Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Software Guide
The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. HP assumes no responsibility for the use or reliability of its software on equipment that is not furnished by HP. This document contains proprietary information that is protected by copyright.
Table of Contents Welcome ...................................................... 1 Working with Pictures ................................ 41 Experience the Fun of Media Center ....................................... 1 Using Media Center Features................................................. 2 HP Image Zone Plus ............................................................41 My Pictures ........................................................................41 Working with Digital Images................
Importing, Editing, and Burning Videos ...... 77 Using an HP Personal Media Drive ..............91 Using InterVideo WinDVD Creator........................................77 Using muvee autoProducer unPlugged ...................................77 Getting started with WinDVD Creator ...................................78 Identifying Requirements for Capturing Video with WinDVD Creator.....................................................79 Capturing Digital Camcorder Video with WinDVD Creator.................
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-to-use 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’s 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.
Media Center Start Menu n C D E FG H 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 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.
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 Television Program 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 The remote control is designed to work with Media Center. You can use your remote control with Media Center to play CDs, 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.
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. C Radio opens the Radio window.
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.
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Watching and Recording TV Programs Watch live TV or record your favorite shows for later playback. Use the Television Program 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 Program Guide In the Television Program 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.
Viewing the Television Program Guide w 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 or change the settings for your Guide. n 1 2 Press the Media Center Start button the remote control. 3 Select My TV, and then select Guide.
Setting up how Media Center downloads the Guide You must select a TV listings provider before you can use and download the Guide. You can set up Media Center to download the Guide when you connect to the Internet or you can select to manually download the Guide. 1 2 Press the Media Center Start button the remote control. n No data available appears next to each channel if the Guide has not been downloaded.
Searching for TV Programs ■ ■ 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. To find a TV program, you can enter a title or keyword or select a category in your Guide by using your remote control. 1 2 Select Title.
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 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.
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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 28.
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 a software program from Apple 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.
Using supported music file types n MP3 files are the most compatible music file format for playing back on most PCs and other audio playback devices. n You can select Media Center as the default player for any of the listed file types. Refer to iTunes Help for information about supported file types. 30 You can play the following types of digital audio files in iTunes. By default, iTunes converts several file types to .aac files when you import them into the iTunes music Library.
Playing CDs with HP Tunes When you insert a CD that has not been added to your iTunes music Library, it will be listed under Playlists or Albums. If it has been added to your library, it will be displayed under Songs, Albums, Artists, or Genres. 1 2 3 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, and then select HP Tunes. n 4 Insert a CD. Select Playlists or Albums. Scroll through the displayed playlists or albums, and then select your CD title.
Creating and Editing a Queue List with HP Tunes n Once you create a queue list, you can save it as a playlist that you can play again and again. 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.
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. In My Music you can: ■ Play CDs or selected music tracks from your created Windows Media Player Library that you access in 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: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Press the Media Center Start button the remote control, and then select My Music. n on 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. 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 n 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. For more information about music file formats, use Windows Media Player Help and Media Center Help. Only supported audio file types are displayed in the My Music window. Unsupported files won’t play.
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 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. You can also play a single song from a playlist: 1 2 3 4 Press the Media Center Start button the remote control.
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, and then 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: 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 3 4 5 6 7 8 Press the Media Center Start button the remote control, and select More Programs. Insert a blank CD-R disc. Select Create CD/DVD. Use the arrow buttons on the remote control to select the Untitled text box.
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.
Creating your picture catalog in HP Image Zone Plus 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. 1 n 3 Using the mouse, double-click the HP Image Zone Plus icon on your desktop.
Creating albums n After you create your picture albums in the HP Image Zone Plus program, you can then view them in Media Center. 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. 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.
Assigning a place to your pictures 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 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. Each time you click the map, it zooms in closer. Use the arrow buttons surrounding the map to move around on the map.
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.
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 ■ 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 .jpg, .jpeg 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.
Adding Pictures to My Pictures Adding picture files from your hard disk drive 1 2 3 4 5 6 Press the Media Center Start button the remote control, and then select My Pictures. on Press the More information button on the remote control and select Add Pictures. Select Add folders, and then select Next. Select Add folders on this computer, and then select Next. Use the arrow buttons on the remote control to select a location. Press the OK button to expand a folder.
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 doesn’t 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.
Editing Pictures in My Pictures Fixing red eye or contrast 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Press the Media Center Start button the remote control. on 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. Select Red Eye or Contrast, and then press OK. After you select the options you want to fix, select Save. The picture is displayed with the new settings.
Rotating pictures If your picture appears horizontally or vertically and you want to change the orientation, you can change it in Media Center: 1 2 3 4 5 Press the Media Center Start button the remote control. on Select My Pictures. Select the picture you want to rotate. Press the More information button on the remote control, and then select Picture Details. Select Rotate, and then press the OK 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 and down arrows 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 80 for more information about capturing and recording videos to DVDs or CDs from an analog video camera.
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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.
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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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 library 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 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. 7 Click Done when the recording is complete.
Using Disc Labels WARNING: When labeling your DVDs, do not use sticky labels. They can cause the DVD to play erratically. Instead, write on the DVD with a felt-tip pen to label it. Creating Recovery CDs/DVDs for the PC For more information about creating Recovery CDs/ DVDs, refer to the Warranty and Support Guide that came with your PC.
Identifying Disc Feature and Compatibility Plays in PC Plays in home or car stereo Plays in home DVD player Disc File type Can be recorded onto CD-ROM Data No Yes No No Music No Yes Yes Varies by model Data Yes Yes No No MP3 music Yes Yes Varies by model Varies by model Data Yes Yes No No MP3 music Yes Yes Varies by model Varies by model Data No Yes No No DVD movie No Yes No Yes Data Yes Yes No No DVD movie Yes Yes No Varies by model Doublelayer DVD+
Using the Optical Drive Quick Reference Table Optical drive can 72 CD-ROM CD-RW DVDROM DVD+RW/+R Doublelayer Combo CD-RW/ DVD 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
Using the Software Quick Reference Table 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. Refer to the following table to determine the best programs for the tasks you want to do. Software iTunes Windows Media Player RealPlayer Your PC comes with the following software programs. Use this table to find out what you can do within each program.
Software Windows Movie Maker 2.0 ■ 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, .avi, or .
Software InterVideo WinDVD Creator muvee autoProducer unPlugged 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. Cut scenes and add music and sound effects, still images, text, video transitions, and voice-overs. ■ Preview movies during editing and before recording final files.
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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.
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. To capture analog video, connect your VCR or analog video camera to the Composite Video 2 or S-Video 2 connectors on the front panel of the PC.
Capturing Analog Video with WinDVD Creator 1 2 3 4 5 6 80 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. Connect the Audio L and R connectors of your analog input device to the Audio L and R connectors on the front panel of the PC.
Editing Video Files with WinDVD Creator After you capture video files, use the WinDVD Creator Edit module to create your customized video file. In the edit mode you can add: ■ Video files ■ Transition effects ■ Still images ■ Video filters ■ Audio and music tracks ■ Title effects To edit your video files: 1 2 3 4 5 If your project is already open, click the Edit button and skip to step 4.
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 3 4 5 6 84 If your project is already open, click the Make Movie button and skip to step 5. Select Device Click Start, choose All Programs, InterVideo WinDVD, InterVideo WinDVD Creator, and then click InterVideo WinDVD Creator again. Select the device that contains the blank recordable DVD or CD.
Recording VHS Files Direct to DVD with WinDVD Creator To record VHS or other video files directly to DVDs: 1 2 Connect your VCR or other analog video source to your computer. See “Capturing Analog Video with WinDVD Creator” on page 80 for more information about capturing analog video. Click Start, choose All Programs, InterVideo WinDVD, InterVideo WinDVD Creator, and then click InterVideo WinDVD Creator again. 3 4 5 6 7 Select the Record video tape into DVD disc in one step button.
Adding Videos to Your Movie with muvee autoProducer It is easy to add video files to your muvee production. The following formats are supported: ■ 1 n Select multiple video files by pressing and holding Ctrl on your keyboard while selecting the files. 2 3 Video — .dv, .avi, .mpeg-1, .mpeg-2 If your project is already open, select the Select Video button and skip to step 4. Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control to open Media Center.
Adding Music to Your Movie with muvee autoProducer You can use .mp3, .wav, or .wma formatted music files in your movie project. n You can also choose whether to use the original sound track from your video, blend the sound track with your music selections, or just use the selected music files: 1 2 3 If your project is already open, select the Select Music button and skip to step 4. Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control to open Media Center.
Changing the Settings in muvee autoProducer n The video quality of the preview may not be as smooth as the final saved version of your movie. After you have added at least one video or picture file to your movie project, you can adjust the audio settings. 1 2 3 4 5 If your project is already open, select the Settings button and skip to step 4. Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control to open Media Center. Select More Programs, and then select the Make muvee icon.
7 8 Once you are satisfied with the look of your movie project, it is ready to be saved to your hard disk drive; select Save. Select a format, such as MPEG2 or Windows Media Format by selecting the (+) or (–) buttons, and then enter a name for your movie by using the numeric keypad on your remote control. 9 Select Continue to save your movie. Your video project is saved to the My Videos folder on your hard disk drive by default. You can also access your video file in Media Center in the My Videos area.
90 HP Media Center PC Software Guide
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.
Setting Up the HP Personal Media Drive to Work with Media Center When you complete this setup procedure, you will be able to easily access content, such as music, photos, videos, and recorded TV programs from customized folders on your HP Personal Media Drive. Once you complete the setup wizard, you can drag and drop your music, video, pictures, and recorded TV files from your primary hard disk drive to personalized folders in the HP Personal Media Drive for backup or storage.
Assigning a Drive Letter to the HP Personal Media Drive You can permanently assign a drive letter to avoid the letter changing when you connect and disconnect this drive and other devices. Also, it is easier for a software program to locate files on the HP Personal Media Drive if a drive letter is assigned. Some programs may not be able to find files if the drive changes letters every time you connect it.
Playing Music 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 music files with Media Center. You can play all kinds of music stored on the HP Personal Media Drive. If you want the music files that are stored on your HP Personal Media Drive to Playing music files with Windows Media Player 1 2 3 4 5 94 appear in the Windows Media Player Library and the Media Center My Music window, you must create a link to this drive.
Viewing Picture Files 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. n To do this: 1 2 Click Start on the taskbar, click My Computer, and then double-click the HP Personal Media Drive icon. Create a personal pictures folder by rightclicking in the folder and choosing New and then Folder.
Watching TV Programs Stored on the HP Personal Media Drive n To play back recorded TV files stored on your HP Personal Media Drive, you must: 1 You need to close Media Center before removing or before connecting your HP Personal Media Drive for the stored TV files to update properly. 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.
■ 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 won’t be able to remove the drive safely.
Changing the TV recording path to the HP Personal Media Drive n HP recommends that you record TV programs directly to your local hard disk drive and then transfer your recorded programs to the HP Personal Media Drive, if desired. 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.
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 (.
Index A D adding CD tracks to the Music Library 35 images to video file in WinDVD Creator 82 music files to the Music Library from the hard disk drive 34 appendable disc 67 archiving files 69 CD 69 DVD 69 authoring your DVD 83 desktop switching from Media Center 6 disc feature and compatiblity 71 disc and drive compatiblity information 70 disc labels 70 DVD movies changing audio settings 60 language 60 creating 77 playing in Media Center 59 B burning CDs and DVDs 65 buttons remote control 10 C capturin
I image files adding 82 Internet radio 61 InterVideo WinDVD Creator see WinDVD Creator 77 iTunes 32 adding music from a CD 28 adding music from the Internet 29 adding music from your hard disk drive 29 adding music to library 28 changing music information 30 creating a playlist 31 creating music CD 32 creating music CDs 32 features 73 supported file types 30 M Media Center navigating 5 playing DVDs 59 resizing window 6 Start menu 4 toolbars 6 using with another program open 6 viewing your pictures 50 Media
My TV 13 advanced recording options 22 icons 22 manually downloading the Guide 19 play recorded TV programs 25 recording TV from the Guide 22 recording TV manually 23 recording TV programs 22 recording TV programs without a Guide 23 searching for TV programs 20 sorting shows 25 Television Program Guide errors 17 time shifting 15 using the remote control 15 watching TV programs 14 My Videos 55 organizing and storing videos 56 playing digital videos 56 sorting videos 57 O optical drive quick reference 72 org
S searching for programs 20 settings background color 7 calibration settings 7 for phone call notification 7 for sound 7 general 7 Internet connections 7 parental controls 7 remote control and remote sensor 7 Shared Video folder 55 slide show displaying information about pictures 50 viewing pictures 50 viewing with music 50 sorting TV shows by category 25 by date 25 by name 25 Start menu Media Center 3 storing files about storing data files 68 using RecordNow! 67 T Television Program Guide filter categorie
WinDVD Creator adding audio effects 82 adding images 82 adding title effects 83 adding transition effects 83 Authoring your DVD 83 capturing analog video 80 capturing digital camcorder video 79 capturing videos and pictures 77 edit 77 editing video files 81 features 75 getting started 78 help 77 making a movie 84 Media Library 78 Preview window 78 recording VHS files directly to DVD 85 Storyboard 78 using the Media Library 78 WinDVD player features 74 P a r t Nu m b e r : 5 9 9 1 - 2 3 4 3 Index 105
