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Media Center and your set-top box -- Jul 17 2008, 2:52 PM
A set-top box is the generic name for a cable box or a satellite receiver. You can connect your PC running Microsoft Windows Media Center Edition 2005 to a set-top box and watch and record either digital cable or satellite TV signal.
To connect a set-top box to your Media Center PC, you will need:
* 2 coaxial cables
* IR control cable: The IR control cable relays information from the Media Center PC to the set-top box to change the channel.
* Remote sensor: The remote sensor receives the signal from the Media Center remote control and relays it to the Media Center PC. When you plug the IR control cable into the remote sensor and the set-top box, then the remote sensor also relays the signal from the PC to the set-top box.
1. Connect one end of one of the coaxial cables to the cable jack in the wall.
2. Connect the other end of the coaxial cable to the cable input connection on your set-top box. This connection is often called CABLE IN, IN FROM WALL, or INPUT. If you cannot locate this connection, refer to the instructions for your set-top box.
3. Connect one end of the other coaxial cable to the cable output connection on your set-top box. This connection is often called CABLE OUT, OUT TO TV, or OUTPUT.
4. Connect the other end of this coaxial cable to the TV IN jack, located on the back of the Media Center PC.
5. Make sure the remote sensor is positioned near the set-top box, and then connect the remote sensor to the USB port on the back of the Media Center PC.
6. Diagram: Connecting a Media Center PC to a set-top boxLocate the area on the front of the set-top box where you aim the remote to change channels, change the sound level, and so on. This is the remote receiver.
Tip: The remote receiver is sometimes hidden behind a panel of dark, transparent plastic on the set-top box. Shine a flashlight onto the transparent area. Inside, you should see a small black box. This is the remote receiver.
7. Remove the small piece of paper covering one side of the IR control cable. This will expose adhesive on that side of the IR control cable.
8. Using the adhesive, attach the IR control cable in front of the remote receiver on the front of the set-top box.
9. Connect the plug of the IR control cable to the back of the remote sensor for the Media Center PC.
Once you've connected the set-top box to the Media Center PC, you need to complete the TV Signal Setup Wizard in Media Center.
To access the TV Signal Setup Wizard:
1. Press the Green Start Button on the remote to open the Media Center Start menu, and then select Settings.
2. On the Settings page, select TV, and then select Set Up TV Signal to begin the TV Signal Setup Wizard.
TV page with Set Up TV Signal selected
To connect a set-top box to your Media Center PC, you will need:
* 2 coaxial cables
* IR control cable: The IR control cable relays information from the Media Center PC to the set-top box to change the channel.
* Remote sensor: The remote sensor receives the signal from the Media Center remote control and relays it to the Media Center PC. When you plug the IR control cable into the remote sensor and the set-top box, then the remote sensor also relays the signal from the PC to the set-top box.
1. Connect one end of one of the coaxial cables to the cable jack in the wall.
2. Connect the other end of the coaxial cable to the cable input connection on your set-top box. This connection is often called CABLE IN, IN FROM WALL, or INPUT. If you cannot locate this connection, refer to the instructions for your set-top box.
3. Connect one end of the other coaxial cable to the cable output connection on your set-top box. This connection is often called CABLE OUT, OUT TO TV, or OUTPUT.
4. Connect the other end of this coaxial cable to the TV IN jack, located on the back of the Media Center PC.
5. Make sure the remote sensor is positioned near the set-top box, and then connect the remote sensor to the USB port on the back of the Media Center PC.
6. Diagram: Connecting a Media Center PC to a set-top boxLocate the area on the front of the set-top box where you aim the remote to change channels, change the sound level, and so on. This is the remote receiver.
Tip: The remote receiver is sometimes hidden behind a panel of dark, transparent plastic on the set-top box. Shine a flashlight onto the transparent area. Inside, you should see a small black box. This is the remote receiver.
7. Remove the small piece of paper covering one side of the IR control cable. This will expose adhesive on that side of the IR control cable.
8. Using the adhesive, attach the IR control cable in front of the remote receiver on the front of the set-top box.
9. Connect the plug of the IR control cable to the back of the remote sensor for the Media Center PC.
Once you've connected the set-top box to the Media Center PC, you need to complete the TV Signal Setup Wizard in Media Center.
To access the TV Signal Setup Wizard:
1. Press the Green Start Button on the remote to open the Media Center Start menu, and then select Settings.
2. On the Settings page, select TV, and then select Set Up TV Signal to begin the TV Signal Setup Wizard.
TV page with Set Up TV Signal selected
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