HP Media Center PC User Manual

HP Media Center PC Getting Started Guide

6 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideHP Media Center PC Rear ConnectorsConnector Icon/label Description and functionPower connectorMouseKeyboard

Setting Up the PC 7ETHERNETEthernet LAN connectorThe network interface adapter (also called a network interface card, or NIC) connects to an Ethernet

8 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideComposite VideoComposite Video In from set-top box connector (yellow)L audioLeft audio input from set-top bo

Setting Up the PC 9Connecting a Digital Video Camera to the PCWhen connecting an analog camera to the PC, use the Video and Audio In connectors on the

10 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideConnecting to Other DevicesOther peripheral devices can be connected to the front or back of your HP Media

Connecting the Television Signal 11Connecting the Television SignalUsing TV CablesYour HP Media Center PC includes video and audio cables to connect t

12 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideYou may need to purchase extra cables separately. Your HP Media Center PC box may not include all the cable

Connecting the Television Signal 13Connecting the TV Signal SourceConnect the signal source for the TV by using the TV In coaxial connector or the com

14 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideConnecting a dual tuner(Select models only)If your HP Media Center PC has the dual tuner option, you must c

Connecting the Television Signal 15Connecting the Remote SensorThe remote sensor is a small device that connects to the PC and allows the remote contr

The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein shoul

16 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideConnecting the TV Signal Source When You Have an Existing SetupThis section describes how to connect the PC

Connecting the Television Signal 17Wall to cable TV set-top box or satellite box to VCR to TV using coaxial cableRemove the coaxial cable at the input

18 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideWall to cable TV set-top box or satellite box to VCR and TV using S-video cable or composite video cable be

Connecting the Television Signal 19.ABDFGHMLKEECABDFGHCJEENOPAdd the PCExisting setupAWallBCable outletC Set-top box/Satellite InD Set-top box/Satelli

20 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideUsing the TV as a MonitorIf your Media Center PC has TV-out capability (select models only), you can connec

Connecting the Television Signal 21Connecting to a TV1 Turn off the PC.2 Connect the TV cable using one of the following arrangements, depending on th

22 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideUsing the Media Center Setup Wizard for Optional Setup of Your TV DisplayIf your TV connects to the system

Connecting the Television Signal 23Changing the Display for a GeForce Graphics Card1 Follow the “Using the Media Center Setup Wizard for Optional Setu

24 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideChanging the Display for an ATI Catalyst Control Center Graphics Card1 Follow the “Using the Media Center S

Connecting the Television Signal 25Viewing the PC image on the TVTo view your PC image on the TV:1 Make sure the video and audio cables are connected

Table of Contents iiiTable of ContentsBefore Getting Started... 1PC Setup Tips...

26 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideViewing the PC image on the TV using the ATI graphics card 1 Click the ATI Displays tab. This tab shows a m

Connecting the Television Signal 27Enabling and Disabling the TV option using the ATI Displays Graphics CardWhen you want to disconnect the TV from th

28 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideDisconnecting the TV1 Disable the TV option. See the previous procedure, “Viewing the PC image on the TV” o

Configuring Speaker and Sound Options 29Configuring Speaker and Sound OptionsHP Media Center PCs support many different audio options, sound connectio

30 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideUse the sound connectors that match your PC model when installing cables, as shown in the installation proc

Configuring Speaker and Sound Options 31Speaker ConfigurationsYou may set up your HP Media Center PC for the following supported configurations:DMic (

32 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideSpeaker typesSpeakers may be included with the monitor (select models only) or are sold separately. Refer t

Configuring Speaker and Sound Options 33Connecting 2/2.1 (2 Speakers and a Subwoofer) Audio SpeakersTo connect simple left/right stereo active speaker

34 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideConnecting 4.1 (4 Speakers and a Subwoofer) Audio SpeakersTo connect two front speakers, two rear speakers,

Configuring Speaker and Sound Options 35Connecting 5.1 (5 Speakers and a Subwoofer) Audio SpeakersTo connect two front speakers, two rear speakers, a

iv HP Media Center PC Getting Started Guide

36 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideThe following diagram shows a typical 5.1 audio installation:Connecting 7.1 (7 Speakers and a Subwoofer) Au

Configuring Speaker and Sound Options 377 Connect the front, rear, side, and center speakers to the subwoofer. Refer to the speaker documentation.8 Tu

38 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideY adapter cablesMost home receiver/amplifiers have RCA-type input connectors. You may need to connect Y ada

Configuring Speaker and Sound Options 395.1 home audio installationThe following diagram shows a typical advanced home theater audio six-channel 6/5.1

40 HP Media Center PC Getting Started Guide5.1 home audio installation procedureTo connect a six-channel (5.1 speaker) home audio system to the PC:1 T

Configuring Speaker and Sound Options 41Connecting Digital Audio(Select models only)If you have a sound card and you are connecting your home stereo A

42 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideConfiguring Audio OutputYou can configure your speaker’s audio output with the following software. Use the

Configuring Speaker and Sound Options 433 Click Multi-channel Sound Manager. The Multi-channel Audio Configuration window opens with one of five contr

44 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideEnabling digital audio output with Multi-channel Sound Manager (optional)Your PC must include a digital aud

Configuring Speaker and Sound Options 45The Sound Effect Manager control screens Sound Effect — selects the Environment and the Equalizer settings. Y

Before Getting Started 1Before Getting StartedThis guide can help you get started using your new HP Media Center PC. You may want to browse some of th

46 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideRetasking front-panel connectorsTo retask using the Audio Wizard (type 6-connector):With the Audio Wizard e

Configuring Speaker and Sound Options 47Configuring Audio Output with a Sound CardFollow these steps after you have installed and connected your speak

48 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideDisabling digital audio output with Sound Effect Manager (optional)To disable digital audio output:1 Open t

Configuring Speaker and Sound Options 49The Realtek HD Sound Effect Manager control screens Sound Effect — selects the Environment and the Equalizer

50 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideConfiguring sound for recording with the Realtek HD Sound Effect ManagerThe microphone connector is ready t

Configuring Speaker and Sound Options 51Audio output overviewThe front-panel audio output is the stereo headphone (green) connector only.The rear-pane

52 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideSetting up multi-streaming audioExample 1: For Online GamingTo configure multi-streaming audio output for o

Configuring Speaker and Sound Options 53Example 2: For Digital Home EntertainmentTo configure multi-streaming audio output for digital home entertainm

54 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideConfiguring Audio for InterVideo WinDVD PlayerFollow these steps after you have installed, connected, and c

Configuring Speaker and Sound Options 55Using a 5.1 to 7.1 speaker system with headphonesFor select models that include a 5.1 or higher speaker system

2 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideUtility ProgramsHP provides special utility programs in the PC Help & Tools folder that provide support

56 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideUsing the Creative Sound Blaster X-FI Sound CardThis section provides an overview of connecting to, configu

Configuring Speaker and Sound Options 57Configuring the sound card softwareFollow these steps after you have installed and connected your speakers to

58 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideConfiguring the FlexiJack connectorThe FlexiJack connector performs three functions: Digital Input/Output

Configuring Speaker and Sound Options 59Sound Blaster X-Fi configuration modesThe Sound Blaster X-Fi sound card includes three modes: Audio Creation M

60 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideUsing the Sound Blaster X-Fi documentationFor additional information on configuring and using the sound car

Using the PC Hardware 61Using the PC HardwareUsing the KeyboardYour PC may include a standard keyboard or a wireless keyboard.A standard keyboard conn

62 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideMedia control or playback buttonsCustomizing the keyboard buttons1 Click Start on the taskbar, choose Contr

Using the PC Hardware 63Using the Remote ControlUse the remote control to open the Media Center program, and use it to view TV, record TV programs, pl

64 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideRemote sensor is not receiving a signal from the remote controlIf a faint red light doesn’t appear when you

Using the PC Hardware 65Using the memory card reader1 Insert the media into the correct card slot on the reader until it stops. The activity light (A)

Before Getting Started 3Connecting to the InternetAs part of the startup screens, you can select an Internet service provider (ISP). Before you can co

66 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideCard Insert the media 4-slot reader locationCompactFlash Type 1 media Receptacle edge (holes) C (lower-left

Using the PC Hardware 67Troubleshooting the memory card readerIf you are having problems reading to or writing to a memory card, try the following: S

68 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideSafely Remove Hardware UtilityIf you inadvertently open the Safely Remove Hardware window, click Close.If y

Using the PC Hardware 69Installing an HP Camera Docking StationSome HP Media Center PCs include a camera docking bay. This bay is designed to hold an

70 HP Media Center PC Getting Started Guide

Using the PC Hardware 715 Connect the cables: Plug the USB cable into the back of the PC. (The location of USB ports varies by PC model.) Plug the r

72 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideConnecting the Wireless LAN(Select models only)You can connect the HP Media Center PC to an 802.11b/g wirel

Index 73IndexAaudio connector 7audio connector switch 43Audio Line Out (powered speakers) 7digital audio connector 45retasking (multi-streaming) 50Bba

74 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideIinstallingcamera dock 69camera docking station 69InternetInternet service provider 3signing up with an ISP

Index 75SSafely Remove Hardware utility 68safety information 2ergonomic information 2scanner, connecting 10Secure Digital (SD) reader 65serial port co

4 HP Media Center PC Getting Started GuideProtecting the PCHP provides a virus-scanning software program to help protect your PC (select models only).

Part Number: 5991-4144

Setting Up the PC 5Setting Up the PCFollow the steps in the setup poster to set up the PC, and then read the topics in this section to find out more a