HP m1000y, m1050y, m1070n, m1072n, m1080n Software Guide

...

HP Media Center PC

Software Guide

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Table of Contents

Using Media Center ...................................... 1

Getting Started with Media Center .........................................1

Media Center Features.......................................................... 1

Media Center Start Menu ...................................................... 4

Setting the PC Location for the Program Guide ......................... 5

Media Center Setup.............................................................. 5

Setting Up Media Center....................................................... 6

Media Center Menu Bars ......................................................9

Setting Media Center as the Automatic CD Player ..................10

Using Shortcut Buttons......................................................... 10

Using Media Center Help.................................................... 11

Changing Media Center Settings.......................................... 12

Using the Remote Control ........................... 13

Remote Control Buttons Overview......................................... 14

Remote Control Buttons .......................................................17

Using an HP Personal Media Drive ............. 23

Locating the Drive After Installation ....................................... 23

Assigning a Drive Letter to the HP Personal Media Drive.......... 24

Storing Files....................................................................... 24

Playing Media Files ............................................................24

Playing Music Files ............................................................. 25

Viewing Picture Files ........................................................... 25

Playing Video Files ............................................................. 26

Watching TV Programs Stored on the HP Personal Media Drive27

Recording TV to the HP Personal Media Drive ........................ 27

Recording TV Programs to the HP Personal Media Drive.......... 28

Disconnecting the HP Personal Media Drive Safely ................. 29

Watching and Recording TV Programs........ 33

Watching TV .....................................................................34

Using Remote Control in My TV............................................ 35

Watching Live TV Using the Digital Video Recorder ................36

Using the Television Program Guide .....................................37

Downloading the Television Program Guide ..........................39

Changing a Postal Code to Receive the Correct Television Program

Guide........................................................................... 40

Setting up an Internet Dial-Up Connection.............................. 40

Adding Missing Channels to the Guide ................................. 41

Removing Channels from the Guide...................................... 41

Searching for TV Programs .................................................. 42

Recording TV Programs....................................................... 44

Changing TV Settings.......................................................... 48

Playing Recorded TV Programs ............................................ 49

Locating Recorded TV Programs for Viewing on the Desktop.... 50

About Recording Errors ....................................................... 51

Resolving Recording Conflicts ..............................................52

Deleting a Scheduled Program or Series................................ 53

Deleting a Recorded Program or Series................................. 53

Blocking Unwanted TV Programs and Movies.........................54

Setting Movie/DVD or TV Ratings .........................................54

Setting Caption Display .......................................................55

Displaying Teletext..............................................................55

Safeguarding Recorded TV Programs ....................................56

Managing Hard Disk Drive Space ........................................60

Playing Music Files ..................................... 63

Using Windows Media Player..............................................64

Creating a Music Library .....................................................65

Searching the Computer for Music Files.................................66

Adding CD Tracks to the Music Library..................................67

Playing Digital Music Files ...................................................68

Finding Music Files in My Music ...........................................69

Playing a Song...................................................................70

Setting Up an Automatic Disc Jockey.....................................71

Finding and Playing an Album .............................................71

Creating a Playlist...............................................................72

Selecting a Visualization......................................................73

Working with Pictures................................ 75

Using My Pictures in Media Center .......................................76

Organizing Pictures in My Pictures........................................77

Viewing Pictures in My Pictures.............................................78

Editing Pictures in My Pictures ..............................................81

Printing Pictures in My Pictures .............................................82

Copying Pictures to CDs ......................................................83

Using HP Image Zone Plus in Media Center ...........................84

Organizing pictures in HP Image Zone Plus ...........................85

Viewing Pictures in HP Image Zone Plus ................................89

Editing Pictures in HP Image Zone Plus ..................................91

Printing Pictures in HP Image Zone Plus .................................92

Other Features of HP Image Zone Plus...................................92

Playing Videos........................................... 95

Organizing Videos .............................................................96

Playing Digital Videos in Media Center .................................97

Sorting Videos....................................................................99

Viewing Video Details .........................................................99

Recording Videos to DVD from a Digital Video Camera ..........99

Using Supported Video File Types.......................................100

Playing DVDs ........................................... 101

Changing the DVD Movie Language ...................................103

Changing DVD Audio Settings ...........................................103

Listening to FM Radio ............................... 105

Using the FM Radio and the TV Signal at the Same Time .......106

Playing FM Radio Stations .................................................106

Organizing Pre-set Radio Stations.......................................107

iii

Recording TV Shows to DVDs ................... 109

About Copying Recorded TV Programs to DVD.....................109

Copying Recorded TV Programs to DVD or CD.....................110

Watching Recorded TV Programs on DVD ...........................111

Capturing Analog Home Video ..........................................112

Using Double-Layer Technology and Media .........................113

Copy Protection................................................................114

Playing CDs and DVDs ............................. 115

Playing Music CDs with iTunes ...........................................115

Playing CDs and DVDs with Windows Media Player.............115

Playing DVD Movies with InterVideo WinDVD......................116

Playing Video CDs (VCD) with InterVideo WinDVD...............118

Playing Video CDs (VCD) with Windows Media Player 9 ......118

Creating (Burning) CDs ............................. 119

Creating (Burning) Music CDs with iTunes............................119

Creating (Burning) Music CDs with Windows Media Player ...119

Creating (Burning) Data CDs Using Windows XP..................120

Creating (Burning) CDs with RecordNow!............................120

Storing Files on a DVD or CD.............................................122

Copying a DVD or CD ......................................................124

Erasing a DVD or CD ........................................................124

About Removing Files in RecordNow! .................................125

Removing Files from a Recorded Data Disc ..........................125

Archiving Files on a DVD or CD .........................................126

About Image Files.............................................................126

Saving an Image.............................................................. 126

Burning an Image ............................................................ 127

About Recording Video Files ............................................. 127

Disc Labels...................................................................... 127

Creating Recovery CD/DVDs for the PC.............................. 127

Compatibility Information.................................................. 129

Compatible File Formats ................................................... 130

Disc Quick Reference ....................................................... 130

Disc Feature and Compatibility .......................................... 132

Optical Drive Quick Reference........................................... 133

Creating DVD Movies ................................137

Getting Started ................................................................ 137

Requirements for Capturing Video...................................... 138

Capturing Digital Camcorder Video ................................... 139

Capturing Web Camera Video.......................................... 139

Capturing Video with a Capture Card ................................ 140

Capturing a Still Image..................................................... 140

Editing Video Files in WinDVD Creator............................... 140

Authoring Your DVD......................................................... 143

Recording VHS Video Files Direct to DVD............................ 146

Converting Recorded TV to VCD or DVD Format .................. 146

Troubleshooting ........................................147

Problems and Solutions..................................................... 147

Index........................................................153

iv HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Getting Started with Media Center

Using Media Center

This guide can help you get started using Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition and other software programs. HP has combined the features of the HP Pavilion home PC with the Microsoft Windows® XP Media Center Edition operating system to create a powerful entertainment center for you.

Media Center Features

You can control the Media Center functions and navigate Media Center windows by using the remote control, the keyboard, or the mouse. You can easily switch back and forth between them by moving the mouse or by pressing a button on the remote control or the keyboard.

When using the remote control and the Media Center program, you can:

■ Watch, record, and play back television

programs.

■ Pause, rewind, and fast-forward TV programs.

■ Watch an instant replay.

■ Play back your digital videos.

■ View your digital pictures or play them as a

slide show with music. Easily print your photos.

■ Browse, select, and play music CD files with

full-screen visualizations.

With Media Center you can play all kinds of audio, video, and picture media by using a specially designed remote control. Media Center allows you to access an electronic Program Guide, which gets updated over the Internet. Whether you are recording TV programs or sharing a digital photo album, you can do all your entertaining using the powerful remote control.

You can run Media Center side by side with other Windows software programs. It’s possible to browse through your pictures, watch videos, play music, and even record TV while using other Windows programs.

■ Watch or listen to media while doing other

tasks on your computer.

■ Record your TV shows automatically while you

are doing something else.

■ Open specific windows in Media Center by

using the shortcut buttons on the remote control or on the front of your computer.

■ Update the Program Guide from the Internet.

■ Listen to FM radio stations.

Some of the Media Center features listed are for select models only.

■ Record CD tracks to your media library.

■ Play DVD movies. Resume playing your DVDs

where you left off.

■ Access streaming music and video

subscription services.

■ Navigate the Media Center program by using

either the remote control or the mouse and keyboard.

The Television Program Guide may not be available in all countries/regions.

Using Media Center 1

Getting the most out of Media Center

It is best to have the following items completed before trying to use Media Center; otherwise, many of the program features won’t be available to you. Before opening Media Center, make sure:

■ The HP Media Center PC is set up correctly.

For setup information, refer to the setup poster.

■ The remote control has two AA alkaline

batteries installed.

■ The remote sensor is properly plugged into a

USB connector on your PC and is placed where you can point the remote control at it.

Opening Media Center

To open the Media Center program:

■ Press the Start button on your remote

control.

■ Click Start on the taskbar, and

then click Media Center.

■ Click the Media Center icon

on your desktop. You can create a Media Center shortcut icon by clicking and dragging the Media Center icon in the Start menu to your desktop.

■ The remote sensor control cable is securely

plugged into the remote sensor and attached to your cable or satellite set-top box, if present.

■ The PC has a properly configured and

working Internet connection.

■ The PC is properly connected to your TV

signal source.

2 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Navigating Media Center

In the Media Center windows, a selected item such as a folder, file, or menu item is outlined with a green border.

To select items in Media Center, use the arrow buttons on the remote control, and then use the OK button to enter your selection.

If you have media playing, such as music or television, it appears in an inset window in the lower-left corner. To switch from watching your media in the inset window to watching it in fullscreen mode, use the arrows on the remote control to select it and then press OK.

Using Media Center 3

Media Center Start Menu

CDE FGH

L M

A Log off to end your Media Center session or

to switch users

B Use media playback controls

C Open Media Center Start menu

D Go back one screen

E Open Media Center Help

You can use the Minimize and Resize buttons to run Media Center side by side with another program from your desktop.

F Minimize Media Center window

G Resize Media Center window

H Close Media Center window

J Play FM radio stations

K Watch your home videos

4 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

L View digital pictures or play a slide show,

print photos

M Watch, record, and play back live TV

programs

N Play music files or music CDs

O Watch DVD movies

P Change Media Center program settings

Other menus not shown:

■ Online Spotlight — link to the Media Center

Web site for the latest information about your Media Center PC and software.

■ More Programs — link to other programs.

Once you open these programs, they appear in your Media Center Start menu.

Setting the PC Location for the Program Guide

During the initial setup of the PC, you specify your PC country/region location. Media Center uses this information to select the country/region for the Program Guide.

The Media Center PC uses United States as the PC location by default. If you did not select your correct location, and if this location does not match the ZIP code or postal code location you entered in the

To set the PC location

1 Click Start on the taskbar, and then click

Control Panel.

2 Click Date, Time, Language, and

Regional Options, if it is present.

3 Click Regional and Language Options. 4 Click the Regional Options tab.

Media Center Setup

Media Center Program Guide setting, an error message may appear. You may also see No data available in the Program Guide, or you may not be able to get the correct Program Guide.

To resolve this problem, set the location for your PC in the Control Panel first and then in the Media Center Settings window.

5 In Standards and formats, select your

language and country/region; for example,

English (Canada), from the drop-down list.

6 Select your location from the drop-down list. 7 Click Apply, and then click OK.

The first time you open Media Center, a setup wizard opens. Use the setup wizard to test your remote control and to configure your Internet connection, TV signal, and Program Guide. The Media Center setup wizard may take approximately 10 to 40 minutes to complete.

To complete the setup wizard you need to:

■ Be logged on as the administrator. For more

information, go to Microsoft Help.

■ Have an Internet connection already set up to

download your television service provider’s program guide.

■ Provide your ZIP code or postal code.

■ Provide the name of your television service

provider, if you subscribe to either cable or satellite TV.

■ Provide the brand of your set-top box, if you

use one.

You can click the Help button anytime while completing the setup wizard.

Using Media Center 5

Use Media Center settings to:

■ Change settings for

your television service provider.

■ Change settings for

your Internet Service Provider.

■ Manually update

the My TV Program Guide.

Setting Up Media Center

It is best to complete each step in the Media Center setup wizard to be able to use all the features in Media Center. You can select to bypass these steps and complete them later in the Settings window in Media Center.

Press the Start button on the remote control. The Media Center setup wizard opens. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the following

four steps:

■ Check your remote

control.

■ Change your postal

code to receive the correct Program Guide for your area.

1 Check the remote control

This step is an interactive test to make sure the remote control is working with the remote sensor. Before performing this test:

■ Make sure the remote control has two AA

alkaline batteries installed.

■ Make sure the remote control sensor is

plugged into a USB port on the PC.

■ Make sure you point the remote control at

the remote sensor.

■ Make sure the LED on the remote control

and the remote sensor blinks when a button is pressed.

6 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

2 Select the download method for your

Internet connection

In this step, you select options for your Internet connection so that Media Center can download and update your Program Guide and display information about your music CDs and other media.

a You can have Media Center automatically

download the Guide when connected, or you can manually download the Guide when you connect to the Internet. If you manually download the Guide, you need to connect to the Internet and then select Settings from the Media Center Start menu, select TV, Guide, and then select

Get Guide data.

b Test your connection to the Internet by

selecting the Test button.

To set this up later or change your settings, you can select Settings from the Media Center Start menu, select General, and then select Set up Internet connection.

If you choose to manually download the Program Guide, it is best that you download it once per day.

If you are unable to identify which set-top box you have, the Media Center wizard prompts you to manually program the remote control buttons that control the set-top box.

Using Media Center 7

3 Set up television signal

This step makes sure your computer receives the correct TV signal and the correct Program Guide information. If you have a set-top box, the setup wizard programs your remote control to work with your set-top box so that you can view premium channels. Make sure the TV signal source is properly connected to your PC and the correct TV provider is selected.

a Select your TV service.

The Program Guide may not be available in all countries/regions.

b Select if you have a set-top box. Sometimes

a set-top box receives a TV signal. If you have a set-top box, the Media Center remote control needs to work with it.

c Prepare for set-top box setup. Make sure:

■ The set-top box is turned on.

■ The TV signal is connected to your

set-top box.

■ The set-top box is connected to your

computer.

■ The remote sensor control cable is

connected properly.

4 Set up the Program Guide

An Internet connection is needed to complete this step. If your computer isn’t connected to the Internet or if Media Center hasn’t configured your ISP information in step 2, you will see No data available in the Program Guide.

To set this up later, select Settings from the Media Center Start menu, select TV, and then select Guide, and then Reset Guide

lineup.

d Choose a working TV signal to use with

Media Center.

e Select how you change channels.

f Select your set-top box brand.

g Select a remote control code.

h Test channel changing.

i Set the IR signal speed.

j The Guide is automatically downloaded

when you complete all onscreen instructions.

To set this up later, select Settings from the Media Center Start menu, select TV, and then select Set

up TV signal.

8 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Media Center Menu Bars

When you move the mouse, the Media Center menu bars appear. When you use the remote control, or when you stop using the mouse (after 5 seconds), the menu bars disappear.

You can switch to the desktop at any time without closing or minimizing Media Center.

You don’t need to minimize the Media Center window to open another program or go to a Web site. You can just resize the Media Center window and then open another program by using the Start menu.

To display the desktop, select the Minimize icon by using the arrow buttons on the remote control or by using the mouse. You can also resize the window to display Media Center and a part of the desktop.

To return to Media Center, use the mouse to click the

Media Center icon on the taskbar.

Menu bar icon Action

Open Media Center main menu

Open Media Center Help files in a separate window

Go back one screen

Minimize Media Center window and view the desktop

Resize Media Center window

Close Media Center

Play selected media

Stop selected media

Record selected media

Replay, rewind (previous) selected media

Skip, fast-forward (next) selected media

Using Media Center 9

Setting Media Center as the Automatic CD Player

When you insert a CD while Media Center is active, your CD plays automatically after a few seconds. If you are not in Media Center, Windows asks you what you want to do with the CD. To avoid this message, you can select Media Center as the primary program to play CDs.

To select Media Center as the primary CD playing program:

1 Close Media Center. 2 Insert a CD into the drive. A message appears

asking you what you want Windows to do.

3 Select Play Audio CD using Media

Center.

4 Check the Always do the selected

action check box, and then click OK.

Using Shortcut Buttons

Remote control

You can use the remote control shortcut buttons, such as TV (My TV), Music (My Music), Pictures (My Pictures), and Videos (My Videos) to open specific windows in Media Center. Refer to “Using the Remote Control” on page 13 for more information about the shortcut buttons on the remote control.

10 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Keyboard

The keyboard shortcut buttons do not open the Media Center program. Refer to “Using the Keyboard” in the HP Media Center PC Getting Started Guide for more information about your keyboard shortcut keys.

Using Media Center Help

1 Press the Start button on the remote

control.

2 Move the mouse to show the Media

Center navigation bar, and then select the Help (?) icon from any window in Media Center.

3 When Media Center Help files appear:

■ To open available files, select the

Contents tab and then click the (+) next to the topic. To view text about a topic, select the topic. The text appears on the right side of the window.

■ Select the Index tab and then scroll down

the list of topics, or type a descriptive word and click the Display button. To view a topic, double-click it.

■ Select the Search tab and then type a

descriptive word. Click the List Topics button. To view a topic, double-click it.

4 To return to Media Center, close the Help files

by clicking the Close button on the taskbar of the Help window.

When Media Center is open, you can also press F1 on the keyboard to open Media Center Help.

Using Media Center 11

Changing Media Center Settings

In the Media Center Settings window, you can change settings for watching television, for viewing your pictures and slide shows, and for controlling sound and the display of all the Media Center windows.

To change your Media Center settings:

Some settings such as parental control and caption display settings for TV and DVDs are included with select models only.

1 Press the Start button on the remote

control.

2 Select Settings. 3 Select:

■ General to adjust the appearance of

Media Center window, adjust sounds, set parental controls to block unwanted TV channels or movie ratings, select caller ID settings, set up an Internet connection, or set up your remote control to work with Media Center and other settings.

■ TV to set up TV signal, audio, closed

captioning. You can download or edit the Television Program Guide, view recording errors, set hard disk drive storage space, and set recording defaults.

■ Music to select visualizations or song

information to display when playing asong.

■ Radio to organize or delete pre-set radio

stations.

■ DVDs to select a language for subtitles,

audio tracks, and menus of your DVDs. You can select audio settings for your speakers and program remote buttons for DVD.

■ Pictures to show pictures in random

order, in subfolders, and show captions, change transition time or background shade for slide shows.

4 Select one of the settings listed. Then, use the

arrow buttons to select an option or follow the onscreen instructions. If necessary, select Save to save your changes.

For more information about changing Media Center settings, refer to the Help menu in Media Center.

12 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

The remote control is designed to work with Media Center. You can use your remote control with Media Center to play CDs, DVDs, and videos, to view pictures, and to watch and record television programs.

This remote control helps you navigate the Media Center windows on your computer just as a cable TV remote control navigates cable TV options or controls the playback of a movie in a VCR or DVD player.

Remote control can:

■ Navigate and control all Media Center

windows.

■ Control the video or live TV display.

■ Place the computer in and out of

standby mode.

Remote control cannot:

■ Navigate the Windows desktop or control

other computer programs outside of Media Center.

Using the Remote Control

DVD

RADIO

RECORD

REPLAY

BACK

LIVE TV

REW

MUSIC

PICTURES

PLAY

PAUSE

VIDEOS

STOP

FWD

SKIP

GUIDE

RECORDED

The remote control can send a strong signal to the remote sensor from within a range of about 26 feet.

Make sure there is nothing blocking the pathway between your remote control and the remote sensor.

■ Be used as a VCR, DVD player, or stereo

remote control.

■ Turn the computer on or off (shut down PC).

■ Turn a TV that is connected to your computer

on or off.

VOLUME

MORE INFO

MUTE

ABC

GHI

PQRS

CLEAR

JKL

TUV

[

hp media center

CHANNEL/

PAGE

DEF

321

MNO

654

WXYZ

987

ENTER

Using the Remote Control 13

Remote Control Buttons Overview

Features and location may vary

A Standby puts the PC into and out of a

power-reduced state.

B DVD Menu opens main menu on a DVD

movie, if available.

CMusic opens the My Music window.

DRadio opens the FM Radio window.

ERecord records a selected television program

and stores it on the hard disk.

FREW (Rewind) moves the media backward at

two speeds.

GReplay moves media backward 7 seconds.

HPause pauses audio and video tracks, and

pauses live or recorded TV programs.

JBack returns PC to the previous window within

Media Center.

KArrow buttons move the cursor to navigate

within all Media Center windows. Advances to the next picture in a slide show.

LLive TV is a shortcut to the full-screen view of

live TV. It also moves to the current point in a live TV program after pausing live TV.

G H

DVD

B C

MUSIC

RADIO

PICTURES

VIDEOS

Q R

S T

RECORD

PLAY

REW

REPLAY

PAUSE

STOP

FWD

SKIP

BACK

GUIDE

LIVE TV

RECORDED

MUTE

CHANNEL/

PAGE

VOLUME

MORE INFO

MMore Info displays available information

about a selected media file. Allows you to rotate a picture in My Pictures.

NVolume increases (+) and decreases (–)

sound.

OMute turns computer sound off. The word

Mute is displayed on the screen when Mute is turned on.

PClear deletes selection and works as the

backspace button does on a keyboard.

14 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

ABC

GHI

PQRS

CLEAR

JKL

TUV

DEF

321

MNO

654

WXYZ

987

ENTER

[

hp media center

QTV opens the My TV window.

RPictures opens the My Pictures window.

SVideos opens the My Videos window.

TPlay plays selected media.

UStop stops media currently playing.

V FWD (Fast-forward) moves media forward

at three speeds.

WSkip moves media forward, for example,

30 seconds in videos and live TV, or one music track.

XGuide opens Television Program Guide to

display available TV channels and programs to watch and record.

YOK selects the desired action or window

option. It acts as the Enter key. If watching TV in full-screen mode, pressing OK switches back to the previous channel watched. Press again to toggle back. It acts the same way as a Jump button on some TV remote controls.

ZRecorded TV opens the Recorded TV window.

AA Start opens Media Center to the main

Start menu.

BB Channel/Page up (+) and down (–) changes

TV channel or moves page up and down, depending on available options. It also moves to next DVD chapter. The name of the TV show and channel are displayed.

CC 0 to 9 changes channels or enters text into

Media Center search or text box.

DD Enter selects the desired action or window

option. In full-screen mode, press Enter to jump to the last channel you were watching.

EE Print prints your pictures that you select in the

My Pictures window.

Using the Remote Control 15

To begin using your remote control

1 Point the remote control at the remote sensor.

The remote sensor should be located near your monitor or in a convenient place. Make sure there is nothing blocking the pathway between your remote control and the remote sensor.

2 To start Media Center and to open the

Media Center Start menu, press the Start button .

3 If this is your first time using the remote

control, the Media Center setup wizard opens. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the remote control setup steps.

If you have completed the Media Center setup wizard, the Media Center Start menu opens. Use the arrow keys on the remote control to select an item, and then press OK to select an option and to begin using Media Center.

16 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Remote Control Buttons

Direct access buttons

The direct access buttons open the main Media Center windows.

DVD

MUSIC

RADIO

Button Function

DVD

TV Opens the My TV window where you can watch and record TV, open your Television

Radio Opens the FM radio station window where you can select FM radio stations to listen to.

Music Opens the My Music window where you can browse and play music CDs and your

Pictures Opens the My Pictures window where you can search for, sort, and view pictures and

Videos Opens the My Videos window where you can search for, sort, and play back your video

Opens the Play DVD main menu where you can play your DVD movies.

Program Guide, schedule future TV recordings, and find your recorded TV programs.

music files.

slide shows that are stored in the My Pictures or the Shared Pictures folder in Windows Explorer. You can also view your pictures on other media such as a digital camera or a memory card.

files that are stored in the My Videos or the Shared Video folder in Windows Explorer. You can also view your videos on other media such as a memory card.

PICTURES

VIDEOS

Some older DVDs may not include a DVD menu.

Using the Remote Control 17

Make sure you turn off the monitor and turn down or mute the volume, for example, if you have a scheduled recording in the middle of the night and don’t want to be disturbed.

The PC will not automatically go into standby mode if Media Center is open. It is best to close Media Center before you manually place the PC in standby mode.

Standby button

The Standby button puts the computer in to and out of a power-reduced state, called standby, which runs the computer with minimal power until you give it a command. To take the computer out of standby, press the Standby button for at least one to two seconds on the remote control. It is recommended that you use this button when Media Center is closed.

You must press Standby for one to two seconds.

An LED (light-emitting diode) located under the Standby button blinks when the remote control is transmitting a signal to the remote sensor.

Recording in standby mode

Media Center can take the PC out of standby mode just before a scheduled show begins recording. The PC returns to standby mode when the recording is complete.

Media Center begins recording with the monitor and sound turned on unless you manually turn them off before the scheduled recording.

Media Center cannot record TV programs if the computer is turned off.

Remote control LED and the remote sensor LED

Under the Standby button is an LED that blinks when the remote control is sending a signal to the remote sensor.

The remote sensor displays a red LED when you press a button on the remote control (select models only). Some kinds of lighting may cause the remote sensor to blink without you pressing the remote control.

If you turn off (shut down) your PC, Media Center will not record a scheduled TV program. The PC must be turned on or in standby mode to record TV programs.

18 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Media playback buttons

These buttons allow you to play back picture slide shows, music files, playlists, music CDs, DVD

RECORD

PLAY

STOP

movies, home videos, and live TV, from within the Media Center program.

REW

PAUSE

REPLAY

FWD

SKIP

Button Function

Record Records TV programs. The Record button works only when My TV is used to play a TV

show. It is inactive when other media is playing.

■ Press Record once to record a TV show while watching live TV or while in the Guide.

■ Press Record twice to record a TV series while in the Guide.

■ Press Record repeatedly, until the record icon disappears from the Guide, to cancel a

recording.

Play Plays selected media.

Stop Stops selected media. When Stop is pressed while you are watching TV, the Media

Center pause buffer continues to record in the background.

REW

Rewinds selected media. Press REW again to increase the rewinding speed.

■ Moves the video backward.

■ Moves live TV program to the beginning of the 30-minute pause buffer.

■ Moves the Television Program Guide back 3 hours.

Pause Pauses selected media. Press Pause and then FWD repeatedly to play media frame by

frame in slow motion. To continue slow motion, you must press the FWD button more than once.

FWD Moves selected video media forward. Press FWD up to three times to increase the

fast-forwarding speed.

■ Moves MP3 music files forward.

■ Moves a video forward.

■ Moves the Television Program Guide forward 3 hours.

Press the REW or the Replay button and then the Play button to watch an instant replay.

Using the Remote Control 19

Navigation and other direct access buttons

These buttons allow you to move the cursor and to select actions within the Media Center windows.

BACK

GUIDE

LIVE TV

RECORDED

Button Function

Back Returns to the previous window.

Guide Opens the electronic Television Program Guide.

Arrows Move between menus, windows, or activities. Move the cursor to select actions within

the Media Center windows.

OK Selects a desired action and works as an Enter button. If you are watching live TV,

press OK to go to the previous channel. Press OK again to toggle back to the original channel you were watching.

Live TV Moves a TV program forward to the end of the pause buffer and resumes playing live

TV. When you pause a TV program, you can use the Live TV button to move forward to live TV.

Opens Media Center and then begins playing live TV in full-screen mode.

Recorded TVOpens the Recorded TV window where all your recorded TV programs are stored.

From this window, you can search for and play back a recorded show.

Start Opens the Media Center Start menu if you are in Media Center or if you are at the

desktop.

20 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Audio and video buttons

The audio and video buttons change channels, adjust volume, and show details of selected media.

VOLUME

MORE INFO

MUTE

CHANNEL/

PAGE

ABC

DEF

321

GHI

JKL

MNO

654

PQRS

TUV

WXYZ

987

CLEAR

ENTER

hp media center

Button Function

Vol ume

(+ and –)

More Info Displays media information. Some media may not include this information. This

Channel/Page

(+ and –)

Increases or decreases PC volume.

button displays details such as TV program summary or music artist. You may need to be connected to the Internet to receive TV programming or CD artist information. Displays options to rotate or print your pictures.

Changes channels up and down or moves the cursor to the next or previous page of options. Changes channels for live TV or moves to the next chapter of a DVD movie.

Mute Turns off the PC sound. The word Mute appears in the window when it is turned on.

Numeric

keypad

Changes channels and enters text. Enters text in the Media Center search feature. Each time you press a number key, a different character appears. When you find the character you want, press the Enter button or wait a few seconds.

Clear Deletes the last character entered. Clear works the same way as a backspace

command on a keyboard.

Enter Selects a desired action, menu, or window. Enter works the same way as the OK

button.

Print Prints picture files from the My Pictures window of Media Center. This button does

not print files from Windows Explorer.

Using the Remote Control 21

22 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Using an HP Personal Media Drive

The HP Personal Media Drive is an internal and external USB hard disk drive designed to quickly and easily increase your storage capacity and to transfer media files such as digital photos, music, videos, and other important files. You can also use the HP Personal Media Drive to back up other drives on your PC.

The HP Personal Media drive is designed to:

■ Work with the Media Center PC and other

PCs that have a USB port.

■ Store large media files and personal files.

■ Transfer files between PCs.

■ Play media files.

■ Back up your files.

The HP Personal Media Drive is sold separately.

Locating the Drive After Installation

After you install the HP Personal Media Drive into the PC, you can find the drive in My Computer. The HP Media Center PC automatically assigns a drive letter which may change unless you assign a drive letter. See “Assigning a Drive Letter to the HP Personal Media Drive” on page 24.

1 Click Start on the taskbar. 2 Click My Computer. 3 Select your drive under Hard Disk Drives. The

default name is HP Personal Media Drive.

Using an HP Personal Media Drive 23

Assigning a Drive Letter to the HP Personal Media Drive

The installation CD that came with your HP Personal Media Drive allows you to assign a drive letter to the HP Personal Media Drive.

To avoid multiple hard disk drives using the same drive letter when connecting and removing the drives, assign the letter Z.

You can permanently assign a drive letter to avoid the letter changing when you connect and disconnect this drive and other devices. Also, it is easier for a software program to locate files on the HP Personal Media Drive if a drive letter is assigned. Some programs may not be able to find files if the drive has a new drive letter.

It is best to always remove your drive safely to avoid errors. See “Disconnecting the HP Personal Media Drive Safely” on page 29.

Storing Files

The best way to transfer files to the HP Personal Media Drive is to drag them from your local hard disk drive to your HP Personal Media Drive. This allows you to place files in specific folders so that they can be viewed in Media Center. Refer to the following procedures for more detailed instructions about creating these linked folders.

To assign a drive letter:

1 Click Start. 2 Right-click My Computer. 3 Select Manage and then click Disk

Management.

4 Right-click the HP Personal Media Drive. 5 Select Change Drive Letter and Paths.

HP recommends that you pick the drive letter Z.

6 Click Change and select a letter, and then

apply the changes by clicking OK.

Playing Media Files

You can play all kinds of media from an HP Personal Media Drive:

1 Click Start on the taskbar. 2 Click My Computer.

24 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

3 Double-click the HP Personal Media Drive icon

to locate your media file.

4 Double-click the file. Most media files open in

Windows Media Player.

Playing Music Files

You can play all kinds of music that are stored on HP Personal Media Drive. If you want the music files that are stored on your HP Personal Media Drive to appear in the Windows Media Player Library and the Media Center My Music window, you must create a link to this drive.

To do t h is:

1 Click Start on the taskbar, click My

Computer, and then double-click the

HP Personal Media Drive icon.

2 Create a personal music folder by right-

clicking in the folder and choosing New and then Folder. Type a name for your personal music folder.

3 Drag or copy your music files into this created

folder.

4 Open Windows Media Player by clicking

Start, All Programs, and then click Windows Media Player.

5 In the Windows Media Player window, click

Too ls, select Options, and then select the Media Library tab.

6 Click the Monitor Folders button. 7 Click Add to add a pathway to your

HP Personal Media Drive.

8 Browse to locate your created music file folder

on your HP Personal Media Drive, and then click OK.

9 Click OK, and then OK again to close the

Options window. Now your music files on your HP Personal Media Drive appear in the Windows Media Player library and in the Media Center My Music window when your drive is connected to the PC.

When you disconnect the drive, your music files may still appear in the Windows Media Player Library and Media Center My Music window. To refresh your PC, open and close Windows Media Player or Media Center. If that doesn’t work, restart the PC.

The installation CD that came with your HP Personal Media Drive allows you to set up folders so that you can access your music files with Media Center.

Viewing Picture Files

You can view your pictures stored on an HP Personal Media Drive. If you want the picture files that are stored on your HP Personal Media Drive to appear in the Media Center My Pictures window, you must create a pathway to this drive.

To do t h is:

1 Click Start on the taskbar, click My

Computer, and then double-click the

HP Personal Media Drive icon.

2 Create a personal pictures folder by right-

clicking in the folder and choosing New and then Folder. Type a name for your personal pictures folder.

3 Drag or copy your picture files into this

created folder.

4 Open the My Pictures folder on your local

hard disk drive by clicking Start, and then My Pictures.

Using an HP Personal Media Drive 25

The installation CD that came with your HP Personal Media Drive allows you to set up folders so that you can access your picture files with Media Center.

The installation CD that came with your HP Personal Media Drive allows you to set up folders so that you can access your video files with Media Center.

5 Right-click anywhere in the My Pictures

window, select New, and then select the Shortcut.

6 When the Create Shortcut wizard window

opens, click Browse and locate your personal pictures folder, select the folder, and then click OK.

7 Click Next and then click Finish. The

shortcut to your personal picture folder appears in the My Pictures window.

Playing Video Files

You can view your videos stored on an HP Personal Media Drive. If you want the video files that are stored on your HP Personal Media Drive to appear in the Media Center My Videos window, you must create a pathway to this drive.

To do t h i s:

1 Click Start on the taskbar, click My

Computer, and then double-click the

HP Personal Media Drive icon.

2 Create a personal videos folder by

right-clicking in the folder and choosing New and then Folder. Type a name for your personal videos folder.

3 Drag or copy your video files into this created

folder.

4 Open the My Videos folder on your local hard

disk drive by clicking Start, My Documents, and then double-clicking My Videos.

5 Right-click anywhere in the My Videos

window, select New, and then select the Shortcut.

8 Click Add to add a pathway to your

HP Personal Media Drive. Now your picture files on your HP Personal Media Drive appear in the Media Center My Pictures window when your drive is connected to the PC.

When you disconnect the drive, your picture files may still appear in the Media Center My Pictures window. To refresh your PC, open and close Media Center.

6 When the Create Shortcut folder opens, click

Browse and locate your personal videos folder, select the folder, and then click OK.

7 Click Next and then click Finish. The

shortcut to your personal video folder appears in the My Videos window.

8 Click Add to add a pathway to your

HP Personal Media Drive. Now your video files on your HP Personal Media Drive appear in the Media Center My Videos window when your drive is connected to the PC.

When you disconnect the drive, your video files may still appear in the Media Center My Videos window. To refresh your PC, open and close Media Center.

26 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

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