Initial Setup
1) Registration
If you have not registered MediaStar on this machine before, the software is operating in trial mode. The only limitation of trial mode is that you are only limited to 10 seconds of playback per track in playback mode. To register media star access the registration dialog via Help -> Register. Then follow the directions on the dialog to register your copy of MediaStar. If registration is successful, the Register selection will disappear from the Help menu. The dialog looks like this:
2) Background
You may have noticed that upon opening MediaStar, the background became black. The black is actually a window that will display any video or images that you may add to your show or presentation. If this does not apply to you then skip this section. This background will be visible when no video is playing and when no image is showing.
How to change the background is explained below. Although, in order for your videos to appear on your projector and not your computer screen, this background needs to be moved to another "monitor". To do this, you need to plug in your projector and extend the Windows desktop to it.
Windows XP: Under Windows XP, right-click on your desktop and select "Properties". In the window that appears select the "Settings" tab at the top. Then select the second monitor (usually the box with the 2 in it). Then check the "Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor" box and hit apply.
Windows Vista: Under Windows Vista, right-click on your desktop and select "Personalize". In the window that appears select "Display Settings" at the bottom. In the new window that comes up select the second monitor (usually the box with the 2 in it). Then check the "Extend the desktop onto this monitor" box and hit apply.
3) MediaStar Settings
The MediaStar Settings dialog allows you to change the appearance of the background, the playback window labels, the fade duration and other settings. This is the dialog:
1 - External Monitor Settings
This section will allow you to change the appearance of the background. You have the option of having it be a solid color or be an image. Once you have chosen, simply double click within the box to select the color or image. This will now appear on the background.
2 - Playback Display Settings
This section will allow you to change the colors for the Playback Window's displays. Simply press the button corresponding to the color that you want to change and the color will be updated to your selection.
3 - Fade Time
This is the time that it will take a track to fade from 100% to 10% and must be at least 1 second. The last 10% takes 2 seconds and cannot be changed at this time.
4 - Other Settings
This section contains any miscellaneous settings for MediaStar.
Transmit to LCD display: If this box is checked then MediaStar will transmit the current and next track to the LCD panel during playback mode. Only turn this on if you have, and are intending to use the LCD panel.
Fade video: If this box is checked then MediaStar will fade video to black when performing a fade.
Keypad fades current track: If this box is checked and you use the keypad to move to a specific track, your current track will fade as per its fade settings.
Keypad autoplays selected track: If this box is checked then MediaStar will automatically play the track that you have selected with your keypad when the current track finished fading (if applicable).
Keypad saves position: If this box is checked then MediaStar will save the current position in your playlist when you use the keypad. After the selected media has finished, playback will resume in the proper position instead of directly after the selected media.
Initial Master Volume: MediaStar defaults to initializing your master volume to 80%. This setting gives you the ability to change this value to something that meets your needs.
Remote Setup: This button allows you to configure the functions of the remote. This is explained below.
5 - Custom Software
This section allows you to configure MediaStar to send keys to other applications. This is used for triggering third party software with MediaStar and on an as-needed basis. If you are interested in this feature, please contact us for more information.
4) Remote Setup
The Remote Setup dialog allows you to configure the functions of the remote buttons. You can select the action that will occur when Media is playing, and when it is NOT playing. Keep in mind that these actions are for BOTH the handheld and ankle remote. Also, the ankle remote triggers button #1 when used in conjunction with the magnet.
-- Available Actions
Play: Plays the media or starts the PowerPoint presentation.
Pause: Pauses the media.
Fade: Fades the media per it's fade settings or the next slide for PowerPoints.
Next: Queues to the next media or hard pause or the next slide for PowerPoints.
Previous: Queues to the previous media or hard pause or the previous slide for PowerPoints.
Volume Up: Increases the global volume by 10%.
Volume Down: Decreases the global volume by 10%.
Volume Reset: Resets the global volume to the default specified in settings.
Note: Buttons 3 + 4 will always end a PowerPoint if one is active.