Setting Up an Organized Personal Media Center

TECM 2700.028

Hammad Abbasi
Zach Baker
Jacob Behning
Joseph Blaylock

4/18/2014
iii
Table of Contents

Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................................................... iii
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................................... v
Materials Needed ................................................................................................................................................................ 1
Organization materials .................................................................................................................................................... 1
Television ............................................................................................................................................................................ 3
Connecting and labeling the HDMI cords ...................................................................................................................... 3
Connecting the AV cord ................................................................................................................................................. 4
Connecting the audio out ................................................................................................................................................ 4
Sound System...................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Setup ............................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Blu-ray / DVD..................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Blu-ray setup ................................................................................................................................................................... 5
DVD Setup ...................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Steps on how to setup a new Xbox 360 system. ................................................................................................................. 6
For A/V connection......................................................................................................................................................... 7
Organization ........................................................................................................................................................................ 7
Materials ......................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Set up .............................................................................................................................................................................. 8
Organization .................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Trouble shoot .................................................................................................................................................................. 9


v
Introduction

This manual will instruct you how efficiently organize a media center. Having an organized media center creates an
ease of upgrading system components without the headache of tangled wires while efficiently delivering media. This
manual includes cable set up from simple HDMI cords, to retro audio/video cords. HDMI cords are best for delivering
hi resolution video/audio. Retro audio/video cords are most often used for using older systems, like the Nintendo
Entertainment System. You should use a power strip equipped with at least as many outlets as there are devices for
your entertainment center.

1
Materials Needed

Television from 2007 present*
HDMI cord x 2
Optical audio cable
Audio / video cord (if used)
Blu-ray / DVD player
Sound system*
Xbox 360*
*use included wires, devices, and materials

Organization materials

Pegboard
Saw
Dremel - miter or scroll saw
Zip ties
Marker
Measuring tape
Safety glasses
Drill and screws (if you intend to attach the board this way)
3
Television

The television is what all devices plug in to. When initializing your set up, know what devices you will prefer in hi-
definition. The HDMI connection offers the best visual connection. Televisions produced after 2006, typically have 2
or more HDMI ports. Reserve the HDMI ports for the Xbox 360 and the Blu-Ray or DVD player. The AV port is the
traditional audio video connection; most devices predating 2005 will require this type of connection. When your
television is powered on, you can cycle between these connections that are referred to as input or sometimes mode.
When sending audio out of the television to your sound system, use an optical audio cord. The optical audio cord is
used for delivering surround sound. Use the L R (white and red) audio out connection if a standard audio device is
being used.

In this section, cords have 2 ends. The TV end (end connecting to the television) and the working end (end connecting
to the device).



Connecting and labeling the HDMI cords

1. Hold an HDMI cord with one end in your left hand and the other in your right hand.
2. Insert the end in your left hand to the first HDMI port; be sure the inserting end matches the receiving end.
3. Label the working end of this cord HDMI-1.
4. Label the TV end of this cord G-S (Xbox 360).
5. For the 2
nd
HDMI cord, repeat steps 1 3; this time using the second HDMI port with label HDMI 2.
6. Label the TV end of this cord B-R (Blu-Ray)



4
Connecting the AV cord

The TV end of the AV cord consists of 3 joined wires that lead to a yellow, white, and red prong.

1. Connect the yellow prong on the TV end of the cord to the AV ports video connection.
2. Connect the white prong on the TV end of the AV cord to the AV ports L audio connection and the red prong
to the R audio connection.



Connecting the audio out

1. Hold the optical audio cord with one end in your left hand and the other in your right hand.
2. Insert the end in your left hand to the audio out port labeled optical; be sure the inserting end matches the
receiving end.




Sound System



Setup

Every competent media center needs a reliable sound system to give sound the images on the TV, sound
systems may vary brand to brand, but installing speakers generally fall within general set-up procedures. Use as
it applies.
5

1. Shut off the TV and every other unit.
2. Read the manual if one is provided, refer to as needed in accordance to speakers.
3. Organize plugs (labels, tape, etc.)
4. Decide on placement of speakers
5. Plug in Speakers
6. Trouble Shoot Speaker's quality
7. Adjust as needed.

Taking time to make sure the speakers are well placed, organized, and working ensures a more impressive media
experience along with an easy to dissemble part of your home media center.


Blu-ray / DVD

Blu-ray setup

Blu-ray players should always be connected with an HDMI cable to deliver maximum quality. Follow the
directions included with your Blu-ray player for power supply. Once you have placed the Blu-ray player where
you want. Connect the HDMI cord labeled HDMI-2.



DVD Setup

Not all DVD players are HDMI compatible. These DVD players will require an AV connection. DVD players
are simple to setup on your home media center. Sometimes placing them correctly can be difficult if the media
center is not organized well, but the setup process of the unit itself is fairly straightforward.

1. Turn off the TV during setup.
2. Locate and identify the plugs, refer to the manual if there is one.
3. Place the DVD player in a optimal location in the media center.
4. Plug in the AC power in an outlet or a
5. Plug in the Line In video cable in the TV
6. Confirm the Line Out is plugged back in the DVD player
7. Test the player as needed.




6
Steps on how to setup a new Xbox 360 system.

1. Unbox your Xbox 360.
An Xbox 360 game system typically includes:
1) Console
2) A/V cable
3) Power supply
4) Power cord
5) Wireless Xbox 360 controller
6) 2 AA batteries

2. Connect the power supply (3) to the console first.
3. Plug the power cord (4) into the power supply.
4. Plug the power cord (4) into an electrical outlet.
5. Make sure the location of the console (1) is stable.
6. Place your console (1) in a location that is well ventilated and cool. (You can position your console vertical or
horizontal).
7. Connect the power supply (3) to the console first.
8. Plug the power cord (4) into the power supply (3).
9. Then plug the power cord (4) into an electrical outlet.
10. Connect the HDMI-1 cord to the Xbox360.


7

For A/V connection

1. Connect the A/V connector to the console
2. Locate the A/V ports on your TV or monitor.
3. Connect the color-coded connectors on the composite A/V cable to the corresponding ports on the TV as
follows:
Yellow = composite video
Red = right-channel analog audio
White = left-channel analog audio



4. Turn on the TV and the console.
5. Insert the 2 AA batteries (6) into the back of the wireless Xbox 360 controller (5).
6. Turn on your controller by pressing and holding the center Xbox Guide button, until the controller turns on.
7. Press and release the connect button on the console, and within 20 seconds press and release the connect button
on the wireless controller too.
8. When the console is on select the preferred language and then create a profile.


Organization

Materials

Pegboard
Saw
Dremel - miter or scroll saw
Zip ties
Marker
Measuring tape
Safety glasses
Drill and screws (if you intend to attach the board this way)


8


The organization of your system will vary depending on your tv, stand, and number of other devices you have
included in your entertainment system. Depending on the shape of your stand you may only need to cut one
section of the pegboard or you may need more. Be sure to make note of where your systems wires will be so
that you can cut extra holes in the peg board to feed your wires through.

Set up

1. Read the entire set of instructions before you begin this project.
2. Gather all supplies you will need to complete the project.
3. Unplug all of the electronics in you entertainment system.
4. Measure your entertainment center and decide how you wish to attach the peg board.
5. Carefully measure the pegboard and cut it into the shape and dimensions you need.
6. Place the pegboard against the back of your system.
7. Find where the wires need to come out and mark a section of the board with the marker.
8. Use the dremel to cut out the sections you have marked.
9. Fit the peg board to your system and make sure all cables that need to be fed through the holes can fit.
10. Use the drill to attach the peg board to your system with the screws.

Organization

1. Feed the wires through the holes you cut in the peg board.
2. Plan how you can best organize your wires.
3. Plug in all the wires.
4. Gather up the wires into organized bundles and attach them to the pegboard with zip ties.

9


Trouble shoot

It may be necessary to find an alternative for attaching the board to your system
Ex. Use an adhesive, glue, or zip ties.