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Get a sharper picture with Media Center

• Center and resize your display
• Select the correct aspect ratio
• Adjust the brightness setting
• Adjust the contrast setting
• Adjust the sharpness setting

1. Press the Green Start Button on your remote to open the Media Center Start menu, and then select Settings.

2. On the Settings page, select TV.

3. On the TV page, select Configure Your TV or Monitor.

4. On the Display Configuration page, select Watch Video. The video explains how to optimally configure your TV or monitor. If you want to exit the video early, press the STOP button or BACK button on your remote.
5. After the video is finished, the Display Configuration page is displayed. To start the Display Configuration Wizard, select Next.

6. If the Display Setup dialog box is displayed and prompts you to switch to full-screen mode, select Yes.

7. On the Identify Your Display Type page, select the display type that you most often use to watch video on your Media Center, and then, select Next.

8. On the Connection Type page, select the type of cable that connects your Media Center computer to your monitor or TV, and then select Next.

9. On the Adjust Your Display Settings page, select Adjust Display Controls, and then select Next.
   
   From this point on in the wizard, you will not be making any more changes to your Media Center PC. Instead, the wizard will help you configure your TV for the best display quality.

10. On the first Display Calibration page, select Next.

Centering and sizing

11. On the second Display Calibration page, select Onscreen centering & sizing to properly center the display on your TV or monitor. Then select Next, and follow these steps:


1. The first Centering & Sizing page prompts you to refer to the instructions that were included with your TV or monitor and determine how to adjust the centering and sizing. Select Next to begin adjusting the centering and sizing.

Tip: The centering and sizing settings for your TV or monitor may be labeled "Horizontal Position," "Vertical Position," "Horizontal Size," "Vertical Size," "Vertical Center," or "Horizontal Center."


2. On the second Centering & Sizing page, select Watch Video. While the video is playing, adjust the controls for your TV or monitor so that the display is centered and no border appears around the display. When you have finished adjusting your TV or monitor, press STOP on your remote. This will take you back to the Centering & Sizing page.


3. Select Next to return to the Display Calibration page.

Aspect Ratio (Shape)

12. On the Display Calibration page, select Aspect Ratio (Shape) to adjust your TV or monitor so that video does not appear stretched. This is particularly important if you have a widescreen display because recorded TV is often formatted for a standard display. Select Next, and then follow these steps:


1. The first Aspect Ratio (Shape) page prompts you to refer to the instructions that were included with your TV or monitor and determine how to adjust the aspect ratio. Select Next to begin adjusting the aspect ratio.

Tip: The aspect ratio settings on your TV or monitor may be labeled "Geometry," "Ratio," "Screen Width," or "Screen Mode."


2. On the second Aspect Ratio (Shape) page, select Watch Video. While the video is playing, adjust the controls on your TV or monitor so that the cube of chalk looks square and the billiard balls look round in the video. After you make adjustments to your TV or monitor, press STOP on your remote. This will bring you back to the Aspect Ratio (Shape) page.


3. Select Next to return to the Display Calibration page.

Brightness (Black & Shadow)

13. On the Display Calibration page, select Brightness (Black & Shadow) to adjust the brightness of your TV or monitor so that both dark and bright areas of video are clearly visible. Then, select Next, and follow these steps:


1. The first Brightness (Black & Shadow) page prompts you to refer to the instructions that were included with your TV or monitor and determine how to adjust the brightness. Select Next to begin adjusting the brightness.

2. On the second Brightness (Black & Shadow) page, select Watch Video. While the video is playing, adjust the controls on your TV or monitor so that you can distinguish the shirt from the suit that is in the video. The suit should be black, not gray. If you see a moving X, turn the brightness down until the X disappears. After you do this, press STOP on your remote. When you press STOP, the Brightness (Black & Shadow) page is displayed.


3. Select Next to return to the Display Calibration page.

Contrast (White)

14. On the Display Calibration page, select Contrast (White) to adjust the contrast of your TV or monitor so that the white areas of the video are clearly displayed. After you do this, select Next, and then follow these steps:


1. The first Contrast (White) page prompts you to refer to the instructions that were included with your TV or monitor and determine how to adjust the contrast. Select Next to begin adjusting the contrast.

2. On the second Contrast (White) page, select Watch Video. While the video is playing, adjust the controls on your TV or monitor so that the contrast is as high as possible without losing the wrinkles and buttons on the shirt that is in the video. After you do this, press STOP on your remote. When you press STOP, the Contrast (White) page is displayed.


3. Select Next to return to the Display Calibration page.

15. On the Display Calibration page, select Color to adjust the color of your TV or monitor so that it is as realistic as possible. After you do this, select Next, and then follow these steps:


1. The first Color page prompts you to refer to the instructions that were included with your TV or monitor and determine how to adjust the color. Select Next to begin adjusting the color.

Tip: The color settings may be called "Color," "Tint," "Hue," or "Color Temp."


2. On the second Color page, select Watch Video. While the video is playing, adjust the controls on your TV or monitor so that the skin tones in the video look natural. After you do this, press STOP on your remote. When you press STOP, the Color page is displayed.


3. Select Next to return to the Display Calibration page.

Sharpness (Edge Enhancement)

16. On the Display Calibration page, select Sharpness (Edge Enhancement) to adjust the sharpness of your TV or monitor so that video is clear. After you do this, select Next, and then follow these steps:


1. The first Sharpness (Edge Enhancement) page prompts you to refer to the instructions that were included with your TV or monitor and determine how to adjust the sharpness. Select Next to begin adjusting sharpness.

2. On the second Sharpness (Edge Enhancement) page, select Watch Video. While the video is playing, adjust the controls on your TV or monitor so that the edges of the cue sticks that are in the video are pure white or black, with no shadows or halos. After you do this, press STOP on your remote. When you press STOP, the Sharpness (Edge Enhancement) page is displayed.


3. Select Next to return to the Display Calibration page.

17. To quit the Display Configuration Wizard, select Next on the second Display Calibration page without selecting a display characteristic.

18. On the You Are Done page, select Finish.

Now that you have calibrated your display, you can enjoy every detail of your recorded TV, videos, and movies. If you replace your TV or monitor, you should repeat this process to calibrate the new display.