PCTV HD Stick (801e SE) Quick Start Guide 2003-2008 Pinnacle Systems, Inc. 8420-00927-01 R1 Specifications are subject to change without notice or obligation.
Dear customer, Thank you for purchasing this state of the art product from Pinnacle Systems. We hope you will enjoy its high quality and extensive features. PCTV HD Stick (801e SE) is an ultra portable USB 2.0 TV tuner stick for the reception of digital free-to-air (ATSC) TV and unencrypted digital cable TV (ClearQAM). ATSC and ClearQAM can be received in both high and standard definition. Analog TV reception (NTSC, via cable or antenna) is also supported. This guide is meant to get you set up and watching TV on your PC in minutes. I. Pack Contents* PCTV HD Stick Portable antenna USB extender cable PCTV Installation DVD Quick Start Guide * Illustrations are samples; pack contents may vary depending on the version of your product. WARNING: This product contains chemicals, including lead, known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling. II. Hardware Installation 1. Connect the PCTV HD Stick hardware to an antenna. Select your TV connection type from the following options: Option 1: Antenna (for digital/analog TV reception) Connect a coaxial cable from your rooftop or the included portable antenna output to your PCTV hardware input (Ant.). OR Images are samples. For digital TV (ATSC) reception, you will get the best results if you connect your PCTV hardware to a properly adjusted rooftop antenna using double-shielded coaxial cables and a digital-enabled antenna amplifier. Please contact your local dealer for rooftop antennas optimized for digital TV (ATSC) reception. The provided telescopic antenna is designed for digital and analog TV reception in regions with fair to good signal coverage. It is especially suitable for portable outdoor reception. If you want to use the telescopic antenna, please carefully read the following instructions:
Fully extend the antenna, position it upright, as high as possible, and near a window. The antenna should not be placed near a cathode ray tube monitor, television or similar equipment as the electromagnetic field of such devices might deteriorate the signal quality. In many cases, mounting the antenna on a big metallic surface (e.g. a metallic cupboard) using its magnetic foot will improve reception. Important note: to avoid possible damage caused by the magnetic field around the antenna s foot, ensure that the latter is placed at a sufficient distance from your PC s hard drive and other components that are sensitive to magnetic forces. Please note that the reception of digital TV (ATSC) is dependent on location and may be impaired by steel-reinforced walls as well as tall neighboring buildings. In this type of environment, an amplified rooftop antenna is required. It is generally not possible to receive an ATSC signal while en route (e.g. in a car or train). Check on http://www.antennaweb.org for information about ATSC availability in your area. Option 2: Cable (for digital/analog TV reception) Connect a coaxial cable from your cable jack to your PCTV hardware input (Ant.). Image is a sample. Note: This configuration works with cable TV but not with satellite TV such as DISH Network or DirecTV. You can, however, in any case use an indoor or outdoor antenna (Option 1) with your PCTV to receive free over-the-air TV in HD and SD. 2. After having connected the antenna, connect the PCTV HD Stick hardware to your laptop or desktop PC using a USB 2.0 port. Image is a sample. 3. If the Windows hardware wizard appears, cancel out of this screen and continue to the next step.
III. Pinnacle TVCenter Pro Installation 1. Insert the PCTV Installation DVD into your PC s DVD drive and follow the onscreen instructions. 2. When prompted, enter your serial number. You will find your serial number printed on the software DVD sleeve or on the actual DVD. 3. In the Setup Type Window, we recommend choosing the Full Install option for the complete PCTV experience. 4. Once installation is complete, restart your computer. 5. Please register your software to receive future product updates, 24 hour Web support, downloads and exciting Pinnacle offers. IV. Pinnacle TVCenter Pro Setup 1. To begin the Pinnacle TVCenter Pro Setup, simply click Next. 2. Channel Scan Please select the TV connection type that is appropriate to your configuration and the channel scan will start automatically. 3. Now follow the on-screen instructions until you finish the Pinnacle TVCenter Pro Setup wizard. 4. The Pinnacle TVCenter Pro application starts automatically. Troubleshooting digital TV (ATSC) channels not found: If you are using an antenna configuration (Option 1) and Pinnacle TVCenter Pro does not find any digital TV (ATSC) channels, please read the following: Check on http://www.antennaweb.org whether ATSC reception should be possible in your region and which kind of antenna will likely be required at your location. Try to improve the signal reception by repositioning or changing the antenna (see II: Option 1). After having finished the Pinnacle TVCenter Pro Setup wizard, repeat the channel scan. To do so, double-click the Pinnacle TVCenter Pro Settings icon on your desktop and then go to TV Channels and press the Scan button. V. Enjoy TV on your PC with Pinnacle TVCenter Pro The first time Pinnacle TVCenter Pro is accessed, you will see the player as shown in the following picture. To access your channel list, click on the Channel Name/Number Field. Use the bottom navigation for TimeShifting controls and the top navigation icons to access other PCTV features.
Software screenshots may vary depending on the software version supplied. VI. Additional Information Advanced Features Your Pinnacle TVCenter Pro software comes with a handy User Guide that will show you how to enrich your PCTV experience by using advanced features. To access this document, open your Windows start menu and going to: Pinnacle TVCenter > Help > User Guide. VideoSpin Overview The video editing software VideoSpin by Pinnacle (optionally included) allows you to edit your recordings or home movies and export them to various file formats or upload them directly to the web. To install the VideoSpin software, insert the DVD into your PC s DVD drive. If you have Autorun enabled, the DVD Start-Menu will be displayed automatically. If you do not have Autorun enabled, navigate to your DVD drive and double-click on Launcher.exe. Choose Video Spin and follow the on-screen instructions. Note: For successful installation you have to register your software. For VideoSpin support and documentation, open your Windows start menu and go to VideoSpin > VideoSpin Help Topic. If you are in need of further assistance, visit us online at http://www.videospin.com/support.asp. Support Are you in need of further assistance? We re happy to help you. For product support, call 1-650-267-5196 or visit http://www.pinnaclesys.com/support. You can also find useful documentation by opening your Windows start menu and going to: Pinnacle TVCenter > Help > Service & Support.
FCC Conformity Statement The FCC declarations of conformity and identical construction for this product can be downloaded from http://www.pinnaclesys.com/compliance. VII. Appendix: Installation for Windows Media Center If you have a PC equipped with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium or Ultimate or Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 and want to watch and record TV using the Windows Media Center application, please follow these steps (after having installed the hardware as described): 1. Make sure you have installed the latest Windows updates. 2. For Windows XP MCE only: make sure a MCE certified DVD player software is installed on your PC. 3. Insert the DVD into your PC s DVD drive. If you have Autorun enabled, the DVD Start-Menu will be displayed automatically. If you do not have Autorun enabled, navigate to your DVD drive and double-click on Launcher.exe. 4. From the Menu choose Windows Media Center and follow the on-screen instructions. 5. Please reboot your PC if prompted to do so. 6. Open the Windows Media Center application by double-clicking on the desktop icon (or via Start > Programs > Media Center). 7. Go to Settings > TV > Set up TV signal and follow the instructions of the TV configuration wizard. Note: At the time of printing Windows Media Center was not supporting ClearQAM reception. 8. If the automatic TV source selection does not detect your TV signal, please choose manual and select the TV connection type that is appropriate to your configuration. Note: The included remote control is not compatible with Windows Media Center; you will need a specific Windows Media Center remote control kit (separately available, please check on http://www.pinnaclesys.com).