HP MEDIA CENTER M7281, MEDIA CENTER M7260 User Manual

HP Media Center PC

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

Opening Media Center using a mouse.................................... 3

Opening Media Center using the remote control ......................4

Media Center menu bars....................................................... 4

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

Media Center control menu ...................................................5

Using Media Center Away mode ...........................................6

Completing the setup wizard steps .........................................7

Media Center Start Menu ...................................................... 8

Media Center Start menu items ..............................................8

Online Spotlight ................................................................... 9

Using Instant Messaging in Media Center................................ 9

Logging in to your Messenger account .................................... 9

Changing Media Center Settings.......................................... 10

Media Center Settings categories ......................................... 10

Finding Additional Media Center Information. ....................... 11

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

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

Teletext access buttons ........................................................16

Watching and Recording TV Programs........ 17

Navigating My TV..............................................................17

Watching TV .....................................................................18

Watching live TV................................................................ 18

Controlling TV playback...................................................... 19

Using the remote control in My TV ........................................ 20

Using the Television Program Guide .....................................21

Using Media Center without the Guide .................................21

Television Program Guide errors........................................... 22

Viewing the Television Program Guide.................................. 22

Setting up how Media Center downloads the Guide............... 23

Manually downloading the Guide ........................................24

Adding a postal code to receive the correct Guide ................. 24

Adding missing channels to the Guide ..................................24

Editing channels in the Guide ..............................................25

Removing channels from the Guide....................................... 25

Searching for TV Programs .................................................. 26

Searching for TV programs using categories .......................... 27

Recording TV Programs....................................................... 28

Recording TV from the Guide...............................................28

Recording programs manually without using the Guide ........... 29

Recording quality and hard disk drive storage space .............. 30

Copying recorded TV programs to DVD or CD .......................30

Media Copy Protection........................................................31

Playing Recorded TV Programs.............................................31

Playing Music Files ..................................... 33

HP Tunes ...........................................................................33

My Music ..........................................................................33

Using HP Tunes with Media Center .......................................34

Completing the iTunes Setup Assistant wizard ........................34

Delays with HP Tunes ..........................................................34

Selecting a default audio player ...........................................35

Adding Music to the iTunes Music Library ..............................35

Adding music files from a CD in iTunes .................................35

Adding music files from the Internet.......................................36

Adding music files from your hard disk drive..........................36

Using supported music file types ...........................................37

Changing song title, genre, artist, or album in iTunes ..............37

Playing CDs with HP Tunes ..................................................37

Creating a Playlist with iTunes ..............................................38

Creating and Editing a Now Playing List with HP Tunes...........38

Creating Music CDs with iTunes ...........................................39

Troubleshooting HP Tunes ....................................................39

Resetting HP Tunes..............................................................40

Using My Music with Media Center ......................................41

Adding Music to My Music Library .......................................41

Adding music files from your hard disk drive..........................42

Adding music files from a CD...............................................43

Deleting music files from the My Music library........................43

Using supported music file types ...........................................44

Playing Music Files in My Music ...........................................44

Playing an album in My Music .............................................45

Playing a song in My Music.................................................45

Creating a Queue List in My Music .......................................46

Finding and Playing an Album in My Music ...........................46

Creating a Playlist in My Music ............................................47

Copying Music Files to CD in My Music ................................47

Working with Pictures................................ 49

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

My Pictures ........................................................................49

Working with Digital Images................................................50

Using HP Image Zone in Media Center .................................50

Creating your picture catalog in HP Image Zone ....................50

Creating albums .................................................................52

Modifying a date assigned to your pictures............................52

Assigning a keyword to your pictures....................................53

Assigning a place to your pictures ........................................53

Searching for pictures in Media Center .................................54

Viewing Pictures in HP Image Zone.......................................54

Viewing a slideshow in HP Image Zone.................................54

Viewing a slideshow with music in HP Image Zone .................55

Editing Pictures in HP Image Zone.........................................55

Table of Contents iii

Editing pictures in HP Image Zone from the desktop ................55

Editing pictures in HP Image Zone in Media Center ................56

Sharing Pictures in HP Image Zone .......................................57

Using supported file types with HP Image Zone ......................59

Printing Pictures in HP Image Zone........................................60

Creating a Backup Disc of Your Pictures ................................60

Using My Pictures in Media Center .......................................61

Adding Pictures to My Pictures .............................................62

Adding picture files from your hard disk drive ........................62

Viewing Pictures in My Pictures.............................................63

Viewing pictures as a slideshow ...........................................64

Viewing a slideshow with music in My Pictures.......................64

Using supported picture file types in My Pictures.....................65

Editing Pictures in My Pictures ..............................................65

Fixing red eye or contrast ...................................................65

Cropping pictures in My Pictures ..........................................66

Rotating pictures.................................................................67

Printing Pictures in My Pictures .............................................67

Copying Pictures to CDs and DVDs ......................................68

Playing Videos........................................... 69

Playing Digital Videos in Media Center .................................69

Using Supported Video File Types.........................................70

Transferring and Recording Video Files .................................70

Recording an analog video file.............................................70

Recording a digital video file ...............................................70

Creating a CD/DVD from Video Files....................................71

Playing DVDs ............................................. 73

Playing DVD Movies in Media Center ...................................73

Changing the DVD Movie Language .....................................74

Changing DVD Audio Settings .............................................74

Listening to FM Radio ................................. 75

Playing FM Radio Stations ...................................................76

Organizing Radio Station Presets..........................................77

Using the FM Radio and the TV Signal at the Same Time .........77

Creating Audio and Data Discs ................... 79

Erasing Rewritable Discs Before Recording ............................79

Working with Audio CDs.....................................................80

Verifying audio disc recorded without errors ..........................80

Audio CD tips ....................................................................81

Creating audio CDs ............................................................81

Creating jukebox discs ........................................................82

Working with Data DVDs and CDs .......................................82

Verifying data disc recorded without errors............................82

Data disc tips .....................................................................83

Creating data discs.............................................................83

Copying a DVD or CD ........................................................84

Archiving Files on a CD or DVD ...........................................84

Archiving files using Media Center .......................................85

Working with Image Files ................................................... 85

Creating an image file........................................................ 85

Burning from an image file.................................................. 85

Disc Labeling with LightScribe.............................................. 86

LightScribe requirements ..................................................... 86

Burning a LightScribe label with Sonic Express Labeler ........... 87

Burning a LightScribe label after burning with iTunes .............. 87

Using adhesive disc labels .................................................. 88

Compatibility Information.................................................... 88

Disc Features and Compatibility Table .................................. 89

Optical Drive Quick Reference Table.................................... 90

Software Quick Reference Table .......................................... 91

Creating Video Discs and Movies.................93

Before You Begin Capturing Video....................................... 93

Sonic MyDVD Video Projects............................................... 93

Creating a Video Project..................................................... 94

Adding files to a video project............................................. 94

Capturing video to a video project....................................... 95

Adding slideshows to a video project ................................... 95

Adding submenus to a video project .................................... 96

Editing the style of a video project........................................ 96

Editing movie files .............................................................. 96

Burning a video project to disc ............................................ 97

Creating a Video Project with Direct-to-Disc Wizard ............... 98

Video Quality and Disc Size ............................................... 99

DVD Recording Time ........................................................ 100

Creating Movies Using

muvee autoProducer.................................101

Basic Steps to Make a Movie ............................................ 101

Locating the two versions of muvee autoProducer ................. 102

Using muvee autoProducer on the Desktop .......................... 103

Getting started on the desktop ........................................... 103

Capturing video from a DV camcorder ............................... 104

Adding videos ................................................................. 105

Adding pictures ............................................................... 106

Adding music .................................................................. 107

Selecting the style ............................................................ 107

Changing the settings ....................................................... 107

Adding an opening title and closing credits......................... 108

Making the movie ............................................................ 109

Saving the movie project................................................... 109

Recording the movie project to disc.................................... 110

Using muvee autoProducer unPlugged in Media Center ........ 110

Selecting videos............................................................... 112

Selecting pictures ............................................................. 112

Selecting music................................................................ 113

Setting the style................................................................ 113

Adjusting audio and video settings..................................... 114

Making the movie ............................................................ 114

Upgrading muvee autoProducer......................................... 115

iv HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Using an HP Personal Media Drive ........... 117

Setting Up the HP Personal Media Drive to Work

with Media Center ....................................................... 117

Locating the Drive After Installation ..................................... 118

Assigning a Drive Letter to the HP Personal Media Drive........ 118

Viewing and Storing Files..................................................118

Playing Media Files ..........................................................119

Playing Music Files ........................................................... 119

Viewing Picture Files ......................................................... 119

Playing Video Files ...........................................................120

Watching TV Programs Stored on the

HP Personal Media Drive .............................................. 120

About Recording TV to the

HP Personal Media Drive .............................................. 121

Recording TV programs to the

HP Personal Media Drive .............................................. 122

Changing the TV recording path to the

HP Personal Media Drive .............................................. 122

Changing the TV recording path to the

local hard disk drive .................................................... 123

Disconnecting the HP Personal Media Drive Safely ............... 123

Changing Disk Allocation..................................................124

Updating Recorded TV List After Removing the

HP Personal Media Drive .............................................. 124

System Requirements to View Recorded TV Programs

on Other PCs ..............................................................124

Index ....................................................... 125

Table of Contents v

vi HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Experience the Fun of Media Center

Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 with Update Rollup 2 lets you do amazing things with your PC. With a full range of easy-to-use digital entertainment features, you can experience movies, music, and photos like never before.

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

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.

Record TV with ease by using the Television (Electronic) 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.

Welcome

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

Share your digital memories

Create personalized slideshows with music for viewing on your PC. View professional-looking home videos from the comfort of your couch with the remote control.

Welc om e 1

Using Media Center Features

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

Some of the Media Center features listed are for select models only. Some of the components listed in the PC documentation, such as speakers and TV tuners are optional or sold separately.

You can control the Media Center functions and navigate Media Center windows by using the remote control (select models only), 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.

With Media Center, 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

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.

■ Listen to FM radio stations.

■ Access streaming music and video

subscription services. Some music and video subscription services may not be available in all countries/regions.

You can run Media Center side-by-side with other Windows software programs. It is possible to browse through your pictures, watch videos, and play music 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.

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

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

■ Use the Optimization setting to keep your

computer running smoothly.

■ Use Away mode to save power when the

computer is not in use, and then you can display the computer desktop instantly by touching a keyboard key or a remote control button.

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

2 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Setting Up Media Center

Using Media Center

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

Opening Media Center using a mouse

You can use either your remote control or your mouse to open and navigate Media Center.

To use your mouse:

1 Click Start on the taskbar, and

then click Media Center.

2 Move your mouse over the Media Center

Start menu items, and click an item to open it. Select an option by clicking it. To scroll the list of Start menu items, move the mouse pointer over the list until an item is selected, then continue moving the pointer down the list to see the items that are not displayed.

3 Move the mouse to display the Media

Center toolbar, and then click the back arrow at the top of the window to go to a previous window.

several minutes to complete. If there are steps you still need to complete, you can go to the Settings menu to do so. See “Completing the setup wizard steps” on page 7.

For more information about setting up your PC, refer to the setup poster or the Start Here guide.

4 Click the ? icon at the top of the window to

open the Media Center Help.

5 Click the Media Center Start icon at the

top of the Media Center window to return to the Media Center Start menu.

Using Media Center 3

Opening Media Center using the remote control

You can use either your remote control or your mouse to open and navigate within Media Center.

To use your remote control:

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control.

2 Use the arrow buttons on the remote control

to select a Media Center menu.

3 Press the OK button to enter your selection

and open that window. To scroll the list of Start menu items, use the arrow buttons until the item is highlighted, and then continue moving the arrow buttons down the list to see the items that are not displayed.

4 Press the Back button on the remote control

to go to a previous window.

5 Use the arrow buttons to select the ? icon at

the top of the window to open the Media Center Help.

6 Press the Media Center Start button to

return to the Media Center Start menu.

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 arrow,

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

window control icons, and the Media Center icon that takes you to the main Media Center menu. If you use the remote control, or if you stop using the mouse (after 5 seconds), the Media Center menu bars become hidden.

4 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.

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, use the arrow keys on the keyboard or use the arrow buttons on the remote control, and then press the Enter key on the keyboard or the OK button on the remote control to enter your selection.

If you have media playing, such as music or a slideshow, 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 arrow buttons on the remote

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.

control or use the arrow keys on the keyboard to select it, and then press OK on the remote control or the Enter key on the keyboard.

Icon Action

Log off and end your Media Center session and switch users

Shut down the PC

■ If you are recording

a TV program and then put the PC into standby, the recording will stop.

Restart the PC

Put the PC in a powerreduced state — standby mode

■ If the PC is in

standby and a recording is about to begin, the PC wakes from standby and records the program.

Using Media Center 5

The audio or video of TV recordings are not affected when the PC is in Away mode.

Using Media Center Away mode

When your computer is in Away mode it appears off, but you can actually still perform tasks such as recording TV programs or music files. Away mode turns off the display and mutes the audio.

After you have enabled Away mode in the Control Panel, you can activate it by pressing the sleep button on your computer, keyboard, or remote control.

To enable your HP Media Center PC for Away mode:

1 Click Start on the taskbar, and

then click Control Panel.

2 Click Performance and Maintenance. 3 Click Power Options. 4 Select the Away tab. 5 Place a check mark in the Enable Away

mode check box.

6 Under Options you can select to:

You can return to your desktop almost instantly by pressing any sleep button again, by pressing any key on the keyboard, by moving the mouse, or by pressing any button on the remote control if you select the Return the computer from Away mode on mouse or keyboard activity option in the Power Options Properties window. See the following procedure.

Return the computer from Away mode on mouse or keyboard activity

Prompt for password when the computer returns from Away mode

7 Click OK.

6 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

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 setup steps to access all of the Media Center features.

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select Settings. You may need to use the

arrow keys on the keyboard or 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:

You must select either analog or digital TV signals in the setup wizard for your TV tuner to work properly (select models only).

■ Check for your Internet connection. An

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

■ 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. Speakers are sold separately for some models.

■ 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, cable, 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 Media Center remote control to work with them.

■ Display Calibration. You can test and

adjust the display settings of your monitor, TV, or other display. You can use the Media Center video to help you change onscreen centering, sizing, aspect ratio (shape), brightness, contrast, color, and sharpness of the display with your TV remote control or your monitor controls.

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

Using Media Center 7

Media Center Start Menu

CDE

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. See page 5.

B Use media playback controls: Play,

Stop, Pause, Skip, Fast-Forward, Replay, Rewind, Record, Volume Up/ Down, Mute, and Channel Up/Down. See page 19.

C Open the Media Center Start menu. See

page 3.

*Some of the features listed are for select models only.

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.

Media Center Start menu items

Play DVD — Watch DVD movies. See page 73.

*Online Spotlight — Go to the Media Center

Web site for the latest Media Center information. See page 9.

My Videos — Watch your home videos. See page 69.

My Pictures — View digital pictures, play a slideshow, or print photos. See page 49.

My Music — Play music files or music CDs, create and edit playlists, and record music files to CD. See page 33.

More Programs — Find utilities and programs for communicating with instant messaging (see page 9), editing videos (see page 101), backing up files (see page 85), and creating CDs/DVDs (see page 30).

Settings — Change program settings. See page 10.

My TV — Watch, record, and play back TV shows. See page 17.

Radio — Play FM radio stations. See page 75.

*HP ImageZone — View, edit, share, and print

digital pictures, and play a slideshow. See page 49.

*HP Tunes — Play music files or music CDs, play playlists that you create and edit in iTunes, and record music files to CD. See page 33.

8 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

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

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

Using Instant Messaging in Media Center

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.

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.

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

5 Enter your .NET passport information, and

then select Sign In.

2 Press the Media Center Start button on the

remote control, or, with your mouse, click

Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

3 Select More Programs,

and then select the

Messenger icon.

4 Select Sign In.

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

Using Media Center 9

Changing Media Center Settings

In the Media Center Settings window, you can change settings 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, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select Settings. 3 Select a category. 4 Select one of the settings listed. Then, use the

arrow keys on the keyboard or the arrow buttons on the remote control to select an option or follow the onscreen instructions.

5 Select Save to save your changes.

Media Center Settings categories

■ General:

■ Startup and Window behavior.

■ Automatic Downloads Options to get

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

■ 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 PC.

The parental controls, captions display, radio, and TV settings listed in Media Center do not apply to PC models that do not include a TV tuner.

■ Media Center Setup to configure your

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

■ Parental Controls to block unwanted TV

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

10 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

■ Optimization to keep your computer

running smoothly by performing various tasks on a regularly scheduled basis. The Optimization setting restarts your computer at a specific time each day that you determine.

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

captioning (not all channels support 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 slideshow 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 closed captioning. You can also access audio settings for your speakers.

■ 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.

■ 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.

You can also find guides and information for your PC using the Internet to access a Support Web site.

To view information for your PC, go to the Support Web address listed in the Warranty and Support Guide, and search for your model’s name and number. The product model is on the lower front of the PC chassis.

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

Information and guides are associated with specific PC model numbers. Some models do not have guides or manuals available on the Web site.

Using Media Center 11

12 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

(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, view pictures, and much more.

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 display.

■ Place the computer in and out of

standby mode.

■ Shut down or restart the PC.

Using the Remote Control

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

■ Log off from Media Center or switch users.

■ Access Teletext menus while watching live TV.

The remote control cannot:

■ Navigate the Windows desktop or control

other computer programs outside of Media Center.

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

remote control.

■ Turn on or off a TV that is connected to your

PC (select models only).

■ Turn on the PC.

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

Using the Remote Control 13

Remote Control Buttons Overview

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 do not want to be disturbed.

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

1 Standby Puts the HP Media Center PC into and

out of a power-reduced standby state. It does not turn the HP Media Center PC off.

2DVD MenuOpens the Play DVD window in

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

3 Green Opens a Teletext menu.

4Red Opens a Teletext menu.

5 Record Records a selected television program

and stores it on the hard disk drive.

6Rew Moves the media backward for three

speeds.

7Replay Moves media backward 7 seconds, or

to the beginning of a music track or a DVD chapter.

8Pause Pauses audio and video tracks and

live or recorded TV programs.

9Back Returns to the previous window within

Media Center.

10 Arrows Move the cursor to navigate and

select actions within all Media Center windows.

11 Start Opens the Media Center main menu.

13 14

2 3

7 8 9

17 18

19 20

12 Volume Increases (+) and decreases (–) volume.

13 Live TV Is a shortcut to the full-screen view of

14 Guide Opens the Television Program Guide.

15 Clear Deletes the last character entered.

14 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

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

16 LED Activity indicator light. The LED tells you that the remote

control is emitting a signal when you press a button.

17 Teletext Turns Teletext on or off while in Live TV mode. The Teletext

18 Yellow Opens a Teletext menu.

19 Blue Opens a Teletext menu.

20 Play Plays the selected media.

21 Stop Stops the media currently playing.

22 Fwd Moves media forward at three speeds.

23 Skip Moves media forward 30 seconds in videos and live TV,

24 i (More

information)

25 OK Selects the desired action or window option and acts as the

page either replaces the live TV picture or is displayed over it. TV sound is still available.

one music track, or one DVD chapter.

Displays available information about a selected media file and displays other menus.

Enter key.

If the PC model does not include a TV tuner, some remote control buttons are inactive.

26 CH/PG up (+)

and down 9-)

27 Mute Turns computer sound off. The word Mute is displayed

28 Recorded TV Opens the Recorded TV window where recorded TV

29 0 to 9, #, * Use numeric keypad buttons to change channels or enter

30 Enter Selects the desired action, menu, or window option.

31 Print Prints your pictures that you select in the My Pictures

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

when Mute is turned on.

programs are listed.

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.

window of Media Center.

Using the Remote Control 15

Teletext access buttons

(Select models only)

Although Teletext is broadcast free of charge, your TV set must be equipped with a Teletext decoder. Access to Teletext and all of its functions is available through your TV and the Media Center remote control.

Although the following information should describe the operation of Teletext for most TV sets, functions vary between manufacturers and models. For specific information about your particular TV model, see the documentation that came with your TV.

DVD MENU

TELETEXT

Teletext consists of pages of free information such as news, sports, financial information, recipes, entertainment listings, holiday advertisements, music and TV reviews, backup information for certain TV programs, and themes for television sets capable of viewing these pages.

The actual Teletext pages are broadcast in a hidden part of the television signal and decoded by the television. Teletext pages are accessed by a threefigure number; on most channels, the front page is on page 100.

Button Function

Teletext (Text) Toggle button to turn Teletext on and off. This button opens page 100, or the home page. The

Teletext page completely replaces the TV or Media Center display; however, sound is still available. To return to the TV or Media Center display, press this button again. On some displays, Teletext can be viewed over the display picture.

Red Opens the red Fasttext shortcut link when display is in Teletext mode.

Green Opens the green Fasttext shortcut link when display is in Teletext mode.

Yellow Opens the yellow Fasttext shortcut link when display is in Teletext mode.

The Teletext access buttons listed below open the main Teletext pages. Each Teletext page has a unique three-digit page number. All pages can be accessed by typing in the number using the numeric keypad on the remote control.

Use the up and down arrows to navigate through the different Teletext pages.

Blue Opens the blue Fasttext shortcut link when display is in Teletext mode.

16 HP Media Center PC 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 i (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 17

Watching TV

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

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 go 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.

■ 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 7.

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 i (More information) button to

open another menu with the following options and information:

■ Access to Messenger and Settings

windows.

18 HP Media Center PC 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 digital video recording 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 and playing back the selected program in the background. This allows you to pause or review a live TV program for up to 30 minutes. To replay 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 19

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

i (More information)

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

Guide To open the Television Program Guide, press Guide. When in the Guide window,

20 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

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

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

CH/PG (+) and (–) buttons.

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 Movies.

Using the Television Program Guide

The Television Program Guide (Internet service required) is a free service from Microsoft that provides TV listings information, such as channel, network, program title, program summary, and scheduled broadcast times. This service is currently not available in some countries/regions. You can go to http://www.microsoft.com to find out if the Guide is available in your country/region and for the terms and conditions of the Television Program Guide service.

In countries/regions where the Guide is not available, refer to “Using Media Center without the Guide” on page 21, and see “Recording programs manually without using the Guide” on page 29 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.

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, or, with your mouse, click

Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

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

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 manually without using the Guide” on page 29.

2 Select Settings, General, Media Center

Setup, and then Run Media Center Setup Again.

3 Follow the onscreen instructions to scan for

your channels.

Watching and Recording TV Programs 21

The Television Program Guide (Internet service required) 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, or, with your mouse, click

Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

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.

22 HP Media Center PC 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 i (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, or, with your mouse, click

Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

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 between 1 and 30 minutes, depending on the amount of data to download and the speed of your Internet connection.

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 23

Manually downloading the Guide

1 Press the Media Center Start button on the

remote control, or, with your mouse, click

Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select Settings, TV, Guide, and Get

Latest Guide Listings.

3 Follow the onscreen instructions. The Guide

can take between 1 and 30 minutes to download, depending on the amount of data to download and the speed of your Internet connection.

4 Select Yes.

Adding a postal code to receive the correct Guide

1 Press the Media Center Start button on the

remote control, or, with your mouse, click

Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select Settings, TV, Guide, and Set Up

Guide Listings.

3 Click Next. 4 Select Yes and then Next.

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, or, with your mouse, click

Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

5 Select I agree and then select Next. 6 Enter your postal code, and then select Next

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

7 Select Next. 8 Select TV signal provider and then Next. 9 Select Next and then Finish.

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.

24 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

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.

Select Share channel to share the channel with another 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:

1 Press the Media Center Start button on the

remote control, or, with your mouse, click

Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select Settings, TV, Guide, and then Edit

Channels to edit the channel numbers

currently assigned by Media Center.

3 Select Edit Numbers.

7 Click Save to add the channel. 8 Repeat steps 3 through 7 to add additional

channels.

9 Click Done when you have added all the

channels.

4 Use the numeric keypad on your remote

control or keyboard to enter the number of the correct channel, and then press OK on the remote control or press the Enter key on the keyboard.

5 Select Assign channel to assign a new

channel number.

Select Share channel to share the channel with another channel.

6 Click Save when you have edited all the

channels.

Removing channels from the Guide

1 Press the Media Center Start button on the

remote control, or, with your mouse, click

Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select Settings, TV, Guide, and then Edit

Channels to remove the channels you do not

want to appear in the Guide.

7 If you need to go back to the channel numbers

automatically assigned by Media Center, select Restore Default and then select Yes.

3 Select the check next to a channel you want to

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

4 Select Save when you have selected all the

channels to be removed from the Guide.

Watching and Recording TV Programs 25

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.

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 or your keyboard and mouse.

1 Press the Media Center Start button on the

remote control, or, with your mouse, click

Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select My TV, and then select Search. 3 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 or press the Enter key on your keyboard.

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 or press the Enter key on the keyboard.

4 To scroll through search results, use the arrow

buttons to select a program, and then press

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

26 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

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

5 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.

Searching for TV programs using categories

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

1 Press the Media Center Start button

on the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select My TV, and then select Search. 3 Select Categories. 4 Select a category of program types, such

as Movies.

5 Select an option such as Genres or

Top Rated.

6 Select a sorting option, such as By

movie title.

7 Use the arrow buttons to scroll through

search results and to find a program. Then press OK on the remote control or the Enter key on the keyboard to select the program.

8 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 27

Recording TV Programs

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 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 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.

Recording TV from the Guide

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

1 Press the Media Center Start button on the

remote control, or, with your mouse, click

Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select My TV, and then Guide. 3 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 or the keyboard to enter a channel number. Press the right arrow button in the Guide to select a program that will be broadcast in the future.

28 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

4 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.

5 To return to the previous window, press Back

on the remote control or the Backspace key on the keyboard.

6 If there is a recording conflict, Media Center

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

Recording programs manually without using the Guide

You do not need the Television Program Guide to record TV. You can record a TV program by pressing the Record button on the remote control while watching live TV, or you can select a specific date, channel, and recording time period in Media Center.

To record a program manually:

For some programs, you may want to begin recording before the scheduled beginning and after the scheduled ending of the program.

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control, press the Live TV button, and then press Record to begin recording your program.

Click Start and then Media Center, or press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, select My TV, Recorded TV, and then select Add Recording.

2 Select Channel and Time. 3 Select the channel number box, and enter

the channel number using the numeric keypad on the remote control or the keyboard.

Recorded TV programs that have been copied to a DVD can be played on your HP Media Center PC and on some DVD players.

Recorded TV programs can be backed up as part of a full system backup and restored to the same HP Media Center PC, but not to other PCs.

4 Select the (+) or (–) buttons, and then press

Enter on the keyboard or OK on the remote control to scroll through choices and enter the recording frequency, date, start and stop times, and storage and quality options.

5 To set the recording and return to the

Recorded TV window, select Record in the window, and then press OK on the remote control or press Enter on the keyboard.

6 To return to the previous window, press the

Back button on the remote control or press the Backspace key on the keyboard.

Watching and Recording TV Programs 29

Refer to Media Center Help for more information about recording errors, advanced recording features, and My TV settings.

TV programs that have been encrypted (protected) by the broadcaster cannot be copied and played back on any player other than the HP Media Center PC that recorded the program.

Recording quality and hard disk drive storage space

The space available for recording TV programs depends on your hard disk drive size, the percentage of hard disk drive space allocated to recorded TV, and the recording quality setting.

Quality of recording Hard disk drive space used*

Best to optimal 2.7 GB/hour

Better 2.1 GB/hour

Good 1.4 GB/hour

Fair 1.2 GB/hour

*This table shows approximate sizes of recorded TV program files. Some files may be smaller or larger.

1 GB = 1 billion bytes when referring to hard disk drive capacity. Actual formatted capacity is less.

Copying recorded TV programs to DVD or CD

You can record TV programs to DVD in Media Center to create a backup copy or to save space on your hard disk drive by using the following procedure. These DVDs can be played from an HP Media Center PC and from some set-top DVD players.

To copy a recorded TV program to CD or DVD:

To get the maximum recording time, change the recording quality to Fair instead of the default setting of Best.

The HP Media Center PC includes several other recording software programs for you to create CDs and DVDs. You can use Sonic MyDVD to record the recorded TV program to a format that can be played from an HP Media Center PC and from some set-top DVD players. See “Sonic MyDVD Video Projects” on page 93.

For more detailed information about recording CDs and DVDs, refer to information on the HP Support Web site at:

http://www.hp.com/support

1 Press the Media Center Start button on the

remote control, or, with your mouse, click

Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select More Programs. 3 Insert a blank disc.

30 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

4 Select Create CD/DVD, and then

select Data.

5 Enter a title for your DVD by using the numeric

buttons on the remote control or the numeric keypad on the keyboard, and then select OK.

6 Select Recorded TV.

7 Select the Recorded TV programs you want to

copy to CD or DVD.

8 Select View DVD or View CD. 9 Select Create DVD or Create CD.

Media Copy Protection

Media content, such as DVDs or TV programs, may place restrictions on rights to distribute or copy the content, depending on what is permitted by the copyright owner. Such restrictions protect copyrighted media files from being illegally copied and used. If you try to record a program that contains such restrictions, the following message is displayed: "Recording Canceled. Manual

Playing Recorded TV Programs

Recorded TV is the storage place for all your recorded programs. In the Recorded TV window, you can sort your programs by name, date, or category. You can also delete a recorded program or series of programs and check for any recording errors.

1 Press the Media Center Start button on the

remote control, or, with your mouse, click

Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

10 Select Ye s. 11 Follow the onscreen instructions to complete

burning your TV show to disc.

Recording cannot be recorded. Restrictions set by the broadcaster and/or originator of the content prohibit recording of this program." When you record certain music or video files, they may retain copy protection that will prevent copying or distribution, including technology that encrypts media content and/or limits access to people who have a license to play the content.

4 To begin watching the program, select the

recorded program you want to watch, and then press OK on the remote control or the Enter key on the keyboard.

Refer to Media Center Help for more information about recording errors, advanced recording features, and My TV settings.

2 Select My TV, and then select Recorded TV. 3 To organize all of your previously recorded

programs, select Sort by Date or Sort by Title.

Media Center places recorded TV programs in the Recorded TV folder that is located in your Shared Documents folder on your hard disk drive.

Watching and Recording TV Programs 31

32 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

The HP Tunes and My Music areas in Media Center are great ways to play, organize, and back up your music files. HP Tunes is designed to work with the Apple iTunes program in your All Programs menu, and My Music is designed to work with the Windows Media Player program.

HP Tunes

With HP Tunes, you can play your favorite music that you have added to your iTunes music library. For more information about using HP Tunes, see “Using HP Tunes with Media Center” on page 34.

Playing Music Files

When a CD is in your drive, it takes longer to open HP Tunes.

My Music

With My Music, you can find and play your favorite music files and CDs you have added to the Windows Media Player music library. For more information about using My Music, see “Using My Music with Media Center” on page 41.

HP Tunes is designed to work with Apple iTunes

My Music is designed to work with Windows Media Player

Playing Music Files 33

For more information on using the iTunes program, refer to the HP Support Web site at: http://www.hp.com/

support

If you do not complete these steps, an error message appears when HP Tunes is launched, which indicates that aproblem has occurred in iTunes that is preventing this program from running.

Using HP Tunes with Media Center

iTunes is a software program from Apple located in your All Programs menu that works together with the HP Tunes area in Media Center. HP Tunes is linked to your iTunes music library. Both programs work together to organize and play back your favorite music files, CDs, and created playlists.

Some tasks you must do in the iTunes program with your keyboard and mouse, and some tasks you can do from within Media Center with your remote control. For example, you must add music files to the iTunes music library before you can access them in HP Tunes in Media Center. Also, you can record your playlists to CDs in the iTunes program but not in Media Center.

Completing the iTunes Setup Assistant wizard

To use HP Tunes and iTunes with Media Center, you need to:

HP Tunes is designed to work with iTunes in Media Center

To complete the iTunes Setup Assistant wizard:

1 Initialize iTunes by completing the setup

wizard.

2 Add songs to the iTunes music library and

create playlists. HP Tunes displays only the songs and playlists that are in iTunes.

1 Close Media Center, if open. 2 Double-click the iTunes shortcut

icon on the desktop.

3 When the iTunes Setup Assistant wizard

opens, follow the onscreen instructions.

4 Close iTunes. 5 Open Media Center, and then open HP Tunes.

Delays with HP Tunes

When using HP Tunes, you may experience some delays, or HP Tunes may not function properly. These delays can occur because:

■ There is an audio CD in the drive, and

HP Tunes is attempting to connect to an Internet database to find music information, such as song titles.

■ There is a large collection of songs in your

music library.

34 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

■ Windows Media Player or another music

playback program is set as the default player. See the following procedure.

Selecting a default audio player

If you have already set your default audio player to Windows Media Player, you may experience a delay when trying to open HP Tunes. To resolve this issue:

1 Close Media Center, if open. 2 Double-click the iTunes shortcut

icon on the desktop.

4 If you have not completed the iTunes Setup

Assistant wizard, follow the onscreen instructions.

5 Open Media Center, and then open HP Tunes.

3 When the iTunes default player

for audio files message opens, place a check mark in the Do not show this message again check box, and then click Yes or No.

Adding Music to the iTunes Music Library

To create your iTunes music library, you can import music files from a CD, download iTunes music files from the iTunes Music Store or the Internet, or import them from your hard disk drive.

Adding music files from a CD in iTunes

1 With your mouse, click Start on the

taskbar, choose All Programs, iTunes, and then click iTunes.

2 Insert an audio CD. 3 Select your CD under the Source menu.

4 Make sure the songs you want to add to your

music library are selected. A check mark appears next to the song when it is selected.

5 Click the Import icon in the

toolbar to bring the songs into the music library.

If your songs are listed as track numbers, make sure the PC is connected to the Internet so iTunes can find and display the song, album, and artist information.

Playing Music Files 35

Adding music files from the Internet

For more information about downloading music from the iTunes Music Store, refer to the Help menu in the iTunes program.

If your songs don’t appear in HP Tunes, make sure your songs are added to the iTunes music library. You may need to close and open Media Center to update your display. For more information about adding songs and creating playlists in iTunes, see the Help menu in iTunes.

1 Connect to the Internet. 2 Go to a music Web site such as the iTunes

Music Store.

3 Follow the online instructions to download

your songs. If songs are downloaded from the iTunes Music Store, they appear in your iTunes music library.

4 If songs are downloaded to your desktop,

drag them into the iTunes music library. If the files are in an unprotected .wma format, they are encoded into .aac files by default (or into the importing format you select from the Preferences menu) and placed into the library.

Adding music files from your hard disk drive

If the music files are in another format, iTunes will automatically convert most files to the .aac format before it adds them to your iTunes music library.

1 Click Start on the taskbar, choose

All Programs, iTunes, and then click iTunes.

5 To change your import format:

a Click the Edit menu, and then select

Preferences.

b Select the Importing tab.

c Select the Import Using drop-down

menu, and then select an import format.

d Select OK.

6 Select Library. Songs are listed

alphabetically or by the sort order of the library column heading you select.

2 Click the File menu, and then select Add File

to Library. Click the drop-down arrow to

browse for your music files. Select your file, and then click Open.

36 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Using supported music file types

You can play the following types of digital audio files in iTunes. By default, iTunes converts several file types to .aac files when you import them into the iTunes music library.

Some file types, such as protected .wma files and other proprietary file types, cannot be played in iTunes. Go to the iTunes Help menu for more information about protected and proprietary file types.

Media Center cannot play .aac files from My Music.

Changing song title, genre, artist, or album in iTunes

For more information about changing title, genre, artist, or album information with iTunes, refer to the Help menu in iTunes. It is not possible to make these changes from within HP Tunes in Media Center.

With iTunes, you can share .mp3, .aiff, .wav, and .aac files between other computers on a local network.

File extension

.aac Advanced audio coding file

.aiff Apple Interchange File Format

.wav Windows audio file

.mp3 MP3 file

File type

Playing CDs with HP Tunes

When you insert a CD that has not been added to your iTunes music library, it will be listed under Playlists or Albums. If it has been added to your library, it will be displayed under Songs, Albums, Artists, or Genres.

1 Press the Media Center Start button on the

remote control, or, with your mouse, click

Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select HP Tunes. 3 Insert a CD.

4 Select Playlists or Songs. 5 Scroll through the displayed playlists or songs,

and then select your CD title. If the songs on this CD weren’t added to your iTunes music library, this playlist or song will disappear when you eject the CD.

For more information about music file compatibility with iTunes, go to the iTunes Help menu.

Playing Music Files 37

If your playlist doesn’t appear in HP Tunes, make sure your songs are in your iTunes music library. You may need to close and open Media Center to update your display.

Creating a Playlist with iTunes

A playlist is a customized list of songs that you saved together and can play later or record to CD. Using playlists, you can group various digital music files together and determine the order in which you want the files to play.

You can create a playlist that includes several tracks from various CDs or even a playlist that contains background music for a slideshow. You can use iTunes or HP Tunes in Media Center to create playlists.

1 Click Start on the taskbar, choose

All Programs, iTunes, and then click iTunes again.

5 Drag your music files from the iTunes music

library to your Playlist icon.

6 Select your Playlist icon to check whether

2 Click File, and then select New Playlist. 3 Type a name for your playlist.

your songs were added. Your playlist is now available in the HP Tunes area of Media Center.

4 Select Library.

Creating and Editing a Now Playing List with HP Tunes

A now playing list is a temporary list of songs that are scheduled to be played in the order they were selected. A now playing list acts like a group of songs you select to play on a jukebox. You can continue to add songs, or you can delete songs from your now playing list. You also have the option of saving your now playing list as a playlist.

1 Press the Media Center Start button on the

remote control, or, with your mouse, click

Once you create a now playing list, you can save it as a playlist that you can play again and again.

38 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select HP Tunes. 3 Select Songs. 4 Use the arrow buttons on the remote control or

the arrow keys on the keyboard to select a song, and then press OK on the remote control or press the Enter key on the keyboard.

5 Select Add to Now Playing. 6 Select OK. 7 Press the Back button on the remote control or

press the Backspace key on the keyboard to return to the song list. Select View Now Playing and then Edit Now Playing to select songs to move or delete.

Repeat steps 2 through 5 to add more songs to your now playing list.

Creating Music CDs with iTunes

To create a music CD using iTunes:

1 With your mouse, click Start on the

taskbar, choose All Programs, select iTunes, and then click iTunes.

2 Click the Edit menu, and select

Preferences.

3 Click the Burning tab, and choose Audio

CD as the disc format.

4 Click the Use Sound Check check box if

you would like all songs on the CD to play at the same volume level, and click OK.

5 Click the File pull-down menu, and select

New Playlist.

6 Enter a name for your new playlist, and an

empty playlist window opens.

Troubleshooting HP Tunes

If your HP Tunes window stops displaying album art and song titles, or if you cannot control the playback of your songs and playlists with the remote control, you may need to reset an important HP Tunes utility.

7 Drag and drop selected songs from your

source to your new playlist.

8 Click the Burn Disc icon in the

toolbar area. When the disc is finished recording, the Burn Disc icon disappears.

9 Insert a blank CD-R disc into your drive.

10 Click Burn Disc to begin recording your

playlist.

For more information about creating music CDs with iTunes, click the Help menu in the iTunes menu bar. For help online, go to:

http://www.hp.com/support

HP Tunes may not work properly if:

■ Windows Media Player stops working

unexpectedly.

■ Windows Media Player was open when the

PC was shut down improperly or if there is a power loss.

■ Windows XP or Media Center is unresponsive

and the PC needs to be restarted.

■ You upgrade iTunes and go through the

license agreement instructions. If you have upgraded iTunes, you must initialize iTunes again. See “Completing the iTunes Setup Assistant wizard” on page 34.

Playing Music Files 39

Resetting HP Tunes

To reset the HP Tunes utility:

1 Close Media Center. 2 Click Start on the taskbar, and then

select Windows Media Player. Follow any onscreen instructions to set up Windows Media Player if you have not done so already.

3 Display the Windows Media Player menu

bar by clicking the down arrow at the top of the window and then selecting Show

Menu Bar.

4 Click the Tools menu, choose Plug-ins,

and then select HP Tunes Media Player plug-in.

5 Make sure there is a check mark next to

HP Tunes Media Player plug-in.

6 Close Windows Media Player. 7 Press the Media Center Start button on the

remote control, or, with your mouse, click

Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

8 Select HP Tunes. 9 Select Songs.

10 Use the arrow buttons on the remote control or

the arrow keys on the keyboard to select a song, and then press OK on the remote control or the Enter key on the keyboard to play a song.

11 If you encounter issues and can navigate to

the HP Tunes Help window, you can click the Reset button. This will shut down Media Center and close HP Tunes and iTunes. After using this button, you may need to reset the HP Tunes utility by following the previous procedure.

40 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Using My Music with Media Center

You can copy digital music files and organize a music library by using My Music in Media Center or by using the Windows Media Player program.

Music files that are added from within My Music in Media Center are copied into the Windows Media Player music library and are then accessible from within Media Center.

In My Music you can:

■ Play CDs or selected music tracks from your

created Windows Media Player music library that you access in Media Center.

■ Select and edit a personalized list of songs

from your library.

■ Delete songs from a music library or a

queue list.

My Music menu in Media Center

Adding Music to My Music Library

■ Burn your favorite songs to CDs.

■ Back up your music tracks to a DVD or to an

HP Personal Media Drive.

You can store your music files in the My Music folder or in other folders on your hard disk drive, but you need to add those files to the Windows Media Player music library for Media Center to be able to find and play them.

When you add music files to your My Music library, they are placed into the music library in Windows Media Player. The added music files can immediately be found and played back by using My Music in Media Center.

You can also add music files to your music library from within the Windows Media Player program. For more information about adding and deleting music files to the library, use the Windows Media Player Help menu.

Playing Music Files 41

Adding music files from your hard disk drive

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select My Music. 3 Press Ctrl+D on the keyboard or press

the i (More information) button on the remote control, and select Add Music.

4 Select Add folders, and then select Next. 5 Select Add folders on this computer,

and then select Next.

6 Use the arrow buttons on the keyboard or the

remote control to select a location. Press the Enter key on the keyboard or press the OK button to expand a folder. When you find the folder that contains your music folder, select it by making sure an arrow appears next to the folder. Repeat this step to add additional folders, and select Next and then Finish.

7 Select OK.

42 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Adding music files from a CD

To add the CD tracks to your Media Center music library:

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select My Music. 3 Insert a CD into the CD drive. 4 Select Albums. 5 Select the Album CD you want to add to

your music library.

6 Select Copy CD. The first time you copy a

music CD you must select your copyprotection option and then follow any onscreen instructions.

7 Select Yes to begin copying tracks to your

music library. This process may take several minutes, depending on the length of your music tracks.

8 Click OK.

Each time you add music files outside of Windows Media Player, you must add these music files to your Windows Media Player music library for Media Center to find them. Select the Tools menu, and then select Search for Media Files to add new music files to your library.

Deleting music files from the My Music library

1 Press the Media Center Start button on the

remote control, or, with your mouse, click

Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select My Music.

3 Select Songs. 4 Use the arrow buttons on your remote control

or the keyboard to scroll through your songs. Select the song you want to delete.

5 Select Delete, and then select Yes.

Playing Music Files 43

For more information about music file formats, use Windows Media Player Help and Media Center Help.

Only supported audio file types are displayed in the My Music window. Unsupported files won’t play.

You can place all your music files into the My Music folder or into other folders on your hard disk drive, but you need to add those files to the Windows Media Player music library for Media Center to be able to find and play them.

Using supported music file types

You can play the following types of digital audio files in My Music. Refer to Windows Media Player Help for more information about supported file types.

Playing Music Files in My Music

When you first open Media Center and open the My Music window, you may not find any music files listed unless there is a music CD in your CD drive or unless you have already added audio files to your Windows Media Player music library.

When you copy music files using Windows Media Player and your computer is connected to the Internet, the CD information is copied and displayed in Media Center and in the Windows Media Player music library.

If you insert a music CD when Media Center is not open, a message appears asking what you want to do. You can select Windows Media Player as your default audio player. If you have another program set as the default audio player, Windows opens the program and begins playing the CD.

File extension File type

.cda CD audio file

.au, .snd Audio file

.aif, .aifc, .aiff AIFF audio file

.wav Windows audio file

.mp3, .m3u MP3 file

.wax, .wma Windows Media

Audio file

.asf, .asx, .wm, .wma, .wmv, .wmp, .wmx, .wpl, .wm, .wmd, .wmz

Windows Media file

44 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Playing an album in My Music

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select My Music. 3 Insert a music CD into the CD drive. 4 Select Albums. 5 Select the album you want to play. 6 Select Play.

Playing a song in My Music

You can play a song from anywhere in My Music. You can select it from the View Song list, or from the Album, Artist, and Genre lists. You can also play a single song from a playlist:

1 Press the Media Center Start button on the

remote control, or, with your mouse, click

Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select My Music.

4 Use the arrow buttons on the remote control or

the arrow keys on the keyboard to select a song, and then press OK on the remote control or the Enter key on the keyboard to play it.

You can select Visualize in the Now Playing window to see a visualization while you play a music track.

3 Select Songs. The list displays all the songs in

your library.

Playing Music Files 45

Creating a Queue List in My Music

A queue list is a temporary list of songs that is created in My Music as you select songs, albums, or playlists to play. You can continue to add songs or you can delete songs from your queue list.

You can create a queue list and save it as a playlist that you can access in Media Center.

1 From the My Music window:

■ Select Songs, use the arrow keys to select

a song you want, and then select Add to Queue.

■ Select Albums or Playlists, select an

album or a playlist, and then select Add to Queue to add the entire album or

playlist to the queue.

2 Select OK. 3 Use the Back button on the remote control or

the Backspace key on the keyboard to go back to the Songs, Albums, or Playlists menus if you want to select more songs to add to your queue list. Repeat step 1.

4 After you add the last song for your queue list,

select Play. All songs in your queue list are played in the order you have selected them.

Finding and Playing an Album in My Music

1 In the Media Center Start menu, select My

Music, and then select Albums.

■ Copy CD to copy an album into your

Windows Media Player music library and your My Music library.

2 Use the arrow buttons on the remote control or

the arrow keys on the keyboard to select an album, and then press OK on the remote control or press the Enter key on the keyboard. Select Play to play the album. The Now Playing window opens, and the album starts playing.

3 In the Play window, you can also select:

■ Buy Music to connect to the Internet, find

CD information, and buy music CDs. To go back to Media Center, press Start on the remote control, or click Start on the taskbar and click Media Center.

■ Visualize to view a moving picture while

listening to a song.

■ View Cover to view cover art and play

one track.

■ View Queue to view an ordered list of all

tracks that will be played on the album.

■ Shuffle to rearrange the play order.

■ Repeat to play the album again.

46 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

■ Edit Queue to save your queue list as a

playlist, create a CD/DVD, or clear all the songs in the queue list.

4 To return to the previous window, press Back

on the remote control or the Backspace key on the keyboard.

Creating a Playlist in My Music

A playlist is a customized list of songs you can keep to play later or record to CD. Using playlists, you can group various digital music files together and determine the order in which you want the files to play.

You can create a playlist that includes several tracks from various CDs or even a playlist that contains background music for a slideshow.

You can create playlists in Windows Media Player or from within Media Center.

To create a playlist:

2 Use the arrow buttons on the remote control or

the arrow keys on the keyboard to navigate to the music you want to add to your playlist.

3 Press OK on the remote control or press the

Enter key on the keyboard to select a song.

4 Select Add To Queue. A confirmation

displays that the music was added to the list of music in the queue.

5 Select the inset window in the lower-left corner

to go to the queue.

6 On the Queue screen, select Edit Queue,

1 Select My Music, and then select either

Albums, Artists, Playlists, Songs, or Genres.

Copying Music Files to CD in My Music

To copy your music files to CD:

and then select Save As Playlist.

7 Use the alphanumeric keypad to enter a name

for the playlist, and then select Save.

1 Press the Media Center Start button on the

remote control, or, with your mouse, click

Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

If your PC is connected to the Internet, the CD track titles and cover art appear in Media Center.

2 Select More Programs. 3 Insert a blank CD-R disc. 4 Select Create CD/DVD. 5 Select a disc format: Audio CD or Data CD,

and then select OK.

Playing Music Files 47

IMPORTANT: HP supports the lawful use of technology and does not endorse or encourage the use of our products for purposes other than those permitted by copyright law.

6 Use the arrow buttons on the remote control or

the arrow keys on the keyboard to select the

Untitled text box.

7 Use the alphanumeric keypad buttons on the

remote control or the keyboard to enter a name for your CD, and then select OK.

8 Select Music. 9 Select the music files to record. A check mark

appears next to the song when it is selected. Use the Back button on the remote control or the Backspace key on the keyboard to select more songs from different menus.

10 When you are finished adding songs, select

View CD to see the songs you have selected.

If you want to delete songs, use the arrow buttons on the remote control to select the X next to the song you want to delete. Press OK on the remote control or press the Enter key on the keyboard to delete the song from your list of songs to be recorded to CD. This does not delete the song from your music library.

11 Select Create CD.

12 Select Ye s.

For more information about writable media, refer to the other documentation that came with your PC.

48 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

13 Select OK. 14 Follow the onscreen instructions.

Use the HP Image Zone and My Pictures areas in Media Center to view, edit, print, and share your pictures.

HP Image Zone

HP Image Zone is a software program located in your All Programs menu that works together with the HP Image Zone area in Media Center. Both programs work together to organize, search for, display, print, and share your digital images. It is designed to organize your photos, scanned images, and video clips by date, keyword, or place. For more information about using HP Image Zone, see “Using HP Image Zone in Media Center” on page 50.

Working with Pictures

My Pictures

With My Pictures, you can view, sort, edit, print, and create a CD or DVD of your pictures from the folders you create in the My Pictures directory in Windows Explorer. For more information about using My Pictures, see “Using My Pictures in Media Center” on page 61.

Working with Pictures 49

Working with Digital Images

When transferring pictures from a digital photo camera to the PC in HP Image Zone, set the camera’s USB setting to disk drive instead of digital camera.

You can connect a digital image source, such as a digital photo or video camera, directly to the PC or through a docking station. Most digital picture files you copy or download from the device appear in the My Pictures folder.

Windows XP and Media Center detect your external device and display a message asking if you want to view your images. You can display them from the desktop or from within Media Center.

You can copy digital picture files from the memory cards used by digital cameras and other digital imaging devices by using the memory card reader (select models only).

Using HP Image Zone in Media Center

Most tasks, such as viewing a slideshow, sharing your pictures online, cropping, rotating, and printing your pictures, you can do in both the HP Image Zone program on your desktop, and from within Media Center. There are a few things, for example, like some editing functions and the Help files, that are only available in the HP Image Zone program on the desktop.

Creating your picture catalog in HP Image Zone

The first time you open the HP Image Zone program,

Media Center displays a message allowing you to add pictures to your My Pictures folder whenever Media Center detects any new pictures.

a message appears asking if you want to create a catalog by indexing images in the My Pictures folder and its subfolders. This catalog allows you to search for your pictures by date, keyword, or place, by using HP Image Zone.

1 Using the mouse, double-click the

HP Image Zone icon on your

desktop.

50 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

HP Image Zone menu in Media Center

Click Start on the taskbar, choose All Programs, HP, and then click HP Image Zone. The HP Image Zone window opens.

2 When the catalog message appears, click

OK to index the images and place them in the

HP Image Zone catalog.

3 At the top of the gallery window, click the

View tab, click the Browse tab, and then

click the Image Catalog icon it to see all of the images in the catalog. You can also select the Search tab to browse for images.

4 Click Help at the top of the window for more

information about creating your picture catalog in HP Image Zone.

E F

A The Mode tabs allow you to create an

image project, view, edit, print, share and back up your images.

B The menu items and display options

allow you to view images or perform various tasks.

C Various items, depending on the tab

you select. The View tab includes a map of the folders on your hard disk drive.

D The Tips window displays helpful hints

about using HP Image Zone.

E The Preferences button allows you to

customize HP Image Zone. The Help menu gives you troubleshooting tips, instructional videos, and other information.

F The Image display icons let you view

images in a group, one at a time, in full screen, or as a slideshow.

G Gallery of images.

H The Selection tray displays images that

you have selected.

Working with Pictures 51

After you create your picture albums in the HP Image Zone program, you can view them in Media Center.

Creating albums

You can organize your pictures into albums by using the HP Image Zone program. After you create your picture albums in HP Image Zone, you can then view them in Media Center.

To create an album:

1 Using the mouse, double-click the

HP Image Zone icon on your

desktop.

4 Select the pictures that you want to place into

an album by placing a check in the check box under the image. The selected images appear in the My Selections area at the bottom of the window.

Click Start on the taskbar, choose All Programs, HP, and then click HP Image Zone. The HP Image Zone window opens.

2 Click the View tab. 3 Select the Image Catalog icon.

Modifying a date assigned to your pictures

Digital cameras and scanners assign a creation date to digital images. HP Image Zone automatically recognizes this creation date and organizes your pictures by date. The most recent images are listed first in your Image Catalog.

To change a date:

1 Using the mouse, double-click the

HP Image Zone icon on your

desktop.

Click Start on the taskbar, choose All Programs, HP, and then click HP Image Zone. The HP Image Zone window opens.

5 Select the Albums icon, and then select

Create a new album.

6 Type a title using your keyboard, and then

click OK. You can now view your albums in Media Center when you open Media Center, select HP Image Zone, and then select

Albums.

2 Click the View tab, and then click Image

Catalog under the Browse tab. The most

recent images are listed first in your Image Catalog.

3 Select a picture or pictures to assign a

new date.

4 Right-click one of the images, and then select

Set Image Date and Time.

5 Select a date and time, and then click OK.

52 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Assigning a keyword to your pictures

1 Using your mouse, double-click the

HP Image Zone icon on the desktop.

2 Click the View tab, and then click Image

Catalog under the Browse tab. The most

recent images are listed first in your Image Catalog.

3 Select a picture or pictures to assign a

keyword.

Assigning a place to your pictures

1 Using your mouse, double-click the

HP Image Zone icon on the desktop.

2 Click the View tab, and then click Image

Catalog under the Browse tab. The most

recent images are listed first in your Image Catalog.

3 Select a picture or pictures to assign a place. 4 Select the Search tab, and then select

By Place.

4 Right-click one of the images, and then select

Keywords, Assign, and then select a previously created keyword or (New Keyword).

5 Type the new keyword, and then click OK. 6 Click OK again.

5 Under By Place, select Assign. 6 Click the map to find your location. Each time

you click the map, it zooms in closer. Use the arrow buttons surrounding the map to move around on the map.

7 When your location is in the center of the

cross symbol, click Assign.

8 Click Assign again. 9 Click Close.

There are two ways to move around the HP Image Zone map: you can click and drag or point and click the small globe.

Working with Pictures 53

Searching for pictures in Media Center

You can search for pictures by date, keyword, and place by using your remote control or mouse in Media Center. HP Image Zone automatically organizes your pictures by date, based on the date assigned by the camera when the picture was taken or the date the picture was scanned.

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select HP Image Zone. 3 Select the Search tab.

HP Image Zone Search in Media Center

4 Select By Date. Select the Year, Month,

and Day boxes and then use the number keypad on the remote or the numbers on the keyboard to enter the start and end date range. The date range of the pictures you selected is displayed in this window.

5 Select Search.

Viewing Pictures in HP Image Zone

Viewing a slideshow in HP Image Zone

When viewing images, you can view a slideshow of all your images, individual albums, or pictures selected from a search.

1 Press the Media Center Start button on the

remote control, or, with your mouse, click

Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

4 Select Slide Show. If you do not select the

5 Use the media playback keys on the remote

2 Select HP Image Zone. 3 Navigate to the group of pictures you want to

view as a slideshow.

Select By Place. Select the arrow buttons under the globe to rotate the globe. Select the magnifying glass icon to zoom in and out. Select a location. Locations that have pictures assigned to them will have a colored dot on the map.

Select By Keyword. Select a keyword.

pictures you want to view as a slideshow, Media Center displays all pictures.

control, or move the mouse to display the media controls to control the playback of your slideshow.

54 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Viewing a slideshow with music in HP Image Zone

1 Select HP Tunes or My Music on the Media

Center Start menu.

4 Select HP Image Zone. 5 Select the pictures.

2 Select the music you want, and then press OK

on the remote control. If the music doesn’t start automatically, press the Play button on the remote control.

6 Select Slide Show. When Media Center

switches to full-screen mode, the inset window disappears, but the music continues to play.

3 To go back to the Media Center Start menu,

press the Media Center Start button on the remote control, or, with your mouse, click

Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

Editing Pictures in HP Image Zone

Editing pictures in HP Image Zone from the desktop

You can make changes to your pictures in HP Image Zone from the desktop. Some of the editing features include removing red eye, cropping, resizing, and rotating images.

1 Using the mouse, double-click the

HP Image Zone icon on your

desktop.

2 Click the Help drop-down list at the top of the

window, and then select Edit Tab Help for more information about editing your images.

Click Start on the taskbar, choose All Programs, HP, and then click HP Image Zone. The HP Image Zone window opens.

Working with Pictures 55

You may need to refresh the window to view your edited picture in your HP Image Zone folders.

Editing pictures in HP Image Zone in Media Center

You can make changes to your pictures and video clips in HP Image Zone from Media Center. Some of the editing features include removing red eye, cropping or resizing images, rotating and flipping images, and adjusting the color, brightness, and sharpness of your images.

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select HP Image Zone. 3 Select the picture you want to edit. The

edit window appears when you select a picture file.

4 Select an editing option such as Crop. 5 Select the arrow buttons under the picture to

crop your picture.

HP Image Zone Crop in Media Center

6 Select Save As when you are finished

editing the picture.

7 Select OK to save your edited picture.

56 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Sharing Pictures in HP Image Zone

You can quickly share your photos with friends and family by first creating e-mail shortcuts and then sending thumbnails of your photos. The recipient then clicks on a link in the e-mail message to view the full-size photo on a secure Web page without downloading any attachments. The Web page is

To agree to the license agreement in Image Zone:

1 Using the mouse, double-click the

HP Image Zone icon on your

desktop.

Click Start on the taskbar, choose All Programs, HP, and then click HP Image Zone. The HP Image Zone window opens.

automatically displayed in a language based on the recipient’s Web browser settings. The photos can be viewed, printed, and saved to a computer.

Before you can share photos in Media Center, you must agree to the license agreement in the desktop version of Image Zone. See the following procedure.

2 Select the HP Instant Share tab. 3 Select E-mail. 4 Select your region from the drop-down menu

under Select your region.

5 Select the I Agree check box, and then select

Next.

For more information about the HP Instant Share tools, refer to the Help menu in the HP Image Zone program.

Working with Pictures 57

To share photos in Media Center:

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select HP Image Zone. 3 Select the group of pictures you want to

share and then select Share.

4 Select the pictures you want to share by

placing a check mark on each picture, and then select Next.

5 Select an e-mail shortcut.

Use the remote control keypad or the keyboard to type an e-mail address into the text box. If you want to save this e-mail address, select Save e-mail as a shortcut by placing a check in the check box next to it. Enter a shortcut name for the address.

6 Select Next. 7 Select Original or Compressed image size. 8 Use the remote control keypad or the

keyboard to type an e-mail subject in the text box, and then select Send.

HP Image Zone Share in Media Center

9 Select OK to have HP Instant Share send your

e-mail.

10 To view the status of the e-mail, select

Outbox in HP Image Zone.

58 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Using supported file types with HP Image Zone

HP Image Zone supports the following types of image, video, and audio files.

File extension File type

.jpg, .jpeg Joint Photographic Experts

Group

.tif, .tiff Tagged Image File Format

.gif Graphics Interchange

Format

.mov, .qt QuickTime Movie file

.mpeg-1 Movie file

.m1v Movie file

.mpg Movie file, .mpeg

animation

.avi Audio Video Interleaved

.bmp Bitmap

.dcx Multipage .pcx file

.fpx FlashPix Bitmap

.pcx Bitmap Graphics

.png Portable Network Graphics

■ Only supported image file types are displayed

in My Pictures. Unsupported files are skipped in a slideshow.

■ Corrupted and unsupported image file types

display a generic image icon but cannot be displayed in Media Center.

■ Some file types are supported only if

appropriate filters and software are installed.

If the message Image cannot be displayed

appears, the file may be corrupted, or it may be an unsupported file type. You may need to edit your image with a photo editor and save it in a supported file format.

Working with Pictures 59

You need to set up your printer before you can print from Media Cente

Printing Pictures in HP Image Zone

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select HP Image Zone. 3 Select Albums, Months, or Folders and

then select the album, month, or folder where your picture is located.

4 Select Print. 5 Select the picture you want to print by

placing a check mark on the picture, and then select Next.

6 Select the (+) or (–) to choose a printer, and

then select Print.

7 Follow any onscreen instructions.

Creating a Backup Disc of Your Pictures

To create a backup disc of images you have put into HP ImageZone:

1 Click Start on the taskbar, choose

All Programs, HP, HP ImageZone, and then click HP ImageZone again.

2 Select the Backup tab, and then click Back

Up Images on the left side of the window.

3 Select your backup settings, and then

click Next.

60 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

4 Insert a blank disc. 5 Select the drive and media type, and then

click Next.

6 Click Start Backup. 7 Follow any onscreen instructions.

Using My Pictures in Media Center

My Pictures is a folder on your hard disk drive in the My Documents folder, and it is a Media Center menu item that allows you to view and search for your digital images by using the remote control or the keyboard and mouse.

It provides all the tools you need for viewing, organizing, editing, printing, sharing, and protecting your digital images.

My Pictures in Media Center

My Pictures folder in Windows Explorer

Working with Pictures 61

Adding Pictures to My Pictures

Adding picture files from your hard disk drive

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select My Pictures. 3 Press Ctrl+D on the keyboard or press

the i (More information) button on the remote control, and then select Add

Pictures.

4 Select Add folders, and then select Next. 5 Select Add folders on this computer,

and then select Next.

6 Use the arrow buttons on the remote control or

the arrow keys on the keyboard to select a location. Press the OK button on the remote control or press the Enter key on the keyboard to expand a folder. When you find the folder that contains your picture folder, select it by making sure an arrow appears next to the folder. Repeat this step to add additional folders, and then select Next.

7 Select Finish.

62 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Viewing Pictures in My Pictures

After you organize your pictures in the My Pictures folder in Windows Explorer, open Media Center to view your pictures:

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select My Pictures. The right side of the

window shows a small picture image (thumbnail) and, if you’ve organized your pictures into folders, folder icons. The pictures are displayed just as you organized them in the My Pictures folder in Windows Explorer.

3 Use the arrow keys on the keyboard or the

arrow buttons on the remote control to move through your picture files and folder files, and select a picture.

4 Press the Enter key on the keyboard or press

the OK button on the remote control to select a picture or folder to view. The selected picture opens in full-screen mode.

5 Press the Enter key on the keyboard or the OK

button on the remote control again to zoom in 150 percent; press it again to zoom in 225 percent. Use the arrow keys or buttons to pan across a picture. To return the picture to the original size, press Enter or OK a third time.

From the My Pictures menu, you can select Settings to:

■ Select a slide

transition, a slide time delay, and a background color.

■ Include picture

folders you have created.

■ Show captions.

■ Display your

pictures randomly.

■ Show song

information during a slideshow.

Working with Pictures 63

Viewing pictures as a slideshow

1 Press the Media Center Start button on the

remote control, or, with your mouse, click

Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

6 Press the Backspace key on the keyboard or

2 Select My Pictures. 3 Select the folder of pictures you want to view

as a slideshow, and then press OK on the remote control or Enter on the keyboard.

4 Select Play Slide Show, and then

press OK.

If you do not select the pictures you want to view as a slideshow, Media Center uses the first folder listed. If you have picture files that are not stored in folders you created, Media Center plays all files stored in the My Pictures folder.

5 Press Ctrl+D on the keyboard or press

the i (More information) button on the remote control, and then select Picture Details. The picture name, location, last modification date, and resolution appears, if available.

Viewing a slideshow with music in My Pictures

1 Press the Media Center Start button on the

remote control, or, with your mouse, click

Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

4 Press the Back button on the remote control or

5 Select My Pictures.

2 Select My Music.

6 Select the folder of pictures, and then

3 Select the music you want, and then press

Enter on the keyboard or press OK on the remote control. If the music doesn’t start automatically, move the mouse to display the media control toolbar, and then select the Play button or press the Play button on the remote control.

7 Select Play Slide Show, and then press the

the Back button on the remote control to go to a previous screen. Use the arrow keys on the keyboard or arrow buttons on the remote control to display the next or previous pictures.

the Backspace key on the keyboard until you are back to the Media Center Start menu.

press Enter on the keyboard or OK on the remote control.

Enter key on the keyboard or the OK button on the remote control. When Media Center switches to full-screen mode, the inset window disappears but the music continues to play.

64 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Using supported picture file types in My Pictures

You can view the following types of image files in Media Center.

File extension File type

.jpg, .jpeg Joint Photographic Experts

Group

.tif, .tiff Tagged Image File Format

.gif Graphics Interchange

Format

.bmp Bitmap

.wmf Windows MetaFile

.png Portable Network Graphics

■ Only supported image file types are displayed

■ Folder icons appear even if the images inside

■ Corrupted and unsupported image file types

■ Some file types are supported only if

Editing Pictures in My Pictures

Fixing red eye or contrast

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

in My Pictures. Unsupported files are skipped in a slideshow.

them cannot be displayed.

display a generic image icon but cannot be displayed in Media Center.

appropriate filters and software are installed.

If the message Image cannot be displayed

appears, the file may be corrupted or it may be an unsupported file type. You may need to edit your image with a photo editor and save it in a supported file format.

2 Select My Pictures. 3 Select the picture you want to edit. 4 Right-click the picture or press the

i (More information) button on the remote control, and then select

Picture Details.

5 Select Tou ch Up. 6 Select Red Eye or Contrast, and then press

OK on the remote control or press the Enter key on the keyboard.

7 After you select the options you want to fix,

select Save. The picture is displayed with the new settings.

8 Select Yes to save changes and replace the

original picture file.

Working with Pictures 65

Cropping pictures in My Pictures

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select My Pictures. 3 Select the picture you want to edit. 4 Right-click the picture or press the

i (More information) button on the remote control, and then select

Picture Details.

5 Select Touch up, and then select Crop. 6 For this step, you must use the mouse and

keyboard. Select the arrows under the picture to move the picture side to side or up or down. Select the magnifying glass to move the cropping tool in or out. Select the rotate tool to move the cropping tool to a vertical or horizontal position.

7 After you select the options you want to fix,

select Save or Save As. Once saved, you cannot revert to the original picture.

8 Select Yes to save changes and replace the

original picture file if you selected Save in the previous step.

Select Yes to create a different version of the original file if you selected Save As in the previous step.

66 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Rotating pictures

If your picture appears horizontally or vertically and you want to change the orientation, you can change it in Media Center:

1 Press the Media Center Start button on the

remote control, or, with your mouse, click

Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select My Pictures. 3 Select the picture you want to rotate.

Printing Pictures in My Pictures

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select My Pictures. 3 Select the picture you want to print. 4 Press the Print button on the remote

control.

Press Ctrl+D on the keyboard or press the i (More information) button on the remote control, and then select Picture Details. Select Print, and then select Print again.

4 Right-click the picture or press the

i (More information) button on the remote control, and then select

Picture Details.

5 Select Rotate, and then press the Enter key

on the keyboard or press the OK button on the remote control.

You need to set up your printer before you can print from Media Center, otherwise the file is saved to the My Documents folder by default when you select to print the picture.

5 Follow any onscreen instructions.

Working with Pictures 67

In Media Center, all pictures are copied to CDs as .jpg files.

Copying Pictures to CDs and DVDs

You can copy your pictures to CDs and DVDs in Media Center or by using the Sonic Digital Media Projects program. You can also create a LightScribe label for your CD or DVD if you have a LightScribe optical drive and you use LightScribe media discs. Refer to the other documentation that came with your PC.

For more information about writable media, refer to the other documentation that came with your PC.

1 Press the Media Center Start button on the

remote control, or, with your mouse, click

Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select More Programs. 3 Insert writable media (CD-R, CD-RW,

DVD+/-R, or DVD+/-RW) into the drive.

4 Select Create CD/DVD. 5 Select the Untitled area, and enter the name of

your disc by using the numeric keys on the keyboard or the remote control, and then select OK. Use the Backspace key on the keyboard or the Clear button on the remote control to delete letters.

6 Select Pictures. 7 Select the pictures you want to copy. A check

mark appears next to a picture when you select it.

8 Select View CD/View DVD. From here you

can delete a picture, add more pictures, or change the name of your disc.

9 After you have selected all of your pictures,

select Create CD/Create DVD.

10 Select Yes. Media Center displays a message

if you need to insert an additional disc to complete your recording. Media Center displays a message when your disc has been created.

68 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

The My Videos window in Media Center makes it easy to play home video files you created or video files you downloaded from the Internet.

Playing Videos

In My Videos you can:

■ Play videos that are stored anywhere on your

hard disk drive.

■ Create a CD or DVD of your video files.

■ View your videos in full-screen mode or from

an inset window in Media Center.

■ View small image (thumbnail) and title of

video file.

Playing Digital Videos in Media Center

After you organize your videos in the My Videos or Shared Video folder in Windows Explorer, open Media Center to watch your videos.

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select My Videos. 3 Select the video folder you want. The video

folder opens, displaying a list of video files. You may need to use the scroll arrows at the bottom of the window to display all videos.

4 Select the video file. The video plays in full-

screen mode. Use the mouse to resize the window if you want to watch your video while doing something else on your desktop.

5 To exit full-screen mode and return to the

previous window, press Back on the remote control or the Backspace key on the keyboard. Your video continues to play in the inset window.

6 When the video is finished, select Restart to

replay the video, or select Done to close the file and return to the My Videos window.

Each user has a separate My Videos folder that can be opened only by that person. You can share videos with others by storing them in the Shared Video folder.

■ Use the mouse to

select the up arrows and down arrows at the bottom of the window, to scroll to other pages of video files and folders.

■ You c an max i m ize

the media playing in the inset window by using the arrow buttons to select the inset window and then pressing OK on the remote control.

Playing Videos 69

For more information about supported video file types, refer to Media Center Help menu.

Using Supported Video File Types

You can view the following types of video files in Media Center. Other file types are supported if your PC has the correct software installed.

File extension File type

.avi Video file

.dvr-ms Digital Video

.mpeg, .mpg, .mpe, .m1v, .mp2, .mpv2

.wm, .asf Windows Media file

.wmv Windows Media

Transferring and Recording Video Files

Once you capture your video by using video capture and editing software, you can use Media Center to find it and add it to your My Videos area.

Recording — Microsoft (TV file format)

Movie file

AV f ile

Recording an analog video file

Refer to the Getting Started Guide and the other documentation that came with your PC for more information about capturing and recording video files from an analog video camera.

70 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Recording a digital video file

Refer to the Getting Started Guide for more information about recording video files from a digital video camera.

Creating a CD/DVD from Video Files

1 Press the Media Center Start button on the

remote control, or, with your mouse, click

Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select More Programs. 3 Insert a writable disc, and then select OK. 4 Select Create CD/DVD. 5 Select the Untitled area, enter the name of

your disc by using the numeric keys on the remote control or the keyboard, and then select OK. Use the Clear button on the remote control or the Backspace key on the keyboard to delete letters.

6 Select Video, and then select OK. 7 Select the video file you want to copy, and

then select View CD/View DVD.

8 Select Add More if you want to add

additional video files to your disc.

9 Select View CD/View DVD to check the

contents of your disc before recording them.

10 Select Create CD/Create DVD to begin

recording the disc, and then select Yes.

Playing Videos 71

72 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Watching DVDs in Media Center allows you to control the playback with your remote control. If you play your DVD in another program outside of Media Center, you will not be able to use the remote control.

Playing DVD Movies in Media Center

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Insert the DVD into the drive. If you have

other media playing, Media Center asks if you want to play the DVD. Select Play DVD. If you don’t select an option, the DVD automatically plays in full-screen mode after a few seconds.

If the DVD is already in the drive, select Play DVD from the Start menu. The DVD movie begins playing in full-screen mode.

3 If a DVD menu appears, use the remote

control or the mouse to select the DVD menu items and control the DVD movie playback.

4 To stop playing the DVD, press Stop on the

remote control or move the mouse to display the media controls, and then click the Stop button.

5 To change the window size while the DVD

6 Click the Resize icon on the taskbar

Playing DVDs

movie is playing, move the mouse for the Resize icon to appear.

to adjust the window size.

To v ie w more information about a DVD that you are watching, such as the DVD title, chapter title, genre, parental rating, length, and current position, press the i (More information) button on the remote control.

Playing DVDs 73

Changing the DVD Movie Language

To select DVD language settings for subtitles, closed captioning, and viewing the DVD:

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select Settings. 3 In the Settings window, select DVD. 4 In the DVD Settings window, select DVD

Language.

5 Use the arrow buttons on the remote control

or the arrow keys on the keyboard to select (+) or (–). Press OK on the remote control or press the Enter key on the keyboard to scroll through the languages available.

6 When you find the one you want, select

Save, and then press OK on the remote

control or the Enter key on the keyboard.

Changing DVD Audio Settings

To select DVD audio settings for viewing the DVD:

1 Press the Media Center Start button on the

remote control, or, with your mouse, click

Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select Settings. 3 Select DVD.

7 To return to the main Settings window, press

the Backspace key on the keyboard or press the Back button on the remote control.

4 Select Audio. The Audio Properties window

opens.

5 Select Configuration, and then select your

speaker and sound options. Select your speaker output and your channel mode, if applicable. Select Save.

6 Select OK.

74 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

If your HP Media Center PC is equipped with a radio tuner input (FM Tuner In), Media Center can play FM radio. The Radio window in Media Center makes it easy to play FM radio stations using your remote control.

In Radio you can:

■ Listen to FM radio stations.

■ Set up presets of your favorite radio stations.

■ Delete or organize your radio station presets.

Listening to FM Radio

Make sure you connect the FM radio

■ Use the time-shifting features: pause, rewind,

and fast-forward up to 30 minutes of radio programs.

antenna to the back of the HP Media Center PC before selecting an FM radio station. This antenna is for select models only.

Listening to FM Radio 75

You must go through the TV tuner setup wizard before you can play your radio stations.

Playing FM Radio Stations

1 Connect the FM radio antenna

to the back of the HP Media Center PC, to the connector labeled FM Antenna In.

2 Press the Media Center Start

button on the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start

on the taskbar, and then

click Media Center.

3 Select Radio. 4 Enter a radio station number by

using the numeric keypad on the remote control or your keyboard.

Select the Seek (–) or (+) buttons for Media Center to find the next playable station.

Select the Tun e (–) or (+) buttons to manually find a station.

5 If you want, select Save to save it as one of

your nine preset stations.

6 Select Start FM to begin playing that station. 7 Use the playback controls on the remote

control, such as Pause, Rewind, and Fast-Forward to control radio playback. If you press the Pause button, Media Center continues to record the program for up to 30 minutes. Press Play to resume listening to the program where you left off.

8 Select Back to return to the previous window.

76 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Organizing Radio Station Presets

1 Press the Media Center Start

button on the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start

on the taskbar, and

then click Media Center.

2 Select Settings. 3 Select Radio. 4 Select the up arrows and

down arrows next to each preset station to move it to a different position.

Select the Delete icon (X) to delete a preset station.

Select Auto Sort to sort your preset stations in numeric ascending or descending order.

5 Select Save to save your changes. 6 Select Back to return to the previous window.

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

The FM radio signal and My TV input signal share a single tuner card. This means that you are unable to watch or record TV and listen to FM radio at the same time unless you have two TV tuners. When Media Center is scheduled to start a recording, a warning appears that says FM radio stops when the TV recording starts. If you do not select Cancel recording, then Media Center automatically stops radio and begins recording TV.

Listening to FM Radio 77

78 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Creating Audio and Data Discs

(Select models only)

This chapter contains the procedures you must perform to record (or burn) music and data files to recordable CD and DVD discs. It also includes information about labeling your discs using the LightScribe labeling technology included on select models.

For information about recording video files to DVDs, see “Sonic MyDVD Video Projects” on page 93.

Your HP Media Center PC may include one or more CD, DVD, or combination optical drives capable of recording. Additionally, your HP Media Center PC may include the following software programs for recording to CDs or DVDs:

■ iTunes

■ Windows Media Player

Erasing Rewritable Discs Before Recording

Previously recorded files on rewritable discs must be erased before recording new files. CD-R, DVD+R, and DVD-R discs cannot be erased.

To erase a rewritable disc in Sonic DigitalMedia Plus:

1 Open the Sonic DigitalMedia Plus program by

clicking Start, All Programs, Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home.

2 Click Tools and then Erase Disc.

■ Sonic MyDVD Plus (select models only)

■ Sonic DigitalMedia Plus

■ Windows XP

These programs include features that enable you to copy, archive, and manage music and data files and then record the files to CDs or DVDs. You can also use iTunes or Windows Media Player to download and copy music files to a portable device or memory card.

3 Insert the rewritable disc you want to erase. 4 Click the Quick Erase or Full Erase option,

and then Erase Disc.

IMPORTANT: HP supports the lawful use of technology and does not endorse or encourage the use of our products for purposes other than those permitted by copyright law.

Burn is an industry term used to describe the recording of information onto a DVD or CD. Optical recording uses a laser beam to place information onto the disc, thus the term burning.

Creating Audio and Data Discs 79

IMPORTANT: HP supports the lawful use of technology and does not endorse or encourage the use of our products for purposes other than those permitted by copyright law.

Working with Audio CDs

Sonic DigitalMedia Plus enables you to create audio CDs that play in your car or home CD player, and on PCs. You can create two main types of music CDs:

■ Uncompressed — Typical CD format like

you would purchase on a commercial CD. This type of CD will hold 10 to 20 songs depending on their length.

Uncompressed files can be burned on CD-Rs (which play in most home and car stereos, DVD players, and computers) or CD-RWs (which play only in some stereos, DVD players, and computers).

The procedure for creating this type of CD is described in “Creating audio CDs” on page 81.

■ Compressed — Files are burned to a disc

using a compressed file format (MP3, WMA, or M4A). The smaller file format enables you to fit approximately ten times as many songs onto the disc (depending on length and format).

Compressed files can be burned to CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVD+Rs, DVD+RWs, DVD-Rs and DVD-RWs (select models only). Compressed files

can only be played on computers, CD players, or DVD players that support the file format you use to create the disc (MP3 is most commonly supported). For file format compatibility, check the documentation for the device where you intend to play the disc. You may hear a slight loss of sound quality using compressed audio files.

The procedure for creating this type of CD is described in “Creating jukebox discs” on page 82.

For more compatibility information, see “Disc Features and Compatibility Table” on page 89.

Both Sonic programs create closed-session music CDs, which means you must record all music files on one CD in one recording session. Music files can be recorded repeatedly on a rewritable CD-RW disc, but all previously recorded files must be erased first. CD-R discs cannot be erased.

Verifying audio disc recorded without errors

When copying or burning audio files to CD, it is recommended that you use Sonic DigitalMedia Plus because it includes a feature that confirms that your disc has been created without errors.

To check the status of the write verification feature in Sonic DigitalMedia Plus:

1 Open the Sonic DigitalMedia Plus program by

clicking Start, All Programs, Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home.

2 Click Too ls, and then Options.

80 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

This write verification feature is enabled by default.

3 In the Options window, click Copy. 4 Ensure that the Verify copied data discs

(slower) box is checked.

5 Click OK.

Audio CD tips

When recording music files, it is important to note that:

■ To play your music CD in a home or car

stereo, it needs to be recorded as a music CD in CD audio (CDA) format, not as a data CD.

■ As you add music files in the recording

session, Sonic DigitalMedia Plus calculates and displays the amount of recording time available to record additional music files.

■ You can’t record song titles unless you make

an exact copy of a music CD in your collection.

Creating audio CDs

To create uncompressed audio CDs using Sonic DigitalMedia Plus:

1 Open the Sonic DigitalMedia Plus program by

clicking Start, All Programs, Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home.

■ If your recording fails, manually select a

slower recording speed, if available, each time you make a recording. Refer to the Help menu in your selected software program for more information about selecting a slower recording speed.

■ If you try to record more than a standard CD

can hold, a message displays warning you that all the tracks may not fit on your disc.

4 Select the songs you want to record, and then

click Add.

5 Click the Burn icon when you

2 Click the Audio tab and then Audio CD.

have added all the audio files to your music CD project.

3 Do one or more of the following:

6 When prompted, insert a blank

■ Click Add Music and navigate to music

stored on your HP Media Center PC.

■ In the Quick Find panel, click Scan to

automatically search your HP Media Center PC for songs.

CD-R or CD-RW disc. If you want to play your music CD in your home or car stereo, use a CD-R disc. CD-RW discs may not play in some stereos.

7 Click OK.

IMPORTANT: HP supports the lawful use of technology and does not endorse or encourage the use of our products for purposes other than those permitted by copyright law.

■ Insert a CD and add songs from it.

You can get detailed online help by clicking the Help menu and then selecting Help.

Creating Audio and Data Discs 81

Creating jukebox discs

To create compressed (jukebox) music CDs or DVDs using Sonic DigitalMedia Plus:

DVD discs can store significantly more music files than a CD. Jukebox discs can only be played on computers, CD players, or DVD players that support the file format you use to create the disc (MP3 is most commonly supported).

1 Open the Sonic DigitalMedia Plus program by

clicking Start, All Programs, Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home.

2 Click the Audio tab, and then Jukebox

CD/DVD.

3 Do one or more of the following:

■ Click Add Music and navigate to music

stored on your HP Media Center PC.

■ In the Quick Find panel, click Scan to

automatically search your HP Media Center PC for songs.

■ Insert a CD and add songs from it.

Working with Data DVDs and CDs

Unlike audio CDs and jukebox DVDs, data DVDs and CDs can be recorded in multiple sessions.

Verifying data disc recorded without errors

When copying or burning data files to DVD or CD, it is recommended that you use Sonic DigitalMedia Plus because it includes a feature that confirms that your disc has been created without errors.

You can get detailed online help by clicking the Help menu, and then selecting Help.

This write verification feature is enabled by default.

4 Select the songs you want to record, and then

click Add.

5 Click the Burn icon when you

have added all the audio files to your music CD project.

6 When prompted, insert a blank

CD-R or CD-RW disc. If you want to play your music CD in your home or car stereo, use a CD-R disc. CD-RW discs may not play in some stereos.

7 Click OK.

To check the status of the write verification feature in Sonic DigitalMedia Plus:

1 Open the Sonic DigitalMedia Plus program by

clicking Start, All Programs, Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home.

2 Click Too ls and then Options.

82 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

3 In the Options window, click Data. 4 Ensure the Verify data written to the

disc after burning box is checked.

5 Click OK.

Data disc tips

When storing data files on a disc, it is important to note that:

■ You can add new data files to a

CD-R, DVD-R, or a DVD+R in a later recording session, until the disc is full. With DVD+R or DVD-R discs, insert your partially recorded DVD, click the Wrench icon to display the Options window, click Data, select the first Write-Once DVD Compatibility option, and then click OK.

■ When you record files that have the same

name as previously recorded files, Sonic DigitalMedia Plus updates the file and the previous version is overwritten.

Creating data discs

To create data CDs or DVDs using Sonic DigitalMedia Plus:

1 Open the Sonic DigitalMedia Plus program by

clicking Start, All Programs, Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home.

2 Click the Data tab, and then click

Data Disc.

3 Do one or more of the following:

■ Click Add Data and navigate to files

stored on your HP Media Center PC.

■ Sonic DigitalMedia Plus allows you to change

the names of files you want to record and the files that were previously recorded.

■ As you select data files to record to your disc,

Sonic DigitalMedia Plus calculates and displays the amount of recording space used on your disc.

■ If your recording fails, manually select a

slower recording speed, if available, each time you make a recording. Refer to the Help menu in your selected software program for more information about selecting a slower recording speed.

5 To name your disc, click Volume Label, and

then type a name over it. Sonic DigitalMedia Plus assigns a name based on the recording date if you do not type a name.

6 Click the Burn icon when you

have added all the files to your data project.

7 When prompted, insert a blank or

appendable disc (select models only).

An appendable disc can have additional files added to it, if there is disc space available. Recorded audio CDs are closedsession discs that are not appendable.

You can rename your files in the file selection window by selecting and typing over the current name. This does not affect the original files on your hard disk drive.

■ In the Quick Scan panel, select a type of

file to search for, and then click Scan to automatically search your HP Media Center PC for the selected file type.

■ Insert a CD or DVD that contains the file

you want to add.

4 Select the files you want to record, and then

click Add.

DVD discs can store significantly more files than a CD.

8 Click OK.

You can get detailed online help by clicking the Help menu and then selecting Help.

Creating Audio and Data Discs 83

DVD discs can store significantly more files than a CD.

Your DVD Writer or CD Writer drive will not copy commercially available DVD movies. Most commercial DVDs are encoded to prevent unauthorized duplication.

Copying a DVD or CD

Sonic DigitalMedia Plus enables you to make copies of an existing music or data disc. You can configure Sonic DigitalMedia Plus to verify that:

■ Data files have been copied without errors by

performing the procedure described in “Verifying data disc recorded without errors” on page 82.

To make a copy of an existing music or data disc using Sonic DigitalMedia Plus:

1 Open the Sonic DigitalMedia Plus program by

clicking Start, All Programs, Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home.

■ Music files have been copied without errors

by performing the procedure described in “Verifying audio disc recorded without errors” on page 80.

3 Insert the CD or DVD you want to copy. 4 Insert a blank DVD or CD into the drive.

2 Click the Copy tab, and then click

Disc Copy.

Archiving Files on a CD or DVD

To make an archive file copy of files stored on your HP Media Center PC using Sonic DigitalMedia Plus:

1 Open the Sonic DigitalMedia Plus program by

clicking Start, All Programs, Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home.

2 Click the Data tab and then Easy Archive. 3 Select the path to the files that you want

to archive (or click Browse to navigate to them).

4 Select the type of files you want to add to

the archive, or select All Files in the Selected Path.

5 Place a check mark in the Only Archive

Files Changed Since box, and select a

date to limit the scan to files that have been changed since that date.

5 Click the Copy icon. 6 Click Done when the recording is complete.

6 Click Save, enter a name for your archive,

and then click OK.

7 Click the Burn icon. 8 When prompted, insert a

recordable disc and then click OK.

If the files do not fit on one disc, you are prompted for additional discs.

9 Click Done when recording is complete.

For additional information about saving archives on your hard disk drive, or scheduling automatic archives, see the online help.

84 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Archiving files using Media Center

To archive your hard disk drive files:

1 Press the Media Center Start button on

the remote control, or, with your mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.

2 Select More Programs. 3 Select Media Archive. 4 Select the drive where your files are located

by selecting (+) or (–).

5 Select the type of files to archive, by placing

a check next to Music, Pictures, Video, and Recorded TV.

6 Select the drive where you want to archive

your files by selecting (+) or (–).

7 Select Archive. Follow any onscreen instructions.

Working with Image Files

Your DVD Writer or CD Writer drive will not copy commercially available DVD movies. Most commercial DVDs are encoded to prevent unauthorized duplication.

The Sonic recording programs can convert all the files from a CD or DVD into a single image file (.iso), or a series of Global-Image files (.gi), (none exceeding 2 GB). You can use the image file to

Creating an image file

To make an image file using Sonic DigitalMedia Plus:

1 Open the Sonic DigitalMedia Plus program by

clicking Start, All Programs, Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home.

2 Click Copy, select .iso or .gif (if prompted

for file type), and then click Save Image.

Burning from an image file

The image file remains on your hard disk drive until you delete it. Since an image file is typically large, it

reproduce the original disc. Image files are typically used when you need to make multiple copies of the same disc.

3 Insert the CD or DVD from which you want to

make a image file.

4 Click Browse to select the location where the

image file will be created.

5 Click the Save Image icon to create the

image file.

is recommended that you delete it if you do not intend to burn additional discs.

Creating Audio and Data Discs 85

To burn a CD or DVD from an image file using Sonic DigitalMedia Plus:

1 Open the Sonic DigitalMedia Plus program by

clicking Start, All Programs, Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home.

2 Click Copy and then Burn Image. 3 Click Browse to select the image file.

Disc Labeling with LightScribe

LightScribe (select models only) is a direct disc-labeling technology providing you a simple way to burn

precise, silk screen-quality labels. It combines the CD or DVD drive of your HP Media Center PC with specially coated discs (sold separately) and enhanced disc-labeling software.

A LightScribe-enabled CD or DVD disc drive uses the optical laser in the drive to record a label onto a thin dye coating on the label side of the disc. There is no ink to smear or paper to curl, and there are no adhesives to loosen.

LightScribe requirements

Burning a label with LightScribe requires three things:

4 Insert a recordable CD or DVD into the drive. 5 Click the Burn Image icon. 6 Click Done when recording is

complete.

LightScribe media is identified by the LightScribe logo on the retail packaging and on the inner hub area of the disc itself. Your HP Media Center PC may come ready to work with many versions of LightScribe media (select models only); however, as new media versions are introduced you will need to update the driver software for your LightScribe-enabled CD or DVD drive. Get driver updates from the HP Support Web site:

http://www.hp.com/support

■ LightScribe-enabled DVD drive (select

models only)

86 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

■ Labeling software that supports LightScribe

■ LightScribe discs (sold separately)

Burning a LightScribe label with Sonic Express Labeler

1 Click Start, All Programs, Sonic, and then

click Express Labeler.

2 In the Step1: Select Project area, make sure

that Disc Label is selected.

3 In the Step 2: Edit area:

a Click Disc Titles to display the Edit Disc

Title window. Enter text for the title and subtitle.

b Click Tracks to display the Edit Track

window. Click New to display the Track window. Enter text to identify the first track or file (you can optionally enter artist and date, or length), and then click OK.

c Repeat the previous step for each track or

file on the disc.

Burning a LightScribe label after burning with iTunes

iTunes works with Sonic Express Labeler to allow you to burn labels on a LightScribe audio CD. The playlist you create in iTunes to burn a disc is automatically imported into Express Labeler so that this information is available for you to use on your LightScribe label. To use Express Labeler from iTunes, the music tracks in the playlist you are using must fit on a single CD.

d Click the left or right arrows next to

Layout and Background to select

design elements for the disc. The selections you make are previewed in the disc window.

4 When you are satisfied with the appearance

of your label, insert the LightScribe media disc (label side down) into the disc drive tray, and then click Print.

5 From the Disc Label menu, select LightScribe

12cm disc.

6 Click OK to begin burning the label.

The estimated time to complete the label displays, along with a progress bar to show you the time remaining. You can continue to work on your HP Media Center PC while LightScribe is burning the label.

1 Click Start, All Programs, iTunes, and

then click iTunes again.

2 Burn an audio CD with iTunes. When the

burning process is complete, click Yes on the Create LightScribe Label window.

3 In the Step 1: Select Project area, make sure

that Disc Label is selected.

You can open Express Labeler from within Sonic DigitalMedia Plus by clicking Too ls , and then Label Disc.

LightScribe creates agrayscale (monochrome) image similar to a blackand-white photograph.

Creating Audio and Data Discs 87

4 In the Step 2: Edit area:

a Click Disc Titles to display the Edit Text

window. Enter text for the title and subtitle.

When you are satisfied with the appearance of your label, insert the LightScribe media disc (label side down) into the disc drive tray, and then click Print.

LightScribe creates a grayscale image similar to a blackand-white photograph.

b Click Tracks to display the Edit Track

window. Click New to display the Track window. Enter text to identify the first track or file (you can optionally enter artist and date, or length), and then click OK.

c Repeat the previous step for each track or

file on the disc.

d Click the left or right arrows next to

Layout and Background to select

design elements for the disc. The selections you make are previewed in the disc window.

Using adhesive disc labels

WARNING: When labeling your CDs and DVDs, do not use sticky labels. They can cause the disc to play erratically. Instead, write on the disc with a felt-tip pen to label it.

5 From the Disc Label menu, select LightScribe

12cm disc.

6 Click OK to begin burning the label.

Or, you can create a LightScribe label for your disc if you have a LightScribe optical drive and you use LightScribe media discs. Refer to “Disc Labeling with LightScribe” on page 86.

Compatibility Information

An important feature of a DVD Writer/CD Writer drive is its high level of compatibility with other optical drives and CD and DVD players:

CD-R discs are more compatible with home and car stereos than CD-RW discs.

■ The CDs that you create play in most home

and car stereos and in most computer DVD-ROM and CD-ROM drives.

■ The DVDs that you create are compatible with

some DVD video players and with most computer DVD-ROM drives.

88 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

■ CD-R discs are compatible with more home

and car stereos than CD-RW discs are.

Your DVD Writer/CD Writer drive is able to read from and record to almost every type of optical disc. Writing speed rates for the DVD Writer/CD Writer drive are fast, allowing quick recording times.

Disc Features and Compatibility Table

File

Disc

CD-ROM Data No Yes No No

CD-R Data Yes Yes No No

CD-RW Data Yes Yes No No

DVD-ROM Data No Yes No No

DVD+R and DVD-R

DoubleLayer DVD+R/ DVD-R

DVD+RW and DVD-RW

type

Music No Yes Yes Varies by model

Music Yes Yes Varies by model Varies by model

DVD movie

Data Yes Yes No No

DVD movie

Data Yes Varies

DVD movie

Data Yes Yes No No

DVD movie

Can be recorded onto

No Yes No Yes

Yes Yes No Varies by model

Yes Varie s

Yes Yes No Varies by model

Plays in PC

by model

Plays in home or car stereo

No Varies by model

Plays in home DVD player

Double-layer DVD technology is supported by select models only.

VCD DVD

movie

NOTE: Some HP Media Center PCs come with the Double-layer DVD Writer. It supports single-layer and Double-layer DVD media. Double-layer technology gives you greater capacity and allows you to store up to 8 GB* of data on double-layer DVD+R or DVD-R media.

Double-layer is a new technology. Double-layer media compatibility will vary widely with some home DVD players and DVD-ROM drives.

No Yes No Varies by model

*1 GB is defined as 1 billion bytes when referring to hard disk drive capacity. Actual formatted capacity is less.

For the latest disc compatibility information for your HP Media Center PC, go to the HP Support Web site at: http://www.hp.com/support

Creating Audio and Data Discs 89

The Sonic recording programs support the double-layer technology.

Optical Drive Quick Reference Table

Optical drive can:

CDROM

CDRW

DVDROM

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

DoubleLayer DVD

Combo CD-RW/ DVD

Read CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RWs

Read DVDs No No Yes Yes Yes Yes

Read data on a CD Yes Yes Yes Ye s Yes Ye s

Play music Yes Yes Yes Ye s Yes Ye s

Record data or music to disc for storage or backup

View DVD movies No No Yes Yes Yes Yes

Record DVD movies No No No Yes Yes No

Play games Yes Yes Yes Ye s Yes Ye s

Yes Yes Yes Ye s Yes Yes

No Yes N o Ye s Yes Ye s

90 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Software Quick Reference Table

(Select models only)

Your HP Media Center PC includes a number of software programs that:

■ Record and play CDs.

■ Record data CDs.

■ Import and edit video files.

■ Record video CDs and DVDs.

■ Organize digital media files.

With this program: You can:

The following table describes the functionality specific to each of these programs. Use it to determine which program to use to perform a task.

Note that some programs listed may not be included with your model, and that this is not a complete list of all included software.

To open any of these programs, click Start on the taskbar, choose All Programs, select the program folder (for example, Sonic ), and then click the program name to open the software.

InterVideo WinDVD Player

iTunes

muvee autoProducer (Select models only)

RealPlayer

■ Play DVD movies and video CDs (VCDs).

■ Play music CDs, MP3s, and other audio files.

■ Record music files.

■ Record a copy of an existing music or data CD to use on the HP Media Center PC.

■ Organize digital files into a library for recording or listening.

■ Add your own style to your movies with music, pictures, titles, scene transitions, and captions.

■ Edit your home movies.

■ Play music CDs, MP3s, and other audio files.

■ Play DVD movies. (RealPlayer can play DVDs only if another DVD player program, such as

InterVideo WinDVD, is installed.)

■ Play video CDs.

■ Record music files.

■ Organize digital files into a library for recording or listening.

Creating Audio and Data Discs 91

With this program: You can:

Sonic DigitalMedia Plus

Sonic MyDVD Plus (Select models only)

Windows Movie Maker 2.0

■ Record data and music files.

■ Record a copy of an existing music or data CD to use on the HP Media Center PC.

■ Create customized music CDs from CDs in your collection, or from .wav, .mp3, or .wma files. These

CDs can be played in your home or car stereo.

■ Copy and share data files.

■ Create archive CDs or DVDs from files on your HP Media Center PC.

■ Capture (copy) video files.

■ Verify that the disc has been created without errors.

■ Record data and movie files.

■ Record a copy of an existing DVD to use on the HP Media Center PC.

■ Copy and share video files.

■ Capture (copy) video files.

■ Import audio, video, and other media files from a videotape, an audiotape, a Web camera, or a

television broadcast.

■ Record audio and video files to create a video project that becomes a Windows Media source file

with a .wmv extension.

■ Edit and preview files.

■ Send a movie in an e-mail or upload it to a Web server.

■ Add music files (.mp3).

■ Import audio files such as .mp3, .asf, or .wma; video files such as .wmv, .asf, .avi, or .mpg; or

image files such as .jpg or .gif.

■ Create .avi and .wmv (Windows Media Video) files.

92 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

Creating Video Discs and Movies

(Select models only)

Your HP Media Center PC may come with the following movie making programs.

■ Sonic MyDVD

■ Sonic DigitalMedia Plus (which includes

MyDVD)

Before You Begin Capturing Video

You can capture (copy) video files to your hard disk drive by using the Sonic MyDVD program. Among the devices supported by Sonic MyDVD are analog video devices, digital camcorders, and Web cameras. Use your composite or S-video inputs (input connectors vary by model) to capture video from a VCR or an analog video camera.

To capture video files, you need to:

1 Connect your video source device according

to the device’s instructions.

For more information, click Start, All Programs, Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home. When the program displays, click Help and then Help.

■ Windows Movie Maker

■ muvee autoProducer

2 Turn your device on and set it to

playback mode.

3 Make sure Sonic MyDVD can detect your

digital or analog device.

4 If your HP Media Center PC has multiple video

devices connected, they all appear on the Capture screen. You must select the video source you would like to use.

IMPORTANT: HP supports the lawful use of technology and does not endorse or encourage the use of our products for purposes other than those permitted by copyright law.

You may need to turn your digital video device off and on again for the program to detect it.

Sonic MyDVD Video Projects

A Sonic MyDVD video project is a way to group, organize, store, play, and burn related video and still digital files. For example, if you went on a family vacation, you might have digital still and video images, and prints from a film camera. You can transfer all these images onto your PC and organize them into a project. (A scanner is required to transfer printed photos and is not included.)

A project can remain on your PC for playback and as an archive, and a project can be burned to a DVD or VCD disc.

Sonic MyDVD enables you to create video projects using the following interfaces:

■ Standard program interface (described

beginning in “Creating a Video Project” on page 94).

■ Direct-to-Disc Wizard (described beginning in

“Creating a Video Project with Direct-to-Disc Wizard” on page 98).

Note that the Direct-to-Disc Wizard does not include the editing features that are available from the standard interface. You can edit a project created with a wizard before burning it to a disc as described in:

■ “Editing the style of a video project” on

page 96.

■ “Editing movie files” on page 96.

Creating Video Discs and Movies 93

Creating a Video Project

To create a video project:

1 Click Start, choose All Programs, Sonic,

and then DigitalMedia Home.

2 Click the Video tab to display the Video

Guide.

3 Click Create Project, and then DVD or

VCD depending on the type of project you

want to create.

A project named Untitled DVD-Video or Untitled VCD-Video is created and displayed in the MyDVD project window.

Adding files to a video project

You can add files to your DVD or VCD video project from:

■ An existing DVD or VCD.

■ Video files already stored on your PC.

■ Video capture from a digital video camera (as

described in the next section).

4 Click File and then Save to change the name

of your project from Untitled to a more descriptive name. After renaming your project, click Save.

Continue your project by performing the procedure described in one or more of the following sections:

■ “Adding files to a video project” on page 94.

■ “Capturing video to a video project” on

page 95.

■ “Adding slideshows to a video project” on

page 95.

■ “Adding submenus to a video project” on

page 96.

1 Click File, Open, and then select a video

project that you created as described in “Creating a Video Project” on page 94.

2 Click Add Files. 3 Navigate to the folder that contains the video

files you want to add or to the media drive that contains the DVD or VCD.

To add files from a DVD, VCD, or from your hard disk drive:

94 HP Media Center PC Software Guide

4 Select the files you want to add, and then click

Open. The files are added to the current

project and displayed in the project window.

HP MEDIA CENTER M7281, MEDIA CENTER M7260 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Table of Contents

Experience the Fun of Media Center

Watch and record live TV

Welcome

The right music for the moment

Transform your living space into a theater

Share your digital memories

Using Media Center Features

Setting Up Media Center

Using Media Center

Opening Media Center using a mouse

Opening Media Center using the remote control

Media Center menu bars

Navigating Media Center

Media Center control menu

Using Media Center Away mode

Completing the setup wizard steps

Media Center Start Menu

Media Center Start menu items

Online Spotlight

Using Instant Messaging in Media Center

Logging in to your Messenger account

Changing Media Center Settings

Media Center Settings categories

Finding Additional Media Center Information.

Using the Remote Control

Remote Control Buttons Overview

Teletext access buttons

Watching and Recording TV Programs

Navigating My TV

Watching TV

Watching live TV

Controlling TV playback

Using the remote control in My TV

Using the Television Program Guide

Using Media Center without the Guide

Television Program Guide errors

Viewing the Television Program Guide

Setting up how Media Center downloads the Guide

Manually downloading the Guide

Adding a postal code to receive the correct Guide

Adding missing channels to the Guide

Editing channels in the Guide

Removing channels from the Guide

Searching for TV Programs

Searching for TV programs using categories

Recording TV Programs

Recording TV from the Guide

Recording programs manually without using the Guide

Recording quality and hard disk drive storage space

Copying recorded TV programs to DVD or CD

Media Copy Protection

Playing Recorded TV Programs

HP Tunes

Playing Music Files

My Music

Using HP Tunes with Media Center

Completing the iTunes Setup Assistant wizard

Delays with HP Tunes

Selecting a default audio player

Adding Music to the iTunes Music Library

Adding music files from a CD in iTunes

Adding music files from the Internet

Adding music files from your hard disk drive

Using supported music file types

Changing song title, genre, artist, or album in iTunes

Playing CDs with HP Tunes

Creating a Playlist with iTunes

Creating and Editing a Now Playing List with HP Tunes

Creating Music CDs with iTunes

Troubleshooting HP Tunes

Resetting HP Tunes

Using My Music with Media Center

Adding Music to My Music Library

Adding music files from your hard disk drive

Adding music files from a CD