Multimedia User Guide
© Copyright 2008 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Microsoft, Windows, and Windows Vista are either U.S. registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. 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.
Product notice This user guide describes features that are common to most models. Some features may not be available on your computer.
iv Product notice
Table of contents 1 Multimedia features Identifying your multimedia components .............................................................................................. 2 Adjusting the volume ............................................................................................................................ 3 2 Multimedia software Accessing your preinstalled multimedia software .................................................................................
The optical disc tray does not open for removal of a CD or DVD ....................................................... 27 A disc does not play ........................................................................................................................... 28 A disc does not play automatically ..................................................................................................... 29 A DVD movie stops, skips, or plays erratically .......................................................
1 Multimedia features Your computer includes multimedia features that allow you to listen to music, watch movies, and view pictures.
Identifying your multimedia components The following illustration and table describe the multimedia features of the computer. Component Description (1) Internal microphones (2) Record sound. (2) HP Webcam Records audio and video and captures still photographs. (3) HP Webcam light Turns on when video software accesses the webcam. (4) Volume mute button Mutes and restores speaker sound. (5) Volume scroll zone Adjusts speaker volume. (6) Speakers (2) Produce sound.
Adjusting the volume You can adjust the volume using the following controls: ● ● Computer volume buttons: ◦ To mute or restore volume, press the mute button (1). ◦ To decrease volume, slide your finger across the volume scroll zone from right to left, or press the volume down button (2). ◦ To increase volume, slide your finger across the volume scroll zone from left to right, or press the volume up button (3). Windows® volume control: a.
2 Multimedia software Your computer includes preinstalled multimedia software that allows you to play music, watch movies, and view pictures. The following sections provide details about preinstalled multimedia software.
Accessing your preinstalled multimedia software To access your preinstalled multimedia software: ▲ Select Start > All Programs, and then open the multimedia program you want to use. NOTE: Some programs may be located in subfolders. NOTE: For details about using software included with the computer, refer to the software manufacturer’s instructions, which may be provided with the software, on disc, or on the manufacturer’s Web site.
Installing multimedia software from a disc To install any multimedia software from a CD or DVD, follow these steps: 6 1. Insert the disc into the optical drive. 2. When the installation wizard opens, follow the on-screen instructions. 3. Restart the computer if you are prompted to do so.
3 Audio Your computer enables you to use a variety of audio features: ● Play music using your computer speakers and/or connected external speakers ● Record sound using the internal microphone or connect an external microphone ● Download music from the Internet ● Create multimedia presentations using audio and images ● Transmit sound and images with instant messaging programs ● Stream radio programs (select models only) or receive FM radio signals ● Create or “burn” audio CDs (select models on
Connecting external audio devices WARNING! To reduce the risk of personal injury, adjust the volume before putting on headphones, earbuds, or a headset. For additional safety information, refer to the Regulatory, Safety and Environmental Notices. To connect external devices such as external speakers, headphones, or a microphone, refer to the information provided with the device.
Checking your audio functions To check the system sound on your computer, follow these steps: 1. Select Start > Control Panel. 2. Click Hardware and Sound. 3. Click Sound. 4. When the Sound window opens, click the Sounds tab. Under Program, select any sound event, such as a beep or alarm, and click the Test button. You should hear sound through the speakers or through connected headphones. To check the record functions of the computer, follow these steps: 1.
4 Video Your computer enables you to use a variety of video features: 10 ● Watch movies ● Play games over the Internet ● Edit pictures and video to create presentations ● Connect external video devices Chapter 4 Video
Connecting an external monitor or projector The external monitor port connects an external display device such as an external monitor or a projector to the computer. ▲ To connect a display device, connect the device cable to the external monitor port. NOTE: If a properly connected external display device does not display an image, press fn+f4 to transfer the image to the device. Repeatedly pressing fn+f4 alternates the screen image between the computer display and the device.
5 Optical drive (select models only) Identifying the installed optical drive ▲ 12 Select Start > Computer.
Using optical discs (CDs and DVDs) An optical drive, such as a DVD-ROM drive, supports optical discs (CDs and DVDs). These discs store or transport information and play music and movies. DVDs have a higher storage capacity than CDs. All optical drives can read from optical discs and some drives can also write to optical discs, as described in the following table. NOTE: Some of the optical drives listed may not be supported by your computer.
Playing a CD or DVD 1. Turn on the computer. 2. Press the release button (1) on the drive bezel to release the disc tray. 3. Pull out the tray (2). 4. Hold the disc by the edges to avoid touching the flat surfaces and position the disc label-side up over the tray spindle. NOTE: If the tray is not fully accessible, tilt the disc carefully to position it over the spindle. 5. Gently press the disc (3) down onto the tray spindle until the disc snaps into place. 6. Close the disc tray.
Configuring AutoPlay 1. Select Start > Control Panel > Play CDs or other media automatically. 2. Confirm that the Use AutoPlay for all media and devices check box is selected. 3. Click Choose a default, and then select one of the available options for each media type listed. NOTE: If you have Windows Vista Ultimate or Windows Vista Home Premium installed on your computer, you can use either Windows Media Player or WinDVD to play DVD media. For all other Vista editions, choose WinDVD to play DVD media.
Observing the copyright warning It is a criminal offense, under applicable copyright laws, to make unauthorized copies of copyrightprotected material, including computer programs, films, broadcasts, and sound recordings. Do not use this computer for such purposes. CAUTION: To prevent loss of information or damage to a disc, observe the following guidelines: Before writing to a disc, connect the computer to a reliable external power source.
Copying a CD or DVD 1. Select Start > All Programs > Roxio > Creator Business. 2. In the right pane, click Copy Disc. 3. Insert the disc you want to copy into the optical drive. 4. Click Copy at the bottom right of the screen. Creator Business reads the source disc and copies the data to a temporary folder on your hard drive. 5. When prompted, remove the source disc from the optical drive and insert a blank disc into the drive.
Creating or “burning” a CD or DVD If your computer includes a CD-RW, DVD-RW, or DVD+/-RW optical drive, you can use software such as Windows Media Player or Roxio Creator Business to burn data and audio files, including MP3 and WAV music files. To burn video files to a CD or DVD, use Windows Movie Maker. Observe the following guidelines when burning a CD or DVD: ● Before burning a disc, save and close any open files and close all programs.
Removing a CD or DVD 1. Press the release button (1) on the drive bezel to release the disc tray, and then gently pull out the tray (2) until it stops. 2. Remove the disc (3) from the tray by gently pressing down on the spindle while lifting the outer edges of the disc. Hold the disc by the edges and avoid touching the flat surfaces. NOTE: If the tray is not fully accessible, tilt the disc carefully as you remove it. 3. Close the disc tray and place the disc in a protective case.
Preventing playback disruptions ● Save your work and close all open programs before playing a CD or a DVD. ● Log off the Internet before playing a CD or a DVD. ● Be sure that you insert the disc properly. ● Be sure that the disc is clean. If necessary, clean the disc with filtered water and a lint-free cloth. Wipe from the center of the disc to the outer edge. ● Check the disc for scratches. If you find scratches, treat the disc with an optical disc repair kit available at many electronics stores.
Changing DVD region settings Most DVDs that contain copyrighted files also contain region codes. The region codes help protect copyrights internationally. You can play a DVD containing a region code only if the region code on the DVD matches the region setting on your DVD drive. CAUTION: The region settings on your DVD drive can be changed only 5 times. The region setting you select the fifth time becomes the permanent region setting on the DVD drive.
6 HP Webcam Your computer includes an integrated HP Webcam, located at the top of the display. With the preinstalled software, you can use the webcam to take a photo, record a video, or make an audio recording. You can preview the photo, video recording, or audio recording, and save it on your computer hard drive. To access the webcam and HP Webcam software, select Start > All Programs > HP Webcam.
Webcam tips For optimum performance, observe the following guidelines while using the webcam: ● Be sure that you have the latest version of an instant message program before starting a video conversation. ● The webcam may not work properly across some network firewalls. If you are having trouble viewing or sending video to someone on another LAN or outside your network firewall, temporarily disable the firewall.
Adjusting webcam properties You can adjust the following webcam properties: ● Brightness—Controls the amount of light that is incorporated into the image. A higher brightness setting creates a brighter image; a lower brightness setting creates a darker image. ● Contrast—Controls the difference between lighter and darker areas on the image. A higher contrast setting intensifies the image; a lower contrast setting maintains more of the original information’s dynamic range but leads to a flatter image.
Controlling the webcam focus mode (select models only) The following focus mode options are available: ● Normal—The factory setting of the camera is appropriate for normal photography. This range extends from several feet in front of the lens to infinity. ● Macro—The close-up focus setting, this mode is for taking photos and capturing video at a very close range (select models only). NOTE: The Bizcard reader (select models only) is always preset to a macro mode setting during its operation.
7 Troubleshooting The following sections describe several common issues and resolutions.
The optical disc tray does not open for removal of a CD or DVD 1. Insert the end of a paper clip (1) into the release access in the front bezel of the drive. 2. Press in gently on the paper clip until the disc tray is released, and then pull out the tray (2) until it stops. 3. Remove the disc (3) from the tray by gently pressing down on the spindle while lifting the outer edges of the disc. Hold the disc by the edges and avoid touching the flat surfaces.
A disc does not play ● Save your work and close all open programs before playing a CD or a DVD. ● Log off the Internet before playing a CD or a DVD. ● Be sure that you insert the disc properly. ● Be sure that the disc is clean. If necessary, clean the disc with filtered water and a lint-free cloth. Wipe from the center of the disc to the outer edge. ● Check the disc for scratches. If you find scratches, treat the disc with an optical disc repair kit available at many electronics stores.
A disc does not play automatically 1. Click Start and type autoplay in the Start Search box. As you type, search results are listed in the pane above the box. 2. In the results pane, click AutoPlay. If prompted by User Account Control, click Continue. 3. Select the check box for Use AutoPlay for all media and devices, and then click Save. A CD or DVD should now start automatically when it is inserted into the optical drive.
A DVD movie stops, skips, or plays erratically ● Check to be sure the disc is not scratched or damaged. ● Clean the disc. ● Conserve system resources by trying the following suggestions: ◦ Log off the Internet. ◦ Change the color properties of the desktop: 1. Right-click on a blank area of the computer desktop, and select Personalize > Display Settings. 2. Set Colors to Medium (16 bit), if this setting is not already selected.
A DVD movie is not visible on an external display 1. If both the computer display and an external display are turned on, press fn+f4 one or more times to switch between the 2 displays. 2. Configure the monitor settings to make the external display primary: a. Right-click on a blank area of the computer desktop, and select Personalize > Display Settings. b. Specify a primary display and a secondary display.
A DVD playing in Windows Media Player produces no sound or display You must use WinDVD, which is preinstalled on the computer, to play a DVD.
The process of burning a disc does not begin, or it stops before completion ● Be sure that all other programs are closed. ● Turn off Sleep mode and Hibernation. ● Be sure that you are using the right kind of disc for your drive. See your user guides for more information about disc types. ● Be sure that the disc is inserted properly. ● Select a slower write speed and try again.
The computer does not detect the optical drive If Windows does not detect the optical drive, use Device Manager to troubleshoot the device and then update, uninstall, or roll back the device driver. To check your device and drivers in Device Manager, follow these steps: 34 1. Remove any discs from the optical drive. 2. Click Start > Control Panel > System and Maintenance > Device Manager. If prompted by User Account Control, click Continue. 3.
A new device driver is needed Obtaining Microsoft device drivers Your computer is set to automatically check for and install updates for the most recent Windows operating system and other Microsoft products. Obtaining HP device drivers You can obtain the latest HP device drivers in either of the following ways: ● Using the HP Update Utility ● Using the HP Web site To use the HP Update Utility: 1. Select Start > All Programs > HP Update. 2.
Index A audio devices, connecting external 8 audio features 7 audio functions, checking 9 audio-in (microphone) jack 2 audio-out (headphone) jack 2 AutoPlay 15, 29 B button, volume mute 3 C CD burning 18 copying 17 playing 14 removing 19 CD drive 12 checking audio functions 9 controlling the webcam focus 25 copyright warning 16 D device drivers HP devices 35 Microsoft devices 35 uninstalling, reinstalling 35 drives Blu-ray R/RE DVD±RW SuperMulti DL Drive 13 CD 12 DVD 12 DVD-ROM Drive 13 DVD/CD-RW Combo Dri
W webcam adjusting properties 24 controlling the focus 25 identifying 2 tips 23 using 22 webcam light, identifying 2 Index 37
