Print

images/724col.gif


ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER Version 9.02


These release notes provide information on the latest version of ATI's MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ (MMC). The ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ is updated to version 9.02. This version of the MMC has been further enhanced for improved stability, and performance.

The ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ provides information on the following:

ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ 9.02 System Requirements

This section provides information on the system requirements for successful installation and operation of the ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ 9.02. The following is a list of system requirements for successful installation of the ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ 9.02:

New Features

This section provides information on new features introduced in this release of the ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™. This includes:

Unified MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ Password

The ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ contains many different components which use their own passwords. This release of the MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ introduces a password management system which allows the user to create one password for all components requiring a password. The password manager will control passwords for analog TV, DVD, Remote TV, and Audio CD.

TV Player Password Enhancement

The ATI TV Player allows users to set password protected channels. Previously, channels that are password protected would fail to unlock if the incorrect password was provided. Users would simply remain on the channel they were viewing. The latest version of the ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ now scrambles the video of a password protected channel. The user of the ATI TV Player will have the ability to lock any number of channels, along with the ability to record locked channels.

Resolved issues in the ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ 9.02

This section provides a summary of the issues that have been resolved in the latest version the ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™. These include the following:

Known Issues with the ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ 9.02

The following section provides information on known issues and product limitation for the ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ 9.02. These include the following:

Downloading the ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ 9.02

This section provides information on how to successfully download the ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ (MMC) Version 9.02. ATI recommends that you create a central location for all your ATI downloads. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Right-click on any open area of your desktop. A drop down menu is displayed.

  2. Select New->Folder. A new folder is created on your desktop.
  3. Name the folder CATALYST™ Downloads.
  4. Navigate to the ATI software download web page, and select the software driver you require.
  5. Click Download. A File download dialog box is displayed.

  6. Click Save. The Save As dialog box is displayed.

  7. Navigate to the CATALYST™ Download folder, and click Save.

You have successfully saved the software driver to your desktop.

Installing the ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ Version 9.02

This section provides information on how to successfully install the ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ (MMC) To install the MMC, follow these steps:

  1. Navigate to the CATALYST™ download folder on your desktop.

  2. Double click the MMC folder. The setup.exe application file is displayed.

  3. Double-click setup.exe. The InstallShield Wizard is displayed.

  4. Click Next. The ATI Software License Agreement is displayed.

  5. Click Yes. The Customer Information window is displayed.

  6. Enter the User Name and Company. Click Next. The method of installation window is displayed.

  7. Click Typical Recommended for most computers. The installation of the MMC software driver is started. The InstallShield Wizard Complete window is displayed.

  8. Select Yes, I want to restart my computer now, and Click Finish to restart your system and complete the installation of the MMC software.

You have successfully installed the ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ software drivers.

Using EAZYSHARE™ for the First Time

When using EAZYSHARE™ for the first time, it is recommended that you ensure your network is configured correctly and that all computers connected to the network can communicate with each other.

For the server computer, the following is recommended:

  1. Start the ATI TV application and run through the initialization wizard.
    Caution: When the Typical Audio Connections window is displayed, ensure that you have selected the option: I have connected the cable.

  2. Go to the TV Setup->Display tab, and uncheck the Crop Video option.

  3. If using the GemStar TVGuide+, you may need to update the TV Guide channel information. To update the GemStar TV Guide+, launch the application and following the on screen instructions.

Configuring EAZYSHARE™ on Client PCs with an ATI ALL-IN-WONDER™

This section provides information on how to successfully install the ATI MMC and configure the EAZYSHARE™ software when a client PC contains an ATI All-In-Wonder product. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Follow the instruction as listed above.
  2. When the method of installation window is displayed, click Custom: For advanced users and system administrators. Then the Choose the components Setup will install dialog box is displayed.

  3. Click Next. The installation of the EAZYSHARE™ software driver is started. The Select Features window is displayed.

  4. Ensure EAZYSHARE™ is selected and click Next. The Select Features, options you want to install window is displayed.

  5. Select EAZYSHARE™ Client, and click Next. The Setup Complete window is displayed.

  6. Click Finish to restart your system and complete the installation of the MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ and EAZYSHARE™ software.

You have successfully installed the ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ and configured the EAZYSHARE™ software.

Using the Media Library and File Player to remotely play VCR files

This section provides information on using the Media Library and the File Player to remotely play VCR files.

To stream VCR files over the network, ATI recommends the following:

Using EAZYSHARE™ to Record Video

When recording video using EAZYSHARE™ ATI recommends that you go to the TV Setup->Display tab, and uncheck the Crop Video option. This will provide for improved stability when recording video.


Note: The Crop Video option cannot be disabled if TV ON DEMAND is enabled

Troubleshooting ATI's EAZYSHARE™

This section provides information on troubleshooting the EAZYSHARE™ application.

Not all clients are being seen
Run the Configuration utility on the server. Ensure the Allow All Clients radio button is selected, or if the current setting is Per Client, ensure the problematic Clients are listed and allowed (Green check mark). You may want to temporarily select Per Client to ensure the server can communicate with the clients.

The server name is empty
Run Configuration utility on the Client. Ensure the correct server name is displayed. If server name is empty, click the Scan Network button

Clients cannot connect
If the Server's TV Setup dialog is being displayed, the clients cannot connect. Close the setup dialog box.

If the Server is in EAZYLOOK™ mode, the clients cannot connect. Ensure the ATI TV Player is either in a windowed mode or full screen mode on the server.

The History file is corrupted
If the client computer loses connection to the server, an EAZYSHARE™ file, named ATI-HSTShift.his may become corrupted. In this event, ATI recommends that you delete this file. The file is located in a hidden folder. Go to the EAZYSHARE™ TV Setup page, click on the TV-On-Demand tab locate the Drive to use for Temporary File. Ensure to enable search for hidden files and folders and delete the ATI-HSTShift.his file.

Direct Memory Access Settings

Direct Memory Access (DMA) is essential for smooth DVD playback. It is also essential for the correct behavior of TV-ON-DEMAND. During installation of the ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ 9.02, a hardware check of the DMA setting is made and a warning issued if the DMA is not enabled. This section provides information on the following:

Setting the DMA Option Under Windows 2000 and Windows XP

To enable the DMA option under Windows 2000 and Windows XP, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start->Settings->Control Panel. The Control Panel dialog box is displayed.
  2. Double-click System. The System Properties is displayed.

  3. Select the Hardware tab.
  4. Click the Device Manager button. The Device Manager dialog box is displayed.

  5. Double-click the IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers.
  6. For both the Primary IDE Channel and the Secondary IDE Channel, double- click on the device to display its respective properties.
  7. Select the Advanced Settings tab.
    Note: The Advanced Settings tab may not appear for all IDE controller devices.

  8. Ensure the Current Transfer mode is not set to PIO only. If necessary, change the setting to DMA if available.
  9. Apply the changes and re-start Windows.

You have successfully enabled the DMA setting.

Color Depth and Resolution Switching

Changing the color depth or display resolution while the ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ is running may result in an operating system or ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ failure. ATI recommends you exit the ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ before changing the resolution, color depth, or switching to a full screen DOS session.

Recording from a Source Encoded with Analog Copy Protection

The ATI ALL-IN-WONDER™ products detect analog copy protection on the input source and will refuse to capture video from such sources. The record button automatically becomes disabled. Further, TV-ON-DEMAND is not possible with an analog copy protected source.

TV Magazine and HTML Files

When using the TV Magazine feature, if you save to an .html file, note that still captures are saved in the same directory where the .html file is located. Each still capture is saved as a separate .jpg file. This is the correct behavior for HTML documents.

Video CD Playback

Certain older Video CD 2.0 discs contain authoring problems, which prevent them from working under Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

Still Capture and the File Player

Still capture is not supported for all formats that can be played through the File Player. For these formats the still capture button is does not function.

Extended Desktop and the File Player

Playback on the secondary monitor is not supported for all formats when extended desktop is enabled.

Corrupted Database with Gemstar Guide Plus+

While ATI and Gemstar closely monitor the TV Listings data, on rare occasions corrupted data may make the TV Guide software fail to startup. If this occurs, follow these steps:

  1. Go to the Add/Remove Programs.
  2. Select Gemstar GUIDE Plus+.
  3. Click on Add/Remove programs.
  4. When the dialog appears select Repair.

This will repair the broken database. The next time you run GUIDE Plus+ you will be asked to re-enter your name, E-mail and ZIP/Postal code.

For more information, go to: http://www.ati.com/support/faq/guideplusfaq.html.

Known issues with DVD Playback

This section provides information on known issues with the DVD Playback. This includes the following:

Color Depth Requirements

Playing DVDs in 8 bits per pixel (256 color mode) may result in choppy playback.

Jittery DVD Playback

On certain DVD video content you may experience sporadic jittery playback. You may also experience this while opening other windows or applications while DVD is playing. Make certain that you have the latest chipset drivers for your system to ensure optimal playback, and ensure that you have DMA enabled.

Screen Savers

The ATI DVD player cannot disable certain windows screen savers. OpenGL screen savers should not be activated during DVD playback. Disable any system screen savers before running DVD.

DVD and Component Video

When playing DVD titles on Component Video in 480P mode, the image will not be correctly centered. This issue will be addressed by a future ATI Display driver update.

Known issues with TV

This section provides information on known issues with TV. This includes the following:

Consecutively Scheduled Events

If you schedule two or more recording events that are consecutive in time, the second event may not start, as the previous event has not completed saving the recording to your HD. To avoid this, make the temporary capture drive the same drive as where you have designated the scheduled event to save to, or from the scheduler in the player, adjust the time of the second event to be 1 or 2 minutes after the first event.

Microsoft MS Messenger

Microsoft's MS Messenger cannot currently capture video from the ATI ALL-IN-WONDER™ cards. Under Windows XP Microsoft has published an update to address this issue at: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/ q310/5/07.asp.

Using EAZYLOOK™

This section provides information for using EAZYLOOK™. This includes the following:

Choosing EAZYLOOK™ Options and Skins

EAZYLOOK™ includes 3 different skin colors, red, blue and green. The skin colors can be selected in the Skins tab of the ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ Configuration Applet. In addition to the skin colors, there are a number of other EAZYLOOK™ options that can be configured under the EAZYLOOK™ tab of the Configuration Applet. To open the Configuration Applet either select Configuration under Start ->Program Files->ATI Multimedia, or click on the checkmark button in the ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ LaunchPad.

Enabling and Disabling EAZYLOOK™

There are several ways to enable EAZYLOOK™ including:

  • Any key on the remote (default)
  • Full screen button on the remote (default)
  • Full screen mode in the application
  • Always use EAZYLOOK™

Similarly EAZYLOOK™ can be disabled by:

  • Pressing the ESC key on the keyboard (default)
  • Pressing any key on the keyboard.

The default behavior is to enable EAZYLOOK™ with any key on the remote and disable EAZYLOOK™ by pressing the ESC key. These options may be changed in the EAZYLOOK™ tab of the ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ control panel.

EAZYLOOK™ Permanent Indicators

EAZYLOOK™ supports a strip of indicators in each feature that show permanent or sticky settings such as, Mute, CC, Looping, and more. These indicators are preeminently displayed in a strip down the right side of the display. Whether or not EAZYLOOK™ displays these permanent indicators can be controlled in the EAZYLOOK™ tab of the Multimedia Control Panel. By default permanent indicators are enabled.

EAZYLOOK™ and Multimonitor Environments

EAZYLOOK™ can be used in a multimonitor environment, but EAZYLOOK™ must be run on the primary display. To run EAZYLOOK™ on your TV you must set the TV as the primary display device.


Note: EAZYLOOK™ is not compatible with ATI's OVERLAY THEATER MODE

.

Using the USB Remote Control

This section provides information on using a USB Remote Control. This includes the following:

USB RECEIVER PLACEMENT

For optimum reception, the USB receiver should be placed as far from the case of your PC as possible. Do not place it close to your TV. Leaving the cover off the PC, or having the receiver in close proximity to other high frequency devices may effect the range and/or reliability of the remote. If you have a USB HUB, connecting the receiver to the hub may increase the performance of the remote control.

USB DEVICE CONFLICT

If the USB device is incorrectly installed, the receiver will be listed in the device manager as a non-working device. To resolve this try plugging the USB remote receiver into a different USB port to force Windows to re-detect the hardware, or if this doesn't work, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Control Panel.
  2. Select System.
  3. Click on the Device Manager tab.
  4. Select the USB Receiver. This will have a yellow exclamation mark on it.
  5. Select Remove.
  6. Select Refresh.
    Note: After installing the USB remote, you must reboot Windows before the remote control can function properly.

Using the ATI ALL-IN-WONDER™ with Creative's Audigy family of Cards

The Creative Lab's Audigy family of sound cards has architectural differences from earlier SoundBlaster products in order to provide enhanced audio quality. These changes have an impact on how the ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ works when an ATI ALL-IN-WONDER™ is used with an Audigy card. To partially address these issues, Creative has made available a special version of their drivers, which allows the ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ to function correctly. These drivers are version 250 (or later) of the Audigy drivers. Please make sure you are using the correct drivers.

Selection of Audio Configuration

When you first run the TV application in MMC, the Initialization Wizard is automatically run. On the sound initialization wizard page select Analog Mix. A second window will pop-up asking you to confirm which physical connector you have connected your ATI ALL-IN-WONDER™ audio to. Usually this will be Auxiliary or Line In. Select the input that matches your physical connection and press OK.


Note: When switching between mono and stereo sound, or between stereo and mono sound, a slight popping sound maybe heard.

Using TV-On-Demand

If you are using the version 250 (or later) Audigy drivers and correctly configured the ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ in the Initialization Wizard (as described above), the TV-ON-DEMAND function should behave normally. If you do not configure the drivers correctly you will have no audio while using TV-ON-DEMAND.

Using Video Capture

If you are using the version 250 (or later) Audigy drivers and correctly configured the ATI MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ in the Initialization Wizard as described above, then you will not be able to adjust the playback volume while you are recording. This occurs because the record and playback levels are linked and adjusting the playback volume will affect the record volume. You will be able to mute audio during recording (without affecting the recording).

MULTVIEW™ and Audigy

If you are using the MULTVIEW&trade feature with an Audigy card, you will need to connect the ATI TV WONDER&trade card audio to the Microphone input (MIC) on the Audigy card. You must also disable the +20dB gain setting on the microphone input. See your Audigy sound card manual for details on how to adjust the microphone inputs.


ATI Technologies Inc.
http://www.ati.com
Voice: (905) 882-2600
Fax: (905) 882-2626