Plextor PX-TV-402U User manual

MPEG-1/2/4 AND DivX® PERSONAL VIDEO RECORDER
USB 2.0 INTERFACE
CONTAINS BUILT-IN TV TUNER
INSTALLATION AND USERS MANUAL
AUGUST 2004
Model PX-TV402U

Plextor reserves the right to make improvements in the products
described in this manual at any time without prior notice.
Plextor makes no representation or warranties with respect to the
contents hereof and specifically disclaims any implied warranties of
merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. Further, Plextor
Corp. reserves the right to revise this manual and to make changes in
its content without obligation to notify any person or organization of
such revision or change.
This manual is copyrighted, all rights reserved. It may not be copied,
photocopied, translated, or reduced to any electronic medium or
machine-readable form without Plextor’s prior permission.
Manual copyright ©2004, Plextor Corp.
First edition, August 2004.
Licenses and Trademarks
Plextor, and the Plextor logo are registered trademarks and ConvertX PVR is a
trademark of Plextor Corp. InterVideo is a registered trademark, and WinDVD
Creator and WinDVD are trademarks of InterVideo, Inc. DivX and the DivX
logo are registered trademarks of DivX Networks, Inc. in the USA and other
countries. All other licenses and trademarks are property of their respective
owners.
Notice
This product and software are designed to help you in
reproducing materials for which you own the copyright or have
obtained permission to copy from the copyright owner. Unless
you own the copyright or have permission to copy from the
copyright owner, you may be violating copyright laws and may
be subject to payment of damages and/or other penalties.
If you are uncertain about your rights, you should contact
your legal advisor.

Plextor ConvertX PVR PX-TV402U Installation and Users Manual iii
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
Model Number: PX-TV402U
Trade Name: PLEXTOR
Responsible Party: PLEXTOR Corp.
Address: 48383 Fremont Blvd, Suite 120, Fremont, CA 94538-6509, USA
Telephone Number: 510-440-2000
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.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION STATEMENT
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 instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment causes harmful interference to radio or television 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 the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
CAUTION: Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the
equipment.
CANADIAN DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
STATEMENT
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department
of Communications.
This class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme a la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

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Plextor ConvertX PVR PX-TV402U Installation and Users Manual v
Table of Contents
1. Getting Started ..............................................................................1
About this Manual...........................................................................1
Meet Your ConvertX PVR ..............................................................1
What You Can Do with the ConvertX PVR................................1
Features of the Plextor ConvertX PVR .......................................2
What You Need to Use the ConvertX PVR ....................................3
What's in the Box ............................................................................4
ConvertX PVR Features and Controls ............................................5
Front Panel ..................................................................................5
Rear Panel ...................................................................................6
A Word about Compression............................................................7
Precautions ......................................................................................8
2. Installing Your ConvertX PVR....................................................9
Installing the ConvertX PVR ..........................................................9
Install the ConvertX PVR Device Driver ....................................9
Install Other ConvertX PVR Drivers ........................................15
Turn the ConvertX PVR On and Off.........................................16
Don’t Forget to Register! ..........................................................16
If the Installation Failed ............................................................16
Make Sure the ConvertX PVR Is Recognized...........................17
Troubleshoot Other Devices......................................................18
Making Connections .....................................................................18
Connect Antenna or Cable.........................................................18
Connect a Set-Top Box or Other Video Input...........................19
3. Viewing and Capturing TV Programs with WinDVR .............21
Installing the WinDVR 5 Software ...............................................21
Launching WinDVR .....................................................................22
Using the Main WinDVR Controls ...............................................22
The WinDVR Subpanels...........................................................24
Choosing Your Setup ....................................................................25
If You Have a Direct-Connected TV Antenna or Cable................26
Step 1: Make the Connections...................................................26
Step 2: Set Up the Channels ......................................................27
Step 3: Use WinDVR to Change Channels ...............................30
Save a List of Favorite Channels...............................................30

Table of Contents
vi Plextor ConvertX PVR PX-TV402U Installation and Users Manual
If You Have a Set-Top Box .......................................................... 31
Step 1: Make the Connections .................................................. 31
Step 2: Changing Channels with a Set-Top Box....................... 35
About IR Blasters...................................................................... 35
Hints If You Don’t See and Hear a TV Display ........................... 36
Pausing While Viewing ................................................................ 36
Recording Programs...................................................................... 38
Record Manually....................................................................... 38
Schedule a Recording................................................................ 39
Playing a Recorded Video............................................................. 40
EPG Recording ............................................................................. 41
Register for the EPG ................................................................. 41
View the EPG ........................................................................... 41
Set the PVR Device Preferences for Channel 3 or 4................. 42
Set Up an EPG Recording......................................................... 42
WinDVR 5: Next Steps................................................................. 43
4. Capturing and Editing Video with WinDVD Creator............. 45
Installing the WinDVD Creator 2 Software.................................. 45
Starting Up.................................................................................... 46
Understanding the Task Window.................................................. 46
Overview of Creating a Personalized CD or DVD Disc............... 48
Capturing ...................................................................................... 50
Capture Video ........................................................................... 51
Editing........................................................................................... 54
Adjust a Video Clip .................................................................. 56
Add and Adjust a Transition ..................................................... 57
Add Titles, Audio Effects, and Media Content......................... 58
Preview Your Project................................................................ 58
View File Properties ................................................................. 58
Save Your Project ..................................................................... 58
Creating......................................................................................... 59
Delete a Chapter Mark .............................................................. 61
Add a Chapter Mark.................................................................. 61
Edit a Menu Theme................................................................... 61
Sharing.......................................................................................... 62
Burn a Disc ............................................................................... 63
Compression Options for Input and Output .............................. 65
Save to a File............................................................................. 65

Table of Contents
Plextor ConvertX PVR PX-TV402U Installation and Users Manual vii
Disc Manager ................................................................................66
Capture Directly to a DVD Disc ...............................................67
WinDVD Creator 2: Next Steps....................................................69
5. Maintenance and Troubleshooting ............................................71
Upgrading Your ConvertX PVR ...................................................71
Troubleshooting Hints...................................................................72
Problems with Installation.........................................................72
Problems with Viewing .............................................................72
Problems with Capture ..............................................................72
Appendix A: Specifications.............................................................73
Appendix B: Technical Support.....................................................79
How to Contact Plextor Technical Support...................................80
Before You E-mail/Log On/FAX/Call ..........................................80
Returns ..........................................................................................81
Contacting Plextor’s RMA Department ....................................81
Packing Your ConvertX PVR ...................................................82
Shipping Your ConvertX PVR to Plextor .................................82
Appendix C: Warranty...................................................................83
If You’re Outside the U.S. or Canada ...........................................84
Index.................................................................................................85

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Plextor ConvertX PVR PX-TV402U Installation and Users Manual 1
1. Getting Started
Congratulations! Thank you for purchasing the Plextor®ConvertX
PVR™PX-TV402U Personal Video Recorder. We appreciate the
confidence you have shown in us. Our goal is to put you—and keep
you—on the leading edge of video technology.
About this Manual
Please read this manual carefully and keep it handy for easy reference.
Use the manual for installation, operation and troubleshooting. If your
ConvertX PVR needs service, see your dealer or call Plextor’s Technical
Support Department. (See “Appendix B: Technical Support” for the
different ways you can reach us.)
Meet Your ConvertX PVR
The Plextor ConvertX PVR is a high-quality personal video recorder
that takes a television signal from an antenna, cable, or satellite dish, as
well as video from a camcorder, VCR, or DVD player, and compresses
that video into DivX®, MPEG-4, MPEG-2/DVD or MPEG-1/VCD
formatted video.
What You Can Do with the ConvertX PVR
Uncompressed full-motion video takes as much as one gigabyte of
storage space per minute of video. But with your ConvertX PVR, you
can compress that video so that an entire movie fits onto a DVD—or
even a CD!

Section 1. Getting Started
2Plextor ConvertX PVR PX-TV402U Installation and Users Manual
The ConvertX PVR PX-TV402U Personal Video Recorder and the
bundled InterVideo®WinDVR 5 and WinDVD Creator™2 software let
you:
• Watch, pause and record live TV
• Schedule shows to record when you are away
• Capture video from camcorders, VCRs and DVD players
• Edit videos and then author and burn interactive DVDs
• Direct record video onto recordable DVD discs
Your ConvertX PVR Personal Video Recorder hardware compresses
video into four popular formats: MPEG-1/VCD, MPEG-2/DVD,
MPEG-4, and DivX®video. To use the ConvertX PVR for TV viewing
and recording, use the supplied InterVideo WinDVR software. To edit
home movies and author DVDs, use the supplied InterVideo WinDVD
Creator software. Everything you need for quality digital production is
here—just what you’d expect from Plextor.
Features of the Plextor ConvertX PVR
• Built-in TV tuner: Works with broadcast, analog cable, digital cable
or satellite TV service, and lets you watch TV on your computer.
• Select from popular recording formats: Performs real-time
conversion of video during capture to the DivX, MPEG-4, MPEG-
2/DVD and MPEG-1/VCD formats.
• Official DivX Certified™ product: Certified by DivX Networks as
producing files capable of being read in any other DivX Certified
player.
• High-quality hardware encoder: Uses a high-quality video encoder
to make sure you can record your video without losing quality.
• Bundled InterVideo WinDVR 5 software: Feature-rich software to
watch, pause and record live TV, as well as schedule unattended
recordings with its built-in Electronic Programming Guide provided
by TitanTV®.

Section 1. Getting Started
Plextor ConvertX PVR PX-TV402U Installation and Users Manual 3
• Bundled InterVideo WinDVD Creator 2 software: For capturing and
editing video, as well as authoring and burning interactive DVDs.
• Composite, S-Video and RF/coaxial inputs: Supports all these
popular types of video input.
• USB connection: Uses a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface for video
capture at high bit rates.
• Easily upgradeable: Just download the latest software from the
Plextor web site and upgrade quickly.
c
• One year warranty: And unlimited toll-free tech support.
What You Need to Use the ConvertX PVR
What You Need:
• Computer:
 Minimum: Pentium®III, 800-MHz CPU or faster.
 Recommended: Pentium 4, 1.6-GHz CPU or faster.
 Using WinDVR 5 in MPEG-4 mode: 2.4-GHz CPU or faster.
• Minimum memory: At least 256 megabytes of memory.
• Hard disk size: At least 10 gigabytes of free space recommended.
• Monitor resolution: 1024 x 768, 24 bit color.
• Video graphics card: AGP 4X (or faster) with 32 megabytes of
video memory, 24-bit resolution capability and DirectX support.
• Sound card: Windows-compatible sound card with 48-kHz
playback. (Using a plug-in PCI sound card is recommended.)
• CD-ROM drive: For installation.
• USB interface: USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed USB) required.
• Operating system: Windows XP or 2000.
• File system: FAT or NTFS.
• DirectX 9.0b: Provided on the accompanying Plextor CD.

Section 1. Getting Started
4Plextor ConvertX PVR PX-TV402U Installation and Users Manual
Also Highly Recommended:
• CD-RW drive: To burn CDs, Video CDs, or MiniDVDs.
• DVD+R/RW or DVD-R/RW drive: To burn DVDs, CDs or Video
CDs. Also needed for direct recording to DVD.
• Operating system updates: To enhance your experience, Plextor
highly recommends that you update your computer’s Windows
operating system with the following service packs (or later service
packs) and all Microsoft critical updates before you install the
ConvertX PVR drivers. Suggested service packs include:
 Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
 Windows XP Home, XP Pro Service Pack 1 or later
What's in the Box
Check the contents of the box. You should have:
• ConvertX PVR PX-TV402U Personal Video Recorder
• AC adapter and power cord
• USB 2.0 cable
• Composite video cable
• Composite audio cable
• S-Video cable
• Plextor ConvertX PVR PX-TV402U Installation and Users Manual
• Plextor ConvertX PVR PX-TV402U QuickStart Guide
• ConvertX PVR PX-TV402U software disc with:
 Plextor ConvertX PVR USB device driver
 InterVideo®WinDVR™5 software
 InterVideo WinDVD Creator™2 software
 Adobe®Reader®
 PDF files of users manuals (English and French)

Section 1. Getting Started
Plextor ConvertX PVR PX-TV402U Installation and Users Manual 5
ConvertX PVR Features and Controls
Before proceeding, become familiar with the controls and features of
your ConvertX PVR.
Front Panel
Figure 1: Front panel of the ConvertX PVR PX-TV402U
Personal Video Recorder
Connector or
Indicator
Function
1 Audio Audio connectors: Connect audio
input here, using the red and white
RCA cables.
2 Video Video connector: Connect composite
video here, using the yellow RCA
cable.
3 S-Video S-Video connector: Connect S-Video
here, using the black S-Video cable.
4 Ready to Record Ready to Record indicator LED:
Amber when a valid video signal is
being passed to the PC.
5 Power Power LED: Blue when the AC
adapter and USB cable are connected
and the computer is turned on.

Section 1. Getting Started
6Plextor ConvertX PVR PX-TV402U Installation and Users Manual
Rear Panel
Figure 2: Rear panel of the ConvertX PVR PX-TV402U
Personal Video Recorder
Connector Function
1 RF/Coaxial
RF/Coaxial input connector. Connect
RF input from antenna or coaxial
cable here.
2 USB 2.0 USB 2.0 connector: Connect your
USB cable here.
3 DC 9V Power connector: Connect the AC
adapter here. The unit has an
automatic power switch. When the PC
power is on, the ConvertX PVR power
is also on.
CAUTION: Use only the AC adapter
shipped with your ConvertX PVR.

Section 1. Getting Started
Plextor ConvertX PVR PX-TV402U Installation and Users Manual 7
A Word about Compression
The ConvertX PVR, along with the WinDVR and WinDVD Creator 2
software, supports the most popular types of real-time video
compression, including:
• MPEG-1, used in the Video CD (VCD) format.
• MPEG-2, used for standard DVDs.
• MPEG-4, used for archiving video on a hard disk, CD or DVD, as
well as for playback on some PDAs, cell phones, DVD players and
personal video players.
• DivX, used for sharing video on the Internet; for archiving video on
a hard disk, CD or DVD; and for playback on some DVD players,
PDAs, cell phones and personal video players. DivX files are
playable in Windows Media Player with a DivX decoder (supplied
with the PX-TV402U and also available for free at
http://www.divx.com/).
The ConvertX PVR hardware encoder captures video and can compress
it to any of these formats, saving valuable space on your hard disk. You
can play this video and view it on your computer using the WinDVR
player or software such as Microsoft Windows Media Player. You can
convert captured video to other formats with WinDVD Creator, or you
can use WinDVD Creator to edit your video and burn interactive DVDs.

Section 1. Getting Started
8Plextor ConvertX PVR PX-TV402U Installation and Users Manual
Precautions
Like the rest of your computer system, your ConvertX PVR requires
reasonable care in its installation and use.
• Operate your ConvertX PVR only in a horizontal position.
• Keep the area around your ConvertX PVR clean from dust, smoke,
and other contaminants. The unit is not dustproof.
• Do not allow moisture or liquids, including water or cleaning fluids,
to touch the ConvertX PVR. The unit is not waterproof.
Furthermore, thinner, benzene, or alcohol-based solvents can mar the
surface of your ConvertX PVR.
• Do not drop or jolt the ConvertX PVR.
• Do not attempt to open the ConvertX PVR and service it yourself.
Entrust service to Plextor-authorized service personnel only.

Plextor ConvertX PVR PX-TV402U Installation and Users Manual 9
2. Installing Your ConvertX PVR
Here’s how to install your ConvertX PVR Personal Video Recorder.
Installing the ConvertX PVR
Before installation, Plextor highly recommends that you get the latest
updates available for your computer’s operating system. Current service
packs and critical updates are available from
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com.
NOTE: If you have Windows XP, make sure you install Service Pack 1
(SP1) or later, and Recommended Update for XP SP1 (KB822603),
which is an update for USB 1.1 and 2.0.
Also, check for and install any software updates for your video card and
sound card.
Install the ConvertX PVR Device Driver
NOTE: Be sure you do this procedure to install the ConvertX PVR driver
from the ConvertX PVR software disc before connecting the ConvertX
PVR to your computer.
To install the ConvertX PVR Driver:
1. Turn ON your computer system and make sure that all applications
are turned off. Do not connect the ConvertX PVR yet.

Section 2. Installing Your ConvertX PVR
10 Plextor ConvertX PVR PX-TV402U Installation and Users Manual
Figure 3: Turn on the computer and insert the ConvertX PVR
software disc
2. Insert the ConvertX PVR software disc into your CD or DVD drive.
You see the Plextor Application Installer screen. (If you don’t see
the installer screen right away, use Windows Explorer to navigate to
the CD or DVD drive, and double-click the Plextor.exe file.)
Figure 4: Plextor Application Installer screen

Section 2. Installing Your ConvertX PVR
Plextor ConvertX PVR PX-TV402U Installation and Users Manual 11
3. Select the ConvertX PVR Device Driver button. You may see a
window that asks if you want to install DirectX version 9.0b. (If you
don’t see this window, you have the correct version of DirectX
already installed. Skip to step 9 below.)
4. If you see the DirectX installation window, Select OK. You see a
window with the Welcome to setup for DirectX and license
agreement.
5. Click the I accept the agreement choice, and then select Next. You
see the DirectX Setup window.
6. Select Next to start the installation. You see the installation of
DirectX as it proceeds. When installation is done, you see the Restart
Computer window.
7. Make sure all applications are closed, remove the ConvertX PVR
software disc, then select Finish to restart your computer. Windows
shuts down and then restarts.
8. After Windows restarts, re-insert the ConvertX PVR software disc
into your CD or DVD drive. You see the Plextor Application
Installer screen. (If you don’t see the installer screen right away, use
Windows Explorer to navigate to the CD or DVD drive, and double-
click the Plextor.exe file.)

Section 2. Installing Your ConvertX PVR
12 Plextor ConvertX PVR PX-TV402U Installation and Users Manual
9. In the Plextor Application Installer screen, select the ConvertX PVR
Device Driver button. You see the location for the installation folder
where the Plextor PX-TV402U files will be unpacked.
Figure 5: Location for the installation folder