Brightness up

Increases the screen brightness.

Brightness down Decreases the screen brightness.

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Special keys
You can locate the Euro symbol and the US dollar sign at the upper-center and/or bottom-right of your keyboard.
The Euro symbol
1 Open a text editor or word processor. 2 Either press < > at the bottom-right of the keyboard, or hold
and then press the <5> key at the upper-center of the keyboard. Note: Some fonts and software do not support the Euro symbol. Please refer to www.microsoft.com/typography/faq/faq12.htm for more information.
The US dollar sign
1 Open a text editor or word processor. 2 Either press < > at the bottom-right of the keyboard, or hold
and then press the <4> key at the upper-center of the keyboard. Note: This function varies according to the language settings.
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Ejecting the optical (CD or DVD) disk
Press the drive eject button to eject the optical disk when the computer is on.
Using a computer security lock
The notebook comes with a Kensington-compatible security slot for a security lock.
Wrap the computer security lock cable around an immovable object such as a table or handle of a locked drawer. Insert the lock into the notch and turn the key to secure the lock. Some keyless models are also available.
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Audio
The computer comes with 32-bit Intel High-Definition audio, and built-in stereo speakers.
Adjusting the volume
Adjusting the volume on the computer is as easy as pressing some buttons. See “Hotkeys” on page 26 for more information on adjusting the speaker volume.
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Acer OrbiCam
The Acer OrbiCam is a 1.3 megapixel CMOS camera appropriately mounted on top of the LCD panel. The camera’s 225-degree ergonomic rotation allows you to capture high-resolution photos or videos up front or at the back of the LCD panel. The Acer OrbiCam fully supports the Acer Video Conference technology so you transmit the best video conference quality over an Instant Messenger service.
Getting to know your Acer OrbiCam
1 23

Item

1

Lens

2

Power indicator

3

Rubber grip (selected models only)

Rotating the Acer OrbiCam
The Acer OrbiCam rotates 225 degrees counterclockwise to achieve the desired angle. Refer to the illustrations below.

Note: DO NOT rotate the camera clockwise to prevent damage to the device. For your convenience, the camera snaps to 45 degrees to match the position of your face in front or at the back of the LCD panel.
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Launching the Acer OrbiCam

To launch the Acer OrbiCam, double-click on the Acer OrbiCam logo in the desktop. OR Click Start > All Programs > Acer > Acer OrbiCam. The Acer OrbiCam capture window appears.
Changing the Acer OrbiCam settings
Resolution
To change the capture resolution, click the displayed resolution at the bottom right corner of the capture window, then select the desired resolution.
Note: Setting the camera resolution to 640 x 480 or larger does not change the capture window size.
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Click Options to display the Window, Preview, and Folder tabs. Use the options to change the capture window size, preview settings, and the folder for captured photos or videos.
Camera Settings
Basic settings Click the Camera Settings icon on the bottom right corner of the capture display, then select Camera Settings from the pop-up menu. You can adjust the Video, Audio, and Zoom/Face tracking options from this window.
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Capture settings From the Camera Settings window, click the Driver Settings button. The Properties window appears.
Device Settings allows you to change the camera brightness, contrast, hue, saturation, sharpness, etc. Advanced Settings allows you to activate gain control, implement image mirror, select image enhancements and anti-flicker settings, and turn on/off the camera indicator. Zoom/Face Track Settings allows you to adjust the zoom level and turn the face-tracking feature on or off.
Capturing photos/videos
To capture a photo or a video clip, rotate the Acer OrbiCam to get the desired angle, then click the Take a Picture or Record a Video button. The Windows Picture and Fax Viewer or the Windows Media Player automatically launches to display/play a preview of the photo/video clip.
Note: By default, all photos and videos are saved in the My Pictures and My Videos folder.
Using the Acer OrbiCam as webcam
The Acer OrbiCam is automatically selected as the capture device of any Instant Messenger (IM) application. To use the Acer OrbiCam as a webcam, open the IM service, then select the video/webcam feature. You can now broadcast from your location to an IM partner anywhere in the world.
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Enabling the Acer VisageON
The Acer VisageON technology comes with two features: Face tracking and Video effects (selected models only). The face tracking feature tracks your head movement and automatically centers your face in the capture window. The video effects feature allows you to select and apply an effect to your video transmissions.
Note: The face tracking feature is not capable of centering your face beyond the capture window frame. Minimal head movements are tracked more efficiently. To enable the Acer VisageON: 1 Right-click on this icon, then select VisageON from the pop-up menu.
The VisageON window appears.
2 Select and apply a video effect from the left section of the VisageON window. Change the face tracking settings and options from the right section.
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To use the face tracking feature: 1 Click the left icon down arrow button, then select Single User or Multiple
Users from the pop-up menu. For multiple users, the face tracking feature automatically centers all the users’ face in the capture window, otherwise the utility centers the face of the user closest to the camera.
2 Click the right icon to zoom in/out or reset the current view.
3 Click VisageON to display a pop-menu that allows configuration of the camera, face tracking and video effects settings.
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The Video Settings section allows you to select an avatar or accessory video effect from the list. To select an effect: 1 Click the encircled icon to display the available video effects. The Video
Effect Selection window appears.
2 Click on a video effect to use. The selected effect appears in the video effects section of the VisageON window.
Notes: 1. When using avatars, you may have to calibrate the face points to achieve better tracking. Follow screen instructions from the VisageON window to continue. 2. You may use video effects when using the camera for IM chat/ video sessions or call conferences.
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Using the system utilities
Note: The system utilities work under Microsoft Windows XP only.
Acer GridVista (dual-display compatible)
Note: This feature is only available on certain models. To enable the dual monitor feature of your notebook, first ensure that the second monitor is connected, then, select Start, Control Panel, Display and click on Settings. Select the secondary monitor (2) icon in the display box and then click the check box Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor. Finally, click Apply to confirm the new settings and click OK to complete the process.

Acer GridVista is a handy utility that offers four pre-defined display settings so you can view multiple windows on the same screen. To access this function, please go to Start, All Programs and click on Acer GridVista. You may choose any one of the four display settings indicated below:

12

2 1
3

1 3
2

13 2 4

Double (vertical), Triple (primary at left), Triple (primary at right), or Quad
Acer Gridvista is dual-display compatible, allowing two displays to be partitioned independently.

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Acer GridVista is simple to set up: 1 Run Acer GridVista and select your preferred screen configuration for each
display from the taskbar. 2 Drag and drop each window into the appropriate grid. 3 Enjoy the convenience of a well-organized desktop.
Note: Please ensure that the resolution setting of your second monitor is set to the manufacturer’s recommended value.
Launch Manager
Launch Manager allows you to set the four easy-launch buttons located above the keyboard. “Easy-launch buttons” on page 22 for the location of the easylaunch buttons.
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You can access the Launch Manager by clicking on Start, All Programs, and then Launch Manager to start the application.
Norton AntiVirus
Norton AntiVirus is an anti-virus software that finds and repairs infected files, and protects against viruses to keep your computer data safe and secure.
How do I check for viruses?
A Full System Scan scans all files on your computer. To perform a system scan: 1 Start Norton AntiVirus.
Double click on the Norton AntiVirus Icon on the desktop or click on the Start menu in the Windows taskbar, highlight Programs, and select Norton AntiVirus. 2 In the Norton AntiVirus main window, click Scans.
3 In the Scans panel, click Run Full System Scan. 4 When the scan is complete, a scan summary appears. Click Finished. You can schedule customized virus scans that run unattended on specific dates and times or at periodic intervals. If you are using the computer when the scheduled scan begins, it runs in the background so that you do not have to stop working. For more information refer to the Norton AntiVirus Help menu.
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Frequently asked questions

The following is a list of possible situations that may arise during the use of your computer. Easy solutions are provided for each one.
I turned on the power, but the computer does not start or boot up.
Look at the power indicator:
· If it is not lit, no power is being supplied to the computer. Check the
following:
· If you are using on the battery, it may be low and unable to power
the computer. Connect the AC adapter to recharge the battery pack.
· Make sure that the AC adapter is properly plugged into the computer
and to the power outlet.
· If it is lit, check the following: · Is a non-bootable (non-system) disk in the external USB floppy drive?
Remove or replace it with a system disk and press + + to restart the system.
Nothing appears on the screen.
The computer’s power management system automatically blanks the screen to save power. Press any key to turn the display back on.
If pressing a key does not turn the display back on, three things might be the cause:
· The brightness level might be too low. Press + <> (increase) to
adjust the brightness level.
· The display device might be set to an external monitor. Press the display
toggle hotkey + to toggle the display back to the computer.
· If the Sleep indicator is lit, the computer is in Sleep mode. Press and release
the power button to resume.
Image is not full-screen.
Each computer display has a different native resolution depending on the screen. If you set the resolution lower than this native resoution, the screen expands to fill the computer display. Right-click on your Windows desktop and select Properties to bring up the “Display Properties” dialog box. Then click on the Settings tab to make sure that the resolution is set to the appropriate resolution. Resolutions lower than the specified resolution are not full- screen on the computer or on an external monitor.
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No audio is heard from the computer.
Check the following:
· The volume may be muted. In Windows, look at the volume control
(speaker) icon on the taskbar. If it is crossed-out, click on the icon and deselect the Mute all option.
· The volume level may be too low. In Windows, look at the volume control
icon on the taskbar. You can also use the volume control buttons to adjust the volume. See “Hotkeys” on page 26 for more detail.
· If headphones, earphones or external speakers are connected to the line-
out port on the computer, the internal speakers automatically turn off.
I want to eject the optical drive tray without turning on the power.
There is a mechanical eject hole on the optical drive. Simply insert the tip of a pen or paperclip into the hole and push to eject the tray. (If your computer’s optical drive is a slot-load model, it will not have an eject hole.)
The keyboard does not respond.
Try attaching an external keyboard to a USB port on the computer. If it works, contact your dealer or an authorized service center as the internal keyboard cable may be loose.
The infrared port does not work.
Check the following:
· Make sure that the infrared ports of the two devices are facing each other
(+/- 15 degrees) a maximum of 1 meter apart.
· Make sure there is a clear path between the two infrared ports. Nothing
should be blocking the ports.
· Make sure you have the appropriate software running on both devices (for
file transfers) or you have the appropriate drivers (for printing to an infrared printer).
· During the POST, press to access the BIOS utility and verify that the
infrared port is enabled.
· Make sure both devices are IrDA-compliant.
The printer does not work.
Check the following:
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· Make sure that the printer is connected to a power outlet and that it is
turned on.
· Make sure that the printer cable is connected securely to the computer’s
parallel port or a USB port and the corresponding port on the printer.
I want to set up my location to use the internal modem.
To properly use your communication software (e.g. HyperTerminal), you need to set up your location: 1 Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel. 2 Double- click on Phone and Modem Options. 3 Click on Dialing Rules and begin setting up your location. Refer to the Windows manual.
Note: Please note, on first booting your notebook, that you can skip the Internet Connection setup, as it is not necessary to complete the installation of your Operating System. After the Operating System is set up, you can proceed with the Internet Connection setup.
I want to restore my computer to its original settings without recovery CDs.
Note: If your system is the multilingual version, the operating system and language you choose when you first turn on the system will be the only option for future recovery operations.
This recovery process helps you restore the C: drive with the original software content that is installed when you purchase your notebook. Follow the steps below to rebuild your C: drive. (Your C: drive will be reformatted and all data will be erased.) It is important to back up all data files before using this option. Before performing a restore operation, please check the BIOS settings. 1 Check to see if Acer disk-to-disk recovery is enabled or not. 2 Make sure the D2D Recovery setting in Main is Enabled. 3 Exit the BIOS utility and save changes. The system will reboot.
Note: To activate the BIOS utility, press during POST.
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To start the recovery process: 1 Restart the system. 2 While the Acer logo is showing, press + at the same time to
enter the recovery process. 3 Refer to the onscreen instructions to perform system recovery.
Important! This feature occupies 3 to 4 GB in a hidden partition on your hard disk.
Requesting service
International Travelers Warranty (ITW)
Your computer is backed by an International Travelers Warranty (ITW) that gives you security and peace of mind when traveling. Our worldwide network of service centers are there to give you a helping hand. An ITW passport comes with your computer. This passport contains all you need to know about the ITW program. A list of available, authorized service centers is in this handy booklet. Read this passport thoroughly. Always have your ITW passport on hand, especially when you travel, to receive the benefits from our support centers. Place your proof-of-purchase in the flap located inside the front cover of the ITW passport. If the country you are traveling in does not have an Acer- authorized ITW service site, you can still get in contact with our offices worldwide. Please consult http://global.acer.com.
Before you call
Please have the following information available when you call Acer for online service, and please be at your computer when you call. With your support, we can reduce the amount of time a call takes and help solve your problems efficiently. If there are error messages or beeps reported by your computer, write them down as they appear on the screen (or the number and sequence in the case of beeps). You are required to provide the following information: Name: __ Address: Telephone number: _____ Machine and model type: ____ Serial number: __ Date of purchase:

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Acer Arcade
Acer Arcade is an integrated player for music, photos, TV, DVD movies and videos. It can be operated using your pointing device or remote control. To watch or listen, click or select a content button (e.g., Music, Video, etc.) on the Arcade home page.
· Music — listen to music files in a variety of formats · TV — watch and record digital or analog TV programs (optional) · Cinema — watch DVDs or VCDs · Video — watch and/or edit video clips · Album — view photos stored on your hard disk or removable media
Note: While watching videos, DVDs or slide shows, your screensaver and power- saving features are unavailable.
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button remote control

If your Aspire is bundled with a TV-tuner card, a 48-button remote control is included for use with the Acer Arcade software. The table below explains the functions for this controller.

1

14

2

15

3

16

4

17

18

19

5

20

6

21

7

22

8

23

9

24

10

25

11

26

27

12

28

13

29

30

Warning! The Arcade and Power buttons have different functions depending on the current mode. See below for details. Button functions may change depending on your power option settings.
To access Arcade in Windows mode, push the Arcade button to start Arcade. Push it again at any time to return to the main menu. Pushing the Arcade button again will close Arcade mode. Pushing the Power button will put your notebook into Standby mode. Push it again to resume.

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Remote functions

Item

Description

1 Record

Record TV

2 Arcade

Launch/quit Acer Arcade; return to Arcade main page

3 Color buttons Teletext shortcut functions*

4 0-9 buttons Enter TV channel numbers

5 Last Ch

Return to previous channel

6 Previous

Skip back one music track, DVD chapter, or photo

7 CH + / –

Change channels up and down

8 Rewind

Rewind through media

9 Pause

Pause audio, video, slide shows, live or recorded TV

10 Play

Play selection

11 Back

Back to previous page

12 Navigation/ OK buttons

Navigate between selections and menu items, OK to select option, enter, play and pause.

13 Ch scan

Shortcut to scan channel page; scan TV channels

14 Live TV

Launch Live TV mode

15 Power

Turn off; sleep (depending on mode)

16 TeleText/CC Launch TeleText*/ closed captions

17 Full Screen Toggle between full screen and window view

18 Capture

Capture the current TV/Video screen

19 Repeat

Repeat a music track

20 Mute

Toggle audio on/off

21 Next

Skip ahead one music track, DVD chapter, or photo

22 VOL + / –

Increase or decrease the audio playback level

23 Fast Forward Fast forward through media

24 DVD menu Launch DVD menu screen

25 Stop

Stop current playing or recording operation

26 Language

Open DVD language menu**

27 Info/EPG

Show DVD or TV listings information

28 Subtitle

Open subtitles menu**

29 Angle

Toggle between different viewing angles**

30 SAP

Toggle between sound modes (mono, stereo, etc.)

*TeleText regions only. **Dependent on individual DVD content.

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Finding and playing content
Clicking a button on the Arcade home page opens the corresponding feature’s home page. The content pages have buttons on the left and a content browsing area on the right. If a button shows one of several choices, such as sort order, the current setting is shown by a brightly colored ball on the button. To pick content, click an item in the content area. When there is more than one CD or DVD drive, all drives will be shown. Pictures and videos are shown as files (with thumbnails) and organized into folders. To browse a folder, click to open it. To go back up to the folder above it, click the Up one level button. If there is more content than will fit on a page, use the buttons at the lower right to scroll through the pages.
Note: For more detailed information on the features of Acer Arcade, please refer to the Arcade Help menu. This can be accessed from the Arcade home page by selecting Help .
Settings
There are settings in Acer Arcade that allow you to fine-tune its performance to suit your machine and your personal preferences. To access Settings, click on this icon located on the upper-right hand corner of the main page. Click Acer Arcade Help for comprehensive help on each Arcade mode. In Display Settings: Use the “Screen Ratio” option to choose between standard (4:3) or widescreen (16:9) display when watching movies. The “4:3 Movie Display Type” option allows you to select between “CinemaVisionTM” or “Letterbox” mode.
· Acer CinemaVisionTM is a nonlinear video stretching technology that
produces minimal distortion in the center of the picture.
· The Letterbox option displays widescreen movie content in its original
aspect ratio and adds black bars at the top and bottom of the screen. “Color profile” allows you to choose between “Original” or “ClearVisionTM.”
· Acer ClearVisionTM is a video enhancement technology that detects video
content and dynamically adjusts the brightness/contrast/saturation levels so that you do not need to change the color settings if the movie you are watching contains scenes that are overly dark or too bright.
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In Audio Settings: Use “Speaker Environment” to choose between “Headphones,” “SPDIF,” “2” or more speakers depending on your audio equipment. “Output Mode” should be set to “Stereo” if you are listening to speakers, “Dolby Surround,” or “Virtual Surround Sound” if you are using headphones.
Note: If your speakers are not capable of outputting low-frequency signals, it is recommended that you do not select Virtual Surround Sound, in order to avoid damaging your speakers.
Click Run Setup Wizard to change your original startup settings. Click About Acer Arcade to open a page with version and copyright information. Click Restore Default Settings to return the Acer Arcade settings to their default values.
Arcade controls
When watching video clips, movies or slide shows at full screen, two pop-up control panels are shown when you move the pointer. They automatically disappear after several seconds. The “Navigation Controls” panel appears at the top and the “Player Controls” panel appears at the bottom of the screen.
Navigation controls
To return to the Arcade home page, click the Home button in the upper-left corner of the window. To go up one folder level while searching for content, click Up one level. To return to the previous screen, click the red arrow. The buttons in the upper right (minimize, maximize, close) have standard PC behaviors. To quit Arcade, click the Close button in the upper right corner of the window.
Player controls
At the bottom of the window, the player controls — used for video, slide shows, TV, movies and music — are shown. The group on the left provides standard playback controls (play, pause, stop, etc.). The group on the right controls volume (mute and volume up/down).
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Note: When playing DVDs and watching TV, there are additional controls added to the right of the volume controls. These are discussed in more detail in the Cinema and TV sections of this guide.
Virtual keyboard
Whenever you are required to enter search information, or name a file, DVD or folder, you can use the onscreen virtual keyboard. You can quickly enter the information you need using the mouse, cursor keys or keyboard.
Background mode
With Acer Arcade you can continue listening to music or watching Live TV while you perform certain other functions. TV, video and music will continue playing in a small window located in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen. You can press the stop button on the remote or click the onscreen stop icon to stop the playback at anytime.
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Cinema
If your computer came with a DVD drive, you can play movies from DVDs and video CDs (VCDs) with the Cinema function of Acer Arcade. This player has the features and controls of a typical DVD player. When you insert a disk into the DVD drive, the movie begins playing automatically. To control the movie, the pop-up player control panel appears at the bottom of the window when you move the pointer. If more than one optical drive contains a playable disk, click the Cinema button on the Home page to open the Cinema content page, then select the disk you’d like to watch from the list on the right. When viewing DVDs, the following special controls are added to the pop-up panel:
· DVD Menu · Subtitles · Language · Snapshot · Angle
The disk currently playing will be shown in the area above the list of drives. This page is also displayed when you press the Stop button during a movie. The buttons on the left side allow you to resume the movie from the point it was stopped, restart the movie from the beginning, jump to the DVD menu, eject the disk, or go to the “DVD Settings” page.
Settings
To access the settings for Cinema, first click the “Settings” button on the main menu, and then click on Cinema. This allows you to change “Video” and “Language”settings. The “Settings” control the audio and subtitle output of DVDs. “Subtitles” selects the default subtitle language for DVDs when available. The factory setting is “Off.” “Closed Captions” turns on the closed captions on DVDs. This function displays captions encoded in the video signal that describe onscreen action and dialog for the hearing impaired. The factory setting is “Off.” “Audio” selects the default language for DVD titles. “Display Upon Mute” lets you choose whether to turn on the subtitles or captions when you mute the sound for any reason.
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Album
Acer Arcade lets you view digital photos individually or as a slide show, from any available drive on your computer. Click the Album button on the Arcade Home page to show the Album main page.
The content area on the right shows both individual pictures and folders. Click on a folder to open it. To view a slide show, open the folder containing the pictures you wish to view, then click Play Slide Show. The slide show is played at full screen. Use the pop-up control panel to control the slide show. You can also view a single picture by clicking on it. This opens the picture at full screen. You can then use the onscreen player controls to zoom in and out, and to pan in four directions.
Editing Pictures
Choose “Edit,” and you can “Rotate,” “Remove Red Eye,” and “Auto Fix” (optimize the brightness and contrast) pictures to improve the appearance of your images.
Slide Show settings
To change Slide Show settings, click the Advanced button on the Album page and select “Settings.” “Slide Duration” determines how long each slide is shown before automatically advancing to the next picture in the slide show. “Slide Show Transition” sets the style of transition used between pictures; you can choose between Motion, Cell, Fade, Random, Wipe, Slide, Page and None modes.
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To add background music to a slide show, click on the “Slide Show Music” option. The Slide Show Music page will ask you to choose music from your personal music library. Click Load Default Settings to return your settings to their default values.
Video
To open the Video function, click Video on the Arcade Home page.
Note: The Video feature is designed to play back many different kinds of video formats. Refer to the Video help section for a full list of compatible formats. If you want to watch a DVD or VCD, use the “Cinema” function.
Playing a video file
Click Play to watch video files. The Video page shows the video files in the content area on the right side. They are organized by folders and a thumbnail image shows the first frame of each video. To play a video file, click on it. The video will play at full screen. The pop-up control panel will appear at the bottom of the screen when you move the mouse. To return to the Video page, click Stop.
Capturing video (TV models only)
Acer Arcade allows you to capture and record video clips from other external devices, such as a DVD player or camcorder. Click Capture Device on the video page and then select the source you are using for your video input. There is a choice between “S-video” and “Composite.” To capture a video clip, you then need to click the red record button in the onscreen controls. The destination folder can be set from the “Settings” menu. Clicking on Advanced and selecting Settings allows you to set the quality of the video captured. You can choose from “Good,” “Better” or “Best.” Selecting a higher quality results in a larger file when capturing video clips.
Snapshot
Snapshot mode is available in Cinema, Video and TV modes. This function can be used to capture the onscreen image at any time. A single frame image will be captured and stored in a user designated directory. The destination directory can be changed from the “Settings”menu.
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Editing video
Acer Arcade offers the capability to edit captured video clips, photos and footage from a camcorder into a movie. You can also select a movie style, and add special transition effects and music to create the perfect home movie. To edit a movie, click Advanced, and then select “Edit Video.” Then select the clips you wish to edit from your folders. To complete your movie, you may also choose a “Movie Style,” “Background Music,” the perfect ratio of music and audio, as well as the length of the movie. “Select Scenes” can be used to include your favorite or the most important scenes, or the editing decisions can be left to the editing program. Once compiled, the final movie can then be burned to disk to share with family and friends.
Note: For more details on editing video and all the associated features, please refer to the Acer Arcade help menu.
Music
For convenient access to your music collection, click Music on the Arcade homepage to open the Music homepage. Select the folder, CD or category that contains the music you want to listen to. Click Play to listen to the entire content from the beginning, or select the song that you want to hear from the list in the content area. The songs in the folder are shown in the content area, while the left side has controls for “Play,” “Shuffle” and “Repeat All.” The “Visualize” option allows you to watch computer-generated visuals while you listen to music. When playing music, the control panel at the bottom of the page makes it easy to adjust the volume and control playback. To rip music from an audio CD, after you have inserted the CD, click Rip CD. In the page that opens, select the songs you would like to rip (or click Select or Clear All), then click Start Ripping. The progress of the ripping operation will be displayed on screen. You can change the file quality of the ripped tracks by clicking Settings.
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TV (for selected models)
Arcade allows you to watch TV from your computer. Click the TV button on the home page to show the TV main page. The Live TV option plays TV on screen. Press Escape at any time to return to Arcade. When you watch TV, additional buttons appear on the playback controls: Channel Up (switches up one channel), Channel Down (switches down one channel), Snapshot (takes a snapshot of the current frame of video), TeleText (opens the TeleText function), and Record (records TV content as a video file). The Recorded TV option allows you to view files that you have recorded from the TV. See Recorded TV. The Schedule option lets you set TV recording schedules for later viewing. See Scheduling Recordings. The Program Guide option lets you view program information for all channels. See Program Guide. The Find Program option enables you to search for a specific kind of program. The Settings button opens a page containing TV settings. See TV settings for more information.
Note: For information on setting up and operating the TV mode of Arcade please refer to the separate TV booklet.
Time-shift functionality
Arcade also has a time-shift function that can be enabled. To create an instant replay, Arcade records the TV broadcast as a file, creating a slight lag between the live broadcast and the TV content that you watch. (The instant replay file cannot be saved, however, and you cannot watch this file in the Recorded TV window.) You can navigate forward and backward within the file to create an instant replay or to skip over commercials.
Note: One of your local drives must contain at least 2 GB of free space in order to enable the instant replay function.
Click ” ” to pause playback or ” ” to continue watching. Click ” ” to rewind or ” ” to fast forward. Click ” ” to go to the start of the instant replay recording or click ” ” to go to the end of the instant replay recording.
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Note: Since the TV content you watch always lags slightly behind the live TV broadcast, going to the end of the instant replay recording is as close to watching live TV as Arcade permits.
Recorded TV
The “Recorded TV” page shows recorded TV files. A thumbnail image shows the first frame of each file. To play a recorded TV file, click it. The video will play at full screen. To return to the TV page, click Stop. For a description of the options on this page, see Videos.
Scheduling recordings
To set a TV recording schedule, click Schedule, then New Schedule. In the page that opens, select the Channel you want to record and the scheduling Interval. Set the Starting Date, Starting Time, and Ending Time of the program you want to record. Click Confirm Schedule to activate the recording schedule, or Cancel to quit without accepting the schedule. Select Delete Schedule to remove a recording schedule you have previously created. Click an existing recording schedule to open it for modification. To change the order in which schedules are displayed, click Sort by Channel or Sort by Date.
Program guide
Click the Program Guide button to view program listing details for each channel. These listings and information are provided by the Electronic Program Guide.
Find program
Clicking the Find Program button allows you to search for programs by channel number or category.
TV settings
To change picture settings, click the TV button on the “Settings” page or the Settings button on the main TV page. There are four types of TV settings: “Signal,” “Channel,” “Recording” and “Guide” settings.
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Signal settings
Click on Capture Device to select between an analog or digital input for your TV signal. Select TV Source to choose the source of the signal. The Region option allows you to select the country or region where your cable provider is located. You can also enable and disable the time-shift function.
Channel settings
If no channel list exists, click Scan Channels. Your computer will scan and list the available TV channels. Click Scan Channels to rescan and replace your existing channel line-up.
Recording settings
The Recording Quality option allows you to set the quality of video recorded from the TV. Selecting a higher quality results in a larger recorded file when recording TV shows. You can also select the destination for any recorded TV.
Guide settings
Click on EPG Source to select the source for your EPG program listings. This will differ depending on your region. Click Restore Default Settings to return your settings to their default values.
Using TeleText functions
For regions with the TeleText service, TeleText can be activated by using the onscreen controller or the remote control. Pressing the TeleText button on the remote will bring up TeleText; press again to bring up transparent mode (the text will have TV pictures in the background), and press once more to return to TV only. To navigate within the TeleText function, you can:
· Click the color buttons to follow the onscreen color shortcuts. · Click an onscreen page number to jump to that page. · Use the number buttons to enter a page number directly. · Use the up/down buttons on the remote to navigate page numbers,
followed by OK to select.
· Use the left and right buttons to browse sub-pages.
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Note: The snapshot function is available when TeleText is running.
Make DVDs
Acer Arcade provides an easy and complete solution for recording data, audio, photos or videos. You can burn and share any combination of data, music, photos or videos onto a CD or DVD — direct from Make DVD mode or some of the other Acer Arcade media modes.
Authoring CD/DVDs
With Acer Arcade it is possible to create CD or DVDs directly from the main menu, or from whichever media mode you may be using. The burn DVD option can be found in the “Advanced” or “Main” menu of Video, Album and Music media modes. You can burn your favorite songs to a CD or convert songs from your music collection to MP3 and other popular audio formats. You can even create MP3 CDs with over 100 of your favorite songs and listen to them on your PC or MP3 CD player. With Arcade, you can also turn digital photos into a slide show with background music, or burn TV and film clips into an amateur movie. You can share any event with your friends and family for playback on most DVD players. You can even add customized theme menus and menu music. It is also possible to burn combo CD/DVDs with music, photos, film and TV clips all in one. The possibilities are endless! For specific details about each of these options, click the Help button to open the Arcade help menu.
File type compatibility
For details on file compatibility, please refer to the first page of the Arcade online help menu for each media mode.
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Taking your notebook PC with you
This section gives you tips and hints to consider when moving around or traveling with your computer.
Disconnecting from the desktop
Follow these steps to disconnect your computer from external accessories: 1 Save any open files. 2 Remove any media, floppy disks or compact disks from the drive(s). 3 Shut down the computer. 4 Close the display cover. 5 Disconnect the cord from the AC adapter. 6 Disconnect the keyboard, pointing device, printer, external monitor and
other external devices. 7 Disconnect the Kensington lock if you are using one to secure the
computer.
Moving around
When you are just moving within short distances, for example, from your office desk to a meeting room.
Preparing the computer
Before moving the computer, close and latch the display cover to place it in Sleep mode. You can now safely take the computer anywhere you go within the building. To bring the computer out of Sleep mode, open the display; then press and release the power button. If you are taking the computer to a client’s office or a different building, you may choose to shut down the computer: Click on Start, Turn Off Computer, then click on Turn Off (Windows XP). Or: You can put the computer in Sleep mode by pressing + . Then close and latch the display. When you are ready to use the computer again, unlatch and open the display; then press and release the power button.
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Note: If the Sleep indicator is off, the computer has entered Hibernation mode and is turned off. If the power indicator is off but the Sleep indicator is on, the computer has entered Sleep mode. In both cases, press and release the power button to turn the computer back on. Note that the computer may enter Hibernation mode after being in Sleep mode for a period of time.
What to bring to meetings
If your meeting is relatively short, you probably do not need to bring anything with you other than your computer. If your meeting will be longer, or if your battery is not fully charged, you may want to bring the AC adapter with you to plug in your computer in the meeting room. If the meeting room does not have an electrical outlet, reduce the drain on the battery by putting the computer in Sleep mode. Press + or close the display cover whenever you are not actively using the computer. To resume, open the display (if closed), then press and release the power button.
Taking the computer home
When you are moving from your office to your home or vice versa.
Preparing the computer
After disconnecting the computer from your desktop, follow these steps to prepare the computer for the trip home:
· Check that you have removed all media and compact disks from the
drive(s). Failure to remove the media can damage the drive head.
· Pack the computer in a protective case that can prevent the computer from
sliding around and cushion it if it should fall.
Caution: Avoid packing items next to the top cover of the computer. Pressure against the top cover can damage the screen.
What to take with you
Unless you have some items at home, take the following items with you:
· AC adapter and power cord · The printed User’s Guide
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Special considerations
Follow these guidelines to protect your computer while traveling to and from work:
· Minimize the effects of temperature changes by keeping the computer
with you.
· If you need to stop for an extended period of time and cannot carry the
computer with you, leave the computer in the trunk of the car to avoid exposing the computer to excessive heat.
· Changes in temperature and humidity can cause condensation. Allow the
computer to return to room temperature, and inspect the screen for condensation before turning on the computer. If the temperature change is greater than 10 °C (18 °F), allow the computer to come to room temperature slowly. If possible, leave the computer for 30 minutes in an environment with a temperature between outside and room temperature.
Setting up a home office
If you frequently work on your computer at home, you may want to purchase a second AC adapter for use at home. With a second AC adapter, you can avoid carrying the extra weight to and from home. If you use your computer at home for significant periods of time, you might also want to add an external keyboard, monitor or mouse.
Traveling with the computer
When you are moving within a larger distance, for instance, from your office building to a client’s office building or traveling locally.
Preparing the computer
Prepare the computer as if you were taking it home. Make sure that the battery in the computer is charged. Airport security may require you to turn on your computer when carrying it into the gate area.
What to take with you
Take the following items with you:
· AC adapter · Spare, fully-charged battery pack(s) · Additional printer driver files if you plan to use another printer
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Special considerations

In addition to the guidelines for taking the computer home, follow these guidelines to protect your computer while traveling:
· Always take the computer as carry-on luggage. · If possible, have the computer inspected by hand. Airport security X-ray
machines are safe, but do not put the computer through a metal detector.
· Avoid exposing floppy disks to hand-held metal detectors.
Traveling internationally with the computer
When you are moving from country to country.
Preparing the computer
Prepare the computer as you would normally prepare it for traveling.
What to bring with you
Bring the following items with you:
· AC adapter · Power cords that are appropriate for the country to which you
are traveling
· Spare, fully-charged battery packs · Additional printer driver files if you plan to use another printer · Proof of purchase, in case you need to show it to customs officials · International Travelers Warranty passport
Special considerations
Follow the same special considerations as when traveling with the computer. In addition, these tips are useful when traveling internationally:
· When traveling in another country, check that the local AC voltage and the
AC adapter power cord specifications are compatible. If not, purchase a power cord that is compatible with the local AC voltage. Do not use converter kits sold for appliances to power the computer.
· If you are using the modem, check if the modem and connector is
compatible with the telecommunications system of the country you are traveling in.
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Securing your computer
Your computer is a valuable investment that you need to take care of. Learn how to protect and take care of your computer. Security features include hardware and software locks — a security notch and passwords.
Using a computer security lock
The notebook comes with a Kensington-compatible security slot for a security lock. Wrap a computer security lock cable around an immovable object such as a table or handle of a locked drawer. Insert the lock into the notch and turn the key to secure the lock. Some keyless models are also available.
Using passwords
Passwords protect your computer from unauthorized access. Setting these passwords creates several different levels of protection for your computer and data:
· Supervisor Password prevents unauthorized entry into the BIOS utility.
Once set, you must enter this password to gain access to the BIOS utility. See “BIOS utility” on page 74.
· User Password secures your computer against unauthorized use. Combine
the use of this password with password checkpoints on boot-up and resume from Hibernation for maximum security.
· Password on Boot secures your computer against unauthorized use.
Combine the use of this password with password checkpoints on boot-up and resume from Hibernation for maximum security.
Important! Do not forget your Supervisor Password! If you forget your password, please get in touch with your dealer or an authorized service center.
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Entering passwords
When a password is set, a password prompt appears in the center of the display screen.
· When the Supervisor Password is set, a prompt appears when you press