HP Media Center PC User Manual

HP Media Center PC

User’s Guide

The information in this document is subject to change without notice.

Hewlett-Packard Company® makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.

HP shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.

THE WARRANTY TERMS CONTAINED IN THIS STATEMENT, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT LAWFULLY PERMITTED, DO NOT EXCLUDE, RESTRICT OR MODIFY AND ARE IN ADDITION TO ANY MANDATORY STATUTORY RIGHTS APPLICABLE TO THE SALE OF THIS PRODUCT OR SERVICE TO YOU.

HP assumes no responsibility for the use or reliability of its software on equipment that is not furnished by HP.

This document contains proprietary information that is protected by copyright. All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be photocopied, reproduced, or translated to another language without the prior written consent of HP.

Hewlett-Packard Company P.O. Box 4010 Cupertino, CA 95015-4010 USA

Hewlett-Packard is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Packard Company in the United States of America and other countries/regions.

This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by method claims of certain U.S. patents and other intellectual property rights owned by Macrovision Corporation and other rights owners. Use of this copyright protection technology must be authorized by Macrovision Corporation, and is intended for home and other limited viewing uses only unless otherwise authorized by Macrovision Corporation. Reverse engineering or disassembly is prohibited. Apparatus Claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 4,631,603, 4,577,216, 4,819,098, and 4,907,093 licensed for limited viewing uses only.

Other brand or product names are trademarks of their respective holders.

ii HP Media Center PC User’s Guide

Table of Contents

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

Safety Information ....................................... 2

Before you get started, please read this important safety

information about your HP Media Center PC ....................... 2

AC Power Safety Warnings ................................................... 2

How to Use this Guide .............................................. 3

Safety and Comfort .................................................. 3

Where Can I Find Information? ..................... 4

Getting Help ........................................................................ 4

Help and Support ................................................................. 5

HP Utility Programs ............................................................... 5

HP Web Site and HP Support ................................................ 5

HP Customer Care ................................................................ 5

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

Inventory ..................................................... 6

PC and Main Components ..................................................... 6

Media Center Components .................................................... 6

2.1 Speaker System Components ........................................... 7

Getting the Most Out of Media Center .................................... 8

Setting Up My PC ......................................... 9

Checklist ............................................................................. 9

PC Installation checklist ......................................................... 9

Front of PC ........................................................................ 10

Back of PC ........................................................................ 13

Connecting the Monitor ....................................................... 14

Connecting the Printer or Scanner ....................................... 15

Connecting to the Internet Through a Modem Connection ....... 15

Connecting to the Internet Through a Network Port (LAN) ........ 16

Connecting the Remote Sensor ............................................. 17

Connecting the Signal Source ............................................. 18

Connecting the FM Radio Antenna ...................................... 18

Connecting the Television Signal ................. 19

Optional Connections ......................................................... 19

Using the TV Cables ........................................................... 19

Connecting the TV ............................................................. 20

Connecting the TV Signal Source

When You Have an Existing Setup ................................... 21

Wall to Cable TV Set-top Box or Satellite Box to

VCR to TV Using Coaxial Cable ...................................... 22

Wall to Cable TV Set-top Box or Satellite Box to VCR and TV

Using S-video Cable or Composite Video Cable Between

the Box and the VCR or TV .............................................. 24

Enabling TV Out Image for nVidia Graphics Card .................. 26

Enabling TV Out Image for ATI Graphics Card ....................... 26

Connecting the Speakers ............................ 27

Speaker Systems ................................................................. 27

2.1 Klipsch Speaker System ................................................. 29

2.1 Altec Lansing Speaker System ........................................ 30

5.1 Speaker System ............................................................ 31

Adjusting the Volume .......................................................... 34

Using the Microphone ......................................................... 35

Using the Headphones ........................................................ 35

Resolving Sound Issues ........................................................ 35

Starting My PC ........................................... 37

Starting the PC for the First Time ........................................... 37

Selecting an ISP .................................................................. 37

Media Center PC Desktop View ............................................ 38

Software Programs .............................................................. 40

Using PC Help and Tools ..................................................... 41

Turning Off the PC .............................................................. 41

Manual Standby Mode ........................................................ 42

Manual Hibernation Mode ................................................... 43

Automatic Standby or Hibernation Mode ............................... 44

Installing Software .............................................................. 45

Using Media Center Help ................................................... 45

Using the PC Hardware .............................. 47

Using the Keyboard ........................................................... 47

Special Keyboard Buttons ................................................... 48

Using the Mouse ................................................................. 51

Wireless Keyboard Set ........................................................ 54

Remote Control ................................................................... 55

CD and DVD Drives ............................................................ 57

DVD-ROM Drive ................................................................. 58

CD Writer Plus ................................................................... 58

DVD Writer ........................................................................ 59

DVD/CD Writer Plus (Combo) Drive ..................................... 59

Opening the RecordNow! program ...................................... 60

Diskette (Floppy) Drive ......................................................... 60

7-In-1 Memory Card Reader ................................................. 61

Understanding the 7-In-1 Memory Card Reader ...................... 64

Using the Digital Camera Dock ............................................ 65

Using Media Center .................................... 67

Getting Started with Microsoft Windows XP

Media Center Edition ..................................................... 67

Media Center Overview ...................................................... 68

Media Center Start Menu .................................................... 71

Setting PC Location for Program Guide .................................. 72

Media Center Setup ............................................................ 73

Using the Media Center Setup Wizard .................................. 74

Media Center Menu bars ..................................................... 78

Setting Media Center as the Automatic CD Player ................... 79

Using Shortcut Buttons ......................................................... 79

iii

Remote Control .......................................... 81

What Can I Do with the Media Center Remote Control? .......... 81

Remote Control Buttons Overview ......................................... 82

Remote Control Buttons ........................................................ 85

My TV ........................................................ 91

What Can I Do in My TV? ................................................... 91

Watching TV ...................................................................... 92

Using Remote Control in My TV ............................................ 93

Watching Live TV Using the Digital Video Recorder ................ 94

Using the Television Program Guide ...................................... 95

Downloading the Television Program Guide ........................... 96

Changing Your Postal Code to Receive the Correct

Television Program Guide ............................................... 97

Setting up an Internet Dial-Up Connection .............................. 97

Adding Missing Channels to Guide ....................................... 98

Removing Channels from Your Guide .................................... 98

Searching for Programs in My TV ......................................... 99

Recording TV Programs ..................................................... 101

My TV Settings ................................................................. 106

Recorded TV History .......................................................... 107

Recorded TV .................................................................... 108

Playing Recorded TV Programs ........................................... 109

About Recording Errors ..................................................... 110

Resolving Recording Conflicts ............................................. 111

Deleting a Scheduled Program or Series .............................. 112

Deleting a Recorded Program or Series ............................... 112

Blocking Unwanted TV Programs and Movies ....................... 113

Setting Movie/DVD or TV Ratings ....................................... 113

Setting Caption Display ..................................................... 114

Displaying Teletext ............................................................ 114

Safeguarding Your Recorded TV Programs ........................... 115

Managing Hard Disk Space ............................................... 119

About Recorded TV Storage Space Settings ......................... 121

Freeing up space on your hard disk drive ............................ 122

My Music ................................................. 125

What Can I Do in My Music? ............................................. 125

What Can I Do in Windows Media Player? ......................... 126

Using Supported File Types for My Music ............................ 127

Using Remote Control in My Music ..................................... 127

Creating Your Music Library ............................................... 128

Searching Computer for Music Files .................................... 129

Adding CD Tracks to the Music Library ................................ 130

Playing Digital Music Files ................................................. 131

Finding Music Files in My Music ......................................... 132

Playing a Song ................................................................. 133

Setting Up an Automatic Disc Jockey ................................... 133

Finding and Playing an Album ........................................... 134

Creating a Playlist ............................................................. 135

Selecting a Visualization .................................................... 136

My Pictures .............................................. 137

What Can I Do in My Pictures? ........................................... 137

Using Supported File Types for My Pictures .......................... 138

Using Remote Control in My Pictures ................................... 139

Organizing Your Pictures ................................................... 140

Viewing Your Pictures in Media Center ................................ 141

Viewing Pictures as a Slide Show ........................................ 142

Rotating pictures ............................................................... 143

Editing pictures ................................................................. 144

Printing Your Pictures ......................................................... 144

Copying Pictures to CDs .................................................... 145

Zoom In and Pan Across a Picture ....................................... 146

Using HP Image Zone ........................................................ 147

Changing Picture Settings for Slide Shows ............................ 149

My Videos ............................................... 151

What Can I Do in My Videos? ............................................ 151

Using Remote Control When Playing a Video ....................... 152

Organizing Your Videos .................................................... 153

Playing Digital Videos ....................................................... 154

Playing a Video Stored on Removable Media ....................... 155

Playing a Video in Full Screen Mode ................................... 155

Sorting Videos .................................................................. 156

Viewing Video Details ....................................................... 156

Working with Home Videos ............................................... 157

Using Supported File Types for My Videos ........................... 158

Play DVD ................................................. 159

Playing DVDs in Media Center ........................................... 159

Using Remote Control When Playing a DVD ......................... 160

Changing DVD Movie Language ......................................... 162

Changing DVD Audio ........................................................ 162

FM Radio ................................................. 163

What Can I Do in Radio? ................................................... 163

Playing FM Radio Stations .................................................. 164

Organizing Your Preset Radio Stations ................................ 165

Listening to Internet Radio .................................................. 165

Using Remote Control When Playing a Radio Station ............ 166

Media Center Settings .............................. 167

Changing Media Center Settings ........................................ 167

Changing General Settings ................................................ 168

Changing TV Settings ........................................................ 169

Changing Other Settings .................................................... 170

Recording CDs and DVDs .......................... 171

About Copying Recorded TV Programs to DVD ..................... 171

Copying Recorded TV Programs to DVD or CD ..................... 172

Watching Recorded TV Programs on DVD ............................ 175

Recording Music, Data, and Video files to CDs and DVDs ..... 175

Capturing Analog Home Video ........................................... 177

iv HP Media Center PC User’s Guide

Upgrading and Servicing .......................... 181

Preparing the Computer .................................................... 181

Removing the Side Panels .................................................. 182

Replacing the Side Panels .................................................. 183

Locating Components in the PC Chassis .............................. 183

Removing the Fan Duct ...................................................... 184

Replacing the Fan Duct ..................................................... 184

Removing the Front Panel .................................................. 185

Replacing the Front Panel .................................................. 185

Accessing the Optical Drives .............................................. 186

Removing the Optical Drive ............................................... 187

Installing a New Optical Drive ........................................... 188

Replacing and Adding Drives ........................................... 189

Adding Memory ............................................................... 193

Removing Add-In Cards ..................................................... 195

Replacing Add-In Cards .................................................... 195

Installing an HP Camera Docking Station ............................ 196

Application and System Recovery ............. 199

Using Application Recovery and System Recovery ................ 199

Application Recovery ........................................................ 204

System Recovery ............................................................... 205

Troubleshooting ....................................... 209

Problems and Solutions ...................................................... 209

Index ....................................................... 219

vi HP Media Center PC User’s Guide

Welcome

Welcome to the exciting new HP Media Center PC experience!

HP has combined the features of the HP Pavilion home PC with the Microsoft Center Edition operating system to create a powerful entertainment center for you.

This PC includes an impressive sound system, a DVD+RW/+R player, a 7-In-1 memory card reader, and powerful 3-D graphics capability. It is simple and easy to use. It allows you to assemble your music, videos, and pictures, and to enjoy them with a click of the remote control.

Windows® XP Media

The built-in TV capabilities include an Electronic Program Guide which gets updated over the Internet. Whether you are recording TV programs or sharing a digital photo album, you can do all your entertaining using the powerful remote control.

You will find yourself quickly at ease and in full control using the HP Media Center PC.

PC features and contents may vary by model.

The digital camera and the camera docking station displayed below are each sold separately.

Welcome 1

Safety Information

Before you get started, please read this important safety information about your HP Media Center PC.

This product has not been evaluated for connection to an “IT” power system (an AC distribution system with no direct connection to earth, according to IEC 60950).

AC Power Safety Warnings

A warning describes information you need to avoid possible personal injury or damage to equipment or data.

Read and follow all warnings.

The power supply is pre-set for the country/region in which you purchased the PC. If you move to another country/region, please make sure you check its voltage requirements before plugging your PC into an AC power outlet.

Install the computer near an AC outlet. The AC power cord is your PC’s main AC disconnecting device and must be easily accessible at all times. For your safety, the power cord provided with your system has a grounded plug. Always use the power cord with a properly grounded wall outlet to avoid the risk of electrical shock.

To reduce the possibility of an electric shock from the telephone network, plug your computer into the AC outlet before connecting it to the telephone line. Also, disconnect the telephone line before unplugging your computer from the AC power outlet.

Your system is provided with a voltage select switch for use in a 115-VAC or 230-VAC power system. The voltage select switch has been pre-set to the correct voltage setting for use in the particular country/region where it was initially sold. Changing the voltage select switch to the incorrect position can damage your PC and void any implied warranty.

Do not operate the computer with the cover removed.

The power supply is not user-serviceable. To prevent damage to the power supply, have a qualified person repair or replace it. All other components are user-serviceable.

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage disk drives, add-in cards, and other components. If an ESD station is not available, wear a wrist strap attached to a metal part of the computer. Place cards on a conductive foam pad or inside the card wrapper, if possible, but never on the card wrapper.

The PC is heavy; be sure to use ergonomically correct lifting procedures when moving the computer.

Always disconnect the modem cord from the telephone system before installing or removing your computer cover.

2 HP Media Center PC User’s Guide

How to Use this Guide

This guide can help you get started using your new PC right away.

1 Read “Safety Information” at the beginning of

this book.

2 Identify the items included with your computer.

Refer to “Inventory” on page 6.

Safety and Comfort

Follow the steps in the setup poster to set up the computer.

After assembling but before using the computer, make sure the computer and your work area are properly set up to maintain your comfort and productivity. Refer to “Safety & Comfort Guide” for important ergonomic information. Just click Start, choose All Programs, PC Help & Tools, and then click Safety & Comfort Guide.

You can find important ergonomic information on the Internet. Just type http://www.hp.com/ergo into your Web browser address box, and then press Enter on the keyboard.

3 Follow the setup poster to connect your

computer. See “Setting Up My PC” on page 9.

4 Read “Starting the PC for the First Time” on

page 37 to learn how to turn on your PC and what to do next.

5 Read the remaining sections of this guide for

information about using your PC.

0–15˚

50–70 cm

(20–28 inches)

0–15˚

A note describes important information you need.

Safety Information 3

Where Can I Find Information?

Getting Help

This guide can help you get started setting up your Media Center PC and using the Media Center program. Other sources of help are:

Help and Support Center and HP Instant Support are available for select models only.

Setup poster, in the computer box, shows how to

connect your computer. For additional information and setup alternatives, refer to “Setting Up My PC” on page 9.

Help and Support Center is onscreen Help. Press Help (the ? button) on the keyboard, or click

Start on the taskbar, and then click Help and Support. In Help and Support, click My HP Pavilion PC to read Help topics and run tests.

Click HP Instant Support (select models only) to get troubleshooting help by using the Internet. To run a test or submit a problem to HP Instant Support, click Request Help and follow the onscreen instructions.

Warranty & Support Guide lists the terms of your PC warranty coverage, license information, regulatory information, safety information, and support contact numbers and addresses. You can get help over the telephone from HP.

Regulatory and Safety information, including operating specifications for the PC, is in the Warranty & Support Guide.

Upgrading and Servicing information, including information about accessing internal parts of the computer chassis, is in “Upgrading and Servicing” on page 181.

Online Information and technical support for your PC is available at the HP Web site. Press the HP button on your keyboard, or type http://www.hp.com into your Web browser address box, and then press Enter on the keyboard. Select your country/region from the drop-down list, and then press the arrow button next to the list.

Microsoft Windows XP Media Center program lets you use a remote control to watch or record TV programs, view video, play music and movies, and view slide shows with music. Microsoft and HP provide printed books in the computer box about the program. The Media Center program also includes Help topics about using the program. You can also go to the Microsoft Web site and search for Media Center to find the latest updates and information for your Media Center PC.

Troubleshooting help and information can help you solve a problem with your PC. For help with general and miscellaneous problems, refer to “Troubleshooting” on page 209.

Problems with software programs may be caused by corruption or damage to an individual program (application or software driver) or to part of the system operating software. You can reinstall the software; refer to “Using Application Recovery and System Recovery” on page 199.

Creating DVDs and CDs guide in the computer box is an instructional guide about how to record audio and video CDs and DVDs.

Program Help for many software programs is available within the program. Open the program and click the Help button or select Help from the menu.

■ Media Center Help for using and

troubleshooting the Media Center program.

■ Windows Media Player Help for using

the Windows Media Player program.

4 HP Media Center PC User’s Guide

Record Support information for your PC here.

(To open the HP Pavilion Support Information window, press the Ctrl key, the Alt key, and the S key at the same time.)

Product name: HP Me dia Ce nt er PC

Model number: ____________ _____

Serial number: ____________ _____

Service ID: ____________ __________

Date of purchase: ____________ ___

Help and Support

HP provides many kinds of information and help for your PC.

■ Go to the HP Utility programs in the PC

Help & Tools folder to run an application or asystem recovery.

■ Go to the Help and Support Center when you

want to read about your computer, view tutorials, run tests, or get troubleshooting help by using the Internet.

■ The Help and Support Center also gives

you access to the latest news and updates for your PC.

■ The HP Web site provides a place where

you can get supplemental information about HP computers and products and contact HP Support.

■ HP Customer Care provides HP Help over the

telephone.

Always try using your onscreen Help before contacting your reseller.

HP Utility Programs

HP provides special utility programs in the PC Help & Tools folder that display support information and initiate application or system recovery.

To find these programs, click Start, choose All Programs, PC Help & Tools, and then select a program or folder.

HP Web Site and HP Support

1 Connect to the Internet: Open your

Web browser, or press Connect on your keyboard.

2 Type http://www.hp.com into your Web

browser address box, and press Enter on your keyboard.

3 Select your country/region from the drop-

down list, and click the arrow to the right of the list (scroll down to see the box).

4 Click the support link.

HP Customer Care

You can get help over the telephone from HP. See the Warranty and Support Guide, included with

the computer documentation, for the terms of your HP warranty coverage, for license information, and for support telephone numbers and addresses.

Online Spotlight

Online Spotlight is a link to the Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Web site. To get the latest news and information about your Media Center program,

press the Start button on your remote control and then select Online Spotlight from the Media Center Start menu.

The Help and Support Center is available for select models only.

When you call HP Customer Care, have your PC model number and serial number available.

Where Can I Find Information? 5

Inventory

Components may vary by model.

PC and Main Components

hp pavilion home pc

warranty

videos

s e r

tu ic p

sic u m

D S

/ C

v t

Memory Stick

pactFlash I/II

Com

pe o

support guide

Before contacting HP Customer Support Center, it’s important to have the following information handy.

Please take a moment to write down your product information for future reference.

Product Name: ____________________________________

Model #: _________________________________________ System or Product #: ________________________________________

Serial #: __________________________________________

Purchase Date: ____________________________________ Operating

System: ___________________________________________ Type & Revision: __________________________________________ Applicable error

messages: ________________________________________ Additional third-party hardware and/or software installed: ___________________________ Any detailed, specific questions: _________________________________

Media Center Components

DVD

what’s inside:

where to get help

✔ ✔

warranty and license

information

✔

declaration of

conformity

✔

operating specifications

✔

regulatory and safety

information

RADIO

RECORD

REW

REPLAY

BACK

LIVE TV

VOLUME

GHI

PQRS

CLEAR

hp media center

MUSIC

PICTURES

MORE INFO

VIDEOS

CHANNEL/

STOP

FWD

SKIP

GUIDE

RECORDED

PAGE

DEF

321

MNO

654

WXYZ

987

ENTER

PLAY

PAUSE

MUTE

ABC

JKL

TUV

caps lock

AComputer

BPower Cord

C Modem Cable

D Documentation

E Wireless Mouse (select models only)

FMouse

G Keyboard/Wireless Keyboard (wireless

receiver not shown)

6 HP Media Center PC User’s Guide

H Remote control

J Remote control sensor cable (emitter)

K FM radio antenna (select models only)

L Two AA batteries for remote control

M 10’ Coaxial cable

N S-video to composite video adapter

O Composite video cable

P Remote Sensor

2.1 Speaker System Components

Your Media Center PC came with either the Klipsch or Altec Lansing set of 2.1 Speakers. If your PC came with 5.1 speakers, refer to “Connecting the Speakers” on page 27.

A 2.1 Klipsch Subwoofer (power cord attached)

B 2.1 Klipsch Speakers

C 2.1 Klipsch Speaker cables

D 2.1 Altec Lansing Subwoofer

E 2.1 Altec Lansing Speakers

(speaker cables are attached)

Inventory 7

Getting the Most Out of Media Center

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

Connections to the Internet and to a TV signal source are optional, but they are recommended to get the most out of Media Center.

■ HP Media Center PC is set up correctly. For

setup information, refer to the setup poster and to “Setting Up My PC” on page 9.

■ Remote control has two AA alkaline batteries

installed.

■ Remote Sensor is properly plugged into a USB

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

■ Remote Sensor control cable (emitter) is

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

■ PC has a properly configured and working

Internet connection.

■ PC is properly connected to your TV signal

source.

8 HP Media Center PC User’s Guide

Setting Up My PC

Follow the steps in the setup poster to set up the computer. Connect the keyboard, mouse, speaker system, and remote sensor to the connections on the back of the PC. Match the colors.

Your connector locations and system components may vary.

Checklist

The following items are not provided with your PC. Be sure you have them on hand if you need them for your setup:

■ Monitor (required)

■ TV

■ Internet Service Provider (ISP), selected during

initial setup (required for Media Center features, such as the Program Guide)

■ Coaxial cable splitter

The following pages identify the location of components and connectors on your PC and provide some setup alternatives.

■ S-video cable(s), to connect your TV if it

requires S-video

■ Audio Y-cable, to connect to a stereo system

■ FM radio antenna cable

PC Installation checklist

■ Connect the keyboard, mouse, and remote

sensor.

■ Connect the monitor (not included) and the

optional TV (not included).

■ Connect the speakers.

■ Connect the TV antenna, cable, or satellite

signal source.

■ Connect the FM radio antenna cable.

■ Connect the camera docking station (not

included) and digital camera (not included).

■ Connect the modem to the telephone line and

connect a network cable (not provided) if one is needed.

■ Turn on the monitor, the PC, and then turn on

the speaker system.

■ Follow the onscreen instructions, including

selecting an ISP using Easy Internet Sign-up.

■ Set up the Media Center. See “Using Media

Center Help” on page 45.

■ Enable the TV Out Image (optional); refer to

“Enabling TV Out Image for nVidia Graphics Card” and “Enabling TV Out Image for ATI Graphics Card” on page 26.

■ After you’ve completed the initial startup and

registration, connect optional devices, such as a printer or scanner, one at a time.

Setting Up My PC 9

Front of PC

(Features and Locations May Vary)

A 1st Optical (CD or DVD+RW/+R) drive

Eject button

B 2nd Optical (CD or DVD+RW/+R) drive

Eject button

C Media Center Shortcut buttons (see following

page for more information)

10 HP Media Center PC User’s Guide

D 7-In-1 memory card reader

(Some PCs come with a 6-In-1 card reader)

E Diskette (floppy) drive

F On button with power indicator light

G Hard disk activity indicator light

H Front connector ports (see following page for

more information)

Media Center Shortcut Buttons

Your Media Center PC has five shortcut buttons on the front of the PC. Each button opens a window in Media Center.

Button Media Center Shortcut

Opens My TV window where you can watch and record TV programs.

Opens the Program Guide where you can search for a TV program to watch or record.

Opens the My Music Window in Media Center where you can listen to your music CDs.

Opens the My Pictures window in Media Center where you can browse your picture files and play a slide show.

Opens the My Videos window in Media Center where you can play back your videos.

Setting Up My PC 11

Front connector ports

(Features and Locations May Vary)

Location and number of connectors may vary by model.

A S-video Input_2 connector

B Composite video Input_2 connector (yellow) C Left Audio Input_2 connector (white) D Right Audio Input_2 connector (red)

E FireWire F 2 USB 2.0 ports G Headphone (Audio Out) connector (green) H Microphone connector (pink)



(IEEE 1394) connector

12 HP Media Center PC User’s Guide

Back of PC

(Features and Locations May Vary)

OUT

B C

QR S

TUVWX

APower LED

B Voltage selector

C Power Cord connector

D PS/2 Mouse connector

E PS/2 Keyboard connector

F Serial port

G Parallel port

H FireWire (IEEE 1394) port

J 4 USB 2.0 (Universal Serial Bus) ports

K LAN (Ethernet)

L Microphone connector

MAudio Line Out

N Modem (Line In RJ-11)

O Digital Audio Out (select models only)

PAudio Line In

Q A VGA monitor (DB-15) port

RS-video (TV Out)

S LCD DVI connector (select models only)

T Audio in right

U Audio in left

VS-video In

W TV/RF-In antenna/Cable connector

X FM-In radio antenna connector

(select models only)

Y Slot for 5.1 Sound Card (select models only)

See the following pages for more information about the 5.1 sound card.

Setting Up My PC 13

Connecting the Monitor

Connect your monitor to the PC. The monitor is not included with the PC. Refer to the documentation that came with your monitor.

Switching Display Devices

When you connect more than one display device (CRT monitor, flat panel monitor, TV, etc.) to the PC, you can quickly change where the PC desktop appears by pressing Alt+F5. Each time you press the Alt+F5 key combination, the PC display appears on the next device.

If Alt+F5 does not work, restart the PC and try again.

14 HP Media Center PC User’s Guide

Connecting the Printer or Scanner

Connect peripheral devices to the PC one at a time. The printer or scanner is not included with the PC. Refer to the documentation that came with your device.

Connecting to the Internet Through a Modem Connection

Connect the telephone line to the modem, which is inside the computer.

1 Plug the modem cable (provided in the

computer box) into the computer modem connector on the back of the PC.

2 Plug the other end to your telephone line wall

jack connector.

Setting Up My PC 15

Connecting to the Internet Through a Network Port (LAN)

The network interface adapter (also called a network interface card, or NIC) connects to an Ethernet (10BaseT) or Fast Ethernet (100BaseT) network hub. Connect this adapter in your PC to your LAN (local area network) hub or any broadband connection.

1 Plug a network cable into the Ethernet (RJ-45)

port on the back of the PC.

2 Plug the other end of the network cable

into a 10BaseT or 100BaseT port on the network hub.

The green LED (light-emitting diode) indicates a valid connection.

16 HP Media Center PC User’s Guide

Connecting the Remote Sensor

The remote sensor is a small device that connects to the PC and allows the remote control to work with the Media Center program.

For information on using the control cable in an existing setup, see “Optional Connections” on page 19.

1 If you have a cable TV set-top box, satellite, or

other set-top box that controls your TV signal, connect the remote sensor control cable (emitter) (A) into the back of the remote sensor.

2 Remove the paper from the backing tape on

the end of the cable (B) and then press the end of the cable over the remote IR receiver window on your cable TV set-top box (C).

3 Plug the remote sensor cable into a USB

connector (D) on the back of the PC.

4 Place the remote sensor so that you can easily

point at it with the remote control. (An ideal spot would be on top of the monitor or desk.)

Setting Up My PC 17

Connecting the Signal Source

This section describes connecting the signal source for TV.

Connect the signal source for the TV by using the TV (in) coaxial connector or the S-VID IN (S-video) connector:

■ Plug the connector of a coaxial cable from

your TV antenna or from your TV cable (wall or set-top box) into the TV/RF-IN (D) connector on the back of the PC, and then turn the connector to tighten it.

■ Plug a cable into the S-VID IN (C) connector

on the back of the PC; use an S-video cable (not provided) or use the S-video to composite video adapter cable and the composite video cable. Plug the other end of the cable into your set-top box, VCR, or other device that is providing the signal source for the TV.

ABC D E

You can also plug audio cables (not provided) from your set-top box or VCR into the Audio in right (red) (A) connector and the Audio in left (white) (B) connector on the back of the PC.

Connecting the FM Radio Antenna

(Select Models Only)

1 Plug the FM radio antenna cable into the

FM-IN (E) port on the back of the PC. The FM connector is found on the TV tuner card.

2 You may want to extend the ends of the cable

to improve your FM radio signal reception.

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Connecting the Television Signal

Optional Connections

Connecting the TV is optional and not required to enjoy Media Center.

Using the TV Cables

Your PC comes with the following cables for the TV signal:

■ One coaxial cable (10 feet) (A). Use a

coaxial cable for a BNC connector, such as the TV source signal.

■ One S-video to composite video adapter

cable (2 inches) (B). Connect this adapter to an S-video connector, and then attach a composite video cable to the adapter.

■ One composite video cable (6 feet) (C). Use

this cable to connect a composite video connector on the back of the PC, such as COMP for the TV out signal, to your TV.

You may need other or additional cables, depending on your TV and your TV signal source. For example, when your TV has an S-video connector, you may want to use an S-video cable to connect the TV OUT on the PC to your TV. An S-video cable provides separate color and black and-white image signals, and delivers a sharper image than a composite video cable does.

Select the signal source for TV in the Media Center program settings.

Connecting the Television Signal 19

Connecting the TV

Location and number of connectors may vary by model.

1 Plug a cable into the TV OUT S-video (A)

connector or the COMP (A) composite video connector on the back of the PC. If you use a composite video cable, you also need to use an S-video to composite video adapter cable. Choose the cable type you TV needs.

S-VIDEO IN

COMPOSITE

VIDEO IN

2 Plug the other end of the cable into the

TV IN (Video In or Video Input) connector on your TV.

3 Turn on the TV and select the TV IN video

source; refer to the documentation for your TV set.

4 Be sure to enable the image for the TV; see

“Using Media Center Help” on page 45.

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Connecting the TV Signal Source When You Ha v e an Exi s ti ng Set up

This section describes how to connect the PC to an existing setup for your TV signal source.

Wall to VCR to TV using coaxial cable

Existing Setup Add the PC with a splitter

Not shown in diagram: To view your images from your TV, use an S-video In or a composite video In cable to connect the TV to the PC. To view your images from your monitor, use a monitor cable to connect the fast forward to the PC.

AWall B Cable C Coaxial Cable DVCR In EVCR Out FTV In G Splitter In H Splitter Out J TV (in) On back of PC

Connecting the Television Signal 21

Wall to Cable TV Set-top Box or Satellite Box to VCR to TV Using Coaxial Cable

Remove the coaxial cable at the input to the VCR, and connect it to the input of a coaxial cable signal splitter (not included; available at electronics stores). Connect two coaxial cables to the splitter outputs. Connect one of these cables to the input of the VCR and the other one to the TV connector on the back of the PC. Be sure to connect the remote sensor control cable (emitter) and position it on your set-top box or satellite box. This allows the PC to change the channel on the box. See “Connecting the Remote Sensor” on page 17.

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Add the PC with a splitterExisting Setup

AWall B Cable C Coaxial Cable D Set-top box/satellite In E Set-top box/satellite Out FVCR In GVCR Out HTV In J Splitter In K Splitter Out L TV (in) On back of PC

Connecting the Television Signal 23

Wall to Cable TV Set-top Box or Satellite Box to VCR and TV Using S-video Cable or Composite Video Cable Between the Box and the VCR or TV

1 Do not detach any cables from your existing

setup.

2 Connect an additional cable:

■ Using S-video cable (not included):

Connect an additional S-video cable to a second output on the set-top box or satellite box. Plug the other end of the cable into the S-VID IN connector on the back of the PC.

■ Using composite video cable: Connect an

additional composite video cable to a second output on the set-top box or satellite box. Connect the other end of the cable to the S-video to composite video adapter cable; connect the adapter to the S-VID IN connector on the back of the PC.

3 When using a composite video cable, you

can also plug audio cables (not provided) from your satellite or set-top box or VCR into the Audio in right (red) and Audio in left (white) connectors on the back of the PC.

4 Be sure to connect the remote sensor control

cable and position it on your set-top box or satellite box. This allows the PC to change the channel on the box. See “Connecting the Remote Sensor” on page 17.

Not shown in diagram: To view your images from your TV, use an S-video or a composite video cable to connect the TV to the PC. To view your images from your monitor, use a monitor cable to connect the fast forward to the PC.

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