HP Multimedia Computer User Manual
Multimedia
User Guide
© Copyright 2008 Hewlett-Packard
Development Company, L.P.
Microsoft, Windows, and Windows Vista are
U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation.
The information contained herein is subject
to change without notice. 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.
First Edition: November 2008
Document Part Number: 506246-001
Product notice
This user guide describes features that are
common to most models. Some features
may not be available on your computer.
Table of contents
1 Multimedia features
Identifying your multimedia components .............................................................................................. 2
Using the DVD button (select models only) .......................................................................................... 4
Adjusting the volume ............................................................................................................................ 5
Using the media activity functions ........................................................................................................ 7
Using the media activity hotkeys ......................................................................................... 7
2 Multimedia software
Using DVD Play software ..................................................................................................................... 8
Using other preinstalled multimedia software ....................................................................................... 8
Installing multimedia software from a disc ............................................................................................ 9
3 Audio
Connecting external audio devices .................................................................................................... 11
Checking your audio functions ........................................................................................................... 12
4 Video
Connecting an external monitor or projector ...................................................................................... 14
Connecting an HDMI device ............................................................................................................... 15
5 Optical drive
Identifying the installed optical drive ................................................................................................... 17
Using optical discs .............................................................................................................................. 18
Selecting the right disc ....................................................................................................................... 19
Playing music ..................................................................................................................................... 21
Watching a movie ............................................................................................................................... 22
Changing DVD region settings ........................................................................................................... 23
Creating or “burning” a CD or DVD .................................................................................................... 24
Removing an optical disc (CD or DVD) .............................................................................................. 25
Configuring the audio using HDMI ..................................................................................... 15
Determining the type of graphics card installed on your computer ................... 15
Setting HDMI as the default audio playback device .......................................... 16
CD-R discs ......................................................................................................................... 19
CD-RW discs ..................................................................................................................... 19
DVD±R discs ..................................................................................................................... 19
DVD±RW discs .................................................................................................................. 19
LightScribe DVD+R discs .................................................................................................. 19
Blu-ray Disc ....................................................................................................................... 20
iii
6 Webcam
Webcam tips ....................................................................................................................................... 27
Adjusting webcam properties ............................................................................................................. 28
7 Troubleshooting
The optical disc tray does not open for removal of a CD or DVD ....................................................... 30
The computer does not detect the optical drive ................................................................................. 31
A disc does not play ........................................................................................................................... 32
A disc does not play automatically ..................................................................................................... 33
A DVD movie stops, skips, or plays erratically ................................................................................... 33
A DVD movie is not visible on an external display ............................................................................. 34
The process of burning a disc does not begin, or it stops before completion .................................... 35
A DVD playing in Windows Media Player produces no sound or display ........................................... 35
A device driver must be reinstalled .................................................................................................... 36
Obtaining the latest HP device drivers ............................................................................... 36
Obtaining the latest Windows device drivers ..................................................................... 37
Index ................................................................................................................................................................... 38
iv
1 Multimedia features
Your computer includes multimedia features that allow you to listen to music, watch movies, and view
pictures. Your computer may include the following multimedia components:
Optical drive for playing audio and video discs
●
Integrated speakers for listening to music
●
Integrated microphone for recording your own audio
●
Integrated webcam that allows you to capture and share video
●
Preinstalled multimedia software that allows you to play and manage your music, movies, and
●
pictures
Multimedia buttons and hotkeys that provide fast access to multimedia tasks
●
NOTE: Your computer may not include all of the components listed.
The following sections explain how to identify and use the multimedia components included with your
computer.
1
Identifying your multimedia components
Refer to the illustration that most closely matches your computer.
Component Description
(1) Internal microphone Records sound.
NOTE: If there is a microphone icon next to each microphone
opening, your computer has internal microphones.
Depending on your computer model, the computer may have 1 or
2 internal microphones.
(2) Webcam light Turns on when video software accesses the webcam.
(3) Webcam Captures video.
(4) Speakers (2) Produce sound.
(5) Volume mute button Mutes and restores speaker sound.
(6) Volume scroll zone Adjusts speaker volume.
(7) Audio-in (microphone) jack Connects an optional computer headset microphone, stereo array
microphone, or monaural microphone.
(8) Audio-out (headphone) jack Produces sound when connected to optional powered stereo
speakers, headphones, ear buds, a headset, or television audio.
2 Chapter 1 Multimedia features
Component Description
WARNING! To reduce the risk of personal injury, adjust the
volume before putting on headphones, earbuds, or a headset. For
additional safety information, refer to the Regulatory, Safety and
Environmental Notices.
NOTE: When a device is connected to the headphone jack, the
computer speakers are disabled.
(9) Volume down hotkey (pg dn) Decreases speaker sound when pressed in combination with the
fn key.
(10) Volume up hotkey (pg up) Increases speaker sound when pressed in combination with the
fn key.
(11) Volume mute hotkey (home) Mutes and restores speaker sound when pressed in combination
with the fn key.
Identifying your multimedia components 3
Using the DVD button (select models only)
The function of the DVD button varies by model and installed software. With this button, you can watch
movies and listen to music.
Pressing the DVD button launches the DVD Play program.
NOTE: If the computer has been set up to require a logon password, you may be asked to log on to
Windows. DVD Play opens after you log on. Refer to the DVD Play software Help for more information.
4 Chapter 1 Multimedia features
Adjusting the volume
You can adjust the volume using the following controls:
Computer volume buttons (select models only):
●
To mute or restore volume, press the mute button (1).
◦
To decrease volume, slide your finger across the volume scroll zone from right to left, or press
◦
the volume down button (2).
To increase volume, slide your finger across the volume scroll zone from left to right, press
◦
the volume up button (3).
Computer volume hotkeys—A combination of the fn (1) key and either the home (2), pg up (3), or
●
pg dn (4) keys on the right side of the keyboard:
Computer volume hotkeys:
To mute or restore volume, press fn+home.
◦
To increase volume, press fn+pg up.
◦
To decrease volume, press fn+pg dn.
◦
Adjusting the volume 5
Windows® volume control:
●
a. Click the Volume icon in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar.
b. Increase or decrease the volume by moving the slider up or down. Click the Mute icon to mute
the volume.
– or –
a. Right-click the Volume icon in the notification area, and then click Open Volume Mixer.
b. In the Master Volume column, you can increase or decrease the volume by moving the
Volume slider up or down. You can also mute the volume by clicking the Mute icon.
If the Volume icon is not displayed in the notification area, follow these steps to add it:
a. Right-click in the notification area, and then click Properties.
b. Click the Notification Area tab.
c. Under System icons, select the Volume check box.
d. Click OK.
Program volume control:
●
Volume can also be adjusted within some programs.
6 Chapter 1 Multimedia features
Using the media activity functions
The media activity hotkeys control the play of an audio CD or a DVD that is inserted into the optical
drive.
Using the media activity hotkeys
A media activity hotkey is a combination of the fn key (1) and a function key (2).
When an audio CD or a DVD is not playing, press fn+f9 (3) to play the disc.
●
When an audio CD or a DVD is playing, use the following hotkeys:
●
To pause or resume playing the disc, press fn+f9 (3).
◦
To stop the disc, press fn+f10 (4).
◦
To play the previous track of an audio CD or the previous chapter of a DVD, press fn+f11
◦
(5).
To play the next track of an audio CD or the next chapter of a DVD, press fn+f12 (6).
◦
Using the media activity functions 7
2 Multimedia software
Your computer includes preinstalled multimedia software that allows you to play music and watch
movies. The following sections provide details about DVD Play and other preinstalled multimedia
software.
Using DVD Play software
DVD Play turns your computer into a mobile entertainment center. With DVD Play, you can enjoy music
and DVD movies.
To start DVD Play:
Press the DVD button on your computer.
▲
For more information on using DVD Play, refer to the software Help.
Using other preinstalled multimedia software
To locate other preinstalled multimedia software:
Select Start > All Programs, and then open the multimedia program you want to use. For example,
▲
if you want to use Windows Media Player to play an audio CD, click Windows Media Player.
NOTE: Some programs may be located in subfolders.
8 Chapter 2 Multimedia software
Installing multimedia software from a disc
To install any multimedia software from a CD or DVD, follow these steps:
1. Insert the disc into the optical drive.
2. When the installation wizard opens, follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Restart the computer if you are prompted to do so.
NOTE: For details about using software included with the computer, refer to the software
manufacturer’s instructions, which may be provided on disc, in the software Help, or on the
manufacturer's Web site.
Installing multimedia software from a disc 9
3 Audio
Your computer enables you to use a variety of audio features:
Play music using your computer speakers and/or connected external speakers
●
Record sound using the internal microphone or connect an external microphone
●
Download music from the Internet
●
Create multimedia presentations using audio and images
●
Transmit sound and images with instant messaging programs
●
Stream radio programs (select models only) or receive FM radio signals
●
Create or “burn” audio CDs
●
10 Chapter 3 Audio
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