Sony PCV-RZ49G User's Guide

Welcome to Media CenterWith Media C enter, you will feel at home right away. You can: Watch your favorite TV shows, or record and save them for later

Customize the Media Center Start menuYou can add new programs to the Media Center Start menu.Microsoft has created Power Toys, including a version of

About set-top box control codesYour set-top box has a set of control codes that allow it to work with your remote. Because there is more than one poss

Change your Setup optionsThe settings for your remote, Internet connection, TV signal, and Guide can be easily changed. Note Each setting needs to b

Change settings in Media CenterGlobal settings in Media CenterChange the appearance of Media C enterTurn on or turn off Media Center soundsUse notific

Change the appearance of Media CenterTurn on or turn off transition animations between Media Center screensKeep the Media Center window always on topA

Turn on or turn off transition animations between Media Center screens1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings.2.Select Gene

Keep the Media Center window always on top1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings.2.Select General.3.Select Appearance.4.Se

Adjust Media Center for your display1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings.2.Select General.3.Select Appearance.4.Under Ad

Change the video background colorIf you have a wide-screen display and the video is in a standard format, then borders appear around the video image.

Turn on or turn off Media Center soundsMedia Center plays sounds when you select items or move between screens. The sounds can be turned on or turned

Use notificationsTurn on or turn off taskbar notificationsSet telephone call notifications© 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Pag

Remove items from the Media Center Start menu1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select Minimize.2.Using the mouse, right-click the Sta

Turn on or turn off taskbar notifications1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings.2.Select General.3.Select Notifications.4.

Set telephone call notificationsYou can receive notification of incoming telephone calls and caller ID information if they are available. You must be

Turn on or turn off onscreen tipsOnscreen tips help you use the Guide, but after you have learned how to use the Guide, you might want to turn off the

Configure your video displayAdjust your displayFind the controls to adjust your display© 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 1

Adjust your displayMedia Center gives you the controls to get the best possible picture quality from the display. 1.Press the START button on the re

Choose the type of display you haveMedia Center supports four display types Traditional TV or computer monitor (CRT)Flat panel (LC D, plasma)Rear-p

Select a video connection typeSome video connectors provide better display quality than others.If you have a choice between a composite connector (1)

Find the controls to adjust your displayGaining access to the onscreen display adjustment controls varies depending on the type of display you have. C

Run the display adjustment controlsEach display adjustment control has a description of the control and a video that helps you optimize the settings f

Adjust the onscreen centering and sizingIf you are using a wide-screen TV, set the zoom mode so that the video stretches to fill the screen.The displa

Search for an item by name1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select one of the following: My Pictures, My Videos, or My Music.2.Select

Adjust the aspect ratioIf you have a wide-screen display, then under Display Width select Widescreen (16x9). This choice selects the appropriate video

Adjust the brightnessThe brightness setting affects the appearance of detail in the dark areas of a picture on your display.Even minimal changes to th

Adjust the contrastIf you have a flat-panel display, then the contrast of the picture is significantly affected when you adjust the contrast setting o

Adjust the RGB color balancePay careful attention to the color in the painting when you adjust the RGB color balance. The painting should be completel

Adjust the color and tintSet the tint to the middle setting, and then adjust the color saturation.C olor settings and tint settings are available only

Adjust the sharpnessPay careful attention to the cue sticks in the video when you adjust the sharpness. The cue sticks should not have shadows, ghosts

The onscreen display adjustment controls are superimposed over the videoT .The onscreen controls are provided by the manufacturer of the display devic

I cannot see the X when adjusting the brightness controlsIf you cannot see the X on the wall when adjusting the brightness on the display, then the di

Protect your display from burn-inSome televisions, especially front-projection or rear-projection types, can be damaged by static images. Static image

Set parental controlsSet movie and DVD ratingsReset parental controlsChange the 4 digit codeI cannot remember my 4-digit code for parental controls© 2

Work with removable mediaMedia Center plays pictures, music, and videos that are stored on removable media such as smart cards, CompactFlash cards, an

Change the 4-digit codeWhen you change the 4-digit code, all previously established parental control limits remain. 1.Press the START button on the

Reset parental controlsWhen you remove the 4-digit code, all the parental control settings are reset. 1.Press the START button on the remote, and th

I cannot remember my 4-digit code for parental controlsIf you have forgotten your current 4-digit code, you can reset it in General Settings. You must

Change the setup for the Internet connection or the remote controlSet up your Internet connectionChange your setup options© 2000-2003 Microsoft C orpo

Use Autoplay for HighMAT and Media Center enhanced contentMedia Center can automatically play your HighMAT (High-performance Media Access Technology)

More information about Media CenterRead the privacy policy for Media CenterFind out what version of Media Center you have© 2000-2003 Microsoft C orpor

Read the privacy policy for Media Center1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings.2.Select General.3.Select Privacy policy an

Set privacy optionsTo change settings for how the computer retrieves and stores media information 1.Press the START button on the remote, and then s

Acquire licensesYou might want to acquire licenses for media automatically to be able to play protected files without interruption. If the check box i

Work offlineThe computer must be connected to the Internet if you want to use several Media Center features and options. If the computer is notconnect

Switch to Toolbar viewWhen you move the mouse, the Media Center menu bar and transport controls appear. You can then use the mouse to click the button

Find out what version of Media Center you haveIf you have contacted technical support, you might need to find out what version of Media Center you are

Accessibility for people with disabilitiesMicrosoft is committed to making its products and services easier for everyone to use. This section provides

How to use accessibility features in Media CenterMedia Center keyboard shortcutsRemote commands in Media CenterMedia Center features for people who ar

Media Center keyboard shortcutsWhen using Media Center, you can use the shortcut keys as an alternative to the mouse or remote control. By using the f

Navigation keyboard shortcutsTo PressOpen Media Center or return to the Media C enter Start menu Windows Key+ALT+ENTERClose Media C enter ALT+F4Accept

Audio control keyboard shortcutsTo PressMute volume F8Turn down volume F9Turn up volume F10© 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Pa

My TV keyboard shortcutsTo PressStart My TV CTRL+SHIFT+TGo to Recorded TV CTRL+OGo to the Guide CTRL+GGo to live TV CTRL+TRecord a TV show CTRL+RPause

My Music keyboard shortcutsTo PressStart My Music CTRL+MPlay an audio file or song CTRL+SHIFT+PPause an audio file or song CTRL+PStop an audio file or

Radio keyboard shortcutsTo PressGo to Radio CTRL+APause live radio CTRL+PStop live radio CTRL+SHIFT+SResume playing radio CTRL+SHIFT+PSkip back CTRL+B

My Pictures keyboard shortcutsTo PressStart My Pictures CTRL+IPlay a slide show CTRL+SHIFT+PStop a slide show CTRL+SHIFT+SPause a slide show CTRL+PSki

Show the Media Center menu barMove the mouse to make the Media Center menu bar appear. From the Media C enter menu bar, you can go to the previous scr

My Videos keyboard shortcutsTo PressStart My Videos CTRL+EPlay CTRL+SHIFT+PPause CTRL+PStop CTRL+SHIFT+SRewind CTRL+SHIFT+BFast forward CTRL+SHIFT+FSk

DVD keyboard shortcutsTo PressGo to the DVD menu CTRL+SHIFT+MPlay CTRL+SHIFT+PPause CTRL+PStop CTRL+SHIFT+SRewind CTRL+SHIFT+BFast forward CTRL+SHIFT+

Keyboard shortcuts for using the Help windowTo PressDisplay the Help window F1Display the Contents tab ALT+CDisplay the Index tab ALT+NDisplay the Sea

Media Center features for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearingPeople who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can configure Media Center to display C losed C

Closed CaptioningClosed C aptioning displays the spoken audio in text format for TV and DVD. You can turn on Closed Captioning for Media C enter in TV

Media Center features for people who are blind or have impaired visionFor people who are blind or have impaired vision, Media Center supports many of

High ContrastBy using High Contrast, you can specify that Windows XP use specific colors and fonts for easy reading; however, Media Center candisplay

Text-to-speech toolsMedia Center supports Narrator and other screen readers that work with Active Accessibility 2.0. Narrator is a text-to-speech util

Screen magnifiersMedia Center supports Magnifier and other screen magnifiers that work with DirectX. Magnifier is a display utility program in Windows

Descriptive Video ServiceIf Descriptive Video Service (DVS) is available for TV in your region, then you can activate DVS by switching to the Secondar

Show the Transport Controls toolbarThe Transport Controls toolbar appears when you move the mouse. You can click the on-screen transport controls with

Media Center features for people who have a mobility impairmentExcept for Sticky Keys, Media Center supports all of the accessibility features enabled

Accessibility features in Media Center HelpMedia Center Help includes features that make it accessible to a wide range of users, including those who h

Change the text or color of the background in Help1.Open the Help window.2.Click Options, and then click Internet Options.3.On the General tab, click

Change the font in Help1.Open the Help window.2.Click Options, and then click Internet Options.3.On the General tab, click Accessibility. To use the s

Troubleshoot accessibility features in Media CenterMy computer's High Contrast setting displays differently in Media CenterHigh C ontrast does no

My computer's High Contrast setting displays differently in Media Center Media Center displays only two High C ontrast appearance schemes compare

High Contrast does not work in Media CenterIf you have turned on High Contrast in Windows Settings and then optimized Media C enter for use with a TV,

Closed Captioning does not workMedia Center displays C losed C aptioning that has been supplied by the TV service provider on one of the captioning ch

My screen reader does not work in Media CenterMedia Center supports Narrator and other screen readers that work with Active Accessibility 2.0. If your

My screen magnifier does not work in Media CenterMedia Center supports Magnifier and other screen magnifiers that work with DirectX.The accessibility

Use Media Center and other programs at the same timeYou can work in programs like Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel while using Media Center to watch

SoundSentry does not work in Media CenterMedia Center does not support the SoundSentry feature in Windows XP. If you have turned on SoundSentry (locat

ShowSounds does not work in Media CenterMedia Center does not support the ShowSounds feature in Windows XP. If you have turned on ShowSounds in C ontr

Sound schemes do not work in Media CenterMedia Center does not support sound schemes in Windows XP. If you have turned on a sound scheme in C ontrol P

Sticky Keys does not work in Media CenterMedia Center does not support the Sticky Keys feature in Windows XP. If you have turned on Sticky Keys in C o

The cursor blink rate and cursor width display differently in Media CenterThe cursor blink rate and cursor width in Media Center have been designed an

Accessible products and services from MicrosoftThe following topics provide information about the features, products, and services that make this Micr

Accessibility in Microsoft WindowsMany accessibility features have been built into Microsoft Windows, starting with the introduction of Windows 95. Th

Adjusting Microsoft products for people with accessibility needsAccessibility options and features are built into many Microsoft products, including t

Free step-by-step tutorialsMicrosoft offers a series of step-by-step tutorials to help you learn how to adjust the accessibility options and settings

Microsoft documentation in alternative formatsIn addition to the standard formats, documentation for many Microsoft products is available in other for

Close Media Center1.Press the START button on the remote.2.In the upper-right corner of the screen, select the Close button, and then press the OK b

Assistive technology for WindowsA wide variety of accessibility aids, or assistive technology products, are available to make computers easier to use

Customer service for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearingIf you are deaf or hard-of-hearing, complete access to Microsoft product and customer servi

Getting more accessibility informationThe Accessibility section of the Microsoft Web site provides information about accessible technology to help imp

My TVWatch TVUse the GuideSearch TVRecord TVChange settings for My TVTroubleshoot My TVAbout My TV in Media Center© 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation.

Watch TVTV watching basicsWatch a TV show in full-screen modeView details for a TV showChange the channelTrick play while watching TVPause and play TV

Watch a TV show in full-screen modeGo to live TV from anywhere in Media Center by pressing the LIVE TV button on the remote. Media C enter begins play

View details for a TV showWhile watching TV in full-screen mode, press the MORE INFO button on the remote to display the information bar. The informat

Change the channelYou can change the channel while watching TV in full-screen mode or when you have selected the inset window or the Now Playingwindow

Pause and play TV1.Press the PAUSE button on the remote to halt the live TV or recorded TV image.2.To resume watching TV, do one of the following: 

Stop TV1.Press the STOP button on the remote to stop live TV or recorded TV. To confirm that TV is stopped, a message appears.2.To resume watching T

Media Center global settingsMake Media Center the default C D player or DVD playerRestore the default media settings for WindowsVolume settings in Med

Fast forward TVMedia Center has three fast forward speeds to control the TV image. You can use fast forward only if live TV has been paused for alengt

Rewind TVMedia Center has three rewind speeds to control the TV image.To rewind at 3 times normal speed, press the REWIND button on the remote one t

Skip ahead in a TV showIf 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 re

Use instant replayPress the REPLAY button on the remote to go back 7 seconds in live TV or recorded TV. You can repeatedly jump back with theinstant

Watch TV in slow motionYou 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

Watch TV frame-by-frameYou 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 i

Watch pay-per-viewPay-per-view shows are supplied by your TV service provider and must be included in your TV package to view them in Media Center. If

Use the GuideGuide basicsGo to the GuideSelect a show listed in the GuideBrowse the GuideFilter the Guide by a categoryView the lineup for a single ch

Go to the GuidePress the GUIDE button on the remote to go to the Program Guide while using any program on your computer. Even if Media Center isnot cu

Select a show listed in the Guide1.Press the GUIDE button on the remote.2.Go to the TV show. When an item is highlighted, additional information about

Get started using Media CenterYou can use Media Center in two ways: Using the remote. In the same way you use your home entertainment system, you can

Volume settings in Media CenterWhen you use the remote to turn up the volume in Media Center, you are turning up the master volume for the entire Wind

Browse the GuideTo browse the Guide by using the remote, do any of the following:To PressGo to the inset window - LEFT ARROWJump directly to a speci

Filter the Guide by a categoryGuide filtering is available in the United States and Canada only. 1.Press the GUIDE button on the remote.2.While in the

View the lineup for a single channel1.Press the GUIDE button on the remote.2.Select the channel identifier to view the listings for that channel.3.To

Download Guide listings manuallyYou can download new Guide information manually to update your current Guide listings. The Guide can contain up to 14

Get more information about the GuideRead the Terms of Service for the Guide in Media CenterRead the Guide privacy statementRead about the current Guid

Read the Terms of Service for the Guide in Media CenterIn order to be able to download and use the Guide information from the Microsoft TV listings se

Read the Guide privacy statement1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings.2.Select General.3.Select Privacy.4.Select Guide Pr

Read about the current Guide informationThe About Guide data page displays information about the current listings in the Guide. For example, it displa

Record TVRecord the show that you are watchingRecord from the GuideRecord from SearchRecord by keywordRecord by channel and timeRemove a show from the

Record the show that you are watchingWhile watching TV in full-screen mode or when you have selected the inset window or Now Playing window in the My

Make Media Center the default CD player or DVD playerWhen you are using Media Center, C Ds or DVDs play automatically, but you can also set Media C en

Record from the GuideRecord a show from the GuideRecord a series from the GuideRecord by channel and time© 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All right

Record a show from the Guide1.Press the GUIDE button on the remote.2.Go to the TV show that you want to record.3.Highlight the title of the show, and

Record a series from the Guide1.Press the GUIDE button on the remote.2.Use the arrow buttons on the remote to scroll through the TV listings.3.Highlig

Record from SearchRecord a show from SearchRecord a series from Search© 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 213

Record a show from Search1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My TV.2.Select Search.3.Select Title, Keyword, or Categories to sea

Record a series from Search1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My TV.2.Select Search.3.Select Title, Keyword, or Categories to s

Record by keywordWhen you schedule a custom recording by keyword, Media Center continually searches the Guide and records shows based on thepreference

Record upcoming shows with a specific actor or by a specific directorYou can schedule a Keyword record that records shows with a specific actor or by

Record an upcoming show or movieYou can schedule a Keyword record to record an upcoming show or movie that might not be in the Guide listings yet. Eve

Record shows containing a generic keywordYou can schedule a Keyword record that finds and records shows that match a generic keyword, such as a favori

Restore the default media settings for Windows1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select Minimize.2.Using the mouse, click the Start bu

Record by channel and timeRecording by channel and time (Manual record), allows you to schedule a TV recording with a specific start time and end time

© 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 221

Use advanced record settingsWhen you schedule any type of recording, Media Center uses the default recording setting unless you make specific selectio

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Use the Keep settingThe Keep setting for a recording determines when it is deleted from the hard disk. You can choose from several different Keep sett

Change recording settings for a scheduled recordingIf you have already selected a TV show to record, but would like to change the settings for Keyword

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 confl

Manage Recorded TVView the recording scheduleRemove a show from the recording scheduleRemove a series from the recording scheduleView recording histor

View the recording scheduleThe recording schedule displays a list of shows that are scheduled to be recorded. 1.Press the START button on the remote

Remove a show from the recording schedule1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My TV.2.Select Recorded TV.3.Select Scheduled.4.To

Change Internet Explorer settings for use with Online Spotlight or other Media Center programsIf you have disabled cookies or set the security setting

Remove a series from the recording schedule1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My TV.2.Select Recorded TV.3.Select Scheduled.4.S

View recording historyTo 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.

Delete a recorded show or seriesYou can delete a show from Recorded TV that has already been recorded. However, you cannot delete an entire recorded s

Resolve recording conflicts manuallyIf you schedule a recording for the same time as another recording, then a conflict notification appears. Follow t

Resolve recording conflicts automaticallyIf you do not resolve a recording schedule conflict manually, then Media Center resolves the conflict automat

Change the recording priority for a seriesIf Media Center encounters a recording conflict between two series, then Media C enter uses the series prior

Use standby modeIf you set your computer to record TV, then you must have your computer powered on, in standby mode, or in hibernate mode tosuccessful

Search TVUse 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 matchyour

Search TV by title or keywordTitle search looks within show titles to find your specified word. Keyword search looks for your word anywhere in the ava

Search TV by categoryThe classifications used in category search are determined by your Microsoft TV Listings service provider. 1.Press the START bu

Apply system-wide settings and per-user settingsSome of the settings for Media Center can be set and changed only by someone who has administrator pri

Find and play a recorded show1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My TV.2.Select Recorded TV.3.To organize the list, select one o

Change settings for My TVC hange Recorder settingsChange Guide settingsChange the settings for the TV signalChange the TV audio settingsTurn off the a

Change Recorder settingsC hange storage settings for Recorded TVChange the recording default settings© 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights re

Change storage settings for Recorded TVIn storage settings, you can indicate which drive and how much of that drive is allocated for Recorded TV stora

Change the recording default settingsWhen you change the default recorder settings, you change the settings that Media Center uses for every scheduled

Change Guide settingsThe listings in the Guide are determined by the TV signal provider, TV signal location, and TV listings package you selected when

Edit channel numbersYou can edit channel numbers to remap channel numbers to the correct TV network and related program information. Generally, onlyon

Turn on or turn off channels in the Guide lineupTo prevent Media Center from trying to access and record channels that you do not subscribe to, you sh

Add missing channels to the Guide lineupIf Media Center is unable to find a Program Guide for your region or the Program Guide lineup is missing a few

Reset the Guide lineupThe Guide lineup is selected in setup when you identified your Program Guide package. However, if the Guide is displaying incorr

Windows XP Media Center Edition hardwareThe computer manufacturer includes hardware with Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition that makes the uniq

Change the settings for the TV signalIf you have moved to a new location or changed your TV signal provider or Program Guide package, then you might n

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 availab

Turn off the automatic start of TVWhen you first enter My TV, the TV starts playing automatically. You might want to turn off the automatic start sett

Troubleshoot My TVTroubleshoot the GuideTroubleshoot Recorded TVTroubleshoot the TV signal or image© 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights rese

Troubleshoot the GuideGuide information is incorrect or not availableThere is no information available in the GuideThere is no data available for one

There is no information available in the GuideProgram Guide information is downloaded periodically through the Internet from the Microsoft TV Listings

There is no data available for one channel in the GuideIf you are getting data in the Guide for most channels but one specific channel does not have d

The channel does not match the correct TV network in the GuideIf a few channel numbers are not displaying the correct network and related program info

A TV channel does not appear in the GuideA channel that should be available but does not appear in the Guide might be excluded for one of the followin

already exists in the lineup, then you are asked to resolve the conflict or identify it as a shared channel.8.Select Done when you have completed your

About the remote sensorThe remote sensor takes input commands from the remote. Depending on the model of the computer, you might have a remote sensort

The set-top box and Media Center channels are out of syncIf you receive your TV signal through a set-top box, then Media Center might encounter an err

Media Center cannot change channelsIf you receive your TV signal through a set-top box, then Media Center cannot control the set-top box to change cha

There is a popping sound when Media Center is downloading the GuideIf Media Center makes a popping sound when the Guide is downloading, then you might

Troubleshoot Recorded TVI have low or no disk spaceI cannot find my recorded showMy show was not recordedMedia Center could not locate the channel to

I have low or no disk spaceThe notifications for low disk space or no disk space indicate that the drive that stores Recorded TV is almost full. Due t

I cannot find my recorded showYou might not be able to find a recorded show for any of the following reasons: The recorded show is located on a diffe

My show was not recordedThere are many reasons why your show might not have been recorded. First check the Recorded TV history page for information on

There was a recording error that resulted in your show not being recorded. Media Center failed to record© 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights

Media Center could not locate the channel to recordIf you are notified that Media Center did not record a show because it could not locate the channel

Media Center recorded the wrong show or channelIf you receive your TV signal through a set-top box, then Media Center might encounter an error when ch

Use the remote controlThe remote is how you interact with most of the features in Media Center. The arrow buttons can be used to select items from a m

Media Center cannot play a recorded showMedia Center cannot play a recorded show if: The recorded TV file is corrupt. Media Center notifies you that

Media Center failed to recordIf you are notified that the Recorder failed to record, then you might want to try restarting Media Center or the compute

Media Center failed to stop recordingIf you have been notified that the Recorder failed to stop recording, then you might want to try stopping the rec

The Series limit was reached so no additional recordings were madeIf you have been notified that a recording was canceled because the Keep up to serie

Media Center was unable to create the recording fileIf you are notified that a show was not recorded because Media Center was unable to create the rec

Troubleshoot the TV signal or imageThe TV reception is poorI can hear the TV audio but the screen is blankI can see the TV image but there is no audio

The TV reception is poorYour cable connection, set-top-box, or antenna might not be set for optimal TV reception or might be experiencing temporary si

I can hear the TV audio but the screen is blankYour TV tuner might not have an up-to-date driver. See the hardware documentation for information on ho

I can see the TV image but there is no audioIf there is no audio, then check that audio is on. Try the following: Turn up the volume.C heck whether

There is no TV signalYou cannot watch or record TV if Media Center detects that there is no TV signal. If there is no TV signal, then try the followin

Remote commands in Media CenterThe remote control has four types of buttons: Navigation. Use the arrow buttons to move between items on the screen.T

Video does not displayIf you are notified that Media Center is unable to display an image in the TV screen when you play live TV, recorded TV, or a fi

The video image is too darkThe optimal monitor display setting for most PC applications often causes the TV image to appear too dark. You might need t

About My TV in Media CenterMy TV enables you to watch TV at your own pace. You can use the transport controls on the remote to play, pause, fast forwa

About sharing the tunerMedia Center supports a single tuner so only one TV channel can be handled at a time. For instance, if you are watching TV whil

About recorded TVWith Recorded TV, you can record your favorite shows and watch them any time you like. You can choose to record individual shows ora

About content protection for My TVSome TV content might be marked as protected by the TV content owner, broadcaster, or originator. The terms of the c

About storage space management with My TVWith the ability of multiple users to schedule several recordings in a day, the recorder storage space can fi

Parental control limits for My TVParental control limits for TV and TV movies are supported in Media Center for the United States and C anada only.Set

Set rating limits for TV viewing1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings.2.Select General.3.Select Parental control.4.When p

Set advanced rating limits for TV viewingYou can use Advanced TV Ratings to establish additional rating limits for the specific content categories of

Remote commands for Media CenterUse the navigation buttons on the remote to move between items on the screen in Media Center. Some buttons, such as GU

Set rating limits for TV movies1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings.2.Select General.3.Select Parental control.4.When pr

Watch a blocked showWhenever you try to watch a live or recorded TV show that exceeds the rating limit established in parental controls, Media Center

About parental controls for My TVMedia Center allows you to set limits to the rating level that you and your family can view for TV, DVDs, and movies.

My MusicBrowse My MusicSearch My Music by title or keywordPlay musicAdd songs and audio files to the Media LibraryUse audio and pictures togetherTroub

Browse My MusicGo to the Recent Music listBrowse My Music by albumBrowse My Music by artistBrowse My Music by playlistBrowse My Music by songBrowse My

Go to the Recent Music listTo go to the Recent Music list in My Music, press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music. The Recent Mu

Browse My Music by album1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music.2.Select Albums.3.To change the way albums are displayed, d

Browse My Music by artistView music sorted by artistView albums sorted by artist© 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 297

View music sorted by artist1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music.2.Select Artists. A list of artists in the Media Library

View albums sorted by artist1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music.2.Select Artists.3.Select Sort by album. A list of arti

What's new in this release of Media CenterBetter handling performance of DVDs and videos, including support for wide-screen displays.<Placeh

Transport controls in Media CenterTransport controls in Media Center act just like those on common home electronics such as a CD player or VC R. The t

Browse My Music by song1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music.2.Select Songs. The Songs list displays all the songs in the

Browse My Music by genreYou can view all songs or albums for a specific genre such as rock, classical, or heavy metal. 1.Press the START button on t

Browse My Music by playlist1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music.2.Select Playlists.3.Do one of the following: To view p

Search My Music by title or keyword1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music.2.Select Search.3.Enter your search text by usin

Play musicPlay an audio CDView the music that is currently playingPlay music from the Media LibraryListen to playlistsPlay an albumPlay music by artis

Play an audio CD1.Press the START button on the remote.2.Insert a CD into the C D-ROM drive. The C D plays automatically. Note If you have other

Play music from the Media LibraryWhile a song or audio file from the Media Library is playing, you can fast forward, pause, or stop the audio stream.

Fast forward in a songMedia Center has three fast forward speeds.To advance at 1.4 times normal speed, press the FAST FORWARD button on the remote o

Pause and play a song1.Press the PAUSE button on the remote to halt the song or audio file that is currently playing.2.Press the PLAY button on th

Skip a trackTo skip a track, press the SKIP button on the remote. To go back to the song you skipped, press the REPLAY button on the remotetwo tim

AV controls and power controls in Media CenterUse the audio-visual (AV) controls and power controls to change channels, adjust the volume, go to a DVD

Replay a trackPress the REPLAY button on the remote to restart the current track that is playing.© 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights rese

Play an album1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music.2.Select Albums.3.To change the way albums appear, do one of the follo

Play all the albums in the Media Library1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music.2.Select Albums.3.Do one of the following:

Play music by artist1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music.2.Select Artists.3.To locate a specific item and go to the list

Play music by genre1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music.2.Select Genres, and then select the genre you want to play.3.Do

Listen to playlistsC reate playlistsPlay a playlist you createdPlay an Auto playlist© 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 315

Create playlistsA playlist is a customized list of audio files that have been grouped together in a specific order. For example, you can create a play

Play a playlist you created1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music.2.Select Playlists.3.Select My Playlists.4.Use the arrow

Play an Auto playlist1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music.2.Select Playlists.3.Select Auto playlists. The playlists that

View the music that is currently playingEvery time a song, album, artist, genre, or playlist begins playing, Media Center automatically displays the i

Input text by using the remote controlIf you have ever used the address book in a cellular phone, then you are familiar with how to use the numeric ke

Go to the Now Playing page in My MusicThe Now Playing page appears automatically when you select a song, album, artist, genre, or playlist to play. If

Repeat the music on the Now Playing pageYou can play the list of music on the Now Playing page in a repeating loop.To turn on the Repeat function 1.To

Play music in shuffled orderThe shuffle command plays all songs listed on the Now Playing page in random order without repetition until all the songs

Play a visualization1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music.2.Go to any song, album, artist, genre, or playlist.3.Select th

Add or remove a visualization collection1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music.2.Select Settings.3.Select Select Visualiza

Display or hide song information during visualizations1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Music.2.Select Settings.3.Select on

Add songs and audio files to the Media LibraryAdd music to the Media LibraryCopy an audio C DBuy music onlineManage audio files in the Media LibraryGe

Copy an audio CD1.Press the START button on the remote.2.Insert a CD into the C D-ROM drive. The C D plays automatically. Note If you have other

Manage audio files in the Media LibraryIn Media Center, you can browse and play the music in the Media Library. However, if you want to modify informa

Buy music onlineWhen you select Buy Music on the Now Playing page in My Music, your Internet browser opens the Windows Media Web site. On theWindows M

Media Center remote control commandsBy using the following Remote Control commands in Media C enter, you can quickly accomplish many common tasks.My T

Acquire licenses automatically for musicJust like in Windows Media Player, you can allow Media Center to acquire licenses automatically for music by e

Acquire a license manuallyIf you attempt to access a file that requires a license (and have not turned on the Acquire license automatically for protec

Provide a unique ID to content providersThe Player (used by both Media Center and Windows Media Player) creates an identifier (ID) that Web servers ca

Troubleshoot My MusicNo music files appear in the Media LibraryI cannot hear the music that is playingMore than one sound track is playing at the same

No music files appear in the Media LibraryMedia Center plays music files from the Media Library. Music might not appear in Media C enter for the follo

I cannot hear the music that is playingThere are several possible reasons why you have no sound. Try the following: 1.Check that the volume is not tur

More than one sound track is playing at the same timeIf you were playing other media before you started Media Center, or if you minimized Media C ente

An album's cover art does not appearIf the album's cover art is in an unsupported format or if the cover art is not available, then Media Ce

A music file does not playA music file might not play in Media Center for one of the following reasons: The file is not in a supported file format.T

Album information appears incorrectly, or album information does not appearWith your permission, Media Center automatically downloads available album

My TV remote control commandsThe remote control provides shortcuts for several commands in My TV. For quick reference, a list of remote commands is pr

Codec errors are appearingC odec is an abbreviation for compressor-decompressor. A codec is software or hardware used to compress and decompress digit

My CD does not playA CD might not start automatically if the AutoPlay feature is turned off in Windows settings.To change AutoPlay settings in Windows

About My Music in Media CenterMy Music takes full advantage of the power of Windows Media Player by adding an interface through which you can enjoy di

About content protection for My MusicLicensed or protected files are digital media files that are secured with a license to prevent illegal distributi

About information for album title, artist name, and genreMedia Center reads and displays information about your music files from the Media Library. Al

Supported music file formatsYou can play the following types of digital audio files with Media Center. You can also select Media Center as the default

RadioListen to FM radioManage FM radio presetsListen to Internet radioTroubleshoot RadioAbout Radio© 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights rese

Listen to FM radio1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select Radio.2.Select Start FM.Media Center tunes to the radio station that you w

Tune to an FM radio stationTune to a radio station by doing one of the following: Go to the radio frequency field, and enter a minimum of three digit

Seek an FM radio stationSelect Seek +/- on the screen to listen to the next available radio station. If you select Seek +/- a second time before Media

My Music remote control commandsThe remote control provides shortcuts for several commands in My Music. For quick reference, a list of remote commands

Listen to an FM radio presetYou can quickly start playing an FM radio preset by entering the corresponding number (1 through 9) on the numeric keypad

Pause and play FM radio1.Press the PAUSE button on the remote to halt radio.2.Press the PLAY button on the remote to resume playing the radio wher

Stop FM radio1.Press the STOP button on the remote to halt radio.2.Press the PLAY button on the remote to resume playing the radio where you stopp

Skip forward in FM radioIf 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

Skip back in FM radioPress the REPLAY button on the remote to skip back 7 seconds in FM radio. You can repeatedly skip back until the beginning of t

Manage FM radio presetsSave your favorite FM radio stations as radio presets so that you can tune to the stations quickly by pressing the correspondin

Save an FM radio preset1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select Radio.2.Go to the radio frequency field, and then enter a minimum of

Delete an FM radio preset1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select Radio.2.Select a radio preset, and then press the CLEAR button on t

Change FM radio presets1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select Radio.2.Select Settings.3.Do one of the following: Go to the text fi

Automatically sort FM radio presets1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select Radio.2.Select Settings.3.Select Auto Sort to sort the ra

Radio remote control commandsThe remote control provides shortcuts for several commands in Radio. For quick reference, a list of remote commands is pr

Listen to Internet radio1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select Radio.2.Select Internet.3.Select one of the Internet radio Web links

Troubleshoot RadioFM radio does not playMedia Center does not detect any FM radio stations in Seek modeWhy does my FM receiver find more tunable stati

FM radio does not playBecause Media Center supports only a single tuner, FM radio does not automatically begin to play if the tuner is currently in us

Media Center does not detect any FM radio stations in Seek modeMedia Center does not seek to a radio frequency that has a weak signal. If you manually

Why does my FM receiver find more tunable stations than Media Center?Media Center does not tune to a radio frequency that has weak signal or that is n

FM radio stopped playing unexpectedlyMedia Center supports a single tuner for use by My TV or FM radio. If you are listening to FM radio when Media Ce

I cannot fast forward or rewind FM radioMedia Center does not support fast forward or rewind in FM Radio. Instead, you can select the SKIP button or

FM radio does not pauseFM radio maintains a maximum pause buffer of 30 minutes. If you select the PAUSE button on the remote when you are at thebegi

I cannot find FM radioIf you select Radio on the Media Center Start menu and only Internet radio stations appear, then FM radio is turned off for one

I installed an FM-enabled tuner and still cannot find the Radio buttonIf you have recently installed an FM radio-enabled tuner card or connected a USB

My Pictures remote control commandsThe remote control provides shortcuts for several commands in My Pictures. For quick reference, a list of remote co

I cannot find Internet radioThe Internet button appears in Radio only if one or more Internet radio Web links have been installed. If you cannot find

The Internet radio stations are not the same in Media Center as they are in Media PlayerMedia Center displays Internet radio that has been designed fo

There is a download message or page message when I select one of my Internet radio Web linksIf you select an Internet radio station and there is a dow

About RadioIn Media Center you can enjoy FM radio in Media C enter and control playback with the remote control. While listening to FM radio youcan pa

FM radio and the tuner cardIn Media Center, FM radio shares the use of the single tuner card with My TV. In Media C enter, you are unable to watch or

About Internet radioYou can download Internet radio Web links from Online Spotlight that are designed to work with Media Center. The Internet buttonap

DVDDVD playbackSet DVD defaultsTroubleshoot DVD playbackAbout DVD in Media Center© 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 376

DVD playbackPlay a DVD in the driveChange the audio track while a DVD is playingRemote commands for DVD playbackView more information about a DVD that

Play a DVD in the driveWhen you insert a DVD in the DVD-ROM drive, Media Center asks whether you would like to begin playing the DVD. Press theOK/ENTE

Change the audio track while a DVD is playingTo change the audio track while the DVD is playing, press CTRL+SHIFT+A on the keyboard.Related topicsSet

My Videos remote control commandsThe remote control provides shortcuts for several commands in My Videos. For quick reference, a list of remote comman

Program the replay and skip buttons on the remote control for DVD playback1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings.2.Select

Set rating limits for movie and DVD viewing1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings.2.Select General.3.Select Parental Contr

Remote commands for DVD playbackThe remote control provides shortcuts for several commands in DVD. A compiled list of remote commands is provided belo

View more information about a DVD that is playingTo view information about a DVD that is playing, press the MORE INFO button on the remote.Media Cente

Set DVD defaultsSet default DVD audio trackChange DVD audio settings© 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 384

Set Media Center as the default DVD playerThe first time you insert a DVD in the DVD-ROM drive, a dialog box asks you what you want Windows to do.To s

Set default DVD audio track1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings.2.Select DVD.3.Select Language.4.Use the navigation butt

Change DVD audio settings1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select Settings.2.Select DVD.3.Select Audio.4.In the dialog box, use the m

Troubleshoot DVD playbackDigital audio for DVD is not workingI can hear the TV audio but the screen is blankI can see the TV image but there is no aud

Digital audio for DVD is not workingDVD audio is determined by both the DVD audio settings and the computer system settings. The availability of digit

DVD remote control commandsThe remote control provides shortcuts for several commands in Play DVD. For quick reference, a list of remote commands is p

The DVD video is distorted or does not playThis might occur if you have installed third-party DVD player software. Remove the third party software to

DVD has a different region code and won't playSome DVDs are encoded for playback only in certain regions. For example, a DVD that is region coded

DVD audio options are unavailableIf you are unable to adjust your DVD audio settings, you might not have a decoder installed or your decoder might nee

About DVD in Media CenterWhen you insert a DVD into the DVD-ROM drive, Media Center asks whether you want to play the DVD. If you select Yes or do not

My PicturesWork with picture filesPlay a slide showPrint picturesUse audio and pictures togetherTroubleshoot My PicturesAbout My Pictures© 2000-2003 M

Work with picture filesGet organizedManage picture filesShare pictures between usersSort pictures by date or titleUse shortcuts to view pictures in fo

Manage picture filesMake the most out of your pictures by organizing them in Windows Explorer before you play them back in Media Center. 1.Press the S

Share pictures between users1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select Minimize.2.Using the mouse, click the Start button on the taskba

Use the remote to navigate My PicturesWhen you start My Pictures, a menu appears on the left side of the screen. The right side shows picture thumbnai

View a picture1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Pictures.2.Use the arrow buttons on the remote to select a picture or the f

Learn more about Online SpotlightGet the latest on what's new for the Media Center PC: downloadable files, tips for power users, newsgroups, info

Support for wide-screen displaysC hange the aspect ratio of the display areaChange the display resolution for wide-screen displayAdjust your display©

Sort pictures by date or title1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Pictures.2.Select Sort by date or Sort by title.Related top

View picture detailsSelect 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

Rotate a pictureYou can rotate a picture clockwise or counterclockwise in 90-degree increments. 1.Select the picture you want to rotate.2.Press the MO

Browse to pictures stored on other mediaBrowse digital photos directly from the device on which they are stored. Media Center can recognize the remova

Zoom in or pan across a pictureYou can zoom in and pan across pictures. You can use the zoom feature when viewing single pictures or during a slide sh

Turn on or turn off photo captionsA caption displays the file name or title and the date the file was created or modified (whichever date is first). 1

Use shortcuts to view pictures in folders other than My Pictures or Shared Pictures1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select Minimize.

Play a slide showDecide what is in the slide showShow pictures in subfolders during a slide showShow pictures in random orderCustomize the look of the

Adjust settings for a slide show1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Pictures.2.Select Settings.3.Change the settings, and the

Specify how long pictures appear in a slide show1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Pictures.2.Select Settings.3.Use the DOWN

Change the aspect ratio of the display area Note This feature is available only for wide-screen displays. 1.While your media is playing in full-scre

Show pictures in random order1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Pictures.2.Select Settings.3.Select Show pictures in random

Show pictures in subfolders during a slide show1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Pictures.2.Select Settings.3.Select Show p

Set transition animations between pictures in a slide showC hoose between three different transition settings for your slide show: animated, cross fad

Set the background color1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Pictures.2.Select Settings.3.Press the DOWN ARROW button on the r

Run a continuous slide show1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Pictures.2.Use the arrow buttons on the remote to go to the fo

View a slide show manually1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Pictures, or go to the folder that contains the pictures you wa

View a slide show automatically1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Pictures.2.Use the arrow buttons on the remote to select t

Use audio and pictures togetherPlay audio during a slide showDisplay music captions during a slide show© 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights

Play audio during a slide show1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select either My Music or My TV.2.Select the type of audio you want.

Display music captions during a slide showYou can display information about songs that are playing while a slide show is running. At the beginning and

Change the display resolution for wide-screen display1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select Minimize.2.Using the mouse, right-click

Print picturesPrint a pictureSet up a printer to work with Media Center© 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 420

Print a picture1.Select the picture you want to print.2.Press the MORE INFO button on the remote. You can print a picture during a slide show by press

Set up a printer to work with Media CenterYou can set up a printer profile so that your pictures print to your specifications every time you print fro

Touch up a pictureMedia Center can make basic touchups to your pictures. You can fix red eye, adjust contrast, or rotate a picture. You can preview an

Troubleshoot My PicturesThumbnail does not show pictureImage is not displayedScreensaver does not start while audio is playing© 2000-2003 Microsoft C

Thumbnail does not show pictureIf Media Center is unable to create a thumbnail of a picture, then Media C enter displays a generic picture thumbnail.

Image is not displayedOnly supported image types are shown in Media Center. An image that is not a supported image type is skipped during a slide show

Screensaver does not start while audio is playingYou can change the setting in Windows Media Player to allow a screensaver to run during audio playbac

Picture cannot be fixedMedia Center cannot fix all pictures. If the picture is read-only or in a format that the Fix picture feature cannot use, then

Picture quality is degradedWhen a file is changed and saved by using the Fix picture feature, the file is compressed. Repeated changing and saving of

Set up Media CenterThe first time you start Media Center, use the Media Center Setup wizard to: Make sure that your remote control is working.Set up

Changes to picture files can not be savedThere are a number of reasons your picture might not be saved including file corruption, insufficient disk sp

About My PicturesIn My Pictures, you can view your pictures individually or as a slide show. You can sort pictures by name or by date. And you canbrow

Supported image file typesYou can view the following types of image files in Media Center.File type (format) File name extensionJoint Photographic Exp

My VideosUse My VideosTroubleshoot My VideosAbout My Videos© 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 433

Use My VideosNavigate My VideosManage video filesPlay a video fileView video detailsRemote commands for My VideosSupport for wide-screen displays© 200

Navigate My VideosWhen you start My Videos, a menu appears on the left side of the screen. The right side shows video thumbnails and folder icons if y

Sort videos by date1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Videos.2.Select Sort by date. Note Press the MORE INFO button on th

Sort videos by name1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Videos.2.Select Sort by name.Related topicsSort videos by dateManage v

Manage video files1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select Minimize.2.Using the mouse, click the Start button on the taskbar, click M

Share videos between users1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select Minimize.2.Using the mouse, click the Start button on the taskbar,

Remote controlYou can use Media Center from a distance by using the remote control.Related topicsTroubleshoot the remote© 2000-2003 Microsoft C orpora

Use shortcuts to view videos in folders other than My Videos or Shared Videos1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select Minimize.2.Usin

View videos stored on removable media1.Make sure your removable media is connected.2.Select Other media. A folder with the drive name appears. For exa

Play a video file1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Videos.2.Use the arrow buttons on the remote to go to the video you want

Pause a videoPress the PAUSE button on the remote to pause the video.To resume, press the PLAY button on the remote or PAUSE .Related topicsPlay

Play a video in full-screen mode1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Videos.2.Use the arrow buttons on the remote to select th

Play a video while browsing other media1.Press the START button on the remote, and then select My Videos.2.Use the arrow buttons on the remote to se

Fast forward or rewind a videoMedia Center gives you three fast forward and rewind speeds.To fast forward or rewind at 3 times the normal speed, press

Skip ahead in a videoTo advance ahead in a video, press the SKIP button on the remote. You can repeatedly skip forward until you reach the end of th

View video detailsTo view video details, do one of the following: Select a video, and then press the MORE INFO button on the remote.While the video

Remote commands for My VideosThe remote control provides shortcuts for several commands in My Videos. For quick reference, the following is a complete

Troubleshoot the remoteIf your remote does not work, then do the following: Make sure that you have fresh batteries in the remote and that they are i

Troubleshoot My VideosVideo does not playVideo does not fast forward or rewind© 2000-2003 Microsoft C orporation. All rights reserved. Page 450

Video does not playThe file might be corrupted or in an unsupported format. You might need to open the file by using a video editor and then resave th

Video does not fast forward or rewindNot all video formats support fast forward and rewind.Related topicsSupported video file formats© 2000-2003 Micro

About My VideosIn 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 thekeyboar

About video filesWhen you save digital videos from your camera, Windows XP stores them in the My Videos folder by default. You can share videoswith ot

Manage video files by using shortcutsIf you do not want to move or copy your videos into the My Videos folder or Shared Videos folder, you can make sh

Supported video file formatsThe following types of videos can be viewed in Media Center.File type (format) File name extensionWindows Media file .wm,

Media Center Technical SupportBecause Windows XP Media Center Edition was included with your hardware device or system, the hardware manufacturer prov

GlossaryTo 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 g

Back to TopRremote sensorThe device that receives InfraRed (IR) signals from other devices, like a remote control. Remote sensors could be peripheral

Internet connectionMedia Center requires an Internet connection to download Guide information. This connection must be available to everyone who usest

Select a download methodWhen it comes to downloading updated Guide information, there are three methods you can select during Media Center Setup:Downl

I do not want Media Center to download Guide information automaticallyMedia Center is designed to download Guide information automatically from the In

Manually connect to the Internet and update Program Guide information1.Before starting Media Center, connect to the Internet by using your usual metho

Information for upgrade usersAs part of the upgrade process, some settings have been changed from per-user settings to system-wide settings. For examp

Use the New Connection Wizard to set up a dial-up Internet connection for Media CenterYou might need to use the New Connection Wizard to set up a dial

Troubleshoot your Internet connectionMy Internet connection does not workMy AOL connection does not disconnect after Guide information is downloadedMy

My Internet connection does not workIf you test your Internet connection and receive a "Test failed" notification in the Media Center Setup

My AOL connection does not disconnect after Guide information is downloadedIf you use an AOL connection as your default Internet connection, then the

My MSN dial-up connection does not connect to the InternetIf Media Center cannot connect automatically to the Internet, then you might need to configu

Media Center cannot connect to the InternetWith some Internet service providers (ISPs), Media Center is unable to automatically connect to the Interne

Media Center cannot connect to the Internet and update Guide informationIf Media Center cannot connect to the Internet, then do the following: Make s

Set up your Internet connectionIn some instances, Media Center might not know what connection to use in order to connect to the Internet and update Gu

There is no dial toneIf Media Center cannot detect a dial tone, then do the following: Make sure that your phone cable is connected to the modem in y

The LAN Internet connection is not workingIf Media Center cannot connect to the Internet through a local area network (LAN), then check the following:

Get help in Media CenterThere are five ways to get help and information about using Media Center: Online Help. Move the mouse to activate the toolbar

Check the user name and password for your default Internet connectionIf Media Center cannot connect to the Internet because of an authentication error

Check the region, country, or language settings for your computerTo ensure that you get the right Guide information and are able to tune your TV signa

TV signalThe TV signal that you use with Media Center could come from three possible sources: A subscription to a cable TV signal providerA subscrip

Choose a TV signal for use with Media CenterYou have four options when asked to choose a TV signal for use with Media Center: Cable or digital cable

Choose a working TV signalYou have several options when asked to choose a working TV signal for use with Media Center. Select the one that gives you t

Have Media Center identify your IR remote control codesFor Media Center to work with your set-top box, use the set-top box remote control to identify

Have Media Center learn the control codes for your set-top box remoteAlthough many sets of control codes can be identified automatically by Media Cent

About using Media Center without a TV signalIf you choose to use Media Center without a TV signal, then you cannot watch or record TV. You can still l

About using your set-top box with the Media Center remote controlIf you use a set-top box with your cable or satellite TV signal, then you must make s

Find the brand of your set-top boxMany brands of set-top boxes exist, and the manufacturer of each brand labels set-top boxes in a different way. The

Navigate Media CenterMedia Center Start menuStart Media CenterUse the Media Center Start menuCustomize the Media Center Start menuRemove items from th

Choose your channel entry methodDifferent set-top boxes have different ways of changing channels. For example, there are two different ways for you to

Select a TV signal providerTo ensure you specify the correct TV signal provider, it is important to verify exactly how your provider lists your servic

Hardware not detectedTwo essential pieces of hardware might not be connected properly: the remote sensor, and the IR control cable.Make sure that the

Page 73

Troubleshoot the TV signal or the set-top boxTroubleshoot detecting your TV signalTroubleshoot choosing the set-top box brandTroubleshoot choosing the

Set up Media Center to work with my satellite TV signalMedia Center needs to be configured in a particular way in order to work with signals from some

Troubleshoot detecting your TV signalUse the following steps to find out why a video preview does not appear on the Choose Your TV Signal screen:If yo

Troubleshoot choosing the set-top box brandIf you cannot locate your set-top box brand in the list during Setup, then your set-top box might be mislab

Troubleshoot choosing the signal type providerWhen choosing a TV signal provider, you must have two important pieces of information readily available:

Downloading failed for TV signal provider informationIf you were unable to successfully download TV signal provider information, then do the following

Start Media CenterTo start Media Center by using the remote 1.Press the START button on the remote. Note You can also start Media Center from the

Troubleshoot testing your set-top boxIf your set-top box does not appear to be working, then do the following: Make sure that the power cord for the

Troubleshoot your IR control cableIf you use a set-top box, you must use an IR control cable to relay the IR commands sent when buttons are pressed on

I cannot find a code set that works with my set-top boxYou make the following three choices in the Media Center Setup wizard that define what code set

My set-top box onscreen menu appears when I change channelsIf the set-top box onscreen menu appears, then the computer is not configured correctly to

My radio frequency set-top box does not work with Media CenterMedia Center works only with infrared-controlled set-top boxes and does not work with ra

Troubleshoot changing channelsWhen I change to a three-digit channel, my channels change two timesChanging channels causes a prompt for a parental con

When I change to a three-digit channel, my channels change two timesIf you enter a three-digit channel, your channels might change two times. For exam

Changing channels causes a prompt for a parental control passwordIf you blocked a specific channel by using the remote that came with your set-top box

Media Center and my set-top box are not on the same channelIf your channel does not change, then try changing to a different channel and then changing

Program GuideMedia Center must have information about your TV signal to accurately update Guide information.If you have a paid TV signal subscription

Use the Media Center Start menuPress the START button on the remote to go directly to the Media Center Start menu.From the Media Center Start menu,

Troubleshoot "Download failed" messages for the Program GuideIf Media Center is not able to download Guide information, it might be for one

Make sure your Program Guide information is updatedAlthough it is highly recommended that you allow Media Center to update Guide information automatic

Enter your ZIP code or postal codeTo set up your Guide information and a list of TV signal providers, you must provide a ZIP code or postal code.Only

About the Terms of ServiceOn the Terms of Service and privacy policy page in the Media Center Setup wizard, read the Terms of Service and privacy poli

About using the GuideThe Guide provides TV listings to help you watch and record TV shows. If you use the Guide, then anonymous information to improve

I want to decline the Terms of Service and not use the GuideYou can change your decision on the Terms of Service and privacy policy at any time. 1.Pre

About media informationC Ds and DVDs include information about the media they contain, such as song titles or related artwork. This information is com

Choose a control codeC ontrol codes are sets of frequencies that set-top boxes use to communicate with infrared (IR) devices such as remotes. Many dif

About the remote sensorThe remote sensor is the device that receives infrared (IR) signals from the remote.Depending on the type of your computer, the

About setting the remote control signal speedYou must optimize the speed at which the remote's signals are interpreted. Incorrectly setting the s