Adaptec AVC-3610 User manual

Adaptec AVC-3610
Getting Started

1
Copyright
©2005 Adaptec, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the
prior written consent of Adaptec, Inc., 691 South Milpitas Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035.
Trademarks
Adaptec, and the Adaptec logo are trademarks of Adaptec, Inc., which may be
registered in some jurisdictions.
Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the US and
other countries, used under license.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Changes
The material in this document is for information only and is subject to change
without notice. While reasonable efforts have been made in the preparation of this
document to assure its accuracy, Adaptec, Inc. assumes no liability resulting from
errors or omissions in this document, or from the use of the information contained
herein.
Adaptec reserves the right to make changes in the product design without
reservation and without notification to its users.
Disclaimer
IF THIS PRODUCT DIRECTS YOU TO COPY MATERIALS, YOU MUST HAVE
PERMISSION FROM THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OF THE MATERIALS TO AVOID
VIOLATING THE LAW WHICH COULD RESULT IN DAMAGES OR OTHER
REMEDIES.

2
Adaptec Customer Support
If you have questions about installing or using your Adaptec product, check this
document first—you will find answers to most of your questions here. If you need
further assistance, use the support options listed below.
Technical Support Identification (TSID) Number
■Before contacting Technical Support, you need your unique 12-digit TSID
number. The TSID number identifies your product and support status.
■The TSID number is included on a white, bar-coded label, like the example
below.
Support Options
■Search the Adaptec Support Knowledgebase (ASK) at ask.adaptec.com for
articles, troubleshooting tips, and frequently asked questions for your product.
■For support via e-mail, submit your question to Adaptec's Technical Support
Specialists at ask.adaptec.com.
■ To order Adaptec products, including accessories and cables, call [phone].
Or, you can order cables online at www.adaptec.com/buy-cables.

3
Limited 2-Year Hardware Warranty
1. Adaptec, Inc. (“Adaptec”) warrants to the purchaser of this product that it will be free from
defects in material and workmanship for a period of two (2) years from thedate of purchase.
If the product should become defective within the warranty period, Adaptec, at its option,
will repair or replace the product, or refund the purchaser’s purchase price for the product,
provided it is delivered at the purchaser’s expense to an authorized Adaptec service facility
or to Adaptec.
2. Repair or replacement parts or products will be furnished on an exchange basis and will
either be new or reconditioned. All replaced parts or products shall become the property of
Adaptec. This warranty shall not apply if the product has been damaged by accident,
misuse, abuse or as a result of unauthorized service or parts.
3. Warranty service is available to the purchaser by delivering the product during the warranty
period to an authorized Adaptec service facility or to Adaptec and providing proof of
purchase price and date. The purchaser shall bear all shipping, packing and insurance costs
and all other costs, excluding labor and parts, necessary to effectuate repair, replacement or
refund under this warranty.
4. For more information on how to obtain warranty service, write or telephone Adaptec at 691
South Milpitas Boulevard, Milpitas, CA 95035, [phone].
5. THIS LIMITED WARRANTY DOES NOT EXTEND TO ANY PRODUCT WHICH HAS
BEEN DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF ACCIDENT, MISUSE, ABUSE, OR AS A RESULT OF
UNAUTHORIZED SERVICE OR PARTS.
6. THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER EXPRESS WARRANTIES WHICH NOW
OR HEREAFTER MIGHT OTHERWISE ARISE RESPECT TO THIS PRODUCT. IMPLIED
WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THOSE OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT SHALL (A) HAVE NO GREATER
DURATION THAN 2 YEARS FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE, (B) TERMINATE
AUTOMATICALLY AT THE EXPIRATION OF SUCH PERIOD AND (C) TO THE EXTENT
PERMITTED BY LAW BE EXCLUDED. IN THE EVENT THIS PRODUCT BECOMES
DEFECTIVE DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD, THE PURCHASER’S EXCLUSIVE
REMEDY SHALL BE REPAIR, REPLACEMENT OR REFUND AS PROVIDED ABOVE.
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION
LOSS OF DATA, ARISING FROM BREACH OF ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY
ARE NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ADAPTEC AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY
LAW, ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED BOTH FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE, AND TO THE
EXTENT NOT UNCONSCIONABLE, FOR PERSONAL INJURY DAMAGE.
7. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL
OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES FOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS, AND SOME STATES
DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, SO
THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
8. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary
from state to state.

4
Regulatory Compliance Statements
Federal Communications Commission Radio Frequency Interference Statement
WARNING: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and
can radiate radio frequency energy, and if not installed and used in accordance with the
instruction manual, may causeharmful interferenceto radio communications. However, there is
no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. However, if this
equipment does cause interference to radio or television equipment reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
■Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
■Increase the separation between equipment and receiver.
■Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is
connected.
■Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for help.
■Use a shielded and properly grounded I/O cable and power cable to ensure compliance of
this unit to the specified limits of the rules.
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference and (2) this device must accept
any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Canadian Compliance Statement
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
Adaptec, Inc. AVC-3610
Tested to Comply
With FCC Standards
FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE

5
In this Guide...
Congratulations on your purchase of the Adaptec®AVC-3610. The
Adaptec AVC-3610 is a dual-tuner USB 2.0 device that turns your
laptop or desktop computer into a television (TV), digital video
recorder, and radio.
Because the Adaptec AVC-3610 is a dual-tuner device, you can
connect it to two TV sources at the same time (see page 15 for more
information).
With the Adaptec AVC-3610 and the Microsoft®Windows®XP
Media Center 2005 operating system, you can use your computer
to watch live TV, record and play back TV programs, and listen to
music.
This Getting Started Guide describes the most common ways to set
up and use the Adaptec AVC-3610.
Getting Started 6
Setting Up Your Adaptec AVC-3610 10
Connecting an FM Tuner 24
Completing the Setup 25
Using the Remote Control 27
Getting Help 30
DISCLAIMER:This productmaybe designedtoassist youinreproducing materials.Indoingso, youmust
have permission from the copyright owner of the materials to avoid violating copyright law and being
subject to payment of damages and other remedies.

6
Getting Started
What’s in the Kit?
Your Adaptec AVC-3610 kit includes:
A
daptec AVC-3610 Stand
R
emote
C
ontrol
A
/C Power
A
dapter
USB Cable
Composi
te
A/V Cab
le
C
able
S
plitter FM Rad
io
Antenn
a
1-ft RF Coaxial
Cables (2)
6-ft RF Coaxial
Cable
S-Vide
o
Cab
le
Infrared (IR
)
Blaster Cables (2
)
CD (Includes Driver and
Getting Started Guide)

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System Requirements
To use your Adaptec AVC-3610, you need:
■Desktop or laptop computer manufactured by a Microsoft
Media Center partner, with:
■Windows XP Media Center 2005 operating system
■Available USB 2.0 port
■TV connection (you may also require a cable or satellite set-top
box)
■Windows XP Media Center 2005 compatible DVD decoder
■Video card with Windows XP Media Center 2005-certified
device driver
■Sound card
■(Optional) Internet connection to access the online Program
Guide and schedule TV program recordings
■(Optional) Additional cables, if the included cables are not long
enough, or if you are making dual-tuner connections

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This is Your Adaptec AVC-3610
Note: You can also take your Adaptec AVC-3610 out of its
stand and lay it flat on a table.
Note: When connecting your Adaptec AVC-3610, you may not
use all the ports or all the cables included in the kit.
Infrared Receiver
Status Light (see page 31)
Audio-in R Port (Red)
Audio-in L Port (White)
Video-in Port (yellow)
S-Video-in Port
INPUT 2
IR 2 Port
IR 1 Port
Power Port
USB Port
S-Video-in Port
Audio-in R Port (Red)
Audio-in L Port (White)
Video-in Port (yellow)
FM Radio Tuner Jack
TV 1 Jack
TV 2 Jack
INPUT 1
Front
Back

9
This Table describes the ports on the back of the Adaptec AVC-3610 .
The ports on the front of the Adaptec AVC-3610, marked Input 2, are
only used to connect the second TV source in dual-tuner setups
(see page 15). This Table describes these ports.
Port Description Cable Required
IR 2 Connects an IR blaster cable
to a second set-top box IR blaster cable
IR 1 Connects an IR blaster cable
to a set-top box IR blaster cable
Power Connects the Adaptec
AVC-3610 to a power source AC adapter
USB Connects the Adaptec
AVC-3610 to your computer USB cable
S-Video-in Connects S-Video from a
set-top box S-Video cable
Video-in
(yellow)
Connects video from a
set-top box
CompositeA/Vcable
(yellow connector)
Audio-in
L (white)
Connects the left-channel
audio from a TV source
CompositeA/Vcable
(white connector)
Audio-in
R (red)
Connects the right-channel
audio from a TV source
CompositeA/Vcable
(red connector)
FM radio
tuner
Connects FM radio to your
computer FM radio antenna cable
TV1 Connects your TV source RF coaxial cable
TV2 Connects a second TV source
to your computer RF coaxial cable
Port Description Cable Required
Audio-in
R (red)
Connects the right-channel
audio from a
second TV source
CompositeA/Vcable
(red connector)
Audio-in
L (white)
Connects the left-channel
audio from a
second TV source
CompositeA/Vcable
(white connector)
Video-in
(yellow) Connects video from a second set-top box
CompositeA/Vcable
(yellow connector)
S-Video-
in Connects S-Video from a second set-top box S-Video cable

10
Setting Up Your Adaptec
AVC-3610
This section provides setup instructions for your Adaptec
AVC-3610.
Start Here!
This Guide offers many ways to set up your AVC-3610. Before you
start cabling and connecting, make sure you know which set of
instructions to follow.
You need to know three things before you begin:
1TV source?—The Adaptec AVC-3610 can be connected to any of
these TV sources:
■TV antenna (regular TV)
■Cable TV with or without a set-top box
■Satellite TV with a set-top box
2Type of cables?—If you have a cable or satellite set-top box, you
can improve picture quality by using composite video (Better)
or S-Video (Best) cables.
3Single- or dual-tuner?—This Table compares the functions
available with single-tuner (one TV source) and dual-tuner (two
TV sources) connections:
Connection Type
Functions Single-tuner Dual-tuner
Watch and/or record live TV ✔✔
Watch and/or record live TV while
recording a second live TV program ✔
Record live TV while watching a
previously recorded program ✔✔
Record 2 simultaneous live TV
programs while watching a previously
recorded program
✔

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Based on your TV source, cable type, and connection type, find
your setup instructions and get started:
Dual-tuner Setup Options
In dual-tuner setups, you have multiple cabling options:
■Two RF coaxial connections
■Two composite video connections
■Two S-Video connections
■One S-Video connection and one composite video connection
Extra cables may be required to complete these connections
Other Connections
You can connect FM radio to the Adaptec AVC-3610. A cable for
this connection is included in the kit. (See Connecting an FM Tuner
on page 24 for instructions.)
Setup Instructions On...
TV Source and Cable Type*
*RF coaxial cables unless otherwise noted.
Single-tuner
Connection Dual-tuner Connection
TV Antenna/regular TV page 12 page 15
Cable TV without set-top box page 12 page 15
Cable TV with set-top box page 13 page 16
Cable TV with set-top box (Composite video) page 18 page 18
Cable TV with set-top box (S-Video) page 21 page 21
Satellite TV with set-top box page 13 page 16
Satellite TV with set-top box (Composite video) page 18 page 18
Satellite TV with set-top box (S-Video) page 21 page 21

12
Regular TV or Cable TV Without Set-top Box
(Single-tuner)
For this setup, you will use the ports on the back of the Adaptec
AVC-3610. You will need:
■One RF coaxial cable
■One USB cable
Note: All required cables are included in the kit. See page 9 for
help identifying the cables.
To connect the Adaptec AVC-3610:
1Connect the USB cable from the USB port on the Adaptec
AVC-3610 to a USB 2.0 port on your computer.
2Connect the RF coaxial cable from the TV1 jack on the
AVC-3610 to your TV wall jack or antenna.
3Continue with Completing the Setup on page 25.
USB Cable
RF Coaxial Cable
B
ack of AVC-3610

13
Satellite or Cable TV With Set-top Box
(Single-tuner)
For this setup, you will use the ports on the back of the Adaptec
AVC-3610. You will need:
■Two RF coaxial cables
■One USB cable
■IR blaster cable (optional — enables channel-changing)
Note: All required cables are included in the kit. See page 9 for
help identifying the cables.
To connect the Adaptec AVC-3610:
1Connect the USB cable from the USB port on the AVC-3610 to a
USB 2.0 port on your computer.
USB Cable
RF Coaxial Cable
RF Coaxial Cable
IN
OUT
SET-TOP BOX
IR Blaster Cable
B
ack of AVC-3610

14
2Connect an RF coaxial cable from the TV In port on your set-
top box to your TV wall jack. Refer to your set-top box
documentation for help making this connection.
Note: To improve video quality, you can use an S-Video
cable or composite video cable instead of an RF coaxial
cable to make this connection. See pages 18 to 21 for
instructions.
3Connect an RF coaxial cable from the TV1 jack on the AVC-3610
to the TV Out port on your set-top box.
4Connect the IR blaster cable from the AVC-3610 to your set-top
box. You must connect the IR blaster cable to be able to
change channels.
aPlug the IR blaster cable into the IR 1 port on the back of the
AVC-3610.
bPeel the protective paper off the emitter end of the cable,
then adhere it over, or as close as possible to, the infrared
lens of your set-top box.
5Continue with Completing the Setup on page 25.

15
Regular TV or Cable TV Without Set-top Box
(Dual-tuner)
For this setup, you will use the ports on the back of the Adaptec
AVC-3610. You will need:
■Three RF coaxial cables
■One USB cable
■Cable splitter
Note: All required cables are included in the kit. See page 9 for
help identifying the cables.
To connect the Adaptec AVC-3610:
1Connect the USB cable from the USB port on the Adaptec
AVC-3610 to a USB 2.0 port on your computer.
2Use two RF coaxial cables to connect the TV1 and TV2 jacks on
the Adaptec AVC-3610 to the cable splitter.
3Connect an RF coaxial cable from the cable splitter to your TV
wall jack or antenna.
4Continue with Completing the Setup on page 25.
USB Cable
RF Coaxial Cables
RF Coaxial Cable
B
ack of AVC-3610

16
Satellite or Cable TV With Set-top Box
(Dual-tuner)
For this setup, you must use either two satellite set-top boxes or
two cable set-top boxes. (You cannot use one of each.) Both set-top
boxes must use the same service provider. Refer to your set-top box
documentation for additional connection information.
For this setup, you will use the ports on the back of the Adaptec
AVC-3610. You will need:
■Five RF coaxial cables (three are included in the kit)
■One USB cable
■Cable splitter
■Two IR blaster cables (optional — enables channel-changing)
Note: See page 9 for help identifying the cables.
To connect the Adaptec AVC-3610:
1Connect the USB cable from the USB port on the Adaptec
AVC-3610 to a USB 2.0 port on your computer.
IN
OUT
SET-TOP BOX (A)
IN
OUT
SET-TOP BOX (B)
RF Coaxial Cable
RF Coaxial Cable
RF Coaxial Cable
RF Coaxial Cables
USB Cable
IR Blaster Cable
B
ack of AVC-3610
IR Blaster Cable

17
2 Connect the Adaptec AVC-3610 to your set-top boxes, shown in
the Figure in Step 1 on page 16 as Set-top Box (A) and Set-top Box
(B).
a
Connect an RF coaxial cable from the TV1 jack on th e
AVC-3610 to the TV Out port on Set-top Box (A) .
b Connect an RF coaxial cable from the TV2 jack on the
AVC-3610 to the TV Out port on Set-top Box (B) .
Caution: Be sure not to plug an RF coaxial cable into the FM
tuner jack.
To improve video quality, you can use S-Video cables or
composite video cables instead of RF coaxial cables to make these
connections. See pages 18 to 21 for instructions.
3Use two RF coaxial cables to connect the TV In ports on your
set-top boxes to the cable splitter.
4Connect an RF coaxial cable from the cable splitter to your TV
wall jack.
5Connect IR blaster cables from the Adaptec AVC-3610 to your
set-top boxes. You must connect IR blaster cables to be
able to change channels.
aPlug an IR blaster cable into the IR 1 port on the Adaptec
AVC-3610.
Then, peel the protective paper off the emitter end of the
cable and adhere it over, or as close as possible to, the
infrared lens of Set-top Box (A).
bRepeat Step a to connect the IR 2 port on the Adaptec
AVC-3610 to Set-top Box (B).
6Continue with Completing the Setup on page 25.
!

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Satellite or Cable TV With Set-top Box
(Composite Video Connection)
If you are using a satellite or cable set-top box, you can obtain
improved video quality by using
a composite A/V cable instead of
an RF coaxial cable when connecting your Adaptec AVC-3610.
Note: See Start Here! on page 10 for a comparison of
connection types and quality levels.
For this setup, you need:
■One composite A/V cable per set-top box
■One RF coaxial cable per set-top box
■One USB cable
■One IR blaster cable per set-top box (Optional — enables channel-
changing)
See page 9 for help identifying the cables.
Notes: You can use the instructions in this section for single- or
dual-tuner setups. In dual-tuner setups, you have two
connection options:
■Two composite video connections
■One composite video connection and one S-Video
connection (see page 21 for S-Video connection
instructions)

19
To connect the Adaptec AVC-3610:
1Connect the USB cable from the USB port on the back of the
AVC-3610 to a USB 2.0 port on your computer.
2Connect the composite video cable from the Adaptec AVC-3610
to your set-top box, matching the colors of the cable connectors
to the colors of the ports. (Refer to your set-top box
documentation for help making these connections.)
■Single-tuner connection—Use the Audio-in and Video-in
ports on the back of the Adaptec AVC-3610 to connect to your
set-top box.
■Dual-tuner connection—Use the Audio-in and Video-in
ports on the back of the Adaptec AVC-3610 to connect Set-top
Box (A), as shown above.
Use the Audio-in and Video-in ports on the front of the
AVC-3610 to connect Set-top Box (B), as shown below.
USB Cable
RF Coaxial Cable
IN
OUT
SET-TOP BOX (A)
IR Blaster Cable
CompositeVideo Cable
B
ack of AVC-3610
RF Coaxial Cable
IN
OUT
IR Blaster Cable
SET-TOP BOX (B)
CompositeVideo Cable
Front of Media Center