hp media center pc updated hp media center pc information Filename: m3adepc.doc Title: Self Cover [complete version] Template: HP-Print2K.
The information in this document is subject to change without notice. ® Hewlett-Packard Company makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. HP shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.
Contents Updated HP Media Center PC Information ..........................................1 Setting PC Location for Television Program Guide ..... 2 Changing the Program Lineup in Media Center ........ 3 Setting Parental Controls ........................................ 3 Setting Closed Captioning ..................................... 4 Installing Speakers ................................................ 4 Connecting Altec Lansing Speakers ..................... 4 About Installing 5.1 Speakers...............
iv Updated HP Media Center PC Information Filename: m3adepc.doc Title: Self Cover [complete version] Template: HP-Print2K.
Updated HP Media Center PC Information This document contains updated information about your Media Center PC. Please review this information and keep it with your hardware and software guides.
Setting PC Location for Television Program Guide During the initial setup of the PC, you specify your PC country/region location. Media Center uses this information to select the country/region for the television program guide. Important: Make sure the PC has a connection to the Internet and that you have completed the Media Center Setup Wizard before you try to download your television program guide. The Media Center program lists United States as the PC location by default.
Changing the Program Lineup in Media Center Important: Make sure you are connected to the Internet before you try to download the Electronic Program Guide or before you change the settings of the Guide in Media Center. Setting Parental Controls If you set Media Center to block unrated channels, an error could occur. It is recommended that you make sure this option is not selected. To do this: 1 Click Start, and then click Media Center. 1 Click Start and then click Media Center.
Setting Closed Captioning If you set Media Center to display closed captions while in window mode (not full-screen mode), the window or the closed-caption text may flash as the text scrolls in the window. To fix this problem, change the display to full-screen mode or turn off the closed-captioning option. To turn off the closed-captioning option: 1 Click Start and then click Media Center. 2 Click Settings and then click Audio. 3 Click plus sign (+) to disable Caption display.
About Installing 5.1 Speakers Your PC may have a sound card with connectors on the back of the PC for analog and digital audio outputs (Line out -1, Line out -2, and Line out -3), a microphone, and an audio input (Line in). The example illustration below shows a sound card that includes a game port connector on the left. If your PC has a sound card with these connectors, perform the procedures in the next section.
To connect your multi-channel speaker system to the PC 1 Turn off the PC. 2 Connect the three audio cable plugs from the speaker system to the connectors on the back of the PC (see the table). Connect speaker channels (plugs) To PC back connector Front speakers Audio (Line) Out (lime-green) Rear speakers Audio (Line) In (blue) Center/subwoofer speakers Mic-1 (pink) 3 Turn on the PC. 4 Turn on your speaker system. 5 Configure the multi-channel audio output; refer to the next procedure.
To configure multi-channel audio output for PCs with Creative SoundBlaster Audigy 1 Click Start on the taskbar. 2 Choose All Programs. To configure multi-channel audio output for Media Center Note: You need to perform this procedure if you have Creative SoundBlaster Audigy sound manager or the Multi-channel Sound Manager. 3 Choose Creative, Sound Blaster Audigy, and then click Creative AudioHQ. 1 Click Start on the taskbar and then select Media Center. 4 Double-click the Speaker icon.
Understanding the 6-In-1 Memory Card Reader The 6-In-1 memory card reader can read from and write to six types of memory cards and to the ™ IBM Microdrive disk drive. Special note about the Safely Remove Hardware utility Warning: Do not click Stop in the Safely Remove Hardware window while the USB Mass Storage Device is selected. Doing so removes the operating system recognition of the 6-In-1 memory card reader from your PC. You must restart the PC to use your reader again.
Understanding the in-use light Recording with RecordNow The 6-In-1 memory card reader in-use light turns on when you insert media into a slot. The light blinks when the memory card reader reads from or writes to the media. Use RecordNow to record data and music files to CDs and DVDs. Warning: Do not insert or remove media when the in-use light is blinking. Doing so may cause data loss.
Recording with the CD Writing Wizard Use the Microsoft CD Writing Wizard to record data or music files to CDs only. The CD Writing Wizard cannot write data to DVDs. To copy data to a blank or appendable CD by using the CD Writing Wizard: 1 Copy your files to a writeable CD drive in My Computer by doing one of the following: ■ Dragging a file from a Windows Explorer window to the writeable CD drive icon. Or ■ Selecting Save As from within certain programs, and then saving the file to the drive.
Installing DLA Software Recording with DLA The DLA software is not preinstalled on your PC. Important: Format a blank CD or DVD before copying Important: Installing the DLA program disables the CD Writing Wizard program. DLA allows you to use your DVD Writer/ CD Writer drive as you would a diskette drive, by copying files to disc or by using a drag-anddrop method. To get and install the DLA program: 1 Go to the Web site: http://www.hp.
6 Click Start to format the disc. 7 Click Yes to the message that all files on the disc will be erased. 8 Click OK. When the disc formatting is complete, you can copy your files directly to the disc in My Computer by: ■ Dragging a file from a Windows Explorer window to your drive icon. Or ■ Selecting Save As from within some programs, and then saving the file to your drive. Or ■ Right-clicking a file, selecting Send To, and then selecting your drive.
Playing Video CD Slideshows Note: To copy a recorded TV show to DVD to view Slideshows that are recorded onto video CDs (VCDs) cannot be played in Windows Media Center. You can play them in the InterVideo WinDVD program. For information on playing recorded TV programs on other devices, go to the Web site: http://www.hp.com/go/mediacenterpc Windows Media Center can play your recorded DVDs and VCDs that don’t have slideshows.
You can safeguard your capability to play recorded TV programs by making a backup CD and using it as described in the procedures provided here. Make the backup CD now, before you need it, so that you can use the CD after you perform a system recovery, or replace the hard disk drive in your PC. If you do not have the backup CD after you perform a system recovery or replace the hard disk drive, you will not be able to play any previously recorded TV programs that are broadcaster-encrypted.
5 Click the Advanced Mode link near the middle of the window. 7 Click the Exclude Files tab. 6 At the top of the Backup Utility window, click Tools and select Options. 8 In the Files excluded for all users box, put your cursor over the vertical line between Filename and Application in the title bar, and then click and drag the line to the right to see the full entries. Updated HP Media Center PC Information Filename: m3adepc.doc Title: Self Cover [complete version] Template: HP-Print2K.
10 Click Remove. 11 Click Apply. 12 Click OK. The Options window closes. 13 In the Backup Utility window, click the Backup tab. 9 Scroll down the list to see and then click the entry: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\DRM\* 16 Updated HP Media Center PC Information Filename: m3adepc.doc Title: Self Cover [complete version] Template: HP-Print2K.
14 In the left box, click the plus sign (+) for HP Pavilion (C). The file tree expands. Click the plus sign (+) for Documents and Settings, click the plus sign (+) for All Users, and then click the DRM box so a check mark appears (as shown in the next figure). 15 Scroll down the list and click the System State box so a check mark appears (as shown in the next figure). Updated HP Media Center PC Information Filename: m3adepc.doc Title: Self Cover [complete version] Template: HP-Print2K.
16 At the bottom of the window, beneath Backup media or filename, click Browse. Because a diskette is too small to save the backup file on, you will need to save the file to the desktop portion of the hard disk drive before writing the file to CD. If the message Insert a disk into drive A appears, click Cancel. 17 The Save as window opens. In the Save in box, select Desktop from the drop-down list. In the Save as box, use the default name (Backup.bkf) or type in a file name with the extension .
8 On the RecordNow window, click Next. If a warning window opens, click OK. To use the code key backup CD after System Recovery 9 Wait while the program writes to the CD and the disc tray ejects. Important: After performing a system recovery procedure, use the CD you made to restore the backup code key files before using Media Center to record TV programs. 10 Remove the CD, label it, and store it in a safe place for use with the next procedure. Click Done.
2 Double-click the backup file (for example Backup.bkf). The Backup or Restore Wizard opens. 3 Click Next. 4 Choose Restore files and settings, and then click Next. 5 The What to restore window opens. Click Browse, and the browse window shows the A drive. Click Browse again, and the window shows Select file to catalog. Click the drop-down menu arrow and click the optical drive with the backup CD. Click the backup file name. Click Open and then click OK.
10 Select Replace existing files and then click Next. Click Next again. Click Finish. The Restore Progress window opens. Copying Recorded TV Programs to DVD 11 Wait until the process completes, and then click Close in the Restore Progress window. You can use Sonic MyDVD to copy your recorded TV shows to DVD (select models only) for viewing and playing in a home DVD player. 12 A Backup Utility message window opens. Click Yes to restart the PC. Wait until the restart completes.
Recording quality Minutes on one DVD (est.) To change the Recording Quality setting: Best 80 1 Click Start, and then click Media Center. Better 95 Good 110 2 Click Settings, TV/DVD, Recorder, and then click Defaults. Fair 190 The MyDVD program shows you the available DVD space. MyDVD displays a message you when you’ve selected too many shows (or the required space is too large) to go onto the DVD.
Switching Display Devices When you connect more than one display device (CRT monitor, flat panel monitor, TV, etc.) to the PC, you can quickly change where the PC desktop appears by pressing Alt+F5. Each time you press the Alt+F5 key combination, the PC display appears on the next device. ■ www.myhpclub.com is a special Web site for HP Pavilion home PC owners, including owners of Media Center PC.
Capturing Analog Home Video The TV tuner card of your PC allows you to play television programs in Media Center. The TV tuner card also allows you to connect a VCR, a camcorder, or another analog video device to the PC, and then capture your home video as a file. You cannot play a television program and capture analog video at the same time: Your PC will automatically restart or experience other problems. To connect the analog home video source and record Click My TV, Recorded TV, and then click Scheduled.
Important: If you use a composite video cable (RCA style), connect the cable to the S-video to composite video adapter, included in your PC box, and then connect the adapter to the S-VID IN (S-video) connector on the back of the PC. Also, plug audio cables (not provided) from your VCR into the right audio in (red) connector and the left audio in (white) connector on the back of the PC. 6 Press the On button on the front of the chassis to turn on the PC. 7 Turn on your analog home video source device.
10 In the ShowBiz capture window, click the Device drop-down list and select the source for video; choose based on your card type: ■ Emuzed EvcapMaui Device Or ■ 26 11 Select the same item from the Audio dropdown list; choose: ■ Or ■ Hauppauge WinTV PVR PCI II Updated HP Media Center PC Information Filename: m3adepc.doc Title: Self Cover [complete version] Template: HP-Print2K.
13 Click the Audio Input button and click a selection based on the cable connection you made in step 3: ■ Tuner In — for both S-video and coaxial cable ■ Line In — when you used the S-video to composite video adapter and connected audio cables to the audio in connectors 15 In the ShowBiz capture window, click the red-dot (record) button and type the file name for the video. To capture the video from the beginning, rewind your VCR or camcorder and begin play again.
17 When done capturing video, follow the steps in the next procedure to disconnect your device and return to the original signal source setup. To disconnect the analog home video source 1 Turn off your analog home video device. 2 On the PC desktop, close any open programs. 3 Click Start, click Turn Off Computer, and then click Turn Off. 4 Disconnect your analog home video source (VCR or camcorder) cable from the connectors on the back of the PC.
Using Application Recovery and System Recovery The PC uses the operating system and installed software programs during normal operation. If your PC works improperly or stops because of the software, you may be able to repair it. You need recovery discs (CDs or DVDs) for some repairs that use the HP Application Recovery program or the HP PC System Recovery program.
■ Turn Off Computer When you turn off the computer and then turn it on again, you force the PC to copy the operating system into its memory and to clear some tracking information. This may eliminate some problems that can remain after performing a Restart. ■ Driver Rollback This Microsoft Windows XP feature is part of the Windows Installer program used with the Add or Remove Programs utility in the Control Panel.
■ ■ Application and Driver Recovery If the problem with the PC seems to be with only one program or one driver, it may be that the application program or the driver program is damaged. You can reinstall individual factoryinstalled application programs and driver programs using the HP Application Recovery program (select models only). System Recovery Use the HP System Recovery program as a last resort to reinstall the software.
Creating Recovery CDs/DVDs 1 You can recover (bring back) the operating system and programs that were included on your hard disk drive just as they were when you bought the computer. Note: A hard drive is a disk inside the computer that stores the operating system, programs, and data. 2 You recover the operating system and programs directly from your hard disk drive, where a copy was placed for your convenience. We call this part of your hard drive the “recovery partition.
Updated HP Media Center PC Information Filename: m3adepc.doc Title: Self Cover [complete version] Template: HP-Print2K.
The recovery discs can be used only with the specified PC model. The discs are licensed for use only with your HP Pavilion home PC. The recovery discs can install the operating system and software on your PC hard disk drive if the software becomes corrupted or is accidentally erased. You can use this program to make only one set of recovery CDs or a DVD for your PC. The recovery discs you create can be used only on your PC.
To run HP PC Recovery CD-DVD Creator Using HP Recovery Tools CD 1 Close any open programs. To close programs, click X in the upper-right corner of each window. Your PC allows you to create (burn) a Recovery Tools CD. After you make the HP Recovery Tools CD, you can use it to: 2 Click Start on the taskbar. ■ Read instructions to use each utility on the Recovery Tools CD. ■ Start the System Recovery program from the recovery partition.
Warning: Before using the HP PC Recovery Tools CD to change your hard disk drive, make System Recovery discs for your PC by using the HP PC Recovery CD-DVD Creator program. You cannot make System Recovery CDs after your remove the System Recovery partition. To create or to start the HP PC Recovery Tools CD 1 Click Start on the taskbar. 2 Choose All Programs. 3 Choose Hewlett-Packard. 4 Choose hp pavilion pc tools. 5 Click hp pc recovery tools CD. Follow the onscreen instructions.
Application Recovery 5 Choose Hewlett-Packard. Note: Not all models include the Application 6 Choose hp pavilion pc tools. Recovery program. Perform steps 3 through 7 of the following procedure. If HP Application Recovery appears in the folder, your PC includes the program. If an individual factory-installed application or driver accidentally gets erased or damaged, you can reinstall the software using the HP Application Recovery program.
System Recovery When other methods of repairing your system software (like System Restore or Application Recovery) fail, you may want to use the HP System Recovery program as a last resort to reinstall the software. When necessary, you can reinstall the operating system and the application software that was originally installed on the PC at the factory by using the System Recovery program. Warning: The HP System Recovery program will delete any data or programs that you installed after purchase.
To start System Recovery if the PC is responding To start System Recovery if the PC is not responding 1 Turn off the PC. Disconnect all peripheral devices from the PC except the monitor, the keyboard, and the mouse. Turn on the PC. 1 Turn off the PC. If necessary, press and hold the On button until the PC turns off. 2 Click Start on the taskbar, choose All Programs, choose Hewlett-Packard, choose hp pavilion pc tools, and click hp pc system recovery.
System Recovery Using Recovery Discs Make your own recovery CDs or DVDs before you need them; recovery discs are not included with your PC. See “Creating Recovery CDs/DVDs.” Starting System Recovery using recovery discs The recovery discs provide two recovery options: ■ Standard Recovery: This option recovers factory-shipped programs, drivers, and the operating system without affecting any data files that you may have created since purchasing this PC.
To run the System Recovery program using recovery discs 1 If the PC works, back up all data files that you want to save onto removable media, such as CD-RW or diskette. Remove the backup CD or diskette you’ve made. 2 Press the Eject button on the top CD-ROM drive, and wait for the tray to open. Insert Recovery disc #1 and close the tray. 3 Turn off the PC: ■ 6 The PC starts the recovery; wait for the onscreen instructions to display, and then follow those instructions.
7 When the recovery program finishes, click Restart to restart the PC. 8 Before the PC restarts, the drive tray ejects. Remove the disc. 9 After the PC restarts, a series of startup screens appears. To proceed with the initial Microsoft Windows setup, you must answer a few questions. 10 Complete the registration process, and then reconnect all peripheral devices. 11 Reinstall software not originally installed on the PC by the factory.
Updated HP Media Center PC Information Filename: m3adepc.doc Title: Self Cover [complete version] Template: HP-Print2K.
Filename: m3adepc.doc Title: Self Cover [complete version] Template: HP-Print2K.
