Setting up the Media Center Computer in Media Center Edition (first version) or Media Center Edition 2004

Setting up the Media Center Computer in Media Center Edition (first version) or Media Center Edition 2004

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This document applies to HP Media Center PCs with Windows XP Media Center Edition or Media Center Edition 2004.
If your HP Media Center PC included Media Center Edition 2005, use HP Media Center PCs - Setting up the Media Center Computer Step-by-Step in Media Center Edition 2005 .
This document provides step-by-step instructions for setting up the hardware and software for the HP Media Center PC.
Before you begin
Make sure you have the following items available before setting up the computer:

A computer monitor is highly recommended to initially set up the computer. Using a television screen to make changes in Windows may be difficult due to the higher resolution of Windows.
All components that came with the computer. Use the setup poster that came with the HP Media Center computer to determine if a component is missing or refer to the product specifications.
Sufficient coaxial (television) cable to connect each device that accepts a television signal (set-top/receiver box, VCR, and the Media Center computer). One coaxial cable is supplied.
An S-video cable (not supplied), if a television capable of accepting S-video is used.
A flashlight, if the installation area is dark.
An Internet connection is required to use the Television Program Guide function.

Step 1: Set up the hardware
Perform the following steps to set up the HP Media Center hardware. At this time, do not connect any peripherals (for example printers, scanners, palmtops, cameras).

Insert the batteries into the remote control for the Media Center.
Place the computer in an area near the monitor, power plug, network connections, and television connections.
Connect the mouse to the round, green PS/2 port on the back of the computer, or if the computer came with a USB mouse connect it to an available USB port.
Connect the keyboard to the round, purple PS/2 port on the back of the computer, or if the computer came with a USB keyboard connect it to an available USB port.
If you plan to use the Television Program Guide function, connect the computer to your Internet connection. Internet connection cables will depend on the type of Internet service.
If the computer came with speakers, connect the speakers as shown in the setup poster. For more information on speaker setup refer to the HP support document, HP Media Center PC - Setting up and Configuring Speakers (in English).
Connect the remote sensor's cable into an open USB port on the back of the computer. The best location for the remote sensor is next to the display (television or monitor).
When using a cable set-top box or satellite receiver box, connect the remote sensor control cable into the remote sensor for the Media Center computer (see Figure 1).
Remove the adhesive backing from the remote sensor control.
Attach the remote sensor control directly over the remote sensor on the set-top or receiver box so that the sensor is fully covered by the remote sensor control.
Plug the Media Center power cable into the back of the computer. Plug the other end into a power outlet.

Figure 1: Connecting the remote sensor control cable
1 - Remote sensor for the Media Center computer
2 - Remote sensor control
3 - Remote sensor on the Set-top box or receiver

Step 2: Connect the television signal
Perform the following steps to connect the television signal to the display (Refer to Figure 2 for assistance):

NOTE: If using a video game console device (like an X-Box, PS2, Gamecube, or other device), because of a small time delay while the signal is processed, it is not recommended that you connect it to the Media Center computer. Instead, connect the game console directly to the display device using video signal switching hardware from your local electronics store or connect it to a separate TV set.

Find the coaxial cable coming from the wall or television antenna. This is the main television signal coming in from an antenna, a cable company, or a satellite dish.
If using a cable set-top box or a satellite receiver box, connect the coaxial cable into the line-in connector on the back of the set-top box. Connect another coaxial cable into the line-out connector on the back of the set-top box.
If using a Video tape recorder (VCR), connect the coaxial into the line-in connector on the back of the VCR. Connect another coaxial cable into the line-out connector on the back of the VCR.
Connect the coaxial cable into the connector on the back of the Media Center computer.
If using a computer monitor (recommended for initial set-up), connect the monitor cable to the back of the computer and the monitor. Plug the monitor power cord into a power outlet.
If using a television, connect an S-video cable into the back of the computer and into the back of the television. If the television does not have an S-video-in connector, use the S-video-to-RCA adapter cable or use a standard video cable to make the connection. Plug in the television power cord.

Figure 2: Coaxial (television) cable connections

Step 3: Configure the software for television
Use the following steps to configure the Media Center software before viewing television:

NOTE: Required information for cable or satellite television is found in your television programming package.

Press the Power button on the computer and on the monitor or television. If using a television, use the television remote control to change the input source setting to match the incoming television signal connection (usually Line-1, Video 1, or S-video).
Read and respond to all setup screens that appear. Set up an Internet connection with an Internet provider. An Internet connection is required in order to use the Television Program Guide.
Connect to the Internet.
Double-click the Media Center icon on the Windows desktop or press the green Start button on the remote control. A Getting Started screen appears.
Click Next. A Check Your Remote screen appears. Press the keypad numbers on the remote control to brighten the numbers on the screen. A small red light also lights on the remote sensor when it successfully receives a signal. When done, click My remote is working properly. If the numbers on the screen do not brighten and the red light does not come on, check the following items and try again:
Make sure that the batteries for the remote control are good and are installed in the proper direction.
Make sure that the remote sensor for the Media Center computer is connected into a USB port behind the computer.
Make sure that the front of the remote sensor is within a 45-degree range and is less than 26 feet (8 meters) away.
Click Next. A Choose Your Connection screen appears. Select Broadband, LAN or None, I will connect manually. For a dial-up Internet connection select None, I will connect manually.
Click Next. A Choose Your TV Signal screen appears. Depending on the source of your television signal, select Cable, Satellite, or Antenna, and then click Next. If you selected cable, then select My TV signal passes through a set-top box or I do not have a set-top box. Click Next.
If you are using a satellite receiver or cable with a set-top box, use the following steps to match the code set used by the box to the remote control:
Click Next, and then click Next again.
A Choose Your TV Signal screen appears. Select channel 2, 3, 4, or S-video. A clear television signal should display when the proper channel is selected (the channel may be black, on a channel guide, or on a pay-per-view menu). If a clear television signal does not display, check the coaxial and S-video connections.
Click Next, a Choose Number of Digits screen appears. This number is usually the same as the number of digits in the highest available channel number. For example, if the highest channel number is 123, then select 3. If the highest channel number is 99, then select 2.
Click Next, a How Do You Change Your Channels screen appears. If you have to press an Enter or Submit key on the remote control for your set-top or receiver, select Yes, I have to press enter. If you do not press Enter to change channels, select I just enter the channel number.
Click Next, and select the brand of the satellite receiver or cable set top box from the list. If the brand or manufacturer's name is not on the front of the box, check the labels on the back or bottom of the box. Call the television provider if you cannot find the name.
Click Next, a Select Code Set screen appears. Select the first available code set.
On the next two screens, read the instructions for each screen and change the channel using the remote control. It may take a few seconds for the channel to change. If the channel changes, click Next and continue. If the channel does not change, or if a satellite or pay-per-view menu appears when a channel number is entered, turn the cable or satellite box off and then back on. Click Back to try a different code-set. If a compatible code-set cannot be found, call the satellite or cable company for the proper settings.

NOTE: If you are unable to find your particular brand of set-top box or MyTV only receives one channel, use Microsoft's Set-top box Issue Submission Form (in English) to report this.
Choose a remote control speed. Select Fast. If changing channels is troublesome in the future, this setting can be adjusted to a lower setting later from inside Television Options.
Click Next. A Terms of Service screen appears. If you agree to the terms, select I Agree, and then click Next. If you do not agree to the terms, select I don't agree, and then click Next. If you do not agree, television recording and certain program guide features will not be available.
Click Next, and then enter your Zip or Postal code. Make sure that you are logged onto the Internet.
Click Next. The television provider information automatically downloads. Click Next when downloading has finished. For customers of the United States you can verify the correct station listings yourself by going to the Zap 2 it Web site (in English) and typing in your zip code.
Select your television signal provider from the list that appears.
Click Next. The Television Program Guide for the current times downloads automatically.
When the program guide has finished downloading, click Next to finish the setup. Continue to the next step if you used a computer monitor to set up the computer and you now want to use a television set as a monitor.

Step 4: Replace the monitor with a television (optional)
After the HP Media Center computer has been set up using a monitor, you may replace the monitor with a television by using the following steps:

NOTE: Not all Media Center PCs are capable of displaying to a TV. Please refer to the PC product specifications (check the box or use www.hp.com and search by product) to determine if your PC supports the TV out option.

Shut down the computer and turn off the monitor.
Unplug the monitor power cable from the power outlet and from the monitor.
Unplug the monitor cable from the back of the computer.
Replace the monitor with the television.
Plug the television's power cord into a power outlet.
Plug in an S-video cable (not provided) or a composite video cable into the back of the television set (see Figure 3). If the television does not have an S-video or composite connector, use an adapter that connects from an S-video/composite connector to the type of connector on the back of the television.
Turn on the television and the computer.
Using the television remote control, change the input source setting to match the incoming television signal connection (usually Line-1, Video 1, or S-video).

Step 5: Install other hardware and software
Only install other hardware and software after the HP Media Center computer is set up and working properly. Install hardware and software one item at a time, as per the product's instructions. Restart the computer after adding each new hardware addition.
Step 6: Consider other optional settings and configurations
Consider the following item when using the HP Media Center computer:

Do not use the stereo out connectors on the television, VCR, satellite receiver, or set-top box. Only use the stereo out connectors from the television or sound card on the computer. Otherwise, sound will be heard before the television image or there will be two separate audio streams.