HP Media Center,Pavilion Media Center 873 User Manual
Hp media center,pavilion media center 873: user guide
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Table of Contents
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Summary of Contents for HP Media Center,Pavilion Media Center 873
- Page 1 Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition user’ s guide...
- Page 2 HP shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
Watching the Introducing Windows Media Center Video ... 9 Opening Media Center ... 10 Switching to the Windows Desktop ... 10 Displaying Media Center Toolbars ... 11 Setting Media Center as the Default ... 11 Using Shortcut Buttons ... 12 Remote Control ... -
Page 5: Introduction
Getting Started with Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition Welcome to the exciting new HP Media Center PC experience! With this computer, you can play all kinds of audio, video, and picture media on your computer by using a specially designed remote control. -
Page 6: Getting Help
It is best to have the following items completed before trying to use Media Center; otherwise, many of the program features won’t be available to you. Before using Media Center, make sure: HP Media Center PC is set up correctly. For setup information, refer to the setup poster and to the HP Media Center PC Hardware User’s Guide . -
Page 7: Media Center Overview
Media Center Overview You can control the Media Center functions and navigate Media Center windows by using the remote control, 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. - Page 8 To open Media Center by using the keyboard and the mouse, click the Start button on the taskbar of your desktop and then select Media Center on the Start menu. When you open Media Center, you’ll see the Media Center Start menu. Use the arrow...
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Page 9: Media Center Start Menu
Watch your home videos Watch DVD movies Change Media Center program settings Inset window that shows media currently playing You can use the Minimize and Resize buttons to run Media Center side by side with another program from your desktop. -
Page 10: Media Center Setup
Use Media Center Settings to: Change settings for your television service provider. Change settings for your Internet Service Provider. Manually update the My TV Television Program Guide. Check your remote control. Change your ZIP Code to receive the correct Television Program Guide for your area. -
Page 11: Using The Media Center Setup Wizard
Using the Media Center Setup Wizard It is best to complete each step in the Media Center setup wizard to be able to use all the features in Media Center. You can select to bypass these steps and complete them later in the Settings window in Media Center. - Page 12 Set up an Internet Connection This step creates or tests your Internet connection so that Media Center can update your Television Program Guide from the Internet. An Internet connection is also needed to get information about your music CDs and other media. Even if you already have an Internet connection, you will need to provide Internet Service Provider (ISP) information.
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Page 13: Watching The Introducing Windows Media Center Video
Watching the Introducing Windows Media Center Video Before using the Media Center program, you can watch an introduction video to become familiar with many Media Center features. You can click a link at the end of the Media Center setup wizard to open the introduction video. -
Page 14: Opening Media Center
Minimize Resize window Close window Switching to the Windows Desktop You can switch to the desktop at any time without closing Media Center. To display the desktop, select the Minimize icon by using the arrow buttons on the remote control or by using the mouse. -
Page 15: Displaying Media Center Toolbars
Displaying Media Center Toolbars When you move the mouse, the Media Center toolbars appear. When you use the remote control, they disappear. Media Center Start menu Setting Media Center as the Default When you insert a CD and Media Center is active, your CD plays automatically after a few seconds. -
Page 16: Using Shortcut Buttons
You can use the shortcut buttons on the front of the PC to open Media Center when the computer is already turned on. Keyboard The keyboard shortcut buttons do not open any programs in Media Center. Refer to the HP Media Center PC Hardware User’s Guide for more information about your keyboard shortcut keys. -
Page 17: Remote Control
Control the video or live TV display. Place the computer in and out of standby mode. 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. -
Page 18: Remote Control Buttons Overview
Remote Control Buttons Overview Standby puts the PC into a power reduced state called standby. An LED located under the Standby button blinks when the remote control is transmitting a signal to the remote sensor. You must press Standby for 1–2 seconds. This button has no function. -
Page 19: Remote Control Button Groups
Remote Control Button Groups Use your remote control to navigate all the Media Center windows. Your remote control includes four major groups of controls Standby and direct access listed below. Standby and direct access The Standby button places the computer in and out of standby (reduced power) mode. -
Page 20: Using The Media Center Remote Control
Using the Media Center Remote Control To begin using your remote control: Point the remote control at the remote sensor. The remote sensor should be located near your monitor or in a convenient place. Make sure there is nothing blocking the pathway between your remote control and the remote sensor. - Page 21 Direct access buttons The direct access buttons open the main Media Center windows. TV opens the My TV window where you can watch and record TV and access other My TV features. Recorded TV opens the Recorded TV window where all your recorded TV programs are stored.
- Page 22 Press the Pause button and then press the FWD button repeatedly to watch media frame by frame in slow motion. Press the REW or the Replay button and then the Play button to watch an instant replay. Not all video files can be fast forwarded or rewound.
- Page 23 Use the Start button to open the Media Center Start menu if you are in Media Center or if you are at the desktop. Use Arrows to move between menus, windows, or activities. Use OK to select a desired action. The OK button works as an Enter button.
- Page 24 Audio and Video buttons The audio and video buttons change channels, adjust volume, and show details of selected media. Use Volume (+ and -) to increase or decrease computer volume. Use Mute to turn off the sound. Mute appears in the window when it is turned on. Use Details to display media information, if available.
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Page 25: My Tv
What Can I Do in My TV? The My TV window in Media Center works with the Media Center remote control so you can watch and record TV at your own convenience and pace. In My TV you can: Watch your favorite television programs in full screen mode or in an inset window. -
Page 26: Watching Tv
Before you can watch TV by using Media Center, make sure: Your computer is set up correctly for your TV signal source. Refer to the setup poster and the HP Media Center PC Hardware User’s Guide for more information. You have completed the Media Center setup wizard. -
Page 27: Using Remote Control In My Tv
Using Remote Control in My TV To control the playback of live or recorded shows, you can use the media playback buttons on the remote control to do the following in Media Center: Action Press Pause to freeze the live TV image. While paused, My TV continues to record a pause buffer for up to 30 minutes. -
Page 28: Watching Live Tv Using Time Shifting
The 30-minute pause buffer applies only when pausing, rewinding, and fast forwarding live TV. Media Center allows you to record a program for longer than 30 minutes. Pause buffer began recording around 3:55 p.m. Watching Live TV Using Time Shifting When you open the My TV window and begin watching live TV, Media Center begins recording the selected program in the background for up to 30 minutes. -
Page 29: Using The Television Program Guide
Using the Television Program Guide In the Guide, you can scroll through a list of the current television programs and channels available from your television service provider. The Guide displays the channel and network, as well as the show title and scheduled time block. The number of days displayed depends on your television service provider. -
Page 30: Searching For Programs In My Tv
Search tips: Using Categories to search can help you find, for example, all football games. A title or keyword search displays every show that has “football” in the title or description. The TV search results do not include previously recorded TV shows. - Page 31 Searching for programs using categories You can search the Guide to find a TV program by selecting a category using your remote control. To search for a TV show Press the Start button on the remote control, select My TV, and then select Search.
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Page 32: Recording Tv
If a show is currently being recorded, the Record icon also appears in the taskbar on the desktop. If you move your mouse over the icon, Media Center displays which show is currently being recorded. You can right-click the icon to open Media Center and stop recording. - Page 33 Recording from the Guide To record a current or future show or series from the Guide: Press the Start button on the remote control, select My TV, and then select Guide. Use the arrow buttons on the remote control to find the show you want to record, select the show, and then press OK.
- Page 34 Title search Recording from Search To record a current or future show or series using Search: Press the Start button on the remote control, select My TV, and then select Search. Select Title, Keyword, or Categories. For Title and Keyword searches, enter your descriptive search words.
- Page 35 Recording manually Recording a program manually allows you to select a specific date, channel, and recording time period. For some programs, you may want to begin recording before the scheduled beginning and after the scheduled ending of the program. To manually record a show or series: Press the Start button on the remote control, and then select Settings.
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Page 36: My Tv Settings
To optimize storage space on your hard drive, you can change recording settings by selecting Defaults from the Recorder page. Use the arrow buttons to select recording options. Press OK to change the setting. My TV Settings In the My TV Settings window, you can change several settings that control how Media Center plays and records TV programs, as well as how it plays DVDs. -
Page 37: Recorded Tv
Recorded TV Recorded TV is the storage place for all your recorded programs. In the Recorded TV window, you can sort your shows by name, date, or category. You can also delete a recorded program or series of programs and check for any recording errors. Playing a recorded program To find and play a recorded program: Press the Start button... -
Page 38: About Recording Errors
When you replace the hard disk drive, you can no longer play previously recorded TV programs. About Recording Errors A recording error means that a program scheduled to record was not recorded. This can occur for several reasons. If your PC was turned off and not in standby mode during the time the show was scheduled to record, or if there was a recording conflict with another scheduled program, a recording error occurs. -
Page 39: Resolving Recording Conflicts
Resolving Recording Conflicts Media Center can record only one TV show at a time. If you schedule two recordings for the same time, a message appears telling you to resolve the conflict. If you don’t resolve the conflict, Media Center automatically makes the selection just before the program begins recording. Before the program records, a conflict icon (a red circle with an exclamation point) is listed next to the program in the Guide. -
Page 40: Deleting A Scheduled Show Or Series
Deleting a Scheduled Show or Series To prevent recording conflicts, you may need to delete a program or series that is scheduled to be recorded. Press the Start button on the remote control, select My TV, and then select Settings. Select Recorder, and then select Scheduled. -
Page 41: My Music
What Can I Do in My Music? The My Music window in Media Center works with Windows Media Player to find and play your music files and CDs. You can use Windows Media Player to create your music library and then use Media Center to find and play your music using your remote control. -
Page 42: Windows Media Player
Media Center can find and play only those files that have been added to the Windows Media Player Library. What Can I Do in Windows Media Player? Windows Media Player allows you to copy digital music files and organize a music library that you can access by using the My Music window in Media Center. -
Page 43: Using Supported File Types For My Music
Using Supported File Types for My Music You can play the following types of digital audio files in Media Center. You can also select Media Center as the default player for any of the listed file types. Refer to Windows Media Player Help for more information about supported file types. -
Page 44: Using Remote Control In My Music
Using Remote Control in My Music Action Remote control button to press Play selected song Go to the next song in an album or playlist Go to the previous song in an album or playlist Pause song/press pause again to resume song Stop playing song Move around the menu items Enter selected menu item... -
Page 45: Creating Your Music Library Using Windows Media Player
Creating Your Music Library Using Windows Media Player To add music files Click Start on the taskbar, and then click Windows Media Player. Click the Media Library tab on the side of the window. The first time you select Media Library, a message tells you that Windows Media Player needs to search your computer for your music files. - Page 46 Your added music files can now be found and played back using My Music in Media Center. You may need to close and open Media Center for the added music files to appear in My Music. For more information about adding music files to the Media Library, use the Windows Media Player Help menu.
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Page 47: Adding Music From Your Hard Drive To Windows Media Player Library
Adding Music from Your Hard Drive to Windows Media Player Library You may have already copied and organized your music files on your hard drive. If so, you need to add them to the Windows Media Player Library to access them with the Media Center. -
Page 48: Playing Digital Music Files
Media Center cannot be used to record music files. Use Windows Media Player to record music files. To display CD information such as song titles and cover art in Media Center or in Windows Media Player, your PC needs to be connected to the Internet. -
Page 49: Finding Music Files In My Music
Finding Music Files in My Music After you have added and organized files in Windows Media Player Library, you can browse through your music files in the My Music window. You can search for music files by album title, artist, song title, or music genre. You can also use the search feature to quickly find a specific song, album, or artist. -
Page 50: Playing A Song
Playing a Song You can play a song from anywhere in My Music. You can select it from the View Song list, or from the Album, Artist, and Genre lists. You can also play a single song from a playlist: In the My Music window, select View Songs. -
Page 51: Finding And Playing An Album
Finding and Playing an Album In the Media Center Start menu, select My Music, and then select Albums. In the Albums window, select View by list or View by cover to organize all of the albums available. Use the arrow buttons to select an album, and then press OK on the remote control. -
Page 52: Creating A Playlist
Creating a Playlist A playlist is a customized list of digital music files. Using playlists, you can group various digital music files together and determine the order in which you want the files to play. You can create a playlist that includes several tracks from various CDs or even a playlist that contains background music for a slide show. -
Page 53: My Pictures
What Can I Do in My Pictures? The My Pictures window in Media Center is a great way to view and share your pictures. In My Pictures, you can: View pictures individually or as a slide show. Change transition time and display order of the pictures in your slide show. -
Page 54: Using Supported File Types For My Pictures
If the message Image cannot be displayed appears, the file may be corrupted or it may be an unsupported file type. You may need to edit your image with a photo editor and resave it in a supported file format. Using Supported File Types for My Pictures You can view the following types of image files in Media Center. -
Page 55: Organizing Your Pictures
Organizing Your Pictures When you save pictures from your digital camera or scanner to your computer, Windows automatically stores them in the My Pictures folder in Windows Explorer. Before opening Media Center and viewing your pictures, you may want to spend some time organizing your pictures. - Page 56 Move picture files from other places on your computer’s hard drive to My Pictures folder. You can add, delete, rename, and organize your picture files into specific folders within My Pictures, such as Vacation or Birthday. If you want to share your pictures with others, place your pictures in the Shared Pictures folder.
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Page 57: Viewing Your Pictures In Media Center
Viewing Your Pictures in Media Center After you organize your pictures in the My Pictures folder in Windows Explorer, open Media Center to view your pictures: Press the Start button on the remote control to open the Media Center Start menu. - Page 58 In the My Pictures menu, select Settings to: Set slide delay time. Set the slide show to include folders you have created. Set the slide show to display your pictures randomly. To view pictures as a slide show Press the Start button on the remote control to open the Media Center Start menu.
- Page 59 To sort pictures To organize your pictures by date or by name: Select My Pictures on the Media Center Start menu. Select Sort by date or select Sort by name. To view a slide show with music Select My Music on the Media Center Start menu.
- Page 60 Select Play slide show, and then press OK. When Media Center switches to full screen mode, the inset window disappears but the music continues to play.
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Page 61: My Videos
What Can I Do in My Videos? The My Videos window in Media Center makes it easy to play home video files you created or video files you downloaded from the Internet. In My Videos you can: Browse through and play back all of your digital video files using the remote control or the keyboard and mouse. -
Page 62: Using Remote Control When Playing A Video
If the video is paused when you press Skip, the video will advance 30 seconds and remain paused. Press Play on the remote control to resume playing the video. Using Remote Control When Playing a Video Action Plays video Moves video forward/press up to three times to advance faster Moves video forward 30 seconds Moves video backward/press twice to rewind faster... -
Page 63: Using Supported File Types For My Videos
Using Supported File Types for My Videos You can view the following types of video files in Media Center. Other file types are supported if your PC has the correct audio and video cards installed. File extension File type .avi Video file .mpeg, mpg, .mpe, .mlv, Movie file... -
Page 64: Organizing Your Videos
Organizing Your Videos When you attach a digital video camera to your PC, Windows asks you how you want to capture your video. You can choose from various software programs to capture and then edit your video file. Most programs automatically save your file to the My Videos folder in Windows Explorer. -
Page 65: Playing Digital Videos
Use the mouse to resize the window if you want to watch your video while doing something else on your desktop. If you do not have any videos displayed, this message appears. Use the mouse to select the up and... - Page 66 If your video is playing in full screen mode and you want to see it play in the inset window, press the Back button on the remote control. When the video is finished, select Restart and then press OK to replay the video, or select Done and press OK to close the file and return to the My Videos window.
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Page 67: Playing A Video In Full Screen Mode
Playing a Video in Full Screen Mode On the Media Center Start menu, select My Videos. On the My Videos menu, select My Videos or Shared Video. Use the arrow buttons to select the folder you want, and then press OK. Select the video file and press OK again. -
Page 68: Viewing Video Details
Viewing Video Details To display information about the video in Media Center, select a video file from the My Videos or Shared Videos window, and then press the Details button on the remote control. The details include: Video title. Video description (if available). Date the video file was created. -
Page 69: Play Dvd
Playing DVDs in Media Center Watching DVDs in Media Center allows you to control the playback with your remote control. If you select to play your DVD in another program, the use of some of the remote control buttons is not supported. -
Page 70: Using Remote Control When Playing A Dvd
Using Remote Control When Playing a DVD Action Remote control button to press Plays movie/stops fast forward or rewind actions and begins playing movie Fast forwards the movie/press it again to move forward faster Rewinds the movie/press it again to rewind faster Skips to next DVD chapter and begins playing Returns to the previous DVD chapter and begins playing Pauses movie/resumes paused movie... - Page 71 If you already have a DVD movie in your drive, but you have been doing other things in Media Center or in other programs from your desktop, you can play the DVD by: Press the Start button on the remote control.
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Page 73: Settings
Changing Media Center Settings In the Media Center Settings window, you can change settings for watching television, for viewing your pictures and slide shows, and for controlling sound and the display of all the Media Center windows. Administrator controlled settings Some settings apply to all Media Center windows for all users and must be set up by the administrator. -
Page 74: Changing General Settings
Changing General Settings General settings affect each user’s experience in Media Center and can be changed only by the administrator of the computer. In the Media Center Start menu, select Settings. You may need to select the scroll arrows in the Start menu to view Settings. -
Page 75: Changing Tv Recorder Settings
Changing TV Recorder Settings The TV Recorder settings allow you to control your recording priorities and options in Media Center. In the Media Center Start menu, select Settings. Select TV/DVD. Select Recorder. Select Scheduled to check a list of scheduled recordings, delete scheduled recordings, resolve recording conflicts, and to change recording priorities for the programs you scheduled to record. -
Page 76: About Recorded Tv Storage Space Settings
If your PC has a dvd writer drive, you can archive your recorded TV programs to DVD+RW or DVD+R media and play them back on your PC in Media Center. The total space available for recording TV programs varies depending on the amount of space used for the operating system, other software programs, and data files on your hard disk. - Page 77 Recording quality and hard disk storage space The space available for recording TV programs depends on your hard disk size, the percentage of hard disk space allocated to recorded TV, and the recording quality setting. To get the maximum recording time, change the recording quality to Fair instead of the default setting of Best.
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Page 78: Archiving Recorded Tv Programs To Dvd
Recorded TV programs cannot be changed to other formats. Recorded TV programs that have been copied to a DVD can be played only from your PC. Recorded TV programs can be backed up as part of a full system backup and restored to the same PC, but not to other PCs. -
Page 79: Change Tv Guide Settings
Change TV Guide Settings In the Guide Settings you can select which channels to display and you can manually update your Guide from the Internet. TV Guide settings are the same for each user and can be changed only by the administrator of the computer. -
Page 80: Changing Parental Controls For Tv Viewing
Changing Parental Controls for TV Viewing Only the administrator of the computer can change the Parental Control setting. This feature may not be available on your PC. In the Media Center Start menu, select Settings. You may need to select the scroll arrows on the Start menu to view Settings. -
Page 81: Changing Dvd Movie Language
Changing DVD Movie Language To select DVD language settings for subtitles, closed captioning, and viewing the DVD: In the Media Center Start menu, select Settings. In the Settings window, select TV/DVD. In the TV/DVD Settings window, select DVD and then select Language. Use the arrow buttons to select the + or - buttons. -
Page 82: Selecting Closed Captioning
Selecting Closed Captioning The audio settings window allows you to select closed captioning. Closed captioning displays the TV’s spoken audio in text format for those who are unable to hear the audio. To select closed captioning In the Media Center Start menu, select Settings. -
Page 83: Changing Picture Settings
Changing Picture Settings Each user can set his or her own picture settings. In the Media Center Start menu, select Settings. You may need to select the scroll arrows on the Start menu to view Settings. In the Settings window, select Pictures. Use the arrow buttons on the remote control to select an option. -
Page 85: Troubleshooting
Using Microsoft Windows Media Center Help If you need more information about using or troubleshooting Media Center, refer to the Media Center online Help files. To open Media Center Help Press the Start button on the remote control. Move the mouse to activate the Media Center navigation bar, and then select the Help icon from any window in Media Center.