Aspire iDea
User’s Guide
Copyright © 2006 Acer Incorporated
All Rights Reserved.
Aspire iDea
User’s Guide
Changes may be made periodically to the information in this publication without obligation
to notify any person of such revision or changes. Such changes will be incorporated in new
editions of this manual or supplementary documents and publications. This company makes
no representations or warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to the contents
hereof and specifically disclaims the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a
particular purpose.
Record the model number, serial number, purchase date, and place of purchase information in
the space provided below. The serial number and model numbers are recorded on the label
affixed to your computer. All correspondence concerning your unit should include the serial
number, model number, and purchase information.
Model Number : _________________________________
Serial Number: ___________________________________
Purchase Date: ___________________________________
Place of Purchase: ________________________________
All trademarks and registered trademarks are the properties of their respective companies.
Information for your safety and comfort
Safety instructions
Read these instructions carefully. Keep this document for future reference.
Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product.
Turning the product off before cleaning
Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid
cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning.
Warnings
• Do not use this product near water.
• Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand or table. If the product
falls, it could be seriously damaged.
• Slots and openings are provided for ventilation to ensure reliable
operation of the product and to protect it from overheating. These
openings must not be blocked or covered. The openings should never be
blocked by placing the product on a bed, sofa, rug or other similar surface.
This product should never be placed near or over a radiator or heat
register, or in a built-in installation unless proper ventilation is provided.
• Never push objects of any kind into this product through cabinet slots as
they may touch dangerous voltage points or short-out parts that could
result in a fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of any kind onto or into
the product.
• To avoid damage of internal components and to prevent battery leakage,
do not place the product on a vibrating surface.
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Using electrical power
• This product should be operated from the type of power indicated on the
marking label. If you are not sure of the type of power available, consult
your dealer or local power company.
• Do not allow anything to rest on the power cord. Do not locate this
product where people will walk on the cord.
• If an extension cord is used with this product, make sure that the total
ampere rating of the equipment plugged into the extension cord does not
exceed the extension cord ampere rating. Also, make sure that the total
rating of all products plugged into the wall outlet does not exceed the fuse
rating.
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iv
• Do not overload a power outlet, strip or receptacle by plugging in too
many devices. The overall system load must not exceed 80% of the branch
circuit rating. If power strips are used, the load should not exceed 80% of
the power strip's input rating.
• The configuration and shape power plug vary according to region. In
certain regions, this product's AC adapter is equipped with a three-wire
grounded plug. The plug only fits in a grounded power outlet. Make sure
the power outlet is properly grounded before inserting the AC adapter
plug. Do not insert the plug into a non-grounded power outlet. Contact
your electrician for details.
Warning! The grounding pin is a safety feature. Using a power
outlet that is not properly grounded may result in electric shock
and/or injury.
Note: The grounding pin also provides good protection from unexpected
noise produced by other nearby electrical devices that may interfere with
the performance of this product.
• Use the product only with the supplied power supply cord set. If you need
to replace the power cord set, make sure that the new power cord meets
the following requirements: detachable type, UL listed/CSA certified, type
SVT, rated 7 A 125 V minimum, VDE approved or its equivalent, 4.6 meters
(15 feet) maximum length.
Product servicing
Do not attempt to service this product yourself, as opening or removing covers
may expose you to dangerous voltage points or other risks. Refer all servicing to
qualified service personnel.
Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified service
personnel when:
• the power cord or plug is damaged, cut or frayed
• liquid was spilled into the product
• the product was exposed to rain or water
• the product has been dropped or the case has been damaged
• the product exhibits a distinct change in performance, indicating a need
for service
• the product does not operate normally after following the operating
instructions
Note: Adjust only those controls that are covered by the operating
instructions, since improper adjustment of other controls may result in
damage and will often require extensive work by a qualified technician to
restore the product to normal condition.
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Disposal instructions
Do not throw this electronic device into the trash when discarding. To minimize
pollution and ensure utmost protection of the global environment, please
recycle. For more information on the Waste from Electrical and Electronics
Equipment (WEEE) regulations, visit
http://global.acer.com/about/environmental.htm
Tips and information for comfortable use
Computer users may complain of eyestrain and headaches after prolonged use.
Users are also at risk of physical injury after long hours of working in front of a
computer. Long work periods, bad posture, poor work habits, stress, inadequate
working conditions, personal health and other factors greatly increase the risk
of physical injury.
Incorrect computer usage may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis,
tenosynovitis or other musculoskeletal disorders. The following symptoms may
appear in the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, neck or back:
• numbness, or a burning or tingling sensation
• aching, soreness or tenderness
• pain, swelling or throbbing
• stiffness or tightness
• coldness or weakness
If you have these symptoms, or any other recurring or persistent discomfort
and/or pain related to computer use, consult a physician immediately and
inform your company's health and safety department.
The following section provides tips for more comfortable computer use.
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Finding your comfort zone
Find your comfort zone by adjusting the viewing angle of the monitor, using a
footrest, or raising your sitting height to achieve maximum comfort. Observe
the following tips:
• Refrain from staying too long in one fixed posture.
• Avoid slouching forward and/or leaning backward.
• Stand up and walk around regularly to remove the strain on your leg
muscles.
• Take short rests to relax your neck and shoulders.
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• avoid tensing your muscles or shrugging your shoulders
• install the external display, keyboard and mouse properly and within
comfortable reach
• if you view your monitor more than your documents, place the display at
the center of your desk to minimize neck strain
Taking care of your vision
Long viewing hours, wearing incorrect glasses or contact lenses, glare, excessive
room lighting, poorly focused screens, very small typefaces and low-contrast
displays could stress your eyes. The following sections provide suggestions on
how to reduce eyestrain.
Eyes
• Rest your eyes frequently.
• Give your eyes regular breaks by looking away from the monitor and
focusing on a distant point.
• Blink frequently to keep your eyes from drying out.
Display
• Keep your display clean.
• Keep your head at a higher level than the top edge of the display so your
eyes point downward when looking at the middle of the display.
• Adjust the display brightness and/or contrast to a comfortable level for
enhanced text readability and graphics clarity.
• Eliminate glare and reflections by:
• placing your display in such a way that the side faces the window or
any light source
• minimizing room light by using drapes, shades or blinds
• using a task light
• changing the display's viewing angle
• using a glare-reduction filter
• using a display visor, such as a piece of cardboard extended from the
display's top front edge
• Avoid adjusting your display to an awkward viewing angle.
• Avoid looking at bright light sources, such as open windows, for extended
periods of time.
Note: For more information, please refer to “ Regulations and safety
notices” on page 53.
Information for your safety and comfort iii
Safety instructions iii
Disposal instructions v
Tips and information for comfortable use v
1 About Aspire iDea 1
Features 1
Getting support 2
Package contents 3
2 Guide to components 5
Front view 5
Rear view 7
Remote control 8
Wireless keyboard 10
3 Setting up the system 13
Before you start 13
Connecting the power cable 13
Connecting display devices 14
Connecting to a TV antenna or cable 17
Connecting an FM radio antenna 17
Selecting an A/V input source 17
Connecting audio devices 18
Configuring audio output settings 19
Setting up the wireless devices 20
Turning on your system for the first time 22
Using the VFD 24
Turn off your system 25
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Contents
4 Using the Windows XP Media Center 27
Overview 27
Opening Media Center 27
Media Center Home Page 28
Media playback toolbar 29
Closing Media Center 31
5 Using accessory programs 33
Viewing the More Programs menu 33
Picture Slide DVD 33
Using PSD 33
Plug n Record 35
Before Using PnR 35
Using PnR 36
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viii
6 Managing your system 39
Acer eDataSecurity Management 39
Acer eRecovery Management 40
Using Acer eRecovery Management 40
Acer ePerformance Management 46
Using Acer ePerformance Management 46
7 FAQs 49
8 Regulations and safety notices 53
ENERGY STAR guidelines compliance 53
FCC notice 53
Laser compliance statement 55
Digital audio output statement 55
Macrovision copyright protection notice 55
Radio device regulatory notice 55
General 56
European Union (EU) 56
FCC RF safety requirement 57
Canada — Low-power license-exempt radio
communication devices (RSS-210) 57
Federal Communications Comission
Declaration of Conformity 58
Declaration of Conformity for CE Marking 59
1 About Aspire iDea
The Aspire iDea is a convergence of digital recreation and personal computing
technologies designed to give you an enjoyable and rewarding home
entertainment experience. With powerful features, versatile connectivity and
manageable applications, the Aspire iDea is sure to keep you ahead in the
world of digital home leisure.
Features
• Complete multimedia portal with access to terrestrial/cable TV, FM radio,
CD/DVD playback, Internet, and digital consumer electronics
• Effortless media content management with the Windows XP Media Center
Edition
• Flexible display connectivity enables content on your traditional or highdefinition (HD) TV, or LCD/CRT monitor
• TV and FM radio functionality allows you to record (TV only), watch, pause,
and replay live programs
• Cutting-edge audio capability supports analog/digital audio outputs and
the cutting-edge sound effect technologies: Dolby Digital Live and DTS
Connect
• Fast and easy control through wireless keyboard, remote control, VFD, and
front-panel navigation and playback buttons
• Slim assembly and low operating noise complements any sophisticated
living room layout
• Dependable, cutting-edge technology offers faster response time for
efficient multi-tasking
• Wired or wireless network capability enables fast connection for
downloading web-based content-on-demand
• Optical drive playback supports CD, VCD, SVCD, CD-R/RW, DVD, DVD-DL,
DVD-R/-RW, DVD-R DL, DVD+R/+RW, DVD+R DL (incl. DVD-RAM if with
DVD-Super Multi)
• Optical drive recording supports CD-R/RW, DVD-R/-RW, DVD-R DL, DVD+R/
+RW, DVD+R DL (incl. DVD-RAM if with DVD-Super Multi)
1
English
Getting support
1 About Aspire iDea2
English
We are constantly upgrading, improving, and adding functions and features to
Aspire iDea. Visit the Acer websites to retrieve the latest news and product
updates.
Country Website
Switzerland http://www.acer-euro.com
Middle East http://www.acer.ae
Austria http://www.acer.at
Benelux http://www.acer.nl
Belgium http://www.acer.be
Luxembourg http://www.acer.lu
Denmark http://www.acer.dk
Finland http://www.acer.fi
France http://www.acer.fr
Germany http://www.acer.de
Italy http://www.acer.it
Norway http://www.acer.no
Spain http://www.acer.es
Portugal http://www.acer-pt.com
Sweden http://www.acercomputer.se
Switzerland http://www.acer.ch
United Kingdom http://www.acer.co.uk
Czech Republic http://www.acer.cz
Eastern Europe http://www.acer-ee.com
Hungary http://www.acer.hu
Poland http://www.acer.pl
Russia http://www.acer.ru
Africa http://www.acer.co.za
3
Package contents
Carefully unpack the carton and remove the contents. If any of the following
items are missing or damaged, contact your dealer immediately:
Aspire iDea unit Aspire iDea poster This Guide Warranty
Media Center
remote control*
and 2 AA batteries
Video + Audio
cable *
Power cable
Wireless keyboard and
2 AA batteries
Stereo cable* Digital audio
*
IR blaster x 2
*
DVI cable* DVI to D-Sub adapter
*
FM antenna*
SCART cable
*
coaxial cable*
S-video cable
English
External WLAN
antenna
* Availability depends on region and retail configuration.
HDMI cable* Stereo mini-port to stereo
RCA converter or Y cable*
Save the boxes and packing materials for future use.
English
1 About Aspire iDea4
2 Guide to components
This chapter discusses the hardware features of the Aspire iDea.
Front view
5
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No. Component Description
1 Power button Press to power on or power off the system.
2 RF (radio frequency)
receiver
3 Drive eject button Ejects the optical disk.
4 Multi Writable DVD
drive
5 IR (Infrared) receiver Receives IR signals from the remote control.
6 Playback controls Lets you conveniently play, record, pause, stop, forward,
7 VFD (Vacuum
Fluorescent Display)
Receives radio frequency from wireless touchpad
keyboard.
Use to access and record data on compact disks (CDs) and
digital video disks (DVDs).
rewind, skip, or replay a song, slide show, movie or TV
program.
Displays the current Media Center status, current system
date and time, or media title display.
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2 Guide to components6
No. Component Description
8A - 8CMCE (Media Center
Edition) navigation
buttons
9 I/O ports cover
release button
10 4-pin IEEE 1394 port Connects to an IEEE 1394 device (e.g., digital video
11 XD/SD/MMC/MS/
MS Pro slot
12 CF I/CF II/MD slot Accepts a CF (CompactFlash) Type I, CF Type II or
13 USB 2.0 ports Connects to USB peripherals devices (e.g., USB mouse, USB
14 S-video input jack Connects to a video recorder, camcorder, or a device with
15 Video input jack Connects to a video recorder, camcorder, game console or
16 Audio input jack Connects to a video recorder, camcorder, audio casette
17 1/4” microphone jack Connects to a microphone.
18 1/4” headphone jack Connects to a headphone.
8A Press the Back button to return to the previous view.
8B Press the Left, Right, Up, or Down arrow buttons to
navigate through the Media Center menu options.
8C Press the OK button to access the Media Center menu
options and confirm your selection.
Press to open the I/O (Input/Output) ports cover.
camcorder).
Accepts an XD (eXtreme Digital), SD (SecureDigital), MMC
(MultimediaCard), MS (Memory Stick) or MS Pro (Memory
Stick Pro) card.
Warn ing: If you want to read contents from small form
factor memory cards, such as mini-SD, RS-MMC, or MS Pro
Duo you should use a suitable adapter.
Microdrive.
printer, USB combo drive, digital cameras).
S-video output signal.
a device with Video output signal.
player or stereo walkman.
7
Rear view
No. Component Description
1 Power connector Plug the power cable into this connector.
2 SCART input connector Connects to a set-top box or other A/V devices such as
SCART input/output
connector
3 IR blaster ports Connects an IR blaster to the set-top-box’s IR sensor
4 LAN port Connects to an Ethernet 10/100/1G-based network.
5 TV antenna/cable
output jack
6 TV antenna/cable input
jack
7FM radio
input jack
8 WLAN antenna
connector
9 Coaxial digital audio
output jack
10 Optical digital audio
output jack
11 Multi-channel speaker
audio output
connectors
12 Video output jack Connects to a TV with Video input.
13 S-video output jack Connects to a TV with S-video input.
VCR, V8 (a.k.a. digital video camcorders), video
player, etc.
The SCART input connector supports Video, S-video and
Audio (L and R) input signals.
Connects to a TV, set-top box, or other A/V devices such as
VCR, V8 (a.k.a. digital video camcorders), video
player, etc.
The SCART input/output connector supports Video, S-
video, Audio (L and R) input and Composite Video and
Audio (L and R) output signals.
window.
Connects to a television.
Connects to a antenna or cable TV.
Connects to an external FM radio antenna.
Connects to a wireless LAN antenna.
Connects to a digital device, such as MiniDisc recorders,
home theater receivers, or A/V receivers.
Connects to an amplifier which has multi-channel audio
system.
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2 Guide to components8
No. Component Description
14 Component video
output jack
15 DVI-I connector Connects to a TV or LCD with DVI input or use the DVI-to-
16 HDMI Connects to a TV with HDMI input.
17 6-pin IEEE 1394 port Connects to an IEEE 1394 device (e.g., digital video
18 USB 2.0 ports Connects to USB peripheral devices (e.g., USB mouse, USB
Connects to a TV with YPbPr input.
VGA adapter to connect a TV or monitor with VGA (DSub) input.
camcorder, hard disk, scanners).
printer, USB drive).
Remote control
No Component Description
1 Power LED Indicates that a command button is pressed.
2 Sleep Press to turn system to Away mode. While in Away mode, press
3 Playback controls Lets you play, record, pause, stop, forward, rewind, skip or
4 More Info Displays more information regarding the active TV program,
the button again to wake up or activate the system.
replay a song, slide show, movie or a TV program.
video, album, or pictures.
9
No Component Description
5 Navigation
buttons
6 Start Press the Start button to launch the Media Center Home Page.
7 Channel/
Page
8 Mute Turns the system sound off and on.
9 DVD menu When a DVD video is playing, press this button to display the
10 Live TV Displays a full screen view of a live TV program.
11 Numeric buttons Switches channels or inputs alphanumeric characters in the
12 Teletext
13 Enter Press to confirm your input or selection.
14 Teletext hotkeys When setting up programs in the TV menu, the following
15 Clear Press to erase the character you entered.
16 Guide Opens the TV Program Guide to display available channels and
17 Recorded TV Displays the Recorded TV page.
18 Volume control Increases or decreases the volume.
* The Teletext function is only available when the TV channel is broadcasting the Teletext
programme. Teletext is a type of information service provided by the television broadcast
companies. Teletext allows you to view the information of a video or program on your display device (i.e., news, weather, stock market, travel, etc.).
The following navigation buttons lets you access all Media
Center pages:
• Arrow buttons — Navigates through the menu options.
• OK — Selects an option in the Media Center menus and
confirm your selection.
• Back — Moves back to the previous screen.
Moves pages up or down or change the channels on the My TV
page.
DVD disc’s main menu.
Media Center text box.
Turns Teletext on and off
coloured buttons have the following function:
• Red — Navigate to the previous page.
• Green — Move to the next page.
• Yellow and Blue — Select, insert, and return to the Teletext
menu.
programs that you can watch and record.
Note: Available in select country and regions.
*
.
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Note: The actual appearance of the remote control may vary from the
illustration on the previous page.
For instructions on how to install the batteries to the remote control, see
“Setting up the wireless devices” on page 20.
English
2 Guide to components10
Using the remote control
The Media Center remote control complements the wireless keyboard. It
includes control buttons that is commonly found on a DVD player, VCR or TV.
Use the remote control to open the Media Center Edition program and
navigate through menus and commands; to listen to music, watch TV and DVDs,
and view pictures and slideshows.
1 Use the remote control to point towards the system’s IR receiver.
Refer to “Front view” on page 5 for the location of the IR receiver.
2 Press the button to launch or return to the Media Center Home
Page.
Wireless keyboard
The wireless keyboard with built-in touchpad combines mouse control with
touch typing. It has full-sized keys that include shortcut keys, status LED, power
switch, touchpad, left and right buttons, arrow keys, one Windows key, left and
right mouse keys, and twelve function keys.
No. Component Description
1A -1GShortcut keys Use the shortcut keys to do the following in
Windows XP:
1A Put system to Away mode
1B Launch Internet Explorer
1C Launch Microsoft Outlook Express
1D Launch Media player
1E Toggles the Media player sound on or off
1F Increase or decrease volume
1G Play or pause the Media player
11
No. Component Description
2 Status LED Displays the following functions:
3 Power switch Turns the keyboard on and off. Slide to the right to turn
4 Touchpad Pointing device that senses movement on its surface.
5 Left and right
6 Arrow keys Moves the pointer around the Media Center menus.
7 Windows logo key Start button. Combinations with this key perform special
8 Left and right mouse
9 Function keys
buttons
keys
(F1- F12)
• Green LED indicates the keyboard is turned on.
The LED will flash for three seconds to confirm it is
powering on, then stops flashing.
• Flashing Green LED indicates the keyboard is
synchronized to the system.
• Red LED indicates battery level is low.
The LED will turn green then flash red for two
seconds to indicate keyboard’s battery level is low.
Replace the batteries. Refer to page 20 for
instructions on installing the batteries to the wireless
keyboard.
on the keyboard or slide to the left to power off the
keyboard.
Move your finger on the surface of the touchpad to
move the cursor.
Press the left and right buttons to select and execute
functions. These two buttons are similar to the left and
right buttons on a mouse. Tapping on the touchpad
produces similar results to clicking the left button.
functions, such as:
• + Tab: Activate the next Taskbar button.
• + E: Explore My Computer
• + F: Find Document
• + M: Minimize All
• Shift + + M: Undo Minimize All
• + R: Display Run dialog box
Press to simulate left and right mouse clicks.
The function keys lets you perform specific functions,
depending on the application that uses them.
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Note: Keyboard may vary depending on region.
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2 Guide to components12
3 Setting up the system
This chapter contains instructions on how to set up the Aspire iDea.
Before you start
For better performance and more enjoyable viewing, it is a plus to have the
following:
• Widescreen HD-ready display with 3D motion-adaptive de-interlacing for
exquisite details up to 1080p with HDMI, DVI, VGA (D-sub), or component
(YPbPr) connection.
• Multi-channel audio system with Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound
decoder
• Make sure that you have access to the Internet before starting the Aspire
iDea or Media Center software setup. Contact your ISP (Internet Service
Provider) for more information about setting up your Internet connection.
• Internet connection allows you to fully utilize the MCE Online Spotlight
and Electronic Program Guide (EPG) features. The EPG is an easy way to
select a channel and record TV programs.
• To view and record a television program, the system must receive signals
from the TV antenna or direct cable connection. For more information, see
“Connecting to a TV antenna or cable” on page 17.
13
English
Connecting the power cable
Note: Use the correct power cord for your region.
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