HP Presario A900 - Notebook PC User manual

Multimedia
User Guide

© Copyright 2007 Hewlett-Packard
Development Company, L.P.
Windows is a U.S. registered trademark 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: December 2007
Document Part Number: 460110-001

Product notice
This user guide describes features that are common to most models. Some features may not be
available on your computer.
iii

iv Product notice

Table of contents
1 Using multimedia hardware
Using the audio features ...................................................................................................................... 1
Using the audio-in (microphone) jack .................................................................................. 2
Using the audio-out (headphone) jack ................................................................................. 2
Adjusting the volume ........................................................................................................... 3
Using the video features ....................................................................................................................... 4
Using the external monitor port ............................................................................................ 4
Using the S-Video-out jack .................................................................................................. 5
Using an optical drive .......................................................................................................................... 6
Identifying the installed optical drive .................................................................................... 6
Inserting an optical disc (CD or DVD) .................................................................................. 6
Removing an optical disc (CD or DVD) ............................................................................... 7
When the disc tray opens .................................................................................... 7
When the disc tray does not open ....................................................................... 7
Using the media activity functions ........................................................................................................ 9
Using the media activity hotkeys ......................................................................................... 9
2 Working with multimedia software
Opening preinstalled multimedia software ......................................................................................... 11
Installing multimedia software from a disc .......................................................................................... 11
Using multimedia software ................................................................................................................. 11
Preventing playback disruptions ......................................................................................................... 12
Changing DVD region settings ........................................................................................................... 13
Observing the copyright warning ........................................................................................................ 13
Index ................................................................................................................................................................... 14
v

vi

1 Using multimedia hardware
Using the audio features
The following illustration and table describe the audio features of the computer.
Component Description
(1) Speakers (2) Produce sound.
(2) fn key Controls volume when pressed in combination with the asterisk,
minus sign, or plus sign on the integrated numeric keypad.
(3) Audio-out (headphone) jack Connects optional powered stereo speakers, headphones, ear
buds, a headset, or television audio.
(4) Audio-in (microphone) jack Connects an optional computer headset microphone, stereo array
microphone, or monaural microphone.
(5) Volume up hotkey (+) Increases speaker sound when pressed in combination with the
fn key.
Using the audio features 1

Component Description
(6) Volume down hotkey (-) Decreases speaker sound when pressed in combination with the
fn key.
(7) Volume mute hotkey (*) Mutes and restores speaker sound when pressed in combination
with the fn key.
(8) Internal microphone Records sound.
Using the audio-in (microphone) jack
The computer is equipped with a stereo (dual-channel) microphone jack that supports an optional stereo
array or monaural microphone. Using sound recording software with external microphones allows for
stereo recordings.
When connecting a microphone to the microphone jack, use a microphone with a 3.5-mm plug.
Using the audio-out (headphone) jack
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 guide.
CAUTION: To prevent possible damage to an external device, do not plug a single sound channel
(monaural) connector into the headphone jack.
In addition to connecting headphones, the headphone jack is used to connect the audio input function
of an audio device such as external powered speakers or a stereo system.
When connecting a device to the headphone jack, use only a 3.5-mm stereo plug.
When a device is connected to the headphone jack, the speakers are disabled.
2 Chapter 1 Using multimedia hardware

Adjusting the volume
You can adjust the volume using the following controls:
●Computer volume hotkeys—A combination of the fn (1) key and either the asterisk (2), minus sign
(3), or plus sign (4) keys on the integrated numeric keypad:
Computer volume hotkeys:
◦To mute or restore sound, press fn+asterisk.
◦To decrease volume, press fn+minus sign.
◦To increase volume, press fn+plus sign.
●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, you can increase or decrease the volume by moving the
Volume slider 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.
c. Under System icons, select the Volume check box.
d. Click OK.
●Program volume control:
Using the audio features 3

Volume can also be adjusted within some programs.
Using the video features
Using the external monitor port
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.
4 Chapter 1 Using multimedia hardware

Using the S-Video-out jack
The 7-pin S-Video-out jack connects the computer to an optional S-Video device such as a television,
VCR, camcorder, overhead projector, or video capture card.
To transmit video signals through the S-Video-out jack, you need an S-Video cable, available from most
electronics retailers. If you are combining audio and video functions, such as playing a DVD movie on
your computer and displaying it on your television, you also need a standard audio cable, available from
most electronics retailers, to connect to the headphone jack.
The computer can support one S-Video device connected to the S-Video-out jack, while simultaneously
supporting an image on the computer display or on any other supported external display.
NOTE: The S-Video connection provides a higher quality image than a composite-video connection.
To connect a video device to the S-Video-out jack:
1. Plug one end of the S-Video cable into the S-Video-out jack on the computer.
NOTE: If the S-Video-out jack on the computer is not accessible because the computer is docked
in an optional docking device, connect the S-Video cable to the S-Video-out jack on the docking
device.
2. Plug the other end of the cable into the video device, as instructed in the user guide included with
the device.
3. Press the fn+f4 keys to switch the image between display devices connected to the computer.
Using the video features 5

Using an optical drive
Depending on the type of optical drive and software installed in your computer, the optical drive plays,
copies, and creates CDs or DVDs.
Identifying the installed optical drive
▲Select Start > Computer.
Inserting an optical disc (CD or DVD)
1. Turn on the computer.
2. Press the release button (1) on the drive bezel to release the disc tray.
3. Pull out the tray (2).
4. Hold the disc by the edges to avoid touching the flat surfaces and position the disc label-side up
over the tray spindle.
NOTE: If the tray is not fully accessible, tilt the disc carefully to position it over the spindle.
5. Gently press the disc (3) down onto the tray spindle until the disc snaps into place.
6. Close the disc tray.
NOTE: After you insert a disc, a short pause is normal. If you have not selected a media player, an
AutoPlay dialog box opens. It prompts you to select how you want to use the media content.
6 Chapter 1 Using multimedia hardware

Removing an optical disc (CD or DVD)
There are 2 ways to remove a disc, depending on whether the disc tray opens normally or not.
When the disc tray opens
1. Press the release button (1) on the drive bezel to release the disc tray, and then gently pull out the
tray (2) until it stops.
2. Remove the disc (3) from the tray by gently pressing down on the spindle while lifting the outer
edges of the disc. Hold the disc by the edges and avoid touching the flat surfaces.
NOTE: If the tray is not fully accessible, tilt the disc carefully as you remove it.
3. Close the disc tray and place the disc in a protective case.
When the disc tray does not open
1. Insert the end of a paper clip (1) into the release access in the front bezel of the drive.
2. Press in gently on the paper clip until the tray is released, and then pull out the tray (2) until it stops.
Using an optical drive 7

3. Remove the disc (3) from the tray by gently pressing down on the spindle while lifting the outer
edges of the disc. Hold the disc by the edges and avoid touching the flat surfaces.
NOTE: If the tray is not fully accessible, tilt the disc carefully as you remove it.
4. Close the disc tray and place the disc in a protective case.
8 Chapter 1 Using multimedia hardware

Using the media activity functions
The media activity hotkeys control the play of an audio CD or a DVD 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.
●When an audio CD or a DVD is not playing, press fn+f9 (2) 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 (2).
◦To stop the disc, press fn+f10 (3).
◦To play the previous track of an audio CD or the previous chapter of a DVD, press fn+f11
(4).
◦To play the next track of an audio CD or the next chapter of a DVD, press fn+f12 (5).
Using the media activity functions 9

2 Working with multimedia software
The computer includes preinstalled multimedia software. Some computer models also include additional
multimedia software on an optical disc.
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
CAUTION: To prevent loss of information or damage to a disc, observe the following guidelines:
Before writing to a disc, connect the computer to a reliable external power source. Do not write to a disc
while the computer is running on battery power.
Before writing to a disc, close all open programs except the disc software you are using.
Do not copy directly from a source disc to a destination disc or from a network drive to a destination
disc. Instead, copy from a source disc or network drive to your hard drive, and then copy from your hard
drive to the destination disc.
Do not use the computer keyboard or move the computer while the computer is writing to a disc. The
write process is sensitive to vibration.
NOTE: For information about using software included with the computer, refer to the software
manufacturer's instructions that may be provided on disc, as online Help files, or on the software
manufacturer's Web site.
10 Chapter 2 Working with multimedia software

Opening preinstalled multimedia software
1. Select Start > All Programs.
2. Click the program that you want to open.
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.
Using multimedia software
1. 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.
NOTE: Some programs may be located in subfolders.
2. Insert the media disc, such as an audio CD, into the optical drive.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen.
– or –
1. Insert the media disc, such as an audio CD, into the optical drive.
An AutoPlay dialog box opens.
2. Click a multimedia task from the list of tasks.
Opening preinstalled multimedia software 11

Preventing playback disruptions
To reduce the possibility of playback disruption:
●Save your work and close all open programs before playing a CD or a DVD.
●Do not connect or disconnect hardware while playing a disc.
Do not initiate Hibernation or Sleep while playing a disc. Otherwise, you may see a warning message
asking if you want to continue. If this message is displayed, click No. After you click No, the computer
may behave in either of the following ways:
●Playback may resume.
– or –
●The playback window in the multimedia program may close. To return to playing the CD or DVD,
click the Play button in your multimedia program to restart the disc. In rare cases, you may need
to exit the program and then restart it.
12 Chapter 2 Working with multimedia software

Changing DVD region settings
Most DVDs that contain copyrighted files also contain region codes. The region codes help protect
copyrights internationally.
You can play a DVD containing a region code only if the region code on the DVD matches the region
setting on your DVD drive.
CAUTION: The region settings on your DVD drive can be changed only 5 times.
The region setting you select the fifth time becomes the permanent region setting on the DVD drive.
The number of region changes remaining is displayed on the DVD Region tab.
To change settings through the operating system:
1. Select Start >Computer >System properties.
2. In the left pane, click Device Manager.
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
applications, running utilities, or changing Windows settings. Refer to Windows online Help for
more information.
3. Click the "+" sign next to DVD/CD-ROM drives.
4. Right-click the DVD drive for which you want to change region settings, and then click
Properties.
5. Make the desired changes on the DVD Region tab.
6. Click OK.
Observing the copyright warning
It is a criminal offense, under applicable copyright laws, to make unauthorized copies of copyright-
protected material, including computer programs, films, broadcasts, and sound recordings. Do not use
this computer for such purposes.
Changing DVD region settings 13

Index
A
audio features 1
audio-in (microphone) jack 1, 2
audio-out (headphone) jack 1, 2
C
CD
inserting 6
playing 12
protecting 10
removing 7
writing to 10
copyright warning 13
D
DVD
changing region setting 13
inserting 6
playing 12
protecting 10
removing 7
writing to 10
DVD region settings 13
E
earbuds 1
external monitor port 4
H
headphone (audio-out) jack 1
headphones 1
hotkeys
volume down 2, 3
volume mute 2, 3
volume up 1, 3
I
internal microphone, identifying 2
J
jacks
audio-in (microphone) 1, 2
audio-out (headphone) 1, 2
S-Video-out 5
M
media activity hotkeys 9
microphone, internal 2
microphones, supported 2
monitor, connecting 4
multimedia software
described 10
using 11
mute hotkey, identifying 2
O
optical disc
inserting 6
removing 7
writing to 10
optical drive
playing 12
protecting 10
P
ports
external monitor 4
programs
multimedia 10
using 11
projector, connecting 4
protecting playback 12
R
region codes, DVD 13
S
S-Video-out jack 5
software
multimedia 10
using 11
speakers 1
T
TV 2
V
VCR 2
volume down hotkey,
identifying 2
volume mute hotkey, identifying 2
volume up hotkey, identifying 1
volume, adjusting 3
14 Index