hp media center pc

Microsoft Windows XP
Media Center Edition
user’s guide

i
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© Hewlett-Packard Company, 2002. All rights reserved.

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 Table of Contents

Introduction .............................. 1 Resolving Recording Conflicts ................... 35 Organizing Your Videos ........................... 60
Getting Started with Microsoft Windows XP Deleting a Scheduled Show or Series ........ 36 Playing Digital Videos .............................. 61
Media Center Edition ............................ 1 Deleting a Recorded Show or Series .......... 36 Playing a Video in Full Screen Mode ......... 63
Getting Help .............................................. 2 My Music ................................ 37 Sorting Videos ......................................... 63
Getting the Most out of Media Center .......... 2 Viewing Video Details .............................. 64
What Can I Do in My Music? ................... 37
Media Center Overview ............................. 3 What Can I Do in Play DVD ................................ 65
Media Center Start Menu ........................... 5 Windows Media Player? ...................... 38 Playing DVDs in Media Center .................. 65
Media Center Setup ................................... 6 Using Supported File Types for Using Remote Control When
Using the Media Center Setup Wizard ........ 7 My Music ........................................... 39 Playing a DVD .................................... 66
Watching the Introducing Windows Using Remote Control in My Music ............ 40
Media Center Video .............................. 9 Settings .................................. 69
Creating Your Music Library Using
Opening Media Center ............................ 10 Changing Media Center Settings ............... 69
Windows Media Player ....................... 41
Switching to the Windows Desktop ............ 10 Changing General Settings ....................... 70
Adding Music from Your Hard Drive to
Displaying Media Center Toolbars ............. 11 Changing TV Recorder Settings ................. 71
Windows Media Player Library ............ 43
Setting Media Center as the Default .......... 11 About Recorded TV Storage Space
Playing Digital Music Files ........................ 44
Using Shortcut Buttons .............................. 12 Settings .............................................. 72
Finding Music Files in My Music ............... 45
Archiving Recorded TV Programs
Remote Control ....................... 13 Playing a Song ........................................ 46
to DVD ............................................... 74
What Can I Do with the Media Center Setting Up an Automatic Disc Jockey ......... 46
Watching TV Programs That Are
Remote Control? .................................. 13 Finding and Playing an Album .................. 47
Archived to DVD ................................. 74
Remote Control Buttons Overview .............. 14 Creating a Playlist .................................... 48
Change TV Guide Settings ........................ 75
Remote Control Button Groups .................. 15 My Pictures ............................. 49 Changing Parental Controls for
Using the Media Center Remote Control .... 16 What Can I Do in My Pictures? ................. 49 TV Viewing ......................................... 76
My TV ..................................... 21 Using Supported File Types for Changing DVD Movie Language ............... 77
What Can I Do in My TV? ........................ 21 My Pictures ......................................... 50 Selecting Closed Captioning ..................... 78
Watching TV ........................................... 22 Using Remote Control in My Pictures ......... 50 Changing Picture Settings ......................... 79
Using Remote Control in My TV ................. 23 Organizing Your Pictures .......................... 51 Troubleshooting ...................... 81
Watching Live TV Using Time Shifting ........ 24 Viewing Your Pictures in Media Center ...... 53
Using Microsoft Windows Media
Using the Television Program Guide .......... 25 My Videos .............................. 57 Center Help ........................................ 81
Searching for Programs in My TV .............. 26 What Can I Do in My Videos? .................. 57
Recording TV ........................................... 28 Using Remote Control When
My TV Settings ......................................... 32 Playing a Video .................................. 58
Recorded TV ............................................ 33 Using Supported File Types for
About Recording Errors ............................ 34 My Videos .......................................... 59

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iv
 Introduction

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.

When using the remote control and the Media

Center program, you can:

■ Watch, record, and play back television

programs.

■ Pause, rewind, and fast forward TV

programs by using the Media Center time
shifting feature.

■ Watch an instant replay.

■ Play back your digital videos.

■ View your digital pictures or play them as a

slide show with music.

■ Browse, select, and play music CDs and

DVD movies.

■ Resume playing your DVDs where you ■ Watch TV or a DVD movie while doing ■ Quickly open specific windows in Media
left off. other tasks on your computer. Center by using the shortcut buttons
on the remote control or on the front of
■ Navigate the Media Center program by Record your TV shows automatically while
■ your computer.
using either the remote control or the mouse you are doing something else.
and keyboard. ■ Easily update the Television Program Guide
from the Internet.

1
 Getting Help
The Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition User’s Guide can help you get started using the
Media Center program with your remote control. Other sources of help are:

■ Setup poster ■ Media Center Help

Information about assembling your Help files about using and troubleshooting
computer system the Media Center program

■ HP Media Center PC Hardware ■ Windows Media Player Help

User’s Guide Help files about using and troubleshooting
Information about connecting your PC to the Windows Media Player program
the Internet, to your TV and stereo, and
connecting any gaming controllers such as ■ Media Center introduction video
a joystick Instructional overview of the Media
Center program
■ HP DVD Writer Guide
Information about using your DVD Writer ■ HP Web site
drive and the DVD writing software http://www.hp.com
Technical support

Getting the Most out of Media Center

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:

n
Connections to the Internet and to a
■ HP Media Center PC is set up correctly. For
setup information, refer to the setup poster
■ Remote sensor control cable is securely
plugged into the remote sensor and
attached to your cable or satellite set-top
and to the HP Media Center PC Hardware
TV signal source are optional, but box, if present.
User’s Guide.
they are recommended to get the
most out of Media Center. ■ Remote control has two AA alkaline ■ PC has a properly configured and working
batteries installed. Internet connection.

■ Remote sensor is properly plugged into a ■ PC is properly connected to your TV signal

USB connector on your PC and is placed source.
where you can point the remote control
at it.

2
Media Center Overview

Introduction
You can control the Media Center functions user hp ? photo music video shopping sports finance connect search chat e-mail eject1 rec
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and navigate Media Center windows by using

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mouse. You can easily switch back and forth

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down page
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between them by moving the mouse or by caps lock

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keyboard.

To open Media Center, simply point the remote

control at the remote sensor and press
the Start button. Media Center opens in
full screen mode. Make sure the remote
control is in the correct range of the remote
sensor.
45°
You can run Media Center side by side with
other Windows software programs. It’s
possible to browse through your pictures,
watch videos, play music, and even record
TV while using other Windows programs. 26 feet
(8m)

3
Opening Media Center
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
buttons on the remote control or the keyboard,
or use the mouse to navigate and select menu
options. You may need to use the scroll buttons
to view all items in some Media Center menus.
To enter a selection, press OK on the remote
control, press the Enter key on the keyboard,
or click the mouse.

Navigating Media Center

In the Media Center windows, a selected item
such as a folder, file, or menu item is outlined
with a green border.

To select items in Media Center, use the arrow

buttons on the remote control, and then use the
OK button to enter your selection.

If you have media playing, such as music or

television, it appears in an inset window in the
lower left corner. To switch from watching your
media in the inset window to watching it in full
screen mode, use the arrows on the remote
control to select it and then press OK.
See diagram on the next page. Selected item

4
Media Center Start Menu

Introduction
Log off to end your Media Center
session or to switch users

Media Center Start menu Close window

n
You can use the Minimize and
Resize buttons to run Media Center
Go Back Resize window
side by side with another program
Minimize window from your desktop.
Media Center Help

Watch, record, and play back live

TV programs

Play music files or music CDs

View digital pictures or play a slide show

Watch your home videos

Watch DVD movies

Change Media Center program settings

Media playback controls Inset window that shows

media currently playing

5
 Media Center Setup
The first time you open Media Center, a setup wizard opens. Use the setup wizard to test your
remote control and to configure your Internet connection, TV signal, and Television Program
Guide. This may take approximately 10 to 40 minutes to complete.

To complete the setup wizard you need to:

■ Be logged on as the administrator. For more information, go to Microsoft Help.

■ Have an Internet connection to download your television service provider’s program guide.

■ Provide your ZIP Code.

■ Provide the name of your television service provider, if you subscribe to either cable or
satellite TV.

■ Provide the brand of your set-top box, if you use one.

You can click the Help button any time while completing the setup wizard.

n
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.

6
Using the Media Center Setup Wizard

Introduction
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.

Press the Start button on the remote control. The Media Center setup wizard opens.
Follow onscreen instructions to complete the following four steps:

1 Check Your Remote Control This step is an interactive test to make sure the remote
control is working with the remote sensor. Before performing this test:

■ Make sure the remote control has two

AA alkaline batteries installed.

■ Make sure you point the remote control

at the remote sensor.

■ Make sure the LED on the remote control

blinks when a button is pressed.

7
 2 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.
Select from the onscreen choices, and then follow onscreen instructions:
■ A broadband or LAN connection (continuous connection using a digital cable provider
or LAN)
■ None, I will connect manually (manual connection using a dial-up ISP provider)
To set this up later, select Settings from the Media Center Start menu, select General, and
then select Internet Connection.

3 Set up Television Signal This step makes sure your computer receives the correct TV
signal and the correct Television Program Guide information. If you have a set-top box, the
setup wizard programs your remote control to work with your set-top box so that you can view
premium channels. Make sure the TV signal source is properly connected to your PC and the
correct TV provider is selected.

To set this up later, select Settings from the Media Center Start menu, select TV/DVD, and
then select TV signal.

4 Set up Television Program Guide An Internet connection is needed to complete this

step. If your computer isn’t connected to the Internet or if Media Center hasn’t configured your
ISP information in step 2, you will see No data available in the Television Program Guide.

To set this up later, select Settings from the Media Center Start menu, select TV/DVD, and
then select Guide setup, and then Change lineup.

8
Watching the Introducing Windows Media Center Video

Introduction
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.

To play this video in Media Center using the

remote control:

1 Press Start button on your remote

control.

2 On the Media Center Start menu, use the

arrow buttons to select My Videos and
then press OK.

3 Select Shared Video and then press OK.

4 Select the Sample Video folder and then
press OK.

5 Select the Introducing Windows

Media Center video and press OK to
begin watching it.

6 Use the media playback buttons to control

the video.

To play this video in Windows Media Player using the mouse:

1 Click Start on the taskbar and then click My Computer.

2 Double-click the Shared Documents folder.

3 Double-click the Sample Video folder.
4 Double-click the mcintro file to begin the Media Center introduction video.
5 Use the Windows Media Player buttons to control the video.

9
 Opening Media Center
To open the Media Center program:

■ Press the Start button on your remote

control.

Or

■ Click Start on the taskbar,

and then click Media Center.

Or

■ Click the Media Center

icon on your desktop.

Media Center Start icon

Switching to the Windows Desktop
You can switch to the desktop at any time
Minimize without closing Media Center.
Resize window To display the desktop, select the Minimize
Close window icon by using the arrow buttons on the remote
control or by using the mouse.

To return to Media Center, use the mouse to

click the Media Center icon on the taskbar.

10
Displaying Media Center Toolbars

Introduction
When you move the mouse, the Media Center
toolbars appear. When you use the remote Channel up and down
control, they disappear. Replay, Rewind (Previous)
Play
Stop Skip, Fast Forward (Next)
Media Center Media Record Mute
Start menu Go Back Center Help
Volume up and down

Media playback

Setting Media Center as the Default

When you insert a CD and Media Center is active, your CD plays automatically after a few
seconds. If you are not in Media Center, Windows asks you what you want to do with the CD.
To avoid this message, you can select Media Center as the primary program to play CDs.

To select Media Center as the primary CD playing program:

1 Close Media Center.

2 Insert a CD into the drive. A message appears asking you what you want Windows to do.
3 Select Play Audio CD using Windows Media Center.
4 Check the Always do the selected action check box, and then click OK.

11
 Using Shortcut Buttons
Remote control
You can use the remote control shortcut buttons to open windows in Media Center. Refer to the
Remote Control chapter for more information about the shortcut buttons on the remote control.

Front of computer
TV GUIDE MUSIC PICTURES VIDEOS
You can use the shortcut buttons on the front of the PC to open Media Center when the computer
is already turned on.

Keyboard
user hp ? photo music video shopping sports finance connect search chat e-mail eject1 rec
play pause
stop
+ 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
eject2 prev next
l l
volume

esc F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 F8 F9 F10 F11 F12 prt scr scrol pause

shortcut keys.
sysrg lock break

~ ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ + backspace insert home page num / *

up lock
` 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 - =

tab Q W E R T Y U I O P { } | delete end page 7 8 9 +

down page
[ ] \ home up

caps lock A S D F G H J K L : " enter 4 5 6

; '

shift Z X C V B N M < > ? shift 1 2 3 enter

page
, . / end down

ctrl alt alt ctrl 0 .

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12
 Remote Control

What Can I Do with the Media Center Remote Control?

Your remote control is designed to work with
Media Center. You can use your remote control
with Media Center to play CDs, DVDs, and

Remote Control
videos, to view pictures, and to watch and
record television programs.

This remote control helps you navigate the

Media Center windows on your computer just
as a cable TV remote control navigates cable
TV options or controls the playback of a movie
in a VCR or DVD player.
45°
Remote control can:
■ Navigate and control all Media Center
windows.
■ Control the video or live TV display. 26 feet
■ Place the computer in and out of standby
(8m)
mode.
Remote control cannot:
■ Navigate the Windows desktop or control
other computer programs outside of Media
Center.
n
Your remote control can send a
■ Be used as a VCR, DVD player, or stereo strong signal to the remote sensor
remote control. from within a range of about
26 feet.
■ Turn the computer on or off (shut down PC).
■ Turn a TV that is connected to your Make sure there is nothing blocking
computer on or off. the pathway between your remote
control and the remote sensor.

13
Remote Control Buttons Overview
햲 Standby puts the PC into a power 헁 TV opens My TV window.
reduced state called standby. An LED
헂 Pictures opens My Pictures window.
located under the Standby button blinks
when the remote control is transmitting a 헃 Video opens My Videos window.
signal to the remote sensor. You must press
헄 Play plays selected media.
Standby for 1–2 seconds.
헅 Stop stops media currently playing.
햳 This button has no function.
헆 FWD (Fast forward) moves media
햴 Music opens My Music window. forward at 3 speeds.
햵 Recorded TV opens Recorded TV Skip moves media forward, for example,
window.
30 seconds in videos and live TV, one
햶 Record records selected television music track or one DVD chapter.
program and stores it on the hard disk.
Guide opens Television Program Guide
햷 REW (Rewind) moves the media to display available TV channels and
backward at 2 speeds. programs to watch and record.
햸 Replay moves media backward, for OK selects desired action or window
example, 7 seconds in videos and live TV, option. It acts as the Enter key. If watching
one music track or one DVD chapter at TV in full screen mode, pressing OK
a time. switches back to the previous channel
watched. Press again to toggle back. It acts
햹 Pause pauses audio or video track, or
the same way as a Jump button on some TV
pauses live or recorded TV programs.
remote controls.
햺 Back returns PC to the previous window
DVD Menu opens main menu on a DVD
within Media Center.
movie, if available.
햻 Arrow buttons move cursor to navigate Start opens Media Center to the main
within all Media Center windows.
Start menu.
햽 Live TV is a shortcut to the full screen view
Channel/Page up (+) and down (-)
of live TV. It also moves to the current point
changes TV channel or moves page up and
in live TV program after pausing live TV.
down, depending on available options.
햾 Details displays available information
Mute turns computer sound off.
about selected media file.
0 to 9 changes channels or enters text into
햿 Volume increases (+) and decreases (-)
Media Center search or text box.
sound.
Enter selects desired action or window
헀 Clear deletes selection and works as the option.
backspace button does on a keyboard.

14
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.
Media playback

Remote Control
The direct access buttons open specific
windows within Media Center.

Media playback
The media playback buttons control the
playback of music, DVD movies, videos,
Navigation and other direct access
recorded and live TV programs, and picture
slide shows within Media Center.

Navigation and other direct access

The navigation buttons move the cursor around
Media Center windows and select desired
actions as a mouse does.

The other direct access buttons open specific

windows within Media Center, such as the
Television Program Guide, a DVD main menu,
and live TV in full screen mode.
Audio and Video
Audio and Video
The audio and video buttons control sound
and channel selection, display details, and
enter text.

15
 Using the Media Center Remote Control
To begin using your remote control:

1 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.

2 Press the Start button to start Media Center and to open the Media Center Start menu.

3 If this is your first time using the remote control, the Media Center setup wizard opens. Follow
onscreen instructions to complete the remote control setup steps.

Or

If you have completed the Media Center setup wizard, the Media Center Start menu opens.
Use the arrow keys on the remote control to select an item, and then press OK to select an
option and to begin using Media Center.

16
Direct access buttons Standby button Standby button
The direct access buttons open the main The Standby button puts the computer into a
Media Center windows. power reduced state, called standby, which
runs the computer with minimal power until
■ TV opens the My TV window where you you give it a command. To take the computer
can watch and record TV and access other out of standby, press the Standby button for
My TV features. at least one to two seconds on the remote Remote
control. control
■ Recorded TV opens the Recorded TV LED
window where all your recorded TV Recording in standby mode
programs are stored. From this window, Media Center can record TV programs when

Remote Control
you can search for and play back a the computer is in standby mode because
recorded show. Media Center takes the PC out of standby
mode when a scheduled show begins

n
■ Music opens the My Music window recording. The PC returns to standby mode
where you can play music CDs and your when recording is complete.
music files.shut down and unplug
Always
your computer before moving it to Media Center begins recording with the Make sure you turn off the monitor
■ Pictures opens the
avoid damage My Pictures window
to internal monitor and sound turned on unless you and turn down or mute the volume
where you can search for, sort, and view
components. manually turn them off before the scheduled if you, for example, have a
pictures and slide shows that are stored in recording. scheduled recording in the middle
the My Pictures or the Shared Pictures folder of the night and don’t want to be
in Windows Explorer. Media Center cannot record TV programs disturbed.
if the computer is turned off.
■ Video opens the My Videos window where The PC will not automatically go
you can search for, sort, and play back your Remote control LED and into standby mode if Media Center
recorded video files that are stored in the the remote sensor LED is open. It is best to close Media
My Videos or the Shared Videos folder in Under the Standby button is an LED (light- Center before you place the PC in
Windows Explorer. emitting diode) that blinks when the remote standby mode.
control is sending a signal to the remote
sensor.

The remote sensor displays a red LED when

w
you press a button on the remote control.
Some kinds of lighting may cause the remote
sensor to blink without you pressing the remote
control. If you turn off (shut down) your PC,
Media Center will not record a
scheduled TV program. Your PC
must be turned on or in standby
mode to record TV programs.

17
 Media playback buttons
These buttons allow you to play back picture Use REW to rewind selected video or picture
slide shows, music files, playlists, music CDs, media. Press REW again to increase the
DVD movies, home videos, and live TV, from rewinding speed.
within the Media Center program.
Pressing the REW button:
Use Pause to pause selected media. Press
Pause and then FWD repeatedly to play ■ Moves the picture slide show backward to
media frame by frame in slow motion. To the previous picture.
continue slow motion, you must press the
FWD button more than once. ■ Moves the video backward.

Use Play to play selected media. ■ Moves live TV program to the beginning of
the 30-minute pause buffer.
Use FWD to move selected video or picture
media forward. Press FWD up to three times Use Record to record TV programs. The

n to increase the fast fowarding speed. Record button works only when My TV is used
to play a TV show. It is inactive when other
Pressing the FWD button: media is playing.
Press the Pause button and then
press the FWD button repeatedly to ■ Moves pictures forward to the next picture. ■ While watching live TV or in the Guide,
watch media frame by frame in you can press the Record button once to
slow motion. ■ Moves a video forward. record a TV show.

Press the REW or the Replay button ■ Moves a TV program (that has been paused ■ In the Guide, you can press it twice to
and then the Play button to watch or stopped) forward to the current moment record a TV series.
an instant replay. in live TV, and then begins playing.
■ In the Guide, press it three times to cancel
Not all video files can be fast recording.
forwarded or rewound.

18
Use Stop to stop selected media from playing. Use Replay to move backward 7 seconds in
When this is pressed while you are watching the selected audio or video file.
TV, the Media Center pause buffer continues
to record in the background. ■ For music, Replay moves to the previous
track.
Use Skip to move forward in the selected
audio or video file. ■ For DVDs, Replay moves to the previous
chapter.
■ For music, Skip moves to the next track.
■ For videos and live TV and videos,

Remote Control
■ For DVDs, Skip moves to the next chapter. Replay moves back 7 seconds.

■ For videos and live TV and videos,

Skip moves ahead 30 seconds.

Navigation and other direct access buttons

These buttons allow you to move the cursor Use DVD Menu to open the DVD main menu.
and to select actions within the Media Center
windows. Use Live TV to view live TV in full screen
mode.
Use the Start button to open the Media
Center Start menu if you are in Media Center The Live TV button:
or if you are at the desktop.
■ Moves a TV program forward to the end of
Use Arrows to move between menus, the pause buffer and resumes playing live
windows, or activities. TV. When you pause a TV program, you
can use the Live TV button to move forward
Use OK to select a desired action. The OK to live TV.
button works as an Enter button. If you are
watching live TV, press OK to go to the ■ Opens Media Center and then begins
previous channel. Press OK again to toggle playing live TV in full screen mode.
back to the original channel you were
watching.

Use Back to return to a previous window.

Use Guide to open the Television Program

n
Some older DVDs may not include a
Guide.
DVD menu.

19
 Audio and Video buttons

The audio and video buttons change channels, Use the numeric buttons 0 to 9 to change
adjust volume, and show details of selected channels and enter text.
media.
■ Change channels when live TV is playing.
Use Volume (+ and -) to increase or decrease
computer volume. ■ Enter text in the Media Center search
feature. Each time you press a number key,
Use Mute to turn off the sound. Mute appears a different character appears. When you
in the window when it is turned on. find the character you want, press the
Enter button.
Use Details to display media information, if
available. This button displays details such as Use Clear to delete the last character entered.
TV program summary or music artist. You may Clear works the same way as a backspace
need to be connected to the Internet to receive command on a keyboard.
TV programming or CD artist information.
Use Enter to select a desired action, menu,
Use Channel/Page (+ and -) to change or window. Enter works the same way as the
channels up and down or to move the cursor to OK button.
the next or previous page of options. Changes
channels for live TV or changes camera angle
when DVD movies are playing.

20
 My TV

What Can I Do in My TV?

Scroll through the Television
The My TV window in Media Center works
Program Guide for programs to
with the Media Center remote control so
watch and record
you can watch and record TV at your own
convenience and pace.
View a list
of all your
In My TV you can:
recorded
programs
■ Watch your favorite television programs in
and find out
full screen mode or in an inset window.
why your
program
■ Pause, stop, rewind, and fast forward live
wasn’t
TV, similar to the way you would control a
recorded
DVD from a DVD player.
Quickly find
■ Record a single TV show or an entire series. a TV show
My TV will manage the recordings for you or series to
and give advanced warning if there are watch or
any recording conflicts.

My TV
record using
a descriptive
■ Create a recorded TV library. word, show
title, or show
■ Search for TV shows to watch or record category
using the Television Program Guide.

■ Quickly check which TV shows you have

scheduled to record.

■ Browse for TV shows in Search by title,

keyword, or category.
Change recording TV channel currently
■ Simultaneously watch a recorded show and
priorities, TV Guide playing
record a live show.
settings, and other
settings

21
 Watching TV
Before you can watch TV by using Media Center, make sure:

n
You can change the channel by
■ 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.

using the remote control while in
full screen mode or when the inset
window is selected.

You can go to live TV from

anywhere in Windows Media
Center by pressing Live TV on the
remote control.
To watch a television program

1 Press the TV button on the remote control.

The last channel selected or the first channel
available begins playing next to the My TV
menu.

2 Select a channel by using the

Channel/Page (+ or -) buttons or by using
the numeric buttons on the remote control.
The channel number displays in the
window.

3 Using the arrow buttons, select the TV

viewing window, and then press OK to
maximize the TV window to full screen
mode. You can also press the Live TV
button to watch TV in full screen mode.

4 Press Back on the remote control to exit

full screen mode and return to the previous
window.

22
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 Remote control button to press

Press Pause to freeze the live TV image. While paused, My TV

continues to record a pause buffer for up to 30 minutes. Press
Play to resume watching TV where you left off.

Press Live TV to maximize the TV viewing window to full screen

mode. Also, you can press Live TV to advance to the end of the
pause buffer and resume watching the actual point in the live TV
program.

Press Stop once to stop live TV or a recorded program. Press

Play to resume watching the program.

Press Fast Forward (FWD) to move forward in the live TV

program that has been paused, or in a recorded program. If
watching live TV, FWD can advance only to the live moment in
the broadcast. Press FWD two or three times to speed up the
fast forwarding. Press Play to resume watching the program.

My TV
Press Skip once to advance in live TV or in a recorded program
by 30 seconds. You can repeatedly skip forward but only
to the end of the pause buffer or the recorded show.

Press Rewind (REW) to move backward in live TV or a

recorded program. Press REW two times to speed up rewinding.
Press Play to resume watching the program.

Press Replay to move backward in live TV by seven seconds.

You can repeatedly rewind with the instant replay option but
only to the beginning of the pause buffer or recorded show.
Press Play to resume watching the program.

23
 Watching Live TV Using Time Shifting
When you open the My TV window and begin watching live TV, Media Center begins recording

n
the selected program in the background for up to 30 minutes.

This allows you to use your remote control to stop, pause, rewind, and fast forward live TV
The 30-minute pause buffer applies programs within a 30-minute time range. Recording continues in the background, with a slight
only when pausing, rewinding, and delay. When you pause a live TV program, the time shifting window appears.
fast forwarding live TV. Media
You can always move to the actual point in the live broadcast by pressing the Live TV button on
Center allows you to record a
the remote control.
program for longer than 30
minutes.
When you change the channel, Media Center deletes the previously recorded portion and begins
recording again after a short delay.

You cannot use time shifting when recording a

TV program. For example, you can’t pause a
live TV program and then rewind and begin
recording. You can record a TV program only
from live TV.

Program was rewound

and paused at 4:12 p.m.

Time shifting window

with the pause buffer
time highlighted in green

Pause buffer began Pause buffer has

recording around 3:55 p.m. recorded until 4:16 p.m.

24
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. By selecting a program title, a detailed description of the program
appears at the bottom of the window.

■ You can have Media Center automatically

connect to the Internet and update your
Guide. Not all Internet Service Providers
support this feature.
n
The Guide is a shared programing
■ You can manually update the Guide in schedule that is visible to all users.
the Media Center Settings window at any A message appears if someone
time even if you have automatic updates tries to schedule a recording during
set up. Refer to the Settings chapter for a time period already scheduled.
more information.
If the Guide is not updated,
■ If the Guide has not been downloaded from the number of days displayed
the Internet because there is no Internet decreases each day until the Guide
connection, you will see No data available is updated again.
next to each channel.

■ The number of channels and calendar days

of TV listings depends on your television

My TV
service provider.

■ The Guide does not display past TV listings.

Your Internet Service Provider:

■ May not support automatic

Guide updates. You may need to
manually update your Guide in the
Settings window.

■ May not disconnect

automatically from the Internet
when the Guide update is
completed. You may need
to manually disconnect from
the Internet.

25
 Searching for Programs in My TV
You can search the Guide to find a TV program by entering a title, keyword, or by selecting a
category using your remote control.
To search for a TV show

1 Press the Start button on the remote

control, select My TV, and then select
Search.

2 Select Title. Use the numeric buttons on

your remote control to enter a program title
word, and then press OK on the remote
control.

Or

Search tips:
n Select Keyword. Use the numeric
buttons on your remote control to enter a
descriptive word that would appear in a
program title or program description, and
then press OK on the remote control.
■ Using Categories to search can
help you find, for example, all
football games. A title or keyword
3 Use the arrow buttons to scroll through
search results, select a show, and then
search displays every show that
press OK. If multiple times for the show
has “football” in the title or
are displayed, select a time and press OK.
description.

■ The TV search results do not

4 Select Play in the window, and then
press OK on the remote control to begin
include previously recorded TV
watching the program in full screen mode.
shows.
If the show is not currently playing, select
Record show or Record Series, and
then press OK.

26
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

1 Press the Start button on the remote

control, select My TV, and then select
Search.

2 Select Categories. Select a category of

program types such as Movies or Sports,
and then press OK on the remote control.
All items that match the category are
displayed in the search results. You can
sort them by date or by name.

3 Use the arrow buttons to scroll through

search results and to select a show. Then
press OK.

4 Select Play in the window, and then

press OK on the remote control to begin
watching the program in full screen mode.

My TV
If the show is not currently playing, you can
select Record show or Record Series,
and then press OK.

27
 Recording TV
Media Center allows you to record TV

n
programs so that you can watch them when
it is convenient. You can record the show you
are watching, or you can record another or
Recording TV tips future show or series from the Guide, the
Search, or the Settings window in My TV.
■ If you are watching live TV
After you have scheduled the recording of
during a scheduled recording time,
several shows or series, you can change the
you can watch only the show being
Record icon priority order in the My TV Settings window.
recorded. If you change channels,
recording stops. Recording a TV show
Record Series icon
■ If you go to another area in To record a TV show you are currently
Media Center, the TV channel you watching, just press the Record button on
Record Conflict/Error icon
last selected will be displayed in the remote control once. The Record icon
the inset window at the bottom of appears in the Guide next to the program
the window. being recorded or the program to be
recorded.
■ When scheduling a recording
in the Guide, you can press the If a show is currently being recorded, the
Record button once to record a Record icon also appears in the taskbar on
show, twice to record a series, or Record icon in taskbar the desktop. If you move your mouse over the
three times to cancel a scheduled icon, Media Center displays which show is
recording you just selected. currently being recorded. You can right-click
■ When you press the Record
button to record a show you
w the icon to open Media Center and stop
recording.
are watching, the recording If you turn off (shut down) your PC,
Media Center will not record a Media Center automatically records until the
automatically stops at the end of
scheduled program. Your PC must show is scheduled to be over as listed in the
the show’s regularly scheduled
be turned on or in standby mode to Guide. To make sure your show is being
end time.
record a TV program. The PC will recorded, you can select Guide. The Record
■ Some channels can be shared by not automatically go into standby icon should appear next to the show in the
two or more networks, depending mode if Media Center is open. Guide while you are recording. The Record
on the time of day. The Guide icon disappears when the recording is
may display only one network’s Make sure you turn off the monitor complete.
programming. This may cause and turn down or mute the volume
recording options to be if you, for example, have a If there is a recording conflict or error, the
unavailable. You may need to scheduled recording in the middle Record Conflict icon appears next to the
manually update the Guide before of the night and don’t want to be show in the Guide. This means the show will
scheduling a recording. disturbed. not be recorded unless the conflict is resolved.

28
Recording from the Guide
To record a current or future show or series from the Guide:

1 Press the Start button on the remote control, select My TV, and then select Guide.

2 Use the arrow buttons on the remote control

n
to find the show you want to record, select
the show, and then press OK.

You can also press the numeric buttons Recorded TV programs cannot be
on the remote control to go directly to a changed to other formats.
channel. Press the right arrow button in
the Guide to select a show that will be Recorded TV programs that have
broadcast in the future. been copied to a DVD can be
played only from your PC by
3 Select Record in the window and press double-clicking the file. Media
OK on the remote control to record the Center must be closed to play
show. The Record icon appears next recorded TV programs from a DVD.
to the show in Guide.
Recorded TV programs can be
Or backed up as part of a full system
backup and restored to the same
Select Record Series and press OK on the remote control to record the entire series.
PC, but not to other PCs.
The Record Series icon is displayed to indicate a series.

Or

My TV
Select Advanced Record to select recording options like recording start and stop times and

n
to select the quality of recording. Press Back on the remote control to select Record (show)
or Record Series options.

4 Press Back on the remote control to return to the previous window. Record Series means that you select
to record each available episode of
If there is a recording conflict, Media Center displays a message and allows you to select which that program from all channels that
show you want to record. are showing it. Media Center won’t
record duplicate episodes. Media
Center also looks for alternative
times to record an episode if a
recording conflict happens.

29
 Recording from Search
To record a current or future show or series using Search:

1 Press the Start button on the remote control, select My TV, and then select Search.

2 Select Title, Keyword, or Categories. For Title and Keyword searches, enter your
descriptive search words. Media Center starts searching from the first letter you type into
the text box. For a Categories search, select the category you want and press OK.

3 Use the arrow buttons to scroll through the search results to select the show you want to
record, select the show, and then press OK.

4 Select Record or Record Series in the window, and then press OK. The recording icon for
a single program or the recording icon for a series appears next to the show in the
Guide.

5 Press Back on the remote control to return to the previous window.

If there is a recording conflict, Media Center displays a message and allows you to select which
show you want to record.

Title search Keyword search Category search

30
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:

1 Press the Start button on the

remote control, and then select Settings.
You may need to select the scroll arrows
on the bottom of the window to view the
Settings button.

2 Select TV/DVD.
3 Select Manual Record.
4 Enter the channel number using the numeric
buttons on the remote control.

5 Use the arrow buttons on the remote control

to select the + or - buttons in the window.
Press OK on the remote control to scroll
through choices and enter the recording
frequency, date, start and stop times,
storage, and quality options.

My TV
6 Select Record in the window, and then
press OK on the remote control to set
the recording and return to the Settings
window.

7 Press Back on the remote control to return

to the Start menu.

31
 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. For more information about
My TV settings, refer to the Settings chapter.

For more information about advanced recording features, refer to Microsoft Media Center Help.

Changing recording priorities

To enable Media Center to resolve recording conflicts, you can set up how program recordings
are handled. The first time you try to record a show or series and there is another scheduled at
the same time, Media Center asks you which program you want to record.

To resolve a recording conflict:

1 Press the Start button on the remote control, select My TV, and then select Settings.

2 Select Recorder, and then select Scheduled to display a list of programs that you have
scheduled to record.

3 Select the program for which you want to change recording settings, and press OK on the
remote control.

4 Select Record in the window and then press OK on the remote control to record the
program. You can also select one of the following options:

■ Select Don’t Record to cancel the scheduled recording.

■ Select Cancel Series to cancel all the scheduled recordings in that program series.

■ Select Record Settings to select the recording start and stop times and other recording
priority settings.

n
To optimize storage space on
5 Press Back on the remote control to return to the previous window.

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.

32
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

n
Recorded TV’s Schedules window
To find and play a recorded program:
displays a list of shows scheduled
1 Press the Start button on the remote
to record in the future, beginning
with the current date. Each show
control, select My TV, and then select
is listed individually even if it is a
Recorded TV.
part of a series.
2 In the Recorded TV window you can:
■ Select Sort by date, Sort by
category, or Sort by name to
organize all of your previously
recorded programs.

■ Select Scheduled to view a list of all

programs scheduled to be recorded. You
can also resolve any recording conflicts
in this window. Use the arrow buttons to
move through the list, select a program,
and then press OK on the remote

My TV
control. Select the option to change,
and then press OK again.

■ Select Recording errors to see which

shows weren’t recorded and determine
why they weren’t recorded. The show
may have been in conflict with another
and then canceled by Media Center, or
it may have been a duplicate episode in
a series.

3 Using the arrow buttons, select the

recorded program you want to watch, and
then press the OK button on the remote
control to begin watching the program.

33
 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. If you were watching live TV when the show was scheduled to record and
declined the prompt to change channels, a recording error occurs.

Common recording errors

Description of error Recording error

Program already exists in Recorded TV library Redundant

PC was turned off during scheduled recording time Missed
Another show was scheduled to record at the same time Conflict
You selected not to record the program Canceled
In Advanced Record, you selected First Run only
for a series recording so any programs
in a series that are not first run are not recorded Repeat
Unknown technical error: Error
■ Media Center failed to start the recorder
■ TV signal was lost

Hard disk is full Not enough space

Important information about recorded TV programs

When you replace the hard disk drive, you lose any files or software that you created, saved,

w
or installed on the PC. You also lose a special code that Microsoft includes in the files of the
recorded TV programs. Without the code, Media Center will not play the TV programs
previously recorded to disk or copied to DVD or to other media.
When you replace the hard disk
drive, you can no longer play
previously recorded TV programs.

34
Resolving Recording Conflicts
Media Center can record only one TV show at a time. If you schedule two recordings for the

n
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. You can view and resolve the conflict by opening My TV window, For more information about
selecting Settings, Recorder, and then Scheduled. troubleshooting the recording
conflicts, refer to Media Center
Media Center selects which show to record based on the following priority rules:
Help.
1 A scheduled program that is not a rerun
2 The program that was scheduled first
3 Manual recordings
Often, Media Center is able to find an alternative date and time for recording one of the
programs so that both shows can be recorded. If one recording partially overlaps another,
Media Center records to the end of the first and then begins recording the second.

After you resolve a recording conflict, the conflict icon continues to appear for the program that
is not scheduled to record so you can return to the conflict and reverse it, if needed.

If you are watching TV while recording a show, you can watch only the channel being recorded.
If you attempt to change the channel, a message appears telling you that changing the channel
stops the recording. If a recording is scheduled to begin and you are watching a different

My TV
channel, a message appears giving you the choice to change the channel to begin the recording.
If no choice is made, the channel changes automatically.

35
 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.

1 Press the Start button on the remote control, select My TV, and then select Settings.

2 Select Recorder, and then select Scheduled. A list of programs that you have scheduled
to record displays, starting with the current date.

3 Use the arrow buttons to select the program title you don’t want to record and press OK.
4 Select Don’t Record in the window and press OK on the remote control to remove a
single show.

Or

Select Cancel Series and press OK to remove the entire series from the recording schedule.

Deleting a Recorded Show or Series

To free up hard disk space, you may need to delete a program or series that has been recorded.

1 Press the Start button on the remote control, select My TV, and then select
Recorded TV. All the programs you have recorded appear.

2 Use the arrow buttons to select the program title you want to delete, and then press OK.
3 Select Delete in the window and press OK on the remote control to remove that program
from the hard disk.

36
 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.
In My Music, you can:

■ Play music CDs. Skip, shuffle, or repeat

n
songs or albums.

■ Play digital music files from a music library

you create and organize using Windows You can store your music files
Media Player. in the My Music folder or in other
folders on your hard drive, but
■ Search for music files by categories: album,
you need to add those files to the
artist, playlist, song, or genre.
Windows Media Player Library
■ View music CD details such as artist name, for Media Center to be able to
song title, length of song, and album find and play them.
cover art.

■ Play a music playlist with a slide show.

n
Your PC must be connected to the
Internet to view music CD details.

My Music
37
 What Can I Do in
Windows Media Player?
Windows Media Player allows you to copy
digital music files and organize a

n
Media Center can find and play
music library that you can access
by using the My Music window in
Media Center. You can:
only those files that have been
■ Create playlists of your favorite songs.
added to the Windows Media
Player Library. ■ Create a music library by copying CDs or
adding music files from the Internet.

■ Organize digital music files by album,

artist, playlist, or genre.

■ Edit information about music files, such as

the song title, music type, or artist name.

■ Share music files with others.

■ Delete files from your music library.

38
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.

File extension File type

.cda
.wav
CD audio
Windows audio file
n
For more information about music
file formats, use Windows Media
.MP3, .M3u Audio files
Player Help and Media Center
.asf, .asx, .wax, .wm, .wma, Windows Media audio files Help.
.wmd, .wmv, .wvx, .wmp, .wmx
Only supported audio file types are
displayed in the My Music window.
Unsupported files won’t play.

My Music
39
 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

Turn off sound

Adjust volume

40
Creating Your Music Library Using Windows Media Player
To add music files

1 Click Start on the taskbar,

n
and then click Windows Media
Player.

2 Click the Media Library tab on the side Each time you add music files
of the window. The first time you select outside of Windows Media Player,
Media Library, a message tells you that you must use the Tools menu to
Windows Media Player needs to search add music files to your Windows
your computer for your music files. Media Player Library for Media
Center to find them.
3 Click Yes. Windows Media Player
searches for all available audio media and
places them in the Media Library.

4 To add files from a CD to your Media

Library, insert the CD, select Copy from
CD, and then select Copy Music in the
toolbar. You can select to copy your music
files as MP3 files or as Windows Media
Audio files (.wma).

5 Click the Media Library tab to see where

your new audio files have been placed. You
can rename files by selecting the file and
typing a new name or genre over the old
one. The way you label your music files
determines the category in which they are
placed.

My Music
41
 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.

Deleting music files

To delete a file from the Windows Media
Player Library, select the music file, right-click
the mouse, and then select Delete from
Library.

42
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.

To add music files that are stored in your

My Music or Shared Music folder on your
hard drive:

1 Click Start on the taskbar,

and then click Windows Media Player.

2 Move the mouse to view the Windows

Media Player toolbar and then click Tools.

3 Select Search for Media Files.

4 Select Search to search all drives or select

n
Browse to search through a specific drive.
Select a drive and then click OK. Windows
Media Player searches the selected drives
for all supported audio files and adds them You can place all your music files
to the Media Library. into the My Music folder or into
other folders on your hard drive,
If Windows Media Player does not but you need to add those files to
recognize all of your audio files, try the Windows Media Player Library
copying the files directly into Windows for Media Center to be able to find
Media Player. Refer to Windows Media and play them.

My Music
Player Help for more information.

Your music files can now be found and played

in My Music window in the Media Center. You
may need to close and open Media Center for
the added music files to appear in My Music.

43
 Playing Digital Music Files
When you first open the Media Center and
open the My Music window, you may not find
any music files listed unless there is a music
CD in your CD drive or unless you have
already added audio files to your Windows
Media Player Library.

If you don’t have any music files listed, you

need to add music files to the Windows Media
Player Library, and then restart Media Center
to play your music files in Media Center.

When you copy music files using Windows

Media Player and your computer is connected
to the Internet, the CD information is copied
and displayed in Media Center and in the
Windows Media Player Library.

n
Media Center cannot be used to
To play a music CD using
Media Center
If you insert a CD when Media Center is not
record music files. Use Windows open, a message appears asking what you
Media Player to record music files. want to do. You can select Windows Media
Player as your default audio player. If you
have another program set as the default audio
player, Windows opens this program and
begins playing the CD.

n
To display CD information such
1 Press the Start button
control.
on the remote

as song titles and cover art in

2 Insert a CD into the CD drive; the CD plays
automatically in Media Center.
Media Center or in Windows
Media Player, your PC needs to be
Or
connected to the Internet. Without
an Internet connection, the music If you have other media such as live TV
files are labeled unknown and only already playing when you insert the CD,
track numbers and playing times Media Center asks you if you want to
are displayed. play the CD. Select Yes to begin playing
the CD.

44
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.

To find a music file

1 In the My Music window, select Albums,

Artists, Playlists, View Songs, or
Genres to display a list of all items in
that category. In these windows you will
have other options, depending on the
category you select.

Or

Select Search. Use the numeric buttons

on the remote control to enter a descriptive
word, song title, or artist name and display
a list of all the titles that match your entry.

2 Use the arrow keys to select a music file,

and then press the Play button on the
remote control to begin playing that
music file.

My Music
45
 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:

1 In the My Music window, select View

Songs. The list displays all the songs in
your media library.

2 Use the arrow buttons to select a song,

and then press OK or Play on the remote
control to play it.

Setting Up an
Automatic Disc Jockey
You can select to have Media Center randomly
play all the available songs in one genre:

1 In the My Music window, select Genres.

The list displays all the genres available in
your Media Library.

2 Use the arrow buttons to select a genre,

and then press OK on the remote control.

3 Use the arrow buttons to select Shuffle,

and then press OK on the remote control.
All songs in that genre are randomly
played.

46
Finding and Playing an Album
1 In the Media Center Start menu, select
My Music, and then select Albums.

2 In the Albums window, select View by list

or View by cover to organize all of the
albums available.

3 Use the arrow buttons to select an album,

and then press OK on the remote control.
You can also select:

■ Shuffle to rearrange the music tracks

on the album.

■ Play to play the album selected. The

Now Playing window opens, and the
album starts playing.

4 In the Play window, select a song and

press OK on the remote control. You can
also select:

■ View Song to view cover art and play

one track.

■ View Tracks to view a list of all tracks

on the album.

■ Shuffle to rearrange the play order.

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■ Repeat to play the album again.

■ Buy Music to connect to the Internet,

find CD information, and buy music When you select Buy Music,
CDs. To go back to Media Center, press your Internet browser opens the

My Music
Start on the remote control. Microsoft Web site. Here you’ll find
information about the artist or
5 Press Back on the remote control to return album you’re currently listening to
to the previous window. or similar artists. You have the
option to purchase CDs.

47
 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.

Use Windows Media Player to create playlists and then play them back using Media Center.

To create a playlist

1 Click Start on the taskbar and

select Windows Media Player.

2 Select Media Library.

3 Click New playlist in the toolbar, type
in a name for your playlist, and then click
OK. Your new playlist should appear under
the My Playlists area of the Media Player
window.

4 In the Media Library, select the music file

that you want to add to your playlist.

5 Click Add to playlist in the toolbar, and

then select your playlist from the drop-down
menu. Repeat this step until all of your files
are added.

6 Select your playlist to check your added

music files.

7 Close Media Center, if open, and then

press the Start button on the remote
control. Your playlist won’t appear in
My Music unless you close and open
Media Center.

You can now play your playlist in

Media Center.

48
 My Pictures

My Pictures
What Can I Do in My Pictures?
View small image
The My Pictures window in Media Center is a Sort your digital pictures (thumbnail) and title of
great way to view and share your pictures. by name or by date picture file

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.

■ Sort pictures by name or date.

■ View and scroll through pictures that are in

the My Pictures folder by using your remote
control or your keyboard and mouse.

View pictures stored in Scroll through your digital

the My Pictures or pictures by clicking the
Shared Pictures folder in page up and page down
Windows Explorer buttons using the mouse

49
 Using Supported File Types for My Pictures
You can view the following types of image files About viewing pictures in
in Media Center. Media Center
■ Only supported image file types are
displayed in My Pictures. Unsupported files
File

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are skipped in a slide show.
extension File type
■ Folder icons appear even if the images
.jpg, .jpeg Joint Photographic Experts inside them cannot be displayed.
If the message Image cannot Group
be displayed appears, the file ■ Corrupted and unsupported image file
may be corrupted or it may be an
.tif Tagged Image File Format
types display a generic image icon but
unsupported file type. You may .gif Graphics Interchange cannot be displayed in Media Center.
need to edit your image with a Format
photo editor and resave it in a .bmp Bitmap ■ Some file types are supported only if
supported file format. appropriate filters and software are
.wmf Windows MetaFile installed.
.png Portable Network Graphics
■ Picture file extensions are not displayed.

Using Remote Control in My Pictures

Action Remote control button to press

Plays slide show with selected pictures

Moves to the next picture

Moves to previous picture

Pauses slide show/resume paused slide show

Stops slide show

Enters selected menu item or shows selected picture

50
Organizing Your Pictures

My 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.

You need to place all your pictures in the My Pictures or Shared Pictures folders in
Windows Explorer for Media Center to be able to display them.

To organize your pictures

1 Locate your picture files that have not been

placed in the My Pictures folder.

2 Click Start on the taskbar,

and then click My Pictures to open the
My Pictures folder.

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■ Each user has a separate
My Pictures folder that can be
opened only by that person. You
can share pictures by storing them
in the Shared Pictures folder.

■ When you download pictures

from the Internet, you can use
the browser in Windows Explorer
to place your pictures in the
My Pictures folder.

51
 3 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.

Or

If you want to share your pictures with

others, place your pictures in the Shared
Pictures folder.

Your pictures can now be displayed in

Media Center.

52
Viewing Your Pictures in

My Pictures
Media Center
After you organize your pictures in the
My Pictures folder in Windows Explorer,
open Media Center to view your pictures:

1 Press the Start button on the remote

control to open the Media Center Start
menu.

2 Select My Pictures. The right side of

the window shows a small picture image
(thumbnail) and, if you’ve organized
your pictures into folders, folder icons.
Your pictures are displayed just as you
organized them in the My Pictures folder
in Windows Explorer.

3 Use the arrow buttons on the remote control Arrow buttons

to move through your picture files and
folder files and select a picture.

4 Press OK to select a picture or folder

to view. The selected picture opens in
full screen mode. OK button

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Use the mouse to select the
up arrow or the down arrow at
the bottom of the window to scroll
to other pages of picture files
and folders.

53
 To view pictures as a slide show

1 Press the Start button on the remote control to open the Media Center Start menu.

2 Select My Pictures.
3 Use the arrow buttons on the remote control to select the folder of pictures you want to view
as a slide show, and then press OK.

4 Use the left and right arrow buttons on the remote control to go to the next or the previous
picture manually.

Or

Use the arrow buttons to select Play slide show, and then press OK to display your
pictures automatically. If you do not select the pictures you want to view as a slide show,
Media Center uses the first folder listed. If you have picture files that are not stored in folders
you created, Media Center plays all files stored in the My Pictures folder.

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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.

54
To sort pictures

My Pictures
To organize your pictures by date or by name:

1 Select My Pictures on the Media Center

Start menu.

2 Select Sort by date or select Sort by

name.

To view a slide show with music

1 Select My Music on the Media Center

Start menu.

2 Use the arrow buttons to select the music

you want, and then press OK on the
remote control. If the music doesn’t start
automatically, press the Play button on
the remote control.

3 Press Start on the remote control to go

back to the Media Center Start menu.

4 Select My Pictures.
5 Select the folder of pictures, and then
press OK.

55
 6 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.

56
 My Videos

What Can I Do in My Videos? Sort your digital videos

by name or by date
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.

My Videos
In My Videos you can:
View small
■ Browse through and play back all of your
image
digital video files using the remote control
(thumbnail)
or the keyboard and mouse. and title of
video file
■ Sort videos by name or date.

■ View your videos in full screen mode or

from an inset window in Media Center. Scroll through
your digital
videos and
folders by
clicking the
page up and
page down
buttons using
the mouse

Play videos

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stored in the
My Videos or
Shared Video
folder in Each user has a separate My
Windows Videos folder that can be opened
Explorer only by that person. You can share
videos with others by storing them
in the Shared Video folder.

57
 Using Remote Control When Playing a Video

Action Remote control button to press

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

Moves video back 7 seconds

Pauses video/resumes paused video

Stops video

Enters selected menu item or shows selected picture

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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.

58
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
.mp2, .mpv2
.wm, .asf Windows Media file

My Videos
.wmv Windows Media A/V file

59
 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.
If not, move your videos into the My Videos or
Shared Videos folder in Windows Explorer
for Media Center to be able to find and
play them.

Once you have placed all your videos into the

My Videos or Shared Videos folder, you can
rename, add, delete, and organize them into
folders.

To organize and store your videos,

click Start on the taskbar, click
My Documents, and then double-click the
My Videos folder.

If you want to share your videos with others,

place them in the Shared Video
folder. To do this, click Start on
the taskbar, click My Documents, click
the Shared Documents folder under
Other Places, and then double-click the
Shared Video folder.

You can add, delete, edit, rename, and

organize your video files into folders you
create in the Shared Video folder.

Your videos can now be played in Media

Center.

60
Playing Digital Videos
After you organize your videos in the My Videos or Shared Videos folder in Windows Explorer,
open Media Center to watch your videos.

1 Press the Start button on the

remote control to open the Media Center
Start menu.

2 Select My Videos. The right side of the

window shows small images of your video
files and folder icons, if you’ve organized
your videos into folders.

My Videos
If you do not have any videos displayed,
this message appears.
3 Use the arrow buttons on the remote control
to move through and select your video or
video folder.

4 Press the OK button on the remote control.

The selected video plays in full screen
mode, or the folder opens displaying a list
of video files. Use the mouse to resize the
window if you want to watch your video
while doing something else on your
desktop.

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Use the mouse to select the up and
down arrows at the bottom of the
window to scroll to other pages of
video files and folders.

61
 5 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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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.

Inset window

62
Playing a Video in Full Screen Mode
1 On the Media Center Start menu, select
My Videos.

2 On the My Videos menu, select Video files

My Videos or Shared Video. Video folder

3 Use the arrow buttons to select the folder

you want, and then press OK. Select the
video file and press OK again. Your video

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plays in full screen mode.

My Videos
4 Press Back on the remote control to exit
full screen mode and return to the previous You can maximize the media
window. playing in the inset window by
using the arrow buttons to select
the inset window, and then
pressing OK on the remote control.

Inset window

Sorting Videos
To organize your videos by date or by name:

1 On the Media Center Start menu, select My Videos or Shared Video.

2 If your videos are organized within other folders, use the arrow buttons to select the folder
you want to sort, and then press OK. If you don’t select a folder, Media Center sorts all the
files and folders.

3 Select Sort by date or Sort by name.

63
 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.

■ Date the video file was modified.

■ Time span or size of the video file.

If you press the Details button while the

video is playing, the title and time span or
size of the video is displayed at the bottom
of the window.

64
 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.

To play a DVD movie in Media Center

1 Press the Start button

control.
on the remote
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When you open Media Center and
2 Insert the DVD into the drive. If you have then insert a DVD into your drive,
other media playing, Media Center asks there is a delay of a few seconds
if you want to play the DVD. Select Yes before the movie begins playing.
or No. If you don’t select an option, the
DVD autoplays in full screen mode after Even though Media Center supports
a few seconds. closed captioning, subtitles, and
multiple languages, these options
3 If a DVD menu appears, use the remote appear only if the DVD movie

Play DVD
control or the mouse to select the DVD includes them.
menu items and control the DVD movie
playback. If your DVD includes its own
playback software, Media Center
4 Press Stop on the remote control to stop may not open when you insert
playing the DVD. the DVD.

5 To change the window size, move the To watch your DVD in Media
mouse and click the Resize button on the Center, cancel the onscreen
taskbar of the DVD window. messages to use the DVD player
software, and then open Media
Center.

If you have manually resized the

Media Center window, the DVD
plays in this same window size.

65
 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

Stops playing movie and returns to the Stopped menu

Moves around in the menu windows

Enters selected menu item

Turns off sound

Adjusts volume

66
Stopping a DVD movie

1 Press the Stop button on the remote control to stop the movie.
2 Use the arrow buttons on the remote control to select an item on the Stopped menu, and then
press OK.

■ Select Resume to begin playing the DVD where you left off.

■ Select Restart to begin playing the DVD at the beginning.

■ Select Title Menu to go to the DVD main menu, if available.

■ Select DVD Languages to change the language for the DVD soundtrack, subtitles,
and menu.

■ Select Eject to open the disc tray.

Watching DVD in the inset window or in a resized window

While the DVD movie is playing, press the Start button on the remote control. This opens the
Media Center Start menu with the DVD playing in the inset window.

Play DVD
While the DVD movie is playing, move the mouse for the Resize icon to appear. Select the
Resize icon, and then you can manually adjust the window size.

Playing a DVD movie already in your drive

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:

1 Press the Start button on the remote control.

2 Select Play DVD. The DVD movie begins playing in full screen mode.

67
68
 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 User controlled settings

Some settings apply to all Media Center Some settings can be selected by each person
windows for all users and must be set up by using the PC. These settings are:
the administrator. These settings are:
■ UI Sounds, Appearance, and Audio
■ Parental Control sets up rating permissions sets sound and display settings. General settings menu
for TV viewing. This setting requires the
administrator to use a separate password. ■ DVD sets language and audio settings for
This option may not be available with your playing DVD movies.
model.
■ Pictures determines slide transition time
■ Internet Connection sets up Internet and selects which pictures to display in a
connection. slide show.

■ Guide Setup sets up channel mapping

for the Television Program Guide, which
enables your computer to download the
correct guide from the Internet.
TV/DVD settings menu
■ TV Signal sets up your TV or cable
connection.

Data credits, Privacy, and Terms of Use

are links to the Microsoft Windows XP
Media Center Edition Web site

Settings
Pictures settings menu

69
 Changing General Settings
General settings affect each user’s experience in Media Center and can be changed only by the
administrator of the computer.

1 In the Media Center Start menu, select Settings. You may need to select the scroll arrows in
the Start menu to view Settings.

2 In the Settings window, select General.

3 In the General window, do one of the following:
■ Select About Media Center to find information about your version of
Media Center.

■ Select UI sounds to turn the sound on or off. Use the arrow buttons to select an option,
and then press OK on the remote control. Select OK in the window, and then press OK
again.

■ Select Appearance to turn transition animations or notifications on or off. Use the arrow
buttons to select the item to change, and then press OK on the remote control. Select OK
in the window, and then press OK again.

■ Select CD/DVD metadata to work offline. This option prevents Media Center from
connecting to the Internet to get CD/DVD information. Use the arrow buttons to select
Work offline, and then press OK on the remote control. Select OK in the window, and
then press OK again.

■ Select Check your remote to make sure your remote control is working with the remote
sensor. Follow the onscreen instructions.

■ Select Internet connection to open the Internet Connection wizard. This allows you to
set up your connection. Follow the onscreen instructions.

■ Select Media Center Edition Online to connect to the Microsoft Windows XP Media
Center Edition Web site.

4 Press the Back button on the remote control to return to the main Settings window.

70
Changing TV Recorder Settings
The TV Recorder settings allow you to control your recording priorities and options in Media Center.

1 In the Media Center Start menu, 4 To change the TV/DVD settings, use the 5 Press the Back button on the remote control
select Settings. arrow buttons to select an option, and then to return to the main Settings menu.
press OK on the remote control. Select OK
2 Select TV/DVD. in the window and then press OK on the
remote control again to enter the changes.
3 Select Recorder.
■ Select Scheduled to check a list of
Find out why program Check and change
scheduled recordings, delete scheduled wasn’t recorded recording schedule for
recordings, resolve recording conflicts, TV programs
and to change recording priorities for
the programs you scheduled to record.

■ Select Recording errors to find

out if a program wasn’t recorded.
Media Center keeps a log of the last
two weeks. Refer to Media Center Help
for more information about recording
errors.
Check for
■ Select Series to view a list of which recording
series have been scheduled to be conflicts or
delete a
recorded. You can also cancel a
TV series
scheduled series recording or change
scheduled to
recording settings for a series.
be recorded
■ Select Storage to check the amount
of recording space on your hard disk.
Also, you can change the settings that
affect the recording storage space.

■ Select Defaults to change the general

recording default settings that affect how

Settings
and when your programs are recorded. Check recording space Change recording
available and change settings default settings
to free up recording space

71
 About Recorded TV Storage Space Settings
The space available for recording TV programs depends on your hard disk allocation, drive size,
and default recording quality selections. Your PC requires a certain amount of space to run your
Windows XP operating system, run software programs, and store data files. If your hard disk
becomes full, it may affect the PC speed and performance. You may need to free up storage
space to record more programs or to optimize the PC’s performance.

To increase disk space, you can:

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If your PC has a dvd writer drive,
■ Delete recorded shows from the Recorded
TV window. For more information, refer to
the My TV chapter.
you can archive your recorded TV ■ Increase the percentage of hard disk space
programs to DVD+RW or DVD+R available for recorded TV shows in Default
media and play them back on your Settings. Select between 5 and 90 percent.
PC in Media Center. The default is set at 75 percent.

■ Record TV programs to the largest drive.

Media Center does not support removable
drives, network drives, or drives with less

n
The total space available for
■
than 5 MB of disk space.

Archive TV programs to a DVD+RW or

DVD+R if your PC has a DVD writer drive.
recording TV programs varies You can play archived programs recorded
depending on the amount of space
on DVDs only from the PC that you
used for the operating system, recorded the TV program from.
other software programs, and data
files on your hard disk. ■ In the Recorder Defaults window, select
Fair as the default recording quality. The
better the quality of the recording, the more
space the file takes.

■ In the Recorder Defaults window, select

Until I watch as the Keep setting for each
recorded show.

72
Recording quality and
hard disk storage space 80 GB Hard Disk 120 GB Hard Disk

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.

Quality of Hard disk

recording space used

Best *3 GB/hour
Better *2.4 GB/hour
Good *2 GB/hour
Fair *1 GB/hour

* This table shows approximate sizes of

recorded TV program files. Some files may
be smaller or larger.

n
The hard disk space on your PC
may differ from the space listed

Settings
on this page. The Windows XP
operating system, large data files,
and software programs require
disk space.

73
 Archiving Recorded TV Programs to DVD
TV programs recorded in Media Center
cannot be reformatted or recompressed
in other formats. These recorded TV shows
can be played only from the PC they were
recorded from.

To copy a TV program to a DVD

1 Insert a blank DVD+RW or DVD+R disc.
2 Click Start on the taskbar,
and then click My Computer.

3 Right-click the dvd writer icon and select

Format.

4 Under Volume Label, type in the title of

the disc. Select format type, and then click
Start to format the disc. Follow onscreen
instructions.

5 In My Computer, double-click the Shared

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Documents folder and then double-click
the Recorded TV folder.

Recorded TV programs cannot be 6 Copy your recorded TV files to the

changed to other formats. formatted DVD.

Recorded TV programs that have

been copied to a DVD can be
Watching TV Programs That
played only from your PC. Are Archived to DVD
Recorded TV programs can be 1 Make sure Media Center is closed, and
backed up as part of a full system then insert the DVD.
backup and restored to the same
PC, but not to other PCs. 2 Click Start on the taskbar,
and then click My Computer.

3 Double-click the DVD drive icon to view

the recorded program files.

4 Double-click the program file to watch it.

74
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.

To change the TV Guide settings

1 In the Media Center Start menu, select

Settings. You may need to select the scroll
arrows on the Start menu to view Settings.

2 In the Settings window, select TV/DVD.

3 In the TV settings menu, select Guide
setup.

■ Select Customize to show or hide

channels that appear in the Guide. Show or hide TV channels
To show a channel, place a check mark Change network and Guide information for
next to the channel. To hide a channel, channels to display correctly
clear the check mark by selecting it.
Manually update your Guide
■ Select Change lineup to change
the network and Guide information Find out the date range of your Guide
for channels to display correctly.

4 Use the arrow buttons to select an option,

n
■ Select Get Guide data to manually
update the Television Program Guide and then press OK on the remote control.
from the Internet. Media Center connects
to the Internet. This may take a few 5 Press the Back button on the remote control Media Center can be set up to
minutes to update. to return to the TV/DVD Settings window. automatically connect to the
Internet and update the Guide.
■ Select About Guide data to find out This option may not be available,

Settings
general Guide information and the depending on your Internet Service
date range of your current Television Provider. You can also manually
Program Guide. update the Guide from the TV/DVD
Settings menu.

75
 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.

1 In the Media Center Start menu, select

Settings. You may need to select the scroll
arrows on the Start menu to view Settings.

2 In the Settings window, select TV/DVD.

3 In the TV Settings menu, select Parental
control. The first time you select Parental
control, Media Center asks you to create
a password. Use the numeric keys on the
remote control to enter your password.

4 Select Movie/DVD Ratings.

5 Use the arrow buttons to select Turn on
movie blocking, and then press OK.

6 Use the arrow buttons to select Block

unrated movies, and then press OK.

7 Use the arrow buttons to select the + or -

area. Press the OK button on the remote
control to scroll through the movie rating
levels. When you find the one you want,
use the arrow buttons to select OK in the
window, and then press OK on the remote
control to enter settings and return to the
TV/DVD settings window.

8 Press the Back button on the remote control

to return to the main Settings window.

76
Changing DVD Movie Language
To select DVD language settings for subtitles, closed captioning, and viewing the DVD:

1 In the Media Center Start menu, select

Settings.

2 In the Settings window, select TV/DVD.

3 In the TV/DVD Settings window, select
DVD and then select Language.

4 Use the arrow buttons to select the + or -

buttons. Press the OK button on the remote
control to scroll through the languages
available. When you find the one you
want, use the arrow buttons to select OK
in the window, and then press OK on the
remote control.

5 Press the Back button on the remote control

to return to the main Settings window.

Settings
77
 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

1 In the Media Center Start menu, select

Settings.

2 Select TV/DVD.
3 Select Audio.
4 Use the arrow buttons to select the + or -
buttons. Press OK on the remote control to
scroll through the choices available.

■ Audio: If you select Secondary Audio

Program (SAP) instead of stereo, Media
Center allows a simultaneous broadcast
of a primary and secondary audio
program. It could contain and additional
voice track such as a voice-over
commentary or a foreign language
interpretation.

■ Caption Display: You can select

to turn Closed Captioning on, off,
or on when mute.

5 Use the arrow buttons to select OK in

the window, and then press OK on the
remote control.

6 After you make your changes, press

the Back button to return to the main
Settings menu.

78
Changing Picture Settings
Each user can set his or her own picture settings.

1 In the Media Center Start menu, select

Settings. You may need to select the scroll
arrows on the Start menu to view Settings.

2 In the Settings window, select Pictures.

3 Use the arrow buttons on the remote control
to select an option.

■ Select the + or - button and then press

the OK button on the remote control to
increase or decrease the transition time.
Select OK in the Settings window and
then press OK on the remote control to
enter the setting and go back to the
Settings window.

■ Select the check icon and then press

the OK button on the remote control
to show pictures within folders or in
random order. Select OK in the Settings
window and then press OK on the
remote control to enter the setting and
go back to the Settings window.

Settings
79
80
 Troubleshooting

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

1 Press the Start button on the remote

control.

2 Move the mouse to activate the

Media Center navigation bar, and
then select the Help icon from any
window in Media Center.

3 When Media Center Help files appear:

■ Select the Contents tab and then
click the + next to the topic to open the
available files. Click a file to view the
text on the right side of the window.

■ Select the Index tab and then scroll

down the list of topics, or type a
descriptive word and click the Display
button. Double-click a topic to view it.

■ Select the Search tab and then type a

descriptive word. Click the List Topics
button. Double-click a topic to view it.

4 To return to Media Center, close the Help

files by clicking the Close button on the
taskbar of the Help window.
n
When Media Center is open, you
can press F1 on the keyboard to
open Media Center Help.

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