Acer eConsole User manual

Acer eConsole
User's Guide
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Third Party Software or Free Software License Information
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programs (“Free Software”), which are licensed under the terms GNU
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Your copying, distribution and/or modification of the Free Software shall
be subject to the terms of the GPL.
The Free Software is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied
warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
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obtain a copy of the GPL or write to the Free Software Foundation,
Inc. for asking a copy of which. The Address of the Free Software
Foundation, Inc is: 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA, 02111-
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For a period of three (3) years as commencing from your receipt of
this software, you may obtain a complete machine-readable copy
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GPL without charge except for the cost of media, shipping, and
handling, upon written request to us.
In addition, you might also link to this website to download it:
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Contact us if you have any further questions. Our mailing address is: Acer
Inc., 8F, 88, Sec. 1, Hsin Tai Wu Rd., Hsichih, Taipei Hsien 221, Taiwan,
R.O.C.
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Contents
Configuring the system software ....................................................................... 4
Installing Acer eConsole software...........................................................................................4
Using eConsole Software........................................................................................................8
Using eConsole software........................................................................................................9
eConsole modes..................................................................................................9
Managing media servers.......................................................................................................10
Managing music files.............................................................................................................11
Sharing music .......................................................................................................................11
Creating a new music folder..................................................................................................12
Viewing music folders ...........................................................................................................13
Editing music information......................................................................................................13
Synchronous Folders............................................................................................................14
Creating playlists and favorites.............................................................................................15
Deleting folders, files, playlists, and favorites .......................................................................16
Managing picture files...........................................................................................................17
Sharing pictures....................................................................................................................17
Creating a new picture folder................................................................................................18
Viewing picture folders..........................................................................................................18
Editing picture information.....................................................................................................19
Favorites ...............................................................................................................................20
Managing video files .............................................................................................................21
Sharing video................................................................................................................21
Creating a new video folder ..................................................................................................22
Viewing video folders............................................................................................................22
Creating and editing favorites ...............................................................................................24
Copying an audio CD............................................................................................................25
Searching for Media..............................................................................................................26
Settings menu.......................................................................................................................27
Account manager..................................................................................................................27
Device manager....................................................................................................................28
Advanced Settings................................................................................................................29
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Configuring the system software
This section contains instructions on how to configure your home computer so that it
can communicate with your Acer eConsole.
The first step is to install Acer eConsole software.
Installing Acer eConsole software
To install Acer eConsole software first insert the software disk into your PC's optical
drive tray. If your system is set to auto start the InstallShield Wizard screen will
appear.
Select NEXT> to bring up the software license agreement screen.
Read the agreement carefully and click on 'I accept the terms.' Then click Next> to
advance to the file destination screen.
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Select where you woud like to install the eConsole files and then click Next>. The
install wizard will then begin installing the eConsole software.
Once finished, the Set-up Synchronize folders' window will appear.
By default, the eConsole software will select the Windows designated media files (My
Music, My Pictures, and My Videos) to share with the eConsole.
If the default folders are correct, click Next> to continue with the installation process.
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If you want to change the default settings and share different files, click on the
corresponding icon and browse to select the folder you want to share. Click OK to
continue.
Once you have selected the folders that you want to share, click Next>.
When the installation process is finished the completion screen will appear. Click
Finish to close the installation software.
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Using eConsole Software
eConsole is an easy to use software program that comes bundled with your Acer
eConsole.
eConsole allows you to conveniently organize your music, image, and video files for
use with your eConsole entertainment console for playback on your television or
audio system using the eConsole.
To enable your Acer eConsole to detect your media files you need to use eConsole
software to organize and manage your user accounts. You can use eConsole to create
favorite folders, playlists, and edit files for playback on your TV or audio system via
your AcereConsole.
Important: eConsole must be installed on your computer before you begin to use the
Acer eConsole.
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Using eConsole software
Once you have installed the eConsole software you can open it by right clicking on
the system tray icon and selecting Open eConsole. Alternatively you can open
eConsole by selecting Start, All Programs, Acer, and Acer eConsole from the Windows
Start menu.
eConsole modes
Once you have opened eConsole, roll your mouse pointer over each icon to reveal
the three media management modes, Manage music files, Manage picture files, and
Manage video files. You can select your desired mode by clicking on one of the
icons.
Once you have entered one of the modes you can easily switch to another by clicking
on the tabs conveniently located at the top of the panel.
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Managing media servers
The start screen can also be used to enable and disable media servers quickly and
easily. Located at the bottom of the start-up screen are graphical representations of
all your detected media servers.
You can enable and disable a media server by right clicking the image and choosing
Enable or Disable, depending on its current status.
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Managing music files
You can use your eConsole's music mode to perform many functions with your music
library such as building playlists, compiling favorites, and ripping CDs.
Sharing music
Sharing folders on eConsole enables you to access them with the Acer eConsole via
your television.
With the eConsole, each family member or user can share different folders or files.
This means that each user can choose to view only their preferred music and keep
content separate from other users.
To share folders, click on the Share music icon at the top left-hand corner of the
eConsole onscreen menu. This brings up the file manager screen (pictured below.)
Browse your files by clicking on the icons to select the folder that you want to share.
To share a folder, click on the icon and while holding down the mouse button drag
the folder across and drop it into the right hand field.
Each folder you share will be visible whenever you access the music menu with the
eConsole. Once shared, the folder content can then be used to create playlists,
favorites, and to burn CDs using the eConsole software.
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To rename a shared folder right click in the right-hand field and select Rename.
If you wish to unshare a folder at any time right click the folder in the right-hand
field and select Delete.
To edit or view a different family member or user's shared folders click on the drop
down menu in the upper right-hand corner of the on-screen menu and select which
user's files you would like to access.
Creating a new music folder
The eConsole lets you create new folders for storing music files.
To create a new folder in the shared music field click on Create folder on the left-
hand side of the eConsole onscreen menu. This will add a folder entitled 'New Folder'
in the shared music field.
You can rename and then copy songs into this folder and they will be available for
editing and use with eConsole software and your eConsole player.
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Viewing music folders
You can change the way in which your media files are viewed by clicking on View by
at the top of the file field. The drop down menu gives you a choice of viewing
options: Album, Genre, Artist, Favorites and Playlists.
This provides a convenient way to view your files for different purposes.
Editing music information
Each song in your music library has information that eConsole uses to categorize and
store the file.
When you highlight a particular song the information available for that song will
appear in the Music information window at the bottom of the onscreen menu.
To edit the song information, click the Edit field. Enter or change the information as
you require and then click Apply to update.
To enlarge the file viewing area the information area can be hidden. To do this, click
on the arrow icon in the top right hand of the information area. Click the arrow
again to bring the information back.
You an also add an album cover or picture for each song by double clicking the
picture box and selcting a picture from your files.
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Synchronous Folders
A synchronous folder is a folder that is updated by the computer automatically to
include any new files or media. The files are synchronized with a folder or removable
device of your choice.
By default eConsole will choose My Music as your only synchronous folder, new and
existing folders can also be converted to synchronous folders. Synchronous folders
are indicated by two arrows inside the folder icon.
To create a synchronous folder, right click an existing folder and select Properties.
This will bring up the properties menu.
Select the folder and then choose a folder that you wish to synchronize with by
clicking on the box next to the address bar. Once you have chosen your folder, click
the check box to enable synchronization and then click OK to confirm.
To disable synchronization, just uncheck the box and click OK.
Each syncronous folder is automatically updated to include any new files by the
system tray application. The blue and yellow arrows will swap colors during any
synchronization operations.
Note: To delete folders from a synchronous file you must delete the folder directly
from your PC's directory.
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Creating playlists and favorites
Playlists and favorites are a convenient way to organize your songs into categories
and make particular songs easier to find as your digital music library grows.
For example, you could create a playlist to suit the weather or reflect your mood,
such as a rainy day playlist, or add your new CD to your favorites for faster access.
Playlists and favorites are created using the eConsole software suite on your PC. Once
created, they can be accessed and played on your TV or audio system using your
eConsole console and the remote unit.
Creating and editing a playlist
To create a playlist, click on the Add to playlist icon at the top left-hand corner of the
eConsole onscreen menu. This brings up the playlist management screen.
You can then browse though your shared files by clicking on the icons to select the
folder or song that you want to add to the playlist.
To add the folder or song to a playlist you need to click on the icon and while
holding down the mouse button drag the folder across and drop it into the right
hand field.
eConsole will then ask you if you want to create a playlist, and that this action will
create a playlist folder containing the selected item; click YES to confirm.
The folder or file you have dropped into the right-hand box will now be converted
into a playlist. This is represented by a list icon.
To add more songs or folders to a playlist, repeat the drag and drop action.
When dropping the files into the right-hand field, dropping them on top of an
existing playlist icon will add them to that playlist. Dropping the file anywhere else
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will create a new playlist. eConsole will ask you to confirm this action before
continuing.
To delete or rename a song or playlist, right click the item and select your desired
action.
Creating and editing favorites
To add to or create a favorites folder, click on the Add to favorite icon at the top left-
hand corner of the eConsole onscreen menu. This brings up the favorites
management screen.
You can then browse though your shared files by clicking on the icons to select the
folder or song that you want to add.
To add a song or album to your favorites, click on the icon and while holding down
the mouse button drag the folder across and drop it into the right hand field.
This will create a new folder in the right-hand field. The folder or album will be
indicated with a heart icon and a single song will show a musical note.
Your favorites can now be easily accessed and played on your TV using the eConsole
player.
To delete or rename a favorite, right click on the file and select your desired action.
Deleting folders, files, playlists, and favorites
To delete a folder, file, playlist, favorite or radio station just highlight the item and
click Delete on the left-hand side of the onscreen menu. eConsole will ask you for
confirmation; click Yes to delete.
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Managing picture files
You can use your eConsole's picture mode to organize all your digital pictures into a
library, and create favorite folders for viewing on your television using your Acer
eConsole.
Sharing pictures
Sharing folders with eConsole enables you to access them using the Acer eConsole via
your television.
With the eConsole, each family member or user can share different folders or files.
This means that each user can choose to view only their preferred pictures and keep
content separate from each other.
To share folders, click on the Share Picture icon at the top left-hand corner of the
eConsole onscreen menu. This brings up the file manager screen.
You can then browse your files by clicking on the icons to select the folder that you
want to share. To share the folder, you need to click on the folder icon, drag the
folder across, and drop it into the right hand field.
Each folder you share will be visible whenever you access the picture menu with the
eConsole. Once shared, the folder content can then be used to create favorites and
organize into slideshows using the eConsole software.
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If you wish to unshare a folder at any time right click the folder in the right-hand
field and select Delete.
To rename a shared folder right click in the right-hand field and select Rename.
To edit a different family member or user's shared folders click on the drop down
menu in the upper right-hand corner of the on-screen menu and select which user's
files you would like to access.
Creating a new picture folder
eConsole lets you create new folders for storing picture files.
To create a new folder in the shared picture field, click on Create folder on the left-
hand side of the eConsole onscreen menu.
This will add a new folder in the shared picture field.
You can then copy images into this folder and they will be available for editing and
use with eConsole software and your eConsole player.
Viewing picture folders
You can change the way in which your picture files are viewed by clicking on View by
at the top of the file field. The drop down menu gives you a choice of viewing
options: Thumbnail or Folder.
Thumbnail view
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Editing picture information
Each image in your picture library has information that eConsole uses to categorize
and store the file.
When you highlight a particular image the information available for that picture will
appear in the Picture information window at the bottom of the onscreen menu.
To edit the information, click the Edit field. Enter or change the information as you
require and then click Apply to update.
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Favorites
Favorites are a convenient way to organize your images and make particular pictures
easier to find as your digital photograph library grows.
Favorites are created using the eConsole software suite on your PC. Once created,
they can be accessed and viewed on your TV using your eConsole console and the
remote control.
Creating and editing favorites
To create favorites, click on the Add to favorite icon at the top left-hand corner of
the eConsole onscreen menu. This brings up the favorite management screen.
You can then browse though your shared files by clicking on the icons to select the
folder or image that you want to add to the favorite folder. To add the folder to a
favorite list you need to click on the icon and while holding down the mouse button
drag the folder across and drop it into the right hand field.
You can add more photographs to the favorites folder by repeating the drag and
drop action.
A folder will be indicated with a heart icon and an image will show a photograph
icon.
To delete or rename an image or folder from your favorites folder right click the item
and select your desired action.
Your favorite pictures can now be easily accessed and viewed as a slideshow on your
TV using the eConsole player.
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