Using Multimedia

This chapter provides information on using the multimedia features of your computer. Read this chapter to learn how to:

Use the diskette drive

Use the CD or DVD drive

Adjust the volume

Play CDs and DVDs

Record and play audio files

Use Windows Media Player

Use MusicMatch

Use a recordable drive to create CDs

Using the diskette drive

The diskette drive uses 3.5-inch diskettes (sometimes called floppy disks). Diskettes are useful for storing files or transferring files to another computer.

Warning

Do not expose diskettes to water or magnetic fields. Exposure could damage the data on the diskette.

To use a diskette:

1. Insert the diskette into the diskette drive with the label facing up.

2. To access a file on the diskette in Windows XP, click Start, then click My Computer. Double-click the drive letter (for example, the A: drive), then double-click the file name.

- OR -

To access a file on the diskette in Windows 2000, double-click the My Computer icon, the drive letter (for example, the A: drive), then double-click the file name.

3. To remove the diskette, make sure that the drive activity light is off, then press the diskette eject button.

Using the CD or DVD drive

You can use your computer to enjoy a wide variety of multimedia features.

Identifying drive types

Your Gateway computer may contain one of the following drive types. Look on the front of the drive for one of the following logos:

CD drive		Use a CD drive for installing programs, playing audio CDs, and accessing data. You cannot use this drive to create CDs or play DVDs.
CD-RW drive		Use a CD-RW drive for installing programs, playing audio CDs, accessing data, and creating CDs. You cannot use this drive to play DVDs. You can only write to a CD-R disc once. You can write to and erase CD-RW discs multiple times. For more information, see "Using a recordable drive".
DVD drive		Use a DVD drive for installing programs, playing audio CDs, playing DVDs, and accessing data. You cannot use this drive to create CDs.
Combination DVD/CD-RW drive		Use a combination DVD/CD-RW drive for installing programs, playing audio CDs, playing DVDs, accessing data, and recording music and data to CD-R or CD-RW discs. For more information, see "Using a recordable drive".

Inserting a CD or DVD

Important

Some music CDs have copy protection software. You may not be able to play these CDs on your computer.

To insert a CD or DVD:

1. Press the eject button on the CD or DVD drive. After the tray opens slightly, pull the disc tray completely open.

2. Place the disc in the tray with the label facing up, then press down carefully on the disc until it snaps into place.

Important

When you place a single-sided disc in the tray, make sure that the label side is facing up. If the disc has two playable sides, place the disc so the name of the side you want to play is facing up.

3. Push the tray in until it is closed.

Adjusting the volume

Adjusting the volume in Windows XP

You can use the volume controls to adjust the overall volume and the volume of specific sound devices in your computer. Depending on the sound hardware installed in your computer, you may have additional volume controls available through the Start menu.

To adjust the overall volume level using hardware controls:

If you are using external speakers, turn the knob on the front of the speakers.

-OR-

Use the volume control buttons on the keyboard. See Special-function buttons for more information.

To adjust the overall volume level from Windows:

1. Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices.

2. Click/Double-click the Adjust the system volume or Sounds and Audio Devices. The Sounds and Audio Devices Properties dialog box opens.

3. Click the Volume tab.

4. Drag the Device Volume slider to change the volume or click to select the Mute check box, then click OK.

Help and Support

For more information about adjusting volume in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword adjusting volume in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

To adjust specific volume levels:

1. Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices.

2. Click/Double-click the Adjust the system volume or Sounds and Audio Devices. The Sounds and Audio Devices Properties dialog box opens.

3. Click the Volume tab.

4. Click Advanced in the Device volume area.

If the device you want to adjust does not appear in the window, click Options, Properties, the check box next to the audio device you want to adjust, then click OK.

5. Drag the volume level and balance sliders for the device you want to adjust. For more information about the volume controls, click Help in the window.

6. Click X in the top-right corner of the window to close it.

Adjusting the volume in Windows 2000

You can use the volume controls to adjust the overall volume and the volume of specific sound devices in your computer. Depending on the sound hardware installed in your computer, you may have additional volume controls available through the Start menu.

To adjust overall volume level using hardware controls:

If you are using external speakers, turn the knob on the front of the speakers.

-OR-

Use the volume control buttons on the keyboard. See Special-function buttons for more information.

To adjust overall volume level from Windows:

Click the speaker icon   on the taskbar, then drag the slider to change the volume or click to select the Mute check box.

To adjust specific volume levels:

1. Double-click the speaker icon   on the taskbar. The Volume Control window opens.

If the device you want to adjust does not appear in the Volume Control window, click Options, Properties, the audio device you want to adjust, then click OK.

2. Drag the volume level and balance sliders for the device you want to adjust. For more information about the volume controls, click Help in the Volume Control window.

3. Click X in the top-right corner of the window to close it.

Listening to CDs

You can use the CD or DVD drive on your computer to listen to music CDs.

Important

Some music CDs have copy protection software. You may not be able to play these CDs on your computer.

Listening to CDs in Windows XP

Use the Windows Media Player to listen to CDs in Windows XP. For more information about the using the Windows Media Player, click Help. You can also use MusicMatch to listen to CDs. For more information, see Using MusicMatch.

You can use the special-function buttons on the Multifunction keyboard to control how you play your CDs. For more information, see Special-function buttons.

To play a CD:

1. Insert a CD into the CD or DVD drive.

2. If a dialog box opens with a list of CD players, click Windows Media Player. The Windows Media Player opens.

- OR -

If a dialog box does not open with a list of CD players, click Start, then click Windows Media Player. The Windows Media Player opens.

3. When the media player opens, click  (play).

If you do not hear sound or you want to change the volume, see Adjusting the volume in Windows XP.

Help and Support

For more information about playing CDs in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword playing CDs in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

Listening to CDs in Windows 2000

Use the Windows CD Player to play an audio CD. You can also use MusicMatch to listen to CDs. For more information, see Using MusicMatch.

You can use the special-function buttons on the Multifunction keyboard to control how you play your CDs. For more information, see Special-function buttons.

To play a CD:

Insert a CD into the CD or DVD drive. The CD Player opens and the CD plays.

- OR -

If the CD does not start playing automatically, click Start, Programs, Accessories, Entertainment, then click CD Player. When the CD Player opens, click  (play).

If you do not hear sound or you want to change the volume, see "Adjusting the volume in Windows 2000".

Recording and playing audio

Use the following instructions to make an audio recording by speaking into a microphone.

To make an audio recording:

1. Plug a microphone into one of the Microphone jacks on your computer. For the location of the Microphone jacks, see Front, and "Back".

2. Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, Entertainment, then click Sound Recorder. The Sound Recorder opens.

3. Click  (record), then speak into the microphone.

4. When you finish recording, click  (stop).

5. Click File, then click Save As. The Save As dialog box opens.

6. Name the recording, specify the location where you want to save the recording, then click Save. The recording is saved.

To play an audio recording in Sound Recorder:

1. Open the Sound Recorder.

2. Click File, then click Open. The Open dialog box opens.

3. Click the file you want to play, then click Open.

4. Play the file by clicking  (play), then stop playing the file by clicking  (stop).

Help and Support

For more information about making or playing an audio recording in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword recording audio or playing audio in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

Playing audio and video files with the Windows Media Player

The Windows Media Player can play several types of audio and video files, including WAV, MIDI, MP3, AU, AVI, and MPEG formats. For more information about the using the Windows Media Player, click Help.

To play a file using the Windows Media Player:

1. In Windows XP, click Start, All Programs, then click Windows Media Player. The Windows Media Player opens.

- OR -

In Windows 2000, click Start, Programs, Accessories, Entertainment, then click Windows Media Player. The Windows Media Player opens.

2. Click File, then click Open. The Open dialog box opens.

Important

If the menu bar does not appear, click the show menu bar   button.

3. Click the file you want to play, then click Open.

4. Play the file by clicking  (play), then stop playing the file by clicking  (stop).

Help and Support

For more information about playing audio and video using the Windows Media Player in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword Media Player in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

Playing a DVD

A Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) is similar to a standard CD but has greater data capacity. Because of this increased capacity, full-length movies, several albums of music, or several gigabytes of data can fit on a single disc. If your computer has a DVD drive, you can play DVDs with the InterVideo DVD Player program or Windows Media Player. For more information about playing DVDs, click Help in the DVD player program.

To play a DVD:

1. Make sure that the speakers are turned on or headphones are plugged in and that the volume is turned up.

2. Turn off your screen saver and standby timers.

3. To play a DVD using InterVideo DVD, click Start, All Programs, DVD, then click DVD Player. The InterVideo DVD Player video screen and control panel open.

-OR-

To play a DVD using Windows Media Player in Windows XP, click Start, All Programs, then click Windows Media Player. The Windows Media Player opens.

- OR -

To play a DVD using Windows Media Player in Windows 2000, click Start, Programs, Accessories, Entertainment, then click Windows Media Player. The Windows Media Player opens.

Important

If the InterVideo DVD player is not on your Start menu, or if Windows Media Player cannot play a DVD, you will need to install the InterVideo DVD program. To install the InterVideo program, insert the InterVideo DVD Software disc into your DVD drive and follow the on-screen instructions.

4. Insert a DVD into the DVD drive, then click  (play). The DVD plays. Use the volume controls in the DVD player to adjust the volume.

Help and Support

For more information about playing DVDs in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword playing DVDs in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

Using MusicMatch

Using MusicMatch^™, you can:

Play music CDs

Create MP3 music files from your music CDs

Edit music track information

Use your music files to build a music library

Listen to Internet Radio

For more information on using MusicMatch, see its online help.

Playing CDs

You can use the MusicMatch program to play music CDs.

Important

Some music CDs have copy protection software. You may not be able to play these CDs on your computer.

To play a music CD in Windows XP:

1. To have MusicMatch automatically list the album, artist, and track names of your CD, connect to the Internet before inserting your CD.

2. Insert the music CD into the CD or DVD drive on your computer. The first time you insert a music CD, the Audio CD dialog box opens.

3. Click Play Audio CD using MUSICMATCH Jukebox, then click OK. MusicMatch opens, the CD begins playing, and the names of the music tracks appear in the playlist area.

To play a music CD in Windows 2000:

1. To have MusicMatch automatically list the album, artist, and track names of your CD, connect to the Internet before inserting your CD.

2. Double-click the musicmatch JUKEBOX icon on your desktop. MusicMatch opens.

3. Insert the music CD into the CD or DVD drive on your computer, then click the CD tab in the MusicMatch window. The names of the music tracks appear in the playlist area.

4. Click (play).

Creating MP3 music files

Using MusicMatch, you can copy the tracks from a music CD to your computer's hard drive as MP3 files. MP3 (MPEG Layer 3) is a standard for digitally compressing high-fidelity music into compact files without noticeably sacrificing quality. MP3 files end in the file extension .MP3.

Important

Some music CDs have copy protection software. You cannot copy tracks from these CDs.

To create (rip) MP3 files:

1. To have MusicMatch automatically list the album, artist, and track names of your CD, then use that information for naming and storing your MP3 files, connect to the Internet before inserting your CD.

2. Insert a music CD into your CD or DVD drive.

3. If an Audio CD dialog box opens, click Play Audio CD using MUSICMATCH Jukebox, then click OK. The MusicMatch window opens.

- OR -

If a dialog box does not open, click Start, All Programs, MusicMatch, then click MusicMatch Jukebox. The MusicMatch window opens.

4. Click the record button. The Recorder window opens.

5. Click to clear the check box for any track you do not want to record (rip).

6. Click REC.

7. When a message appears that tells you the CD drive needs to be configured, click OK.

Editing track information

After you add a CD track as an MP3 file to your music library, you can edit the track's information.

To edit track information:

1. In MusicMatch, click My Library. The library window opens.

2. In the library window, right-click the file, then click Edit Track Tag(s). The Edit Track Tag dialog box opens.

3. Enter information such as track title, lead artist, album, and genre.

4. Click OK. The new track information appears in the MusicMatch playlist, music library, and recorder window.

Building a music library

Use MusicMatch to build a music library. You can organize your music tracks by categories, find a track quickly by using the sort features, and add information to a music file.

You can add music tracks to your music library by:

Creating MP3 files - When you create MP3 files from the tracks on your music CD, MusicMatch automatically adds these files to your music library.

Dragging and Dropping - Drag and drop files from Windows Explorer or your desktop to the music library.

Downloading files from the Internet - When you are connected to the Internet, MP3 files that you download are automatically added to your music library.

Caution

During the download process, MP3 files may become corrupt. If you are having trouble listening to, or working with, a downloaded file, try downloading the file again.

Changing the music library display settings

To change the music library display settings:

1. In MusicMatch, click Options, then click Settings. The Settings window opens.

2. Click the Music Library tab.

3. Click the categories that you want to display in the columns, then click OK.

Listening to Internet radio

To listen to an Internet radio station:

1. Connect to the Internet, then open MusicMatch.

2. Click Radio Stations. The Radio window opens.

3. To select one of the MusicMatch Internet radio stations, click one of the Popular Stations. MusicMatch connects to the station and plays the audio.

- OR -

To play another Internet radio station, click Broadcast Stations, the appropriate category in the Station Selector, the radio station, then click  (play). MusicMatch connects to the station and plays the audio.

Using advanced features

You can also use MusicMatch to create your own music CDs and to download MP3 files to your portable MP3 player. For more information, see the MusicMatch online help.

Using a recordable drive

You can use your CD-RW or DVD/CD-RW drive to create data CDs, music CDs, or copies of CDs.

For more information about your drive's capabilities, see Identifying drive types.

Creating data CDs

Use Roxio Easy CD Creator to create data CDs. Data CDs are ideal for backing up important files such as tax records, letters, MP3s, digital movies, or photos. For information on creating music CDs, see Creating music CDs.

Important

We recommend that you do not use your computer for other tasks while creating CDs.

Important

If you record copyrighted material on a CD, you need permission from the copyright owner. Otherwise, you may be violating copyright law and be subject to payment of damages and other remedies. If you are uncertain about your rights, contact your legal advisor.

To create a data CD:

1. Insert a blank, writable CD into your recordable CD drive.

2. If a CD Drive dialog box opens, click Create a CD using Roxio Easy CD Creator, then click OK. The Select a Project window opens.

- OR -

If a dialog box does not open, click Start, All Programs, Roxio Easy CD Creator, then click Project Selector. The Select a Project window opens.

3. Move your pointer over make a data CD, then click dataCD project. The Easy CD Creator window opens.

4. Click the arrow button to open the Select Source Files list, then click the drive or folder where the files you want to add to the writable CD are located. If you do not see the folder you want, browse through the folders in the Source pane.

5. Click the file you want to record (hold down the Ctrl or Shift key when you click to select multiple files) in the Source pane, then click Add.

6. After you have added all of your files, click record. The Record CD Setup dialog box opens.

7. Click Start Recording.

Help and Support

For more information about creating CDs in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword creating CDs in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

Creating music CDs

Use Roxio Easy CD Creator to create music CDs from other music CDs or MP3 files. For information on creating data CDs, see Creating data CDs.

Important

We recommend that you do not use your computer for other tasks while creating CDs.

Important

If you record copyrighted material on a CD, you need permission from the copyright owner. Otherwise, you may be violating copyright law and be subject to payment of damages and other remedies. If you are uncertain about your rights, contact your legal advisor.

Important

Some CDs have copy protection software. You cannot create MP3 files from these CDs and you may not be able to listen to these CDs on your computer.

To create music CDs:

1. Insert a blank, writable CD into your recordable CD drive.

Tips & Tricks

Most home and car stereos read CD-R discs, but do not read CD-RW discs. To make sure that the CD that you create will play on home and car CD players, use a CD-R disc.

2. If a CD Drive dialog box opens, click Create a CD using Roxio Easy CD Creator, then click OK. The Select a Project window opens.

- OR -

If a dialog box does not open, click Start, All Programs, Roxio Easy CD Creator, then click Project Selector. The Select a Project window opens.

3. Move your pointer over make a music CD, then click musicCD project. The Easy CD Creator window opens.

4. Click the arrow button to open the Select Source Files list, then click the drive or folder where the music files that you want to add to the writable CD are located. If you do not see the folder you want, browse through the folders in the Source pane.

5. Click the file you want to record (hold down the Ctrl or Shift key when you click to select multiple files) in the Source pane, then click Add.

Tips & Tricks

You can add any combination of music tracks or MP3 files to a music CD project. You can add up to 99 tracks and files, or up to 650 MB (74-minute CD) or 700 MB (80-minute CD) of tracks and files to a music CD project.

6. After you have added all of your tracks and files, click record. The Record CD Setup dialog box opens.

7. Click Start Recording. When the recording is complete, you may see a Record Complete dialog box. Select the appropriate option.

Help and Support

For more information about creating CDs in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword creating CDs in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

Copying CDs

CD Copier can make backup copies of almost any type of CD.

Important

We recommend that you do not use your computer for other tasks while creating a CD.

Important

If you record copyrighted material on a CD, you need permission from the copyright owner. Otherwise, you may be violating copyright law and be subject to payment of damages and other remedies. If you are uncertain about your rights, contact your legal advisor.

If your CD drive is a recordable CD drive, you can copy a CD by using Easy CD Creator to create a CD image on your hard drive, then record that image to a writable CD.

To copy a CD:

1. Insert the CD you want to copy into your recordable CD drive.

2. If a dialog box opens, click Take no action.

3. If a CD Drive dialog box opens, click Create a CD using Roxio Easy CD Creator, then click OK. The Select a Project window opens.

- OR -

If a dialog box does not open, click Start, All Programs, Roxio Easy CD Creator, then click Project Selector. The Select a Project window opens.

4. Move your pointer over CD copier, then click CD copier. The CD Copier window opens.

5. On the Source and Destination tab, click the arrow button to open the Copy from list, then click the recordable drive.

6. Click the arrow button to open the Record to list, then click the recordable drive.

7. Click Copy. CD Copier copies the information on the source CD to your hard drive, prompts you to insert the blank CD, then copies the information from the hard drive to the blank CD.

Help and Support

For more information about copying CDs in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword copying CDs in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.