HP m7100e, m7100y, m7160n, m7163w, m7167c Software Guide

...

Microsoft Windows XP

Media Center Edition 2005

Software Guide

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Welcome...................................................... 1

Experience the Fun of Media Center ....................................... 1

Watch and record live TV...................................................... 1

The right music for the moment...............................................1

Share your digital memories ..................................................1

Transform your living space into a theater ...............................1

Using Media Center Features.................................................2

Using Media Center ...................................... 3

Setting Up Media Center.......................................................3

Completing the setup wizard steps .........................................3

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

Online Spotlight ................................................................... 5

Navigating Media Center ..................................................... 5

Media Center menu bars....................................................... 5

Media Center control menu ...................................................6

Using Instant Messaging in Media Center................................ 6

Logging in to your Messenger account .................................... 6

Changing Media Center Settings............................................ 7

Media Center Settings categories ........................................... 8

Finding Additional Media Center Information .......................... 8

Using the Remote Control ............................. 9

Remote Control Buttons Overview.........................................10

Watching and Recording TV Programs........ 13

Navigating My TV..............................................................13

Watching TV .....................................................................14

Watching live TV................................................................ 14

Controlling TV playback...................................................... 15

Using the remote control in My TV ........................................ 16

Using the Television Program Guide .....................................17

Using Media Center without the Guide .................................17

Television Program Guide errors........................................... 18

Viewing the Television Program Guide.................................. 18

Setting up how Media Center

downloads the Guide ......................................................... 19

Manually downloading the Guide ........................................20

Adding a postal code to receive the correct Guide ................. 20

Adding missing channels to the Guide ..................................20

Editing channels in the Guide ..............................................21

Removing channels from the Guide....................................... 21

Searching for TV Programs .................................................. 22

Searching for TV programs using categories .......................... 23

Recording TV Programs....................................................... 24

Recording TV from the Guide............................................... 24

Recording programs without the Guide .................................25

Recording quality and hard disk drive storage space .............. 26

Copying recorded TV programs to DVD or CD....................... 26

Playing Recorded TV Programs ............................................ 27

Playing Music Files ..................................... 29

HP Tunes ...........................................................................29

My Music ..........................................................................30

Using HP Tunes with Media Center .......................................30

Completing the iTunes setup wizard ......................................31

Delays with HP Tunes ..........................................................31

Selecting a default audio player ...........................................31

Adding Music to the iTunes Music Library ..............................32

Adding music files from a CD in iTunes .................................32

Adding music files from the Internet.......................................32

Adding music files from your hard disk drive..........................32

Using supported music file types ...........................................33

Changing song name, genre, artist, or album in iTunes ...........33

Playing CDs with HP Tunes ..................................................33

Creating a Playlist with iTunes ..............................................34

Creating and Editing a Now Playing List with HP Tunes...........34

Creating Music CDs with iTunes ...........................................34

Troubleshooting HP Tunes ....................................................35

Resetting HP Tunes..............................................................35

Using My Music with Media Center ......................................36

Adding Music to My Music Library .......................................37

Adding music files from your hard disk drive..........................37

Adding music files from a CD...............................................38

Deleting music files from the My Music library........................38

Using supported music file types ..........................................39

Playing Music Files in My Music ...........................................39

Playing an album in My Music .............................................40

Playing a song in My Music.................................................40

Creating a Queue List in My Music .......................................40

Finding and Playing an Album in My Music ...........................41

Creating a Playlist in My Music ............................................41

Copying Music Files to CD in My Music ................................42

Working with Pictures................................ 43

HP Image Zone Plus ............................................................43

My Pictures ........................................................................43

Working with Digital Images................................................43

Using HP Image Zone Plus in Media Center ...........................44

Creating your picture catalog in

HP Image Zone Plus ............................................................44

Creating albums .................................................................46

Modifying a date assigned to your pictures............................46

Assigning a keyword to your pictures....................................47

Assigning a place to your pictures ........................................47

Searching for pictures in HP Image Zone Plus.........................47

Viewing Pictures in HP Image Zone Plus ................................48

Viewing a slideshow in HP Image Zone Plus ..........................48

Table of Contents iii

Viewing a slideshow with music in

HP Image Zone Plus ............................................................49

Editing Pictures in HP Image Zone Plus ..................................49

Using supported picture file types with

HP Image Zone Plus ............................................................49

Printing Pictures in HP Image Zone Plus .................................50

Creating a Backup Disc of Your Pictures ................................50

Burning a Label on a LightScribe Media Disc .........................51

Creating a simple backup disc label with

HP Image Zone Plus ............................................................51

Creating a customized disc label with

HP Image Zone Plus ............................................................51

Using My Pictures in Media Center .......................................52

Adding Pictures to My Pictures .............................................53

Adding picture files from your hard disk drive ........................53

Viewing Pictures in My Pictures.............................................54

Viewing pictures as a slideshow ...........................................54

Viewing a slideshow with music in My Pictures.......................55

Using supported picture file types in My Pictures ....................55

Editing Pictures in My Pictures ..............................................56

Fixing red eye or contrast ....................................................56

Cropping pictures in My Pictures ..........................................56

Rotating pictures.................................................................57

Printing Pictures in My Pictures .............................................57

Copying Pictures to CDs and DVDs.......................................58

Playing Videos........................................... 59

Playing Digital Videos in Media Center .................................59

Using Supported Video File Types.........................................60

Transferring and Recording Video Files .................................60

Creating a CD/DVD from Video Files....................................60

Playing DVDs ............................................. 61

Playing DVD Movies in Media Center ...................................61

Changing the DVD Movie Language .....................................62

Changing DVD Audio Settings .............................................62

Listening to FM Radio ................................. 63

Playing FM Radio Stations ...................................................64

Organizing Radio Station Presets..........................................65

Using the FM Radio and the TV Signal

at the Same Time ...........................................................65

Creating Audio and Data Discs ................... 67

Erasing Rewritable Discs Before Recording ............................67

Working with Audio CDs.....................................................68

Verifying audio disc recorded without errors ..........................68

Audio CD tips ....................................................................69

Creating audio CDs ............................................................69

Creating jukebox discs ........................................................70

Working with Data DVDs and CDs .......................................70

Verifying data disc recorded without errors............................70

Data disc tips .................................................................... 71

Creating data discs ............................................................ 71

Copying a DVD or CD........................................................ 72

Archiving Files on a CD or DVD........................................... 72

Working with Image Files ................................................... 73

Creating an image file........................................................ 73

Burning from an image file.................................................. 73

Disc Labeling with LightScribe.............................................. 73

LightScribe requirements ..................................................... 74

Burning a LightScribe label with Sonic Express Labeler ........... 74

Burning a LightScribe label after burning with iTunes .............. 74

Using adhesive disc labels .................................................. 75

Compatibility Information.................................................... 75

Disc Features and Compatibility Table .................................. 76

Optical Drive Quick Reference Table.................................... 77

Software Quick Reference Table .......................................... 78

Creating Video Discs and Movies.................81

Before You Begin Capturing Video....................................... 81

Sonic MyDVD Video Projects............................................... 81

Creating a Video Project..................................................... 82

Adding files to a video project............................................. 82

Capturing video to a video project....................................... 83

Adding slideshows to a video project ................................... 83

Adding submenus to a video project .................................... 84

Editing the style of a video project........................................ 84

Editing movie files .............................................................. 84

Burning a video project to disc ............................................ 85

Creating a Video Project with Direct-to-Disc Wizard ............... 86

Video Quality and Disc Size ............................................... 87

DVD Recording Time .......................................................... 87

Creating Movies Using

muvee autoProducer...................................89

Basic Steps to Make a Movie .............................................. 89

Locating the two versions of muvee autoProducer ................... 90

Using muvee autoProducer.................................................. 91

Getting started................................................................... 91

Capturing video from a DV camcorder ................................. 92

Adding videos ................................................................... 93

Adding pictures ................................................................. 94

Adding music .................................................................... 94

Selecting the style .............................................................. 95

Changing the settings ......................................................... 95

Adding an opening title and closing credits........................... 96

Making the movie .............................................................. 96

Saving the movie project..................................................... 97

Recording the movie project to disc...................................... 97

Using muvee in Media Center ............................................. 98

Getting started in Media Center .......................................... 98

iv HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Selecting videos ................................................................. 99

Selecting pictures ...............................................................99

Selecting music ................................................................100

Setting the style ................................................................ 100

Adjusting audio and video settings ..................................... 100

Making the movie............................................................. 101

Upgrading muvee autoProducer ......................................... 102

Using an HP Personal Media Drive ........... 103

Setting Up the HP Personal Media Drive to

Work with Media Center .............................................. 103

Locating the Drive After Installation ..................................... 104

Assigning a Drive Letter to the

HP Personal Media Drive .............................................. 104

Viewing and Storing Files..................................................104

Playing Media Files ..........................................................105

Playing Music Files ........................................................... 105

Viewing Picture Files ......................................................... 105

Playing Video Files ...........................................................105

Watching TV Programs Stored on the

HP Personal Media Drive .............................................. 106

About Recording TV to the HP Personal Media Drive............. 106

Recording TV programs to the

HP Personal Media Drive................................................... 107

Changing the TV recording path to the

HP Personal Media Drive................................................... 107

Changing the TV recording path to the local hard disk drive..108

Disconnecting the HP Personal Media Drive Safely ............... 108

Changing Disk Allocation..................................................109

Updating Recorded TV List after Removing the

HP Personal Media Drive .............................................. 109

System Requirements to View Recorded

TV Programs on Other PCs............................................ 109

Index ....................................................... 111

Table of Contents v

vi HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Experience the Fun of Media Center

Welcome

Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 lets you do amazing things with your HP Media Center PC. With a full range of easy-to-use digital entertainment features, you can experience TV, movies, music, and photos like never before.

Watch and record live TV

With Media Center you can pause, advance frame by frame, skip ahead, or use instant replay to catch every moment of live TV. Use fast-forward to bypass unwanted content. When you are not able to watch your favorite show, you can use Media Center to record it.

Media Center is simple and easy to use. You can easily find and choose your media. You can play movies, listen to music, view photos, and watch TV with a single remote control. Combine the powerful features of your HP Media Center PC with a home theater receiver to enjoy an even more dynamic entertainment experience.

Record TV with ease by using the Television Program Guide (Internet service required) to select the shows you want to record. You can record one show or an entire series and watch it when it is convenient for you. You will never miss a moment of your favorite shows.

The right music for the moment

Browse your entire music library by artist, genre, and song. Select a playlist or a single album, or do a random shuffle from your music collection. You can even play songs from your iTunes music library.

Transform your living space into a theater

Whether you are watching a DVD movie or your own home videos, Media Center delivers a rich

Share your digital memories

Create personalized slideshows with music for viewing on your TV. Easily edit and create professional-looking home videos from the comfort of your couch with the remote control.

viewing experience with a high-quality digital sound system. Sit back and enjoy the show.

Welco me 1

Using Media Center Features

If your HP Media Center PC came with a rewritable DVD drive, the drive is able to read and record to both DVD+R/RW and DVD-R/RW media.

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

Some of the components listed in the HP Media Center PC documentation, such as speakers, are optional and sold separately.

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 on any TV in the house.

■ 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

slideshow with music. Easily print your photos.

■ Browse, select, and play music CD files with

full-screen visualizations.

■ Record CD tracks to your media library.

■ Play DVD movies. Resume playing your DVDs

where you left off.

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.

■ 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.

■ Communicate with your friends and family by

using instant messaging. Instant messaging (Internet service required) may not be supported in all countries/regions.

■ Enjoy Media Center remotely (select models

only).

■ Easily back up your media files to CD, DVD,

or another hard disk drive such as the HP Personal Media Drive (sold separately).

■ Listen to FM radio stations.

■ Access streaming music and video

subscription services. Some music and video subscription services may not be available in

The Television Program Guide (Internet service required) may not be available in all countries/regions.

all countries/regions.

2 Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Software Guide

Setting Up Media Center

Using Media Center

The first time you start your HP Media Center PC, a Media Center setup wizard opens. It is recommended to complete each step in the Media Center setup wizard to be able to use all the features in Media Center. The Media Center setup

Completing the setup wizard steps

If you did not complete the Media Center setup wizard steps the first time through, you can complete or change your selections by using the following procedure. You need to complete all of the required steps to access all of the Media Center features.

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control.

2 Select Settings. You may need to use the

arrow buttons on the remote control to scroll down to see all the menu items.

3 Select General, Media Center Setup, and

then Run Media Center Setup Again. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the wizard.

Following are some of the items included in the setup wizard:

wizard may take approximately 10 to 40 minutes to complete. If there are steps you still need to complete, you can go to the Settings menu to do so. See the following procedure.

For the latest information about setting up your HP Media Center PC, refer to the setup poster.

You must subscribe with an Internet service provider (ISP) to have an Internet connection.

■ Check for your Internet connection. An

Internet connection allows Media Center to display information about your music CDs, DVDs, and other media.

■ Configure your TV tuner, TV signal

source, and Television Program Guide. You need to provide information

about your TV signal source and your TV signal equipment (set-top box, cables, and so on). This step makes sure your HP Media Center PC receives the correct TV signal and Television Program Guide information. If you have a cable box or satellite receiver, the setup wizard programs your remote control to work with them.

■ Optimize how Media Center looks on

your display. You can change display settings such as brightness, contrast, color, and centering.

■ Set up your speakers. Select how many

speakers you have and test them.

You can change your Media Center settings in the Settings menu.

Using Media Center 3

Media Center Start Menu

CDE FG

N O

A Access a menu to exit Media Center, to

shut down or to restart the PC, to log off to end your Media Center session, to put the PC into standby mode, or to switch users

B Use media playback controls: Play,

Stop, Pause, Skip, Fast-Forward, Replay, Rewind, Record, Volume Up/ Down, and Channel Up/Down

Some of the features listed are for select models only.

C Open the Media Center Start menu

D Go back one screen

E Open the Media Center Help

F Minimize the Media Center window

G Resize the Media Center window

H Close the Media Center window

J Go to the Media Center Web site for the

latest Media Center information

K Watch your home videos

4 Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Software Guide

L View digital pictures or play a

slideshow; print photos

M Watch, record, and play back TV

programs

N Play music files or music CDs, create

and edit playlists, and record music files to CD

O Play FM radio stations

P Find utilities and programs such as for

instant messaging, video editing, and creating other menus not shown:

■ HP Image Zone — View digital pictures,

play a slideshow, and print photos

■ HP Tunes — Play music from your iTunes

music Library or from music CDs

■ Play DVD — Watch DVD movies

■ Settings — Change Media Center program

settings

Online Spotlight

Online Spotlight is a link to the Microsoft Web site, where you can find the latest Media Center information and media offers and services. This site

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.

You can control the Media Center functions and navigate Media Center windows by using the remote control, the keyboard, or a mouse.

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

is periodically updated by Microsoft. Some of the services listed may not be available in some countries/regions.

Your HP Media Center PC must be connected to the Internet to access the Online Spotlight Web site.

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.

Media Center menu bars

When you move the mouse, the Media Center menu bars appear. These menu bars allow you to access media controls, Media Center Help, the back screen arrow, window control icons, and the Media Center icon that takes you to the main Media Center menu.

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

You can use the Minimize and Resize buttons to switch to the desktop or to run Media Center side-byside with another program.

Using Media Center 5

Media Center control menu

To access the control menu in Media Center, move the mouse to display the menu bars. Select the Shut Down icon on the main Media Center window.

From this control menu, you can select icons to perform various actions.

Icon Action

Using Instant Messaging in Media Center

Log off and end your Media Center session and switch users

Shut down the HP Media Center PC

Restart the HP Media Center PC

Put the HP Media Center PC in a powerreduced state (standby mode)

Instant messaging may not be supported in all countries/regions.

Media Center supports instant messaging (Internet service required) so you can communicate with your friends and family while you are doing something in Media Center. You always have the option to turn this feature on or off.

From most areas in Media Center, you can press Ctrl+D on the keyboard or select a media file and press the More Info button on the remote control to access the Messenger login screen.

Logging in to your Messenger account

1 First, you must go to

http://www.msn.com to set up your

Messenger account. You will need a .NET passport to log in to Messenger. A .NET passport is an e-mail address, a login name, and a password. Make sure you verify the account with MSN before you try to log in from Media Center.

2 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control to open Media Center.

6 Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Software Guide

You can use your remote control to log in and type messages. You can even have multiple conversations.

3 Select More Programs,

and then select the

Messenger icon.

4 Select Sign In.

5 Enter your .NET passport information, and

then select Sign In.

Changing Media Center Settings

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

To change your Media Center settings:

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control.

2 Select Settings. 3 Select a category.

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

arrow buttons to select an option or follow the onscreen instructions.

5 Select Save to save your changes.

Using Media Center 7

Some settings, such as parental control and caption display settings for TV and DVDs, are included with select models only. Not all channels support closed captioning.

Media Center Settings categories

■ TV to set up TV signal, audio, and closed

captioning. You can download or edit the Television Program Guide, view or clear recording history, set hard disk drive recorder storage space, configure your display, and set recording defaults.

■ Pictures to set slide-show settings.

■ Music to select visualizations or song

information to display when playing a song.

■ DVD to select a language for subtitles, audio

tracks, and menus of your DVDs, program the Skip and Replay buttons on the remote control for your DVDs, and select close captioning. You can also access audio settings for your speakers.

■ General to set:

■ Startup and Window behavior.

■ Visual and Sound Effects to set

transition animations and sounds when navigating in Media Center.

■ More Programs Options to change

settings for other programs on the HP Media Center PC.

■ Media Center Setup to configure your

Internet connection, TV signal, speakers, TV, or monitor; access Windows updates; run Media Center setup again; set up remote desktop; and reset Start Page defaults.

The Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Reference Guide is for

select models only.

■ Messenger to allow instant messages within

Media Center. Instant messaging may not be supported in all countries/regions.

■ Radio to organize or delete preset radio

stations.

■ Parental Controls to block unwanted TV

channels and block unwanted TV and movie ratings, change access code, and reset parental controls.

■ Automatic Downloads Options to get

media information about CDs, DVDs, and movies from the Internet.

■ Help to find help about using Media Center

and your hardware.

Finding Additional Media Center Information

To learn more about using Media Center, refer to the online and other Help files located in Media Center. Using your mouse, click the Help icon in the Media

Center toolbar.

You can select Online Spotlight from the main Media Center menu to go online for the latest Media Center tips and other information. Online Spotlight may not be available in all countries/regions.

Also, you can access the Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Reference Guide when you go online to the HP Support Web site at:

http://www.hp.com/support

To find the online documentation for your product, search for your model number, and then click

Manuals.

8 Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Software Guide

Using the Remote Control

(Select models only)

The remote control is designed to work with Media Center. You can use your remote control with Media Center to play CDs and DVDs, 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 TV remote control helps you navigate cable TV options or control the playback of a movie in a VCR or DVD player.

The 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.

■ Shut down or restart the HP Media Center PC.

■ Log off from Media Center or switch users.

The remote control cannot:

■ Navigate the Windows desktop or control other computer

programs outside of Media Center.

DVD MENU

RADIO

RECORD

REW

REPLAY

BACK

MUSIC

PLAY

PAUSE

PICTURES

VIDEOS

STOP

FWD

SKIP

The remote control requires two AA batteries.

The remote control operates up to 7.9 meters (26 feet) away from the remote sensor.

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 on or off a TV that is connected to your HP Media

Center PC (select models only).

■ Turn on the HP Media Center PC.

VOLUME

MUTE

LIVE TV

PQRS

GUIDE

GHI

CLEAR ENTERPRINT

ABC

JKL

TUV

CH/PG

RECORDED TV

DEF

321

MNO

654

WXYZ

987

Using the Remote Control 9

Remote Control Buttons Overview

The remote control is included with select models only. Features and location may vary.

A Standby puts the HP Media Center PC into

and out of a power-reduced state.

B DVD Menu opens the Play DVD window or

opens the main menu of a DVD movie, if available.

CMusic opens the My Music window.

DRadio opens the Radio window.

E Record records a selected television program and

stores it on the hard disk drive when in Live TV mode. The Record button is inactive for all other media.

F Rew (Rewind) moves the media backward at

two speeds.

GReplay moves media backward 7 seconds.

HPause pauses audio and video tracks and live or

recorded TV programs.

JBack returns HP Media Center PC to the previous

window within Media Center.

KArrow buttons move the cursor to navigate and

select actions within all Media Center windows.

LStart opens Media Center to the Start menu.

MVolume increases (+) and decreases (–) volume.

NLive TV is a shortcut to the full-screen view of live

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

OGuide opens the Television Program Guide.

PClear deletes the last character entered.

QTV opens the My TV window.

R Pictures opens the My Pictures window.

SVideos opens the My Videos window.

TPlay plays the selected media.

UStop stops the 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.

DVD MENU

RADIO

MUSIC

PICTURES

RECORD

PLAY

REW

REPLAY

PAUSE

VIDEOS

STOP

FWD

SKIP

Q R

S T

BACK

VOLUME

CH/PG

MUTE

GHI

GUIDE

RECORDED TV

ABC

JKL

TUV

DEF

321

MNO

654

WXYZ

987

LIVE TV

PQRS

CLEAR ENTERPRINT

10 Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Software Guide

X More information (i) displays available

information about a selected media file and displays other menus.

YOK selects the desired action or window option

and acts as the Enter key.

Z CH/PG up (+) and down (–) changes the

TV channels or moves pages up and down, depending on available options. Moves to the next DVD chapter.

AA Mute turns computer sound off. The word

Mute is displayed when Mute is turned on.

BB Recorded TV opens the Recorded TV window

where recorded TV programs are listed.

CC 0 to 9, #, * are the numeric keypad buttons to

change channels or enter text into a Media Center search or text box. Each time you press a number button, a different character appears. Press the Enter button to select a character.

DD Enter selects the desired action, menu, or

window option.

EE Print prints your pictures that you select in the

My Pictures window of Media Center.

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

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 HP Media Center PC will not automatically go into standby mode if Media Center is open. It is recommended that you close Media Center before you manually place the HP Media Center PC in standby mode.

Using the Remote Control 11

12 Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Software Guide

Watching and Recording TV Programs

Watch live TV or record your favorite shows for later playback. Use the Television Program Guide to find the show you want to watch or record. You can also record a show while watching another prerecorded show.

Navigating My TV

From the My TV window you can search for and play your favorite TV shows. Use the following menu items to help you locate what you want to do:

Digital video recording features and the Television Program Guide are for select models only.

■ Live TV: Watch, pause, fast-forward, or

rewind your favorite TV shows. You can watch recorded TV shows while recording another show. Use the More information button on the remote control to display TV show information.

■ Recorded TV: View a list of recorded

programs by date or title, view a list of programs scheduled to be recorded, play a recorded program, find out why a program wasn’t recorded, or add a TV recording manually.

■ Search: Quickly find a TV program or a

series to watch or record by entering a descriptive word, program title, or program category.

■ Guide: (Not available in all countries/

regions.) Scroll through the Television Program Guide (Internet service required) to find programs to watch and record. You can record specific TV shows or a whole series to your hard disk drive or an HP Personal Media Drive.

■ Movies: Go online to find movies to watch

now or later. Get the latest information about movies on TV: read reviews, see cast lists, find other times the movie is broadcast, view the DVD cover, browse for related movies, and find other movies with the same cast members.

The Movies online information feature is available for some countries/regions.

Watching and Recording TV Programs 13

You can change the channel by using the remote control while in full-screen mode or when the inset window is selected.

You ca n g o to l i ve TV from anywhere in Windows Media Center by pressing the Live TV button on the remote control.

While in the Guide, you can select a channel to see upcoming programs for that channel, by pressing the arrow buttons on the remote control.

Watching TV

Before you can watch TV by using Media Center, make sure:

■ The computer is set up

correctly for your TV signal source. Refer to the setup poster and the HP Media

Center PC Getting Started Guide for more information.

■ You have completed the

Media Center setup wizard. If you have not completed the setup wizard, refer to “Completing the setup wizard steps” on page 3.

Watching live TV

1 Press the TV button on the

remote control or select My TV from the main start menu.

Use the arrow buttons on the remote control to select Live TV, and then press OK. The last channel selected or the first channel available begins playing.

2 Select a channel by using the

CH/PG (+) or (–) buttons or the numeric keypad on the remote control, and then press OK on the remote control. The channel number and program information are displayed in the window.

3 Press the More information button to

open another menu with the following options and information:

■ A zoom option.

■ Access to Messenger and Settings

windows.

14 Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Software Guide

■ Program information such as channel

number and station, title and time period of program, actual time, and a brief summary of the program and TV rating, if available. Recording options are also shown.

4 To exit full-screen mode and return to the

previous window, press Back on the remote control.

Controlling TV playback

The personal video recorder functionality lets you record single shows or capture entire series for later viewing.

When you open the My TV window and begin watching live TV, Media Center automatically begins recording the selected program in the background for up to 30 minutes. When you pause a live TV program while watching in full-screen mode, the time-shifting window appears. To record a program longer than the 30 minutes, you must select to record the program.

You can return to the live broadcast by pressing the Live TV button on the remote control.

When you change the channel, Media Center deletes the previously recorded portion and begins recording again after a short delay.

The 30-minute pause buffer applies only when pausing, rewinding, and fastforwarding live TV. Media Center allows you to record a program for longer than 30 minutes when you select to record the program.

You cannot pause a live TV program and then rewind to the beginning of the pause buffer and then begin recording. You can record a TV program only from live TV.

The digital video recording features are for select models only.

Watching and Recording TV Programs 15

Using the remote control in My TV

Button Action

To freeze the live TV image, press Pause. While paused, My TV continues to record a pause buffer for up to 30 minutes. To resume watching TV where you left off, press Play.

To stop live TV or a recorded program, press Stop once. To resume watching the program, press Play.

To move forward in a live TV program that has been paused, or in a recorded program, press Fast-Forward (Fwd). To speed up the fast-forwarding, press Fwd two or three times. Fwd allows you to skip 3 hours in the Television Program Guide.

To play a recorded TV program or to resume watching a program after pressing the Pause, Fast-Forward, Rewind, Replay, or Skip buttons, press Play.

To advance in live TV or in a recorded program by 30 seconds, press Skip once. You can repeatedly skip forward, but only to the end of the pause buffer or the recorded program. Allows you to skip 12 hours in the Guide.

To move backward in live TV or a recorded program, press Rewind (Rew). To speed up rewinding, press Rew three times. To resume watching the program, press Play. Rew allows you to move back 3 hours in the Guide.

To move backward in live TV by 7 seconds, press Replay. You can repeatedly rewind with the instant replay option, but only to the beginning of the pause buffer or recorded program. Allows you to move back 12 hours in the Guide.

Live TV (TV) To maximize the TV viewing window to full-screen mode, press Live TV. Also, to

advance to the end of the pause buffer and resume watching the live TV broadcast, press Live TV.

More information

CH/PG To move to the next channel or page in the Television Program Guide, press the

Guide To op en th e Tele visi on P r ogr am Gu ide, press Guide. When in the Guide

To see the channel number, station identifier, title of program, time slot, and category of program, press the More information button while in full-screen mode. If you select a recorded show and then press the More information button, you can access more information about a program, stop or delete a program, record a series, change the “Keep Until” setting, copy a selected program to CD/DVD, access the instant messaging dialog box, and access TV settings.

CH/PG (+) and (–) buttons.

window, press Guide again to view a program categories menu. To filter your Guide to display only programs in a category, you can select a category, such as Drama.

16 Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Software Guide

Using the Television Program Guide

The Television Program Guide (Internet service required) is a service contracted by Microsoft that provides TV listings information, such as channel, network, program title, summary, and scheduled broadcast times. This service is currently not available in some countries/regions.

In countries/regions where the Guide is not available, refer to “Using Media Center without the Guide” on page 17, and see “Recording programs without the Guide” on page 25 for more information about recording TV programs.

Using Media Center without the Guide

Before using Media Center, it is important to complete the Media Center setup wizard. This takes you through steps to identify your TV signal source and scan for channels you are able to receive from your TV provider. By scanning for channels, you can manually select TV programs to watch and record, even if your country/region is unable to download the TV listings information of the Guide listed above.

The Television Program Guide data may not be available in your country/region. You can still record TV programs without a Guide; see “Recording programs without the Guide” on page 25.

Using the Guide, you can scroll through a list of the current and upcoming television programs and channels available from your television service provider. The Guide displays the channel and network, as well as the program title, scheduled time block, and a brief description of the program. The number of days displayed depends on your television service provider; most providers display up to 14 days. By selecting a program title, a detailed description of the program appears at the bottom of the window.

If you have already completed the setup wizard, but want to change your settings or scan for TV channels again:

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control.

2 Select Settings, General, Media Center

Setup, and then Run Media Center Setup Again.

3 Follow the onscreen instructions to scan for

your channels.

Your H P M edia Ce n ter PC requires a connection to the Internet to access the Guide.

Watching and Recording TV Programs 17

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

Television Program Guide errors

If there is no Guide data available when you try to download or search for Guide information, the following messages may appear:

■ Download Incomplete: We were unable to

locate any Television Program Guide information for the following reason: Guide data is not available for the country or region setting you selected in the Control Panel Settings.

■ Search in My TV is unavailable because there

is no Guide information.

■ The current lineup and/or location selected

for the Guide is not supported.

■ The Guide information is either missing or

corrupt.

Make sure the HP Media Center PC is connected to the Internet and Media Center is properly set up before you try to change the Guide settings.

When you select a channel and then press OK on the remote control, you can view up to two weeks of programming information. Use the scroll arrows at the bottom of the window.

■ No data available.

■ Channel information is currently not available.

If you receive any of these messages, then the Guide data is not available in your country/region, and you cannot use Television Program Guide features. Check back periodically to see if Guide data has been provided.

Viewing the Television Program Guide

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control.

2 Select My TV, and then select Guide.

3 Use the arrow buttons to select a channel, and

then use the arrow buttons to scroll through up to two weeks of programming for that channel.

4 Select a program, and then press OK to watch

it. Press the Record button on the remote control to record the program.

18 Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Software Guide

If you press the Guide shortcut button on the remote control while you are already in the Guide, you can select one of the Guide filter categories, such as Movies, to search for a movie.

Press the More information button on the remote control to access another menu for more options of searching the Guide.

Setting up how Media Center downloads the Guide

Your HP Media Center PC must have a connection to the Internet and you must select a TV listings provider in the Media Center Setup Wizard before you can use and download the Guide information. You can set up Media Center to download the Guide information when you connect to the Internet, or you can select to manually download the Guide.

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control.

2 Select Settings, General, Automatic

Download Options, and then:

■ Download when connected: Connect

to the Internet, and Media Center automatically downloads the Guide.

■ Manual download: Connect to the

Internet and then manually download the Guide in Media Center TV Settings menu.

3 Follow the onscreen instructions. When the

Television Program Guide starts downloading from the Internet, it can take up to 30 minutes, depending on the amount of data to download and the speed of your Internet connection.

If your HP Media Center PC has a digital subscriber line (DSL) connection, your HP Media Center PC is always connected. The Guide is downloaded at a specified time every few days. The download interval varies, depending on the ISP.

No data available

appears next to each channel if the Guide has not been downloaded. This can occur if the HP Media Center PC does not have an Internet connection or if there is no service available in your country/region.

Watching and Recording TV Programs 19

Manually downloading the Guide

1 Press the Media Center Start

button on the remote control.

2 Select Settings, TV, Guide,

and Get Latest Guide

Listings.

3 Follow the onscreen

instructions. The Guide can take up to 30 minutes to download, depending on the amount of data to download and the speed of your Internet connection.

Adding a postal code to receive the correct Guide

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control.

2 Select Settings, TV, Guide, and Set Up

Guide Listings.

3 Click Next, and follow the onscreen

instructions.

Adding missing channels to the Guide

Some program channels may not appear in the Guide. To add the names and numbers of the channels that are missing or to change the association between channel numbers and lineups:

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control.

2 Select Settings, TV, Guide, and then Add

Missing Channels to add the names and

numbers of the channels you are missing.

3 Click Add Channel.

4 Enter your postal code, and select Next

for Media Center to determine which TV/Program Guide listings are available for your country/region.

5 Follow the onscreen instructions.

4 Use the numeric keypad on your keyboard to

enter the number of the missing channel, and select Next.

5 Enter the correct channel number, and

select Add.

6 Select Assign channel to assign a new

channel number.

20 Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Software Guide

Select Share channel to share the channel with another channel.

7 Click Save to add the channel.

Editing channels in the Guide

Some program channels may not appear correctly in the Guide information. To edit the channel numbers that are incorrect for your TV provider information:

8 Repeat steps 3 through 7 to add additional

channels.

9 Click Done when you have added all the

channels.

5 Select Assign channel to assign a new

channel number.

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control.

2 Select Settings, TV, Guide, and then Edit

Channels to edit the channel numbers

currently assigned by Media Center.

3 Select Edit Numbers. 4 Use the numeric keypad on your keyboard to

enter the number of the correct channel, and then press OK on the remote control.

Removing channels from the Guide

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control.

2 Select Settings, TV, Guide, and then Edit

Channels to remove the channels you do not

want to appear in the Guide.

3 Select the check next to a channel you want to

remove, and then press the OK button on the remote control to remove the channel from the lineup.

Select Share channel to share the channel with another channel.

6 Click Save when you have edited all the

channels.

7 If you need to go back to the channel numbers

automatically assigned by Media Center, select Restore Default.

4 Select Save when you have selected all the

channels to be removed from the Guide.

Watching and Recording TV Programs 21

Using categories to search can help you find, for example, all football games. A title or keyword search displays every program that has “football” in the title or description.

The TV search results do not include previously recorded TV programs.

Guide filtering features, such as searching by keyword or category, are available for select models only.

Searching for TV Programs

To find a TV program, you can enter a title or keyword or select a category in your Guide by using your remote control.

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control, select My TV, and then select Search.

2 Select Title. Use the numeric keypad on your

remote control or your keyboard to enter a program title word, and then press OK on the remote control.

Select Keyword. Use the numeric keypad on your remote control or your keyboard to enter a descriptive word that would appear in a program title or program description, and then press OK on the remote control.

3 To scroll through search results, use the arrow

buttons to select a program, and then press OK. If multiple times for the program are displayed, select a time and press OK.

4 To begin watching the program in full-screen

mode, select the program, and then press OK. If the program is not currently playing, select Record or Record Series, and then press OK.

22 Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Software Guide

Searching for TV programs using categories

You can search the Guide to find a TV program by selecting a category using your remote control. Some categories are not available in all countries/ regions.

1 Press the Media Center Start button

on the remote control, select My TV, and then select Search.

2 Select Categories. 3 Select a category of program types, such

as Movies.

4 Select an option such as Genres or Top

Rated.

5 Select a sorting option, such as By

movie title.

6 Use the arrow buttons to scroll through

search results and to select a program. Then press OK on the remote control.

7 Select an option to find out more about

the program, to watch it, to schedule a recording, or to view other showings of your program.

Watching and Recording TV Programs 23

Recording TV Programs

If you turn off (shut down) your HP Media Center PC, Media Center will not record a scheduled program. The HP Media Center PC must be turned on or in standby mode to record a TV program. The HP Media Center PC will not automatically go into standby mode if Media Center is open.

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

Media Center allows you to record TV programs so that you can watch them when it is convenient. You can record the program you are watching, or you can record a future program or series from the Guide, the Search, or the Recorded TV window in My TV. You can record two programs at the same time if your HP Media Center PC has two TV tuners that have the same type of TV signal input (select models only).

If a recording error occurs, the program will not be recorded unless the conflict is resolved. If you try to schedule a recording and another is already scheduled for the same time, a conflict window appears and gives you the option to record the new program or record the previously scheduled program.

To make sure your program is being recorded, select My TV, Recorded TV, and then select Scheduled. The Record icon also appears next to the program in the Guide while you are recording. The Record icon disappears when the recording is complete.

Recording TV from the Guide

To record a current or future program or series from the Guide:

Recording icons

The Record icon appears in the Television Program Guide next to the program scheduled to record.

The Record Series icon appears in the Television Program Guide next to each occurrence of a program in a series that is scheduled to be recorded.

The Record Conflict/Error icon appears in the Television Program Guide and the taskbar if another program is scheduled to be recorded at the same time.

Record Series means that you select to record each episode of that program from one channel. Media Center won’t record duplicate episodes. Media Center also looks for alternative times to record an episode if a recording conflict arises.

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control, select My TV, and then Guide.

For more information about recording to your HP Personal Media Drive, see “About Recording TV to the HP Personal Media Drive” on page 106.

24 Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Software Guide

2 To find the program you want to record, use

the arrow buttons on the remote control, and then select the program. You can also use the numeric keypad on the remote control to enter a channel number. Press the right arrow button in the Guide to select a program that will be broadcast in the future.

3 Press the Record button on the remote control.

The Record icon appears next to the program in the Guide. Press Record twice to record a series.

The Record Series icon is displayed to indicate a series. Press Record again to cancel the recording.

4 To return to the previous window, press Back

on the remote control.

5 If there is a recording conflict, Media Center

displays a message and allows you to select which program you want to record.

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