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Finding Answers to Questions 105
Answering MediaSmart HDTV Frequently Asked
Questions
Do I need a Media Center PC to
use my MediaSmart HDTV?
No, a Media Center PC is not required. Your
MediaSmart HDTV works with any PC that supports
Windows Media Player 11 or other UPnP-compliant
program. The MediaSmart HDTV has its own interface
and can connect directly to many Internet services.
Also, the MediaSmart HDTV shows television or
content from a connected DVD or other device, just like
a regular TV does.
However, the MediaSmart HDTV works well with a
Media Center PC, and can act as a Windows Media
Center Extender to play recorded HDTV shows and
protected content. (The Extender feature requires that
the computer have the Windows Vista Home Premium
or Ultimate operating system. The HP MediaSmart
Services Gateway software does not support
computers with a 64-bit operating system; however,
Windows Media Player 11 still works well as a server.)
Why does MediaSmart HDTV
use Windows Media Player?
Windows Media Player file sharing is based on
industry standards (UPnP) and is widely used. It is easy
to install, set up, and use, and it supports digital rights
management, which enables access to premium online
content.
What version of Windows
Media Player works with the
MediaSmart HDTV?
The MediaSmart HDTV supports Windows Media
Player 11.0. If you have an earlier version of WMP,
you can get a free download of version 11.0 from the
Microsoft Windows Media Player Web site.
Can my MediaSmart HDTV
software be updated?
Yes, MediaSmart HDTV firmware (software) is
automatically updated as needed when the TV has
access to the Internet.
Can MediaSmart HDTV play
AAC format and other music file
types?
Yes, your MediaSmart HDTV can play music files in a
variety of formats, including unprotected AAC files. For
supported music file types, see “Supported Media File
Types” on page 112.
What is the wireless type to use
to stream video to my
MediaSmart HDTV?
The quality of streaming video over wireless depends
on many factors such as the bitrate of the original
video, the reception quality, and the access point. For
best quality over wireless, HP recommends using an
access point that supports IEEE 802.11n.
IEEE 802.11a or 802.11g is the second choice.
IEEE 802.11b access points work well for audio and
picture streaming, but are not recommended for video
because of bandwidth limitations.
Can I play recorded TV shows or
downloaded shows or movies
from my Media Center PC on my
MediaSmart HDTV?
Microsoft Media Center PCs record TV programs in a
proprietary format called dvr-ms. Your MediaSmart
HDTV supports playback of dvr-ms files through the
Windows Media Center Extender feature; see “Using
the Windows Media Center option” on page 94. For
supported video file types, see “Supported Media File
Types” on page 112.