Pinnacle Systems MediaCenter - 3.0 Instruction Manual

Pinnacle MediaCenter

User’s Guide

explicit written permission from Pinnacle Systems GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany.

All brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

This manual is printed on chlorine-free, bleached paper using solvent-free ink. Pinnacle Systems GmbH has written this manual to the best of its knowledge,

but does not guarantee that the programs/systems will fulfill the users’ intended applications.

No warranty is made as to the specifications of features. Pinnacle Systems GmbH retains the right to make alterations to the content of

the manual without obligation to inform third parties. All quotes, sales, supply and manufacturing contracts from Pinnacle Systems

GmbH, including consulting, installation and other contractual services are subject exclusively to the General Sales and Delivery Terms of Pinnacle Systems GmbH.

Introduction...........................................................................................................1

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

Pinnacle MediaManager ................................................................................2

Pinnacle MediaCenter....................................................................................2

Pinnacle Hardware .........................................................................................2

PCTV MediaCenter Remote Control.............................................................2

The Contents of Your Package..........................................................................3

Hardware........................................................................................................3

Software .........................................................................................................3

Documentation...............................................................................................3

Online Help .......................................................................................................4

Online Manual...................................................................................................4

Pinnacle MediaCenter - System Setup..................................................................5

Installing the Hardware .....................................................................................5

Installing the Software.......................................................................................5

The tvtv Manager ..............................................................................................6

Opening a User Account................................................................................6

Assigning TV Channels .................................................................................6

Scheduled Recording List .............................................................................. 7

Advanced Settings.............................................................................................8

Advanced Settings Dialog Overview.............................................................8

Advanced Station Settings Creating a Channel List ......................................9

Advanced Station Settings Editing a Channel List ......................................11

Advanced Station Settings Favorites ...........................................................13

Advanced TV Hardware Settings ................................................................14

Advanced Remote Control Settings.............................................................17

Advanced Playback Settings........................................................................18

Advanced Display Settings .......................................................................... 21

Advanced Data Services Settings ................................................................23

Advanced General Settings..........................................................................24

Pinnacle MediaManager .....................................................................................27

Overview .........................................................................................................27

What the Pinnacle MediaManager Does......................................................27

iii

Pinnacle MediaCenter

Main Window of the Pinnacle MediaManager ............................................28

The Media Library...........................................................................................30

Introduction to the Media Library................................................................30

The Sort View in the Media Library............................................................33

Searching in the Media Library ...................................................................34

Deleting Files in the Media Library.............................................................35

The Media Player ............................................................................................36

Using the Media Player and Its Controls .....................................................36

Importing Media Files .....................................................................................38

Introduction to the Import Tab.....................................................................38

Import - Folder.............................................................................................39

Import - Files................................................................................................40

Import - Drives.............................................................................................41

Import - Audio CD.......................................................................................42

Import - Digital Camera...............................................................................45

Import - Watch Folder .................................................................................47

Import - Rhapsody Playlists.........................................................................49

Organizing Media Files ...................................................................................50

Organizing File Tags....................................................................................50

Customized File Tags (Keywords) ..............................................................51

Introduction to the Organize Tab .................................................................52

Using Playlists.................................................................................................54

Introduction to the Playlists Tab ..................................................................54

Creating and Editing Playlists......................................................................55

Exporting Media Files .....................................................................................57

Introduction to the Export Tab.....................................................................57

Exporting to a Folder ...................................................................................58

Exporting to an M3U Playlist ......................................................................60

Exporting to a Burner...................................................................................61

The Menus.......................................................................................................62

The File Menu..............................................................................................62

The Edit Menu .............................................................................................64

The Tools Menu...........................................................................................66

Real Rhapsody Music Service.........................................................................67

Real Rhapsody Music Service - Overview ..................................................67

File Formats.....................................................................................................70

Table Of Contents

Supported File Formats................................................................................70

Converting Files...........................................................................................71

Pinnacle MediaCenter.........................................................................................74

Pinnacle MediaCenter Functions.....................................................................74

Pinnacle MediaCenter User Views..................................................................76

Pinnacle MediaCenter Window Formats.........................................................78

Remote View (optimized for operation with the remote control) ...................82

Overview......................................................................................................82

TV Menu......................................................................................................86

Radio Menu................................................................................................103

Music Menu ...............................................................................................113

Movies Menu .............................................................................................127

Photo Menu................................................................................................137

Online Menu ..............................................................................................150

Menu Settings ............................................................................................151

PC View (optimized for operation with a mouse).........................................164

Overview....................................................................................................164

General Operating Controls .......................................................................165

Operating Controls While Watching TV ...................................................169

Operating Controls During DVD Playback ............................................... 175

Operating Controls During File Playback..................................................179

Teletext ......................................................................................................183

Electronic Program Guide (EPG) and Recording ......................................187

Technical Support.............................................................................................195

Getting Technical Support.............................................................................195

1. Frequently Asked Questions ..................................................................195

2. Ask a Question and Get an Answer .......................................................195

3. E-mail Support .......................................................................................195

4. Discussion Forum ..................................................................................196

License Agreement ...........................................................................................197

Pinnacle End User License Agreement .........................................................197

Glossary ............................................................................................................201

Index .................................................................................................................209

Introduction

Welcome

Your new Pinnacle product offers you a completely new experience in multimedia entertainment. From now on, you can access and process all sorts of media such as television, radio, movies, music and photos, either from your computer or from the comfort of your armchair.

You can watch both analog and digital television (optional) on either your computer monitor or your television screen. The fun gets even better with the following features. Watching TV just got easier and you don't have to miss a second of your favorite shows, thanks to the latest timeshift recording technology. This makes spontaneous or scheduled recording to your hard disk a breeze. With you new Pinnacle product, you have immediate access to the latest news using teletext. In addition, an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) gives you an overview of a complete range of television programs. Scheduling your recordings is also quick and easy.

You also have the option of listening to radio at any time and recording your favorite broadcasts quickly and easily. In addition, your Pinnacle product lets your receive Internet radio stations.

You can play video, music, and display photo files from your hard disk or from a CD and/or DVD. You can also burn your own CDs or DVDs.

In addition, you can arrange your media files in an intelligent multimedia database so that they can be found quickly. This is done according to various playback criteria based on specific categories (for example, all the movies in a certain genre or all the photos from a particular vacation). Pinnacle MediaCenter gives you simple and targeted access to all your media files.

The Pinnacle MediaCenter also gives you direct access to many different online services thereby opening all the doors to an incredible world of media and information.

Now you can access all of these different media quickly and easily with just one device: your PC. The Pinnacle MediaCenter interface has been especially designed so that all the menu options are very legible even at a distance of several yards. Plus they can be easily navigated with your remote control.

The following components of your new Pinnacle product put all the following functions at your fingertips:

Pinnacle MediaCenter

Pinnacle MediaManager

The Pinnacle MediaManager is installed on your PC and is used to import music files, movies, and digital photos into the MediaManager database. You also manage these files and keep them in order in the MediaManager. You can create your own playlists for collecting your favorite music, movies and photos. The media files on your PC can originate from almost anywhere, for example, from the Internet, your own audio CDs or your digital camera.

Pinnacle MediaCenter

The Pinnacle MediaCenter is also installed on your PC and is used for media playback. You can watch and record TV with the Pinnacle MediaCenter, play back recordings, and display teletext. You can also listen to and record radio broadcasts. Music, movies, and photos from CDs, DVDs or your hard disk are shown in the Pinnacle MediaCenter. You can access the categories created in the Pinnacle MediaManager to display media sorted according to your criteria. This helps you select the medium best suited to your particular mood or for any occasion.

Pinnacle Hardware

If your new Pinnacle product comes with the optional reception device, you can receive TV and radio (optional) and take advantage of, for example, the teletext or timeshift functions.

PCTV MediaCenter Remote Control

With the remote control, you can navigate the on-screen menu from anywhere in your room – without having to bother going back and forth to your computer.

Now go have fun with your new Pinnacle product!

Introduction

The Contents of Your Package

Before you begin with the installation, check the contents of the package to make sure that they are complete. If any part is missing or damaged, contact your retailer. Keep the packing material in case you have to transport the original parts again in the future.

Hardware

The hardware included in the box depends on the version of the Pinnacle package you have bought.

Software

Software designed for Windows XP is found on the CD-ROM included in the box.

Documentation

User Manual on CD Hardware operating instructions on CD

Remote control

operating instructions

on CD

Online Help

Please note that the actual contents of the package may differ from the items

shown above depending on which version of the product you bought!

Pinnacle MediaCenter

Online Help

Your Pinnacle product gives you access to Online Help at any time. If you are searching for a specific topic, select the Help Topics function in the

Help menu or simply press the F1 key on your keyboard.

Online Manual

If you have questions about the function and operation of your Pinnacle product, you can consult the online manual in addition to the printed manual. The online manual is installed automatically and can be read directly on-screen. To open the online manual, you need the free program Adobe Acrobat Reader.

To start the online manual, do the following:

 Use your mouse to click and open the Windows Start menu.  Move your mouse over Programs to open the Program menu.  Move your mouse over Pinnacle MediaCenter to open the Pinnacle

MediaCenter menu.

 Now click Pinnacle MediaCenter.

Any new modifications or supplements that did not make it into the

documentation are described in the ReadMe file on the CD-ROM included in the box.

Pinnacle MediaCenter - System Setup

Installing the Hardware

Hardware installation depends on the type of hardware included in the package, for example, whether it is an internal or external device. You will find a detailed description in the corresponding hardware manual on the CD.

Installing the Software

This section describes how to install the Pinnacle software on your PC. During installation, a program group along with its corresponding subgroups will be created. This is where all the necessary software components will be copied.

As a part of the installation, you will be asked for the serial number. This is

located on the CD or the CD case.

 Insert the installation CD in the CD drive of your computer.  The setup program now either starts automatically or you can start

autorun.exe in the setup directory on the CD-ROM.

 Now follow the installation instructions displayed on the screen.

During installation, an installation wizard leads you through the Advanced

Settings Dialog. This is where you can configure the Pinnacle MediaCenter settings. For more information about this, refer to the chapter "Advanced Settings".

 After installation, you will be prompted to restart your computer. This restart

needs to be done in order for your settings to take effect and for the Pinnacle MediaCenter to function properly.

Pinnacle MediaCenter

The tvtv Manager

The Pinnacle MediaCenter gives you convenient access to the services offered by the EPG provider tvtv. With the help of the TV listings on the tvtv pages, you can quickly and easily select the shows you want to record and then import the recording list into the Pinnacle MediaCenter. The shows you have selected are then automatically recorded - without you having to configure the recording any further.

Opening a User Account

To use this method of recording TV shows, you need to register with tvtv.

 Click the Windows Start menu once.  Move your mouse to Programs to open the Programs menu.  Move your mouse to the Pinnacle MediaCenter to open the menu.  Click the tvtv Manager option.

A wizard for guiding you through the registration process now appears.  Select whether you are registering with tvtv for the first time or you are

already a registered user.

 If you are registering for the first time, enter a user name and password in the

next dialog window and select one of the services. You will then be forwarded to the tvtv Web site.

In order to use the tvtv service, you need to activate your user account on the tvtv Web site.

 To do this, enter your user name and password.

Assigning TV Channels

After activating your user account, you can now synchronize the Pinnacle MediaCenter channel list with the tvtv channel list. This lets you record shows selected on tvtv with the Pinnacle MediaCenter.

To do this, a two-column channel list appears. On the left are all the channels on your Pinnacle MediaCenter channel list.

 If you click a field on the right part of the channel list, all your tvtv channels

will be displayed in separate window. Now choose the tvtv channel to be associated with the Pinnacle MediaCenter channel on the same line. This is how you link your Pinnacle MediaCenter channels to the tvtv channels.

It is now easy for you to select shows as well as keep track of them directly

on the www.tvtv.de Web site. All you have to do is import them into the Pinnacle MediaCenter.

Pinnacle MediaCenter - System Setup

Scheduled Recording List

In the next window, all the shows scheduled to be recorded via the tvtv Web site are displayed.

After the tvtv recording list has been imported into the Pinnacle

MediaCenter, you can modify the shows scheduled to be recorded in the TV menu under "TV Recorder".

Pinnacle MediaCenter

Advanced Settings

Advanced Settings Dialog Overview

During the installation of the Pinnacle MediaCenter software, a wizard will lead you through the Advanced Settings Dialog where you can configure all the settings for the individual areas in the Pinnacle MediaCenter.

After installation, you can access the Advanced Settings Dialog at any time by double-clicking the Settings icon in the Pinnacle program group.

Note that the Advanced Settings Dialog can only be operated with your

keyboard or your mouse.

On the left side of the window, you see a tree structure for the Advanced Settings dialog that outlines the following areas:

 Channels  TV hardware  Remote control  Playback  Display  Data services  General

When you click an entry, the corresponding menu opens and you can modify the settings for that area.

Pinnacle MediaCenter - System Setup

Advanced Station Settings Creating a Channel List

To create a new channel list, go to the tree structure on the right side of the window and click Scan under Channels.

Now you can perform a complete channel scan and use it to create a new channel list.

To do this, select which areas listed in the channel scan setup window should have a channel scan (for example, for DVB-T, analog TV or radio).

Depending on your TV hardware, the settings available may vary.

Furthermore, you can configure the following additional channel scan settings:

No duplicate channels

If a station can be received on more than one channel, you can enter a name in the channel list for each channel this station uses. When you select this option and a station broadcasts on more than one channel, only the station with the best reception is selected.

Additive scan

When you select this option and then perform a channel scan, a new channel list is not generated. Instead, any new channels found are added to the existing list.

Pinnacle MediaCenter

Station logo

When you select this option, a channel is automatically labelled with its corresponding station logo whenever possible.

Hardware settings

To perform a channel scan using your own hardware settings, click the corresponding hardware name within the tree structure under Channels - Scan.

Start Channel Scan

After you have configured all the required settings, click Start to start the channel scan. Click Stop to cancel the channel scan at any time.

Pinnacle MediaCenter - System Setup

Advanced Station Settings Editing a Channel List

After you have performed a channel scan, the menu option Channel - Editor offers you various options for editing the current channel list:

Viewing the Channel List

The channel list is located in the middle section of the window. The items in this list can be sorted according to various criteria:

To list the channels in a specific grouping (for example, All, Hardware, Internet), click that grouping.

Editing and Deleting a Channel

If you would like to edit a channel in the channel list, select that channel. Now you can, for example, optimize the reception quality, assign a logo to the channel or change the channel name. In addition, you can delete the selected channel from the channel list.

Adding a Channel

After clicking the Add button, a window opens where you can add a new channel to the channel list.

Depending on your TV hardware, the settings available in this menu option

may vary.

Pinnacle MediaCenter

Hardware

In this field, select the hardware installed.

Channel name

Here, you can enter the name of the newly added channel.

Country

Select the country where you are currently located.

Satellite

Choose a satellite from your satellite list in the TV Hardware menu option.

TV standard

For analog reception, select the TV standard for your area (for example, PAL BG).

Fine tuning

Use the fine tuning slider to optimize the reception quality of the new channel if necessary.

Frequency or channel

Enter a frequency here (for analog: KHz; for DVB-T: MHz; for DVB-T: GHz) or a station.

If you want to add a DVB-T or DVB-S station to your channel list,

additional special settings are necessary. These settings are automatically displayed in the Settings menu.

Pinnacle MediaCenter - System Setup

Advanced Station Settings Favorites

After you have performed a channel scan, you can create different lists with your favorite channels in the Channels - Favorites menu option.

Creating a Favorites List

To create a new favorites list, click the New button and then select channels from the channel list. Add these channels to your favorites list by clicking the arrow buttons or by dragging and dropping the selected channels onto the favorites list.

Editing a Favorites List

If you would like to modify an already existing favorites list, select that list. Now you can delete channels, add them or change the order of the channels.

Pinnacle MediaCenter

Advanced TV Hardware Settings

In the tree structure on the left side of the Settings window under Channels Scan, you see a list of all the hardware components installed on your system. To configure more exact settings for your TV hardware, click the corresponding entry.

Depending on your TV hardware, the settings available may vary.

Audio

Device

This is where you select the sound card that you want to use.

Audio input

Here, select which sound card input should be used for audio playback.

Audio recording input

This is where you set which sound card input is used for recording audio. Normally, this is the same setting as under Audio input.

Volume

Here, you can enter the default playback volume.

Recording level

Use the slider in this field to control recording and playback. The default recording and playback levels are shown in the level displays so you can keep track of them.

Video

To fine tune the Pinnacle MediaCenter video or TV picture, use the slider to adjust the brightness, saturation, contrast, and sharpness of the color display.

Antenna

If you use an antenna without its own power supply, you can turn on the antenna power supply here.

Satellite

Edit

In this field, you can remove satellites from the satellite list or add new satellites to the list.

Pinnacle MediaCenter - System Setup

Satellite configuration

For some LNBs, the value of the output intermediate frequency is not set as the default value due to manufacturing tolerances. You can read in this value for brandname LNBs directly and correct them here if necessary.

Recording Format (Analog)

In this field, select the default format for your analog recordings. The values for compression algorithms, bitrate, and size/resolution for the

recording formats VCD, SVCD, DVD Longplay, DVD, and Direct DVD are defined as follows:

 VCD: MPEG1, 1.15, 352x288  SVCD: MPEG2, 2.5, 480x576  DVD Longplay: MPEG2, 3.5, 352x576  DVD: MPEG2, 6.0, 720x576  Direct DVD: When you select Direct DVD, your recordings are saved

directly as a video DVD-compatible stream onto DVD - without timeconsuming caching on your hard drive.

 Others

Recording Format (Digital)

In this field, select the default format for your digital recordings. For this, configure the following settings:

MPEG program stream

Here, enter a MPEG program stream.

Transport stream with various audio modes (for example, PMC, AC3) and VBI (for example, EPG, subtitles)

Select a transport stream in this field.

Save as "DVD ready"

Select whether you would like your recordings to be ready to burn onto a DVD at any time.

Record entire transponder

At this point, you can decide whether you would like to record the entire transponder.

Recording multiple programs from the transponder

In this field, select whether you would like to record more than one program from the transponder.

Pinnacle MediaCenter

Making and saving recordings compatible with the MS player

In this field, select whether your recording should be compatible with the MS player.

USB Port

This field displays which USB port your TV hardware is connected to.

Hardware Number

Here, the serial number and the SAP number of your hardware is displayed.

MAC Address

This field contains the MAC address.

Pinnacle MediaCenter - System Setup

Advanced Remote Control Settings

Here, you can select the type of remote control you received in the package. In this menu, you can also configure the remote control receiver and check how

your remote control functions.

You will find more detailed information about this in the remote control

instructions that are included on the CD.

Pinnacle MediaCenter

Advanced Playback Settings

In this menu option, you can configure the settings for playing back movies and music and for displaying photos.

CD/DVD autoplayback

Select this option to allow a CD/DVD to start playing automatically when you put it in your CD-ROM/DVD drive.

Music Playback

Static visualization

Here, you can choose between various visualizations that can be displayed on your screen while you listen to music.

Repeat playlist

In this field, you can set the default repeat mode to on or off. When repeat mode is on, all the titles in the selected category (for example, the playlist or album) are played repeatedly. You can activate or deactivate repeat mode for the current playback at any time in the Music menu.

Shuffle playlist

In this field, you can set the default shuffle mode to on or off. When the shuffle mode is on, all the titles in the category you selected (for example, in the playlist or genre) are played in random order. You can activate or deactivate shuffle mode at any time in the Music menu.

Pinnacle MediaCenter - System Setup

Show MP3 tag info

Activate this option display different types of information during MP3 playback, for example, artist and song.

Local free DB database

Here, you can enter the path of your music database.

Movie Playback

Audio language

Here, you can set the default language for the soundtrack on your DVDs.

Subtitle language

Here, you can set the default language for the subtitles on your DVDs.

Enable subtitles

When you select this option, subtitles are displayed by default when you play your DVDs.

Shuffle playlist

In this field, you can set the default shuffle mode to on or off. When shuffle mode is on, all the movies in the category you selected (for example, in the playlist) are played back in random order. You can activate or deactivate shuffle mode at any time in the Movie menu.

Repeat playlist

In this field, you can set the default repeat mode to on or off. When repeat mode is on, all the movies in the category you selected (for example, in the playlist) are played back repeatedly. You can activate or deactivate repeat mode at any time in the Movie menu.

Photo Slide Show

Slide duration

In this field, you can enter the maximum length of time in seconds a photo should be displayed during a slideshow.

Transition type

Use this option to add transitions between the individual photos in a slideshow.

Background music playlist

If you would like to enhance your slideshow with a bit of background music, select the music you want from this menu option.

Pinnacle MediaCenter

Show photo captions

Activate this option to display the name of the current photo while displaying a group of photos.

Pan_scan

To make the presentation of your photos more exciting, activate this option to place a pan and scan filter over your photos. Now, when you view a slideshow, the window zooms slightly in on the current photo so that only a cutout of the image is visible as the image moves back and forth during the photo presentation.

Repeat playlist

In this field, you can set the default repeat mode to on or off. When repeat mode is on, all the photos in the selected category (for example, the playlist or album) are played back repeatedly. You can activate or deactivate repeat mode at any time in the Photo menu.

Shuffle playlist

In this field, you can set the default shuffle mode to on or off. When shuffle mode is on, all the photos in the category you selected (for example, in the playlist or the photo album) are displayed in random order. You can activate or deactivate shuffle mode at any time in the Photo menu.

Advanced Display Settings

Pinnacle MediaCenter - System Setup

In this menu, you can configure all the display settings:

On Screen Display (OSD)

Here you can decide whether an OSD display with detailed information about the current TV or radio broadcast, the current music, the movie showing or the current photo should be displayed in the Pinnacle MediaCenter.

When you enable OSDs, they should disappear automatically. If the OSD display does not disappear automatically, you can manually hide it by pressing the ? or Details button on your remote control (depending on the remote control).

Duration

If On Screen Displays are set to automatically disappear, you can set how long an OSD should be displayed on the screen in this menu option.

Transparency

Here, you can set the level of transparency for the On Screen Displays in the Pinnacle MediaCenter.

Preferred Output Device

Select whether your media should be displayed on your computer screen or on your TV screen.

Pinnacle MediaCenter

Date - Time Display

In this field, select the time and date format you prefer.

Preferred Video Aspect Ratio

Select between the common 4:3 picture size, cinema display 16:9 or another format.

Cropping

Select this option to suppress any interference patterns on the upper and lower edges of the image.

Video Interlace

Here, you have the choice between one field, two fields interlaced, and two fields de-interlaced.

Page Switching Effects

In this field, you can select the type of transition there should be between menus.

Start Size of Video

This is where you select whether the Pinnacle MediaCenter should appear in full screen or in normal size after starting the program.

Pinnacle MediaCenter - System Setup

Advanced Data Services Settings

In this menu option, you can configure the settings for various data services:

Teletext

Here, you can change the teletext level.

EPG

In this field, select an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) provider.

Data Source Configuration

Nextview

Select this field if you would like to receive analog EPG.

Source

Select the hardware you want to use for EPG reception.

Channel selection

Select the channels for which you want to receive EPG information.

Channel assignment

Here, you can compare the channel names in the Pinnacle MediaCenter with the channel names in the EPG information.

Scheduler set-up

Here, you can set for which channels and how often EPG information should automatically be received.

DVB

Select the hardware you want for digital EPG reception.

Schedule Get EPG Data

Here, you can set for which channels and how often EPG information should be received.

Pinnacle MediaCenter

Advanced General Settings

In this menu option, you can set various general configuration parameters.

Language

In this area, you can change the language settings for the Pinnacle MediaCenter.

Theme (Skin)

You can choose different themes or skins for the Pinnacle MediaCenter here.

Screen Saver

In this section, you can decide whether a screen saver should be displayed for the Pinnacle MediaCenter or not.

Capture File Path

Enter the location on your hard drive where video and audio recordings should be saved.

Skip Buttons on the Remote Control

This is where you can set the time interval for how far pressing the Skip back/Skip forward buttons on your remote control should take you during timeshift playback. These buttons are also known as the Previous Track/Next Track buttons depending on your remote control.

Enable Timeshifting

Select this option to enable a timeshift recording.

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