Miglia AlchemyTV User manual

AlchemyTV DVR
User Guide
Revision 2.2
(c) 2003-2004, Miglia Technology Ltd

Table of contents
Introduction and Overview of AlchemyTV DVR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Introduction and System requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Overview of AlchemyTV DVR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Hardware and software installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Hardware installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Software installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Setting up the TV tuner for viewing and recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Serial Number and Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Setting up AlchemyTV DVR for TV reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Using the AlchemyTV DVR Menus and Onscreen Remote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
AlchemyTV DVR Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
AlchemyTV DVR Onscreen Remote Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Using the AlchemyTV DVR Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
AlchemyTV DVR preferences overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
The Storage menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
The Video input menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
The image sub-menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
The Video compression sub-menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
The Video compression Expert settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
The Size sub-menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
The Audio sub-menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
The Audio Expert settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
The TV Tuner sub-menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Channel Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
The plugins menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Scheduling a recording with AlchemyTV DVR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Schedule a recording with AlchemyTV DVR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
iCal Synchronisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Scheduling a recording with TitanTV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Registering with TitanTV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
TitanTV plug-in settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Scheduling a recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Plug-ins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
AlchemyTV DVR SDK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Installing Third-Party Plug-ins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Using the Plug-ins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Current Plug-ins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
The infrared remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
The remote control settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
QuickTime Codecs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Recommended codecs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Third party codecs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
License agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

Introduction and Overview
of AlchemyTV DVR
AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide
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Introduction
Thank you for choosing AlchemyTV DVR™ from Miglia Technology. AlchemyTV DVR™ allows you to
watch TV on your PowerMac and enables you to record your favorite programmes onto your hard
drive in a supported QuickTime format of your choice.
System requirements:
• PowerMac G4 or G5 with a free PCI or PCI-X slot
• G4/400 MHz or higher processor
• 256 MB of RAM
• Mac OS X 10.2.8 or higher
• QuickTime 6.5 or higher
Package contents
• AlchemyTV™ DVR card
• CD-ROM with software and installation guide
• Infrared remote control
• Infrared remote control receiver
• Warranty card
User Guide Overview
This User Guide will guide you through the hardware and software installation as well as explain the
functions and options of the AlchemyTV DVR™ software.
Technical Support
Should you ever have any questions regarding your product, please do not hesitate to contact Miglia
Technology:
AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide
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Miglia Technology Ltd
Unit 1, The Old Silk Mill
Brook Street
Tring
HP23 5EF
United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected], for general enquiries
[email protected], for technical enquiries
Web: http://www.miglia.com

Overview of AlchemyTV DVR™
Video inputs
AlchemyTV™ features several video inputs:
• TV input
• Composite input
• S-Video input
• Stereo audio input (jack type)
• Stereo audio output (jack type)
AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide
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Composite IN
S-Video IN
Audio IN
TV/Antenna
FM Radio
Audio OUT
Composite IN
S-Video IN
Audio IN
TV/Antenna
Audio OUT
Remote Receiver
G4-Only version (no longer in production
Product code: DVRPCI-PALSEC
DVRPCI-NTSC
G4/G5 version
Product code: DVRPCI-SIL
Remote Receiver

•TV/Antenna connection: This connector should be used for your analogue TV cable coming
from an RF antenna or a cable box.
•FM Connector: This connector is available solely with the G4-only version of the
card. It allows you to connect an FM antenna.
•Composite input: Composite is a widely used standard for connecting video
equipment. Note that the quality of this connection is not as good as
S-Video. This type of connector is often found on camcorders and
VCRs.
•S-Video input: This connection gives a better image quality than composite and is
generally found on mid-range camcorders, VCRs and DVD players. If
you intend to capture video from an analogue source, use this
connection whenever you can.
• Stereo audio IN: The AlchemyTV™ card uses a conventional stereo jack plug
• Stereo audio OUT: The AlchemyTV™ card uses a conventional stereo jack plug to
output audio to external speakers. This connector is a pass-through
only and cannot be used as an audio output with other applications.
• Remote receiver: This connector is used to connect the IR receiver for the AlchemyTV
DVR remote control.
AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide
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Hardware and Software
Installation
AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide
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I. Hardware Installation
The installation of AlchemyTV™ is a two step process starting with the hardware installation into
your PowerMac. AlchemyTV™ is a PCI card that should be installed in a free expansion slot of your
Mac.
Makes sure you are wearing an anti-static wrist wrap before beginning the installation.
PowerMac G4
1. Shut down your Mac and open the side door of your PowerMac. Locate an unused PCI slot.
Using a small Phillips-head screwdriver, remove the retaining screw from the PCI expansion
slots access panel, then remove the access panel itself.
2. Align the connector end of the card with the PCI expansion slot and insert the card. Secure the
card with the screw that you removed in the previous step.
AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide
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PowerMac G5
1. Shut down your Mac. Remove the side panel and plastic door of your PowerMac. Locate an
unused PCI slot. Using a small Phillips-head screwdriver, remove the retaining screw from the
PCI expansion slots access panel, then remove the access panel itself.
2. Align the connector end of the card with the PCI expansion slot and insert the card. Secure the
card with the screw that you removed in the previous step.
3. Close the plastic cover and side panel. Start your PowerMac and proceed to the software
installation step.
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Remote Installation:
Connect the remote control receiver cable to the RM port on the AlchemyTV card. Make sure
the plug of the cable rests on the PCI card and not the metalwork of the case.
Note that the infrared remote control has a plastic separator between the battery and the electric
contacts. Remove it to operate the remote.
AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide
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II. Software Installation
1. Insert the Installation CD that shipped with your AlchemyTV DVR™ card into your CD/DVD drive.
2. Before installing the version available on the CD, it is recommended that you check any available
updates on the Miglia site. Double-click on the icon named ‘Click here to check if a newer
version is available’ to access the website page.
3. Open the folder AlchemyDVR and double-click on the ‘’Install AlchemyTV DVR™” icon to launch
the installer. Select the startup drive of your choice and click on ‘Install’. Note that you will be
asked for your administrator password when performing the installation.
4. Once the installation process is finished, restart your Mac.
5. If you are using two AlchemyTV cards in your system, you will need to launch the ‘Install
Multiple Card Support’ installation application. An enhanced driver will be installed into your
system folder.
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Note: If you own a FireWire webcam and wish to use iChat AV, install the AlchemyTV ichat patch
located on the first level of the CD. This will avoid error messages in iChat rendering your webcam
unusable. The iChat patch requires Application Enhancer to be installed first. A link to a download
page is provided on the CD.

6. The AlchemyTV DVR folder will be located in the ‘Applications’ folder of the volume containing
your system software.
7. Note that the control panel “Remote Control’ is also added to the System Preferences panel.
If you have installed the Application Enhancer (for the iChat patch), the APE manager will also
appear.
8. The installation log is located in: <Username> / Library / Logs
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Setting up AlchemyTV DVR
for viewing and recording
AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide
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Introduction
This chapter will guide you through the initial setup of the AlchemyTV DVR card and software.
Before proceeding, make sure you have installed the PCI card and the software and connected your
video source via the composite or S-Video or coaxial connectors.
I. Serial Number and Registration
1. Launch AlchemyTV DVR located in your Applications folder
2. You will be asked to enter your serial number located on the CD sleeve or the CD itself. Enter
the 32 digits serial number with the dashes as shown below:
XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX
II. Setting up AlchemyTV DVR for TV reception
The Setup Assistant will launch automatically on the first startup of the software. You can
access it at anytime via AlchemyTV DVR > Setup Assistant
The AlchemyTV DVR Setup Assistant will guide you through the set up process and create a list
of settings based on your choices and hardware configuration.
1. Start by selecting your country. If your country is not in the list, select the relevant TV standard
via the ‘Other’ option.
AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide
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2. The Setup Assistant will ask you to choose the type o f connection you are using.
If you connect your card directly to an antenna or a cable TV outlet, choose the ‘TV Tuner’
option.
If you are subscribing to a premium or digital cable service or digital satellite, it is recommended
that you make a connection via S-Video. This will ensure the best quality possible. Channels will
have to be switched via the remote control of your cable or satellite receiver.
If you are using AlchemyTV DVR for video capture from a VCR, camcorder or DVD player,
choose either composite or S-Video.
Then Click Next
3. Composite or S-Video Connection
If you have selected TV Tuner as the input, please skip to step 6.
Select the audio input based on your connection. You will most likely use the audio in on the
AlchemyTV™ card or built-into your PowerMac.
Click on Next and skip to step 5
AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide
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USA residents only
If you have selected TV Tuner as the input connection, the Setup Assistant will ask you to enter
your ZIP code to download the relevant channel naming templates from TVGuide.com. This will
prevent you from having to give names manually to the individual channels.
4. TV Tuner Connection:
Press the ‘Start Scan’ button to start the automatic channel search.
You will be given three options during the channel scan:
Get all Channels: The software will scan and store all channels without interruption until the
process is complete. This option will not allow you to name individual
channels and some channels with poor reception may be stored. Naming
and deleting stations can be performed at a later stage in the preference
menu.
Ignore Channel: When the software finds a channel, it will be displayed in the preview
window leaving you the decision to store or discard it. By clicking ignore,
you skip a channel and enable the scan to continue.
Next Channel: Once a channel is found you can enter a name (this is optional) and press
‘Next Channel to store it and continue the scan. Repeat the operation until
all channels are found. The Assistant automatically moves to the next
5. Once this operation finished, the Setup Assistant will create video compression and display
settings based on the performance of your computer. These settings can be modified at a later
stage by using the Preferences submenu.
6. If you wish to view live TV, you can open the TV window via the View menu.
AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide
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Using the AlchemyTV DVR
Menus and Onscreen Remote
AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide
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I. AlchemyTV DVR Menus
Various functions are accessible via the menu bar:
1. The AlchemyTV DVR Menu lets you access:
About box: Displays about box with version number
Setup Assistant: Launches the Setup Assistant
Register: Open the Registration dialog
Software Update: Checks online if a new version is available. This check is also performed
automatically at launch if an internet connection is open.
Hide/Show/Quit: Standard Hide, show and quit options.
2. The File menu enables you to close the foremost window.
3. The Edit menu contain the standard OS provided options and the remote control shortcuts.
Channel Up/Down: Only applicable if you are using the TV tuner as the video input.
Switches one TV channel up
Volume UP/Down: Increases or decreases the volume
Mute: Mutes the audio
Record: Records the video currently displayed
TV Snapshot: Creates a snapshot of the video currently displayed in the TV window.
Delete Finished
Recording: Deletes the completed recordings in the Scheduled Recording window
Clear Log: Clears the recordings log.
AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide
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4. The View Menu contains the video related commands.
Scheduled Recordings: Open the scheduled recordings window. Enables timed recordings.
Log Window: The log window contains a report for each finished or aborted scheduled
recording.
TV Window: Displays the live TV window
TV Window Size: Contains 3 pre-defined sizes, quarter, half and full size. The Full Screen
option will hide all other applications and display the video in full screen
mode.
Remote Control: Displays the onscreen remote control
FM Radio: Open the FM radio remote. This option is only provided for backward
compatibility with older hardware models of the AlchemyTV DVR
(G4-only)
AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide
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The Edit Menu

5. The Window menu contains a shortcut to the full screen mode (Zoom) and enables you to
switch between open windows.
6. The Help menu contains a link to the Miglia supportweb page and allows to open this manual.
II. AlchemyTV DVR Onscreen Remote Control
AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide
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The View Menu
Video Input List
Volume up/down
Record Video
Extended menuSnapshot
Channel up/down
Channel list
Volume level
Technical Channel name
Channel