Page 1 Welcome to Media Center With Media C enter, you will feel at home right away. You can:  Watch your favorite TV shows, or record and save them for later viewing.  Share your digital pictures with others, or play them as a slide show—you can even include music. ...
Page 2 Get started using Media Center You can use Media C enter in two ways:  Using the remote. In the same way you use your home entertainment system, you can use the remote control and Media C enter to watch and record TV, play videos and music, and view pictures. Pressing the START button on the remote always starts Media C enter in full-screen mode.
Page 3 What's new in this release of Media Center  Better handling performance of DVDs and videos, including support for wide-screen displays.  <Placeholder Web Site Name>, the site with the latest technical tips and tools to get the most from your Media C enter PC . ...
Page 4 Learn more about Online Spotlight Get the latest on what's new for the Media C enter PC : downloadable files, tips for power users, newsgroups, information from the experts, and more—all this right from the Media C enter Start menu. Press the START button on the remote, and then select Online Spotlight.
Page 5 Information for upgrade users As part of the upgrade process, some settings have been changed from per-user settings to system-wide settings. For example, the default TV recording settings are now system-wide, making it easier for users who upgraded to make the most of the recording storage space available.
Page 6 Get help in Media Center There are five ways to get help and information about using Media C enter:  Online Help. Move the mouse to activate the toolbar, and then click the Help button.  The Media Center booklet. The booklet covers basic setup tasks and introductory information about Media C enter. ...
Page 7 Navigate Media Center Media Center Start menu Start Media C enter Use the Media C enter Start menu C ustomize the Media C enter Start menu Remove items from the Media C enter Start menu Browse and make selections Search for an item by name Work with removable media Tools for navigation Switch to Toolbar view...
Page 8 Start Media Center To start Media Center by using the remote Press the START button on the remote. Note You can also start Media C enter from the Windows Start menu. To start Media Center by using the mouse Using the mouse, click the Start button on the taskbar. Point to All Programs, Accessories, Media Center, and then click Media Center.
Page 9 Use the Media Center Start menu Press the START button on the remote to go directly to the Media C enter Start menu. From the Media C enter Start menu, you can choose what kind of media you want to play: TV, DVD, music, pictures, or videos. You can also gain access to the Media C enter Settings menu and use the arrow buttons on the remote to select menu items.
Page 10 Customize the Media Center Start menu You can add new programs to the Media C enter Start menu. Microsoft has created Power Toys, including a version of Solitaire that you can play by using the remote. You can learn more about Power Toys on the Media C enter Web site.
Page 11 Remove items from the Media Center Start menu Press the START button on the remote, and then select Minimize. Using the mouse, right-click the Start button on the taskbar. C lick Explore. Go to the folder where customized Media C enter Start menu shortcuts are located. Note Shortcuts for the Media C enter Start menu are stored in C :\Documents and Settings\User folder\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Media C enter\Media C enter Programs.
Page 12 Search for an item by name Press the START button on the remote, and then select one of the following: My Pictures, My Videos, or My Music. Select the folder that you want to search. Use the RIGHT ARROW button on the remote to select an item in the list. The list must have an item selected in order for the search to work.
Page 13 Work with remov able media Media C enter plays pictures, music, and videos that are stored on removable media such as smart cards, C ompactFlash cards, and memory sticks. Insert the removable media into the card reader. You might have a media slot built into the front of the computer (1) or a USB-connected reader device (2).
Page 14 Switch to Toolbar v iew When you move the mouse, the Media C enter menu bar and transport controls appear. You can then use the mouse to click the buttons on the Media C enter menu bar or the Transport Controls toolbar. The Media C enter menu bar and the Transport Controls toolbar disappear after a few seconds or when you press a button on the remote;...
Page 15 Show the Media Center menu bar Move the mouse to make the Media C enter menu bar appear. From the Media C enter menu bar, you can go to the previous screen, get online Help, restore or minimize the Media C enter window, go to the Media C enter Start menu, and close Media C enter. Start.
Page 16 Show the Transport Controls toolbar The Transport Controls toolbar appears when you move the mouse. You can click the on-screen transport controls with the mouse or use the transport controls on the remote. When you press a button on the remote, the toolbar disappears and Media C enter returns to full-screen mode. Related topics Transport controls in Media C enter Show the Media C enter menu bar...
Page 17 Use Media Center and other programs at the same time You can work in programs like Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel while using Media C enter to watch TV or listen to music. Press the START button on the remote at any time to start Media C enter in full-screen mode. Press the START button on the remote, and then select Restore.
Page 18 Close Media Center Press the START button on the remote. In the upper-right corner of the screen, select the Close button, and then press the OK button on the remote. Note C losing Media C enter does not log you out of Windows. Scheduled TV recordings still take place. Related topics Use Media C enter and other programs at the same time ©...
Page 19 Media Center global settings Make Media C enter the default C D player or DVD player Restore the default media settings for Windows Volume settings in Media C enter © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 19...
Page 20 Volume settings in Media Center When you use the remote to turn up the volume in Media C enter, you are turning up the master volume for the entire Windows system. You can gain access to the master volume by using C ontrol Panel. For more information about working with volume controls, see Help and Support C enter.
Page 21 Make Media Center the default CD player or DVD player When you are using Media C enter, C Ds or DVDs play automatically, but you can also set Media C enter to play C Ds or DVDs automatically regardless of whether you are using Media C enter at the time. C lose Media C enter.
Page 22 Restore the default media settings for Windows Press the START button on the remote, and then select Minimize. Using the mouse, click the Start button on the taskbar, and then click My Computer. Right-click the C D drive or DVD drive (usually the drive D), click Properties, and then click the AutoPlay tab. From the drop-down list, select Music CD, and then follow the instructions on the screen.
Page 23 Change Internet Explorer settings for use with Online Spotlight or other Media Center programs If you have disabled cookies or set the security settings in Internet Explorer to "high," customized content that you have selected, such as stock tickers and local weather reports, might not appear. In addition, Online Spotlight uses ActiveX controls.
Page 24 Apply system-wide settings and per-user settings Some of the settings for Media C enter can be set and changed only by someone who has administrator privileges on your computer. Other settings are accessible by all users and can be changed by each user to suit individual preferences. Administrators can: ...
Page 25 Windows XP Media Center Edition hardware The computer manufacturer includes hardware with Microsoft Windows XP Media C enter Edition that makes the unique remote interaction possible. The remote commands are received by the remote sensor. The computer might have either a built-in remote sensor or a remote sensor that is connected to the computer with a USB cable.
Page 26 About the remote sensor The remote sensor takes input commands from the remote. Depending on the model of the computer, you might have a remote sensor that connects to the computer with a USB cable or a built-in remote sensor. No matter what sort of remote sensor you have, make sure to point the remote at the sensor.
Page 27: Use The Remote Control
Use the remote control The remote is how you interact with most of the features in Media C enter. The arrow buttons can be used to select items from a menu list or items from a folder, like a TV show from the Guide or an album from My Music. In Search, you can use the numeric keypad on the remote to enter a message or address as you would with a messaging device.
Page 28 Remote commands in Media Center The remote control has four types of buttons:  Navigation. Use the arrow buttons to move between items on the screen.  Transport controls. Use the transport controls to control your media (for example, the PAUSE button or the STOP button).
Page 29 Remote commands for Media Center Use the navigation buttons on the remote to move between items on the screen in Media C enter. Some buttons, such as GUIDE and LIVE TV, act like shortcuts. Press Start Media C enter or go to the Media C enter Start menu if Media C enter is already running START Move to the selection above Move to the selection below...
Page 30 Transport controls in Media Center Transport controls in Media C enter act just like those on common home electronics such as a C D player or VC R. The transport controls are used to control the playback or display of all of your media: music, pictures, videos, and TV. Press Play the selection.
Page 31 AV controls and power controls in Media Center Use the audio-visual (AV) controls and power controls to change channels, adjust the volume, go to a DVD menu, or to put Media C enter in standby mode. Press Adjust the volume VOL+ or VOL- C hange the channel C H/PG+ or C H/PG-...
Page 32 Input text by using the remote control If you have ever used the address book in a cellular phone, then you are familiar with how to use the numeric keypad on the keypad to enter text. Each time you press a button on the numeric keypad on the remote, you scroll through the characters that are available for that button.
Page 33 Media Center remote control commands By using the following Remote C ontrol commands in Media C enter, you can quickly accomplish many common tasks. My TV remote control commands My Music remote control commands Radio remote control commands My Pictures remote control commands My Videos remote control commands DVD remote control commands ©...
Page 34 My TV remote control commands The remote control provides shortcuts for several commands in My TV. For quick reference, a list of remote commands is provided below. Press Go to the Guide listings GUIDE Display information about a show MORE INFO Go to live TV LIVE TV Jump to the previous channel...
Page 35 My Music remote control commands The remote control provides shortcuts for several commands in My Music. For quick reference, a list of remote commands is provided below. Press Play the selected song, album, or playlist. PLAY Skip to the next track in an album or playlist. SKIP FORWARD Skip to the previous track in an album or playlist.
Page 36 Radio remote control commands The remote control provides shortcuts for several commands in Radio. For quick reference, a list of remote commands is provided below. Press Play the selected song, album, or playlist. PLAY Skip to the next track in an album or playlist. SKIP FORWARD Skip to the previous track in an album or playlist.
Page 37 My Pictures remote control commands The remote control provides shortcuts for several commands in My Pictures. For quick reference, a list of remote commands is provided below. Press Play a slide show starting with a selected picture. PLAY Go to the previous or next picture. Pan across a photo in full-screen mode.
Page 38 My Videos remote control commands The remote control provides shortcuts for several commands in My Videos. For quick reference, a list of remote commands is provided below. Press Play a video PLAY Stop a video STOP Fast forward a video FAST FORWARD Rewind a video REWIND...
Page 39 DVD remote control commands The remote control provides shortcuts for several commands in Play DVD. For quick reference, a list of remote commands is provided below. Press Go to the DVD menu DVD MENU Play a DVD in the drive PLAY Stop DVD play STOP...
Page 40 Support for wide-screen displays C hange the aspect ratio of the display area C hange the display resolution for wide-screen display Adjust your display © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 40...
Page 41 Change the aspect ratio of the display area Note This feature is available only for wide-screen displays. While your media is playing in full-screen mode, press the MORE INFO button on the remote. At the bottom of the screen, select Zoom. Select Zoom again to change your display area setting. To set your display format to Icon shown Select Zoom...
Page 42 Change the display resolution for wide-screen display Press the START button on the remote, and then select Minimize. Using the mouse, right-click the desktop, and then click Properties. C lick the Settings tab. Move the Screen resolution slider to select the appropriate resolution for the monitor, and then click OK Note For information about how to determine the correct screen resolution for the wide-screen display, refer to your hardware documentation.
Page 43: Set Up Media Center
Set up Media Center The first time you start Media C enter, use the Media C enter Setup wizard to:  Make sure that your remote control is working.  Set up an Internet connection for use with Media C enter. ...
Page 44: Remote Control
Remote control You can use Media C enter from a distance by using the remote control. Related topics Troubleshoot the remote © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 44...
Page 45 Troubleshoot the remote If your remote does not work, then do the following:  Make sure that you have fresh batteries in the remote and that they are inserted correctly.  Make sure that you are pointing the remote directly at the remote sensor.
Page 46: Internet Connection
Internet connection Media C enter requires an Internet connection to download Guide information. This connection must be available to everyone who uses the computer. If your connection requires a password, then that password must be saved. Note Media C enter uses the Internet connection settings for the sole purpose of downloading Guide information. If a dial-up connection is initiated by Media C enter, then the connection is closed by Media C enter.
Page 47 Select a download method When it comes to downloading updated Guide information, there are three methods you can select during Media C enter Setup: Download when connected is recommended. After your computer is connected to the Internet, Media C enter downloads updated Guide information.
Page 48 I do not want Media Center to download Guide information automatically Media C enter is designed to download Guide information automatically from the Internet. Guide information is automatically downloaded if you chose Connect to the Internet and download when setting up your Internet connection for use with Media C enter. To specify a download method that is not fully automatic Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings.
Page 49 Manually connect to the Internet and update Program Guide information Before starting Media C enter, connect to the Internet by using your usual method. Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select TV. Select Guide. Select Get guide data. Related topics Use the New C onnection Wizard to set up an Internet connection for Media C enter ©...
Page 50 Use the New Connection Wizard to set up a dial-up Internet connection for Media Center You might need to use the New C onnection Wizard to set up a dial-up Internet connection for use with Media C enter. To start the New Connection Wizard Open the New C onnection Wizard.
Page 51 Troubleshoot your Internet connection My Internet connection does not work My AOL connection does not disconnect after Guide information is downloaded My MSN dial-up connection does not connect to the Internet Media C enter cannot connect to the Internet Media C enter cannot connect to the Internet and update Guide information Set up your Internet C onnection There is no dial tone The LAN Internet connection is not working...
Page 52 My Internet connection does not work If you test your Internet connection and receive a "Test failed" notification in the Media C enter Setup wizard, then do the following:  Make sure that the cable used to connect to your Internet connection is firmly connected to both its source and your PC . ...
Page 53 My AOL connection does not disconnect after Guide information is downloaded If you use an AOL connection as your default Internet connection, then the connection might not be automatically disconnected after Guide information is downloaded. You must always manually disconnect from the AOL connection after your Guide information is downloaded. You might also want to download your Guide information manually.
Page 54 My MSN dial-up connection does not connect to the Internet If Media C enter cannot connect automatically to the Internet, then you might need to configure an additional Internet connection. Go to Media C enter Web site for more information. You can also try upgrading to the latest version of MSN connection software.
Page 55 Media Center cannot connect to the Internet With some Internet service providers (ISPs), Media C enter is unable to automatically connect to the Internet to download Guide information. In this case, you can choose to have Media C enter download Guide information when your computer is connected to the Internet.
Page 56 Media Center cannot connect to the Internet and update Guide information If Media C enter cannot connect to the Internet, then do the following:  Make sure that the user name and password that are saved with your Internet connection are valid. ...
Page 57 Set up your Internet connection In some instances, Media C enter might not know what connection to use in order to connect to the Internet and update Guide information. Set up an Internet connection Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select General.
Page 58 There is no dial tone If Media C enter cannot detect a dial tone, then do the following:  Make sure that your phone cable is connected to the modem in your computer and the wall telephone jack.  Make sure that the phone line is not already in use. ...
Page 59 The LAN Internet connection is not working If Media C enter cannot connect to the Internet through a local area network (LAN), then check the following: Connectiv ity C heck connectivity to the Internet by opening a browser and going to a well-known Web site, such as http://www.microsoft.com. If you cannot go to a site that you know is accessible, then you are having connection problems.
Page 60 Check the user name and password for your default Internet connection If Media C enter cannot connect to the Internet because of an authentication error, then make sure that the dial-up connection you are using includes a saved user name and password. Using the mouse, click the Start button on the taskbar, point to Connect To, and then click the dial-up connection you are using with Media C enter.
Page 61 Check the region, country, or language settings for your computer To ensure that you get the right Guide information and are able to tune your TV signal properly, make sure that Regional and Language Options are set properly for your geographical location. Using the mouse, click the Start button on the taskbar, and then click Control Panel.
Page 62 TV signal The TV signal that you use with Media C enter could come from three possible sources:  A subscription to a cable TV signal provider  A subscription to a satellite TV signal provider  An antenna In the case of a cable or satellite signal, or a rooftop antenna, the TV signal comes into your home from outside, and then into a room by way of an outlet that is connected to a TV signal cable.
Page 63 Choose a TV signal for use with Media Center You have four options when asked to choose a TV signal for use with Media C enter:  Cable or digital cable Select this option if your TV signal is provided by a cable TV signal provider. ...
Page 64 Choose a working TV signal You have several options when asked to choose a working TV signal for use with Media C enter. Select the one that gives you the best picture. © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 64...
Page 65 Hav e Media Center identify your IR remote control codes For Media C enter to work with your set-top box, use the set-top box remote control to identify the IR remote control codes. Make sure that you are using the set-top box remote and not the Media C enter remote. Follow the instructions on the screen to press and hold "0,"...
Page 66 Hav e Media Center learn the control codes for your set-top box remote Although many sets of control codes can be identified automatically by Media C enter, some cannot. In this case, you can have Media C enter learn the codes by pressing and holding buttons on the set-top box remote. Hold your set-top box remote so that the front end of it is almost touching the front of the remote sensor.
Page 67 About using Media Center without a TV signal If you choose to use Media C enter without a TV signal, then you cannot watch or record TV. You can still listen to music, view pictures, watch DVDs, and view videos that you have created or downloaded from the Internet. ©...
Page 68 About using your set-top box with the Media Center remote control If you use a set-top box with your cable or satellite TV signal, then you must make sure that the Media C enter remote can control it. You need the following materials: ...
Page 69 F ind the brand of your set-top box Many brands of set-top boxes exist, and the manufacturer of each brand labels set-top boxes in a different way. The following are some tips for correctly identifying the brand of your set-top box: ...
Page 70 Choose your channel entry method Different set-top boxes have different ways of changing channels. For example, there are two different ways for you to change to channel 13 by using the remote:  Press the 1 and 3 buttons on the numeric keypad, and then press the ENTER button or OK button. If doing this changes your set-top box channel correctly, then select Yes, I have to press ENTER or OK.
Page 71 Select a TV signal prov ider To ensure you specify the correct TV signal provider, it is important to verify exactly how your provider lists your service on your monthly TV signal subscription bill. If you are still not sure which TV signal provider to choose, then either you can contact the TV signal provider directly or you can try different providers in the list until you find one that works.
Page 72 Hardware not detected Two essential pieces of hardware might not be connected properly: the remote sensor, and the IR control cable. Make sure that the remote sensor is properly installed Refer to your hardware documentation to make sure that the remote sensor is connected to your computer correctly. Your remote sensor either could be built into your computer or monitor or could be a peripheral device that connects to your computer.
Page 73 Page 73...
Page 74 Troubleshoot the TV signal or the set-top box Troubleshoot detecting your TV signal Troubleshoot choosing the set-top box brand Troubleshoot choosing the signal type provider Troubleshoot testing your set-top box Troubleshoot your IR control cable I cannot find a code set that works with my set-top box My set-top box onscreen menu appears when I change channels My radio frequency set-top box does not work with Media C enter Troubleshoot changing channels...
Page 75 Set up Media Center to work with my satellite TV signal Media C enter needs to be configured in a particular way in order to work with signals from some satellite TV signal providers like DISH Network and Bell ExpressVu. Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings.
Page 76 Troubleshoot detecting your TV signal Use the following steps to find out why a video preview does not appear on the Choose Your TV Signal screen: If you use a set-top box Make sure that the set-top box is turned on and tuned to a channel you receive. Make sure that the TV signal cable is connected firmly at both ends.
Page 77 Troubleshoot choosing the set-top box brand If you cannot locate your set-top box brand in the list during Setup, then your set-top box might be mislabeled or it might be labeled with more than one brand name. The following are some tips to help you identify the brand of your set-top box: ...
Page 78 Troubleshoot choosing the signal type prov ider When choosing a TV signal provider, you must have two important pieces of information readily available:  Your correct ZIP code or postal code  The name of your TV signal package, if you subscribe to one On the Select TV Signal Provider screen, the providers and packages are listed in the following manner: <C ity>, <C ompany>...
Page 79 Downloading failed for TV signal provider information If you were unable to successfully download TV signal provider information, then do the following:  Make sure you are connected to the Internet.  Select Back, and make sure that you entered the correct ZIP code or postal code. In rare instances, TV signal provider information might not be available for your area.
Page 80 Troubleshoot testing your set-top box If your set-top box does not appear to be working, then do the following:  Make sure that the power cord for the set-top box is plugged in and that the set-top box is turned on. ...
Page 81 Troubleshoot your IR control cable If you use a set-top box, you must use an IR control cable to relay the IR commands sent when buttons are pressed on the Media C enter remote. If the IR control cable is not set up correctly, your set-top box cannot work correctly with Media C enter. Note The remote works with Media C enter without an IR control cable;...
Page 82 I cannot find a code set that works with my set-top box You make the following three choices in the Media C enter Setup wizard that define what code set is used with your set-top box:  The number of digits required to change channels ...
Page 83 My set-top box onscreen menu appears when I change channels If the set-top box onscreen menu appears, then the computer is not configured correctly to work with your set-top box. To fix this problem: Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select TV.
Page 84 My radio frequency set-top box does not work with Media Center Media C enter works only with infrared-controlled set-top boxes and does not work with radio frequency-controlled set-top boxes. Some set-top boxes have the capability to be controlled by either infrared or radio frequency. For information about whether your set-top box can be switched from radio frequency control to infrared control, refer to your set-top box documentation or contact your TV signal provider.
Page 85 Troubleshoot changing channels When I change to a three-digit channel, my channels change two times C hanging channels causes a prompt for a parental control password © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 85...
Page 86 When I change to a three-digit channel, my channels change two times If you enter a three-digit channel, your channels might change two times. For example, if you enter channel 123, your channel might change to channel 12, and then change again to channel 3. The channel changes two times if you specified the wrong number of digits that it takes to change channels in Media C enter Setup.
Page 87 Changing channels causes a prompt for a parental control password If you blocked a specific channel by using the remote that came with your set-top box, and if you are now using the remote that came with your computer to change channels, then you might get an onscreen prompt to enter a parental control password. If you are trying to change to a channel that has been blocked, then use the remote that came with your set-top box to enter the password.
Page 88 Media Center and my set-top box are not on the same channel If your channel does not change, then try changing to a different channel and then changing to the channel you were trying to change to in the first place. Related topics Set parental controls ©...
Page 89: Program Guide
Program Guide Media C enter must have information about your TV signal to accurately update Guide information. If you have a paid TV signal subscription but you are not sure who your TV signal provider is or what type of TV signal subscription you have, then check the invoice from your TV signal provider for the necessary information.
Page 90 Troubleshoot "Download failed" messages for the Program Guide If Media C enter is not able to download Guide information, it might be for one of the following reasons:  The correct TV signal provider or package was not selected.  The correct ZIP code or postal code was not specified during Setup.
Page 91 Make sure your Program Guide information is updated Although it is highly recommended that you allow Media C enter to update Guide information automatically, you might choose another option. To update Guide information manually Make sure that you are connected to the Internet. Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings.
Page 92 Enter your ZIP code or postal code To set up your Guide information and a list of TV signal providers, you must provide a ZIP code or postal code. Only five-digit ZIP codes (for the United States) and six-character alphanumeric postal codes (for C anada) are supported. C anadian postal codes must be entered without hyphens or spaces.
Page 93 About the Terms of Service On the Terms of Service and privacy policy page in the Media C enter Setup wizard, read the Terms of Service and privacy policy in full. You must then select either I agree or I do not agree. Note If you select I don't agree, then you can still use Media C enter but note the following: ...
Page 94 About using the Guide Guide provides TV listings to help you watch and record TV shows. If you use the Guide, then anonymous information to improve the quality and accuracy of the service is sent to Microsoft. No identifying personal information is sent to Microsoft. If you want to use the Guide, then select Yes.
Page 95 I want to decline the Terms of Service and not use the Guide You can change your decision on the Terms of Service and privacy policy at any time. Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select TV.
Page 96 About media information C Ds and DVDs include information about the media they contain, such as song titles or related artwork. This information is commonly referred to as metadata. To allow Media C enter to retrieve media information for C Ds and DVDs from the Internet, you must select Yes. ©...
Page 97 Choose a control code C ontrol codes are sets of frequencies that set-top boxes use to communicate with infrared (IR) devices such as remotes. Many different sets of control codes exist. It is important to keep trying different codes until you find the right one. The control code list is sorted from most commonly used to least commonly used, so start by selecting the code at the top of the list.
Page 98 About the remote sensor The remote sensor is the device that receives infrared (IR) signals from the remote. Depending on the type of your computer, the remote sensor could be a small peripheral device that plugs into your computer or a device that is built into your computer or monitor.
Page 99 About setting the remote control signal speed You must optimize the speed at which the remote's signals are interpreted. Incorrectly setting the speed might make channel changing seem either sluggish or too sensitive. If you find that the remote control signal speed seems either too fast or too slow after setting up the speed, you can change the signal speed.
Page 100 About set-top box control codes Your set-top box has a set of control codes that allow it to work with your remote. Because there is more than one possible match for some set-top boxes, you might have to try several control codes to ensure that you have the right match. Related topics About using your set-top box with the Media C enter remote control Troubleshoot the remote...
Page 101 Change your Setup options The settings for your remote, Internet connection, TV signal, and Guide can be easily changed. Note Each setting needs to be changed individually. Remote Control and Internet Connection Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select General.
Page 102 Change settings in Media Center Global settings in Media Center C hange the appearance of Media C enter Turn on or turn off Media C enter sounds Use notifications Adjust your display Set parental controls C hange the setup for the Internet connection or the remote control Set privacy options Settings by area C hange settings for My TV...
Page 103 Change the appearance of Media Center Turn on or turn off transition animations between Media C enter screens Keep the Media C enter window always on top Adjust Media C enter for your display C hange the video background color ©...
Page 104 Turn on or turn off transition animations between Media Center screens Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select General. Select Appearance. Select or clear the Transition animations check box, and then select Save. Related topics Turn on or turn off taskbar notifications C hange the appearance of Media C enter ©...
Page 105 Keep the Media Center window always on top Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select General. Select Appearance. Select or clear the Window always on top check box, and then select Sav e. Note When you select Window always on top and run Media C enter in windowed mode, the Media C enter window always appears on top of any other open windows.
Page 106 Adjust Media Center for your display Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select General. Select Appearance. Under Adjust Media Center for use on, select the correct display. Related topics Adjust your display Turn on or turn off taskbar notifications C hange the appearance of Media C enter ©...
Page 107 Change the video background color If you have a wide-screen display and the video is in a standard format, then borders appear around the video image. You can change the color of those borders. Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select Video Display.
Page 108 Turn on or turn off Media Center sounds Media C enter plays sounds when you select items or move between screens. The sounds can be turned on or turned off. Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select General.
Page 110 Turn on or turn off taskbar notifications Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select General. Select Notifications. Select or clear the Taskbar notifications check box. Note If you turn off taskbar notifications, then you do not receive a notification when you are low on disk space, when there is no TV signal, or when there is no Guide data.
Page 111 Set telephone call notifications You can receive notification of incoming telephone calls and caller ID information if they are available. You must be a subscriber to a caller ID service to use this feature. Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select General.
Page 112 Turn on or turn off onscreen tips Onscreen tips help you use the Guide, but after you have learned how to use the Guide, you might want to turn off the tips. Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select General.
Page 114 Adjust your display Media C enter gives you the controls to get the best possible picture quality from the display. Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select General. Select Appearance. Select Adjust display settings. Do one of the following: ...
Page 115 Choose the type of display you have Media C enter supports four display types  Traditional TV or computer monitor (C RT)  Flat panel (LC D, plasma)  Rear-projection, big-screen TV  Front-projection TV If you are not sure what kind of display you have, then refer to your hardware documentation. ©...
Page 116 Select a video connection type Some video connectors provide better display quality than others. If you have a choice between a composite connector (1) and an S-Video connector (2), then use the S-Video connector. If you have a choice between a VGA cable (3) and a DVI cable (4), then use the DVI connector. ©...
Page 117 F ind the controls to adjust your display Gaining access to the onscreen display adjustment controls varies depending on the type of display you have. C omputer monitors often have a display adjustment menu button on the monitor itself. If you are using a TV, then you might gain access to these controls by pressing the equivalent of a "menu"...
Page 118 Run the display adjustment controls Each display adjustment control has a description of the control and a video that helps you optimize the settings for the monitor. Select the control you want to use, and then press the OK button on the remote. Follow the instructions on the screen.
Page 119 Adjust the onscreen centering and sizing If you are using a wide-screen TV, set the zoom mode so that the video stretches to fill the screen. The display might not have centering and sizing controls. If this is the case, then skip this step. To return to the display adjustment controls, select Back.
Page 120 Adjust the aspect ratio If you have a wide-screen display, then under Display Width select Widescreen (16x9). This choice selects the appropriate videos for your wide-screen display. If you are using a wide-screen TV, then set the zoom mode so that the video stretches to fill the screen. You must also set the screen resolution for use with a wide-screen display.
Page 121 Adjust the brightness The brightness setting affects the appearance of detail in the dark areas of a picture on your display. Even minimal changes to this setting significantly affect the appearance of the picture on a flat-panel display. Related topics I cannot see the X when adjusting the brightness controls Adjust your display Run the display adjustment controls...
Page 122 Adjust the contrast If you have a flat-panel display, then the contrast of the picture is significantly affected when you adjust the contrast setting only minimally. Warning If you set the contrast too high, you lose detail in the whites in your picture. Related topics Adjust your display Run the display adjustment controls...
Page 123 Adjust the RGB color balance Pay careful attention to the color in the painting when you adjust the RGB color balance. The painting should be completely gray with no shades of color in it. For example, if the setting for red is too high, then the gray has a reddish tint. Write down the manufacturer's settings in case you want to return to the default RGB color balance.
Page 124 Adjust the color and tint Set the tint to the middle setting, and then adjust the color saturation. C olor settings and tint settings are available only if you are using a TV as the display device. Related topics Adjust your display Run the display adjustment controls ©...
Page 125 Adjust the sharpness Pay careful attention to the cue sticks in the video when you adjust the sharpness. The cue sticks should not have shadows, ghosts, or rings around them. Related topics Adjust your display Run the display adjustment controls ©...
Page 126 The onscreen display adjustment controls are superimposed ov er the v ideo The onscreen controls are provided by the manufacturer of the display device and might be superimposed over Media C enter. Make the adjustments, and then close the display adjustment controls. Run the video again when the controls are closed to see the effects your changes have made.
Page 127 I cannot see the X when adjusting the brightness controls If you cannot see the X on the wall when adjusting the brightness on the display, then the display drivers might be out of date. For more information about device drivers, see Help and Support C enter. Related topics Adjust your display Run the display adjustment controls...
Page 128 Protect your display from burn-in Some televisions, especially front-projection or rear-projection types, can be damaged by static images. Static images presented during the normal use of Media C enter might "burn" into the screen, causing a permanent shadow of the static image to appear at all times, even when Media C enter is not in use.
Page 129: Set Parental Controls
Set parental controls Set movie and DVD ratings Reset parental controls C hange the 4 digit code I cannot remember my 4-digit code for parental controls © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 129...
Page 130 Change the 4-digit code When you change the 4-digit code, all previously established parental control limits remain. Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select General. Select Parental control. When prompted, enter your 4-digit code by using the numeric keypad on the remote. Select Change 4-digit code.
Page 131 Reset parental controls When you remove the 4-digit code, all the parental control settings are reset. Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select General. Select Parental control. When prompted, enter your 4-digit code by using the numeric keypad on the remote. Select Reset parental controls.
Page 132 I cannot remember my 4-digit code for parental controls If you have forgotten your current 4-digit code, you can reset it in General Settings. You must be logged onto the computer as an administrator to reset the 4-digit code for parental controls. Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings.
Page 133 Change the setup for the Internet connection or the remote control Set up your Internet connection C hange your setup options © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 133...
Page 134 Use Autoplay for HighMAT and Media Center enhanced content Media C enter can automatically play your HighMAT (High-performance Media Access Technology) media by using the HighMAT player. A HighMAT C D can contain audio, video, and pictures. For more information about HighMAT, go to the Microsoft Web site. You can also set Media C enter to play any content automatically that has been created especially for use in Media C enter.
Page 135 More information about Media Center Read the privacy policy for Media C enter Find out what version of Media C enter you have © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 135...
Page 136 Read the privacy policy for Media Center Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select General. Select Priv acy policy and settings. Select Media Center Privacy Statement. Related topics My Internet connection does not work © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 136...
Page 137 Set privacy options To change settings for how the computer retrieves and stores media information Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select General. Select Priv acy policy and settings. Select Settings. Select or clear the check boxes for the privacy settings you want to use. Related topics Read the privacy policy for Media C enter Acquire licenses...
Page 138 Acquire licenses You might want to acquire licenses for media automatically to be able to play protected files without interruption. If the check box is not selected, then you might not be able to play protected files. By default, you are prompted to back up your licenses approximately two weeks after you acquire a new one. Related topics Set privacy options Read the privacy policy for Media C enter...
Page 139 Work offline The computer must be connected to the Internet if you want to use several Media C enter features and options. If the computer is not connected to the Internet when you try to use one of these features or options, then you are prompted to connect to the Internet. The following list includes some of the Media C enter features and options that require an Internet connection: ...
Page 140 Find out what version of Media Center you have If you have contacted technical support, you might need to find out what version of Media C enter you are running. Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select General.
Page 141: Accessibility For People With Disabilities
Accessibility for people with disabilities Microsoft is committed to making its products and services easier for everyone to use. This section provides information about the accessibility options included in Windows XP Media C enter Edition 2004. How to use accessibility features in Media C enter Troubleshoot accessibility features in Media C enter Accessible products and services from Microsoft ©...
Page 142 How to use accessibility features in Media Center Media C enter keyboard shortcuts Remote commands in Media C enter Media C enter features for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing Media C enter features for people who are blind or have impaired vision Media C enter features for people who have a mobility impairment Accessibility features in Media C enter Help ©...
Page 143 Media Center keyboard shortcuts When using Media C enter, you can use the shortcut keys as an alternative to the mouse or remote control. By using the following keyboard shortcuts in Media C enter, you can quickly accomplish many common tasks. Navigation keyboard shortcuts Audio control keyboard shortcuts My TV keyboard shortcuts...
Page 144 Nav igation keyboard shortcuts Press Open Media C enter or return to the Media C enter Start menu Windows Key+ALT+ENTER C lose Media C enter ALT+F4 Accept the selection ENTER Go back to the previous screen BAC KSPAC E Go to the first item in a list HOME Go to the last item in a list Go to the next page...
Page 146 My TV keyboard shortcuts Press Start My TV C TRL+SHIFT+T Go to Recorded TV C TRL+O Go to the Guide C TRL+G Go to live TV C TRL+T Record a TV show C TRL+R Pause live TV or recorded TV C TRL+P Stop recording or stop playing a TV show C TRL+SHIFT+S...
Page 147 My Music keyboard shortcuts Press Start My Music C TRL+M Play an audio file or song C TRL+SHIFT+P Pause an audio file or song C TRL+P Stop an audio file or song C TRL+SHIFT+S Replay an audio file or song C TRL+B Skip to the next song C TRL+F...
Page 148 Radio keyboard shortcuts Press Go to Radio C TRL+A Pause live radio C TRL+P Stop live radio C TRL+SHIFT+S Resume playing radio C TRL+SHIFT+P Skip back C TRL+B Skip forward C TRL+F © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 148...
Page 149 My Pictures keyboard shortcuts Press Start My Pictures C TRL+I Play a slide show C TRL+SHIFT+P Stop a slide show C TRL+SHIFT+S Pause a slide show C TRL+P Skip back to the previous picture LEFT ARROW Skip forward to the next picture RIGHT ARROW Zoom a picture in full-screen mode ENTER...
Page 150 My Videos keyboard shortcuts Press Start My Videos C TRL+E Play C TRL+SHIFT+P Pause C TRL+P Stop C TRL+SHIFT+S Rewind C TRL+SHIFT+B Fast forward C TRL+SHIFT+F Skip back C TRL+B Skip forward C TRL+F Display more information C TRL+D © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 150...
Page 151 DVD keyboard shortcuts Press Go to the DVD menu C TRL+SHIFT+M Play C TRL+SHIFT+P Pause C TRL+P Stop C TRL+SHIFT+S Rewind C TRL+SHIFT+B Fast forward C TRL+SHIFT+F Skip back C TRL+B Skip forward C TRL+F Go to the previous chapter PAGE DOWN Go to the next chapter PAGE UP...
Page 152 Keyboard shortcuts for using the Help window Press Display the Help window Display the Contents tab ALT+C Display the Index tab ALT+N Display the Search tab ALT+S Switch between the Help topic and the Contents, Search, or Index tab Select the next hyperlink or hidden text Select the previous hyperlink or hidden text SHIFT+TAB Perform the action for Show All, Hide All, hyperlink, or hidden text ENTER...
Page 153 Media Center features for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing People who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can configure Media C enter to display C losed C aptioning for My TV or DVD. However, Media C enter does not support the SoundSentry, ShowSounds, and sound schemes features that are enabled elsewhere in Windows XP. The accessibility tools that ship with Media C enter are intended to provide a minimum level of functionality for users with special needs.
Page 154 Closed Captioning C losed C aptioning displays the spoken audio in text format for TV and DVD. You can turn on C losed C aptioning for Media C enter in TV Settings. If closed captions are available on a channel other than the default captioning channel, then you can change the captioning channel in Settings.
Page 155 Media Center features for people who are blind or have impaired vision For people who are blind or have impaired vision, Media C enter supports many of the accessibility features in Windows XP. However, Media C enter has some limitations when you use High C ontrast or some text-to-speech tools and screen magnifiers. In addition, if you adjust the cursor blink rate or cursor width in Windows Settings, then the changes will not be displayed in Media C enter.
Page 156 High Contrast By using High C ontrast, you can specify that Windows XP use specific colors and fonts for easy reading; however, Media C enter can display only two appearance schemes. So when you turn on High C ontrast in Windows XP and then open Media C enter, Media C enter automatically associates either High C ontrast White or High C ontrast Black with the scheme selection made in Windows XP.
Page 157 Text-to-speech tools Media C enter supports Narrator and other screen readers that work with Active Accessibility 2.0. Narrator is a text-to-speech utility program in Windows XP for users who are blind or have impaired vision. Narrator reads what is displayed on your screen: the contents of the active window, menu options, or the text you have typed.
Page 158 Screen magnifiers Media C enter supports Magnifier and other screen magnifiers that work with DirectX. Magnifier is a display utility program in Windows XP that makes the screen more readable for users who have impaired vision. Magnifier creates a separate window that displays a magnified portion of your screen.
Page 159 Descriptive Video Serv ice If Descriptive Video Service (DVS) is available for TV in your region, then you can activate DVS by switching to the Secondary Audio Program (SAP) channel in TV Settings. SAP might contain an additional voice track that has voiceover commentary, DVS, or foreign-language interpretation.
Page 160 Media Center features for people who have a mobility impairment Except for Sticky Keys, Media C enter supports all of the accessibility features enabled elsewhere in Windows XP for people who have a mobility impairment. The accessibility tools that ship with Media C enter are intended to provide a minimum level of functionality for users with special needs. Most users with disabilities will need utility programs with more advanced functionality for daily use.
Page 161 Accessibility features in Media Center Help Media C enter Help includes features that make it accessible to a wide range of users, including those who have limited dexterity, low vision, or other disabilities. Related topics Keyboard shortcuts for using the Help window C hange the text or color of the background in Help C hange the font in Help ©...
Page 162 Change the text or color of the background in Help Open the Help window. C lick Options, and then click Internet Options. On the General tab, click Accessibility, and then select Ignore colors specified on Web pages. You also can choose to use the settings specified in your own style sheet.
Page 163 Change the font in Help Open the Help window. C lick Options, and then click Internet Options. On the General tab, click Accessibility. To use the same settings as those used in your current session of Microsoft Internet Explorer, select Ignore font styles specified on Web pages and Ignore font sizes specified on Web pages. You also can choose to use the settings specified in your own style sheet.
Page 164 Troubleshoot accessibility features in Media Center My computer's High C ontrast setting displays differently in Media C enter High C ontrast does not work in Media C enter C losed C aptioning does not work My screen reader does not work in Media C enter My screen magnifier does not work in Media C enter SoundSentry does not work in Media C enter ShowSounds does not work in Media C enter...
Page 165 My computer's High Contrast setting displays differently in Media Center Media C enter displays only two High C ontrast appearance schemes compared to the 36 schemes available elsewhere in Windows XP. Media C enter automatically associates either High C ontrast White or High C ontrast Black with the scheme selection in Windows XP. ©...
Page 166 High Contrast does not work in Media Center If you have turned on High C ontrast in Windows Settings and then optimized Media C enter for use with a TV, then High C ontrast does not work in Media C enter. To turn off the TV setting in Media Center Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings.
Page 167 Closed Captioning does not work Media C enter displays C losed C aptioning that has been supplied by the TV service provider on one of the captioning channels. If C losed C aptioning does not work for a specific TV show, then C losed C aptioning might not be available for that show or you might need to select a different captioning channel.
Page 168 My screen reader does not work in Media Center Media C enter supports Narrator and other screen readers that work with Active Accessibility 2.0. If your screen reader does not work with Active Accessibility 2.0, then it will not work in Media C enter. The accessibility tools that ship with Media C enter are intended to provide a minimum level of functionality for users with special needs.
Page 169 My screen magnifier does not work in Media Center Media C enter supports Magnifier and other screen magnifiers that work with DirectX. The accessibility tools that ship with Media C enter are intended to provide a minimum level of functionality for users with special needs. Most users with disabilities will need utility programs with more advanced functionality for daily use.
Page 170 SoundSentry does not work in Media Center Media C enter does not support the SoundSentry feature in Windows XP. If you have turned on SoundSentry (located in C ontrol Panel under Accessibility Options), then SoundSentry will work elsewhere in Windows XP but not in Media C enter. To find out more about the features that Media C enter does and does not support, go to Media C enter features for people who are deaf hard-of-hearing.
Page 171 ShowSounds does not work in Media Center Media C enter does not support the ShowSounds feature in Windows XP. If you have turned on ShowSounds in C ontrol Panel under Accessibility Options, then ShowSounds will work elsewhere in Windows XP but not in Media C enter. To find out more about the features that Media C enter does and does not support, go to Media C enter features for people who are deaf hard-of-hearing.
Page 172 Sound schemes do not work in Media Center Media C enter does not support sound schemes in Windows XP. If you have turned on a sound scheme in C ontrol Panel under Accessibility Options, then the sound scheme will work elsewhere in Windows XP but in Media C enter. To find out more about the features that Media C enter does and does not support, go to Media C enter features for people who are deaf hard-of-hearing.
Page 173 Sticky Keys does not work in Media Center Media C enter does not support the Sticky Keys feature in Windows XP. If you have turned on Sticky Keys in C ontrol Panel under Accessibility Options, then Sticky Keys will work elsewhere in Windows XP but not in Media C enter. To find out more about the features that Media C enter does and does not support, go to Media C enter features for people who have a mobility...
Page 174 The cursor blink rate and cursor width display differently in Media Center The cursor blink rate and cursor width in Media C enter have been designed and optimized for all users. If you adjusted the cursor blink rate or cursor width in C ontrol Panel, then the changes will be displayed elsewhere in Windows XP but not in Media C enter. To find out more about the features that Media C enter does and does not support, go to Media C enter features for people who are blind or have impaired vision...
Page 175 Accessible products and services from Microsoft The following topics provide information about the features, products, and services that make this Microsoft product more accessible for people with disabilities:  Accessibility in Microsoft WindowsAdjusting Microsoft products for people with accessibility needsFree step-by-step tutorials ...
Page 176 Accessibility in Microsoft Windows Many accessibility features have been built into Microsoft Windows, starting with the introduction of Windows 95. These features are useful for individuals who have difficulty typing or using a mouse, are blind or have low vision, or who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. The features can be installed during setup.
Page 177 Adjusting Microsoft products for people with accessibility needs Accessibility options and features are built into many Microsoft products, including the Windows operating system. Accessibility options and features are useful for individuals who have difficulty typing or using a mouse, are blind or have low vision, or who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.
Page 178 Free step-by-step tutorials Microsoft offers a series of step-by-step tutorials to help you learn how to adjust the accessibility options and settings on your computer. The tutorials provide detailed procedures on how to adjust options, features, and settings to meet the needs of people with disabilities and accessibility needs.
Page 179 Microsoft documentation in alternative formats In addition to the standard formats, documentation for many Microsoft products is available in other formats to make it more accessible. If you have difficulty reading or handling printed materials, you can obtain the documentation for many Microsoft products in other, more accessible formats.
Page 180 Assistive technology for Windows A wide variety of accessibility aids, or assistive technology products, are available to make computers easier to use for people with disabilities. Microsoft provides a searchable catalog of accessibility aids that run on Microsoft Windows operating systems at the Accessibility section of the Microsoft Web site.
Page 181 Customer service for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing If you are deaf or hard-of-hearing, complete access to Microsoft product and customer services is available through a text telephone (TTY/TDD) service. Customer service You can contact Microsoft Sales Information C enter on a text telephone by dialing (800) 892-5234 between 6:30 AM and 5:30 PM Pacific time, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Page 182 Getting more accessibility information The Accessibility section of the Microsoft Web site provides information about accessible technology to help improve the lives of people with disabilities by making computers a positive force in employment, education, and recreation. The information on this site benefits people with disabilities and their friends and family members, people in outreach organizations, educators, and advocates.
Page 183 My TV Watch TV Use the Guide Search TV Record TV C hange settings for My TV Troubleshoot My TV About My TV in Media C enter © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 183...
Page 184 Watch TV TV watching basics Watch a TV show in full-screen mode View details for a TV show C hange the channel Trick play while watching TV Pause and play TV Stop TV Fast forward TV Rewind TV Adv anced trick play while watching TV Skip ahead in a TV show Use instant replay Watch TV in slow motion...
Page 185 Watch a TV show in full-screen mode Go to live TV from anywhere in Media C enter by pressing the LIVE TV button on the remote. Media C enter begins playing live TV on the last channel you watched or the channel that is currently being recorded. To watch TV in full-screen mode Press the START button on the remote, and then select My TV.
Page 186 View details for a TV show While watching TV in full-screen mode, press the MORE INFO button on the remote to display the information bar. The information bar lists the current time and channel, the TV show title, category, and a short description of the show. Note While the information bar is displayed, select More Info on the screen to view even more information on the current show.
Page 187: Change The Channel
Change the channel You can change the channel while watching TV in full-screen mode or when you have selected the inset window or the Now Playing window on the My TV home page. To change the channel, do one of the following ...
Page 188 Pause and play TV Press the PAUSE button on the remote to halt the live TV or recorded TV image. To resume watching TV, do one of the following:  Press the PLAY button on the remote to resume watching TV where you left off. When you pause live TV for less than 30 minutes, the show begins playing automatically from where you left off.
Page 189 Stop TV Press the STOP button on the remote to stop live TV or recorded TV. To confirm that TV is stopped, a message appears. To resume watching TV, do one of the following:  To resume watching TV where you left off, select Resume on the screen or press the PLAY button on the remote.
Page 190 Fast forward TV Media C enter has three fast forward speeds to control the TV image. You can use fast forward only if live TV has been paused for a length of time or if you are watching recorded TV. To advance at 3 times normal speed, press the FAST FORWARD button on the remote one time.
Page 191 Rewind TV Media C enter has three rewind speeds to control the TV image. To rewind at 3 times normal speed, press the REWIND button on the remote one time. Press REWIND a second time or third time to increase the speed. Note If you press REWIND a fourth time, then you cycle back to the normal viewing speed.
Page 192 Skip ahead in a TV show If live TV has been paused for a length of time or you are watching recorded TV, then you can press the SKIP button on the remote to advance 29 seconds ahead into the TV buffer. You can repeatedly skip forward but only until you reach the end of the buffer. To advance to the end of the recorded show or the TV buffer, press and hold SKIP Note You can control the TV image with the...
Page 193: Use Instant Replay
Use instant replay Press the REPLAY button on the remote to go back 7 seconds in live TV or recorded TV. You can repeatedly jump back with the instant replay option but only to the beginning of the TV buffer or recorded show. To advance to the beginning of the recorded show or TV buffer, press and hold REPLAY Note You can control the TV image with the...
Page 194 Watch TV in slow motion You can use one of two slow motion speeds to advance the video image while you are watching TV in full-screen mode or when the inset window or the Now Playing window on the My TV home page is selected. Slow motion in reverse is not supported. To watch TV in slow motion Press the PAUSE button on the remote.
Page 195 Watch TV frame-by-frame You can skip forward or skip back frame-by-frame in the video image while you are watching TV in full-screen mode or when the inset window or the Now Playing window on the My TV home page is selected. To watch TV frame-by-frame Press the PAUSE button on the remote.
Page 196 Watch pay-per-view Pay-per-view shows are supplied by your TV service provider and must be included in your TV package to view them in Media C enter. If you have any questions about the pay-per-view options available to you, then contact your TV service provider. To watch pay-per-v iew Press the GUIDE button on the remote.
Page 197 Use the Guide Guide basics Go to the Guide Select a show listed in the Guide Browse the Guide Filter the Guide by a category View the lineup for a single channel Record from the Guide Record a show from the Guide Record a series from the Guide More about the Guide Download Guide listings manually...
Page 198 Go to the Guide Press the GUIDE button on the remote to go to the Program Guide while using any program on your computer. Even if Media C enter is not currently running, pressing the GUIDE button starts Media C enter and displays the Guide. In the Guide, you can view and scroll through a list of the current TV shows that are periodically downloaded from your Microsoft TV Listings service...
Page 199 Select a show listed in the Guide Press the GUIDE button on the remote. Go to the TV show. When an item is highlighted, additional information about the TV show appears at the bottom of the screen. Press the OK button on the remote to select the TV show. One of the following occurs: ...
Page 200 Browse the Guide To browse the Guide by using the remote, do any of the following: Press Go to the inset window LEFT ARROW Jump directly to a specific channel in the Guide numeric keypad Scroll to the next or previous time slot RIGHT ARROW or LEFT ARROW Scroll through the TV channels one at a time UP ARROW or DOWN ARROW...
Page 201 Filter the Guide by a category Guide filtering is available in the United States and C anada only. Press the GUIDE button on the remote. While in the Guide, press GUIDE a second time. A list of filter categories appears. Select a category, and then press the OK button on the remote.
Page 202 View the lineup for a single channel Press the GUIDE button on the remote. Select the channel identifier to view the listings for that channel. To browse through the channel listings, do one of the following. Press Jump directly to a specific single channel listing numeric keypad Scroll to the next or previous single channel listing RIGHT ARROW or LEFT ARROW...
Page 203 Download Guide listings manually You can download new Guide information manually to update your current Guide listings. The Guide can contain up to 14 days of program Guide information. If you download only Guide listings manually, then you must update your Guide regularly to make sure to get any last-minute schedule changes.
Page 204 Get more information about the Guide Read the Terms of Service for the Guide in Media C enter Read the Guide privacy statement Read about the current Guide information © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 204...
Page 205 Read the Terms of Serv ice for the Guide in Media Center In order to be able to download and use the Guide information from the Microsoft TV listings service provider, you must agree to the Terms of Service. To agree or decline the Terms of Service, go to Reset Guide lineup in Guide Settings. To read the Terms of Serv ice for the Guide Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings.
Page 206 Read the Guide privacy statement Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select General. Select Priv acy. Select Guide Privacy Statement. To return to Guide Settings, press the BAC K button on the remote. Related topics C hange the settings for the TV signal ©...
Page 207 Read about the current Guide information The About Guide data page displays information about the current listings in the Guide. For example, it displays the start date, end date, and end time for the downloaded Guide listings, as well as information about the Microsoft TV Listings service provider.
Page 208 Record TV Record the show that you are watching Record from the Guide Record from Search Record by keyword Record by channel and time Remove a show from the recording schedule Use advanced record settings Manage Recorded TV Use standby mode ©...
Page 209 Record the show that you are watching While watching TV in full-screen mode or when you have selected the inset window or Now Playing window in the My TV home page, press the REC ORD button on the remote to begin recording the current show. To confirm that your selection is being recorded, the record icon appears.
Page 211 Record a show from the Guide Press the GUIDE button on the remote. Go to the TV show that you want to record. Highlight the title of the show, and then press the REC ORD button on the remote one time to record the show. To confirm that your selection is scheduled to be recorded, the record icon appears.
Page 212 Record a series from the Guide Press the GUIDE button on the remote. Use the arrow buttons on the remote to scroll through the TV listings. Highlight the title of the show, and then press the REC ORD button on the remote two times to record the series. To confirm that your selection is scheduled to be recorded, the series record icon appears.
Page 214 Record a show from Search Press the START button on the remote, and then select My TV. Select Search. Select Title, Keyword, or Categories to search for that type of information. Use the arrow buttons on the remote to scroll through the search results and to select the show that you want to record. Note Multiple episodes might be grouped under one heading, so it might be necessary to select a title, and then select the title again to locate a specific date or time.
Page 215 Record a series from Search Press the START button on the remote, and then select My TV. Select Search. Select Title, Keyword, or Categories to search for that type of information. Use the arrow buttons on the remote to scroll through the search results and to select the show that you want to record. Note Multiple episodes might be grouped under one heading, so it might be necessary to select a title, and then select the title again for a specific date or specific time.
Page 216 Record by keyword When you schedule a custom recording by keyword, Media C enter continually searches the Guide and records shows based on the preferences you set, such as actor, director, movie title, or program title. Media C enter continues to find and record shows until you cancel the scheduled Keyword record.
Page 217 Record upcoming shows with a specific actor or by a specific director You can schedule a Keyword record that records shows with a specific actor or by a specific director. Even if Media C enter cannot locate any matching shows in the current Guide listings, it continues to find and record shows until you cancel the scheduled Keyword record. Press the START button on the remote, and then select My TV.
Page 218 Record an upcoming show or movie You can schedule a Keyword record to record an upcoming show or movie that might not be in the Guide listings yet. Even if Media C enter cannot locate any matching shows in the current Guide listings, it continues to find and record shows until you cancel the scheduled Keyword record.
Page 219 Record shows containing a generic keyword You can schedule a Keyword record that finds and records shows that match a generic keyword, such as a favorite sports team, or a historical figure or topic. Even if Media C enter cannot locate any matching shows in the current Guide listings, it continues to find and record shows until you cancel the scheduled Keyword record.
Page 220 Record by channel and time Recording by channel and time (Manual record), allows you to schedule a TV recording with a specific start time and end time. If you do not have Guide information, then you can still schedule recordings by using Manual record. When you schedule the Manual record you have the option of naming it.
Page 222 Use advanced record settings When you schedule any type of recording, Media C enter uses the default recording setting unless you make specific selections by selecting Advanced record. You can also change the settings after you have scheduled a recording in Record Settings. On the Record Settings page, use the +/- buttons on the screen to bring your selections into focus.
Page 223 Page 223...
Page 224 Use the Keep setting The Keep setting for a recording determines when it is deleted from the hard disk. You can choose from several different Keep settings in Adv anced Record or Record Settings to help you to keep the shows that you want but also maintain available disk space to continue to record new shows.
Page 225 Change recording settings for a scheduled recording If you have already selected a TV show to record, but would like to change the settings for Keyword record, one-time show, or series recording, then you can do so in the Record Settings menu. The options for Adv anced Record and Record Settings are the same. Press the START button on the remote, and then select My TV.
Page 226 the scheduled end time of the show. If you have two recordings scheduled back to back and add to the stop time of the first one, then a recording conflict occurs. Once you have completed your selections, select Sav e to apply the new settings. To ignore changes to Adv anced record, select Cancel.
Page 227 Manage Recorded TV View the recording schedule Remove a show from the recording schedule Remove a series from the recording schedule View recording history Delete a recorded show or series Resolve recording conflicts manually Resolve recording conflicts automatically C hange the recording priority for a series ©...
Page 228 View the recording schedule The recording schedule displays a list of shows that are scheduled to be recorded. Press the START button on the remote, and then select My TV. Select Recorded TV. Select Scheduled. To organize the list, select one of the following: ...
Page 229 Remove a show from the recording schedule Press the START button on the remote, and then select My TV. Select Recorded TV. Select Scheduled. To organize the list, select one of the following:  Sort by date  Sort by name ...
Page 230 Remove a series from the recording schedule Press the START button on the remote, and then select My TV. Select Recorded TV. Select Scheduled. Select Series. Use the arrow buttons on the remote to select the scheduled series that you want to remove, and then press the OK button on the remote to select it.
Page 231 View recording history To find out the status of a recorded show or find out why a show might not have been recorded, go to the Recording History page. Press the START button on the remote, and then select My TV. Select Recorded TV.
Page 232 Delete a recorded show or series You can delete a show from Recorded TV that has already been recorded. However, you cannot delete an entire recorded series at one time. To delete a series, clear one show at a time as described below. Media C enter continues to record the series unless you remove it from the recording schedule, as well as delete all existing recordings.
Page 233 Resolve recording conflicts manually If you schedule a recording for the same time as another recording, then a conflict notification appears. Follow the onscreen instructions to resolve the conflict when prompted. If you do not resolve the conflict, then Media C enter resolves the conflict automatically and selects which show to record.
Page 234 Resolve recording conflicts automatically If you do not resolve a recording schedule conflict manually, then Media C enter resolves the conflict automatically and selects which show to record. This selection is made based on the following ranked order:  A one-time recording (not part of a series) ...
Page 235 Change the recording priority for a series If Media C enter encounters a recording conflict between two series, then Media C enter uses the series priorities list to decide which show to record. You can place the series you most want recorded high on the series priorities list to help ensure it is successfully recorded in the case of conflicts.
Page 236 Use standby mode If you set your computer to record TV, then you must have your computer powered on, in standby mode, or in hibernate mode to successfully record a show. Standby mode runs the computer with minimal power until it turns on when it is time to record. When recording is complete, the computer returns the state indicated by your computer power settings.
Page 237 Search TV Use Search in My TV to find a specific show by its title or with a keyword. You can also browse show categories to find shows that match your viewing interests. The TV search looks for shows in the Guide listings only and does not look for shows in Recorded TV or My Videos.
Page 238 Search TV by title or keyword Title search looks within show titles to find your specified word. Keyword search looks for your word anywhere in the available data on the show including title and show description. Press the START button on the remote, and then select My TV. Select Search, and then select either Title or Keyword.
Page 239 Search TV by category The classifications used in category search are determined by your Microsoft TV Listings service provider. Press the START button on the remote, and then select My TV. Select Search. Select Categories. Press the right arrow button on the remote to access the category list. Select a category.
Page 240 Find and play a recorded show Press the START button on the remote, and then select My TV. Select Recorded TV. To organize the list, select one of the following:  Sort by date  Sort by name  Sort by category To locate a specific item in the list, press the RIGHT ARROW button on the remote to go to the list, and then do one of the following: ...
Page 241 Change settings for My TV C hange Recorder settings C hange Guide settings C hange the settings for the TV signal C hange the TV audio settings Turn off the automatic start of TV © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 241...
Page 243 Change storage settings for Recorded TV In storage settings, you can indicate which drive and how much of that drive is allocated for Recorded TV storage. You can also change the default quality setting for each recording. Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings.
Page 244 Change the recording default settings When you change the default recorder settings, you change the settings that Media C enter uses for every scheduled recording. Note If you just want to change the settings for a single scheduled recording, then use Advanced Record or Record Settings. Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings.
Page 245 Change Guide settings The listings in the Guide are determined by the TV signal provider, TV signal location, and TV listings package you selected when you set up Media C enter. Related topics Edit channel numbers Turn on or turn off channels in the Guide lineup Add missing channels to the Guide lineup Reset the Guide lineup Download Guide listings manually...
Page 246 Edit channel numbers You can edit channel numbers to remap channel numbers to the correct TV network and related program information. Generally, only one TV network is assigned to a channel number unless it is a shared channel. Note A shared channel broadcasts two or more networks on one channel during different times of the day. For example, from 12 midnight to 12 noon a shared channel might broadcast a shopping network while during the second half of the day it broadcasts a sports network.
Page 247 Turn on or turn off channels in the Guide lineup To prevent Media C enter from trying to access and record channels that you do not subscribe to, you should turn off the channels that are not included in your television service package. You can also turn off channels that you do not watch regularly. Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings.
Page 248 Add missing channels to the Guide lineup If Media C enter is unable to find a Program Guide for your region or the Program Guide lineup is missing a few channels, then you can add them in Add missing channels. Guide data is not downloaded for added channels, but you can schedule recordings and tune to added channels, even without Guide data.
Page 249 Reset the Guide lineup The Guide lineup is selected in setup when you identified your Program Guide package. However, if the Guide is displaying incorrect information or lists several channels that you do not subscribe to, then you might try changing to a different Guide lineup in TV Settings. To reset the Guide lineup Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings.
Page 250 Change the settings for the TV signal If you have moved to a new location or changed your TV signal provider or Program Guide package, then you might need to set up the TV signal again. To set up the TV signal Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings.
Page 251 Change the TV audio settings In TV audio settings, you can choose to view captions while watching TV or select an alternate audio channel when available. To change your TV audio settings Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select TV.
Page 252 Turn off the automatic start of TV When you first enter My TV, the TV starts playing automatically. You might want to turn off the automatic start setting for TV so that you can:  Go to the Guide, Recorded TV, Search, or TV Settings while listening to music or radio. ...
Page 254 Troubleshoot the Guide Guide information is incorrect or not available There is no information available in the Guide There is no data available for one channel in the Guide The channel does not match the correct TV network in the Guide A TV channel does not appear in the Guide The set-top box and Media C enter channels are out of sync Guide download or Internet connection issues...
Page 255 There is no information available in the Guide Program Guide information is downloaded periodically through the Internet from the Microsoft TV Listings service provider. No Guide information displays when:  You have not set up the Guide or did not agree to the Terms of Service for the Guide. ...
Page 256 There is no data available for one channel in the Guide If you are getting data in the Guide for most channels but one specific channel does not have data displayed, then the data might not be available from the Microsoft TV Listings service provider.
Page 257 The channel does not match the correct TV network in the Guide If a few channel numbers are not displaying the correct network and related program information in the Guide, then you can edit channel listings. However, if several channels are incorrect, then you might want to change to an entirely different Guide lineup. To edit channel numbers Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings.
Page 258 A TV channel does not appear in the Guide A channel that should be available but does not appear in the Guide might be excluded for one of the following reasons:  The channel was turned off in Settings—you might need to turn on the channel in Edit Guide listings. ...
Page 259 already exists in the lineup, then you are asked to resolve the conflict or identify it as a shared channel. Select Done when you have completed your changes to return to the Guide Settings page. Note Select the Delete button on the screen next to a channel that you added to delete that channel. Related topics There is no data available for one channel in the Guide ©...
Page 260 The set-top box and Media Center channels are out of sync If you receive your TV signal through a set-top box, then Media C enter might encounter an error when changing to channels that are not part of your TV service package. The automatic behavior that some set-top boxes have affects Media C enter's ability to control the set-top box.
Page 261 Media Center cannot change channels If you receive your TV signal through a set-top box, then Media C enter cannot control the set-top box to change channels if the IR control cable is not connected. C heck your IR cable connection to ensure that the cable is connected. Note If Media C enter is not able to change channels, then TV shows might not record successfully until the IR control cable is connected again.
Page 262 There is a popping sound when Media Center is downloading the Guide If Media C enter makes a popping sound when the Guide is downloading, then you might want to turn off taskbar notifications in the Guide. The sound you hear is the audio that accompanies the notification for when the Guide is downloading. However, if you turn off notifications, then Media C enter cannot notify you of Recording errors or Guide downloading errors from the taskbar when Media C enter is closed or in windowed mode.
Page 263 Troubleshoot Recorded TV I have low or no disk space I cannot find my recorded show My show was not recorded Media C enter could not locate the channel to record Media C enter cannot play a recorded show Media C enter recorded the wrong show or channel Media C enter failed to record Media C enter failed to stop recording The Series limit was reached so no additional recordings were made...
Page 264 I have low or no disk space The notifications for low disk space or no disk space indicate that the drive that stores Recorded TV is almost full. Due to the volume of undeletable shows currently stored on the drive, the Recorder is unable to free enough space to record more shows. You can go to Recorded TV and delete shows to free up disk space or go to Guide Settings and allocate more disk space for Recorded TV.
Page 265 I cannot find my recorded show You might not be able to find a recorded show for any of the following reasons:  The recorded show is located on a different drive than the one the recorder storage is set to. ...
Page 266 My show was not recorded There are many reasons why your show might not have been recorded. First check the Recorded TV history page for information on why the show might not have been recorded. Once you find out why, then go to the table below to jump to information on how to correct the situation or avoid it in the future.
Page 268 Media Center could not locate the channel to record If you are notified that Media C enter did not record a show because it could not locate the channel, then you might need to turn on the channel in Edit Guide listings, and then reschedule the recording. To turn on a channel in the Guide listings Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings.
Page 269 Media Center recorded the wrong show or channel If you receive your TV signal through a set-top box, then Media C enter might encounter an error when changing channels to begin recording a show. The automatic behavior that some set-top boxes have affects Media C enter's ability to control the set-top box. When Media C enter tunes to a channel that is not part of your TV service package, the set-top box might instead: ...
Page 270 Media Center cannot play a recorded show Media C enter cannot play a recorded show if:  The recorded TV file is corrupt. Media C enter notifies you that the file is corrupt and verifies that you would like to delete it. If possible, Media C enter attempts to find another airing of the show and records it.
Page 271 Media Center failed to record If you are notified that the Recorder failed to record, then you might want to try restarting Media C enter or the computer and then rescheduling the recording. Some recorder failures might require only that you reschedule the recording. Others might be more complicated and require you to restart Media C enter, or even restart the computer to correct the problem.
Page 272 Media Center failed to stop recording If you have been notified that the Recorder failed to stop recording, then you might want to try stopping the recording manually or restarting the computer. To stop the recording manually press the STOP button on the remote.
Page 273 The Series limit was reached so no additional recordings were made If you have been notified that a recording was canceled because the Keep up to series limit was reached, then you might need to change the Recording Settings to enable additional recordings for that series. To enable additional recordings for a series you can increase the Keep up to limit.
Page 274 Media Center was unable to create the recording file If you are notified that a show was not recorded because Media C enter was unable to create the recording file, then your computer might be low on disk space or the Recorded TV folder cannot be found. After you have created more disk space and ensured that the Recorded TV folder exists, reschedule the recording.
Page 275 Troubleshoot the TV signal or image The TV reception is poor I can hear the TV audio but the screen is blank I can see the TV image but there is no audio There is no TV signal The video image is too dark Video does not display ©...
Page 276 The TV reception is poor Your cable connection, set-top-box, or antenna might not be set for optimal TV reception or might be experiencing temporary signal interruption. C ontact your TV service provider or refer to the antenna manual for further details. ©...
Page 277 I can hear the TV audio but the screen is blank Your TV tuner might not have an up-to-date driver. See the hardware documentation for information on how to update your driver. © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 277...
Page 278 I can see the TV image but there is no audio If there is no audio, then check that audio is on. Try the following:  Turn up the volume.  C heck whether you pressed the MUTE button on the remote. ...
Page 279 There is no TV signal You cannot watch or record TV if Media C enter detects that there is no TV signal. If there is no TV signal, then try the following:  Ensure that the cable or antenna is connected to the computer. If your TV signal passes through a set-top box, then make sure the cables are attached that connect your TV signal to the set-top box and the set-top box to the computer.
Page 280 Video does not display If you are notified that Media C enter is unable to display an image in the TV screen when you play live TV, recorded TV, or a file in My Videos, then it might be due to a video, decoder, or tuner error. Reference the table below for additional information. Description Try these steps Tuner not found (external USB tuner)—The tuner might not be plugged in or have updated drivers.
Page 281 The video image is too dark The optimal monitor display setting for most PC applications often causes the TV image to appear too dark. You might need to adjust your display settings to view better picture quality in the TV image. To configure your video display, go to Adjust display settings in General Settings under Appearance.
Page 282 About My TV in Media Center My TV enables you to watch TV at your own pace. You can use the transport controls on the remote to play, pause, fast forward, or rewind live TV or recorded TV. You have even more control over the TV image with replay, skip, slow motion, frame advance, and frame back.
Page 283 About sharing the tuner Media C enter supports a single tuner so only one TV channel can be handled at a time. For instance, if you are watching TV while Media C enter is recording, then you can watch only the channel currently being recorded. If you attempt to change the channel, you are notified that changing the channel stops any recording in progress.
Page 284 About recorded TV With Recorded TV, you can record your favorite shows and watch them any time you like. You can choose to record individual shows or a recurring series. In Advanced Record or Record Settings, change the Frequency, Keep, or Quality settings for each recording to make the best use of the disk space allocated for Recorded TV.
Page 285 About content protection for My TV Some TV content might be marked as protected by the TV content owner, broadcaster, or originator. The terms of the content protection are specified by the content provider and transmitted with the TV show. If the show is recorded, the content protection terms are stored with the recorded TV file and enforced upon playback.
Page 286 About storage space management with My TV With the ability of multiple users to schedule several recordings in a day, the recorder storage space can fill up quickly. The three variables that affect how many shows you can fit on the drive are drive size, allocation, and record quality. To maximize the number of shows that you can store on your drive, do the following: In Recorder storage, ensure that: ...
Page 287 Parental control limits for My TV Parental control limits for TV and TV movies are supported in Media C enter for the United States and C anada only. Set rating limits for TV viewing Set advanced rating limits for TV viewing Set rating limits for TV movies Watch a blocked show C hange the 4-digit code...
Page 288 Set rating limits for TV viewing Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select General. Select Parental control. When prompted, enter your 4-digit code by using the numeric keypad on the remote. Select TV ratings. Note The TV ratings button does not appear on the Parental Control menu if your V-chip decoder is not installed.
Page 289 Set advanced rating limits for TV viewing You can use Advanced TV Ratings to establish additional rating limits for the specific content categories of Fantasy Violence (FV), Suggestive Dialogue (D), Offensive Language (L), Sexual C ontent (S), and Violence (V). Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings.
Page 290 Set rating limits for TV movies Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select General. Select Parental control. When prompted, enter your 4-digit code by using the numeric keypad on the remote. Select DVD ratings. On the DVD Ratings menu, you can make the following selections. Select Turn on or turn off movie blocking Select or clear the check box next to Turn on movie blocking.
Page 291 Watch a blocked show Whenever you try to watch a live or recorded TV show that exceeds the rating limit established in parental controls, Media C enter mutes the audio and displays a message that the show is blocked. To watch the blocked show Press the OK button on the remote to close the blocking screen.
Page 292 About parental controls for My TV Media C enter allows you to set limits to the rating level that you and your family can view for TV, DVDs, and movies. The first time you use the parental control button in Settings, you must set a 4-digit code before proceeding. When attempting to play Recorded TV that exceeds the allowable rating limit, you must enter a 4-digit code to unblock the show.
Page 293 My Music Browse My Music Search My Music by title or keyword Play music Add songs and audio files to the Media Library Use audio and pictures together Troubleshoot My Music About My Music in Media C enter © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 293...
Page 294 Browse My Music Go to the Recent Music list Browse My Music by album Browse My Music by artist Browse My Music by playlist Browse My Music by song Browse My Music by genre © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 294...
Page 295 Go to the Recent Music list To go to the Recent Music list in My Music, press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music. The Recent Music list displays the songs, albums, artists, genres, or playlists that you have played most recently.
Page 296 Browse My Music by album Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music. Select Albums. To change the way albums are displayed, do one of the following:  To view an alphabetical list of albums, select View by list. ...
Page 298 View music sorted by artist Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music. Select Artists. A list of artists in the Media Library appears. Most albums are created by a single artist. If an album in the Media Library is a compilation of various artists, then those artists are listed individually.
Page 299 View albums sorted by artist Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music. Select Artists. Select Sort by album. A list of artists in the Media Library appears. Most albums are created by a single artist. If an album in the Media Library is a compilation of various artists, then those artists are listed individually.
Page 300 Browse My Music by song Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music. Select Songs. The Songs list displays all the songs in the Media Library in alphabetical order. To locate a specific song in the Media Library and go to the list, press the RIGHT ARROW button on the remote, and then do one of the following: ...
Page 301 Browse My Music by genre You can view all songs or albums for a specific genre such as rock, classical, or heavy metal. Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music. Select Genres, and then select the genre you want to browse My Music by. To change the way the list appears, do one of the following: ...
Page 302 Browse My Music by playlist Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music. Select Playlists. Do one of the following:  To view playlists that you have created, select My Playlists.  To view playlists that were automatically created by Windows Media Player, select Auto Playlists. To locate a specific item and go to the list, press the RIGHT ARROW button on the remote, and then do one of the following: ...
Page 303 Search My Music by title or keyword Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music. Select Search. Enter your search text by using the numeric keypad on the remote. A list of matches to your search text appears alphabetically. Each additional letter entered narrows your search results.
Page 304: Play Music
Play music Play an audio C D View the music that is currently playing Play music from the Media Library Listen to playlists Play an album Play music by artist Play music by genre © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 304...
Page 305: Play An Audio Cd
Play an audio CD Press the START button on the remote. Insert a C D into the C D-ROM drive. The C D plays automatically. Note If you have other media playing when you insert the C D, Media C enter asks you whether you want to play the C D. If you decide to listen to the C D later, then you can find it in the Recent Music list on the My Music page (press START , and then select My Music).
Page 306 Play music from the Media Library While a song or audio file from the Media Library is playing, you can fast forward, pause, or stop the audio stream. You can also skip to the next track or replay the current track. Related topics Fast forward in a song Pause and play a song...
Page 307 F ast forward in a song Media C enter has three fast forward speeds. To advance at 1.4 times normal speed, press the FAST FORWARD button on the remote one time. Press FAST FORWARD a second or third time to increase the speed. If you press FAST FORWARD a fourth time, then you return to the normal listening speed.
Page 308 Pause and play a song Press the PAUSE button on the remote to halt the song or audio file that is currently playing. Press the PLAY button on the remote to resume playing the song where you paused. © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 308...
Page 309 Skip a track To skip a track, press the SKIP button on the remote. To go back to the song you skipped, press the REPLAY button on the remote two times. © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 309...
Page 311 Play an album Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music. Select Albums. To change the way albums appear, do one of the following:  To view an alphabetical list of albums, select View by list. ...
Page 312 Play all the albums in the Media Library Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music. Select Albums. Do one of the following:  To listen to all the albums in alphabetical order, select Play.  To listen to all the songs in the albums in the Media Library in random order, select Shuffle.
Page 313 Play music by artist Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music. Select Artists. To locate a specific item and go to the list, press the RIGHT ARROW button on the remote, and then do one of the following: ...
Page 314 Play music by genre Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music. Select Genres, and then select the genre you want to play. Do one of the following:  To listen to all the songs in the genre in alphabetical order, select Play. ...
Page 316 Create playlists A playlist is a customized list of audio files that have been grouped together in a specific order. For example, you can create a playlist that includes several tracks from various albums and by different artists. You can create a playlist of theme music to accompany a slide show or for a party.
Page 317 Play a playlist you created Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music. Select Playlists. Select My Playlists. Use the arrow buttons on the remote to go to the playlist you want, and then press the PLAY button on the remote.
Page 318 Play an Auto playlist Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music. Select Playlists. Select Auto playlists. The playlists that are automatically generated by Windows Media Player appear. Use the arrow buttons on the remote to go to the playlist you want, and then press the PLAY button on the remote.
Page 319 View the music that is currently playing Every time a song, album, artist, genre, or playlist begins playing, Media C enter automatically displays the item on the Now Playing page in My Music. The items on the Now Playing page continue to play until each item has been played or you select a new item from My Music.
Page 320 Go to the Now Playing page in My Music The Now Playing page appears automatically when you select a song, album, artist, genre, or playlist to play. If you leave the Now Playing page while music is playing, then the cover art, song title, and timer appear in the inset window.
Page 321 Repeat the music on the Now Playing page You can play the list of music on the Now Playing page in a repeating loop. To turn on the Repeat function To go to the Now Playing page while music is playing, select the inset window.
Page 322 Play music in shuffled order The shuffle command plays all songs listed on the Now Playing page in random order without repetition until all the songs have been played. To turn on the Shuffle function To go to the Now Playing page while music is playing, select the inset window.
Page 323 Play a v isualization Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music. Go to any song, album, artist, genre, or playlist. Select the item you want, and then press the PLAY button on the remote. Playback begins, and the list appears on the Now Playing page in My Music.
Page 324 Add or remov e a v isualization collection Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music. Select Settings. Select Select Visualizations. A list of visualization collections appears. Use the arrow buttons to scroll through the list, and then select the collection that you want to add or remove. Press the OK button on the remote to either select or clear the check box next to the visualization collection.
Page 325 Display or hide song information during visualizations Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music. Select Settings. Select one of the following options:  Beginning and end of song—song information appears at the beginning and end of each song. ...
Page 326 Add songs and audio files to the Media Library Add music to the Media Library C opy an audio C D Buy music online Manage audio files in the Media Library Get licenses for music in the Media Library Acquire licenses automatically for music Acquire a license manually Provide a unique ID to content providers ©...
Page 327 Copy an audio CD Press the START button on the remote. Insert a C D into the C D-ROM drive. The C D plays automatically. Note If you have other media playing when you insert the C D, then Media C enter asks whether you want to play the C D. If you decide to listen to the C D later, then you can find it in the Recent Music list on the My Music page (press START , and then select My Music).
Page 328 Manage audio files in the Media Library In Media C enter, you can browse and play the music in the Media Library. However, if you want to modify information about the songs or audio files, as well as add, delete, and move the files, you must go to Windows Media Player. To add, delete, move, and rename files in the Media Library Press the START button on the remote, and then select Minimize.
Page 329 Buy music online When you select Buy Music on the Now Playing page in My Music, your Internet browser opens the Windows Media Web site. On the Windows Media Web site, you can listen to music samples or buy music by the artist or album you are listening to at the time. You can also find out more information related to the music that you are listening to.
Page 330 Acquire licenses automatically for music Just like in Windows Media Player, you can allow Media C enter to acquire licenses automatically for music by enabling the setting in Priv acy Settings. To acquire licenses automatically Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select General.
Page 331 Acquire a license manually If you attempt to access a file that requires a license (and have not turned on the Acquire license automatically for protected content setting in Privacy Settings), Media C enter will notify you that the content is restricted and request that you acquire a license before you can begin playing it.
Page 332 Provide a unique ID to content prov iders The Player (used by both Media C enter and Windows Media Player) creates an identifier (ID) that Web servers can recognize to uniquely identify your Player. The ID does not contain any personally identifiable information about you. Some content providers may require you to send a unique player ID before you can acquire a license from them.
Page 333 Troubleshoot My Music No music files appear in the Media Library I cannot hear the music that is playing More than one sound track is playing at the same time An album's cover art does not appear A music file does not play Album information appears incorrectly, or album information does not appear C odec errors are appearing My C D does not play...
Page 334 No music files appear in the Media Library Media C enter plays music files from the Media Library. Music might not appear in Media C enter for the following reasons:  Windows Media Player was not used to add the music files to the Media Library. ...
Page 335 I cannot hear the music that is playing There are several possible reasons why you have no sound. Try the following: C heck that the volume is not turned down too low by turning up the volume (press the VOL+ button on the remote). C heck whether the sound has been muted (press the MUTE button on the remote).
Page 336 More than one sound track is playing at the same time If you were playing other media before you started Media C enter, or if you minimized Media C enter and started another application that plays audio, then you might have two or more audio tracks playing at the same time. Press the STOP button on the remote to stop the audio playing in Media C enter.
Page 337 An album's cover art does not appear If the album's cover art is in an unsupported format or if the cover art is not available, then Media C enter replaces the cover art with generic artwork. You can download available information about the album, including the cover art, by using Windows Media Player. To use Windows Media Player Press the START button on the remote, and then select Minimize.
Page 338 A music file does not play A music file might not play in Media C enter for one of the following reasons:  The file is not in a supported file format.  The file might be corrupted.  The file might be on a network location that is not currently available. ...
Page 339 Album information appears incorrectly, or album information does not appear With your permission, Media C enter automatically downloads available album information from the Internet when you copy or play a C D in the C D-ROM drive. If no album information appears, then you might not be connected to the Internet or have not authorized Media C enter and Windows Media Player to automatically download the information.
Page 340 Codec errors are appearing C odec is an abbreviation for compressor-decompressor. A codec is software or hardware used to compress and decompress digital media. You can use Windows Media Player to download codecs for supported file types. If you get a codec error when playing an audio file, then try opening the file in Windows Media Player. If you have configured Windows Media Player to automatically download codecs and the correct codec is available, then your file should play.
Page 341 My CD does not play A C D might not start automatically if the AutoPlay feature is turned off in Windows settings. To change AutoPlay settings in Windows Press the START button on the remote, and then select Minimize. Using the mouse, click Start on the taskbar, and then click My Computer. Right-click the drive you use to play C Ds, and then click Properties.
Page 342 About My Music in Media Center My Music takes full advantage of the power of Windows Media Player by adding an interface through which you can enjoy digital music by using the remote control. Use the remote to copy audio files from a C D or browse and play the audio files you organized in Windows Media Player.
Page 343 About content protection for My Music Licensed or protected files are digital media files that are secured with a license to prevent illegal distribution. The license can specify whether it expires and how you can use the file. The terms of the license are specified by the person or company that provided the file. Just like in Windows Media Player, Media C enter cannot play protected files without a license.
Page 344 About information for album title, artist name, and genre Media C enter reads and displays information about your music files from the Media Library. Album artist name, track artist name, album title, and genre information is downloaded from the Internet (with your permission) when you play or copy a C D to your computer or when you download a file from the Internet.
Page 345: Supported Music File Formats
Supported music file formats You can play the following types of digital audio files with Media C enter. You can also select Media C enter as the default player for any of the listed file types. F ile type (format) F ile name extension C D audio .cda...
Page 347: Listen To Fm Radio
Listen to FM radio Press the START button on the remote, and then select Radio. Select Start FM. Media C enter tunes to the radio station that you were listening to previously. If this is your first time using Radio, then you might need to tune or seek a station to begin playing radio.
Page 348: Tune To An Fm Radio Station
Tune to an FM radio station Tune to a radio station by doing one of the following:  Go to the radio frequency field, and enter a minimum of three digits by using the numeric keypad on the remote, and then wait a few seconds, or press the ENTER button on the remote to tune to the radio station immediately.
Page 349 Seek an FM radio station Select Seek +/- on the screen to listen to the next available radio station. If you select Seek +/- a second time before Media C enter finds a station, Seek mode is canceled and Media C enter reverts to the previously played radio station. Note Media C enter does not seek to a radio station that has a weak signal.
Page 350 Listen to an FM radio preset You can quickly start playing an FM radio preset by entering the corresponding number (1 through 9) on the numeric keypad on the remote. Note If the radio frequency field is selected when you enter the number, then Media C enter inputs the number to the frequency field instead of going to the radio preset.
Page 351 Pause and play FM radio Press the PAUSE button on the remote to halt radio. Press the PLAY button on the remote to resume playing the radio where you paused. Note Media C enter maintains a maximum pause buffer of 30 minutes. If you pause radio for longer than 30 minutes, you will not be able to begin playing at the exact point you paused.
Page 352 Stop FM radio Press the STOP button on the remote to halt radio. Press the PLAY button on the remote to resume playing the radio where you stopped. Note If you resume playing the radio within 30 minutes of stopping, then Media C enter starts playing the radio where you left off.
Page 353 Skip forward in FM radio If radio has been paused for a length of time, then you can press the SKIP button on the remote to skip forward in the pause buffer. You can repeatedly skip forward in increments of 29 seconds but only until the end of the pause buffer is reached. Note If FM radio is paused when you press SKIP , then FM radio skips forward in the pause buffer and remains paused.
Page 354 Skip back in FM radio Press the REPLAY button on the remote to skip back 7 seconds in FM radio. You can repeatedly skip back until the beginning of the pause buffer is reached. Note If FM radio is paused when you press REPLAY , then FM radio skips back 7 seconds in the pause buffer and remains paused.
Page 355 Manage FM radio presets Save your favorite FM radio stations as radio presets so that you can tune to the stations quickly by pressing the corresponding number on the remote. In Radio Settings, you can add, delete, sort, and edit all nine of your radio presets. Related topics Save an FM radio preset Delete an FM radio preset...
Page 356 Save an FM radio preset Press the START button on the remote, and then select Radio. Go to the radio frequency field, and then enter a minimum of three digits by using the numeric keypad on the remote. Select Sav e to add the frequency to the next available radio preset slot. ©...
Page 357 Delete an FM radio preset Press the START button on the remote, and then select Radio. Select a radio preset, and then press the C LEAR button on the remote. You can also delete a radio preset in Radio Settings. Select Radio, select Settings, and then select Delete next to the radio preset you want to clear.
Page 358 Change FM radio presets Press the START button on the remote, and then select Radio. Select Settings. Do one of the following:  Go to the text field for the radio preset that you would like to change, and then enter a minimum of three new digits by using the numeric keypad on the remote.
Page 359 Automatically sort FM radio presets Press the START button on the remote, and then select Radio. Select Settings. Select Auto Sort to sort the radio presets in numerical order. Note When you select Auto Sort, the list is sorted in either ascending or descending numerical order, depending on how the list was sorted when you first went to the screen.
Page 360: Listen To Internet Radio
Listen to Internet radio Press the START button on the remote, and then select Radio. Select Internet. Select one of the Internet radio Web links from the list. Note The Internet button appears in Radio only if one or more Internet radio Web links have been installed. Go to Online Spotlight to check whether there are Internet radio Web links that you can download and use in Media C enter (press START and then select Online Spotlight).
Page 361 Troubleshoot Radio FM radio does not play Media C enter does not detect any FM radio stations in Seek mode Why does my FM receiver find more tunable stations than Media C enter? FM radio stopped playing unexpectedly I cannot fast forward or rewind FM radio FM radio does not pause I cannot find FM radio I installed an FM-enabled tuner and still cannot find the Radio button...
Page 362 FM radio does not play Because Media C enter supports only a single tuner, FM radio does not automatically begin to play if the tuner is currently in use for live TV or recorded TV. To play FM radio instead of playing live TV or completing a TV recording, select Start F M while you are using Radio. If FM radio still does not play, then make sure that the cable or radio antenna is attached to the computer and properly positioned for the best signal reception.
Page 363 Media Center does not detect any FM radio stations in Seek mode Media C enter does not seek to a radio frequency that has a weak signal. If you manually enter the frequency or tune directly to a station with a weak signal, then Media C enter plays the station. If you use Seek mode, however, Media C enter might bypass the weak signal.
Page 364 Why does my FM receiver find more tunable stations than Media Center? Media C enter does not tune to a radio frequency that has weak signal or that is not broadcast in stereo. For the best results, make sure that the cable or radio antenna is attached to the computer and properly positioned for the best signal reception.
Page 365 FM radio stopped playing unexpectedly Media C enter supports a single tuner for use by My TV or FM radio. If you are listening to FM radio when Media C enter is scheduled to start a recording, then a warning appears that says that FM radio stops when the TV recording starts. If you do not select Cancel Recording, then Media C enter automatically stops playing FM radio and begins recording TV.
Page 366 I cannot fast forward or rewind FM radio Media C enter does not support fast forward or rewind in F M Radio. Instead, you can select the SKIP button or REPLAY button on the remote to skip forward 29 seconds or skip back 7 seconds, respectively, in FM radio. Related topics Skip forward in FM radio Skip back in FM radio...
Page 367 FM radio does not pause FM radio maintains a maximum pause buffer of 30 minutes. If you select the PAUSE button on the remote when you are at the beginning of the pause buffer, then Media C enter does not pause and continues playing FM radio instead. If you skip forward in the audio stream, then Media C enter resumes playing FM radio.
Page 368 I cannot find FM radio If you select Radio on the Media C enter Start menu and only Internet radio stations appear, then FM radio is turned off for one of the following reasons:  FM radio has been turned off in Set Program Access and Defaults. ...
Page 369 I installed an FM-enabled tuner and still cannot find the Radio button If you have recently installed an FM radio-enabled tuner card or connected a USB tuner that supports FM radio but the Radio button still does not appear on the Start menu, then Media C enter might not have detected the added tuner yet. Go to Radio Settings to initiate a check for an available FM radio-enabled tuner.
Page 370 I cannot find Internet radio The Internet button appears in Radio only if one or more Internet radio Web links have been installed. If you cannot find Internet radio in Radio, then try downloading the Web link again. Note Go to Online Spotlight to check whether there are Internet radio Web links that you can download and use in Media C enter (press the START button on the remote, and then select Online Spotlight).
Page 371 The Internet radio stations are not the same in Media Center as they are in Media Player Media C enter displays Internet radio that has been designed for Media C enter only. Go to Online Spotlight to check whether there are Internet radio Web links you can download and use in Media C enter (press the START button on the remote, and then select Online Spotlight).
Page 372 There is a download message or page message when I select one of my Internet radio Web links If you select an Internet radio station and there is a download message or page message, then either the Web page is not available or the Web page location has been changed.
Page 373 About Radio In Media C enter you can enjoy FM radio in Media C enter and control playback with the remote control. While listening to FM radio you can pause, play, stop, skip forward, or skip back in the audio stream. At any time, you can change to a different station, by tuning to a specific frequency, seeking the next available station, or selecting a radio preset.
Page 374 FM radio and the tuner card In Media C enter, FM radio shares the use of the single tuner card with My TV. In Media C enter, you are unable to watch or record TV and listen to FM radio at the same time. When Media C enter is scheduled to start a recording, a warning appears that says FM radio stops when the TV recording starts.
Page 375: About Internet Radio
About Internet radio You can download Internet radio Web links from Online Spotlight that are designed to work with Media C enter. The Internet button appears in Radio only if one or more Internet radio Web links have been installed. Related topics Listen to Internet radio ©...
Page 377: Dvd Playback
DVD playback Play a DVD in the drive C hange the audio track while a DVD is playing Remote commands for DVD playback View more information about a DVD that is playing Set rating limits for movie and DVD viewing ©...
Page 378 Play a DVD in the drive When you insert a DVD in the DVD-ROM drive, Media C enter asks whether you would like to begin playing the DVD. Press the OK/ENTER button on the remote to proceed. To play a DVD that is already in the drive Press the START button on the remote, and then select Play DVD.
Page 379 Change the audio track while a DVD is playing To change the audio track while the DVD is playing, press CTRL+SHIFT+A on the keyboard. Related topics Set default DVD audio track © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 379...
Page 380 Program the replay and skip buttons on the remote control for DVD playback Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select DVD. Select Program remote buttons for DVD. Select the option you want to use.  Select Skip Chapters to use SKIP and REPLAY to skip forward and backward through entire chapters.
Page 381 Set rating limits for movie and DVD viewing Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select General. Select Parental Controls. The first time you use this setting, you will need to set a four digit code. Follow the instructions on the screen.
Page 382 Remote commands for DVD playback The remote control provides shortcuts for several commands in DVD. A compiled list of remote commands is provided below for quick reference. Press Go to the DVD menu DVD MENU Play a DVD in the drive PLAY Stop DVD playback STOP...
Page 383 View more information about a DVD that is playing To view information about a DVD that is playing, press the MORE INFO button on the remote. Media C enter displays the title of the DVD, the title of the chapter that is playing, the running time, the current time, the genre of the DVD, and the rating, if any.
Page 385 Set Media Center as the default DVD player The first time you insert a DVD in the DVD-ROM drive, a dialog box asks you what you want Windows to do. To set Media Center as the default DVD player C lick Play DVD Video using Media Center. Select the Always do the selected action check box, and then click OK.
Page 386 Set default DVD audio track Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select DVD. Select Language. Use the navigation buttons on the remote and +/- buttons on the screen to make your selections for DVD subtitles, audio tracks, or menus.
Page 387 Change DVD audio settings Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings. Select DVD. Select Audio. In the dialog box, use the mouse or keyboard to adjust DVD settings. Note Audio settings vary depending on the audio card installed in your computer. Refer to your hardware documentation for more information.
Page 388 Troubleshoot DVD playback Digital audio for DVD is not working I can hear the TV audio but the screen is blank I can see the TV image but there is no audio The video image is too dark The DVD video is distorted or does not play ©...
Page 389 Digital audio for DVD is not working DVD audio is determined by both the DVD audio settings and the computer system settings. The availability of digital audio is also dependent on the options enabled by the tuner card installed in your PC . To adjust the audio for DVD in Media Center Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings.
Page 390 The DVD video is distorted or does not play This might occur if you have installed third-party DVD player software. Remove the third party software to correct the problem. This might also occur if your DVD drive has been disabled. C heck to make sure that your DVD-ROM drive is enabled. For information about how to enable your DVD-ROM drive, see Help and Support C enter.
Page 391 DVD has a different region code and won't play Some DVDs are encoded for playback only in certain regions. For example, a DVD that is region coded for Japan may not play back if you are in the United States. It is possible to change the region code on your PC , but this is not recommended.
Page 392 DVD audio options are unavailable If you are unable to adjust your DVD audio settings, you might not have a decoder installed or your decoder might need to be updated. In addition to your DVD-ROM drive and DVD player software, you must have either a hardware decoder or a software decoder in order to play DVDs.
Page 393 About DVD in Media Center When you insert a DVD into the DVD-ROM drive, Media C enter asks whether you want to play the DVD. If you select Yes or do nothing, then the DVD starts to play automatically. If you select No, then you can still play the DVD in Media C enter at any time by selecting Play DVD on the Media C enter Start menu.
Page 394 My Pictures Work with picture files Play a slide show Print pictures Use audio and pictures together Troubleshoot My Pictures About My Pictures © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 394...
Page 395 Work with picture files Get organized Manage picture files Share pictures between users Sort pictures by date or title Use shortcuts to view pictures in folders other than My Pictures or Shared Pictures F ind your way around Use the remote to navigate My Pictures Browse to pictures stored on other media My Pictures remote control commands My Pictures keyboard shortcuts...
Page 396 Manage picture files Make the most out of your pictures by organizing them in Windows Explorer before you play them back in Media C enter. Press the START button on the remote, and then select Minimize. Using the mouse, click the Start button on the taskbar, and then click My Pictures. C lick the file you want to change.
Page 397 Share pictures between users Press the START button on the remote, and then select Minimize. Using the mouse, click the Start button on the taskbar, and then click My Pictures, or go to the folder that contains the pictures you want to share. C lick the file you want to share, and copy it to Shared Pictures.
Page 398 Use the remote to navigate My Pictures When you start My Pictures, a menu appears on the left side of the screen. The right side shows picture thumbnails and might show folder icons if you have organized your pictures into folders. Move between the menu and the thumbnails or folders by using the arrow buttons on the remote.
Page 399: View A Picture
View a picture Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Pictures. Use the arrow buttons on the remote to select a picture or the folder that contains the pictures you want to view. If you have nested folders, then you might need to repeat this step to find the picture you want.
Page 400 Sort pictures by date or title Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Pictures. Select Sort by date or Sort by title. Related topics Show pictures in random order © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 400...
Page 401: View Picture Details
View picture details Select the picture you want to view, and then press the MORE INFO button on the remote. You can also press the MORE INFO button on the remote during a slide show. Picture details include the file name, the title, the date the file was created or modified (whichever date is first), the picture size in pixels, and the name of the folder where your picture is stored.
Page 402: Rotate A Picture
Rotate a picture You can rotate a picture clockwise or counterclockwise in 90-degree increments. Select the picture you want to rotate. Press the MORE INFO button on the remote. Use the arrow buttons on the remote to select a Rotate button. Note Not all pictures can be rotated.
Page 403 Browse to pictures stored on other media Browse digital photos directly from the device on which they are stored. Media C enter can recognize the removable media. Insert media into the appropriate slot on the computer or memory reader. A message asks what you want to do. Select View Pictures.
Page 404 Zoom in or pan across a picture You can zoom in and pan across pictures. You can use the zoom feature when viewing single pictures or during a slide show. After you zoom in, you can use the arrow buttons on the remote to pan across the picture. In full-screen mode, select the picture you want to view, and then press the OK button on the remote.
Page 405 Turn on or turn off photo captions A caption displays the file name or title and the date the file was created or modified (whichever date is first). Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Pictures. Select Settings.
Page 406 Use shortcuts to view pictures in folders other than My Pictures or Shared Pictures Press the START button on the remote, and then select Minimize. Using the mouse, click the Start button on the taskbar, and then click My Pictures. If you want to create the shortcut in Shared Pictures, then go to the Shared Pictures folder.
Page 407: Play A Slide Show
Play a slide show Decide what is in the slide show Show pictures in subfolders during a slide show Show pictures in random order Customize the look of the slide show Adjust settings for a slide show Specify how long pictures appear in a slide show Set transition animations between pictures in a slide show Set the background color F lip through the slides...
Page 408 Adjust settings for a slide show Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Pictures. Select Settings. C hange the settings, and then press the OK button on the remote. Note To cancel your changes, select Cancel. Related topics Specify how long pictures appear in a slide show Show pictures in random order...
Page 409 Specify how long pictures appear in a slide show Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Pictures. Select Settings. Use the DOWN ARROW button on the remote to scroll to Transition time. To change transition time in one-second increments, do one of the following: ...
Page 410 Show pictures in random order Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Pictures. Select Settings. Select Show pictures in random order. Note C hoosing random order overrides any other order you might have used. If you want to show pictures sorted by name or by date, then clear the Show pictures in random order check box.
Page 411 Show pictures in subfolders during a slide show Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Pictures. Select Settings. Select Show pictures in subfolders. Related topics Adjust settings for a slide show © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 411...
Page 412 Set transition animations between pictures in a slide show C hoose between three different transition settings for your slide show: animated, cross fade, and none. Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Pictures. Select Settings. Select the transition you want to use. Select this transition Animated Zoom and pan across image and then fade into the next image...
Page 413: Set The Background Color
Set the background color Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Pictures. Select Settings. Press the DOWN ARROW button on the remote to scroll to Slide show background color. The selected color is the color of the border around any photos that do not fill the screen.
Page 414 Run a continuous slide show Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Pictures. Use the arrow buttons on the remote to go to the folder that contains the pictures you want to view in a slide show. Press the PLAY button on the remote.
Page 415 View a slide show manually Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Pictures, or go to the folder that contains the pictures you want to view. Use the arrow buttons on the remote to select the picture you want to view, and then press the OK button on the remote. Use the left arrow and right arrow buttons on the remote to go to the next or previous picture.
Page 416 View a slide show automatically Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Pictures. Use the arrow buttons on the remote to select the picture you want to view, and then press the OK button on the remote. Press the PLAY button on the remote to start the slide show.
Page 418 Play audio during a slide show Press the START button on the remote, and then select either My Music or My TV. Select the type of audio you want. If the audio does not start automatically, then press the PLAY button on the remote.
Page 419 Display music captions during a slide show You can display information about songs that are playing while a slide show is running. At the beginning and end of each song, the album art, song title, artist name, and album title appear at the bottom of the screen. Music captions have three display options: At the beginning and end of each song, Always, and Nev er.
Page 421 Print a picture Select the picture you want to print. Press the MORE INFO button on the remote. You can print a picture during a slide show by pressing MORE INFO when the picture you want to print appears. Select Print. A dialog box asks you whether you want to print the selected picture. Select Print again to continue printing, or select Cancel to cancel printing.
Page 422 Set up a printer to work with Media Center You can set up a printer profile so that your pictures print to your specifications every time you print from Media C enter. To set up a printer profile C onnect your printer according to the manufacturer's instructions. Press the START button on the remote, and then select Minimize.
Page 423 Touch up a picture Media C enter can make basic touchups to your pictures. You can fix red eye, adjust contrast, or rotate a picture. You can preview and save your changes. Select the picture you want to touch up. Press the MORE INFO button on the remote.
Page 424 Troubleshoot My Pictures Thumbnail does not show picture Image is not displayed Screensaver does not start while audio is playing © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 424...
Page 425 Thumbnail does not show picture If Media C enter is unable to create a thumbnail of a picture, then Media C enter displays a generic picture thumbnail. The picture, rather than the generic thumbnail, will still appear in full-screen mode. Related topics Supported image file types Image is not displayed...
Page 426: Image Is Not Displayed
Image is not displayed Only supported image types are shown in Media C enter. An image that is not a supported image type is skipped during a slide show. If you are viewing single images, then the message "Image cannot be displayed" appears. This message appears if the file type has changed or if the file is corrupted.
Page 427 Screensaver does not start while audio is playing You can change the setting in Windows Media Player to allow a screensaver to run during audio playback. To change the settings in Windows Media Player Press the START button on the remote, and then select Minimize. Using the mouse, click the Start button on the taskbar, point to All Programs, and then click Windows Media Player.
Page 428 Picture cannot be fixed Media C enter cannot fix all pictures. If the picture is read-only or in a format that the F ix picture feature cannot use, then the picture is not fixed. You might need to use a photo-editing program to fix the picture. Related topics Supported image file types ©...
Page 429 Picture quality is degraded When a file is changed and saved by using the F ix picture feature, the file is compressed. Repeated changing and saving of files can result in a reduction in picture quality. To ensure you have the best possible picture, refer to the documentation that came with the digital camera or image-capture device.
Page 430 Changes to picture files can not be saved There are a number of reasons your picture might not be saved including file corruption, insufficient disk space on your computer, or the file is set to read only. Try using a photo editing program to save the program or check the picture file properties. Related topics Supported image file types ©...
Page 431 About My Pictures In My Pictures, you can view your pictures individually or as a slide show. You can sort pictures by name or by date. And you can browse your pictures by using the remote or the keyboard. When viewing a photo you can press the MORE INFO button on the remote to rotate a picture, print a photo, or see information about a picture.
Page 432 Supported image file types You can view the following types of image files in Media C enter. F ile type (format) F ile name extension Joint Photographic Experts Group .jpg, .jpeg Tagged Image File Format .tif Graphics Interchange Format .gif* Bitmap .bmp Windows MetaFile...
Page 434 Use My Videos Navigate My Videos Manage video files Play a video file View video details Remote commands for My Videos Support for wide-screen displays © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 434...
Page 435 Navigate My Videos When you start My Videos, a menu appears on the left side of the screen. The right side shows video thumbnails and folder icons if you have organized your videos into folders or connected to a removable media source, such as a C ompactFlash card or wireless drive.
Page 436 Sort videos by date Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Videos. Select Sort by date. Note Press the MORE INFO button on the remote to see the created date and modified date for an individual video file. Related topics Manage video files Sort videos by name...
Page 437 Sort videos by name Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Videos. Select Sort by name. Related topics Sort videos by date Manage video files © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 437...
Page 438: Manage Video Files
Manage video files Press the START button on the remote, and then select Minimize. Using the mouse, click the Start button on the taskbar, click My Documents, and then double-click My Videos. C lick the file you want to change. Note The Shared Videos folder is located in C :\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\My Videos.
Page 439 Share v ideos between users Press the START button on the remote, and then select Minimize. Using the mouse, click the Start button on the taskbar, click My Documents, and then double-click My Videos. C lick the file you want to share, and then copy it to Shared Videos. Note The Shared Videos folder is located in C :\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\My Videos.
Page 440 Use shortcuts to v iew v ideos in folders other than My Videos or Shared Videos Press the START button on the remote, and then select Minimize. Using the mouse, click the Start button on the taskbar, click My Documents, and then double-click My Videos. If you want to create the shortcut in Shared Videos, go to the Shared Videos folder, which is located in C :\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\My Videos.
Page 441 View videos stored on removable media Make sure your removable media is connected. Select Other media. A folder with the drive name appears. For example, your C ompactFlash card folder might appear with the drive name G:\. Select the folder, and then use your video files as usual. Related topics Work with removable media ©...
Page 442 Play a v ideo file Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Videos. Use the arrow buttons on the remote to go to the video you want to view, and then press the OK button on the remote. Related topics Pause a video Play a video in full-screen mode...
Page 443 Pause a video Press the PAUSE button on the remote to pause the video. To resume, press the PLAY button on the remote or PAUSE Related topics Play a video in full-screen mode Fast forward or rewind a video Skip ahead in a video View video details ©...
Page 444 Play a v ideo in full-screen mode Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Videos. Use the arrow buttons on the remote to select the video you want to play, and then press the OK/ENTER button on the remote. The video starts playing in full-screen mode.
Page 445 Play a v ideo while browsing other media Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Videos. Use the arrow buttons on the remote to select the video you want to play, and then press the OK/ENTER button on the remote. The video starts to play in full-screen mode.
Page 446 F ast forward or rewind a v ideo Media C enter gives you three fast forward and rewind speeds. To fast forward or rewind at 3 times the normal speed, press the FAST FORWARD button or REWIND button on the remote once. To increase the speed, press FAST FORWARD or REWIND a second or third time.
Page 447 Skip ahead in a video To advance ahead in a video, press the SKIP button on the remote. You can repeatedly skip forward until you reach the end of the video. Note If you are paused when you press the SKIP button on the remote, the video will advance 29 seconds and remain paused.
Page 448: View Video Details
View video details To view video details, do one of the following:  Select a video, and then press the MORE INFO button on the remote.  While the video is playing, press MORE INFO. Related topics Pause a video Play a video in full-screen mode Fast forward or rewind a video Skip ahead in a video...
Page 449 Remote commands for My Videos The remote control provides shortcuts for several commands in My Videos. For quick reference, the following is a complete list of remote commands. Press Play a video PLAY Pause a video PAUSE Resume playing a paused video PAUSE or PLAY Fast forward Rewind...
Page 451 Video does not play The file might be corrupted or in an unsupported format. You might need to open the file by using a video editor and then resave the file in a supported format. There might also be a problem with the codec. To learn more about codecs, search Windows Media Player Help. Try opening the file by using Windows Media Player.
Page 452 Video does not fast forward or rewind Not all video formats support fast forward and rewind. Related topics Supported video file formats © 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 452...
Page 453 About My Videos In My Videos, you can play digital videos or sort them by name or by date. You can also browse videos by using the remote or the keyboard. Videos are stored in the My Videos folder on your computer. Users have their own My Videos folder that only they can access; however, you can share videos between users by storing your videos in the Shared Videos folder.
Page 454 About video files When you save digital videos from your camera, Windows XP stores them in the My Videos folder by default. You can share videos with others by storing them in the Shared Videos folders. After your videos are organized, you can view them by using Media C enter. You can also store videos that you downloaded from the Internet in the Shared Videos folder or My Videos folder.
Page 455 Manage video files by using shortcuts If you do not want to move or copy your videos into the My Videos folder or Shared Videos folder, you can make shortcuts to the videos or to the folders that contain them. For example, your birthday party videos are stored in the C :\Videos\BirthdayParty folder that you have created.
Page 456: Supported Video File Formats
Supported video file formats The following types of videos can be viewed in Media C enter. F ile type (format) F ile name extension Windows Media file .wm, .asf Windows Media A/V .wmv Video file .avi Movie file .mpeg, .mpg, .mpe, .m1v, .mp2, .mpv2 Additional video file formats might be supported if you install new codecs.
Page 457 Media Center Technical Support Because Windows XP Media C enter Edition was included with your hardware device or system, the hardware manufacturer provides technical support and assistance for this software. Your manufacturer may have customized the installation with unique components such as specific device drivers and optional settings to maximize the performance of their hardware.
Page 458 Glossary To find a term in the glossary, click the letter of the alphabet that is the first letter in the term you want to look up. You can also read glossary terms within the text of Help by clicking the underlined glossary term links. After you click a glossary link, the glossary term and definition appear in a pop-up window.
Page 459 Back to Top remote sensor The device that receives InfraRed (IR) signals from other devices, like a remote control. Remote sensors could be peripheral devices, or could also be built into either computers or monitors. removable media Any type of storage that is not permanently attached to the computer. This includes C ompactFlash, memory stick, wireless drives, and other portable storage media.

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