HP Dv3-2150us - Pavilion Entertainment - Core 2 Duo 2.1... User manual

Multimedia
User Guide

© Copyright 2009 Hewlett-Packard
Development Company, L.P.
Microsoft and Windows are U.S. registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
The information contained herein is subject
to change without notice. The only
warranties for HP products and services are
set forth in the express warranty statements
accompanying such products and services.
Nothing herein should be construed as
constituting an additional warranty. HP shall
not be liable for technical or editorial errors
or omissions contained herein.
First Edition: April 2009
Document Part Number: 512432-001
Product notice
This user guide describes features that are
common to most models. Some features
may not be available on your computer.

Table of contents
1 Multimedia features
Identifying your multimedia components .............................................................................................. 2
Adjusting the volume ............................................................................................................................ 4
Using the media activity functions ........................................................................................................ 6
Using the media activity hotkeys ......................................................................................... 6
2 Multimedia software
Using MediaSmart software ................................................................................................................. 7
Using multimedia software ................................................................................................................... 7
Installing multimedia software from a disc ............................................................................................ 8
3 Audio
Connecting external audio devices ...................................................................................................... 9
Checking your audio functions ........................................................................................................... 10
4 Video
Connecting an external monitor or projector ...................................................................................... 11
Connecting an HDMI device ............................................................................................................... 12
Configuring the audio using HDMI ..................................................................................... 12
Determining the type of graphics card installed on your computer ................... 12
Setting HDMI as the default audio playback device .......................................... 13
5 Optical drive
Identifying the installed optical drive ................................................................................................... 14
Using optical discs .............................................................................................................................. 15
Selecting the right disc ....................................................................................................................... 15
CD-R discs ......................................................................................................................... 15
CD-RW discs ..................................................................................................................... 16
DVD±R discs ..................................................................................................................... 16
DVD±RW discs .................................................................................................................. 16
LightScribe DVD+R discs .................................................................................................. 16
Blu-ray Disc ....................................................................................................................... 16
Playing a disc ..................................................................................................................................... 17
iii

Configuring AutoPlay .......................................................................................................................... 17
Changing DVD region settings ........................................................................................................... 19
Creating or “burning” a CD or DVD .................................................................................................... 19
Removing a disc ................................................................................................................................. 20
Preventing playback disruptions ......................................................................................................... 21
6 Webcam
Adjusting webcam properties ............................................................................................................. 23
7 Troubleshooting
The disc tray does not open for removal of a disc .............................................................................. 24
The disc drive does not work .............................................................................................................. 25
A disc does not play ........................................................................................................................... 25
A disc does not play automatically ..................................................................................................... 26
A DVD movie stops, skips, or plays erratically ................................................................................... 26
A DVD movie is not visible on an external display ............................................................................. 26
The process of burning a disc does not begin, or it stops before completion .................................... 27
A DVD playing in Windows Media Player produces no sound or picture ........................................... 27
A device driver must be reinstalled .................................................................................................... 27
Obtaining the latest HP device drivers ............................................................................... 28
Obtaining Microsoft device drivers ..................................................................................... 28
Index ................................................................................................................................................................... 29
iv

1 Multimedia features
Your computer includes multimedia features that allow you to listen to music, watch movies, and view
pictures. Your computer may include the following multimedia components:
●Optical drive for playing audio and video discs
●Integrated speakers for listening to music
●Integrated microphone for recording your own audio
●Integrated webcam that allows you to capture and share video
●Preinstalled multimedia software that allows you to play and manage your music, movies, and
pictures
●Multimedia buttons (select models only) and hotkeys that provide fast access to multimedia tasks
NOTE: Your computer may not include all of the components listed.
The following sections explain how to identify and use the multimedia components included with your
computer.
1

Identifying your multimedia components
The following illustration and table describe the multimedia features of the computer.
Component Description
(1) Internal microphones (2) Record sound.
(2) Webcam light Turns on when video software accesses the webcam.
(3) Webcam Records audio and video and captures still photographs.
(4) Speakers (2) Produce sound.
(5) Audio-out (headphone) jacks (2) Produce sound when connected to optional powered stereo
speakers, headphones, earbuds, a headset, or television audio.
WARNING! To reduce the risk of personal injury, adjust the
volume before putting on headphones, earbuds, or a headset. For
additional safety information, refer to the Regulatory, Safety and
Environmental Notices.
NOTE: When a device is connected to the headphone jack, the
computer speakers are disabled.
2 Chapter 1 Multimedia features

Component Description
(6) Audio-in (microphone) jack Connects an optional computer headset microphone, stereo array
microphone, or monaural microphone.
(7) Volume scroll zone To decrease the volume, slide your finger to the left on the scroll
zone or tap the minus sign. To increase the volume, slide your
finger to the right on the scroll zone or tap the plus sign.
(8) Volume mute button Mutes and restores speaker sound.
Identifying your multimedia components 3

Adjusting the volume
You can adjust the volume using the following controls:
●Computer volume buttons:
◦To mute or restore volume, press the mute button (1).
◦To decrease volume, slide your finger across the volume scroll zone from right to left, or tap
the minus (-) sign (2).
◦To increase volume, slide your finger across the volume scroll zone from left to right, or tap
the plus (+) sign (3).
NOTE: The tapping sound made by the volume button is enabled at the factory. You can
disable the sound in the Setup Utility (f10).
●Windows® volume control:
a. Click the Volume icon in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar.
b. Increase or decrease the volume by moving the slider up or down. Click the Mute icon to mute
the volume.
– or –
a. Right-click the Volume icon in the notification area, and then click Open Volume Mixer.
b. In the Master Volume column, increase or decrease the volume by moving the Volume sliders
up or down. You can also mute the volume by clicking the Mute icon.
If the Volume icon is not displayed in the notification area, follow these steps to add it:
a. Right-click in the notification area, and then click Properties.
b. Click the Notification Area tab.
4 Chapter 1 Multimedia features

c. Under System icons, select the Volume check box.
d. Click OK.
●Program volume control:
Volume can also be adjusted within some programs.
Adjusting the volume 5

Using the media activity functions
The media activity hotkeys and the media activity buttons (select models only) control the play of an
audio CD or a DVD or BD that is inserted into the optical drive.
Using the media activity hotkeys
A media activity hotkey is a combination of the fn key (1) and a function key (2).
●When an audio CD or a DVD is not playing, press fn+f9 (3) to play the disc.
●When an audio CD or a DVD is playing, use the following hotkeys:
◦To pause or resume playing the disc, press fn+f9 (3).
◦To stop the disc, press fn+f10 (4).
◦To play the previous track of an audio CD or the previous chapter of a DVD, press fn+f11
(5).
◦To play the next track of an audio CD or the next chapter of a DVD, press fn+f12 (6).
6 Chapter 1 Multimedia features

2 Multimedia software
The computer includes preinstalled multimedia software. Depending on the hardware and software
included with the computer, the following multimedia tasks may be supported:
●Playing digital media, including audio and video CDs, audio and video DVDs, and Internet radio
●Creating or copying data CDs
●Creating, editing, and burning audio CDs
●Creating, editing, and burning a video or movie to a DVD or video CD
Using MediaSmart software
MediaSmart turns your computer into a mobile entertainment center. With MediaSmart, you can enjoy
music and DVD and BD movies. You can also manage and edit your photo collections. MediaSmart
includes the following features:
●Internet TV—Classic oldies, a range of TV shows and channels, as well as the HP-TV channel
streamed in full-screen to computers with an Internet connection.
●Playlist upload support:
◦Upload your MediaSmart photo playlists to Internet photo albums, such as Snapfish.
◦Upload your MediaSmart video playlists to YouTube.
◦Export your MediaSmart playlist to the CyberLink DVD Suite.
●Pandora Internet radio (North America only)—Listen to music selected just for you, streamed from
the Internet.
To start MediaSmart:
▲Press the media button on your computer.
For more information on using MediaSmart, select Start >Help and Support.
Using multimedia software
▲Select Start >All Programs, and then open the multimedia program you want to use. For example,
if you want to use Windows Media Player to play an audio CD, click Windows Media Player.
Using MediaSmart software 7

– or –
1. Insert a disc into the optical drive.
An AutoPlay dialog box opens.
2. Click a multimedia task from the list, and then choose the software you want to use for that task.
Installing multimedia software from a disc
1. Insert the disc into the optical drive.
2. When the installation wizard opens, follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Restart the computer if prompted to do so.
8 Chapter 2 Multimedia software

3Audio
Your computer enables you to use a variety of audio features:
●Play music using your computer speakers and/or connected external speakers
●Record sound using the internal microphone or connect an external microphone
●Download music from the Internet
●Create multimedia presentations using audio and images
●Transmit sound and images with instant messaging programs
●Stream radio programs
●Create or “burn” audio CDs
Connecting external audio devices
WARNING! To reduce the risk of personal injury, adjust the volume before putting on headphones,
earbuds, or a headset. For additional safety information, refer to the Regulatory, Safety and
Environmental Notices.
To connect external devices such as external speakers, headphone, or a microphone, refer to the
information provided with the device. For best results, remember the following tips:
●Be sure that the device cable is securely connected to the correct jack on your computer. (Cable
connectors are normally color-coded to match the corresponding jacks on the computer.)
●Be sure to install any drivers required by the external device.
NOTE: A driver is a required program that acts like a translator between the device and the
programs that use the device.
Connecting external audio devices 9

Checking your audio functions
To check the system sound on your computer, follow these steps:
1. Select Start >Control Panel.
2. Click Hardware and Sound.
3. Click Sound.
4. When the Sound window opens, click the Sounds tab. Under Program, select any sound event,
such as a beep or alarm, and click the Test button.
You should hear sound through the speakers or through connected headphones.
To check the record functions of the computer, follow these steps:
1. Select Start >All Programs >Accessories >Sound Recorder.
2. Click Start Recording and speak into the microphone. Save the file to your desktop.
3. Open Windows Media Player or MediaSmart and play back the sound.
NOTE: For best results when recording, speak directly into the microphone and record sound in a
setting free of background noise.
▲To confirm or change the audio settings on your computer, right-click the Sound icon on the
taskbar, or select Start >Control Panel >Hardware and Sound >Sound icon.
10 Chapter 3 Audio

4Video
Your computer enables you to use a variety of video features:
●Watch movies
●Play games over the Internet
●Edit pictures and video and create presentations
●Connect external video devices
●Watch TV over the Internet, or watch, record and pause live TV using a TV tuner accessory
(purchased separately)
Connecting an external monitor or projector
The external monitor port connects an external display device, such as an external monitor or a projector,
to the computer.
▲To connect a display device, connect the device cable to the external monitor port.
NOTE: If a properly connected external display device does not display an image, press fn+f4 to
transfer the image to the device. Repeatedly pressing fn+f4 alternates the screen image between the
computer display and the device.
Connecting an external monitor or projector 11

Connecting an HDMI device
The computer includes an HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) port. The HDMI port connects
the computer to an optional video or audio device, such as a high-definition television, or any compatible
digital or audio component.
NOTE: To transmit video signals through the HDMI port, you need an HDMI cable (purchased
separately).
The computer can support one HDMI device connected to the HDMI port, while simultaneously
supporting an image on the computer display or any other supported external display.
To connect a video or audio device to the HDMI port:
1. Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI port on the computer.
2. Connect the other end of the cable to the video device, according to the device manufacturer’s
instructions.
3. Press fn+f4 on the computer to switch the image between the display devices connected to the
computer.
Configuring the audio using HDMI
For best results, connect an audio or video device, such as a high-definition TV, to the HDMI port on
your computer, and use MediaSmart as your media program.
You must also determine what type of graphics card is installed on your computer, and then configure
the default audio playback device according to that graphics card.
Determining the type of graphics card installed on your computer
▲Check the label on the computer keyboard.
– or –
1. Select Start >Computer >System properties.
2. In the left pane, click Device Manager, and then click the plus sign (+) next to Display
adapters.
12 Chapter 4 Video

NOTE: Windows includes the User Account Control feature to improve the security of your
computer. You may be prompted for your permission or password for tasks such as installing
software, running utilities, or changing Windows settings. Refer to Help and Support for more
information.
Setting HDMI as the default audio playback device
1. Select Start >Control Panel >Hardware and Sound >Sound icon.
2. If you have an Intel integrated graphics card or an ATI or NVIDIA graphics card, click the
Playback tab, click Digital Output Device (HDMI), and then click Set Default.
3. Click OK.
4. Start MediaSmart (or restart it if it is already running).
Connecting an HDMI device 13

5 Optical drive
Your computer may include an optical drive that expands the functionality of the computer. Identify what
kind of device is installed in your computer to see its capabilities. The optical drive allows you to read
data discs, play music, and watch movies. If your computer includes a Blu-ray Disc ROM Drive, then
you can also watch high-definition video from disc.
Identifying the installed optical drive
▲Select Start >Computer.
You will see a list of installed devices. You may have one of the following devices:
●DVD±RW/R and CD-RW Combo Drive
●DVD±RW/R and CD-RW Combo Drive with Double-Layer (DL) support
●LightScribe DVD±RW/R and CD-RW Combo drive with Double-Layer (DL) support
●Blu-ray ROM with LightScribe DVD±R/RW SuperMulti DL Drive
●Blu-ray ROM DVD±R/RW SuperMulti DL Drive
NOTE: Some of the drives listed above may not be supported by your computer.
14 Chapter 5 Optical drive

Using optical discs
An optical drive, such as a DVD-ROM drive, supports optical discs (CDs and DVDs). These discs store
information, such as music, photos, and movies. DVDs have a higher storage capacity than CDs.
Your optical drive can read standard CD and DVD discs. If your optical drive is a Blu-ray Disc ROM
Drive, it can also read Blu-ray discs.
NOTE: Some of the optical drives listed may not be supported by your computer. The listed drives are
not necessarily all of the supported optical drives.
Some optical drives can also write to optical discs as described in the following table.
Optical drive type Write to CD-RW Write to DVD±RW/R Write to DVD+R DL Write label to
LightScribe CD or DVD
±RW/R
Blu-ray ROM DVD±R/
RW SuperMulti DL
Drive
Yes Yes Yes No
SuperMulti
LightScribe DVD±RW
and CD-RW Combo
Drive with DL support
Yes Yes Yes Yes
Blu-ray ROM with
LightScribe DVD±R/
RW SuperMulti DL
Drive
Yes Yes Yes Yes
CAUTION: To prevent possible audio and video degradation, loss of information, or loss of audio or
video playback functionality, do not initiate Sleep or Hibernation while reading or writing to a CD or DVD.
Selecting the right disc
There are 3 kinds of optical discs: CDs, DVDs, and BDs (Blu-ray discs). CDs can be used for storing
your personal files. DVDs and BDs, which have a much higher storage capacity, are typically used for
movies, software, and data backup.
NOTE: The optical drive on your computer may not support all the types of optical discs discussed in
this section.
CD-R discs
Use CD-R (write-once) discs to create permanent archives and to share files. Typical uses include the
following:
●Distributing large presentations
●Sharing scanned and digital photos, video clips, and written data
●Making your own music CDs
●Keeping permanent archives of computer files and scanned home records
●Freeing hard drive space by enabling you to offload files
Using optical discs 15

After data is recorded, it cannot be erased or written over.
CD-RW discs
Use a CD-RW disc (a rewritable version of a CD) to store large projects that must be updated frequently.
Typical uses include the following:
●Developing and maintaining large documents and project files
●Transporting work files
●Making weekly backups of hard drive files
●Updating photos, video, audio, and data continuously
DVD±R discs
Use blank DVD±R discs to permanently store large amounts of information. After data is recorded, it
cannot be erased or written over.
DVD±RW discs
Use DVD±RW discs if you want to be able to erase or write over data that you saved earlier. This type
of disc is ideal for testing audio or video recordings before you burn them to a CD or DVD that cannot
be changed.
LightScribe DVD+R discs
Use LightScribe DVD+R discs for sharing and storing data, home videos, and photos. These discs are
read-compatible with most DVD-ROM drives and DVD video players. With a LightScribe-enabled drive
and LightScribe software, you can write data to the disc and then add a designer label to the outside of
the disc.
Blu-ray Disc
Also called BD, Blu-ray Disc is a high-density optical disc format for the storage of digital information,
including high-definition video. A single-layer Blu-ray Disc can store 25 GB, over 5 times the capacity
of a single-layer DVD at 4.7 GB. A dual-layer Blu-ray Disc can store 50 GB, almost 6 times the capacity
of a dual-layer DVD at 8.5 GB.
Typical uses include the following:
●Storage of large amounts of data
●High-definition video playback and storage
NOTE: Because Blu-ray is a new technology, certain disc, digital connection, compatibility, and/or
performance issues may arise. Flawless playback on all systems is not guaranteed.
16 Chapter 5 Optical drive