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Alienware Hangar18 Manual

Alienware Hangar18 Manual

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ALIENWARE HANGAR 18: HD ENTERTAINMENT CENTER MANUAL
The contents herein are subject to change without notice. ©1996-2007 Alienware
Corporation. All rights reserved.
Reproduction of this manual in any manner without the prior written
permission of Alienware Corporation is strictly prohibited.
Trademarks used in this manual: Alienware, Alienlce, the AlienHead logo, and
AlienAutopsy are trademarks or registered trademarks of Alienware Corporation.
Microsoft and Windows are registered trade-marks of Microsoft Corporation. Other
trademarks and trade names may be used in this manual to refer to either the entities
claiming the marks and names or their products. Alienware Corporation disclaims any
proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
Rev 5.1
DECEMBER 2007

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Summary of Contents for Alienware Hangar18

  • Page 1 Microsoft and Windows are registered trade-marks of Microsoft Corporation. Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this manual to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Alienware Corporation disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Some Precautions for Initial Setup, 12 Location and Positioning of Your HD Entertainment Center, 12 Connecting Your Hangar18 to Your TV, 13 Connecting Your Hangar18 1080p or Blu-ray System to Your HDTV or SDTV, 14 HDMI or DVI-to-HDMI Connection, 14 S-Video and VGA Connections, 14...
  • Page 3 The HD Entertainment Center does not recognize the game controller, 62 WebGuide FAQ, 63 Appendix A General And Electrical Safety Precautions, 66 HD Entertainment Center Setup, 66 HD Entertainment Center Use, 66 When You Should Contact Alienware, 67 Replacement Components or Accessories, 67 Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual...
  • Page 4 Limited Product Warranty; Disclaimer Of Warranties; And Limitation Of Liability, 71 Limited Product Warranty, 71 Obtaining Warranty Service, 71 Systems Returned to Alienware for Repair, 72 Replacing a Defective Component, 73 Return First, 73 Replace First, 73 Keep in mind, 74...

  • Page 5: Introduction

    We invite you to share your experience with your new HD Entertainment Center with us, so please do not hesitate to either e-mail or call Alienware with any questions or concerns. The entire staff shares your enthusiasm for new technology and we hope that you enjoy using your new HD Entertainment Center as much as Alienware enjoyed building it for you.
  • Page 6 Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual...

  • Page 7: Chapter 1: System Preparation And Setup

    Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual CHAPTER 1: SYSTEM PREPARATION AND SETUP...

  • Page 8: Overview

    Overview Congratulations on the purchase of your Alienware Hangar18: HD Entertainment Center! The Alienware HD Entertainment Center is the best Media Center solution available for the living room environment. From the comfort of your couch you can enjoy all your digital content (TV recordings, movies, pictures and music) on your main living room HDTV.

  • Page 9: When Your Hd Entertainment Center First Arrives

    • Optimizing your TV or monitor display for the maximum resolution supported by both your Hangar18 and TV (720p or 1080p) • Setting up your WebGuide application to access and control your Hangar18 from any internet connection. Chapter 3 explains system recovery.

  • Page 10: Items Included In Your Hangar18 Packaging

    • Gyration RF transceiver dongle • Cables: S/PDIF Coaxial for connecting your Hangar18 to your amplifier. S/PDIF Optical (Toslink) for connecting your Hangar18 to your amplifier. Component (YPrPb) – Red, Green, Blue cables for supporting SDTVs and HDTVs. HDMI - cable that sends both HD video and digital audio to your HDTV, supporting up to 1080p.
  • Page 11 2 IR Blaster cables – for sending IR commands (such as channel change, and volume up/down to your cable box or satellite box.) If you ordered the 1080p or Blu-Ray Hangar18, the DVI-HDMI adapter should also be included. • Black Leather binder contains: User’s Manual...

  • Page 12: Some Precautions For Initial Setup

    Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual Some Precautions for Initial Setup Do not place the HD Entertainment Center near or over a radiator or heating vent. If all or parts of your HD Entertainment Center are placed in a cabinet, ensure that adequate ventilation is provided. Do not place the HD Entertainment Center in a humid location or in any area the HD Entertainment Center may be exposed to rain or water.

  • Page 13: Connecting Your Hangar18 To Your Tv

    Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual Connecting Your Hangar18 to Your TV The TV connection options for your Hangar18 depend on which Hangar18 model you ordered (1080p/Blu-ray, or the 720p model) and what type of TV you have (High Definition or Standard Definition). Both Hangar18 models and both TV types are...

  • Page 14: Connecting Your Hangar18 1080P Or Blu-Ray System To Your Hdtv Or Sdtv

    HDMI or DVI-to-HDMI Connection For the optimal Home Entertainment experience, Alienware recommends connecting the Hangar18 1080p or Blu-ray model with an HDMI or DVI cable to a 16:9 HDTV that supports High Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP). If your HDTV or monitor does not support HDCP, you will not be able to view encrypted HD video through the HDMI or DVI connections.

  • Page 15: Connecting Your Hangar18 720P System To Your Hdtv

    Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual Connecting Your Hangar18 720p System To Your HDTV If you purchased a 720p Hangar18 system, use either the HDMI, Component or VGA cables shown below. The HDMI cable is recommended because the HD video and digital audio are sent on the same cable.

  • Page 16: Connecting Your Hangar18 720P System To Your Standard Definition Or Analog Tv

    You can use your Component or VGA connectors (shown below) to connect your Hangar18 to your SDTV, analog TV, or monitor. With both of these video connectors you need to use either the built-in amplifier or S/PDIF digital audio ports to provide the audio.

  • Page 17: Connecting Speakers

    Connecting Speakers Connecting Your Hangar18 to Your 5.1 Surround Speakers or Amplifier You can connect your HD Entertainment Center directly to your speakers using the built-in amplifier, or to your own amplifier with the S/PDIF digital out. On the built-in amplifier each connector is labeled with one of the following, “FL, FR, C, RL, RR”.

  • Page 18: Powering Up Your Hangar18 And Using Your Tv Remote And Keyboard For The First Time

    Power Switch is set to the ON position as shown below. Then press the POWER button on the front panel of the Hangar18. Insert the dongle that came with your Hangar18 into one of the rear USB ports, then synch your Gyration TV remote control and keyboard to the Hangar18 as shown below.

  • Page 19: Setting Up Your Tv Remote Control

    Media Center main menu For more detailed information on how to program and use the Gyration TV remote and keyboard, refer to the Gyration instructions inside the black leather binder. Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual Gyration mouse pointer: • center, and move your hand...

  • Page 20: Connecting Your Hangar18 To Your Cable Or Satellite Box

    Hangar18 TV remote to control your cable or satellite box. You can connect up to 2 cable or 2 satellite boxes to your Hangar18 (not one of each). However, if you have the Hangar18 1080p or Blu-ray model, then you can only connect...

  • Page 21: Connecting One Cable Or Satellite Box To Your Hangar18

    Hangar18 TV tuner card. The COAX cable is convenient because its only one cable. Connect the IR Blaster cable to the port on the Hangar18 rear panel, and attach the bulb end (has adhesive on it) to the area on your cable or satellite box where the IR receiver is located.

  • Page 22: Connecting Two Cable Or Two Satellite Boxes To Your Hangar18

    Connecting Two Cable or Two Satellite Boxes to Your Hangar18 In order to connect 2 cable set-tops or 2 satellite set-tops to your Hangar18, you must have the 720p Hangar18 model with the below dual TV tuner configuration. You can use the composite (red, white, yellow) cables, or the COAX cable for the first set-top connection.

  • Page 23: Connecting Your Hangar18 To A Digital Over-The-Air Antenna

    Connecting Your Hangar18 to a Digital Over-the-Air Antenna You can connect your Hangar18 to an Indoor/Outdoor digital antenna as shown below. Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual Antenna Input “ANT IN”...

  • Page 24: Getting To Know Your Hd Entertainment Center

    Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual Getting to Know Your HD Entertainment Center This section provides a description of all your Hangar18 inputs and outputs. Front I/O Ports and Features Disc DVD/CD Eject Slot Power USB 2.0 Headphone Microphone Jack Jack...

  • Page 25: Microphone Jack

    Power Button Press the power button once to turn on your HD Entertainment Center. The Alienware Head button will illuminate, indicating the system is powered on. Make sure that the power supply switch on the rear panel of your system is in the ON position.

  • Page 26: Rear Panel I/O Ports And Features

    Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual Rear Panel I/O Ports and Features 10 11 SUB (1) Subwoofer port. Digital Amplifier (2) Connect your 5.1 speaker wires directly to this built-in amplifier. 1394 (3) Connect your high-speed FireWire devices. Ethernet (4) Wired connection to the internet.

  • Page 27: Component Output

    TV tuner input labeled “TV IN” for connecting your cable or satellite box. Power Supply Switch (10) Make sure the power supply switch is in the ON position before powering on your Hangar18: HD Entertainment Center. Push this side down...
  • Page 28 Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual S/PDIF Output (Toslink) (16) Digital audio output for connecting your stereo components. L/R Analog Audio Inputs (17) Left and right analog audio inputs. IR Blaster Ports (18) Connect IR cables to control other devices like your VCR, Cable or Satellite set top.

  • Page 29: Chapter 2: Vista Media Center Features

    Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual CHAPTER 2: VISTA MEDIA CENTER FEATURES...

  • Page 30: Overview

    CHAPTER 2: Overview Once your Hangar18 is connected to your TV and your speakers (or amplifier) you are ready to start enjoying the below features: • Recording up to 4 live TV shows at the same time (depends if your unit has 2 or 4 TV tuners) •...
  • Page 31 Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual The Vista on-screen menus will walk you through setting up your Internet connection, TV signal, TV resolution and making sure that your speakers are working properly. From the above main menu, scroll down and select the Tasks/Settings option (shown below): Select “General”...
  • Page 32 Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual The next screen you see will be the “General” settings screen (shown below). Scroll down and select “Windows Media Center Setup”. The first thing you should setup on the list below is your Internet connection (wired or wireless).

  • Page 33: Setting Up Your Wireless Internet Connection

    Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual Setting Up Your Wireless Internet Connection Your Hangar18 has built-in wireless 802.11 b/g, so its very easy to get your Hangar18 connected to your in-home wireless network. 802.11 N is supported if you have a USB enabled 802.11 N adapter.
  • Page 34 Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual Select “Configure my TV signal automatically (Recommended)”. This will allow Microsoft Vista to auto-scan for the type of TV signal you have connected to the rear panel TV tuner.

  • Page 35: Setting Up Your Tv Guide Data

    Microsoft Vista populates all the TV Guide data for you with real-time updates as long as you keep your Hangar18 turned on with internet connectivity. When you finish setting up your TV signal by either using your cable/satellite set-top or Over-The-Air (OTA) antenna as a TV source, you will see the above screen.

  • Page 36: Setting Up Your Tv Resolution And Speakers

    Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual Setting Up Your TV Resolution and Speakers From the main Windows Media Center Setup screen below, you can easily setup your speakers and configure your TV or monitor. Just follow the on-screen instructions for each feature.

  • Page 37: Playing Back And Burning Regular Dvds

    Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual Playing Back and Burning Regular DVDs You can playback your DVDs from the Vista Media Center menu by selecting the “play dvd” option shown below. You can also burn your Standard Definition or analog TV recordings to DVD by selecting your recording, and then selecting the “Burn”...

  • Page 38: Playing Back And Burning Blu-Ray Dvds

    Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual Playing Back and Burning Blu-ray DVDs If your Hangar18 supports Blu-ray, you can playback your Blu-ray DVDs from the Vista Media Center menu by selecting the “Play Movie” option shown below. To burn Blu-ray DVDs you must launch the Nero Blu-ray burning application from the START menu on the desktop.

  • Page 39: Putting Your Hangar18 Into Away Mode

    Vista PC mode, or simply press the front panel POWER button on the Hangar18. The front panel lights will turn OFF, however the unit will still record your scheduled recordings while your TV is off and you are away.

  • Page 40: Setting Up Your Hangar18 And Gyration Tv Remote To Control Your Cable Or Satellite Box

    Setting Up Your Hangar18 and Gyration TV Remote to Control Your Cable or Satellite Box Once your Hangar18 is properly connected to your cable or satellite box, you can access all your standard definition content on your cable or satellite box with your Hangar18 and the Gyration TV remote control.
  • Page 41 Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual From this point, just follow the on-screen instructions. The below screen indicates that Vista found one TV tuner (signal) coming from either the cable or satellite receiver (set-top box) that you connected via the composite or Coaxial cable.
  • Page 42 Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual The following four screens will enable the Hangar18 to learn the IR remote commands coming from your cable or satellite remote so that the Gyration remote can use them. Select “Yes” on the screen below to begin the learning process.
  • Page 43 Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual In the below screen, the last sentence “Please pick up your Media Center remote.” is referring to your Gyration Universal TV remote. Make sure the Gyration remote is in “PC” mode. You can confirm the remote is in PC mode by pressing any remote button.
  • Page 44 Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual The below screen allows you to test channel change performance. When you have successfully completed the setup, the below screen will be displayed.

  • Page 45: Webguide Application

    WebGuide allows you to remotely view live and recorded TV programs and to remotely schedule and manage your recorded television programs, music, pictures and videos on your Hangar 18. WebGuide allows you to access your Hangar18 from any machine that has a web browser and an internet connection, including your cell phone or mobile device.

  • Page 46: How To Set It Up

    Select the Configuration tab to setup your users. The screen below shows how you can create multiple users that will be able to log into the Hangar18 remotely with an internet connection. You can assign each user different access and management...

  • Page 47: What It Works With

    Hangar18 remotely from any internet connected device. What It Works With With WebGuide installed on your Hangar18 you can access and view all your Media Center content from any other computer or mobile device with a web browser and an...

  • Page 48: Log In From Any Internet Connected Device

    The below screen is displayed when you go to the URL that WebGuide assigned for your Hangar18. Login using the User ID and Password that you created earlier. Now you are in control of your Hangar18. The below screen is the Main Menu:...
  • Page 49 Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual Below is the WebGuide Scheduling Interface. From here you can schedule new TV recordings. Below is the interface to your pictures stored on your Hangar18.

  • Page 50: Webguide On Your Mobile Device

    Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual WebGuide on Your Mobile Device...
  • Page 51 Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual...

  • Page 52: Chapter 3: System Recovery

    Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual CHAPTER 3: SYSTEM RECOVERY...

  • Page 53: Alienrespawn 2.0

    [F10]. 4. Your HD Entertainment Center will now boot into the AlienRespawn 2.0 environment. If this is the first time you have run AlienRespawn 2.0, you must accept the license agreement before proceeding. Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual...
  • Page 54 Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual...

  • Page 55: Chapter 4: Troubleshooting

    Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual CHAPTER 4: TROUBLESHOOTING...

  • Page 56: Before Troubleshooting

    • If an error message appears on the screen, please write down the exact error message prior to calling Alienware Technical Support to aid in diagnosing and resolving your issue. • If an error occurs in a specific program, refer to the program’s documentation.

  • Page 57: Software Diagnostics Tools

    • Write down your passwords and keep them safe (away from your HD Entertainment Center). This is especially important if you choose to password- protect your system’s BIOS and operating system. • Document vital settings such as network, dialup, mail, and internet settings. Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual...

  • Page 58: Answers To Common Problems

    Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual Answers to Common Problems CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD±RW or Blu-ray Drive The HD Entertainment Center does not recognize the disc or drive: • Check to see if the disc is properly inserted into the drive with the label facing up.

  • Page 59: Website Connection Is Slow

    • The condition of the telephone or network cables being used. • The condition of the network equipment at your ISP. • The graphics or multimedia on web pages. • Multiple browsers, downloads, or programs open on your HD Entertainment Center. Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual...

  • Page 60: Keyboard

    Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual Keyboard The keyboard is not responding: • Check that the keyboard or USB RF transceiver is properly plugged into the back of your HD Entertainment Center. • Clean the keyboard by using an aerosol can of compressed air with the proper extension to remove dust and lint trapped under the keys.

  • Page 61: The Color Is Not Uniform

    • Restart your HD Entertainment Center. • Try a mouse that you know works in the same port, to ensure that the mouse port is working. • Reinstall the device driver. Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual...

  • Page 62: Power

    Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual Power When the HD Entertainment Center is turned on, nothing happens: • If the HD Entertainment Center is plugged into a surge protector or UPS, make sure that the surge protector or UPS is securely connected to an electrical outlet, is switched on and working correctly.

  • Page 63: Webguide Faq

    Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual WebGuide FAQ Q. The WebGuide configuration tool is stalling during configuration of the UPnP router settings. How do I fix this? A. If your router supports UPnP, WebGuide will try to configure it automatically. However, WebGuide may have issues with some routers and freeze during installation.
  • Page 64 Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual If you still have problems accessing the media, you can change the Cassini service to run under a user who has access to the location. To do this, right-click on “My Computer,” click “Manage” and find the “Ultidev Cassini” service in the service panel.
  • Page 65 Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual...

  • Page 66: Appendix A General And Electrical Safety Precautions

    Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual APPENDIX A: GENERAL AND ELECTRICAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS HD Entertainment Center Setup • Read all instructions marked on the product and in the documentation before operating your HD Entertainment Center. • Retain all safety and operating instructions.

  • Page 67: When You Should Contact Alienware

    • The HD Entertainment Center was dropped or the case was damaged. • Normal operation of the HD Entertainment Center does not occur when the operating instructions are followed. Replacement Components or Accessories It is only advised to use replacement parts or accessories recommended by Alienware. Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual...
  • Page 68 Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual...

  • Page 69: Appendix B Terms And Conditions Agreement

    Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual APPENDIX B: TERMS AND CONDITIONS AGREEMENT Please visit http://www.alienware.com/terms/ to view the terms and conditions agreement. We recommend that you print a copy and file it with your invoice for future reference.
  • Page 70 Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual...

  • Page 71: Appendix C Limited Product Warranty; Disclaimer Of Warranties; And Limitation Of Liability

    Alienware for exchange. In most cases, Alienware will make all shipping arrangements for the return for repair of your system and/or components and you will be issued a...

  • Page 72: Systems Returned To Alienware For Repair

    If the Technical Support representative determines that your system must come back to Alienware for repair, you will be issued an RMA number. Be sure to follow all of the return instructions completely as all systems arriving at Alienware without a valid RMA number will be refused and returned to sender.

  • Page 73: Replacing A Defective Component

    If a Technical Support representative determines that a component is defective, you will be issued an RMA number. All components arriving at Alienware without a valid RMA number will be refused and returned to sender. The two options for returning...

  • Page 74: Keep In Mind

    3. Package weight 4. Your return address Contact Alienware to schedule a pickup. You will have up to five business days to ship the defective component(s) back to Alienware. No refunds will be issued if the defective component(s) are not shipped within 5 days of receiving the replacement component(s).

  • Page 75: 30-Day Money Back Guarantee

    Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual 30-day Money Back Guarantee In addition to the standard warranty, Alienware offers a 30-day money back guarantee on every system. If you are not satisfied with your system, you may return it within 30 days for a refund. The refund will only be issued for the amount of the sale and will not include shipping costs.
  • Page 76 Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual...

  • Page 77: Appendix D Contacting Alienware

    Alienware chat system. Go to www.alienware.com and visit our Support Area. Alienware Support Chat is available Monday through Friday. Please visit our web site for current operational hours. Have your Alienware account number available on your first visit to set up a support account.

  • Page 78: Technical Support

    Entertainment Center, you may contact a support representative using the Alienware chat system. Go to www.alienware.com and visit our Support Area. Alienware Support Chat is available Monday through Friday. Please visit our web site for current operational hours. Have your Alienware account number available on your first visit to set up a support account.
  • Page 79 Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual...

  • Page 80: Appendix E Important Information

    Alienware HD Entertainment Center Manual APPENDIX E: IMPORTANT INFORMATION • PLEASE BACKUP ANY DATA YOU HAVE BEFORE INITIATING A SYSTEM RECOVERY OR SENDING YOUR SYSTEM IN FOR REPAIR OR UPGRADES. • PLEASE RETAIN ALL BOXES THAT WERE ORIGINALLY SHIPPED TO YOU IN CASE YOU NEED TO RETURN ANY MERCHANDISE.

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