AVerMedia MediaCenter User Guide

AVer MediaCenter

User Manual

DISCLAIMER

All the screen shots in this documentation are only example images. The images may vary depending on the product and software version. Information presented in this documentation has been carefully checked for reliability; however, no responsibility is assumed for inaccuracies. The information contained in this documentation is subject to change without notice.

COPYRIGHT

© 2009 by AVerMedia TECHNOLOGIES, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form by any means without the written permission of AVerMedia TECHNOLOGIES, Inc.

International Headquarter

Address	No. 135, Jian-Yi Road Chung-Ho City, Taipei Hsien Taiwan
Website	www.avermedia.com
Telephone	886-2-2226-3630

MCS-1.7.3 200906

		Table of Contents
Chapter 1		Introduction .........................................................................	1
1.1	Device Introduction........................................................................................................		2
1.2	System Requirements.....................................................................................................		3
1.3	Activating AVer MediaCenter .......................................................................................		3
1.4	Overview of AVer MediaCenter ....................................................................................		4
	The Main Screen .......................................................................................................................		4
	The Main Control Buttons ........................................................................................................		5
	Navigation Tree.........................................................................................................................		6
1.5	Remote Control...............................................................................................................		7
	Overview of the Remote Control (model 1)..............................................................................		7
	Overview of the Remote Control (continued)...........................................................................		8
	Overview of the Remote Control (model 2)..............................................................................		9
	Overview of the Remote Control (continued).........................................................................		10
	Overview of the Remote Control (model 3).............................................................................		11
1.6 Running AVer MediaCenter for the First Time .........................................................			12
Chapter 2		Getting Started ..................................................................	14
2.1	TV ..................................................................................................................................		15
	Scanning TV Channels............................................................................................................		15
	Watching Live TV...................................................................................................................		16
	Selecting a TV Channel ..........................................................................................................		16
	Adjusting Volume ...................................................................................................................		17
	Specifying a Channel Name or Description............................................................................		17
	Fine Tuning Color and Quality of the Display........................................................................		18
	Deleting a Channel..................................................................................................................		19
	Editing the Channel Group Table............................................................................................		20
	Managing the Channel Groups ...............................................................................................		21
	Using OverScan Function .......................................................................................................		23
	Changing the TV Channel Order ............................................................................................		23
	Capturing Images ....................................................................................................................		24
	Recording a TV Program Directly ..........................................................................................		24
	Playing a Recorded TV Program ............................................................................................		24
	Viewing Teletext Information (Available for PAL / SECAM or DVB-T System) ..................		25
	Viewing EPG Information (Only Available for Digital TV) ...................................................		25
2.2	Radio..............................................................................................................................		27
	Scanning FM Radio Frequencies (Only available for FM Radio)...........................................		27
	Listening to the Radio.............................................................................................................		28
	Manually Scanning Specific FM Channels (Only available for FM Radio) ..............................		28
	Selecting a Radio Channel ......................................................................................................		29
	Adjusting Volume ...................................................................................................................		29

	Deleting a Channel..................................................................................................................				29
	Changing the Radio Channel Order ........................................................................................				30
	Recording a Radio Program Directly......................................................................................				30
	Playing a Recorded Radio Program ........................................................................................				31
	Setting the Audio Mode (Only Available for FM Radio)........................................................				31
	Viewing RDS Information (Optional).....................................................................................				32
2.3	Video..............................................................................................................................				33
	Playing Video Files .................................................................................................................				33
2.4	Music .............................................................................................................................				34
	Adding Music to your Playlist ................................................................................................				34
	Playing Music .........................................................................................................................				35
2.5	Pictures..........................................................................................................................				36
	Viewing the Captured Images .................................................................................................				36
	Playing Slide Show .................................................................................................................				36
Chapter 3		Advanced Operations ........................................................			37
3.1	TV ..................................................................................................................................				38
	Using Schedule Recording......................................................................................................				38
	Using TimeShift......................................................................................................................				40
	Switching Between TV and External Video............................................................................				40
	Multi-Source Display (Only Available for Multi-Source Tuner Series Users)........................				41
	Multi-Channel Display (Only Available for Multi-Card/Dual Tuner Series Users)................				43
	Multi-Program Display (Only Available for Digital TV)........................................................				44
3.2	Radio..............................................................................................................................				47
	Using Schedule Recording......................................................................................................				47
	Using TimeShift......................................................................................................................				49
3.3	Video..............................................................................................................................				50
	Picture-in-Picture(PIP) / Picture-by-Picture(PBP) Display.....................................................				50
Chapter 4		More Settings ......................................................................			51
4.1	General Settings............................................................................................................				52
	Configure Storage ...................................................................................................................				52
	Configure Snapshot.................................................................................................................				53
	Video Device (Only Available for Multi-Card / Dual Tuner Series Users).............................				54
	More Options ..........................................................................................................................				55
4.2	TV Settings....................................................................................................................				56
	Configure Analog TV / Configure Digital TV			Configure TV Signal.................................	56
	Configure Digital TV		Configure TV Signal (Only for DVB-S users) ...............................		56
	Configure Analog TV / Configure Digital TV			Manage Programs .....................................	58
	Configure Analog TV / Configure Digital TV / HD Input Source Configure Recording..........				59
	Configure Analog TV		Configure Timeshift .......................................................................		59
	Configure HD Input Source Configure Timeshift..............................................................				60
	Configure Analog TV / Configure Digital TV			Configure Color Adjustment.....................	60
	More TV Options ....................................................................................................................				61

4.3	Radio Settings ...............................................................................................................	62
	Manage FM Radio Programs / Manage Digital Radio Programs............................................	62
	Configure FM Radio Recording / Configure Digital Radio Recordings.................................	63
4.4	Video Settings ...............................................................................................................	64
4.5	Picture Settings.............................................................................................................	65
4.6	About .............................................................................................................................	66
Appendix .............................................................................................		67
	Hot Keys .................................................................................................................................	68
	Glossary ..................................................................................................................................	69
	Satellite Internet Access..........................................................................................................	71
	Universal DVB Plug-in...........................................................................................................	74
	Video Gaming Plug-in (for Microsoft Vista MCE only).........................................................	75
	Video Quality Enhancement Plug-in (for Microsoft Vista MCE only) ...................................	76
	Common Interface for Conditional Access .............................................................................	78

Chapter 1

Introduction

Thanks for purchasing AVer MediaCenter. This powerful application allows you to watch TV, listen to the radio, create slide shows, record favorite programs and enjoy other features on your PC. With our easy-to-use remote control, you can enhance your PC experience. Turn your computer system into a real multimedia entertainment center.

This Chapter will guide you through the essential information of AVer MediaCenter. Please do read this chapter before using this application.

Please be noted the functions and images may vary depending on the product you purchase and the area you live.

Device Introduction .................................	2
System Requirement................................	3
Activating AVer MediaCenter.................	3
Overview of AVer MediaCenter..............	4
Remote Control........................................	7
Running AVer MediaCenter for the First
Time ........................................................	12

1.1 Device Introduction

Thanks for purchasing AVerMedia’s product. Please be noted that the functions or the remote control mentioned in this manual may vary depending on the product you purchase and the area you live.

Product Name	AVerTV CaptureHD
Model No.	H727
TV System	Digital TV (		DVB-T ATSC DVB-S)
	Analog TV (		NTSC		PAL SECAM)
Audio Mode	Stereo	Mono		SAP
FM Radio	Support	Not Support
Remote Control	Support ( Model 1				Model 2 Model 3)
	Not Support
External Signal	S-Video	Composite			Component	HDMI
Source
Others	Teletext	MHEG-5
	EPG	iEPG
	Closed Caption			Digital Subtitle
	CI/CA (optional)
	Multi-Source Display
Note	iEPG is only supported in USA
Appendix	Satellite Internet Access (for Window XP only)
	Universal DVB Plug-in				(for Microsoft XP / Vista MCE, 32 bit only)
	Video Gaming Plug-in				(for Microsoft Vista MCE only)
	Video Quality Enhancement Plug-in					(for Microsoft Vista MCE only)
	Common Interface for Conditional Access (optional)

Note: DVB is a registered trademark of the DVB Project.

Introduction 2

1.2 System Requirements

System requirements are described in detail below. Before using AVer MediaCenter, verify that your PC meets the requirements below.

Pentium 4 2.4GHz (Hyper-Threading) or Pentium Mobile 1.8GHz or above VGA card with 128M memory supports DirectX 9.0 or above

For HDTV, VGA card should support DXVA 512MB RAM or above

Sound Card 200MB HD size

Windows XP SP2 / Windows XP MCE / Windows Vista™ / Windows Vista™ MCE

For TimeShift and Record in MPEG-2

Intel Pentium® 4 3.0 GHz (Hyper-Threading)

For HDTV (H.264) preview / HD Input Source (HDMI/YPbPr Component) Full Function Intel® Core™2 Duo E6600 2.4 GHz

1G RAM or above

1.3 Activating AVer MediaCenter

To run the application, click Start, point to Programs, choose AVerMedia, select AVer MediaCenter and then click AVer MediaCenter. Another way is to double-click the AVer MediaCenter program icon “”on the desktop. Or, you can double-click the AVer Quick “” launcher located in the lower right corner of the screen.

Note: AVerQuick allows to set the desired default application, which means you can choose either AVerTV 6 or AVer MediaCenter as the default application when double clicking AVerQuick icon. To do this, right click AVerQuick, choose “Setting”, and select the preferred application in the “Application” tab.

Introduction 3

1.4 Overview of AVer MediaCenter

After running the software, the main screen of AVer MediaCenter appears, which includes “TV”, “Radio”, “Video”, “Music”, “Pictures” and “Settings”. This section briefly introduces main menu, sub menus and setting items. For more details, please refer to Chapter 2.

The Main Screen

Description

Title bar

Main menu

Main window

TV monitor and control panel

Display the system time

Note: You will not see the TV monitor and control panel until scanning TV channels.

Introduction 4

The Main Control Buttons

Description

Go back the main menu

Go back one level

Open user manual

Minimize the application

Restore the previous size

Exit the application

		Description
	/	Switch from real-time TV or
		Radio to TimeShift mode. / Freeze
		the playback temporarily.
		Stop the playback, recording,
		TimeShift, etc.
		Play the selected file
		Record the current program.
		Play the previous/next file in the
		playlist.
		Move backward or skip forward
		in intervals.
		Capture a single image or a
		sequence of images.
		Enable the PIP or multiple
		channel display function.
		Switch to display all the programs
		that are under the same frequency
		simultaneously. (This function is
		only available for digital TV.)
		Switch to different aspect ratios.
		Go to the next upper or lower
		active channel.
		Turn on / off the sound.
		Increase or decrease the sound.
		Choose between available audio
		modes

Introduction 5

Navigation Tree

Note: The items may vary depending on the product you use and the area you live.

Introduction 6

1.5 Remote Control

The remote control supports all the features of AVer MediaCenter. To use, just point the remote control at the

receiver, and press button.

Overview of the Remote Control (model 1)

Button

Description

(1)

Turn on/off the application.

(2)

Set the time to put your computer into

Standby/Hibernate mode, exit the

application or turn off the computer.

(3)

View Teletext / Close Caption information.

(4)

PIP Mode: Turn on/off the PIP-positioning

function. When enabled, you can move the

selected screen using the arrow buttons.

(5)

Use numeric buttons to select a channel.

Use Clear to delete the unwanted digit or

letters.

(6)

Go back to the previous page.

(7)

Display the current program’s information.

(This function is not available for this device.)

(8)

Channel up and channel down.

(9)

View EPG information.(This function is

only available for digital TV and radio)

(10)

Capture an image or a continuous sequence

of images.

(11)

Main Screen: A shortcut to the main

menu--“TV”.

Teletext Mode: Jump to the teletext page of

the corresponding color according to this

button.

(12)

Main Screen: A shortcut to the main

menu-- “Video”.

Teletext Mode: Jump to the teletext page of

the corresponding color according to this

button.

(13)

Switch from real-time TV or Radio to

TimeShift mode.

(14)

Play the selected file or temporarily freeze

the playback.

(15)

Go to the previous item in the playlist.

(16)

Move backwards in intervals.

(17)

Change between available signal sources.

Introduction

7

Overview of the Remote Control (continued)

							Button	Description
						(18)		Switch to different aspect ratios (4:3, 16:9,
								Full Screen, Keep Aspect Ratio).
						(19)		Switch to live TV source in full screen.
						(20)		PIP Mode: Turn on/off the PIP-sizing
								function. When enabled, you can enlarge or
								shrink the selected screen using the arrow
								buttons.
						(21)		Activate the Picture in Picture(PIP) /
								Multi-Channel Display function.
						(22)		Go to the main menu.
						(23)		Main Screen: Use the arrow button to
								navigate all on-screen items. Use OK to
								confirm the selection.
								PIP Mode: Move or change size of the
								selected screen by the arrow buttons.
						(24)		- Confirm the selection.
								- Choose item from the drop-down list.
						(25)		Turn off/on the sound.
						(26)		Volume up / Volume down.
						(27)		Change between available audio modes.
						(28)		Main Screen: A shortcut to your main
								menu--“Pictures”.
								Teletext Mode: Jump to the teletext page of
								the corresponding color according to this
								button.
						(29)		Main Screen: A shortcut to your main
								menu--“Music”.
								Teletext Mode: Jump to the teletext page of
								the corresponding color according to this
								button.
						(30)		Stop the playback, recording, TimeShift,
								etc.
						(31)		Record the current program.
						(32)		Go to the next item in the playlist.
						(33)		Skip forward in intervals.
						(34)		Return to previously accessed channel.

Introduction 8

Overview of the Remote Control (model 2)

	Button	Description
(1)		Turn on/off the application.
(2)		Turn off/on the sound.
(3)		Use numeric buttons to select a channel.
(4)		Display TV in full screen.
(5)		Change between available audio modes.

(6)Main Screen: Use the arrow button to navigate all on-screen items. Use OK to confirm the selection.

PIP Mode: Change size or position of the selected screen by the arrow buttons.

(7)	Volume up / Volume down.

(8)Main Screen: A shortcut to the main menu-- “Video”.

Teletext Mode: Jump to the teletext page of the corresponding color according to this button.

(9)Main Screen: A shortcut to the main menu--“TV”.

	Teletext Mode: Jump to the teletext page
	of the corresponding color according to
	this button.
(10)	View Teletext / Close Caption
	information.
(11)	View EPG information. (This function is
	only available for digital TV)
(12)	Record the current program.
(13)	Play the selected file or temporarily freeze the
	playback.

(14)- Go to the previous item in the playlist.

-Set the time to bring your computer out of Stand By or Hibernate mode. (This function is only available for AVerTV 6)

(15)	Move backwards in intervals.

Introduction 9

Overview of the Remote Control (continued)

	Button	Description
(16)		Skip forward in intervals.
(17)		- Go to the next item in the playlist.
		- Set the time to put your computer into
		Stand By / Hibernate mode, exit the
		application or turn off the computer.
		(This function is only available for
		AVerTV 6)
(18)		Stop the playback, recording, TimeShift,
		etc.
(19)		- Switch from real-time TV or Radio to

TimeShift mode.

- Temporarily freeze the playback. (This function is only available for AVerTV 6)

(20)Activate the Picture in Picture (PIP) / Multi-Channel Display function.

(21)Capture an image or a continuous sequence of images.

(22)Main Screen: A shortcut to the main menu--“Pictures”.

Teletext Mode: Jump to the teletext page of the corresponding color according to this button.

(23)Main Screen: A shortcut to the main menu--“Music”.

Teletext Mode: Jump to the teletext page of the corresponding color according to this button.

(24)	Channel up and channel down.
(25)	Go back to the previous page.

(26)- Go to the main menu.

-Exit from CI/CA Information dialog. (This function is only available for CI/CA)

(27)	Return to previously accessed channel.
(28)	Change between available signal sources.

Introduction 10

Overview of the Remote Control (model 3)

Button			Description
1.	SOURCE		Switch between available signal sources.
2.	FULL SCREEN		Display TV in full screen.
3.	● (Record)		Switch to PVR mode and record the current program or video into your
			hard drive.
4.		(Rewind)	Rewind the playback.
5.	■ (Stop)		- End the Playback or recording.
			- End the TimeShift mode and return to real-time TV or Radio mode.
6.	DISPLAY		Display information.
7.	VOL /		Volume up/down.
8.	Numeric Buttons		- Select a TV channel.
			- Under the 16-Channel preview mode, use 2 4 6 8 to highlight the
			intended channel. (This function is only available for AVerTV 6)
9.	CH RTN		Go to the previously selected channel.
10.		MUTE	Turn on/off the sound.
11.		CH ▲/▼	Go up or down to the next active channel.
12.		EPG	Launch the Electronic Program Guide. (DVB-T only)
13.		► (Play) / PAUSE	Play the last recorded or played file. / Freeze the playback.
14.		(Forward)	Advance the playback.
15.		AUDIO	Switch between available audio modes.
16.		POWER	Turn on/off the application

Introduction 11

1.6 Running AVer MediaCenter for the First Time

When you run the AVer MediaCenter for the first time, a set up wizard will automatically appear and take you through all the necessary settings step by step.

1. When a dialog box appears, click Yes.

2. Choose the primary device or tuner for watching TV or listening to the radio and then select Next (as shown on the right). Then choose Next again to continue.

3. Choose the country where you located and select the correct S-Video and Composite Video Standard. Then select Next.

4. Then the wizard will show the setting process and lead you to set up all available signal sources (As shown on the right). Select Next to continue the process or select

Skip to ignore the setting.

5. Determine the TV source and select Next.

6. Select AutoScan to start scanning (As shown on the right). After scanning, select

Next to continuously set up other signal sources if any.

Introduction 12

7. After finishing all settings, select Finish.

8. Select Next to continuously set up other device if any.

9. If you want to re-configure all the settings again, go the main page and select “Select” “General” “Run Wizard

Again.”

Introduction 13

Chapter 2

Getting Started

This Chapter will start with the basic usage of AVer MediaCenter, including scanning programs, playing music, recording a TV/ Radio program, and so on.

Before using the application, it is necessary to understand all the basic operations in this chapter.

TV............................................................	15
Radio .......................................................	27
Video .......................................................	33
Music.......................................................	34
Pictures ...................................................	36

4.

5.

2.1 TV

Under the TV main menu, you can enjoy watching TV, record your favorite program and so on.

Scanning TV Channels

If you didn’t run the setting up wizard, a dialog box will appear to prompt you to scan for channels when selecting the main menu “TV”.

1. When the Program Information dialog box appears, select Yes.

2. Then the wizard leads you to the “Settings” page to automatically scan channels.

3. You can check the scanning progress from the progress bar. After scanning, the active TV channels will be listed inside the box.

Terminate the scanning, simply select Stop. If there are channels missing, select All Frequency Scan. This may take you a while, please be patient.

Note:

1. If you didn’t follow the wizard to automatically scan channels, you can select “Settings” “TV”

“Configure Analog TV” or “Configure Digital TV” “Manage Programs” and choose Auto Scan to scan for channels.

2. After Media Center Edition scan, you may not be able to lock channels with AVerTV 6. Please restart the computer to make it function normally.

Getting Started 15

Watching Live TV

You can enjoy analog TV, digital TV or both of them depending on what your product is.

1. After scanning, go to the TV page and you can see a preview TV window in the right-hand section of the screen.

2. To switch the preview mode to the full-screen mode, select Live.

3. If you want to go back the preview mode, press on the remote control or select in the top-left corner of the screen.

Selecting a TV Channel

There are four ways of switching between TV channels:

1. Use the numeric keys on the remote control to get your desired channel.

2. Use the Channel Up/Down buttons ( on the remote control or on the control panel) repeatedly until reaching your desired channel.

3. Enter the number on your numeric keypad to get your desired channel.

4. Select the Program List and select the channel you want.

Getting Started 16

Adjusting Volume

To increase or decrease volume when watching TV, press on the remote control or click on the control panel.

To disable the sound of the program, press on the remote control or click on the control panel. Press the same button again to turn on the sound.

Specifying a Channel Name or Description

To assign a channel name or specify description:

1. Select “Settings” “TV” “Configure Analog TV” or “Configure Digital TV”

“Manage Programs”

2. Select the desired channel you want to assign a name or description.

3. Enter the name or description under the

Channel Name.

4. Choose the preferred audio mode from the drop down list.

5. Select Save to save the settings or select

Cancel to abort without saving. If you want to revert to factory settings, select Default.

Getting Started 17

Fine Tuning Color and Quality of the Display

If the color and quality of a particular channel needs to be adjusted, please do the following.

1. Select “Settings” “TV” “Configure

Analog TV” or “Configure Digital TV”

“Manage Programs”

2. Select the desired channel.

3. Select in the bottom-right of the screen to go to the second page.

4. Then use to adjust the Brightness,

Contrast, Hue, Saturation and Sharpness until the image color is accurate.

5. You will need to perform fine-tune only if the reception of the selected channels is not clear. Use to get a clear TV picture.

6. If the device you use can watch analog TV, here you can also select the Noise Reduction check box to obtain the better quality.

7. Select Save to save the settings or select

Cancel to abort without saving. If you want to revert to factory settings, select Default.

Note: By default, the system is set to disable the color adjustment items. To adjust image color of one specific channel, you need to go to “Settings” “TV” “Configure Analog TV or “Configure Digital TV” Configure Color Adjustment” and clear the Apply All check box. After clearing the Apply All check box and select Save, you can now adjust the setting of a specific channel.

Getting Started 18

Deleting a Channel

If you want to exclude undesirable channels from your channel list, do the following:

1. Select “Settings” “TV” “Configure

Analog TV” or “Configure Digital TV”

“Manage Programs”.

2. Select the unwanted channel.

3. Choose. This channel will be removed and that means you won’t be able to access these programs anymore. If you want to watch that channel again in some day, you need to rescan all channels.

4. If you just want to skip a particular channel, simply clear the check box.

Getting Started 19

Editing the Channel Group Table

To add or remove channels from the channel group, do the following:

1. Select “Settings” “TV”

“Configure Analog TV” or “Configure

Digital TV” “Manage Programs”

2.

3.

4.

“Group Setting”.

The default and the first channel group*Note are listed in the Group Setting table.

You can see all groups in this table. (To see more groups in the table, use arrow buttons in the right bottom corner of the screen).

If you choose “Configure Digital TV” in step, there will be an additional option “By Content Provider” on this page. This option allows you to classify channels that are under the same frequency into one group.

5. Click the cell to add the desired channel in the channel group. The mark V appearing indicates that channel has been added in the group.

6. Click the cell again to remove the channel from the channel group.

7. The new setting will be saved automatically.

Note: If you want to search a channel by channel name, select Search.

Getting Started 20

Managing the Channel Groups

Channel groups are used to organize and group channels that suit your needs. To manage your channel groups, do the following:

1. Select “Settings” “TV”

“Configure Analog TV” or “Configure Digital TV” “Manage Programs”

“Group Setting” “Modify”.

2. If you want to create a new channel group, select Add. You can also select the existed group to enter the next page to modify the group name.

3. Type in a group name and click Save.

4. You can use to remove a channel group or use to move the channel group to the desired location.

Getting Started 21