Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Reference Guide
Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Reference Guide The information in this document is subject to change without notice.
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Table of Contents Welcome ...................................................... 1 Experience the Fun of Media Center ....................................... 1 Using Media Center Features................................................. 2 Using Media Center ...................................... 3 Setting Up Media Center....................................................... 3 Getting the Most out of Media Center ..................................... 4 Media Center Start Menu ..............................
Playing CDs and DVDs ............................. 105 Using an HP Personal Media Drive ............139 Playing Music CDs with iTunes ...........................................105 Playing DVD Movies with InterVideo WinDVD......................107 Playing Video CDs (VCD) with InterVideo WinDVD...............108 Setting Up the HP Personal Media Drive to Work with Media Center .......................................... 139 Locating the Drive After Installation.....................................
Welcome Experience the Fun of Media Center Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 lets you do amazing things with your HP Media Center PC. With a full range of easy-touse digital entertainment features, experience movies, music, and photos like never before. Media Center is simple and easy to use. You can easily find and choose your media. You can play movies, listen to music, view photos, and watch TV with a single remote control.
Using Media Center Features You can control the Media Center functions and navigate Media Center windows by using the remote control, the keyboard, or the mouse. You can easily switch back and forth between them by moving the mouse, or by pressing a button on the remote control or the keyboard. You can run Media Center side-by-side with other Windows software programs. It is possible to browse through your pictures, watch videos, play music, and even record TV while using other Windows programs.
Using Media Center Setting Up Media Center The first time you open Media Center, a setup wizard opens. It is best to complete each step in the Media Center setup wizard to be able to use all the features in Media Center. The Media Center setup wizard may take approximately 10 to 40 minutes to complete. Completing the setup wizard steps Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, and the Media Center setup wizard opens. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the wizard.
Getting the Most out of Media Center To maximize effective use of Media Center and to ensure access to all of its features, complete the following list before getting started. Refer to the setup poster and the Getting Started Guide that came with your HP Media Center PC. Before opening Media Center, make sure: ■ The PC is set up correctly. ■ The remote control has two AA alkaline batteries installed.
Media Center Start Menu C D E FG H A n Some of the features listed are for select models only.
Other menus not shown: ■ HP Image Zone — View digital pictures, play a slide show, and print photos ■ HP Tunes — Play music from your iTunes music Library or from music CDs ■ Play DVD — Watch DVD movies ■ Settings — Change Media Center program settings Using Online Spotlight n Some features listed for Online Spotlight may not be available for all countries/ regions. Online Spotlight is a link to the Media Center Web site for the latest Media Center information and for media offers and services.
Navigating Media Center In the Media Center windows, a selected item such as a folder, file, or menu item is outlined with a green border. You can control the Media Center functions and navigate Media Center windows by using the remote control, the keyboard, or a mouse. To select items in Media Center by using the remote control, use the arrow buttons on the remote control, and then use the OK button to enter your selection.
Synchronizing Media to a Portable Media Device Sync to Device in More Programs allows you to automatically transfer your music, picture, video, and recorded TV files from the PC to a portable device such as a portable Media Center device, a SmartPhone, a pocket PC, or a mass storage device. Select Help in Media Center for more information. 1 2 3 4 Connect your portable media device to the PC. 5 Select Yes when the message appears asking if you want to sync content to the device.
Using Media Center Help When you select the Help icon in Media Center, the Help Center window opens. From here you can access local help files located on your PC as well as help files found on the Internet. ■ Hardware: Find support information about your Media Center PC hardware. The help categories are: ■ Help: Find help on using Media Center from files located on your PC. ■ Community: Visit Media Center forums and get help online.
Media Center menu bars and PC control menu n You can use the Minimize and Resize buttons to switch to the desktop or to run Media Center side-byside with another program. When you move the mouse, the Media Center menu bars appear. When you use the remote control, or when you stop using the mouse (after 5 seconds), the menu bars disappear. Icon To access the PC control menu from Media Center menu, move the mouse to display the menu bars. Select the Turn Off icon on the main Media Center window.
Logging in to your messenger account 1 2 3 4 First, you must go to http://www.msn.com to set up your messenger account. You will need a .NET Passport to log in to messenger. A .NET Passport is an e-mail address, a login name, and a password. Make sure you verify the account with MSN before you try to log in from Media Center. 5 Enter your .NET Passport information, and then select Sign In. Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control to open Media Center.
Media Center settings categories ■ n Some settings, such as parental control and caption display settings for TV and DVDs, are included with select models only. Not all channels support closed captioning. TV to set up TV signal, audio, and closed captioning. You can download or edit the TV Guide, view or clear recording history, set hard disk drive recorder storage space, configure your display, and set recording defaults. ■ Pictures to set slide-show settings.
Using the Remote Control You can use your remote control with Media Center to play CDs and DVDs, to view pictures, and to watch and record television programs. This remote control helps you navigate the Media Center windows on your computer just as a TV remote control helps you navigate cable TV options or control the playback of a movie in a VCR or DVD player. The remote control can: ■ Navigate and control all Media Center windows. ■ Control the video or live TV display.
Remote Control Buttons Overview Features and location may vary w If you turn off (shut down) your PC, Media Center will not record a scheduled TV program. The PC must be turned on or in standby mode to record TV programs. A Standby puts the PC into and out of a power-reduced state. B DVD Menu opens the Play DVD window or opens the main menu of a DVD movie, if available.
Q TV opens the My TV window. R Pictures opens the My Pictures window. S Videos opens the My Videos window. T Play plays the selected media. U Stop stops the media currently playing. V Fwd (Fast-forward) moves media forward at three speeds. W Skip moves media forward — for example, 30 seconds in videos and live TV or one music track. X More (i) displays available information about a selected media file and displays other menus.
Begin using your remote control 1 2 3 Point the remote control at the remote sensor. The remote sensor should be located near your monitor or in a convenient place. Make sure there is nothing blocking the pathway between your remote control and the remote sensor. To start Media Center and to open the Media Center Start menu, press the Start button . If this is your first time using the remote control, the Media Center setup wizard opens.
Remote Control Buttons Shortcut buttons (Select models only) You can use the remote control shortcut buttons to open specific windows in Media Center. The direct access buttons open the main Media Center windows. Button Function DVD Menu Opens the Play DVD main menu, where you can play your DVD movies. TV Opens the My TV window, where you can watch and record TV, open your Television Guide, schedule future TV recordings, and find your recorded TV programs.
Standby button n Make sure you turn off the monitor and turn down or mute the volume, for example, if you have a scheduled recording in the middle of the night and do not want to be disturbed. The PC will not automatically go into standby mode if Media Center is open. It is best to close Media Center before you manually place the PC in standby mode.
Media playback buttons These buttons allow you to play back picture slide shows, music files, playlists, music CDs, DVD movies, home videos, and live TV from within the Media Center program. Button Function Record Records TV programs. The Record button works only when My TV is used to play a TV show. It is inactive when other media is playing. ■ Press Record once to record a TV show while watching live TV or while in the TV Guide. ■ Press Record twice to record a TV series while in the TV Guide.
20 Button Function Fwd Moves selected video media forward. Press Fwd up to three times to increase the fast-forwarding speed. ■ Moves MP3 music files forward ■ Moves a video forward ■ Moves the TV Guide forward 3 hours Replay Moves selected video media backward. To move backward in live TV by 7 seconds, press Replay. You can repeatedly rewind with the instant replay option, but only to the beginning of the pause buffer or recorded program. Allows you to go back 12 hours in the Guide.
Navigation and other buttons These buttons allow you to play picture slide shows, music files, playlists, music CDs, DVD movies, home videos, and live TV from within the Media Center program. Button Function Back Returns to the previous window. More Information (i) Displays available information about a selected media file and displays other menus. Some media may not include this information. This button displays details such as TV program summary or music artist.
Alphanumeric Keypad and Print buttons The alphanumeric keypad buttons allow you to enter text, change channels, and print your pictures. 22 Button Function Numeric keypad (1-9, #, and *) Changes channels and enters text. Each time you press a number key, a different character appears. When you find the character you want, press the Enter button or wait a few seconds. Clear Deletes the last character entered. Clear works the same way as a Backspace key on a keyboard.
Watching and Recording TV Programs Watch live TV or record your favorite shows for later playback. Use the Television Guide to find the show you want to watch or record.You can also record a show while watching another prerecorded show. Navigating My TV From the My TV window you can search for and play your favorite TV shows. Use the following menu items to help you locate what you want to do: Live TV: Watch, pause, fast-forward, or rewind your favorite TV shows.
Watching TV Before you can watch TV by using Media Center, make sure: n You can change the channel by using the remote control while in full-screen mode or when the inset window is selected. ■ The computer is set up correctly for your TV signal source. Refer to the setup poster and the HP Media Center Getting Started Guide for more information. ■ You have completed the Media Center setup wizard. If you have not completed the setup wizard, refer to “Completing the setup wizard steps” on page 3.
Controlling TV playback The personal video recorder functionality lets you record single shows or capture entire series for later viewing. When you open the My TV window and begin watching live TV, Media Center begins recording the selected program in the background for up to 30 minutes. When you pause a live TV program while watching in full-screen mode, the time-shifting window appears. You can return to the live broadcast by pressing the Live TV button on the remote control.
Using the remote control in My TV Button Action To freeze the live TV image, press Pause. While paused, My TV continues to record a pause buffer for up to 30 minutes. To resume watching TV where you left off, press Play. To stop live TV or a recorded program, press Stop once. To resume watching the program, press Play. To move forward in the live TV program that has been paused, or in a recorded program, press Fast-Forward (Fwd). To speed up the fast-forwarding, press Fwd two or three times.
Using the Television Guide In the Television Guide, you can scroll through a list of the current and upcoming television programs and channels available from your television service provider. The Guide displays the channel and network, as well as the program title, scheduled time block, and a brief description of the program. The number of days displayed depends on your television service provider; most providers display up to 14 days.
Press the More Information button on the remote control to access another menu for more options of searching the Guide. i n No data available appears next to each channel if the Guide has not been downloaded. This can occur if the PC does not have an Internet connection or if there is no service available in your country/region. Setting up how Media Center downloads the Guide You must select a TV listings provider before you can use and download the Guide.
Manually downloading the Guide 1 2 3 Press the Media Center Start button the remote control. on Select Settings, TV, Guide, and then select Get Latest Guide Listings. Follow the onscreen instructions. The Guide can take up to 30 minutes to download, depending on the amount of data to download and the speed of your Internet connection. Changing a postal code to receive the correct Television Guide 1 2 3 Press the Media Center Start button the remote control.
Removing channels from the Guide You may want to remove some channels from your Guide to prevent users from having access to them. 1 2 ■ ■ n Using Categories to search can help you find, for example, all football games. A title or keyword search displays every program that has “football” in the title or description. The TV search results do not include previously recorded TV programs. Press the Media Center Start button the remote control.
Searching for TV programs using categories You can search the Guide to find a TV program by selecting a category using your remote control. Some categories are not available in all countries/ regions. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, select My TV, and then select Search. Select Categories. Select a category of program types, such as Movies. Select an option such as Genres or Top Rated. Select a sorting option, such as By movie title.
Recording TV Programs w If you turn off (shut down) your PC, Media Center will not record a scheduled program. The PC must be turned on or in standby mode to record a TV program. The PC will not automatically go into standby mode if Media Center is open. Make sure you turn off the monitor and turn down or mute the volume if, for example, you have a scheduled recording in the middle of the night and do not want to be disturbed.
Recording manually Recording a program manually allows you to select a specific date, channel, and recording time period. For some programs, you may want to begin recording before the scheduled beginning and after the scheduled ending of the program. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, select My TV, Recorded TV, and then select Add Recording. ■ Recorded TV programs that have been copied to a DVD can be played on your PC and on some DVD players.
Recording TV from Search You can find a program to record based on a keyword such as an actor or director name, program title, or a category (select models only). To record a current or future program or series using Search: 1 2 3 4 5 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, select My TV, and then select Search. Select Title, Keyword, or Categories. For Title and Keyword searches, enter your descriptive search words.
The Record icon in the taskbar If a program is currently being recorded, the Record icon also appears in the taskbar. If you move your mouse over the icon, Media Center displays which program is currently being recorded. You can rightclick the icon to open Media Center and stop recording. Recording TV tips ■ ■ If your PC has one TV tuner and you are watching live TV during a scheduled recording time, you can watch only the program being recorded. If you change channels, recording stops.
Recording quality and hard disk drive storage space n Refer to Media Center Help for more information about recording errors, advanced recording features, and My TV settings. The space available for recording TV programs depends on your hard disk drive size, the percentage of hard disk drive space allocated to recorded TV, and the recording quality setting. To get the maximum recording time, change the recording quality to Fair instead of the default setting of Best.
Playing Recorded TV Programs Recorded TV is the storage place for all your recorded programs. In the Recorded TV window, you can sort your programs by name, date, or category. You can also delete a recorded program or series of programs and check for any recording errors. 1 2 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, select My TV, and then select Recorded TV. To organize all of your previously recorded programs, select Sort by Date or Sort by Title.
Playing a recorded program on a non-Media Center PC 1 Make sure the PC has Windows XP Service Pack 1 and a DVD player software installed. 2 a Click Start and then click My Computer. b Click Help and then click About Windows. 3 c In the About Windows dialog box, if you see Service Pack 1 in the version information, go to step 2. If not, you must install Windows XP Service Pack 1. For more information go to: http://www.microsoft.
About Recording Errors A recording error means that a program scheduled to record is not recorded. This can occur for several reasons. If your PC is turned off and not in standby mode during the time the program is scheduled to record, or if there is a recording conflict with another scheduled program, a recording error occurs. If you are watching live TV when the program is scheduled to record and decline the prompt to change channels, a recording error occurs.
Resolving Recording Conflicts Media Center can record only one TV program at a time. If your PC model includes one TV tuner and you schedule two recordings for the same time, a message appears telling you to resolve the conflict. If you do not resolve the conflict, Media Center automatically makes the selection just before the program begins recording. Before the program records, a conflict icon (a red circle with an exclamation point) is listed next to the program in the Guide.
Deleting TV Programs Deleting a scheduled program or series To prevent recording conflicts, you may need to delete a program or series that is scheduled to be recorded. 1 2 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, select My TV, Recorded TV, and then select Scheduled. 3 Use the arrow buttons to select the program title you do not want to record, and press OK. To remove a single program, select Do not record in the window, and press OK on the remote control.
Setting Parental Controls Blocking unwanted TV programs and movies (Select models only) If you set Media Center to block unrated channels, an error can occur. It is recommended that you make sure this option is not selected. To do this: 1 n Parental control and caption display settings for TV and DVDs are included with select models only. 2 3 4 Press the Media Center Start button the remote control. on Select Settings, General, and then select Parental Controls. Enter your four-digit code number.
Setting Caption Display (Select models only) If you set Media Center to display captions while in window mode (not full-screen mode), the window or the 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 caption display option. To turn off the caption display option: 1 2 Press the Media Center Start button the remote control. on 3 Select Settings, TV, and then select Audio.
About Teletext Teletext is additional information that is broadcast within a TV signal in some countries/regions. You can navigate the Teletext main page and subpages to find information such as the weather, sports scores, or community events. You can turn on subtitles in a specific language for a program you are watching. When a TV show is recorded, the Teletext subtitles are stored with the recording so you can view the subtitles when you play the recording later.
Preparing the code key files 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 After you set up your PC and turn it on, complete the initial Microsoft Windows setup. Open Media Center and complete its setup. Record at least one TV program. Close Media Center. Open the Microsoft Backup utility: Click Start on the taskbar, choose All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and then click Backup. The Backup or Restore Wizard opens. n The code key files and backup CD you make can be used in your PC only.
8 9 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 list of entries. Scroll down the list to see and then click the entry: C:\Documents and Settings\ All Users\DRM\* 10 Click Remove, click Apply, and then click OK. The Options window closes. 11 In the Backup Utility window, click the Backup tab. 12 In the left box, click the plus sign (+) for Local Disk (C:).
Making the backup CD 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Click Start on the taskbar, choose All Programs, RecordNow!, and then click RecordNow! again. The RecordNow! window opens. Insert a blank CD. Select the Data Projects tab, and then click Data Disc. Click Continue. Click Add Files and Folders. The Select files and folders to add window opens. 8 9 In the RecordNow! window, click the red Burn icon. If a warning window opens, click OK. Wait while the program writes to the CD and the disc tray ejects.
13 A warning message window opens. Click OK in the Warning window. 14 Select Replace existing files and then click Next. Click Next again. Click Finish. The Restore Progress window opens. 15 Wait until the process completes, and then 16 A Backup Utility message window opens. Click Yes to restart the PC. Wait until the restart completes. Open Media Center and complete the setup. You can now play previously recorded TV programs that are broadcaster encrypted. click Close in the Restore Progress window.
Watching live TV and recording a different channel at the same time (Select models only) 1 2 3 Press the Media Center Start button the remote control. 4 on 5 Select My TV, and then select Guide. Select a second show to watch, and then press the OK button to begin watching it. Follow any onscreen instructions. Use the arrow buttons to select a show to record, and then press the Record button on the remote control.
Adjusting TV recording and storage settings 1 2 n 3 The storage space for your PC may differ from the amount listed here. Press the Media Center Start button the remote control. on Select Settings, TV, and then select Recorder. Select Recorder Storage to change your Disk allocation and Recording quality settings. Increase the percentage of hard disk drive space available for recorded TV programs in Default Settings. Or Select Recording Defaults to change your recording storage settings.
Using the Disk Cleanup utility 1 2 Click Start on the taskbar. Choose All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and then Disk Cleanup. 3 4 5 Select the drive you want to clean up, and then click OK. Select the type of files you want to delete. Click OK. Adjusting System Restore settings 1 2 3 4 Click Start on the taskbar. Right-click My Computer. Click Properties. Select the System Restore tab. 5 6 7 Select a drive, and then click the Settings button.
Content Protection Update Media Center will protect content based on all widely known flags delivered in NTSC, PAL, DVD, and other formats. All protected programs are encrypted to the PC via time-limited Digital Rights Management (DRM) based licenses. Some DVD movies and other programs that are broadcast are copy-protected. A Copy Never message may be displayed if the content cannot be recorded or archived to disc.
Playing Music Files The HP Tunes and My Music areas in Media Center are great ways to play, organize, and back up your music files. HP Tunes is designed to work with the Apple iTunes program in your All Programs menu, and My Music is designed to work with the Windows Media Player program. HP Tunes With HP Tunes, you can play your favorite music you have added to your iTunes music Library. For more information about using HP Tunes, see “Using HP Tunes with Media Center” on page 54.
Using HP Tunes with Media Center n For more information on using the iTunes program, refer to the HP Support Web site at: http://www.hp.com/ support iTunes is an Apple-developed software program located in your All Programs menu that works together with the HP Tunes area in Media Center. HP Tunes is linked to your Apple iTunes music Library. Both programs work together to organize and play back your favorite music files, CDs, and created playlists.
Adding music files from the Internet For more information about downloading music from the iTunes Music store, refer to the Help menu in the iTunes program. 1 2 3 Connect to the Internet. 4 To change your import format: Follow the online instructions to download your songs. If songs are downloaded from the iTunes Music Store, they appear in your iTunes music Library. a Click the Edit menu, and then select If songs are downloaded to your desktop, drag them into the iTunes music Library.
Changing song name, genre, artist, or album in iTunes For more information about changing name, genre, artist, or album information with iTunes, refer to the Help menu in the iTunes program. Playing CDs with HP Tunes n For more information about music file compatibility with iTunes, go to the iTunes Help menu. When you insert a CD that has not been added to your iTunes music Library, it will be listed under Playlists or Albums.
Creating and Editing a New Playlist with HP Tunes A queue (or Now Playing) list is a temporary list of songs that are scheduled to be played in the order they were selected. A queue list acts like a group of songs you select to play on a jukebox. You can continue to add songs, or you can delete songs from your queue list. You also have the option of saving your queue list as a playlist. 1 2 3 4 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, and then select HP Tunes. n 5 Select Songs.
Using My Music with Media Center You can copy digital music files and organize a music library by using My Music in Media Center or by using the Windows Media Player program. Music files that are added from within My Music in Media Center are copied into the Windows Media Player Library and are then accessible from within Media Center.
Adding Music to My Music Library When you add music files to your My Music library, they are placed into the music library in Windows Media Player. The added music files can immediately be found and played back by using My Music in Media Center. You can also add music files to your music library from within the Windows Media Player program. For more information about adding and deleting music files to the library, use the Windows Media Player Help menu.
Adding music files from a CD To add the CD tracks to your Media Center music library: n Each time you add music files outside of Windows Media Player, you must use the Tools menu to add music files to your Windows Media Player Library for Media Center to find them. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Press the Media Center Start button the remote control, and then select My Music. on Insert a CD into the CD drive. Select Albums. Select the Album CD you want to add to your music library. Select Copy CD.
Using supported music file types You can play the following types of digital audio files in My Music. Refer to Windows Media Player Help for more information about supported file types. Playing Music Files in My Music File extension File type .cda CD audio .wav Windows audio file .mp3, .m3u MP3 .asx, .wm, .wma, .wmv, .wmp, .wmx Windows Media audio files n For more information about music file formats, use Windows Media Player Help and Media Center Help.
Playing an album in My Music 1 2 3 4 5 6 Press the Media Center Start button the remote control. on Select My Music. Insert a music CD into the CD drive. Select Albums. Select the album you want to play. Select Play. Playing a song in My Music n You can select Visualize in the Now Playing window to see a visualization while you play a music track. You can play a song from anywhere in My Music. You can select it from the View Song list, or from the Album, Artist, and Genre lists.
Creating a Queue List in My Music A queue list is a temporary list of songs that is created in My Music as you select songs, albums, or playlists to play. You can continue to add songs or you can delete songs from your queue list. You can create a queue list and save it as a playlist that you can access in Media Center. 1 From the My Music window: ■ Select Songs, use the arrow keys to select a song you want, and then select Add to Queue.
Creating a Playlist in My Music A playlist is a customized list of songs you can keep to play later or record to CD. Using playlists, you can group various digital music files together and determine the order in which you want the files to play. You can create a playlist that includes several tracks from various CDs or even a playlist that contains background music for a slide show. You can create playlists in Windows Media Player or from within Media Center.
Copying Music Files to CD in My Music To copy your music files to CD: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Press the Media Center Start button the remote control, and select More Programs. on Insert a blank CD-R disc. Select Create CD/DVD. Use the arrow buttons on the remote control to select the Untitled text box. Use the numeric keypad buttons on the remote control to enter a name for your CD, and then select OK.
Deleting music files from the My Music library To delete your music files: 1 2 Press the Media Center Start button the remote control, and then select My Music. on Select Songs. 3 4 5 Use the arrow buttons on your remote control to scroll through your songs. Select song you want to delete and then press OK on the remote control. Select Delete. Select Yes. Editing song and album information 1 2 3 Press the Media Center Start button the remote control, and then select My Music.
Working with Pictures Use the HP Image Zone Plus and My Pictures areas in Media Center to view and print your pictures. HP Image Zone Plus HP Image Zone Plus is a a software program located in your All Programs menu that works together with the HP Image Zone Plus area in Media Center. Both programs work together to organize, search for, and display your digital images. It is designed to organize your photos, scanned images, and video clips by date, keyword, or place.
Using HP Image Zone Plus in Media Center n For specific details on using the HP Image Zone Plus program, click the Help link in the control area of the program window. Some tasks you must do in the HP Image Zone Plus program on your desktop with your mouse and keyboard, and some tasks you can do from within Media Center with your remote control.
3 4 You can edit your images from this window too. See “Editing Pictures in HP Image Zone Plus” on page 74. When you have finished organizing your images, open Media Center to view, play a slide show, and search for your photos by the labels you have established. See “Searching for pictures in HP Image Zone Plus” on page 72.
Creating your picture catalog in HP Image Zone Plus n You can click Go to My Pictures at the top of the HP Image Zone Plus window to open the My Pictures folder in Windows Explorer. The first time you open the HP Image Zone Plus program, a message appears asking you if you want to create a catalog by indexing images in the My Pictures folder and its subfolders. This catalog allows you to search for your pictures by date, keyword, or place by using HP Image Zone Plus.
Creating albums You can organize your pictures into albums by using the HP Image Zone Plus program. After you create your picture albums in HP Image Zone Plus, you can then view them in Media Center. n To create an album: 1 2 3 Using your mouse, double-click the HP Image Zone Plus icon on the desktop. Click the My Images tab. Select the pictures that you want to place into an album. 4 5 6 Click Albums under View/Search. Click Albums, and then select New Album.
Assigning a place to your pictures n There are multiple ways to move around the HP Image Zone Plus map: you can click and drag or point and click the small globe. 1 2 3 4 Using your mouse, double-click the HP Image Zone Plus icon on the desktop. 5 Click the My Images tab, and then click the All by Place under View/Search. Select your picture by clicking it. You can select more than one picture, if desired. Click Assign, and then click Assign again. 6 7 Click the map to find your location.
Viewing Pictures in HP Image Zone Plus Viewing a slide show in HP Image Zone Plus When viewing images, you can view a slide show of all your images, individual albums, or pictures selected from a search. 1 2 3 Press the Media Center Start button the remote control. on Select HP Image Zone. 4 5 Select the pictures you want to view as a slide show, and then press OK. If you do not select the pictures you want to view as a slide show, Media Center displays all pictures.
Changing view and slide-show options You can change the way pictures are displayed: 1 2 3 Press the Media Center Start button the remote control. 4 on Select HP Image Zone. 5 Select Settings. Select your settings. Use the scroll arrows at the bottom of the window to view all the setting options. Select OK. Editing Pictures in HP Image Zone Plus You can make changes to your pictures and video clips in HP Image Zone Plus.
Using supported picture file types with HP Image Zone Plus HP Image Zone Plus supports the following types of image files, video files, and audio files. File extension .jpg, .jpeg ■ Only supported image file types are displayed in My Pictures. Unsupported files are skipped in a slide show. ■ Corrupted and unsupported image file types display a generic image icon but cannot be displayed in Media Center. File type Joint Photographic Experts Group ■ .tif, .tiff Tagged Image File Format .
Using My Pictures in Media Center My Pictures is a folder on your hard disk drive in the My Documents folder, and it is a Media Center menu item that allows you to view and search for your digital images by using the remote control or the keyboard and mouse. It provides all the tools you need for viewing, organizing, editing, printing, sharing, and protecting your digital images.
Organizing Pictures in My Pictures For Media Center to find and display your pictures, they can be stored in several places: ■ The My Pictures folder on your computer. ■ The Shared Pictures folder on your computer, which allows you to share your pictures with others. ■ When you save pictures from your digital camera or scanner to your computer, Windows automatically stores them in the My Pictures folder in Windows Explorer unless you manually store them in another place.
Viewing Pictures in My Pictures n From the My Pictures menu, you can select Settings to: ■ Select a slide transition, slide time delay, and a background color. ■ Include picture folders you have created. After you organize your pictures in the My Pictures folder in Windows Explorer, open Media Center to view your pictures: 1 2 3 ■ Show captions. ■ Display your pictures randomly. 4 ■ Show song information during slide show. 5 Press the Media Center Start button the remote control.
Viewing a slide show with music in My Pictures 1 2 3 Select My Music on the Media Center Start menu. Select the music you want, and then press OK on the remote control. If the music does not start automatically, press the Play button on the remote control. 4 5 6 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control to go back to the Media Center Start menu. Select My Pictures. Select the folder of pictures, and then press OK. Select Play Slide Show, and then press OK.
Changing picture settings Each user can set his or her own picture settings. n Use the scroll arrows at the bottom of the picture settings window to view all of the options. 1 2 3 4 5 Press the Media Center Start button the remote control. on Select Settings. You may need to select the scroll arrows on the Start menu to view Settings. Select Pictures. Select an option. Press OK on the remote control to select a specific setting. When you have selected all of your picture settings, select Save.
Using supported picture file types in My Pictures You can view the following types of image files in Media Center. File extension ■ Only supported image file types are displayed in My Pictures. Unsupported files are skipped in a slide show. ■ Folder icons appear even if the images inside them cannot be displayed. File type .jpg, .jpeg Joint Photographic Experts Group .tif, .tiff Tagged Image File Format .gif Graphics Interchange Format .bmp Bitmap .wmf Windows MetaFile .
Cropping pictures in My Pictures 1 2 3 4 5 6 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, and select My Pictures. Select the picture you want to edit. Press the More Information button on the remote control, and then select Picture Details. Select Touch Up, and then select Crop. Select the arrows under the picture to move the picture side to side, up, or down. Select the magnifying glass to move the cropping tool in or out.
Printing Pictures in My Pictures 1 2 3 4 5 6 Press the Media Center Start button the remote control. on Select My Pictures. Select the picture you want to print. Press the More Information button on the remote control, and then select Picture Details. Select Print, and then select Print again. Follow any onscreen instructions. You may need to set up your printer before you can print from Media Center. You can also press the Print button on the remote control.
Copying Pictures to CDs and DVDs n In Media Center, all pictures are copied to CDs as .jpg files. 1 2 3 4 5 Press the Media Center Start button the remote control. on Select More Programs. Insert writable media (CD-R, CD-RW, DVD+R, or DVD+RW) into the drive. 6 7 8 Select Create CD/DVD. Select the Untitled area, and enter the name of your disc by using the numeric keys on the remote control, and then select OK. Use the Clear button to delete letters. 9 Select Pictures.
Playing Videos The My Videos window in Media Center makes it easy to play home video files you created or video files you downloaded from the Internet. In My Videos you can: ■ Play videos that are stored anywhere on your hard disk drive. ■ Display your video details such as the name and date your video file was modified. ■ Create a CD or DVD of your video files. ■ ■ View your videos in full-screen mode or from an inset window in Media Center. View small image (thumbnail) and title of video file.
Playing Digital Videos in Media Center ■ ■ n Use the mouse to select the Up arrow and Down arrow at the bottom of the window to scroll to other pages of video files and folders. You can maximize the media playing in the inset window by using the arrow buttons to select the inset window and then pressing OK on the remote control. After you organize your videos in the My Videos or Shared Video folder in Windows Explorer, open Media Center to watch your videos.
Transferring and Recording Video Files Once you capture your video to the PC by using video capture and editing software, you can use Media Center to find it and add it to your My Videos area. Recording an analog video file Recording a digital video file Refer to “Capturing Analog Video with WinDVD Creator” on page 127 for more information about capturing and recording videos to DVDs or CDs from an analog video camera.
Organizing Videos When you attach a digital video camera to your PC, Windows asks you how you want to capture your video. You can choose from various software programs to capture and then edit your video file. Most programs automatically save your file to the My Videos folder in Windows Explorer. If not, you can move your videos into the My Videos or Shared Video folder in Windows Explorer for Media Center to be able to automatically find them.
Playing a Video Stored on Removable Media Once you capture your video to the PC by using a video capture and editing software, you can use Media Center to find it and add it to your My Videos area. Media Center does not support playing videos from removable media. Changing the Display for Better Image Quality You can use a Media Center wizard and the display controls on your PC monitor or TV to adjust various display settings to improve the quality of the picture.
Adding Digital Videos to My Videos If you have stored your videos in folders on your hard disk drive, you can find them with Media Center. This links your video to Media Center so you can play them or create a CD or DVD with them. 1 2 3 4 5 6 90 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, and then select My Videos. Select Add Videos to open the Video Discovery wizard, which helps you to locate other folders where your videos are stored. Select Add folders and then select Next.
Using the More Information Button with My Videos To display information about the video in Media Center, select a video file, and then press the More Information button on the remote control. The information includes the: A submenu appears. Use this menu to: ■ Video title. ■ Zoom in. ■ Video description (if available). ■ Access the instant messenger login screen. ■ Date the video file was created or modified. ■ Access the Help menu. ■ Resolution setting of the picture.
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Playing DVDs Watching DVDs in Media Center allows you to control the playback with your remote control. If you play your DVD in another program outside of Media Center, you will not be able to use the remote control. Playing DVD movies in Media Center 1 2 Press the Media Center Start button the remote control. on Insert the DVD into the drive. If you have other media playing, Media Center asks if you want to play the DVD. Select Yes or No.
Changing the DVD Movie Language To select DVD language settings for subtitles, closed captioning, and viewing the DVD: 1 2 3 4 5 6 In the Media Center Start menu, select Settings. In the Settings window, select DVD. In the DVD Settings window, select Language. Use the arrow buttons on the remote control to select (+) or (–). Press OK on the remote control to scroll through the languages available.
Stopping a DVD movie 1 2 Press the Stop button on the remote control to stop the movie. Use the arrow buttons on the remote control to select an item on the Stopped menu, and then press OK. ■ To begin playing the DVD where you left off, select Resume. ■ To begin playing the DVD at the beginning, select Restart. ■ To go to the DVD main menu, if available, select Title Menu. ■ To change the language for the DVD sound track, subtitles, and menu, if available, select DVD Languages.
Playing a DVD movie already in your drive If you already have a DVD movie in your drive, but you have been doing other things in Media Center or in other programs from your desktop, you can play the DVD by: 1 Pressing the Media Center Start button on the remote control. 2 Selecting Play DVD. The DVD movie begins playing in full-screen mode. Programming Remote Control Buttons for DVD To select DVD remote control options while viewing the DVD: 1 2 96 In the Media Center Start menu, select Settings.
Listening to FM Radio If your PC is equipped with a radio tuner input (FM), then Media Center can play FM radio. The Radio window in Media Center makes it easy to play FM radio stations using your remote control. In Radio you can: ■ Listen to FM radio stations. ■ Set up pre-sets of your favorite radio stations. ■ Delete or organize your radio station pre-sets. ■ Use the time-shifting feature; pause, rewind, and fast-forward up to 30 minutes of radio programs.
Playing FM Radio Stations 1 2 3 4 Connect the FM radio antenna to the back of the PC to the connector labeled FM. Press the Media Center Start button the remote control. on Select Radio. Enter a radio station number by using the numeric keypad on the remote control or your keyboard. Or Select the Seek (–) or (+) buttons for Media Center to find the next playable station. Or Select the Tune (–) or (+) buttons to manually find a station.
Organizing Pre-set Radio Stations 1 2 3 4 Press the Media Center Start button the remote control. on Select Settings. Select Radio. Select the Up arrows and Down arrows next to each pre-set station to move it to a different position. Or Select the Delete icon (X) to delete a pre-set station. Or Select Auto Sort to sort your pre-set stations in numerical ascending or descending order. 5 6 Select Save to save your changes. Select Back to return to the previous window.
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Recording TV Programs to DVDs Copying Recorded TV Programs to DVD w You can use Media Center or InterVideo WinDVD Creator to copy your recorded TV programs to DVD (select models only) for viewing and playing on your PC and in some set-top box DVD players. HP supports lawful use of technology and does not endorse or encourage the use of our products for purposes other than those permitted by national copyright law.
Watching Recorded TV Programs on DVD To play your DVD when Media Center is closed. 1 2 Insert the DVD. When the autoplay window appears, select: ■ Play DVD movie using InterVideo WinDVD. Or ■ Play DVD Video using Windows Media Player. Or ■ 3 Play DVD Video using Media Center. Use the playback controls in the program to view your DVD. To play your DVD when Media Center is open. 1 2 102 Insert the DVD. When Media Center opens a Play DVD window, click the DVD icon to start playing your DVD.
Using Double-Layer Technology and Media (Select models only) Double-layer technology gives you almost twice the storage capacity of a single-layer DVD and the storage equivalent of 12 CDs. Double-layer DVD media can store up to 8.5 GB* of data. You can record on two “layers” of one side of a DVD. Double-layer technology uses two thin, embedded, organic dye films for data storage separated by a spacer layer. Each layer has different optical properties.
Digital Media Copy Protection n Digital music and video providers may have playback restrictions for downloaded media files. Digital media content such as DVDs or TV programs may have restricted access depending on the terms of the copyright owner. This protects copyrighted media files from being illegally copied and used. For more detailed information about digital rights management, you can go to: http://www.microsoft.
Playing CDs and DVDs The Media Center PC includes software that lets you play music CDs and DVD movies. This section describes how to: ■ Play music CDs using Windows Media Player, or iTunes. ■ Play DVD movies using Windows Media Player or InterVideo WinDVD. ■ Play video CDs (VCD) with InterVideo WinDVD or Windows Media Player. n The software listed in this chapter is for select models only. Playing Music CDs with iTunes You must have either a CD or DVD drive.
Setting Media Center as the automatic CD or DVD player When you insert a CD or DVD while Media Center is active, your disc plays automatically after a few seconds. If you are not in Media Center, Windows asks you what you want to do with the disc. To avoid this message, you can select Media Center as the primary program to play CDs or DVDs. To select Media Center as the primary CD or DVD playing program: 1 2 3 Close Media Center. Insert a CD or DVD into the drive.
Playing DVD Movies with InterVideo WinDVD The InterVideo WinDVD program uses a DVD drive to play DVD movies. 1 2 Insert a DVD disc into the DVD drive. If the program does not automatically open: Close the disc tray by gently pushing the button to the right of the tray on the chassis. a Click Start, choose All Programs, The movie plays in its own resizable video window, and the WinDVD control panel appears.
Using country/region codes w You can change countries/regions only five times before the country/region code locks and becomes permanent. Once the code locks, you can play DVDs from that country/ region only. If the country/region code locks, and you need help, contact Support. Most DVD discs have country/region codes embedded in the disc data that limit where the DVD movie can be played. The country/region number is usually placed over a world globe printed on the DVD packaging and disc.
Creating (Burning) CDs and DVDs You can make your own music or data CDs if your PC has a CD-RW or DVD Writer, or double-layer drive (select models only). Your PC has four recording software programs: iTunes, Windows Media Player, RecordNow!, and Windows XP. You copy or download music to their libraries and can then organize or copy the music files. You can copy Windows Media files that have a .wma extension, .mp3 files, or .wav files to a CD by using a CD-RW drive or a DVD Writer drive.
Creating CDs to play in your car or home CD players n Press and hold Control (Ctrl) on your keyboard to select more than one track. 1 2 3 4 Using the mouse, click Start, choose All Programs, Sonic RecordNow!, and then click RecordNow! again. Select the Audio Projects tab. Select Audio CD for Car or Home CD Player. Insert a music CD to view the tracks on your CD. Select View if you would like to look at another optical drive.
Creating a music CD When recording music files, it is important to note that: ■ ■ To play your music CD in a home or car stereo, it needs to be recorded as a music CD in CD Audio (CDA) format, not as a data CD. You must record all music files in one recording session because RecordNow! closes the CD after recording is complete. Music files can be recorded repeatedly onto a rewritable (CD-RW) disc, but all previously recorded music files must be erased first.
5 Add your data files to the file selection window: ■ n You can rename your files in the file selection window by selecting and typing over the current name. This does not affect the original files on your hard disk drive. Click the Add Files and Folders button, find and select your folders and files, and then click Add. Repeat this step until all files are added. Or ■ 6 7 Drag your file from your desktop or from anywhere in Windows Explorer into the file selection window.
Copying a DVD or CD RecordNow! allows you to make a copy of a music or data disc from your collection. n To make a copy of a music or data disc from your collection: 1 2 3 Using the mouse, click Start, choose All Programs, Sonic RecordNow!, and then click RecordNow! again. Select the Data Projects tab. Select Exact Copy. 4 5 6 7 Insert the CD or DVD you want to copy. Click the Copy icon. Insert a blank DVD or CD into the drive, and then click OK.
Removing Files in RecordNow! When removing files in RecordNow!, it is important to note: ■ When you remove a recorded file from a data DVD-R DVD+R or CD-R, the disc space is lost and cannot be used for new recordings. ■ You cannot remove music files from previously recorded music CDs, but you can remove music files from the file selection window in RecordNow! before you record the files to your disc. ■ You must use a blank CD to create a music CD.
Archiving Files on a CD or DVD 1 2 3 4 5 Using the mouse, click Start, choose All Programs, Sonic RecordNow!, and then click RecordNow! again. 6 Add your files to the Archive window: ■ Select the Backup Projects tab. Select File Archive. ■ Insert a blank CD or DVD into the drive. Place a check mark in the Changed since box to limit the scan to files that have been changed since the last time you completed a file archive. 7 Select one or more categories from the list on the left, and click Scan.
Burning an Image 1 2 3 Click Start, choose All Programs, Sonic RecordNow!, and then click RecordNow! again. Select the Backup Projects tab. Select Burn Image. 4 5 6 7 Click the Browse button to locate your saved image file. Click the Burn icon. Insert a blank CD or DVD into the drive. Click Done when recording is complete. Recording Video Files Video quality depends on the quality of the source files, the PC speed, and its graphics processing ability.
Using Compatibility Information An important feature of a DVD Writer/CD Writer drive is its high level of compatibility with other optical drives and CD and DVD players: ■ The CDs that you create play in most home and car stereos and in most computer DVD-ROM and CD-ROM drives. ■ The DVDs that you create are compatible with some DVD video players and with most computer DVD-ROM drives. ■ CD-R discs are compatible with more home and car stereos than CD-RW discs.
Identifying Disc Feature and Compatibility n For the latest disc compatibility information for your PC, check the HP Support Web site: http://www.hp.
Using the Optical Drive Quick Reference Table Optical drive can: Double -layer Combo CD-RW/ DVD CD-ROM CD-RW DVDROM Read CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RWs Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Read DVDs No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Read data on a CD Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Play music Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Record data or music to disc for storage or backup No Yes No Yes Yes Yes View DVD movies No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Record DVD movies No No No Yes Yes No Play PC games Yes Yes Yes Y
Using the Software Quick Reference Table n You may have a software update CD included with your PC. You may need to install this CD before using the DVD Writer/ CD Writer drive. To do this, follow the installation instructions that came with the CD. To open software programs you can use with various media and an optical drive, click Start on the taskbar, choose All Programs, select the program folder, and then click the program to open the software.
Software Windows Movie Maker 2.0 With this program you can: ■ Import audio, video, and other media files from a videotape, an audiotape, a Web camera, or a television broadcast. ■ Record audio and video files to create a video project that becomes a Windows Media source file with a .wmv extension. ■ Edit and preview files. ■ Send a movie in an e-mail or upload it to a Web server. ■ Add music files (.mp3). ■ Import audio files such as .mp3, .asf, or .wma; video files such as .wmv, .asf, .
Software InterVideo WinDVD Creator n muvee autoProducer unPlugged The muvee autoProducer unPlugged video editing program is for select models only. 122 HP Media Center PC Reference Guide With this program you can: ■ Capture digital and analog video files directly from a digital video (DV) camera, VCR, or other analog capture device. ■ Assemble movies by capturing video clips and scenes into a video project. ■ Edit your movies.
Importing, Editing, and Burning Videos You can capture, edit, and record your home movies in a few easy steps by using the InterVideo WinDVD Creator program located in your All Programs folder on your desktop. You can also use the muvee autoProducer unPlugged program (select models only) to personalize your video files from within Media Center by using your remote control. Both programs allow you to edit your video files and save your files to your hard disk drive.
Getting Started with WinDVD Creator 1 2 Click Start, choose All Programs, InterVideo WinDVD, InterVideo WinDVD Creator, and then click InterVideo WinDVD Creator again. Select one of the menu options: ■ Capture video into hard disk: Opens the Capture section for you to capture media. ■ Open existing project: Brings up the Open window for you to select an existing project. ■ Create CD/DVD with existing video file: Brings up the Open window for you to select existing video files.
Using the Media Library in WinDVD Creator The Media Library contains your video clips, images, and audio tracks. To import existing media files from your hard disk or CDs into the Media Library, click the Drag and Drop button. Capture: Located in bottom right corner. Contains your video clips, images, and audio tracks. Edit: Located in upper-right corner. Contains your video clips, images, and audio tracks. Add Menu: Located in upper-right corner.
n You may need to turn your digital video device off and on again for the program to detect it. Identifying Requirements for Capturing Video with WinDVD Creator You can copy (capture) video files to your hard disk drive by using the WinDVD Creator program. To capture digital video, connect your digital video (DV) camera to the FireWire® (IEEE 1394) port on the front panel of the PC.
Capturing Analog Video with WinDVD Creator 1 2 3 4 5 6 Click Start, choose All Programs, InterVideo WinDVD, InterVideo WinDVD Creator, and then click InterVideo WinDVD Creator again. Click the Capture video into hard disk button. Connect your VCR, television, or other analog input device to the Composite Video 2 or S-Video 2 connector on the front panel of the PC. 7 8 9 Click OK. Your video appears in the Preview window. To begin capturing the video, click the Record button.
Capturing a Still Image 1 Pause your input device on the position for which you would like an image. 2 3 Click the Capture Still Image button under the Preview window. The image is saved to the My Pictures folder on your hard disk drive. Editing Video Files with WinDVD Creator After you capture video files, use the WinDVD Creator Edit module to create your customized video file.
Adding images with WinDVD Creator 1 2 Click the Image Library icon. 3 Click the Drag and Drop button to open the My Pictures folder on your hard disk drive. 4 Select the images from your hard disk drive you would like to add to your Image Library, and click Open. Drag and drop images from the Image Library to your Storyboard. Now you can edit still images and video files. See the following table. Storyboard icons Group Groups multiple images into one on the Storyboard.
Adding transition effects with WinDVD Creator 1 2 Click the Transition Effects icon. Drag and drop a transition effect between the two video files, where you would like the effect to appear. Adding title effects with WinDVD Creator 1 2 3 Click the Title Effects icon. 4 Drag and drop a title effect either between video files or to a video file on the Storyboard.
Making a movie with WinDVD Creator This is the final step of your DVD project. You select a format, the type of TV system, and volume name. 1 2 If your project is already open, click the Make Movie button and skip to step 5. Click Start, choose All Programs, InterVideo WinDVD, InterVideo WinDVD Creator, and then click InterVideo WinDVD Creator again. 3 4 5 6 Select the Open existing project button, and then select your project. Click the Make Movie button.
Recording VHS Files Direct to DVD with WinDVD Creator To record VHS or other video files directly to DVDs: n IMPORTANT: HP supports the lawful use of technology and does not endorse or encourage the use of our products for purposes other than those permitted by copyright law. 1 2 Connect your VCR or other analog video source to your computer. See “Capturing Analog Video with WinDVD Creator” on page 127 for more information about capturing analog video.
Using muvee autoProducer unPlugged (Select models only) You can use muvee autoProducer to create your personalized video files in a few easy steps. You can access muvee autoProducer in Media Center under More Programs. You must capture digital video files to your hard disk drive and burn your movies to disc using the InterVideo WinDVD Creator program. The basic steps when using muvee autoProducer are: ■ Add videos and pictures: Select video and picture files on your PC.
Getting Started with muvee autoProducer (Select models only) You can use muvee autoProducer to create your personalized video files in a few easy steps: 1 2 3 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control to open Media Center. Select More Programs, and then select the Make muvee icon. Select one of the button options: ■ Select Video: Opens the Select Video window for you to select existing video files.
Adding Pictures to Your Movie with muvee autoProducer It is easy to add still image files to your muvee production. The following formats are supported: ■ 1 2 3 Pictures — .bmp, .jpg, .jpeg, .gif 4 If your project is already open, select the Select Pictures button and skip to step 4. 5 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control to open Media Center. 6 Select the images under My Pictures to add to your Selected Pictures.
Setting the Style in muvee autoProducer n The video quality of the preview may not be as smooth as the final saved version of your movie. The muvee autoProducer program comes with a set of style templates for setting the pace, scene transition effects, and caption fonts. The style you use also affects how muvee autoProducer combines the video, picture, and music files in your movie project to produce the final movie.
Making the Movie with muvee autoProducer After you have added at least one video or picture file to your movie project, you can have muvee autoProducer make the movie. The muvee autoProducer program makes a movie by combining the video, picture, and music files you have selected, along with the style of movie, and puts together all of these pieces into a professionallooking movie with just a few steps. 1 2 3 4 5 6 If your project is already open, select the make muvee button and skip to step 4.
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Using an HP Personal Media Drive The HP Personal Media Drive (sold separately) can be used as an internal or external USB hard disk drive designed to quickly and easily increase your storage capacity and to transfer media files such as digital photos, music, videos, and other important files from one PC to another. You can also use the HP Personal Media Drive to back up other drives on your PC. n The HP Personal Media Drive is sold separately.
Locating the Drive After Installation After you install the HP Personal Media Drive into the PC, you can find the drive in My Computer. The PC automatically assigns a drive letter which may change unless you assign a drive letter. See “Assigning a Drive Letter to the HP Personal Media Drive” on page 140. 1 2 Click Start on the taskbar. 3 Click My Computer. Select your drive under Hard Disk Drives. The default name is HP Personal Media Drive.
Playing Media Files You can play all kinds of media from an HP Personal Media Drive: 1 2 Click Start on the taskbar. Click My Computer. 3 4 Double-click the HP Personal Media Drive icon to locate your media file. Double-click the file. Most media files open in Windows Media Player. Playing Music Files You can play all kinds of music stored on the HP Personal Media Drive.
Viewing Picture Files n The installation CD that came with your HP Personal Media Drive allows you to set up folders so that you can access your picture files with Media Center. You can view your pictures stored on an HP Personal Media Drive. If you want the picture files that are stored on your HP Personal Media Drive to appear in the Media Center My Pictures window, you must create a pathway to this drive.
Watching TV Programs Stored on the HP Personal Media Drive To play back recorded TV files stored on your HP Personal Media Drive, you must: 1 2 3 4 Connect your HP Personal Media Drive to the PC with the PC turned off. Turn on the PC and open Media Center. 5 6 Click Settings, TV, Recorder, Recorder Storage. Under Record on drive select the HP Personal Media Drive, select Save, and then select Yes. A Recorded TV folder is created and placed in your HP Personal Media Drive.
■ If you disconnect the drive while Live TV is active, a video error can occur. ■ Recorded TV shows are not updated in Media Center when the drive is removed. When you set the TV recording pathway to your HP Personal Media Drive, Media Center stores the recording buffer data for pausing live TV on your drive. This means that if live TV is playing, you will not be able to remove the drive safely.
Changing the TV recording path to the HP Personal Media Drive If you decide to change your recording path to record directly to your HP Personal Media Drive, Media Center creates a Recorded TV folder on your drive. 1 2 3 4 Assign a drive letter to your HP Personal Media Drive. See “Assigning a Drive Letter to the HP Personal Media Drive” on page 140. Open Media Center. Select Settings, TV, Recorder, and then Recorder Storage. 5 6 7 Click Save, and then click Yes. Close Media Center. Restart the PC.
Disconnecting the HP Personal Media Drive Safely You can safely remove the drive when it is not active. When the amber activity light is blinking, the drive is active, saving or transferring data. Removing the drive while the light is blinking may cause data loss or damaged files. To disconnect your HP Personal Drive safely: 1 2 3 Close Media Center and all other programs that may be accessing your HP Personal Media Drive. Make sure the activity LED is off.
Updating Recorded TV List after Removing the HP Personal Media Drive If you want to update your Recorded TV list after removing the drive: 1 2 Close Media Center. 3 If this does not update the files, restart the PC. Open Media Center. System Requirements to View Recorded TV Programs on Other PCs To play back recorded TV files (.
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Troubleshooting Troubleshooting Problems and Finding Solutions For help on general and miscellaneous problems you may be experiencing with the PC, refer to the following pages for possible solutions. Look up the description of the problem and try the solution listed. For online support, go to the Microsoft or HP Support Web site at: http://www.hp.com/support For more detailed information, press the Help button on your keyboard, or click Start on the taskbar and select Help and Support.
PC Hardware, Operating System, and Other Hardware w Your system is provided with a voltage select switch for use in a 115-VAC or 230-VAC power system. The voltage select switch has been pre-set to the correct voltage setting for use in the particular country/region where it was initially sold. Changing the voltage select switch to the incorrect position can damage your PC and void any implied warranty. Problem My remote control does not work. Media Center is not recognizing my external device.
Problem Possible solution I cannot remove a CD or DVD. 1 Turn on the computer and press the Eject button near the drive to extend the tray. Or Double-click My Computer, right-click the drive letter of the stuck drive, and click Eject. Or If you have a multimedia keyboard, press the Eject key on the keyboard. The Eject key is sometimes near the volume knob or media playback keys. If these methods do not work a disc is jammed: 1 2 3 Send/Don’t Send error messages keep appearing.
Music Problem Possible solution My songs will not play. Make sure your songs are in a supported format. Locate the songs on your PC and determine the format. Some common supported file types are MP3, Unprotected WMA, AAC, WAV, and AIFF. Audio files must be in a supported format to play in iTunes, Windows Media Player, and Media Center. Check the properties for the audio file to determine whether the file is in Protected or Unprotected WMA format.
Problem Possible solution My songs do not appear in Media Center. See “Adding Music to the iTunes music Library” on page 54 and “Adding Music to My Music Library” on page 59. Make sure your songs are in the correct audio format. See the Help in iTunes or Windows Media Player to find out which formats are supported. Close and open Media Center to refresh the display. Check that the Windows Media Player setting for Access rights of other applications is not set to No access.
Television, Guide, Recording TV Problem Possible solution I cannot enter four-digit channels into my remote control (DISH Network). If you have connected your TV signal source through a set-top box that uses four-digit channel selection — for example, a DISH Network (EchoStar Satellite Corporation) DP301 receiver — you may need to change your TV signal settings. To do this: My TV program did not record and/or my screen was blank when I tried to get it out of standby.
Problem Possible solution Postal code results do not match my channels in Television Guide. If program listings displayed in the Television Guide do not match your local channels after you have selected your postal code, do one of the following: ■ Select your city if it is listed: select a lineup at the bottom of the list if it matches yours, or set the listings manually.
156 Problem Possible solution I cannot record two programs at once. To record two programs at once: ■ Your PC must have a dual TV tuner or two TV tuners with the same TV signal source to record two programs at the same time. This feature is available for select models only. ■ For set-top boxes that use the same IR code set, each must have its own remote control sensor control cable plugged into different IR emitter ports on the IR sensor.
Problem Possible solution My TV Guide is not right for my location. 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 Guide. The Media Center PC is preset to the country/region where it was initially shipped.
Video/DVD: Video or Display Problems or Errors Problem Possible solution My DVD will not play. You can put data files on a DVD to store them or transfer them to another PC. However, data files on a DVD do not play in a DVD player. Re-record your files to a file format that can be read by DVD players. My DVD is vertically stretched. If your DVD playback is vertically stretched in Media Center, stop playback and eject the disc. Reinsert the DVD and try to play it again.
Problem My PC is experiencing video errors. Possible solution ■ The file may be corrupt or in an unsupported format. Open the video file in a video editor such as InterVideo WinDVD Creator, and then resave the file in a supported format. ■ There may be a problem with the codec. For more information, look in Windows Media Player help, and then search for codec.
Pictures Problem Possible solution I cannot see my pictures in My Pictures. Move your pictures to the My Pictures folder in Windows Explorer. You can also add pictures to Media Center by pressing the More Information button on the remote control and then selecting Add Pictures. Follow the onscreen instructions. I cannot print my pictures. Make sure your printer is set up properly. See “Copying Pictures to CDs and DVDs” on page 84.
Index A adding CD tracks to the Music Library 60 images to video file in WinDVD Creator 129 missing channels to the TV Guide 29 music files to the Music Library from the hard disk drive 59 appendable disc 111 archiving files 115 CD 115 DVD 115 authoring your DVD 130 B blocking TV shows 42 burning CDs and DVDs 109 buttons remote control 14 shortcut 17 C caption display setting 43 capturing capture card 127 still image 128 video and image 123 capturing video digital camcorder video 126 requirements 126 CD c
E edit pictures 81 video files 128 encrypted TV shows 44 erasing a DVD or CD 113 error messages 10 common recording errors 37, 39 Image cannot be displayed 75, 81 Low Disk Space 143, 146 No data available 157 errors, recording 39 F FM radio, see radio G Guide, see Television Program Guide H hard disk drive space increasing 49 Help, Media Center 9 HP Image Zone Plus 68 HP Personal Media Drive 139 HP Tunes creating a queue list 57 playing CDs 56 using iTunes with Media Center 53, 54 I image files 115 addi
muvee autoProducer adding music to your movie 135 adding pictures to your movie 135 adding videos to your movie 134 changing audio settings 136 copying a movie to disc 137 features 122 getting started 134 making a movie 137 setting the style 136 using 133 My Music 53 copying music to CD 65 creating a queue list 63 deleting music from the My Music library 60 finding and playing an album 63 playing a song 62 playing an album 62, 63 playing music 61 playing songs chosen randomly by Media Center 62 supported fi
P parental controls setting 42 picture captions, turning on or off 80 pictures changing settings 80 editing 81 printing 81 rotating 82 playing CDs 105 digital music files 61 digital videos 86, 90 DVDs 105 DVDs in Media Center 93 music CDs in Media Center 61 songs in My Music 62 videos in inset window 89 stored on removable media 89 playing song Buy Music option 63 Visualize option 63 playlist creating in iTunes 56 creating in My Music 64 Program Guide, see Television Program Guide Q queue list creating in
S T searching for programs 30 settings background color 11 calibration settings 11 for phone call notification 11 for sound 11 general 11 Internet connections 11 parental controls 11 remote control and remote sensor 11 Shared Pictures folder 77 Shared Video folder 85 slide show displaying information about pictures 78 viewing pictures 78 viewing with music 78 software uninstalling 51 sorting TV shows by category 37 by date 37 by name 37 Standby button 18 standby mode recording 18 Start menu Media Center 3
V VCD playing with WinDVD 108 video capturing 126 video editing getting started with muvee autoProducer 134 video errors, resolving 159 video files recording 116 video movies displaying information about a video 91 playing in inset window 89 when stored on removable media 89 sorting 87 visualization, selecting 66 W Windows Media Player 105 features 120 playing DVD movies 105 playing music CDs 105 setting as default player 55, 61 types of files 55, 61 Windows Movie Maker 2.
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