Setting up the Media Center Computer Step-by-Step in Media Center Edition 2005

Setting up the Media Center Computer Step-by-Step in Media Center Edition 2005
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This document applies to the HP Media Center PC with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005.
If your HP Media Center PC included Media Center Edition (first version) or Media Center Edition 2004, use HP Media Center PCs - Setting up the Media Center Computer Step-by-Step in Media Center Edition 2004 .
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.
Connect the keyboard to the round, purple PS/2 port on the back of the computer.
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 next to the remote sensor on the set-top or receiver box.
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, or Gamecube), it is not recommended that you connect it to the Media Center computer. Instead, connect it 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. The Media Center Setup Wizard screen appears.
Click Next. The Media Center Welcome screen appears.
Click Next. The Media Center Setup screen appears. It informs you that there are required and optional setup steps.
Click Next. The Media Center Privacy Policy screen appears. Click Media Center Privacy Policy to view the policy.
Click Next. The Enhanced Playback screen appears. It prompts you to select whether or not you want Media Center to automatically connect to the Internet to retrieve cover art, movie information, and Television Program Guides.
Click Yes or No, and then click Next. The Internet Connection screen appears. It prompts you to select whether or not you have an "Always On" Internet connection.
If you have a broadband Internet connection (cable modem or DSL), click Yes. If you have a dial-up connection, click No. You are prompted to test your Internet connection.
Click Test. When Media Center confirms your Internet connection, click Next. Media Center displays a summary of the Required setup steps that you have completed.
Click Next to display the Optional Setup screen.
Click Configure tuners, TV signal, and Guide and then Next. The TV Setup screen appears.
Confirm that the default region is correct.
If the region is correct, click Yes, use this region to configure TV services and then Next.
If the region is not correct, click No, I want to configure a different region and then Next. Select the proper region, and then click Next.
The Automatic TV Signal Setup screen appears.
Click Configure my TV signal automatically and then Next. Confirm your connection as described in the onscreen instructions.
Click Next to start the scan for TV signals from your TV source (antenna, cable, or satellite). When a signal is found, you are prompted to confirm the type and number of connections.
If the search result returns the correct signal source, click Yes and then Next.
If the search result returns the incorrect signal source (or no source), click No, I want to try again and then Next. Ensure your TV source inputs are connected properly, and click Next to retry the search.
Click No, proceed to manual TV signal setup and then Next to manually configure your TV source. Follow the onscreen instructions.
After confirming your TV source, the Guide Privacy screen appears and prompts you Do you want to use the guide?
Click Yesand then Next. The 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 are not be available. You are prompted to enter the zip code for your service area.
Enter your five-digit zip code and click Next. The program guide for your region is downloaded (you must be connected to the Internet to complete this step).
When the download is complete, click Next and then select your TV signal provider from the list.
Click Next. The provider-specific information automatically downloads. Click Next when downloading has finished. If you are in 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.
When the program guide has finished downloading, click Next, select I am finished, and then Finish to complete 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: Set up the Media Center optimization utility (optional)
The optimization utility is designed to keep your HP Media Center PC running smoothly when Media Center is left open for long periods of time. Media Center can be left open because of various scheduled TV recordings or because the PC enters Standby or Away mode while Media Center is still open.
During an optimization, Media Center automatically closes and then opens at a scheduled time when there has not been any activity for 30 minutes. If it cannot be performed, the optimization is skipped until the next scheduled time.
To enable the Media Center optimization utility:

Click Start on the taskbar, and then click Media Center.
Select Settings, General, and then select Optimization.

Place a check mark next to Perform Optimization to enable the optimization utility.
Enter the time you want the optimization to occur by using your keyboard or your remote control.
Select Save.

NOTE: Optimization is not done while a CD is being recorded, media is being downloaded from the Internet, or while any media except Live TV is playing, paused or stopped.

Step 5: 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 6: 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 7: 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.