First Computer A430 Notebook PC User Manual Chap4

First International Computer Inc Notebook PC Chap4

Chap 4

Fun with Multimedia 44-14Fun with MultimediaThis chapter lets you make full use of all themultimedia features of your computer in having funand excitement during work or leisure. You willlearn how to mix and match the built-in soundsystem, CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, and ZV porttechnology in creating an exciting full multimediapresentation.
Notebook User Guide4-24.1 Notebook Multimedia FeaturesYour notebook computer is rich in multimedia features that makes yourcomputing fun, comfortable, exciting and easy. Exceeding the specification setfor the Multimedia Personal Computer or MPC, your computer is well able toperform all multimedia tasks through the following:• Intel Mobile Pentium !!!/Intel Mobile Celeron• 32MB RAM or more• 24X-Speed CD-ROM Drive or 6X DVD-ROM Drive (option)• 32bit AGP 2X VGA Graphics Controller• 16-bit Plug-and-Play Audio Sound System with built-in speaker andmicrophone• ZV Port Capability (for MPEG cards)4.2 Audio Sound System FeaturesYour computer has a built-in 16-bit stereo sound controller that allows you torecord, store, and playback voice, music and other sound effects with built-inmixer controls. An integrated full-duplex microphone and twin mini-speakersare also built-in into your computer to allow you to record and playbacksound anytime and anywhere.On the front of your computer, you will find the audio ports that include thefollowing:• External 1/8-inch microphone jack that supports full-duplex monophonicmode or half-duplex stereo mode
Fun with Multimedia 44-3• Earphone or headphone jack for personal listening• Line-out jack for connecting external amplified speakers, headphones, orearphone set• Line-in jack for connecting external audio devices like CD audio player,tape deck or synthesizer• External thumb-wheel volume control4.3 Setting Up the Audio DriverPropertiesBefore you can start using the audio capabilities of your computer, you needfirst to setup properly the audio driver after installing Windows98. If youbought your computer with Windows pre-installed, it is most likely that yourdealer have configured the sound driver for you. If not, you must refer toChapter 2 on how to setup the sound drivers for Windows98.4.4 Windows Multimedia ProgramsWindows provides several multimedia programs which you can run with thebuilt-in features of your computer. The Multimedia programs group is foundby clicking the Start button, then pointing to Programs, then Accessories, andMultimedia.
Notebook User Guide4-4Figure 4-1 Multimedia Programs GroupThe standard multimedia components are as follows:• External volume control buttons• CD Player - for playing audio compact discs• Media Player - for playing sound video and animation files• Sound Recorder - for recording sounds and playback• Volume Control - for adjusting the volume of mixer+ For more information on how to operate these multimedia components,run the program and click on the Help menu.4.5 Recording SoundsYour computer allows you to record voice and other sounds in several waysand stores them as files on your hard disk. These voice or sound files can thenbe played back through the internal speaker or external line-out and earphonejack using either an external speaker, headphone, or earphone set. You canalso use the files as voice annotations on many applications for more real
Fun with Multimedia 44-5presentation. This section will describe briefly how you can record soundsunder Windows operating system.To record sounds, you need to run the Sound Recorder program from theMultimedia program groups. The control buttons of the Sound Recorder aresimple to understand which comprises of the Rewind, Forward, Play, Stop,and Record button. Click the Help menu on how to operate the SoundRecorder.Figure 4-2 Sound RecorderThe Sound Recorder also allows you to record sound from different inputaudio source like the following:• From the built-in microphone• From the external microphone• From the CD-ROM drive• From the Line-In audio jackSince you could record sound from different input sources, you must first setthe proper audio input recording device under the Recording Control panel.To do this:
Notebook User Guide4-61. Double-click on the Volume Control on the taskbar or click Start button,then point to Programs, Accessories, Multimedia, and then click onVolume Control.2. Click Options and Properties.3. Click the round button for Recording and select to show all volumecontrols for each component.Figure 4-3 Audio Volume Properties
Fun with Multimedia 44-74. Click OK and the Recording Control dialog box will appear. Here, youwill select the input device for the recording source. The default is themicrophone which will record sound from the microphone only. If youwant to record from the CD-ROM drive with audio music, you mustclick on CD Audio.Figure 4-4 Recording Volume ControlUSING THE BUILT-IN MICROPHONEYou would normally use the microphone for recording voice and save the filefor voice annotations in your application programs. Your computer comeswith a built-in microphone located on the front side of your computer.To start recording from the built-in microphone:1. Enable microphone volume on the Recording Control as discussedpreviously.2. Run the Sound Recorder program and press the Record button.3. Start to speak towards the built-in microphone and press the Stop buttonwhen you want to stop recording.
Notebook User Guide4-84. Press the Play button to hear what you have recorded.5. To save to file, click Save from the File menu.USING AN EXTERNAL MICROPHONEYour computer also allows you to connect an external microphone for higherquality recording. The external microphone jack is found on the front side ofyour computer and automatically disables the built-in microphone whenconnected. Use only microphone with 1/8-inch mini-jack connector. Followthe same procedure for recording voice.USING THE BUILT-IN CD-ROM/DVD-ROM DRIVEYou would normally use the CD-ROM drive for recording audio music fromthe compact disc. Follow these steps:1. Activate CD Audio volume on the Recording Control as discussedearlier.2. Run the Sound Recorder program.3. Insert the audio CD into the CD-ROM drive. Unless you have disabledthe CD auto-insertion notification for supporting Suspend mode, the CDPlayer should automatically run after you have inserted an audio compactdisc and will start playing the audio CD.4. Click on the CD Player and press the Pause button first.
Fun with Multimedia 44-9Figure 4-5 CD Player5. Set the starting point where you want to start recording.6. Switch to the Sound Recorder and press the Record button.7. Switch immediately to the CD Player and press the Play button. You canadjust the volume control so you can also hear the recording.USING AN EXTERNAL AUDIO INPUT DEVICEYou can also record sound from an external audio device such as stereoamplifier or tape recorder by connecting them to the Line-In audio jackUse the same procedure as above by setting the Recording Control to enablethe line-in volume. Run the Sound Recorder and press the Record button.Start playing the external audio device to begin recording.
Notebook User Guide4-104.6 Playing Audio and SoundYour computer has a built-in twin speaker to playback audio and sound. Youcan also adjust the volume manually by adjusting the thumb-wheel volumecontrol found on the front side of your computer.For more quality sound output, you can choose to connect an externalamplified speaker that connects to the Line-out jack on the front of yourcomputer. You can also connect earphone or headphone set. Always minimizethe volume first before placing the phone set to your ear.USING THE MEDIA PLAYERThe easiest way to playback multimedia media files is to run the Media Player.Follow these steps:1. Click on Start, then point to Programs, Accessories, and Multimedia.2. Click on Media Player to start program.
Fun with Multimedia 44-11Figure 4-6 Media Player3. Click on the Device menu to select the sound device type you want toplay or you can directly open the file on the File menu.4. When the file is recognized and open, click on the Play button to startplayback.5. For playing audio CD, it is better to run the CD Player as discussedearlier.
Notebook User Guide4-124.7 Playing Video and MPEG FilesYour computer is capable of running video motion files as well as MPEG(Motion Picture Expert Group) files on CD or DVD. By using a softwareMPEG program, you can watch real full-motion picture on your computer.You can also run the ActiveMovie Player under the Multimedia programsgroup or the Media Player as well to show all media device programs.4.8 Using PC Cards with ZV PortAlthough running software MPEG programs allows you to watch movies andvideo CD, the quality and speed is still not at par when watching motionpicture on TV or movie theaters. Your computer is equipped with the latestZV port technology that dramatically speeds up video playback. By inserting aZV port-capable MPEG PC card into the PCMCIA slot, you can watchsmooth full-screen motion picture just like in TV or at the movies. Consultyour dealer on how to get a ZV port MPEG card and read the card usermanual for installation.4.9 Using DVDDVD is the latest breakthrough in superb full-motion picture playback. Onedisc can contain at least 4.7GB of information, capable of holding one full-length movie with soundtracks, subtitles, and different languages. Much more,the DVD-ROM drive of your computer is backward compatible with CD-ROM drive so it allows you to use any CD as well. It also works the same asthe CD-ROM.
Fun with Multimedia 44-13To playback DVD titles, you would need a MPEG-2 compatible PCMCIAcard or software MPEG-2 program and the optional DVD-ROM DevicePack.For software MPEG-2 program, the performance in media playing will beimplemented successfully only when this computer is complied with IntelPentium II - 266MHz CPU or above. Otherwise, any computer that equippedunder Intel Pentium II - 266MHz CPU can not guarantee the performance inmedia playing.MPEG-2 cards provide audio and video jack, so you can connect it to yourwide-screen TV for the best home entertainment. Consult your dealer formore information.
Notebook User Guide4-144FUN WITH MULTIMEDIA....................................................................................... 14.1 NOTEBOOK MULTIMEDIA FEATURES ......................................................... 24.2 AUDIO SOUND SYSTEM FEATURES............................................................. 24.3 SETTING UP THE AUDIO DRIVER PROPERTIES............................................. 34.4 WINDOWS MULTIMEDIA PROGRAMS.......................................................... 34.5 RECORDING SOUNDS ................................................................................ 4Using the Built-in Microphone ............................................................................... 7Using an External Microphone............................................................................... 8Using the Built-in CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Drive....................................................... 8Using an External Audio Input Device ................................................................... 94.6 PLAYING AUDIO AND SOUND .................................................................. 10Using the Media Player........................................................................................ 104.7 PLAYING VIDEO AND MPEG FILES ......................................................... 124.8 USING PC CARDS WITH ZV PORT ........................................................... 124.9 USING DVD........................................................................................... 12

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