Gateway 610 User Manual

Gateway 610

Media Center PC

User’s Guide

2

Table of Contents

Chapter One: Setting Up Your Gateway 610 Media Center PC 1

About your Gateway 610 Media Center PC 2

Planning your Media Center PC setup 3

Locating connections 3

Setting up the hardware 4

Connecting the audio and video source 6

Connecting the IR control cable 7

Connecting the wireless keyboard and mouse 8

Setting up the software 9

Chapter Two: Setting Up Media Center PC Optional Connections 11

Setting up optional connections 12

Connecting a TV (optional) 12

Connecting your Media Center PC to an existing stereo
or home theater (optional) 14

Chapter Three: Getting Started 17

Checking out your Media Center PC 18

Front 18

Left side 19

Right side 20

Top 21

Back 22

Starting the Windows XP Media Center 24

Using the Windows XP Media Center 25

Learning about the remote 26

Using the remote 27

Learning about the keyboard 28

3

Chapter Four: Using My TV 29

Watching TV 30

Using the remote to play TV recordings 31

Using the Guide 33

Manually updating the Guide 34

Recording TV programs 35

Using Recorded TV 37

Changing My TV Settings 38

Burning recorded TV programs to DVD 39

Chapter Five: Using My Music 41

Getting started with My Music 42

Adding music files to the Media Library 42

Adding music CDs to the Media Library 43

Playing My Music 45

Chapter Six: Using My Pictures 49

Getting started with My Pictures 50

Organizing picture files 51

Viewing My Pictures 52

Using More Info 53

Playing audio during a slide show 54

Chapter Seven: Using My Videos 55

Getting started with My Videos 56

Organizing video files 57

Viewing My Videos 58

Using More Info 59

Chapter Eight: Using Play DVD 61

Playing a DVD 62

Chapter Nine: Using Radio 65

Playing the Radio 66

Table of Contents

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Using the remote to play Radio recordings 68

Changing Radio Settings 69

Chapter Ten: Using Other Features 71

Setting up the external video input 72

Changing your Windows XP
Media Center Settings 73

Using More Programs 74

Using Online Spotlight 75

Chapter Eleven: Getting Help 77

Media Center FAQs 78

Getting more help 81

Using Help and Support 82

Other Media Center resources 83

Documentation 83

Windows Update 83

Web site 83

Identifying your model 84

Gateway model number 84

Gateway serial number 84

Contacting Gateway 84

Appendix A: Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information 85

Table of Contents

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6

• Plan your Media Center PC setup

• Set up hardware and software

SettingUp

Gateway 610

Media Center PC

ChapterOne

1

About your Gateway 610 Media Center PC

The Gateway 610 Media Center
PC provides powerful computing
and rich entertainment capabilities.
You can run the Windows XP Media
Center while using other programs
or just enjoy the Windows XP Media
Center in full-screen mode without
using other programs.

Use the Media Center remote the
same way you use remotes for
other home entertainment systems.
You can use the remote and Media
Center to watch and record TV,
play videos and music, and view
pictures.

Use the wireless keyboard and
mouse to run the Windows XP
Media Center and other programs.

2

Planning your Media Center PC setup

Locating connections

You’ve probably already decided where you want to locate
your Media Center PC, but before you start setting up the
your PC, take a few minutes to make sure that all of these
connections are available in the location you’ve selected.

Internet connection — Your computer needs
an Internet connection to update the Guide and to
access the Internet. Make sure that you have access
to a dial-up or broadband Internet connection before
starting your Windows XP Media Center software
setup. Contact your Internet service provider for more
information about setting up your Internet connection.

In addition to the modem and Ethernet jacks on the
back of your Media Center PC, your Media Center PC
may also include wireless Ethernet capabilities. For
more information about connecting to a network with
your wireless Ethernet hardware, see the networking
user’s guide included on the hard drive. To open the
document, click Start, Gateway Documentation,
then click Networking User’s Guide.

Video source — Make sure that you have access
to a video source before starting your Media Center
PC setup. Your Media Center PC receives video
input from a coaxial or an S-Video cable. The video
source usually comes from an antenna, a direct cable
TV connection, a cable box, or a satellite receiver.
Cable boxes and satellite receivers are also called
set-top boxes.

S-Video cable

Coaxial cable

3

Setting up the hardware

2

4

3

1

3

Connect your broadband

1

Connect the modem

3

Connect the audio/video source

A coaxial (TV in) connection carries both the audio
and video signals.

If you use an S-Video connection,
you will also need to connect
audio using RCA stereo plugs.

For detailed instructions about connecting the audio/video

4

source (step 3), see page 6.

(optional)

2

Internet (optional)

4

Connect the IR control cable (optional)

Plug one end of the IR control cable into your PC, then
stick the other end to the set-top box sensor window.

Remove the adhesive
paper from the back of
the IR control.

For detailed instructions about connecting the IR control
cable (step 4), see page 7.

5 Install the keyboard, mouse, and remote batteries.

6 Plug in your PC 7 Turn on your PC

Press the power button on the
top of your Media Center PC.

8 Connect wireless devices

keyboard sensor mouse sensor

For detailed instructions about connecting
wireless devices, see page 8.

5

Connecting the audio and video source

Your Media Center PC has connectors for S-Video or coaxial
(TV). Select the connector that your video source supports:

• S-Video — The video signal provides the highest quality
video for your Media Center PC. If you use S-Video, you
also need to connect the audio source using RCA stereo
plugs.

• Coaxial (TV) — The video and audio signals are both
carried on one cable. The coaxial cable is the way to
connect a direct cable or an antenna video source to
your Media Center PC.

S-Video

1 Connect an S-Video cable (not included)

from a video source such as a cable set-top
box, a satellite set-top box, or other video
source device, to the S-Video In port on the
back of your Media Center PC.

2 Connect an RCA cable (not included) from

the Audio Out jacks on the video device to
the Audio In RCA jack on the back of your
Media Center PC.

- OR -

Coaxial (TV)

Tip:

The quality of the video coming into your Media Center PC determines
the quality of the video output to the Media Center display device.
A direct cable connection, cable set-top box, or satellite set-top box
usually provides a better quality signal than an antenna. Use the
highest quality video source available for best video display results.

The quality of cable used to connect the video source to your Media
Center PC has an affect on the video output quality from your PC. Use
high quality video cables to connect the video source
to your PC.

Caution:

If the video devices connected to your PC are not grounded
correctly, your PC could be damaged. For more information about
correct grounding, see the safety and regulatory information on
page 87.

• Connect a coaxial cable (not included) from a

video device, such as a direct cable connection,
a cable set-top box, a satellite set-top box, or
an antenna, to the Coaxial In (TV) port on the

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back of your Media Center PC.

Connecting the IR control cable (optional)

If your Media Center configuration uses a set-top box
for the Media Center video source, connect the optional
infrared (IR) control cable from your Media Center PC to
the set-top box IR sensor window. The IR control cable
sends input from the remote sensor to your set-top box to
change channels.

1 Plug the IR control cable into the IR control port on

the back of your Media Center PC.

2 Locate the IR sensor by shining a fl ashlight through

the set-top box IR sensor window. Look for a 1/2 to
3/8 inch metallic rectangle with a 1/8 inch dark circle
in the middle. This is the IR sensor.

3 Remove the adhesive paper from the back of the IR

control.

4 Place the sticky side of the IR control on the set-top

box sensor window. Make sure that the IR control
is placed directly in front of the IR sensor that you
located in step 2.

Tip:

The Media Center PC IR control cable sends infrared signals to your
set-top box or satellite receiver. However, some set-top boxes are
set to receive radio frequency (RF) signals from the remote. Before
using the Media Center remote, make sure that the set-top box is set
to accept infrared signals. See your set-top box guide for information
about remote settings.

7

Connecting the wireless keyboard and mouse

1 Press and hold the connect button on the Media

Center PC for about 3 seconds.

2 Press and hold the connect button on the keyboard

for about 3 seconds.

3 Press and hold the connect button on the Media

Center PC for about 3 seconds.

4 Press and hold the connect button on the mouse for

about 3 seconds.

8

Setting up the software

1 Complete the Windows XP setup

After you’ve turned on your computer, wait for it to start up,
then follow the on-screen instructions.

2 Complete peripheral devices setup

Connect devices, such as a printer or scanner, after you

complete the Windows setup. Follow the instructions that
came with the device.

3 Start the Media Center

setup wizard

After you’ve completed the initial

Windows setup, press the Start
button on your remote.

Tip:

The Windows XP Media Center setup wizard requires Internet
access to complete the Media Center software configuration.
Before starting the Media Center setup wizard in step 3, make
sure that your Internet connection is set up. Contact your Internet
service provider for more information about setting up your
Internet connection.
Before starting the Windows XP Media Center setup wizard, check
for Windows Updates to make sure that Media Center has the most
recent software releases and security updates installed. For more
information, see “Windows Update” on page 83.

4 Confi gure the Windows XP Media Center

software for your specifi c requirements

Follow the on-screen instructions.

9

10

SettingUp

Media Center PC

Optional Connections

• Connect an optional TV

• Connect to an existing sound system

ChapterTwo

11

Setting up optional connections

Connecting a TV (optional)

You can use a TV as an external display device. However,
some older TVs provide a lower quality display than
computer monitors or flat-panel TVs that are optimized for
your Media Center PC.

The Gateway 610 Media Center PC provides a display
output from the S-Video Out port. Connect the S-Video
cable from the Media Center’s S-Video Out port to the
TV’s S-Video In port. S-Video display quality is usually
good for TV images. The display quality for computer
functions, however, is not as good as the Gateway 610
Media Center PC’s display. S-Video display output is not
optimized for computer video display.

Tip:

Many TVs use interlaced video. Interlaced video displays a video
frame with two passes of alternating scan lines. The TV screen
first displays the video image odd lines one at a time, sequentially
from top to bottom, then it fills in the other half of the video image
with the even lines. Because most TVs use this interlaced method
to display the picture on the screen, a standard interlaced analog
television will most likely flicker when displaying thin lines and
small text. An interlaced video display device will produce a lower
quality display, especially when viewing and using the Media Center
computer functions.
Progressive scan video displays a video frame with one pass of
sequential scan lines. A progressive scan TV displays the entire
picture, drawn sequentially from top to bottom, without the
odd/even interlacing. This results in a fuller, sharper picture, and
better display quality for viewing and using the Media Center
computer functions. The progressive scan picture is also brighter
and easier on your eyes.

Tip:

If you want the audio to play from the external TV you connected
to, connect the Audio out jacks (analog or digital) to your TV Audio
in jacks. If you do not connect the Audio out jacks to your TV, the
sound will continue to play from your Media Center PC.

Help:

By default, the Gateway 610 Media Center PC uses a screen
resolution of 1280 x 768. Many TVs cannot display this high
resolution and may shift, scramble, or scroll the picture. For a
better picture on a TV display, you may need to lower the Windows
XP Media Center screen resolution to 800 x 600 or 640 x 480.
For more information about adjusting display settings, click Start,
then click Help and Support. Type the keyword changing display
settings in the Search box, then press Enter.

12

To connect a TV

1 Connect an S-Video cable (not included) to the

S-Video Out port on the back of your Media
Center PC.

2 Connect the other end of the cable to the S-Video In

port on the back of your TV.

3 Turn the TV on and select the TV In video source.

For more information about selecting the TV In video
source, see your TV’s documentation.

13

Connecting your Media Center PC to an
existing stereo or home theater (optional)

If you purchased a sound system with
your Media Center PC, use the setup
poster and other documentation that
was included with the sound system to
set it up.

If you have an existing stereo or home
theater, you can connect your Media
Center PC to an existing sound system.
Use:

• 1/8” stereo to RCA plug Y-cables
to connect the Media Center PC to an
analog sound system.

• Toslink digital cable to connect
your Media Center PC to digital audio
inputs (S/PDIF).

Connect front
analog speakers

Connect digital
(S/PDIF) audio

Connect rear
analog speakers

Connect center/subwoofer
analog speakers

14

Toslink digital cable1/8” stereo to RCA plug Y-cables

Tip:

The audio system setup varies depending on your sound system audio inputs. See your sound
system’s user guide for more information about connecting audio inputs.

After you’ve connected your sound system, you need to
select your speaker setup options.

To select speaker options in Windows XP Media
Center 2004

1 Click Start, Control Panel, Sounds, Speech, and

Audio Devices, then click Sounds and Audio
Devices. The Sounds and Audio Devices Properties

dialog box opens.

2 Click the Volume tab, then click the Advanced

button in the Speaker Settings section. The Advanced
Audio Properties dialog box opens.

3 Click the Speakers tab, click the arrow button to

open the Speaker setup list, then click the speaker
setup that most closely matches your sound
system type.

4 Click OK to save your speaker setup.

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16

GettingStarted

• Learn about your Gateway 610
Media Center PC

• Start the Media Center PC

• Use your Media Center PC

• Learn about the remote

• Learn about the wireless
keyboard

ChapterThree

17

Checking out your Media Center PC

Front

1

2

1

18

Left side

Item Component Icon Description

1 Front speakers

Provides audio output when
headphones or amplifi ed
speakers are not plugged in.

2 Infrared receiver

3 USB port

4 IEEE 1394 port

Memory Stick Pro

5

card reader

SecureDigital
(SD) / MultiMedia

6

Card (MMC) card
reader

CompactFlash /

7

MicroDrive
card reader

SmartMedia (SM)

8

card reader

Receives Infrared (IR) signals
from the remote.

Plug USB (Universal Serial
Bus) devices (such as a USB
printer, scanner, camera,
keyboard, or mouse) into these
ports.

Plug an IEEE 1394 (also known
as Firewire® or i.Link®) device,
such as a digital camcorder,
into this 6-pin IEEE 1394 port.

Transfer fi les from a digital
device to your Media Center
through the removable memory
card drive.

Transfer fi les from a digital
device to your Media Center
through the removable memory
card drive.

Transfer fi les from a digital
device to your Media Center
through the removable memory
card drive.

Transfer fi les from a digital
device to your Media Center
through the removable memory
card drive.

5
6

7

8

3
4

9

9 Connect button

Press to sync the wireless
connections between the
Media Center PC, keyboard,
and mouse. See the setup
instructions on page 7.

19

Right side

Item Component Icon Description

Combination
DVD +R/+RW
DVD -R/-RW

1

CD-R/-RW
(recordable DVD
and CD drive)

DVD/CD drive

2

eject button

3 Microphone jack

Use this drive to listen to

R/RW

audio CDs, install games
and programs, watch DVDs,
and store large fi les onto
recordable CDs and DVDs
(recordable DVD is optional)

Press to open the CD/DVD
tray.

Plug an external microphone
into this jack to record or
transmit voice fi les.

20

4 Headphone jack

1

2

3
4

Brightness -

5

button

Brightness +

6

button

7 Channel - button

8 Channel + button

9 Volume - button

10 Volume + button

11 Power button

Plug amplifi ed speakers or
headphones into this jack.

Press to reduce the display
brightness.

Press to increase the display
brightness.

Press to change the channel
to a lower channel number.

Press to change the channel
to a higher channel number.

Press to reduce the volume
level.

Press to increase the volume
level.

Press to turn your PC on or
off. Press and hold for a few
seconds to put your PC in
standby mode.

Top

56 78 910 11

21

Back

1

2

22

3
4

5
6

7
8

9

10

11 12

13

18
17
16
15

14

Item Component Icon Description

1 FM In antenna (external coaxial connector) Connect an external FM antenna into this port.

2 Subwoofer speaker Provides subwoofer audio output when headphones or amplifi ed speakers are not plugged in.

3 Power connector Plug the AC adapter cable into this connector.

4 Ethernet jack

5 Rear Analog Audio Out jack (line out)

Plug 10/100 Ethernet network cable into this jack. For more information about networking,
see the “Networking Your Computer” guide. Click Start, All Programs, Gateway Documentation,
then click the networking guide.

Plug powered, analog rear speakers or an external amplifi er into this jack. Use a 1/8” stereo
to RCA plug Y-cable.

6 Kensington lock slot

7 Front Analog Audio out jack (line out)

8 Digital Audio Out jack (S/PDIF) Plug an optical (Toslink) digital audio cable into this jack.

Center/subwoofer Analog Audio Out jack

9

(line out)

10 IR Control (controller) port

11 USB ports (4)

12 S-Video Out port Plug an S-Video device, such as a monitor or camcorder, into this port.

13 Modem jack Plug an RJ-11 modem cable into this jack.

14 TV In jack (coaxial) Plug a coaxial cable from a video source, such as cable, satellite, or antenna, into this jack.

15 Video In jack (RCA) Plug an RCA cable from a video source, such as a VCR, into this jack.

16 Audio In jack (left channel)

17 Audio In jack (right channel)

18 S-Video In port Plug an S-Video device, such as cable, satellite, or antenna, into this port.

Secure your computer to an object by connecting a Kensington cable lock to this slot.

Plug powered, analog front speakers or an external audio amplifi er into this jack. Use a 1/8”
stereo to RCA plug Y-cable.

Plug powered, center/subwoofer speakers or an external audio amplifi er into this jack. Use a
1/8” stereo to RCA plug Y-cable.

Plug the IR control cable into this port. Sends input from the keyboard or remote to a set-top
box to change channels.

Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices (such as a USB printer, scanner, camera, keyboard,
or mouse) into these ports.

Plug an RCA cable from a left channel audio out jack, such as cable, satellite, or antenna,
into this jack.

Plug an RCA cable from a right channel audio out jack, such as cable, satellite, or antenna,
into this jack.

23

Starting the Windows XP Media Center

You can take full control of the Windows XP Media Center
from your wireless keyboard, remote, and mouse. Use the
device that is comfortable for you.

To start Windows XP Media Center from the
Start menu

• Click Start, then click Media Center.

To start Windows XP Media Center with
the remote

• Press the Start button on the remote.

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