make sure that all of these connections are available in the location you’ve selected. Internet connection—Your computer needs an Internet connection to update the program guide and to access the Internet.
Identify Media Center computer components Remote sensor (Infrared “IR” receiver)— Receives and sends signals to and from the remote control. The sensor included with your Media Center may look different than this. Remove the computer components from the packaging and lay them out for easy access during the setup process. Remote Control—Lets you remotely control the Media Center Guide, TV, videos, DVDs, music, pictures, recorded TV programs, volume levels, and more.
Getting ready to set up Media Center resources Now that you’ve located an Internet connection and a video source and have identified the computer components, use the step-by-step instructions in this guide to help set up your Media Center computer and software. Also, use the other documents and information resources described here to help you set up and use the Media Center computer and software.
Windows Update Windows XP Media Center Edition Guide The Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition guide provides information about configuring the Media Center software, tips about using the Media Center, and troubleshooting information. Remember to keep the Windows operating system updated by installing updates as they become available. When an update is available, Windows will automatically prompt you to install them.
Setting up Media Center hardware Now that you’re familiar with the components, connect them to your Media Center computer. Set up the computer • Connect the remote sensor 1 Before setting up the Media Center hardware, make sure that you have: Connect the remote sensor to any USB port on your computer. If your remote sensor does not have the USB cable already attached to it, attach the USB cable to the USB port on the back of the sensor.
Connect the video and audio source Your Media Center computer has connectors for S-Video or coaxial (TV) cables. Select the connector that your video source supports: • S-Video—S-Video signals provide the sharpest picture. If you use S-Video, you also need to connect the audio using RCA stereo cables. The quality of the video coming into the Media Center computer determines the quality of the video output to the Media Center display device.
Connect the IR control cable If your Media Center configuration uses a set-top box for the video source to the Media Center computer, connect the infrared (IR) control cable to the remote sensor and attach the IR control to the set-top box IR sensor window. The IR control cable sends input from the remote sensor to your set-top box to change channels. 1 2 3 Remove the adhesive paper from the back of the IR control. 4 Place the sticky side of the IR control on the set-top box sensor window.
Setting up optional computer connections Connecting a TV You can use a TV as a display device. However, some older TVs provide a lower quality display than computer monitors or flat-panel TVs that are optimized for the Media Center. The Media Center computer provides display outputs from a VGA (monitor) port or an S-Video port.
1 Connect a VGA cable (not included) or S-Video cable (not included) to the VGA port or S-Video jack on the back of your computer. 2 Connect the other end of the cable to the VGA port or S-Video jack on the back of your TV. OR OR 3 12 Turn the TV on and select the TV In video source. For more information about selecting the TV In video source, see your TV’s documentation.
Connecting the computer to an existing home stereo or home theater Your Media Center computer includes audio jacks that support a 7.1 Surround Sound audio system. The sound system setup varies, depending on your sound system’s audio inputs. Use your computer and sound system’s setup posters and other documentation to connect your computer to the sound system. Analog audio jacks. See your computer and sound system’s documentation for connection instructions. Note: Your computer’s jacks may vary.
Turning on your system and setting up software After the computer components are connected, you’re ready to turn on the power and complete the Media Center set up. 1 14 Press the power button on the front of the monitor or TV, then press the power button on the front of the Media Center computer. Make sure that your sound system (optional) is turned on. 2 Follow the Windows setup screens.
e The Media Center setup wizard requires Internet access to complete the Media Center software configuration. Before starting the Media Center setup wizard in step 4, make sure that your Internet connection is set up. Contact your Internet service provider for more information about setting up your Internet connection. Before starting the Media Center setup wizard, check for Windows Updates to make sure that Media Center has the most recent software releases and security updates installed.
Configuring your speakers After you have connected your sound system and set up Media Center, select speaker setup options on your computer. 16 1 2 Turn on your Media Center computer. 3 Click the Volume tab, then click the Advanced button in the Speaker Settings section. The Advanced Audio Properties dialog box opens. 4 Click the Speakers tab, click the arrow button to open the Speaker setup list, then click the speaker setup that most closely matches your sound system type.
Learning about the remote control The Media Center remote control lets you take full control of your Media Center experience. You can quickly start the Media Center by pressing the Start button. (The remote control included Shortcut buttons with your Media Center may give you direct access to look different.) Media Center features. Media Center Start button starts the Media Center software. Power control button puts the Media Center computer in Standby mode (reduced power).
Using Media Center Use the Media Center remote control to watch TV, videos, and DVDs, to listen to music, and to view pictures. Use the Media Center Guide to view TV program schedules, search for programs by genre, set up program recordings, and more. 1 2 Use the remote control navigation buttons to select a Media Center menu option, then press OK. Press the Start button on the remote control. The Media Center software starts.
Manually updating the Media Center Program Guide When you use the Media Center setup wizard, the Media Center Program Guide is set up to download program information from your cable or satellite service provider. However, on occasion, you may need to update the Program Guide manually to refresh the program listings. 1 Before starting the Media Center, make sure that you are connected to the Internet. The Media Center requires Internet access to update the Media Center Program Guide.
Burning recorded video to a DVD with Nero Express After you have recorded a program, you may want to save the program to a DVD for viewing on another computer that has a DVD player. You can use Nero Express to copy the recorded program to a DVD. TV programs that have been recorded with Media Center can be recorded to DVD using Nero Express, then replayed on another Media Center computer or on a non-Media Center computer that has a DVD player and DVD decoder software (such as WinDVD) installed.
Burning recorded video to a DVD with Media Center If you save a recorded program to a DVD using Media Center, you can play the DVD on your home DVD player or on another computer that has a DVD drive. 4 Click Create CD/DVD. 5 Click Video DVD, then click OK. 6 Follow the on-screen prompts to finish burning the DVD. For more information, click the Media Center’s Help icon.
Media Center FAQs Following are Media Center Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). To view other Media Center FAQs that are not covered in this section, go to the Gateway support Web Site at support.gateway.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/faqs/.
• Screen resolution—By default, if your display device was purchased with the Media Center computer, the computer uses a screen resolution of 1024 × 768 for computer monitors and 800 × 600 for the Gateway 42-inch Plasma TV. Many TVs cannot display this high of a resolution and may shift, scramble, or scroll the picture. For a better picture on a TV display, you may need to lower the Media Center screen resolution to 800 × 600 or 640 × 480.
Q: What display settings can I change to get better TV or DVD image quality? Q: Why do I get this “Download Error” message when the Media Center tries to update the Program Guide? A: Adjust the display device brightness, contrast, hue, and saturation. For more information review the FAQ topic at: support.gateway.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/faqs/ Q: Can I burn programs that were recorded with my Media Center computer to a DVD? A: Yes. The Media Center saves recorded programs in the .DVR-MS format.
Getting more information The Media Center is easy to use when you follow the on-screen menus. However, if you need additional help or information about using the Media Center features, help is available at your fingertips. 1 In the Media Center window, move the mouse to activate the Media Center tool bar. The tool bar appears at the top of the window. 2 Click the Help icon to view or search for information in the Media Center online help.
Using Help and Support Your Media Center computer also includes Help and Support, an easily accessible collection of help information, troubleshooters, and automated support. Use Help and Support to answer questions about Windows and to help you quickly discover and use the many features of your Gateway Media Center computer. 1 26 To start Help and Support, click Start, then click Help and Support. Help and Support opens. 2 Click a topic link.
Contacting Gateway For Gateway contact information, see your computer’s User Guide or the system label. Note: Your computer may vary from the illustration. Onlin Tech e supp Supp ort: ort Phon Supp Tech ort Hou e: rs: (U.S. (Can) ada) 900439 4 Online support: Tech Support Phone: (U.S.
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