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Miglia Technology AlchemyTV manual

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Table of contents for the manual

  • Page 1

    A lchemyTV D VR U ser G uide Revision 2.2 (c) 2003-2004, Miglia T echnology Ltd[...]

  • Page 2

    T able of contents Introduction and Overview of AlchemyTV DVR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Introduction and System requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Overview of AlchemyTV DVR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .[...]

  • Page 3

    I ntr oduction and Over view of A lchemyTV D VR AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide Page 1[...]

  • Page 4

    Introduction Thank you for choosing AlchemyTV DVR™ from Miglia T echnology . AlchemyTV DVR™ allows you to watch TV on your PowerMac and enables you to record your favorite programmes onto your hard drive in a supported QuickT ime format of your choice. System requirements: • PowerMac G4 or G5 with a free PCI or PCI-X slot • G4/400 MHz or hi[...]

  • Page 5

    Overview of AlchemyTV DVR™ Video inputs AlchemyTV™ features several video inputs: • TV input • Composite input • S-Video input • Stereo audio input (jack type) • Stereo audio output (jack type) AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide Page 3 Composite IN S-Video IN Audio IN TV/Antenna FM Radio Audio OUT Composite IN S-Video IN Audio IN TV/Antenna [...]

  • Page 6

    • TV/Antenna connection: This connector should be used for your analogue TV cable coming from an RF antenna or a cable box. • FM Connector: This connector is available solely with the G4-only version of the card. It allows you to connect an FM antenna. • Composite input: Composite is a widely used standard for connecting video equipment. Note[...]

  • Page 7

    H ar dwar e and Softwar e I nstallation AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide Page 5[...]

  • Page 8

    I. Hardware Installation The installation of AlchemyTV™ is a two step process starting with the hardware installation into your PowerMac. AlchemyTV™ is a PCI card that should be installed in a free expansion slot of your Mac. Makes sure you are wearing an anti-static wrist wrap before beginning the installation. PowerMac G4 1. Shut down your Ma[...]

  • Page 9

    PowerMac G5 1. Shut down your Mac. Remove the side panel and plastic door of your PowerMac. Locate an unused PCI slot. Using a small Phillips-head screwdriver , remove the retaining screw from the PCI expansion slots access panel, then remove the access panel itself. 2. Align the connector end of the card with the PCI expansion slot and insert the [...]

  • Page 10

    Remote Installation: Connect the remote control receiver cable to the RM port on the AlchemyTV card. Make sure the plug of the cable rests on the PCI card and not the metalwork of the case. Note that the infrared remote control has a plastic separator between the battery and the electric contacts. Remove it to operate the remote. AlchemyTV DVR™ U[...]

  • Page 11

    II. Software Installation 1. Insert the Installation CD that shipped with your AlchemyTV DVR™ card into your CD/DVD drive. 2. Before installing the version available on the CD, it is recommended that you check any available updates on the Miglia site. Double-click on the icon named ‘Click here to check if a newer version is available’ to acce[...]

  • Page 12

    6. The AlchemyTV DVR folder will be located in the ‘Applications’ folder of the volume containing your system software. 7. Note that the control panel “Remote Control’ is also added to the System Preferences panel. If you have installed the Application Enhancer (for the iChat patch), the APE manager will also appear . 8. The installation lo[...]

  • Page 13

    S etting up A lchemyTV D VR for viewing and r ecor ding AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide Page 11[...]

  • Page 14

    Introduction This chapter will guide you through the initial setup of the AlchemyTV DVR card and software. Before proceeding, make sure you have installed the PCI card and the software and connected your video source via the composite or S-Video or coaxial connectors. I. Serial Number and Registration 1. Launch AlchemyTV DVR located in your Applica[...]

  • Page 15

    2. The Setup Assistant will ask you to choose the type o f connection you are using. If you connect your card directly to an antenna or a cable TV outlet, choose the ‘TV T uner’ option. If you are subscribing to a premium or digital cable service or digital satellite, it is recommended that you make a connection via S-Video. This will ensure th[...]

  • Page 16

    USA residents only If you have selected TV T uner as the input connection, the Setup Assistant will ask you to enter your ZIP code to download the relevant channel naming templates from TVGuide.com. This will prevent you from having to give names manually to the individual channels. 4. TV T uner Connection: Press the ‘Start Scan’ button to star[...]

  • Page 17

    U sing the A lchemyTV D VR M enus and Onscr een Remote AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide Page 15[...]

  • Page 18

    I. AlchemyTV DVR Menus V arious functions are accessible via the menu bar: 1. The AlchemyTV DVR Menu lets you access: About box: Displays about box with version number Setup Assistant: Launches the Setup Assistant Register: Open the Registration dialog Software Update: Checks online if a new version is available. This check is also performed automa[...]

  • Page 19

    4. The View Menu contains the video related commands. Scheduled Recordings: Open the scheduled recordings window . Enables timed recordings. Log Window: The log window contains a report for each finished or aborted scheduled recording. TV Window: Displays the live TV window TV Window Size: Contains 3 pre-defined sizes, quarter , half and full size.[...]

  • Page 20

    5. The Window menu contains a shortcut to the full screen mode (Zoom) and enables you to switch between open windows. 6. The Help menu contains a link to the Miglia supportweb page and allows to open this manual. II. AlchemyTV DVR Onscreen Remote Control AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide Page 18 The View Menu Video Input List V olume up/down Record Video[...]

  • Page 21

    1. Basic Remote Functions T echnical Channel: Displays the technical channel number V olume level: Displays the volume level selected in the software Channel List: Shows a list of all stored/saved TV channels Channel Up/Down: Switches channels up and down Snapshot: Stores a snapshot of the picture currently displayed in the TV window Channel: Displ[...]

  • Page 22

    Video Source Settings: This panels allows you to adjust the video source settings: Device: Enables you to select the desired video input device. This will most likely be AlchemyTV Format: Enables you to select the video standard. US, Canada and Japan residents should use ‘NTSC’, while most European users should select ‘P AL ’. French and Ea[...]

  • Page 23

    Window Settings: The Window pane enables you to activate three options: Always in front: The TV window will always be in front of all other applications. T ransparency: Enables you to adjust the level of transparency for the TV window . Clip edges: The option to clip the edges enables you to reduced the viewable area of the picture. This is helpful[...]

  • Page 24

    U sing the A lchemyTV D VR P r efer ences AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide Page 22[...]

  • Page 25

    I. AlchemyTV DVR preferences overview 1. Select AlchemyTV DVR > Preferences 1. The preferences are divided in four categories: Storage: This category allows you to set the general storage preferences Video Input: This menu allows you to set all video and audio preferences. Advanced settings are available via standard QuickT ime sub-menus. Channe[...]

  • Page 26

    AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide Page 24 I. The Storage Sub-menu 1. The Storage tab contains three important options: Filename T emplates: Name templates used for your recorded video files 2. The Filename T emplate allows you to enter pre-defined values for the name of the file that will be stored onto your hard drive. <input>: This value will add[...]

  • Page 27

    II. The Video Input Menu The Video Input menu contains the most important controls you have over the video you will view or record to your hard drive. A. Adjusting the video settings 1. The image sub-menu allows you to control the brightness, lighting, saturation and hue of the recorded video. Adjustments can be made by moving the sliders or enteri[...]

  • Page 28

    2. Video Compression will adjust the video codec and quality settings for the video you will record to your hard drive. Select the QuickT ime codec of your choice in the drop down menu. The options are identical to those you would choose for AlchemyTV . The ‘Expert settings’ allow you to access the QuickT ime video motion menu. Note: This optio[...]

  • Page 29

    3. The V ideo Compression Expert Settings menu may be familiar to you. It is a standard QuickT ime window you may have seen in other applications. It enables an advanced control over the QuickT ime codecs. Some Codecs may have advanced settings available under the codec list. This is notably true for MJPEG and some third-party codecs. This codec li[...]

  • Page 30

    4. The Size Menu The Video Size for scheduled recordings can be adjusted via this sub-menu. Y ou can either use a pre-defined size (Full size, Half-screen, quarter size) or a custom size via the list item ‘Other’. Note that full size video requires a fast processor . The option to clip the edges enables you to reduced the viewable area of the p[...]

  • Page 31

    5. The audio settings enable you to control various audio settings of the video you will record to your hard drive. These settings will be applied to bothscheduled recordings and the live TV window . The Device list let’ s you select the desired input device, eg. AlchemyTV , the built-in motherboard audio or any other compatible USB or FireWire d[...]

  • Page 32

    Destination controls the audio output of the recorded audio during live playback. Internal: The internal speaker of your PowerMac or the speakers attached to it will be used External: The speakers you may have connected to the audio out of the AlchemyTV card will be used. This can be used to pass-through the audio to another device. Internal and Ex[...]

  • Page 33

    8. The TV T uner Sub-menu The TV tuner sub-menu allows you to create and select channel layouts. It also enables you to scan and fine-tune channels manually , without the help of the Setup Assistant. It is possible to create a new channel setup without using the Setup Assistant . T o Do so, select‘Create from T emplate’ in the drop-down menu. T[...]

  • Page 34

    III. Channel T emplates The Channel T emplates sub-menu organises your channel lists and features an import/export function. A Channel List contains the list of the channels you can receive, the frequency of each channel and its name. It is strongly recommended that you export a Channel List once all the tuning/naming operations have been completed[...]

  • Page 35

    IV . The Plugins Menu AlchemyTV DVR supports a Plugins architecture allowing a smooth integration with third-party applications and devices. The current iCal plugin can however be adjusted to import or export recordings via the ‘Show Settings’ button. The ‘Export’ function is activated by default. Y ou may want to check this menu with every[...]

  • Page 36

    Scheduling a r ecor ding with A lchemyTV D VR AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide Page 34[...]

  • Page 37

    I. Schedule a recording with AlchemyTV DVR 1. Click on View > Show scheduled recordings. 2. In the ‘Scheduled Recordings’ window , click ‘Add’ to program a new recording. AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide Page 35 The Scheduled Recordings window displays the various recordings you have programmed[...]

  • Page 38

    3. Select your desired channel and enter the name of the program you wish to record (the name itself does not affect the recording. Y ou can either use a Filename template or give a unique name to the recorded file. T ime, date and repetition can be entered on the right side of the window . Y ou can also select the level of picture clipping for the[...]

  • Page 39

    4. Y our new recording will be added to the ‘Scheduled Recordings’ list (see 2.). Note that AlchemyTV DVR will not wake up your computer from sleep to start a recording. The application needs to be running if you wish to have the recording start automatically . 5. Scheduled recordings window list items: Status: Displays the status of the record[...]

  • Page 40

    II.. iCal synchronisation AlchemyTV DVR can synchronise your recordings with iCal. Make sure that the iCal plugin is set to import or export recordings, depending on your preference. 1. Export: Once you have created a recording in AlchemyTV DVR, it will appear as a separate calendar item in iCal. 2. Import: An iCal calendar item can be imported int[...]

  • Page 41

    Scheduling a r ecor ding with T itanTV AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide Page 39[...]

  • Page 42

    Introduction AlchemyTV DVR 2.2 and higher support Decisionmark’ s T itanTV EPG (Electronic Program Guide) to browse, search and schedule recordings. Note that T itanTV is only functional in the United States at the time of this writing. I. Registering with T itanTV In order to access the T itanTV program listings, you will first have to register [...]

  • Page 43

    III. Scheduling a recording with T itanTV 1. Select ‘T itanTV TV Listings’ from the AlchemyTV DVR menu. This will launch your browser and redirect you to the T itanTV login page 2. Enter your username and password you created during T itanTV’ s sign up process. 3. Y ou can now browse or search the local TV listings. 4. Each individual TV prog[...]

  • Page 44

    A lchemyTV D VR Plug-ins AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide Page 42[...]

  • Page 45

    Introduction AlchemyTV DVR 2.1 and higher supports an open plug-in architecture that enables software developers to create enhancement modules. The application ships with several built-in plug-ins. Further enhancements are provided by third party plug-ins that are usually free of charge and that can be downloaded from Miglia’ s website: http://ww[...]

  • Page 46

    III. Using Third Party Plug-ins 3.1 Plug-in Settings Plug-ins settings are available in Preferences > Video Input > Plug-ins > Show settings Note that some plug-ins do not have any settings. Explanation for the individual settings of a specific plug-in are usually included in the Read-me file included with a third party plug-in. 3.2 Using [...]

  • Page 47

    III. Current Plug-ins 3.1 Built-in Plug-ins Interface Plug-in: AlchemyTV Setup Assistant: Provides the Setup Assistant functionality to AlchemyTV DVR. Post-Processing Plug-ins: AlchemyTV Reveal in Finder: Shows a recorded file in the Finder . AlchemyTV Movie Player: Enables you to play a recorded movie from within AlchemyTV DVR AlchemyTV Movie Open[...]

  • Page 48

    3.2 Third-Party Plug-ins Post-Processing Plug-ins: MovieGate for Alchemy: Enables you to create a VCD, S-VCD or DVD from a recorded file. This plug-ins includes conversion to MPEG-1 or MPEG-2, DVD chapter creation, VCD, S-VCD and DVD burning. A read-me file included in the disk image provides instructions. Written by: Christophe Ducommun, Ludovic P[...]

  • Page 49

    The infrar ed r emote control AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide Page 47[...]

  • Page 50

    I. The Remote Control Settings 1. Open System Preferences > Remote. The ‘Remote’ item is located at the bootom of the Sytem Preferences panel in the ‘other’ section. 2. The Remote Control software translates the key you press on the IR remote into key combinations that are sent to the applications or operating system. The ‘key maps’ [...]

  • Page 51

    3. Y ou can control most applications that run on your Mac by adding a key map for them in the control panel. Click on ‘New’ at the bottom of the screen, select the desired application and the possible key mappings will appear on the right hand side of the screen. 4. By clicking on the ‘Set...’ button in the Action section, you can assign a[...]

  • Page 52

    Example: How to setup the Remote Control for iT unes 1. Select “New” and browse to the folder where iT unes is located (usually in Startup drive > Applications). Press OK to create a new key mapping for iT unes. 2. Scroll down the window displaying the key assignments until you find ‘V ol +’. Highlight this line and click on the highligh[...]

  • Page 53

    QuickT ime C odecs AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide Page 51[...]

  • Page 54

    I. QuiickT ime Codecs AlchemyTV DVR relies on QuickT ime to perform the encoding of your video footage. All codecs that are accessible in QuickT ime are accessible in AlchemyTV (export codecs are not included). Some codecs should not be used with AlchemyTV , as they have been designed for other types of applications, but many are useable. The recom[...]

  • Page 55

    AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide Page 53 License Agreement This license contract is part of the purchase contract. The conditions for the use of the Alchemytv™- software are written down in the following license contract. With the use of the AlchemTV™- software you agree to the conditions of the license contract for the use of the AlchemyTV™- soft[...]

  • Page 56

    AlchemyTV DVR™ User Guide Page 54 5.3 Should the software be faulty , the original CD on which the software is memorized has to be properly packed and returned to the authorized trader . In every case the complaint about the software has to be made by including your name, address, telephone number and a description of the defect and the system co[...]