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

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

5

6

SettingUp

Gateway 610

Media Center PC

•Plan your Media Center PC setup

•Set up hardware and software

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

1

3

4

2

4

Connect the modem (optional)

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 source (step 3), see page 6.

3

3

1

2 Connect your broadband 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		8 Connect wireless devices

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

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.

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.

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)

• 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

back of your Media Center PC.

6

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 flashlight 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.

3 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.

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 Configure the Windows XP Media Center software for your specific 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.

Connect front	Connect rear
analog speakers	analog speakers

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 digital	Connect center/subwoofer
(S/PDIF) audio	analog speakers

1/8” stereo to RCA plug Y-cables		Toslink digital cable

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.

14

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.

15

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				1

2

18

Left side

Item

Component

Icon

Description

Provides audio output when

1 Front speakers headphones or amplifi ed speakers are not plugged in.

2 Infrared receiver

Receives Infrared (IR) signals from the remote.

Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices (such as a USB

3 USB port printer, scanner, camera, keyboard, or mouse) into these ports.

Plug an IEEE 1394 (also known

4 IEEE 1394 port as Firewire® or i.Link®) device, such as a digital camcorder,

into this 6-pin IEEE 1394 port.

		Transfer fi les from a digital
5	Memory Stick Pro	device to your Media Center
	card reader	through the removable memory
		card drive.
	SecureDigital	Transfer fi les from a digital
6	(SD) / MultiMedia	device to your Media Center
	Card (MMC) card	through the removable memory
	reader	card drive.
	CompactFlash /	Transfer fi les from a digital
		device to your Media Center
7	MicroDrive
		through the removable memory
	card reader		3
		card drive.
			4
		Transfer fi les from a digital
8	SmartMedia (SM)	device to your Media Center
	card reader	through the removable memory
		card drive.
		Press to sync the wireless
		connections between the
9	Connect button	Media Center PC, keyboard,
		and mouse. See the setup
		instructions on page 7.

5

6

7

8

9

19

Right side

1

2

3

4

Item	Component	Icon	Description
	Combination		Use this drive to listen to
	DVD +R/+RW	R/RW	audio CDs, install games
1	DVD -R/-RW		and programs, watch DVDs,
	CD-R/-RW		and store large fi les onto
	(recordable DVD		recordable CDs and DVDs
	and CD drive)		(recordable DVD is optional)
2	DVD/CD drive		Press to open the CD/DVD
	eject button		tray.
			Plug an external microphone
3	Microphone jack		into this jack to record or
			transmit voice fi les.
4	Headphone jack		Plug amplifi ed speakers or
			headphones into this jack.
5	Brightness -		Press to reduce the display
	button		brightness.
6	Brightness +		Press to increase the display
	button		brightness.
7	Channel - button		Press to change the channel
			to a lower channel number.
8	Channel + button		Press to change the channel
			to a higher channel number.
9	Volume - button		Press to reduce the volume
			level.
10	Volume + button		Press to increase the volume
			level.
			Press to turn your PC on or
11	Power button		off. Press and hold for a few
			seconds to put your PC in

standby mode.

20

Top

5

6

7

8

9 10

11

21

Back

22

1

2
3																		18
4																		17
5																		16
6																		15
7
8																		14
9													13
10									11			12

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.
										Plug 10/100 Ethernet network cable into this jack. For more information about networking,
4	Ethernet jack									see the “Networking Your Computer” guide. Click Start, All Programs, Gateway Documentation,
										then click the networking guide.
5	Rear Analog Audio Out jack (line out)									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									Secure your computer to an object by connecting a Kensington cable lock to this slot.
7	Front Analog Audio out jack (line out)									Plug powered, analog front speakers or an external audio amplifi er into this jack. Use a 1/8”
										stereo to RCA plug Y-cable.
8	Digital Audio Out jack (S/PDIF)									Plug an optical (Toslink) digital audio cable into this jack.
9	Center/subwoofer Analog Audio Out jack									Plug powered, center/subwoofer speakers or an external audio amplifi er into this jack. Use a
	(line out)									1/8” stereo to RCA plug Y-cable.
10	IR Control (controller) port									Plug the IR control cable into this port. Sends input from the keyboard or remote to a set-top
										box to change channels.
11	USB ports (4)									Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices (such as a USB printer, scanner, camera, keyboard,
										or mouse) into these ports.
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)									Plug an RCA cable from a left channel audio out jack, such as cable, satellite, or antenna,
										into this jack.
17	Audio In jack (right channel)									Plug an RCA cable from a right channel audio out jack, such as cable, satellite, or antenna,
										into this jack.
18	S-Video In port									Plug an S-Video device, such as cable, satellite, or antenna, into this port.

23

Starting theWindows 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.

24

Using theWindows XP Media Center

You can switch to the Microsoft Windows desktop at any time. Windows XP Media Center will continue to run in the background.

To switch between the Windows XP Media Center and the desktop

•Click the minimize button to view the desktop.

•Click the maximize button to expand the active window to fit the entire screen.

•Click the Windows XP Media Center taskbar button or the Start button on the keyboard or remote to return to the Windows XP Media Center.

The Windows XP Media Center menu bar and transport controls toolbar appear when you move the mouse. Use the keyboard, remote, or mouse to make selections.

Menu bar

Transport controls

25

Learning about the remote

Shortcut buttons give you direct access to Windows XP Media Center features.

Media Center Start button starts the Windows XP Media

Center software.

Audio/Video (A/V) control buttons control volume levels, volume mute, channel selections, and the DVD menu.

Numeric keypad/ Data entry buttons let you enter numbers

and characters from the remote.

Power control button

puts the Media Center PC in Standby mode (reduced power).

Transport buttons

let you replay recorded (buffered) TV and radio programs and play the CD and DVD player.

Navigation buttons

let you move the pointer around the Guide and menus, make selections, navigate back to the previous screen, change the screen display aspect ratio, and get more information. Press the OK button to make a selection.

Tip:

The remote has a range of 23 feet (7.5 meters) and performs best with a maximum angle of 22.5-degrees from the center of the IR receiver in all directions. Make sure that there is a clear line of sight between the remote and the IR receiver.

26

Using the remote

Use the Media Center remote to watch TV, videos, and DVDs, to listen to music, and to view pictures.

Use the remote navigation buttons to highlight a Windows XP Media Center menu option, then press the OK button to select the menu option.

Press one of the menu shortcut buttons on the remote for direct access to a Windows XP Media Center menu.

- OR -

27