The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express
warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing
herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall
not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.
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. 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
May be licensed in the United States by one or both of U.S. Patents Nos.
4,930,158 and 4,930,160 until August 28, 2008.
Microsoft and Windows are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation.
HP supports lawful use of technology and does not endorse or encourage the
use of our products for purposes other than those permitted by copyright law.
The information in this document is subject to change without notice.
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.
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 Windows Media
Player music library.
Welcome
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.
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.
Welco me1
n
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.
Using Media Center Features
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.
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.
With Media Center, you can:
n
If your PC came
with a rewritable
DVD drive, the drive
is able to read
and record to
DVD+/-R/RW media.
n
The Television
Program Guide
(Internet service
required) is not
available in all
countries/regions.
■ 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.
■ Access streaming music and video
subscription services. Some music and video
subscription services may not be available in
all countries/regions.
■ 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.
2Media Center 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.
n
For more information
about setting up your
PC, refer to the setup
poster.
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 Center3
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,
n
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.
4Media Center 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
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.
.
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.
IconAction
Log off and end your Media
Center session and switch
users
Shut down the PC
Restart the PC
Put the PC in a power-reduced
state — standby mode
Using Media Center5
n
The audio or video of
TV recordings is 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 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.
7 Click OK.
6Media Center Software Guide
Return the computer from Away
mode on mouse or keyboard activity
Or
Prompt for password when the
computer returns from Away mode
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:
■ 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.
■ 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.
n
You can change your
Media Center settings
in the Settings menu.
n
You must subscribe
with an Internet
service provider (ISP)
to have an Internet
connection.
Using Media Center7
Media Center Start Menu
A
CDE
B
FG
H
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,
n
*Some of the features
and programs listed
are for select
models only.
to put the PC into standby mode, or to
switch users. See page 5.
BUse media playback controls: Play,
Stop, Pause, Skip, Fast-Forward,
Replay, Rewind, Record, Volume Up/
Down, Mute, and Channel Up/Down.
See page 14.
COpen the Media Center Start menu. See
page 3.
D Go back one screen.
EOpen the Media Center Help.
FMinimize 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 47.
*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 43.
My Pictures — View digital pictures, play a
slideshow, or print photos. See page 36.
My Music — Play music files or music CDs, create
and edit playlists, and record music files to CD. See
page 17.
More Programs — Find utilities and programs for
communicating with instant messaging (see page 9)
and backing up files (see page 11).
Settings — Change program settings. See
page 10.
*HP Photosmart — View, edit, share, and print
digital pictures, and play a slideshow. See
page 26.
8Media Center 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.
n
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 Center9
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.
■ 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.
■ 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.
■ Automatic Downloads Options to get
media information about CDs, DVDs, and
movies from the Internet.
■ Optimization to keep your computer
running smoothly by performing various
tasks on a regularly scheduled basis. The
Optimization setting closes and then opens
Media Center at a specific time each day
that you determine.
■ 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.
10Media Center Software Guide
■ Help to find help about using Media Center
and your hardware.
Archiving files using Media Center
The Sonic DigitalMedia Archive software is included
with select models only.
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.
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.
n
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 Center11
12Media Center 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.
Using the Remote Control
DVD MENU
TV
n
RADIO
MUSIC PICTURES VIDEOS
RECORD
REW
REPLAY
PLAY
PAUSE
STOP
FWD
SKIP
The remote control
is included with
select models only.
Features and location
may vary.
■ Control the video display.
■ Place the computer in and out of
standby mode.
■ Shut down or restart the PC.
■ Log off from Media Center or switch users.
The remote control cannot:
■ Navigate the Windows desktop or control
other computer programs outside of Media
Center.
■ 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.
BACKMORE
VOLUME
LIVE TV
MUTE
GUIDE RECORDED TV
PRINT
CH/PG
n
The remote control
requires two AA
batteries.
The remote control
operates up to
7.9meters (26feet)
away from the
remote sensor.
Make sure there is
nothing blocking the
pathway between
your remote control
and the remote
sensor.
Using the Remote Control13
Remote Control
Buttons Overview
n
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 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.
1Standby — Puts the PC into and out of a
power-reduced standby state. It does not
turn the PC off.
2DVD Menu — Opens the Play DVD
window in Media Center or opens the
main menu of a DVD movie, if available.
3Music — Opens the My Music window
in Media Center.
4Radio — Opens the FM Radio window
in Media Center.
5Record — 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.
10Arrows — Move the cursor to navigate
and select actions within all Media Center
windows.
11Start — Opens the Media Center
main menu.
12Volume — Increases (+) and decreases
(–)volume.
13Live TV — Is a shortcut to the full-screen
view of live TV. Moves a TV program
forward to the end of the pause buffer
and resumes playing live TV.
14Guide — Opens the Television Program
Guide.
15Clear — Deletes the last character
entered.
10
11
12
13
14
15
1
DVD MENU
TV
2
3
RADIO
MUSIC PICTURES VIDEOS
4
RECORD
PLAY
5
REW
6
REPLAY
PAUSE
STOP
FWD
SKIP
7
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
8
9
BACKMORE
24
25
VOLUME
MUTE
CH/PG
26
27
LIVE TV
GUIDE RECORDED TV
28
29
PRINT
30
31
14Media Center Software Guide
16LED — Activity indicator light. The LED tells you that the
remote control is emitting a signal when you press a button.
17TV — Opens the My TV window in Media Center.
18Pictures — Opens the My Pictures window in Media
Center.
19Videos — Opens the My Videos window in Media
Center.
20Play — Plays the selected media.
21Stop — Stops the media currently playing.
22Fwd — Moves media forward at three speeds.
23Skip — Moves media forward 30 seconds in videos and
live TV, one music track, or one DVD chapter.
24i (More information) — Displays available information
about a selected media file and displays other menus.
25OK — Selects the desired action or window option and
acts as the Enter key.
26CH/PGup (+) and down (–) — Changes the TV
channels or moves pages up and down, depending on
available options. Moves to the next DVD chapter.
27Mute — Turns computer sound off. The word Mute is
displayed when Mute is turned on.
28Recorded TV — Opens the Recorded TV window where
recorded TV programs are listed.
290 to 9, #, * — Use numeric keypad buttons to change
channels or enter text into a Media Center search or text
box. Each time you press a number button, a different
character appears. Press the Enter button to select a
character.
30Enter — Selects the desired action, menu, or window
option.
31Print — Prints your pictures that you select in the My
Pictures window of Media Center.
n
The PC will not
automatically go into
standby mode if
Media Center is open.
It is recommended
that you close Media
Center before you
manually place the
PC in standby mode.
n
If the PC model does
not include a TV
tuner, some remote
control buttons are
inactive.
Using the Remote Control15
16Media Center Software Guide
The My Music area in Media Center is a great way
to play, organize, and back up your music files. My
Music is designed to work with the Windows Media
Player program.
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 17.
Playing Music Files
My Music is designed to work with
Windows Media Player
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
n
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.
■ Burn your favorite songs to CDs.
■ Back up your music tracks to a DVD or to an
HP Personal Media Drive.
Playing Music Files17
Loading...
+ 49 hidden pages
You need points to download manuals.
1 point = 1 manual.
You can buy points or you can get point for every manual you upload.