HP Media Center PC Software Guide
The only warranties for Hewlett-Packard 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 Experience the Fun of Media Center ....................................... 1 Watch and record live TV...................................................... 1 The right music for the moment............................................... 1 Share your digital memories .................................................. 1 Transform your living space into a theater ............................... 1 Using Media Center Features......
Editing pictures in HP Image Zone in Media Center ................56 Sharing Pictures in HP Image Zone .......................................57 Using supported file types with HP Image Zone ......................59 Printing Pictures in HP Image Zone........................................60 Creating a Backup Disc of Your Pictures ................................60 Using My Pictures in Media Center .......................................61 Adding Pictures to My Pictures .....................................
Using an HP Personal Media Drive ........... 117 Setting Up the HP Personal Media Drive to Work with Media Center .............................................. 117 Locating the Drive After Installation ..................................... 118 Assigning a Drive Letter to the HP Personal Media Drive........ 118 Viewing and Storing Files .................................................. 118 Playing Media Files .......................................................... 119 Playing Music Files ...............
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Welcome Experience the Fun of Media Center Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 with Update Rollup 2 lets you do amazing things with your PC. With a full range of easy-to-use digital entertainment features, you can experience movies, music, and photos like never before. Media Center is simple and convenient to use. You can easily find and choose your media. You can play movies, listen to music, and view photos with a single remote control (select models only).
Using Media Center Features n If your PC came with a rewritable DVD drive, the drive is able to read and record to DVD+/-R/RW media. n Some of the Media Center features listed are for select models only. Some of the components listed in the PC documentation, such as speakers and TV tuners are optional or sold separately. You can control the Media Center functions and navigate Media Center windows by using the remote control (select models only), the keyboard, or the mouse.
Using Media Center Setting Up Media Center The first time you start Media Center on your PC, a Media Center setup wizard opens. It is recommended to complete each step in the setup wizard to be able to use all the features in Media Center. The Media Center setup wizard may take Opening Media Center using a mouse several minutes to complete. If there are steps you still need to complete, you can go to the Settings menu to do so. See “Completing the setup wizard steps” on page 7.
Opening Media Center using the remote control You can use either your remote control or your mouse to open and navigate within Media Center. To use your remote control: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Press the Media Center Start button the remote control. on Use the arrow buttons on the remote control to select a Media Center menu. Press the OK button to enter your selection and open that window.
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. control or use the arrow keys on the keyboard to select it, and then press OK on the remote control or the Enter key on the keyboard. You can control the Media Center functions and navigate Media Center windows by using the remote control, the keyboard, or a mouse.
Using Media Center Away mode n When your computer is in Away mode it appears off, but you can actually still perform tasks such as recording TV programs or music files. Away mode turns off the display and mutes the audio. The audio or video of TV recordings are not affected when the PC is in Away mode. After you have enabled Away mode in the Control Panel, you can activate it by pressing the sleep button on your computer, keyboard, or remote control.
Completing the setup wizard steps If you did not complete the Media Center setup wizard steps the first time through, you can complete or change your selections by using the following procedure. You need to complete all of the required setup steps to access all of the Media Center features. 1 2 3 n You must select either analog or digital TV signals in the setup wizard for your TV tuner to work properly (select models only).
Media Center Start Menu C D E FG H A B A n *Some of the features listed are for select models only. Access a menu to exit Media Center, to shut down or to restart the PC, to log off to end your Media Center session, to put the PC into standby mode, or to switch users. See page 5. My Videos — Watch your home videos. See page 69. B Use media playback controls: Play, Stop, Pause, Skip, Fast-Forward, Replay, Rewind, Record, Volume Up/ Down, Mute, and Channel Up/Down. See page 19.
Online Spotlight Online Spotlight is a link to the Microsoft Web site, where you can find the latest Media Center information and media offers and services. This site is periodically updated by Microsoft. Some of the services listed may not be available in certain countries/regions. Your PC must be connected to the Internet to access the Online Spotlight Web site. Using Instant Messaging in Media Center Instant messaging may not be supported in all countries/regions.
Changing Media Center Settings In the Media Center Settings window, you can change settings for viewing your pictures and slideshows, and for controlling sound and the display of all the Media Center windows. To change your Media Center settings: 1 2 3 4 5 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center. Select Settings. Select a category. Select one of the settings listed.
■ ■ DVD to select a language for subtitles, audio tracks, and menus of your DVDs, program the Skip and Replay buttons on the remote control for your DVDs, and select closed captioning. You can also access audio settings for your speakers. ■ Radio to organize or delete preset radio stations. ■ Help to find help about using Media Center and your hardware. Messenger to allow instant messages within Media Center. Instant messaging may not be supported in all countries/regions.
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Using the Remote Control (Select models only) The remote control is designed to work with Media Center. You can use your remote control with Media Center to play CDs and DVDs, view pictures, and much more. 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.
Remote Control Buttons Overview 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 HP Media Center PC does not automatically go into standby mode if Media Center is open. It is recommended that you close Media Center before you manually place the PC in standby mode. 14 1 2 Standby — Puts the HP Media Center PC into and out of a power-reduced standby state.
16 LED — Activity indicator light. The LED tells you that the remote control is emitting a signal when you press a button. 17 TV — Opens the My TV window in Media Center. 18 Pictures — Opens the My Pictures window in Media Center. 19 Videos — Opens the My Videos window in Media Center. 20 Play — Plays the selected media. 21 Stop — Stops the media currently playing. 22 Fwd — Moves media forward at three speeds.
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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. n Digital video recording features and the Television Program Guide are for select models only. Navigating My TV From the My TV window you can search for and play your favorite TV shows.
Watching TV n You can change the channel by using the remote control while in full-screen mode or when the inset window is selected. Before you can watch TV by using Media Center, make sure: ■ The computer is set up correctly for your TV signal source. Refer to the setup poster and the HP Media Center PC 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 7.
Controlling TV playback The digital video recording 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 automatically begins recording and playing back the selected program in the background. This allows you to pause or review a live TV program for up to 30 minutes. To replay a program longer than the 30 minutes, you must select to record the program.
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 a 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 The Television Program Guide (Internet service required) is a free service from Microsoft that provides TV listings information, such as channel, network, program title, program summary, and scheduled broadcast times. This service is currently not available in some countries/regions. You can go to http://www.microsoft.com to find out if the Guide is available in your country/region and for the terms and conditions of the Television Program Guide service.
Television Program Guide errors n The Television Program Guide (Internet service required) is not available in all countries/regions. w Make sure the HP Media Center PC is connected to the Internet and Media Center is properly set up before you try to change the Guide settings.
If you press the Guide shortcut button on the remote control while you are already in the Guide, you can select one of the Guide filter categories, such as Movies, to search for a movie. Press the i (More information) button on the remote control to access another menu for more options of searching the Guide.
Manually downloading the Guide 1 2 3 4 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center. Select Settings, TV, Guide, and Get Latest Guide Listings. Follow the onscreen instructions. The Guide can take between 1 and 30 minutes to download, depending on the amount of data to download and the speed of your Internet connection. Select Yes.
4 5 6 Use the numeric keypad on your keyboard to enter the number of the missing channel, and select Next. 7 8 Enter the correct channel number, and select Add. 9 Click Save to add the channel. Repeat steps 3 through 7 to add additional channels. Click Done when you have added all the channels. Select Assign channel to assign a new channel number. Or Select Share channel to share the channel with another channel. .
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 or your keyboard and mouse.
Searching for TV programs using categories You can search the Guide to find a TV program by selecting a category. Some categories are not available in all countries/regions. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center. 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.
Recording TV Programs Media Center allows you to record TV programs so that you can watch them when it is convenient. You can record the program you are watching, or you can record a future program or series from the Guide, the Search, or the Recorded TV window in My TV. You can record two programs at the same time if your HP Media Center PC has two TV tuners that have the same type of TV signal input (select models only).
Recording programs manually without using the Guide You do not need the Television Program Guide to record TV. You can record a TV program by pressing the Record button on the remote control while watching live TV, or you can select a specific date, channel, and recording time period in Media Center. To record a program manually: 1 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, press the Live TV button, and then press Record to begin recording your program.
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.
7 8 9 Select the Recorded TV programs you want to copy to CD or DVD. Select View DVD or View CD. 10 Select Yes. 11 Follow the onscreen instructions to complete burning your TV show to disc. Select Create DVD or Create CD. Media Copy Protection Media content, such as DVDs or TV programs, may place restrictions on rights to distribute or copy the content, depending on what is permitted by the copyright owner. Such restrictions protect copyrighted media files from being illegally copied and used.
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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 that you have added to your iTunes music library. For more information about using HP Tunes, see “Using HP Tunes with Media Center” on page 34.
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 iTunes music library. Both programs work together to organize and play back your favorite music files, CDs, and created playlists.
Selecting a default audio player If you have already set your default audio player to Windows Media Player, you may experience a delay when trying to open HP Tunes. To resolve this issue: 1 2 3 Close Media Center, if open. Double-click the iTunes shortcut icon on the desktop. When the iTunes default player for audio files message opens, place a check mark in the Do not show this message again check box, and then click Yes or No.
Adding music files from the Internet n If your songs don’t appear in HP Tunes, make sure your songs are added to the iTunes music library. You may need to close and open Media Center to update your display. For more information about adding songs and creating playlists in iTunes, see the Help menu in iTunes. For more information about downloading music from the iTunes Music Store, refer to the Help menu in the iTunes program. 1 2 3 4 Connect to the Internet.
Using supported music file types 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. Some file types, such as protected .wma files and other proprietary file types, cannot be played in iTunes. Go to the iTunes Help menu for more information about protected and proprietary file types. Media Center cannot play .aac files from My Music. With iTunes, you can share .mp3, .aiff, .
Creating a Playlist with iTunes A playlist is a customized list of songs that you saved together and can 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. n If your playlist doesn’t appear in HP Tunes, make sure your songs are in your iTunes music library. You may need to close and open Media Center to update your display.
Creating Music CDs with iTunes To create a music CD using iTunes: 1 2 3 4 5 6 With your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, choose All Programs, select iTunes, and then click iTunes. Click the Edit menu, and select Preferences. Click the Burning tab, and choose Audio CD as the disc format. Click the Use Sound Check check box if you would like all songs on the CD to play at the same volume level, and click OK. Click the File pull-down menu, and select New Playlist.
Resetting HP Tunes To reset the HP Tunes utility: 1 2 3 Close Media Center. Click Start on the taskbar, and then select Windows Media Player. Follow any onscreen instructions to set up Windows Media Player if you have not done so already. Display the Windows Media Player menu bar by clicking the down arrow at the top of the window and then selecting Show Menu Bar. 5 6 7 Make sure there is a check mark next to HP Tunes Media Player plug-in. Close Windows Media Player.
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. n Music files that are added from within My Music in Media Center are copied into the Windows Media Player music 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 music library that you access in Media Center.
Adding music files from your hard disk drive 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 42 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center. Select My Music. Press Ctrl+D on the keyboard or press the i (More information) button on the remote control, and select Add Music. Select Add folders, and then select Next. Select Add folders on this computer, and then select Next.
Adding music files from a CD To add the CD tracks to your Media Center music library: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center. n Each time you add music files outside of Windows Media Player, you must add these music files to your Windows Media Player music library for Media Center to find them.
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 on the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center. 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.
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. 2 3 You can create a playlist that includes several tracks from various CDs or even a playlist that contains background music for a slideshow. 4 You can create playlists in Windows Media Player or from within Media Center.
6 ! 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. 7 8 9 Use the arrow buttons on the remote control or the arrow keys on the keyboard to select the Untitled text box. Use the alphanumeric keypad buttons on the remote control or the keyboard to enter a name for your CD, and then select OK. Select Music. Select the music files to record.
Working with Pictures Use the HP Image Zone and My Pictures areas in Media Center to view, edit, print, and share your pictures. HP Image Zone HP Image Zone is a software program located in your All Programs menu that works together with the HP Image Zone area in Media Center. Both programs work together to organize, search for, display, print, and share your digital images. It is designed to organize your photos, scanned images, and video clips by date, keyword, or place.
Working with Digital Images n When transferring pictures from a digital photo camera to the PC in HP Image Zone, set the camera’s USB setting to disk drive instead of digital camera. You can connect a digital image source, such as a digital photo or video camera, directly to the PC or through a docking station. Most digital picture files you copy or download from the device appear in the My Pictures folder.
3 4 At the top of the gallery window, click the View tab, click the Browse tab, and then click the Image Catalog icon it to see all of the images in the catalog. You can also select the Search tab to browse for images. Click Help at the top of the window for more information about creating your picture catalog in HP Image Zone. E F A B G C H D A The Mode tabs allow you to create an image project, view, edit, print, share and back up your images.
Creating albums n After you create your picture albums in the HP Image Zone program, you can view them in Media Center. You can organize your pictures into albums by using the HP Image Zone program. After you create your picture albums in HP Image Zone, you can then view them in Media Center. To create an album: 1 Using the mouse, double-click the HP Image Zone icon on your desktop. 4 Or Click Start on the taskbar, choose All Programs, HP, and then click HP Image Zone. The HP Image Zone window opens.
Assigning a keyword to your pictures 1 2 3 Using your mouse, double-click the HP Image Zone icon on the desktop. Click the View tab, and then click Image Catalog under the Browse tab. The most recent images are listed first in your Image Catalog. Select a picture or pictures to assign a keyword. 4 5 6 Right-click one of the images, and then select Keywords, Assign, and then select a previously created keyword or (New Keyword). Type the new keyword, and then click OK. Click OK again.
Searching for pictures in Media Center You can search for pictures by date, keyword, and place by using your remote control or mouse in Media Center. HP Image Zone automatically organizes your pictures by date, based on the date assigned by the camera when the picture was taken or the date the picture was scanned. 1 2 3 4 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center. Select HP Image Zone. Select the Search tab.
Viewing a slideshow with music in HP Image Zone 1 2 3 Select HP Tunes or 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 Select HP Image Zone. Select the pictures. Select Slide Show. When Media Center switches to full-screen mode, the inset window disappears, but the music continues to play.
Editing pictures in HP Image Zone in Media Center You can make changes to your pictures and video clips in HP Image Zone from Media Center. Some of the editing features include removing red eye, cropping or resizing images, rotating and flipping images, and adjusting the color, brightness, and sharpness of your images. n You may need to refresh the window to view your edited picture in your HP Image Zone folders.
Sharing Pictures in HP Image Zone You can quickly share your photos with friends and family by first creating e-mail shortcuts and then sending thumbnails of your photos. The recipient then clicks on a link in the e-mail message to view the full-size photo on a secure Web page without downloading any attachments. The Web page is automatically displayed in a language based on the recipient’s Web browser settings. The photos can be viewed, printed, and saved to a computer.
To share photos in Media Center: 1 2 3 4 5 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center. Select HP Image Zone. Select the group of pictures you want to share and then select Share. Select the pictures you want to share by placing a check mark on each picture, and then select Next. Select an e-mail shortcut.
Using supported file types with HP Image Zone HP Image Zone supports the following types of image, video, and audio files. File extension File type .jpg, .jpeg Joint Photographic Experts Group .tif, .tiff Tagged Image File Format .gif Graphics Interchange Format .mov, .qt QuickTime Movie file .mpeg-1 Movie file .m1v Movie file .mpg Movie file, .mpeg animation .avi Audio Video Interleaved .bmp Bitmap .dcx Multipage .pcx file .fpx FlashPix Bitmap .pcx Bitmap Graphics .
Printing Pictures in HP Image Zone n You need to set up your printer before you can print from Media Center. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center. Select HP Image Zone. Select Albums, Months, or Folders and then select the album, month, or folder where your picture is located. Select Print. Select the picture you want to print by placing a check mark on the picture, and then select Next.
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 7 62 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center. Select My Pictures. Press Ctrl+D on the keyboard or press the i (More information) button on the remote control, and then select Add Pictures. Select Add folders, and then select Next. Select Add folders on this computer, and then select Next.
Viewing Pictures in My Pictures After you organize your pictures in the My Pictures folder in Windows Explorer, open Media Center to view your pictures: 1 2 3 4 n Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center. From the My Pictures menu, you can select Settings to: Select My Pictures.
Viewing pictures as a slideshow 1 2 3 4 5 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center. 6 Select My Pictures. Select the folder of pictures you want to view as a slideshow, and then press OK on the remote control or Enter on the keyboard. Select Play Slide Show, and then press OK. Press the Backspace key on the keyboard or the Back button on the remote control to go to a previous screen.
Using supported picture file types in My Pictures You can view the following types of image files in Media Center. File extension File type .jpg, .jpeg Joint Photographic Experts Group .tif, .tiff Tagged Image File Format .gif Graphics Interchange Format .bmp Bitmap .wmf Windows MetaFile .png Portable Network Graphics ■ Only supported image file types are displayed in My Pictures. Unsupported files are skipped in a slideshow.
Cropping pictures in My Pictures 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 66 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center. Select My Pictures. Select the picture you want to edit. Right-click the picture or press the i (More information) button on the remote control, and then select Picture Details. Select Touch up, and then select Crop. For this step, you must use the mouse and keyboard.
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 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center. Select My Pictures. Select the picture you want to rotate. 4 5 Right-click the picture or press the i (More information) button on the remote control, and then select Picture Details.
Copying Pictures to CDs and DVDs n In Media Center, all pictures are copied to CDs as .jpg files. You can copy your pictures to CDs and DVDs in Media Center or by using the Sonic Digital Media Projects program. You can also create a LightScribe label for your CD or DVD if you have a LightScribe optical drive and you use LightScribe media discs. Refer to the other documentation that came with your PC.
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. n In My Videos you can: ■ Play videos that are stored anywhere on your hard disk drive. ■ View your videos in full-screen mode or from an inset window in Media Center. ■ Create a CD or DVD of your video files. ■ View small image (thumbnail) and title of video file. Each user has a separate My Videos folder that can be opened only by that person.
Using Supported Video File Types n You can view the following types of video files in Media Center. Other file types are supported if your PC has the correct software installed. For more information about supported video file types, refer to Media Center Help menu. File extension File type .avi Video file .dvr-ms Digital Video Recording — Microsoft (TV file format) .mpeg, .mpg, .mpe, .m1v, .mp2, .mpv2 Movie file .wm, .asf Windows Media file .
Creating a CD/DVD from Video Files 1 2 3 4 5 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center. 6 7 Select More Programs. 8 Insert a writable disc, and then select OK. Select Create CD/DVD. Select the Untitled area, enter the name of your disc by using the numeric keys on the remote control or the keyboard, and then select OK.
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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 on the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center. Insert the DVD into the drive. If you have other media playing, Media Center asks if you want to play the DVD.
Changing the DVD Movie Language To select DVD language settings for subtitles, closed captioning, and viewing the DVD: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center. Select Settings. In the Settings window, select DVD. In the DVD Settings window, select DVD Language. Use the arrow buttons on the remote control or the arrow keys on the keyboard to select (+) or (–).
Listening to FM Radio If your HP Media Center PC is equipped with a radio tuner input (FM Tuner In), Media Center can play FM radio. The Radio window in Media Center makes it easy to play FM radio stations using your remote control. n In Radio you can: ■ Listen to FM radio stations. ■ Set up presets of your favorite radio stations. ■ Delete or organize your radio station presets. ■ Use the time-shifting features: pause, rewind, and fast-forward up to 30 minutes of radio programs.
Playing FM Radio Stations n You must go through the TV tuner setup wizard before you can play your radio stations. 1 2 3 4 Connect the FM radio antenna to the back of the HP Media Center PC, to the connector labeled FM Antenna In. Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center. Select Radio. Enter a radio station number by using the numeric keypad on the remote control or your keyboard.
Organizing Radio Station Presets 1 2 3 4 Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center. Select Settings. Select Radio. Select the up arrows and down arrows next to each preset station to move it to a different position. Or Select the Delete icon (X) to delete a preset station. Or Select Auto Sort to sort your preset stations in numeric ascending or descending order. 5 6 Select Save to save your changes.
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Creating Audio and Data Discs (Select models only) This chapter contains the procedures you must perform to record (or burn) music and data files to recordable CD and DVD discs. It also includes information about labeling your discs using the LightScribe labeling technology included on select models. For information about recording video files to DVDs, see “Sonic MyDVD Video Projects” on page 93. Your HP Media Center PC may include one or more CD, DVD, or combination optical drives capable of recording.
Working with Audio CDs ! 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. Sonic DigitalMedia Plus enables you to create audio CDs that play in your car or home CD player, and on PCs. You can create two main types of music CDs: ■ Uncompressed — Typical CD format like you would purchase on a commercial CD. This type of CD will hold 10 to 20 songs depending on their length.
Audio CD tips 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. ■ As you add music files in the recording session, Sonic DigitalMedia Plus calculates and displays the amount of recording time available to record additional music files. ■ ■ ■ You can’t record song titles unless you make an exact copy of a music CD in your collection.
Creating jukebox discs To create compressed (jukebox) music CDs or DVDs using Sonic DigitalMedia Plus: n DVD discs can store significantly more music files than a CD. Jukebox discs can only be played on computers, CD players, or DVD players that support the file format you use to create the disc (MP3 is most commonly supported). 1 2 3 Open the Sonic DigitalMedia Plus program by clicking Start, All Programs, Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home. Click the Audio tab, and then Jukebox CD/DVD.
Data disc tips When storing data files on a disc, it is important to note that: ■ ■ You can add new data files to a CD-R, DVD-R, or a DVD+R in a later recording session, until the disc is full. With DVD+R or DVD-R discs, insert your partially recorded DVD, click the Wrench icon to display the Options window, click Data, select the first Write-Once DVD Compatibility option, and then click OK.
Copying a DVD or CD n Your DVD Writer or CD Writer drive will not copy commercially available DVD movies. Most commercial DVDs are encoded to prevent unauthorized duplication. Sonic DigitalMedia Plus enables you to make copies of an existing music or data disc. You can configure Sonic DigitalMedia Plus to verify that: ■ Data files have been copied without errors by performing the procedure described in “Verifying data disc recorded without errors” on page 82.
Archiving files using Media Center To archive your hard disk drive files: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 n Press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center. Your DVD Writer or CD Writer drive will not copy commercially available DVD movies. Most commercial DVDs are encoded to prevent unauthorized duplication. Select More Programs. Select Media Archive. Select the drive where your files are located by selecting (+) or (–).
To burn a CD or DVD from an image file using Sonic DigitalMedia Plus: 1 2 3 Open the Sonic DigitalMedia Plus program by clicking Start, All Programs, Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home. Click Copy and then Burn Image. 4 5 6 Insert a recordable CD or DVD into the drive. Click the Burn Image icon. Click Done when recording is complete. Click Browse to select the image file.
Burning a LightScribe label with Sonic Express Labeler 1 2 3 d Click the left or right arrows next to Click Start, All Programs, Sonic, and then click Express Labeler. Layout and Background to select design elements for the disc. The selections you make are previewed in the disc window. In the Step1: Select Project area, make sure that Disc Label is selected. In the Step 2: Edit area: 4 a Click Disc Titles to display the Edit Disc Title window. Enter text for the title and subtitle.
4 In the Step 2: Edit area: When you are satisfied with the appearance of your label, insert the LightScribe media disc (label side down) into the disc drive tray, and then click Print. a Click Disc Titles to display the Edit Text window. Enter text for the title and subtitle. b Click Tracks to display the Edit Track window. Click New to display the Track window. Enter text to identify the first track or file (you can optionally enter artist and date, or length), and then click OK.
Disc Features and Compatibility Table Disc File type Can be recorded onto Plays in PC Plays in home or car stereo Plays in home DVD player CD-ROM Data No Yes No No Music No Yes Yes Varies by model Data Yes Yes No No Music Yes Yes Varies by model Varies by model Data Yes Yes No No Music Yes Yes Varies by model Varies by model Data No Yes No No DVD movie No Yes No Yes DVD+R and DVD-R Data Yes Yes No No DVD movie Yes Yes No Varies by model DoubleLayer D
Optical Drive Quick Reference Table CDROM CDRW DVDROM DVD+RW/+R DVD-RW/-R DoubleLayer DVD 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 games Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Software Quick Reference Table (Select models only) Your HP Media Center PC includes a number of software programs that: ■ Record and play CDs. ■ Record data CDs. ■ Import and edit video files. ■ Record video CDs and DVDs. ■ Organize digital media files. With this program: The following table describes the functionality specific to each of these programs. Use it to determine which program to use to perform a task.
With this program: Sonic DigitalMedia Plus Sonic MyDVD Plus (Select models only) Windows Movie Maker 2.0 92 You can: ■ Record data and music files. ■ Record a copy of an existing music or data CD to use on the HP Media Center PC. ■ Create customized music CDs from CDs in your collection, or from .wav, .mp3, or .wma files. These CDs can be played in your home or car stereo. ■ Copy and share data files. ■ Create archive CDs or DVDs from files on your HP Media Center PC.
Creating Video Discs and Movies (Select models only) Your HP Media Center PC may come with the following movie making programs. ■ Sonic MyDVD ■ Windows Movie Maker ■ Sonic DigitalMedia Plus (which includes MyDVD) ■ muvee autoProducer ! 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.
Creating a Video Project To create a video project: 1 2 3 Click Start, choose All Programs, Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home. Click the Video tab to display the Video Guide. Click Create Project, and then DVD or VCD depending on the type of project you want to create. A project named Untitled DVD-Video or Untitled VCD-Video is created and displayed in the MyDVD project window. Adding files to a video project You can add files to your DVD or VCD video project from: ■ An existing DVD or VCD.
Capturing video to a video project You can capture live video or still images by connecting a Web camera or digital video camera to your PC’s front-panel USB connector (select models only). The video capture is added to your video project and stored in a file on your hard disk drive. To add a video capture to a video project: 1 2 3 6 Optionally, set a capture length, chapter points, or scene detection. Click the corresponding Help icon to display the online help for each of these features.
Adding submenus to a video project Each project element (video file, still picture file, and slideshow) that you add to the video project is represented in the main project window. Each menu displays six items before a new menu is automatically created and linked to the previous menu by a Next button. You can manually add submenus to a project and use them to organize topics associated with the theme of your project.
To edit your video files: 1 2 3 4 5 If your project is already open, click Edit Movie and skip to step 4. 6 Click Start, All Programs, Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home. Click the Video tab, and then File, New Project or Open Existing Project. 7 If you have already captured video files for this project, they appear along the bottom as a storyboard. If you have video files on your hard disk drive you would like to add to this project, click Add Files. 8 In the Sonic MyDVD window, click Edit Movie.
Creating a Video Project with Direct-to-Disc Wizard Sonic MyDVD includes a Direct-to-Disc Wizard that helps you create a DVD or VCD video project. A video project is a way to group, organize, store, play, and burn related video and still digital files. 1 2 3 4 5 Connect your digital camcorder or Web camera to your HP Media Center PC. 7 Click the Video tab and then Direct-to-Disc. Click DVD or VCD depending on the type of project you want to create. The Direct-to-VCD or Direct-to-DVD Wizard displays.
Video Quality and Disc Size Sonic MyDVD includes four DVD video quality (bit rate) settings, and a Fit-to-DVD option that can be applied to a video project or to individual movie files. The DVD quality settings are: ■ LP (Long Play) — Fits approximately twice as much video onto a DVD as HQ. Not recommended when the original video is low-quality or noisy. ■ HQ (High Quality) — Best audio and video quality, but requires the most disc space per second of video.
DVD Recording Time The following table lists the approximate DVD-Video recording time for different disc sizes at different video quality settings (your DVD recorder may not support all these disc sizes). Estimated Time per disc size n Dolby Digital encoding is available only with the Deluxe version of Sonic MyDVD. Video quality HQ SP LP EP ■ 100 Audio format 4.7 GB 2.6 GB 1.4 GB Dolby Digital 130 min. 70 min. 40 min. 20 min. PCM 110 min. 60 min. 30 min. 15 min.
Creating Movies Using muvee autoProducer (Select models only) Creating personalized and professional-looking video movies is simple with muvee autoProducer, a software program on your PC. Basic Steps to Make a Movie The basic steps to produce a movie with muvee autoProducer are: 1 2 Capture digital video: Capture live or recorded video to your hard disk drive directly from a compatible digital video camcorder (only from the desktop muvee autoProducer version).
Locating the two versions of muvee autoProducer You can access two versions of muvee autoProducer (select models only): Desktop n Click Start on the taskbar, and then select All Programs, muvee Technologies, muvee autoProducer, and then muvee autoProducer to open muvee autoProducer. This version of muvee autoProducer has more features, such as video capture and disc recording. To view Help files, press the F1 function key on the keyboard. See “Using muvee autoProducer on the Desktop” on page 103.
Using muvee autoProducer on the Desktop n Getting started on the desktop To open muvee autoProducer (select models only): 1 2 3 Close or minimize Media Center. Click Start 4 on the taskbar. Select All Programs, muvee Technologies, muvee autoProducer, and then muvee autoProducer to open muvee autoProducer. 5 You can also launch the muvee autoProducer program from within Sonic DigitalMedia Plus: under the Video tab, select muvee autoProducer.
Capturing video from a DV camcorder You can capture (copy) digital video files to your hard disk drive by using muvee autoProducer either: ■ Live (known as camera mode) using a compatible DV camcorder. See “Capturing live video from a DV camcorder” on page 104. Or ■ Recorded (known as VCR mode) using a recorded tape in your DV camcorder. See “Capturing recorded video from a DV camcorder” on page 105. Captured video files are automatically added to your movie project.
Capturing recorded video from a DV camcorder For best results with muvee autoProducer, capture only video footage that you are most interested in using in your movie project. To capture camcorder (copy) recorded video to your hard disk drive: 1 2 3 4 5 Connect your DV camcorder to the FireWire (IEEE 1394) port on your PC. Turn on the camcorder and set it to VCR mode. Refer to the instructions in the manufacturer’s documentation. Click the Get Video from Camera button.
c Use the magicMoment controls to mark ■ video scenes to include and exclude: Click or hold down the arrow buttons to navigate backward and forward through the video footage. Video footage left unmarked is still analyzed when you make the movie and may be included in the final version of the movie. ■ ■ ■ For best results with the production of your movie: Click and hold down the green thumbs-up button to mark scenes that must be included in the movie.
Adding music To add music files to your movie production soundtrack on the desktop: 1 2 3 Select the Add Music button in the music area. The Add Music window opens. ■ Add up to three .mp3, .m4a, .wav, or .wma files. ■ Select multiple music files by pressing and holding Ctrl on your keyboard while selecting the files. Browse the folders, as required.
3 Select the Video tab to set the video and still image preferences. Click one of the following settings: ■ Style default. Select this style to sequence still images and video clips. ■ Keep shots in sequence. Select this style to use the sequence of still images and video clips in the Add Video/Pictures window. 4 Select the Audio tab to set the sound preferences. Click one of the following settings: ■ Use all music. Select this style to use the sequence of sound files in the Add Music window.
Making the movie 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. To make a movie: 1 2 Click the make muvee button. Click OK as required.
Recording the movie project to disc To create a DVD, VCD, or SVCD disc: 1 2 3 4 Click the Burn to Disc button. The muvee Burner window opens. Type the disc title. Select the video(s) to burn to the disc. ■ Select the order of the chapters. ■ Add or delete videos, as required. Select the disc menu theme from the dropdown list. 5 6 7 8 Select the CD or DVD recording drive. Select type of disc you want to burn: DVD, VCD, or SVCD. Click Burn Now to begin burning your movie to disc.
3 Select a button option to produce your video, and follow the onscreen instructions: Button Allows you to See Select Video Browse video folders and add existing video files to your video production. “Selecting videos” on page 112. Select Pictures Browse picture folders and add existing image files to your video production. “Selecting pictures” on page 112. Select Music Browse music folders and add existing audio files to your video production soundtrack. “Selecting music” on page 113.
Selecting videos To add video files to your movie production: 1 2 Select the Select Video button to browse through video folders on your PC for video files to use in your movie production. Select a folder with pictures in it, using the arrow buttons on the remote control: ■ n Select the My Videos button to access the My Videos folder and subfolders. Or Click Select All to choose all video files in a folder. Click Clear All to remove all video files from the Selected Videos column.
Selecting music To add music to your movie soundtrack: 1 2 Select the Select Music button to browse through folders on your PC for music files to use in your movie production. Select a folder with music in it, using the arrow buttons on the remote control: ■ Select the My Music button to access the My Music folder and subfolders. Or ■ Select the Shared Music button to access the Shared music folder and subfolders.
Adjusting audio and video settings You can adjust audio and video production settings for your movie: 1 2 3 Select the Settings button. ■ If the total duration of your video and picture files is longer than the duration of your music, place a check in the Allow Music to be repeated check box to repeat music for the duration of the video clips. ■ Place a check in the Keep video and pictures in sequence check box to maintain the selected sequence.
4 After making a movie, you can preview the movie in the muvee autoProducer Preview window. Use the controls in the Preview window to rewind, play, stop, and forward the movie. You can revise and preview the movie as often as you want to experiment with different styles and the content of the movie. 5 Click the Save button if you have completed all changes and if you are satisfied with the look of your movie project: a Select a file type.
116 HP Media Center PC Software Guide
Using an HP Personal Media Drive The HP Personal Media Drive is sold separately. It 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 HP Media Center 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 HP Media Center PC, you can find the drive in My Computer. The HP Media Center 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 118. 1 2 3 Click Start on the taskbar. 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.
Playing Video Files You can view your videos stored on an HP Personal Media Drive. If you want the video files that are stored on your HP Personal Media Drive to appear in the Media Center My Videos window, you must complete the procedure “Setting Up the HP Personal Media Drive to Work with Media Center” on page 117. When you disconnect the drive, your video files may still appear in the Media Center My Videos window. To refresh your HP Media Center PC, open and close Media Center.
About Recording TV to the HP Personal Media Drive The HP Media Center PC was set up to record TV shows to your local hard disk drive when using Media Center. It is possible to change the recording pathway to an HP Personal Media Drive, but several errors can occur if the drive is unexpectedly or improperly removed. It is recommended that you record TV shows to your local hard disk drive and then copy the files over to your HP Personal Media Drive.
Recording TV programs to the HP Personal Media Drive 1 2 3 4 Change your recording pathway to your HP Personal Media Drive. See “Changing the TV recording path to the HP Personal Media Drive” on page 122. Open Media Center. Record TV programs. See “Recording TV from the Guide” on page 28. Your programs are recorded to the HP Personal Media Drive. Before disconnecting the drive: ■ Make sure there are no scheduled recordings or recordings in progress to avoid losing data.
Changing the TV recording path to the local hard disk drive To change the Media Center TV recording path to your local hard disk drive: 1 2 Open Media Center. Select Settings, TV, Recorder, and then Recorder storage. You can also set the disk allocation and recording quality settings in this window. 3 4 5 6 Select your local hard disk drive (C:). Click Save, and then click Yes. Close Media Center. Restart the HP Media Center PC.
Changing Disk Allocation If you experience a Low Disk Space error message, and you want to change the disk allocation to a higher percentage for your HP Personal Media Drive: 1 2 Open Media Center. 3 Select Settings, TV, Recorder, and then select Recorder storage. Change the disk allocation percentage setting by selecting (+) or (–). 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.
Index A adding CD tracks to the music library 43 music files to the music library from the hard disk drive 41 adhesive disc labels 88 appending discs 83 archive files 84 Away mode enabling 6 power setting 2 using 6 B bit rate DVDs 99 VCDs 99 burning audio and data files 79 CDs archive files 84 closed-session 80 copying 84 data files 83 image files 85, 86 jukebox 81 tips about 81 verifying no errors 80, 82 data discs 80, 82 DVDs archive files 84 bit rate 99 Fit-to-DVD setting 99 image files 85, 86 overview
126 D E data burning in multiple sessions 82 CDs and DVDs 83 files archiving 84 burning tips 83 verifying integrity 83 desktop switching from Media Center 4 DigitalMedia Home adding files, adding files, video projects 94 Direct-to-Disc Wizard (MyDVD) 93, 98 discs drive compatibility 88 erasing rewritable 79 features and compatibility 89 labeling adhesive 88 after burning with iTunes 87 with LightScribe 87 driver updates, LightScribe 86 DV camcorder capture 104 DVD movies changing audio settings 74 langua
.mpeg-1 101 .mpeg-2 101 .mpeg-4 101 .wav 37, 101 .wma 101 .
what you can do in My Music 33 in My Pictures 50 in My TV 17 in My Videos 69 in Radio 75 memory card reader 50 movie making programs 93 music burning CD 39 creating CD tips 81 music library adding CD tracks 43 creating 41 muvee autoProducer adding a title and credits 103 adding music 103 adding pictures 103, 106 adding still image files 112 adding video 103, 105 adjusting audio and video settings 114 adjusting production settings 114 allowing music to repeat 107 allowing video and pictures to repeat 107 bas
P pictures copying pictures to CD 68 editing 65 image not displayed in My Pictures 65 printing 65 rotating 67 troubleshooting image not displayed in My Pictures 59 playing digital music files 44 digital videos 69 DVDs in Media Center 73 music CDs in Media Center 44 songs in My Music 45 playing songs Buy Music option 46 Visualize option 46 playlist creating in iTunes 38 creating in My Music 47 production settings, muvee 114 Program Guide, see Television Program Guide Q quality settings, recording DVDs 97 qu
software programs iTunes 91 movie making 93 Sonic Digital Media Plus 93 Windows Movie Maker 2.
video capture live 104 recorded video 104 video editing getting started with muvee autoProducer 103 video movies recording movie to disc 110 sorting 70, 71 W Windows Media Player setting as default player 37, 44 types of files 37, 44 Windows Movie Maker 2.
Part number: 5991-3510
