Viewing HDTV from Microsoft Media Center using the ADS
Instant HDTV PCI Card
Before you begin:
The Microsoft Media Center Software requires that a supported analog tuner card be installed before
Digital TV can be can be set up. While this card does have an analog tuner, this is an extra feature on the
card and currently Microsoft’s Media Center software will not support it because of the lack of an
MPEG compressor. If you purchased or built a Media Center PC that does not have an analog tuner with an
MPEG compressor installed, one will have to be installed before this card can be used with that software.
The included Beyond TV software can be used for both analog and digital tuning.
The requirements for Digital TV in Windows Media Center 2005 are detailed on this Microsoft web page.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/using/hdtv/readme.mspx
We strongly recommend having all updates to the Media Center software installed. Without them,
you may encounter problems. Once you fulfill Media Center’s requirements, you can begin
configuration of the software for viewing of HDTV.
Here are the steps.
1) After physically installing the card and connecting
your HD antenna, you should make sure that the
installed drivers are the latest version (a previous
version available on the CD was not MCE certified
and will not work with the Media Center software.)
2) If, after booting into Windows you receive a “found
new hardware” wizard, skip to step 5. If not,
check device manager. Right-click “My Computer”
and select properties. Go to the “Hardware” tab
and click on “Device Manager.”
3) Locate the category “Sound video and game
controllers” and hit the plus (+) sign next to it. You
should see the ADS HDTV PCI.
4) Double-click on ADS Instant HDTV PCI. Click
on the “Driver” tab. Check the driver date. The
driver required to work with the Media Center
software is from 12/5/2005. The earlier driver
must be updated. If the driver needs updating,
click “Update Driver”. Otherwise, skip steps 5
and 6.
5) Found New Hardware/Update Hardware
Wizard: The first thing you will be asked is
whether the system can connect to the internet
to find drivers. You should choose “Yes”
because the updated driver is only available
online. Click “Next.”
6) Select an automatic search and click “Next.” The search may take a few minutes but Windows will
eventually begin to copy the new files to the system folder. When you click finish and return to the
ADS Instant HDTV Properties, the driver date should read 12/5/2005. If You can close this window
as well as device manager. Now it is time to configure Media Center.
7) If you have SnapStream Beyond TV installed on your system it
is important that you shut it down if it is running before using Media
Center as the Beyond TV engine will conflict with that of the Media
Center software. (Right-click the icon in the system tray and select
“Exit.”)
8) Open Media Center. If you have previously
configured your analog TV tuner in this program,
you will have to repeat the process. Select
“Settings.” On the “Settings” screen, select “TV.”
Select “Set Up TV Signal.” If you have not
configured analog TV then the program will go
directly to configuration when you select “Settings”
then “TV.”
9) First the program will configure your analog tuner.
You can choose an automatic or manual
configuration depending on your level of
experience and preference.
10) Once analog has been configured, the setup
routine should take you directly to setup of digital
TV. You will be asked if your digital TV antenna is
connected. If you have not connected that
already, do so now before going to the next step.
11) If you have not configured the program guide at an
earlier stage, you will now be prompted to do so.
This is necessary in order for the software to
tune your HDTV so make sure you are connected
to the internet and answer yes. Media Center has
to know what channels broadcast in HD in your
area and what frequencies they are broadcast on.
If you had previously configured the program
guide, you will probably skip the next screens so
go ahead to step 14.
12) You will have an opportunity to read Microsoft’s
privacy policy and you will have to agree to their
licensing terms. Once you have, you will be
prompted for your zip code. Enter that, select
“Next” and wait for the program to finish
downloading your local programming information.
13) When downloading the channel guide has
completed, select “Next” to continue. Depending
on how your analog tuner is configured, you may
see a screen asking you to select from available
providers in your area. Select your appropriate
provider (usually for cable) and select “Next.”
14) When you reach the “Digital TV Antenna Signal
Strength” screen, select “Next.” You will be
presented with a list of HD channels in your area
and the program will cycle through the list showing
the relative reception strength of each.
If you are
told that there are no digital channels in your area, go
back to the “Digital TV Antenna Signal Strength” screen
and try again. This happened to us the first time on
some of our tests.
15) Reception will depend largely on your antenna as well as which channels are currently broadcasting
in HD. Reference the Hardware Quick Guide that came with the HDTV card for links to information
on antenna types and adjustment.
16) You can choose to customize your lineup by removing channels you are not interested in by using the
checkboxes down the left side. Once you are satisfied with your lineup, you can click “Next.”
17) “You Are Done!” is the message you should receive. Click “Finish” and return to the Home menu.
18) HDTV is now ready for viewing. From the Home menu, select “My TV” then “Live TV.” Note that on
some systems, you will only see a black screen and a listing of the current channel and what program
you should be seeing for a minute before you begin to see a program. Try changing channels in this
case; once you have a picture, you’ll be able to switch freely between channels.
You have completed configuration of Microsoft Windows Media
Center and the ADS Instant HDTV PCI card!
Note that the steps and screens may differ from those shown here depending on what OEM version of Media Center
Edition you have installed on your computer. However the differences should be minor so just make sure to read what is
presented to you on your screen. The software should walk you through most of the process.
ADS Technical Support.
www.adstech.com
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