Burning TV programs and other content onto a DVD can easily be done using Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. Burning DVDs will allow you to enjoy watching the shows you love when you find the time in your busy schedule. Since the Media Center PC comes with limited storage space and TV shows can occupy a lot of space, burning DVDs is a good idea for programs you would like to keep for future viewing.
Step1
Insert a writable DVD disk into your Media Center DVD drive. Make sure the disk is blank or rewritable or else your system will not recognize the media.
Step2
Use the Start Button on your remote and select "My TV."
Step3
Use the arrows on the remote and go to "Recorded TV" on the My TV screen.
Step4
Select the program you wish to burn on the DVD from the list of recorded shows. Press the "More Info" button on your remote then select the "Create CD/DVD" option from the displayed list.
Step5
View the disc format screen and select "Video DVD" and press "OK." You will be asked to give a name to the DVD using the keys on the remote control.
Step6
Select "Create DVD" on the View DVD screen. The Initiating Copy dialog box will open, then select "Yes" to continue. Your DVD will start the burning process and may take several minutes as Media Center compresses the files so they will fit onto the disc.
Step7
Continue using your computer by selecting "OK" on the Creation Progress dialog box. Remove the DVD from the tray when the Media Center PC ejects it after it's finished burning.
Step8
Click "Done" on the Completing Disc Creation dialog box. Your DVD is now ready and you can watch the shows with any dedicated DVD player.
http://www.freewebtown.com/howtodothing/electronics/3.htm#1
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
How to Appreciate Features of LCD TV
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) TVs have become popular along with its plasma rivals. The LCD technology is fast providing the consumers with some amazing features.
Step1
Explore the progressive scan support that is provided by all LCD TVs. This feature provides a pleasing flat screen design and great visual quality.
Step2
Check out the compatibility for High Definition Television (HDTV). Many LCD TVs support this feature. The upgrade allows the users to have high quality of audio-visual advantage in their TV. LCD TVs also include several inputs, plug and play options making them versatile.
Step3
Find out the aspect ratio and video image conversion. Standard TVs have a 4:3 aspect ratio or 4 units wide and 3 units high. All LCD TVs with HDTV compatibility have a 16:9 aspect ratio. This means they are a little wider than standard TV proportions. The feature is worth appreciating, as it ensures that the stretch is least in the center where your eyes are focused and more at the corners, providing you with quality visual experience.
Step4
Appreciate the reverse 3:2 pulldown feature. Providing great quality pictures on TV requires processing the film into a video. It is a process to stretch and convert 24 frames of film onto 30 frames of video. Films that project at 24 frames per second are converted into 30 frames per second giving you a superior video quality. The reverse pulldown mechanism is important to slash the distortion created by progressive scan technology. As the new frames in the video are interlaced, it is not easy to find the original frame.
Step5
Check out the Picture in Picture (PIP) feature. Many times, you wonder how you can watch two channels or programs on the single screen. The PIP feature allows you to view your favorite TV show with a live sport event in small box, which can be moved around the four corners of the TV frame. The audio option is limited to one program, which you can choose. You can also flip the two programs from the main frame to the PIP box.
Step6
Explore the 3D Y/C Digital Comb Filter. It is the best type of comb filter available in the markets today. It separates the Y (Black and white) and C (color) elements from the video signal. This provides a superior picture quality. Additionally, it analyzes each frame of the picture in advance while comparing the three consecutive horizontal scan lines, thus ensuring best picture output.
http://www.freewebtown.com/howtodothing/electronics/2.htm#2
Step1
Explore the progressive scan support that is provided by all LCD TVs. This feature provides a pleasing flat screen design and great visual quality.
Step2
Check out the compatibility for High Definition Television (HDTV). Many LCD TVs support this feature. The upgrade allows the users to have high quality of audio-visual advantage in their TV. LCD TVs also include several inputs, plug and play options making them versatile.
Step3
Find out the aspect ratio and video image conversion. Standard TVs have a 4:3 aspect ratio or 4 units wide and 3 units high. All LCD TVs with HDTV compatibility have a 16:9 aspect ratio. This means they are a little wider than standard TV proportions. The feature is worth appreciating, as it ensures that the stretch is least in the center where your eyes are focused and more at the corners, providing you with quality visual experience.
Step4
Appreciate the reverse 3:2 pulldown feature. Providing great quality pictures on TV requires processing the film into a video. It is a process to stretch and convert 24 frames of film onto 30 frames of video. Films that project at 24 frames per second are converted into 30 frames per second giving you a superior video quality. The reverse pulldown mechanism is important to slash the distortion created by progressive scan technology. As the new frames in the video are interlaced, it is not easy to find the original frame.
Step5
Check out the Picture in Picture (PIP) feature. Many times, you wonder how you can watch two channels or programs on the single screen. The PIP feature allows you to view your favorite TV show with a live sport event in small box, which can be moved around the four corners of the TV frame. The audio option is limited to one program, which you can choose. You can also flip the two programs from the main frame to the PIP box.
Step6
Explore the 3D Y/C Digital Comb Filter. It is the best type of comb filter available in the markets today. It separates the Y (Black and white) and C (color) elements from the video signal. This provides a superior picture quality. Additionally, it analyzes each frame of the picture in advance while comparing the three consecutive horizontal scan lines, thus ensuring best picture output.
http://www.freewebtown.com/howtodothing/electronics/2.htm#2
Saturday, August 2, 2008
How to Align a Satellite TV
Once the dish antenna is installed, it needs to be aligned so it catches the signal transmitted from the satellite. In addition to receiving the signal, alignment of the dish needs to be tweaked for better quality reception. Similarly, the receiver needs to be tuned so that it works in tandem with the dish. Follow these steps to align your satellite TV.
Step1
Set up the dish antenna.
Step2
Adjust the low-noise block/feedback (LNBF) horn by slightly loosening the nuts and gently moving the dish from left to right.
Step3
Use the coaxial to connect the receiver to the dish LNBF.
Step4
Connect the receiver to your television set.
Step5
Switch on the television and the receiver.
Step6
Refer to the receiver manual for initial set up.
Step7
Determine the elevation level appropriate for your location and identify the elevation indicator on the dish. Adjust the elevation of the dish by loosening the elevation nuts and gently moving the dish up and down. The elevation indicator should line up with the elevation number for your location to adjust the dish properly.
Step8
Compare the channels broadcast on your TV with the channel guide to ensure that the dish is receiving signals from the correct satellite. In case the dish receives a signal from another satellite, you might end up watching programs you are not interested in or in a language you do not understand.
Step9
Focus the picture by moving the LNBF in and out.
Step1
Set up the dish antenna.
Step2
Adjust the low-noise block/feedback (LNBF) horn by slightly loosening the nuts and gently moving the dish from left to right.
Step3
Use the coaxial to connect the receiver to the dish LNBF.
Step4
Connect the receiver to your television set.
Step5
Switch on the television and the receiver.
Step6
Refer to the receiver manual for initial set up.
Step7
Determine the elevation level appropriate for your location and identify the elevation indicator on the dish. Adjust the elevation of the dish by loosening the elevation nuts and gently moving the dish up and down. The elevation indicator should line up with the elevation number for your location to adjust the dish properly.
Step8
Compare the channels broadcast on your TV with the channel guide to ensure that the dish is receiving signals from the correct satellite. In case the dish receives a signal from another satellite, you might end up watching programs you are not interested in or in a language you do not understand.
Step9
Focus the picture by moving the LNBF in and out.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
How to Adjust VCR Tracking
The weakest link in any VCR is the tape you just inserted into it. That Disney classic you picked up at the rental store may have been played 100 times (and that's just your kids). As the tape stretches with use, the picture gets distorted. Time to adjust the tracking.
Step1
Look on the front of the VCR for a tracking knob.
Step2
While the tape is playing, turn the knob to the left to see if the picture improves. If it does, leave it there.
Step3
If turning the knob to the left doesn't work, try turning it to the right to improve the picture.
Step4
When you're finished watching the video, return the knob to the central (neutral) position.
Step1
Look on the front of the VCR for a tracking knob.
Step2
While the tape is playing, turn the knob to the left to see if the picture improves. If it does, leave it there.
Step3
If turning the knob to the left doesn't work, try turning it to the right to improve the picture.
Step4
When you're finished watching the video, return the knob to the central (neutral) position.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
How to Add Surround Sound to Your Car
Surround sound has become all the rage in home entertainment and movie theaters. Now some car audio manufacturers are offering surround-sound components that are specifically designed for cars.
Step1
Consider your car. Is it a two-seater? If so, the rear speakers may have to be too close to the listeners. Is it a convertible? If it is, you won't be able to achieve the proper staging for a true surround-sound effect. If you are putting surround sound in a two-door or four-door sedan, you need to consider the size of the car. The rear speakers may be too close or too far away from the listeners in the front seats, and passengers in the backseat may not get the true effect of the center channel. If your vehicle is a sports utility vehicle, then you are dealing with a room that is rectangular, not square, and the people in the backseat may not get the true effect of the center channel.
Designing a Surround Sound System
Step1
Select a head unit that can wire into a surround-sound processor. Because the processor is digital, the head unit needs to supply a digital signal. Commonly, fiberoptic cables are used to transmit digital signals between components. If your head unit cannot supply digital signals, include a CD changer with fiberoptic connection and connect the processor to the CD changer. If you do this, you need to remember that if you play a CD on the head unit you will not get a surround-sound effect. You will get the effect only when you play CDs from the CD changer. If you do not want to connect the processor through the CD changer, select a surround-sound processor that can accept RCA signals from the radio and convert them to digital.
Step2
Include a high-end CD changer and/or DVD unit that can play the software that carries the surround-sound signals.
Step3
Purchase a five-channel amplifier that can serve the front speakers, the rear speakers, and the subwoofers. You are feeding sound to the four corners of the car, plus the subwoofers. Each corner and the subwoofers are separate channels.
Step4
Include a 4- to 6-inch midrange speaker and tweeter to serve as the center channel. This speaker combination needs to be in its own enclosure and should be placed in the center portion of the dashboard.
Step5
Select an amplifier to run the center-channel speakers. A modest two-channel amplifier played bridged mono will suffice.
Step6
Include an electronic crossover. The crossover can be outboard, or it can be built in to the amplifiers.
Step7
Speaker locations should be in the four corners of the car. Some cars have speaker locations that are well-placed for a surround-sound environment. Car manufacturers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche actually offer surround-sound systems. However, in other and older cars, you may have to improvise speaker placement to get the best effect. You may have to add a tweeter high on the door or pillar at about shoulder height, while placing the midrange speaker in the factory-made opening in the door. Use a passive crossover to compensate for the distance between the midrange speaker and the tweeter.
Step8
Set the electronic crossover (see "How to Set a Two-Way Electronic Crossover for Car Audio"). When setting up the crossover point for the center channel, keep in mind that you don't want to play it full range. Set the crossover point for the center channel at about 80 Hz and up.
Step9
Adjust the system once everything has been installed. Set the processor's adjustment in the middle, and first play with the amplifiers' gains. Turn the gain up until you just start to get distortion, and then turn it down just a little. Once the amplifiers' gains are set, you can fine-tune the system by setting the surround-sound processor.
Step1
Consider your car. Is it a two-seater? If so, the rear speakers may have to be too close to the listeners. Is it a convertible? If it is, you won't be able to achieve the proper staging for a true surround-sound effect. If you are putting surround sound in a two-door or four-door sedan, you need to consider the size of the car. The rear speakers may be too close or too far away from the listeners in the front seats, and passengers in the backseat may not get the true effect of the center channel. If your vehicle is a sports utility vehicle, then you are dealing with a room that is rectangular, not square, and the people in the backseat may not get the true effect of the center channel.
Designing a Surround Sound System
Step1
Select a head unit that can wire into a surround-sound processor. Because the processor is digital, the head unit needs to supply a digital signal. Commonly, fiberoptic cables are used to transmit digital signals between components. If your head unit cannot supply digital signals, include a CD changer with fiberoptic connection and connect the processor to the CD changer. If you do this, you need to remember that if you play a CD on the head unit you will not get a surround-sound effect. You will get the effect only when you play CDs from the CD changer. If you do not want to connect the processor through the CD changer, select a surround-sound processor that can accept RCA signals from the radio and convert them to digital.
Step2
Include a high-end CD changer and/or DVD unit that can play the software that carries the surround-sound signals.
Step3
Purchase a five-channel amplifier that can serve the front speakers, the rear speakers, and the subwoofers. You are feeding sound to the four corners of the car, plus the subwoofers. Each corner and the subwoofers are separate channels.
Step4
Include a 4- to 6-inch midrange speaker and tweeter to serve as the center channel. This speaker combination needs to be in its own enclosure and should be placed in the center portion of the dashboard.
Step5
Select an amplifier to run the center-channel speakers. A modest two-channel amplifier played bridged mono will suffice.
Step6
Include an electronic crossover. The crossover can be outboard, or it can be built in to the amplifiers.
Step7
Speaker locations should be in the four corners of the car. Some cars have speaker locations that are well-placed for a surround-sound environment. Car manufacturers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche actually offer surround-sound systems. However, in other and older cars, you may have to improvise speaker placement to get the best effect. You may have to add a tweeter high on the door or pillar at about shoulder height, while placing the midrange speaker in the factory-made opening in the door. Use a passive crossover to compensate for the distance between the midrange speaker and the tweeter.
Step8
Set the electronic crossover (see "How to Set a Two-Way Electronic Crossover for Car Audio"). When setting up the crossover point for the center channel, keep in mind that you don't want to play it full range. Set the crossover point for the center channel at about 80 Hz and up.
Step9
Adjust the system once everything has been installed. Set the processor's adjustment in the middle, and first play with the amplifiers' gains. Turn the gain up until you just start to get distortion, and then turn it down just a little. Once the amplifiers' gains are set, you can fine-tune the system by setting the surround-sound processor.
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