Multimedia
User Guide
© Copyright 2008 Hewlett-Packard
Development Company, L.P.
Windows is a U.S. registered trademark of
Microsoft Corporation.
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. HP shall
not be liable for technical or editorial errors
or omissions contained herein.
First Edition: June 2008
Document Part Number: 463795-001
Product notice
This user guide describes features that are common to most models. Some features may not be
available on your computer.
iii
iv Product notice
Table of contents
1 Multimedia features
Identifying your multimedia components .............................................................................................. 2
Adjusting the volume ............................................................................................................................ 4
Creating or “burning” a CD or DVD ...................................................................................................... 5
2 Multimedia software
Accessing your preinstalled multimedia software ................................................................................. 7
Installing multimedia software from a disc ............................................................................................ 8
3 Audio
Connecting external audio devices .................................................................................................... 10
Checking your audio functions ........................................................................................................... 11
4 Video
Connecting an optional external monitor or projector ......................................................................... 13
Connecting an optional S-Video device ............................................................................................. 14
5 HP Webcam (select models only)
Webcam tips ....................................................................................................................................... 16
Adjusting webcam preferences .......................................................................................................... 17
Controlling the webcam focus (select models only) ........................................................................... 18
For more information .......................................................................................................................... 19
6 Troubleshooting
The optical disc tray does not open for removal of a CD or DVD ....................................................... 21
The computer does not detect the optical drive ................................................................................. 22
A new device driver is needed ........................................................................................................... 23
Obtaining Microsoft device drivers ..................................................................................... 23
Obtaining HP device drivers .............................................................................................. 23
A disc does not play ........................................................................................................................... 24
A disc does not play automatically ..................................................................................................... 25
A DVD movie is not visible on an external display ............................................................................. 26
The process of burning a disc does not begin, or it stops before completion .................................... 27
v
Index ................................................................................................................................................................... 28
vi
1 Multimedia features
Your computer includes multimedia features that allow you to listen to music and view photos and video.
Your computer may include the following multimedia components:
●
Integrated stereo speakers for listening to music
●
Integrated microphone for recording your own audio
●
Integrated HP Webcam that allows you to capture and share video (select models only)
●
Preinstalled multimedia software that allows you to play and manage your music, movies, and
photos and video
●
Hotkeys that provide fast access to multimedia tasks
NOTE: Your computer may not include all of the components listed.
The following sections explain how to identify and use the multimedia components included with your
computer.
1
Identifying your multimedia components
The following illustration and table describe the multimedia features of the computer.
Component Description
(1) Internal microphones (2) (select models only) Record sound.
NOTE: Some models have one internal microphone.
(2) HP Webcam (select models only) Records audio and video and captures still photographs.
(3) Speakers (2) Produce sound.
2 Chapter 1 Multimedia features
Component Description
(4) Audio-out (headphone) jack Produces sound when connected to optional powered stereo
speakers, headphones, ear buds, or a headset.
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.
NOTE: When a device is connected to the headphone jack, the
computer speakers are disabled.
(5) Audio-in (microphone) jack Connects an optional computer headset microphone, stereo array
microphone, or monaural microphone.
Identifying your multimedia components 3
Adjusting the volume
You can adjust the volume using the following controls:
●
Computer volume buttons (select models only):
◦
To mute or restore volume, press the mute button (1).
◦
To decrease volume, slide your finger across the volume scroll zone (2) from right to left.
◦
To increase volume, slide your finger across the volume scroll zone (2) from left to right.
●
Windows® volume control:
a. Click the Volume icon in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar.
b. Increase or decrease the volume by moving the slider up or down. Select the Mute check box
to mute the volume.
– or –
a. Double-click the Volume icon in the notification area.
b. In the Speakers column, you can increase or decrease the volume by moving the Volume
slider up or down. You can also adjust the balance or mute the volume.
If the Volume icon is not displayed in the notification area, follow these steps to add it:
a. Select Start > Control Panel > Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices > Sounds and Audio
Devices > Volume tab.
b. Select the Place volume icon in the taskbar check box.
c. Click Apply.
●
Program volume control:
Volume can also be adjusted within some programs.
4 Chapter 1 Multimedia features
Creating or “burning” a CD or DVD
If your optical drive is a CD-RW, DVD-RW, or DVD±RW optical drive, you can use software such as
Windows Media Player to burn data and audio files, including MP3 and WAV music files. To burn video
files to a CD or DVD, use MyDVD.
Observe the following guidelines when burning a CD or DVD:
●
Before burning a disc, save and close any open files and close all programs.
●
A CD-R or DVD-R is usually best for burning audio files because after the information is copied, it
cannot be changed.
●
Because some home and car stereos will not play CD-RWs, use CD-Rs to burn music CDs.
●
A CD-RW or DVD-RW is generally best for burning data files or for testing audio or video recordings
before you burn them to a CD or DVD that cannot be changed.
●
DVD players used in home systems usually do not support all DVD formats. Refer to the user guide
that came with your DVD player for a list of supported formats.
●
An MP3 file uses less space than other music file formats, and the process for creating an MP3
disc is the same as the process for creating a data file. MP3 files can be played only on MP3 players
or on computers with MP3 software installed.
To burn a CD or DVD, follow these steps:
1. Download or copy the source files into a folder on your hard drive.
2. Insert a blank CD or DVD into the optical drive.
3. Select Start > All Programs and the name of the software you want to use.
4. Select the kind of CD or DVD you want to create—data, audio, or video.
5. Right-click Start, click Explore, and navigate to the folder where the source files are stored.
6. Open the folder, and then drag the files to the drive that contains the blank optical disc.
7. Initiate the burning process as directed by the program you have selected.
For specific instructions, refer to the software manufacturer's instructions, which may be provided with
the software, on disc, or on the manufacturer's Web site.
CAUTION: Observe the copyright warning. It is a criminal offense, under applicable copyright laws,
to make unauthorized copies of copyright-protected material, including computer programs, films,
broadcasts, and sound recordings. Do not use this computer for such purposes.
Creating or “burning” a CD or DVD 5
2 Multimedia software
Your computer includes preinstalled multimedia software that allows you to play music and view photos
and video. The following section provides details about how to access your preinstalled software.
6 Chapter 2 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.
Accessing your preinstalled multimedia software 7
Installing multimedia software from a disc
To install any multimedia software from a CD or DVD, follow these steps:
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.
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.
8 Chapter 2 Multimedia software
3Audio
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 audio (select models only)
●
Create or “burn” audio CDs
9
Connecting external audio devices
To connect external devices such as external speakers, headphone, or a microphone, refer to the
information provided with the device. For best results, remember the following tips:
●
Be sure that the device cable is securely connected to the correct jack on your computer. (Cable
connectors are normally color-coded to match the corresponding jacks on the computer.)
●
Be sure to install any drivers required by the external device.
NOTE: A driver is a required program that acts like a translator between the device and the
programs that use the device.
10 Chapter 3 Audio
Checking your audio functions
To check the system sound on your computer, follow these steps:
1. Select Start > Control Panel.
2. Select Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices > Sounds and Audio Devices.
3. When the Sounds and Audio Devices Properties window opens, click the Sounds tab. Under
Program events, select any sound event, such as a beep or alarm, and then 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. Select Start > All Programs > Accessories > Entertainment > Sound Recorder.
2. Click Record and speak into the microphone. Save the file to your desktop.
3. Open Windows Media Player and play back the sound.
NOTE: For best results when recording, speak directly into the microphone and record sound in a
setting free of background noise.
▲
To confirm or change the audio settings on your computer, right-click the Sound icon on the
taskbar, or select Start > Control Panel > Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices > Sounds and
Audio Devices.
Checking your audio functions 11
4Video
Your computer enables you to use a variety of video features:
●
Play games over the Internet
●
Edit pictures and video to create presentations
●
Connect external video devices
12 Chapter 4 Video
Connecting an optional 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.
Connecting an optional external monitor or projector 13
Connecting an optional S-Video device
The 4-pin S-Video-out jack connects the computer to an optional S-Video device such as a television,
VCR, camcorder, overhead projector, or video capture card.
To transmit video signals through the S-Video-out jack, you need an S-Video cable, available from most
electronics retailers. If you are combining audio and video functions, such as playing a DVD movie on
your computer and displaying it on your television, you also need a standard audio cable, available from
most electronics retailers, to connect to the headphone jack.
The computer can support one S-Video device connected to the S-Video-out jack, while simultaneously
supporting an image on the computer display or on any other supported external display.
NOTE: The S-Video connection provides a higher quality image than a composite-video connection.
To connect a video device to the S-Video-out jack:
1. Plug one end of the S-Video cable into the S-Video-out jack on the computer.
2. Plug the other end of the cable into the video device, as instructed in the user guide included with
the device.
3. Press the fn+f4 keys to switch the image between display devices connected to the computer.
14 Chapter 4 Video
5 HP Webcam (select models only)
Your computer may include an integrated 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 webcam software, select Start > Programs > HP Webcam.
The webcam software enables you to experiment with the following features:
●
Video—Record and play back webcam video.
●
Audio—Record and play back audio.
●
Streaming video—Use with instant message software that supports UVC (Universal Video Class)
cameras.
●
Snapshots—Take still photos.
●
HP Presto! Bizcard (select models only)—Use to transform business cards into a usable database
of contact information.
15
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.
NOTE: If you are having trouble viewing or sending multimedia files to someone on another LAN
or outside your network firewall, temporarily disable the firewall, perform the task you want to
perform, and then reenable the firewall. To permanently resolve the problem, reconfigure the
firewall as necessary, and adjust the policies and settings of other intrusion detection systems. For
additional information, contact your network administrator or IT department.
●
Whenever possible, place bright light sources behind the webcam and out of the picture area.
16 Chapter 5 HP Webcam (select models only)
Adjusting webcam preferences
You can adjust webcam preferences, including the following:
●
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.
●
Hue—Controls the aspect of color that distinguishes it from another color (what makes a color red,
green, or blue). Hue is distinct from saturation, which measures the intensity of the hue.
●
Saturation—Controls the strength of color in the final image. A higher saturation setting creates a
bolder image; a lower saturation setting creates a more subtle image.
●
Sharpness—Controls the definition of edges in an image. A higher sharpness setting creates a
more defined image; a lower sharpness setting creates a softer image.
●
Gamma—Controls the contrast affecting the mid-level grays or midtones of an image. Adjusting
the gamma of an image allows you to change the brightness values of the middle range of gray
tones without dramatically altering the shadows and highlights. A lower gamma setting makes
grays look black, and makes dark colors even darker.
●
Backlight Compensation—Compensates in cases where a subject with a large amount of
background light would otherwise be obscured by blooming or silhouetting.
●
NightMode—Compensates for low light conditions.
●
Zoom (select models only)—Adjusts the zoom percentage for taking photos or recording videos.
●
Horizontal or vertical—Rotates the image horizontally or vertically.
●
50Hz or 60Hz—Adjusts the shutter speed to achieve a video recording that does not flicker.
Customizable preset profiles for multiple lighting conditions compensate for the following lighting
conditions: incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, sunny, cloudy, night.
Adjusting webcam preferences 17
Controlling the webcam focus (select models only)
You can control the webcam focus by selecting Start > All Programs > HP Webcam > HP Webcam
> Settings > Options.
The following focus options are available:
●
Normal—The default setting, appropriate for normal photography. This range extends from several
feet in front of the lens to infinity.
●
Macro—The close-up setting, for taking photos and capturing video at a very close range (select
models only).
NOTE: The Bizcard reader (select models only) operates on the macro setting.
18 Chapter 5 HP Webcam (select models only)
For more information
For details about using your webcam, select the Help menu in the software Help.
For more information 19
6 Troubleshooting
The following sections describe several common issues and resolutions.
20 Chapter 6 Troubleshooting
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.
NOTE: If the tray is not fully accessible, tilt the disc carefully as you remove it.
4. Close the disc tray and place the disc in a protective case.
The optical disc tray does not open for removal of a CD or DVD 21
The computer does not detect the optical drive
If the computer does not detect the optical drive, use Device Manager to troubleshoot the device and
update, uninstall, or disable the device driver.
To check your device and drivers in Device Manager, follow these steps:
1. Remove any discs from the optical drive.
2. Select Start > My Computer.
3. Right-click in the window and select Properties > Hardware tab, and then click Device
Manager.
4. In the Device Manager window, click the plus sign (+) next to Disc Drives or DVD/CD-ROM
drives, unless a minus sign (-) is already showing. Look for an optical drive listing.
5. Right-click the optical device to perform the following tasks:
●
Update the driver.
●
Uninstall the device.
●
Scan for hardware changes. Windows® XP scans your system for installed hardware and
installs any required drivers.
●
Click Properties to see if the device is working properly:
◦
Click Troubleshoot to fix problems.
◦
Click the Driver tab to update, uninstall, or disable drivers for this device.
22 Chapter 6 Troubleshooting
A new device driver is needed
Obtaining Microsoft device drivers
Your computer is set to automatically check for and install Microsoft device drivers when new devices
are connected to your computer.
Obtaining HP device drivers
Follow either of the following procedures to obtain HP device drivers.
To use HP Update:
1. Select Start > All Programs > HP > HP Update.
2. On the HP Welcome screen, click Settings and select a time when the utility should check for
software updates on the Web.
3. Click Next to immediately check for HP software updates.
To use the HP Web site:
1. Open your Internet browser and go to
http://www.hp.com/support.
2. Select your country or region.
3. Click the option for software and driver downloads, and then type your computer model number in
the search box.
4. Press enter, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
A new device driver is needed 23
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.
●
Disable Standby before playing the disc.
Do not initiate Hibernation or Standby while playing a disc. Otherwise, you may see a warning
message asking if you want to continue. If this message is displayed, click No. After you click No,
the computer may behave in either of the following ways:
◦
Playback may resume.
– or –
◦
The playback window in the multimedia program may close. To return to playing the disc, click
the Play button in your multimedia program to restart the disc. In some cases, you may need
to exit the program and then restart it.
●
Increase system resources by turning off external devices connected to the computer.
24 Chapter 6 Troubleshooting
A disc does not play automatically
1. Select Start > My Computer.
2. Right-click the device (such as CD-ROM drive), and then click Properties.
3. Click the AutoPlay tab, and then select one of the available actions.
4. Click OK.
NOTE: For more information about AutoPlay, refer to Help and Support.
A disc does not play automatically 25
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 Properties > Settings.
b. Specify a primary display and a secondary display.
NOTE: When using both displays, the DVD image will not appear on any display designated as
the secondary display.
To get information about a multimedia question not covered in this guide, select Start > Help and
Support.
26 Chapter 6 Troubleshooting
The process of burning a disc does not begin, or it stops
before completion
●
Be sure that all other programs are closed.
●
Turn off Standby 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.
●
If you are copying a disc, save the information on the source disc to your hard drive before trying
to burn the contents to a new disc, and then burn from your hard drive.
●
Reinstall the disc-burning device driver located in the DVD/CD-ROM drives category in Device
Manager.
The process of burning a disc does not begin, or it stops before completion 27
Index
A
audio devices, connecting
external 10
audio features 9
audio functions, checking 11
audio-in (microphone) jack,
identifying 3
audio-out (headphone) jack,
identifying 3
B
button, volume mute 4
C
checking audio functions 11
D
device drivers
HP devices 23
Microsoft devices 23
uninstalling, reinstalling 23
E
earbuds 3
external audio devices,
connecting 10
external monitor port 13
H
headphone (audio-out) jack 3
headphones 3
I
internal microphone, identifying 2
issues, resolving 20
J
jacks
audio-in (microphone) 3
audio-out (headphone) 3
S-Video-out 14
M
microphone (audio-in) jack 3
microphone, internal 2
monitor, connecting 13
multimedia components,
identifying 2
multimedia software 6, 7
multimedia software, installing 8
mute button 4
P
ports, external monitor 13
projector, connecting 13
S
S-Video-out jack 14
speakers 2
T
tips, webcam 16
troubleshooting
device drivers 23
disc burning 27
disc play 24, 25
DVD movie play 26
optical disc tray 21
optical drive detection 22
V
video, using 12
volume mute button 4
volume, adjusting 4
W
webcam 2
webcam preferences,
adjusting 17
webcam tips 16
webcam, identifying 2
webcam, using 15
28 Index
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