QuickStart Nero ShowTime 2 Nero AG
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Contents 1 2 General Information .......................................................................... 5 1.1 About Nero ShowTime 2.................................................................. 5 1.2 1.2.1 1.2.2 1.2.3 1.2.4 1.2.5 Technical Data .................................................................................. 5 Supported Formats............................................................................. 5 Video Features .........................................................
Reproduce media ............................................................................ 32 4.1 4.1.1 4.1.2 4.1.3 4.1.4 Video ............................................................................................... 32 Video formats supported .................................................................. 32 Playing DVD-Videos......................................................................... 32 Playing VCD, SVCD and miniDVDs .................................................
1 1.1 General Information About Nero ShowTime 2 Nero ShowTime 2 provides you with a high-performance software DVD player that takes you to a new dimension in DVD's. Its cinema-like sound and excellent image quality for all digital pictures make an adventure of every film! What is more, Nero ShowTime 2 supports all DVD-Video formats and can play them from a disc and from the hard drive.
Advanced adaptive deinterlacing for best possible picture quality from interlaced DVDs (e.g. TV-show DVDs, home video DVDs) with fine tuning view for perfect configuration Full screen/scalable video window 16:9 wide screen support Customizable on-screen display Inverse Telecine support on NTSC DVD titles for more fluidity Nero Digital support Multi monitor support 1.2.3 Audio Features Dolby Digital AC3 Dolby Digital / Dolby Surround LPCM MPEG-1 MPEG-2 S/PDIF Edition for digital sound 1.2.
Chapter jump slider AB Repeat/AB bookmark repeat Configurable OSD Nero DVD Navigator Hotkeys (keyboard shortcuts) Autoplay on insert Seamless integration into Nero SmartStart, the control centre for all Nero applications Mouse scroll settings Double-click on display changes to full screen Double-click on full screen changes to normal window Nero ShowTime General Information • 7
2 2.
Some of the functions listed below can also be controlled through the keyboard. If this is possible, there are brackets behind the function that show the key / key combination (such as 'Eject Disk' [J]).
Symbol Function [Keyboard symbol / Shortcut] Volume control area Regulates the volume / Symbol Switch to mute / loud [Q] Function Chapter area Makes it possible to jump directly between chapters Symbol Function [Keyboard symbol / Shortcut] Status area Minimizes Nero ShowTime 2 on the taskbar Changes between full-screen and normal view [Z] Exits Nero ShowTime 2 Symbol Function [Keyboard symbol / Shortcut] Toolbar Opens subtitle selection [U] Changes language [H] Jumps one frame back Jumps one frame
Symbol Function Information area Shows information on the subtitle language, disk drive, regional code, language, angle, and audio settings Provides current information on the function (such as playing), title, chapter and run time Symbol Function [Keyboard symbol / Shortcut] Playback section Makes it possible to move continuously through the film (without dividing chapters) Plays the movie backwards [B] Plays the movie forwards [F] Symbol Function [Keyboard symbol / Shortcut] Menu and selection area
Symbol Function [Keyboard symbol / Shortcut] Extended area Expands the skin Makes it possible to jump directly to chapters Reduces the skin Repeats a chapter or title [CTRL +R] Repeats a selected part of the movie [R] Changes the perspective [A] Activates zoom tool [D] Creates a snapshot [C] (This function is only possible if hardware acceleration has been deactivated.
3 3.1 The 'Preferences' menu Calling up the 'Preferences' menu In the Nero ShowTime 2 'Preferences' menu, you can configure the program the way you would like. There are a number of ways of calling up the program: 1. By clicking on the button. 2. By pressing 'Ctrl' and 'C' at the same time. 3. By opening the pop-up menu with a right-hand mouse click – provided the mouse cursor is over the Nero ShowTime 2 interface - and then selecting the 'Configuration' command.
3.2 General Settings Always on top If this option is enabled, Nero ShowTime 2 always stays in the foreground, even if you start other programmes. It may, however, be minimized by clicking on the button.
3.2.1 OSD setting On-screen display Activates or deactivates the on-screen display. On the on-screen display the current procedure (such as 'Playback') is shown in the playback window. Moreover, you can set the duration of display. The 'Show additional info' checkbox will display additional information for instance about the bitrate of the video stream and the audio coding (or stop additional information being shown). OSD position Determines where the on-screen display is shown in the playback window.
3.2.2 Keyboard and mouse settings Use mouse wheel for This makes it possible to set the function the mouse wheel should assume upon playback. There are options for 'Volume', 'Time seek' and 'Previous / Next Chapter'. Keyboard setting This makes it possible to jump ahead and back within the set time interval. If, as an example, it is set for 20 seconds, you can use the 'Page up' key to jump ahead in 20-second intervals, while the 'Page down' key is used to jump back.
3.2.3 Capture to Capture to If you wish to take snapshots during film playback, you must first set the destination to which the images are to be exported. There are the options, 'Clipboard ', 'Wallpaper' and 'File'. If 'Clipboard' is enabled, depending on the configuration of your PC, only one image is saved. This means that only one image can be saved, even when saving numerous snapshots. If the 'Wallpaper' option is enabled, your snapshot is saved directly as wallpaper.
3.2.4 Toolbar setting The toolbar appears when the mouse pointer is moved to the upper edge of the screen. Its primary function is to prevent the entire skin from being shown during playback, thus disturbing the image. In this configuration menu you have the option of activating/deactivating the toolbar or determining whether and when they should be available. Furthermore, you can set each of the functions of your toolbar.
3.2.5 Tool tips setting If you run the mouse cursor over the individual elements of the Nero ShowTime 2 interface, short explanatory texts, the so-called tool tips, will be displayed (in the standard setting). In this configuration menu, you can specify whether these tool tips should be shown and how they should be displayed.
3.3 DVD general Default CD/DVD-ROM drive Here you can set the default source from which Nero ShowTime 2 plays the videos. You may select between the desired disk drive or a folder on the hard drive. Auto play when application started If this option has been activated, Nero ShowTime 2 will start by playing the disc, provided an appropriate disc has been inserted. DVD Auto-resume setting This makes it possible to determine how a DVD should be resumed if it is inserted again.
3.3.1 Bookmarks editor Bookmarks editor Nero ShowTime 2 gives you two bookmark editors – the 'Nero DVD Navigator' and the 'Microsoft DVD Navigator'. The editor used will be displayed in the menu and you can change it by clicking on the dropdown button. In the Bookmark Editor you will find all bookmarks that you have set up to now. Each DVD may be selected individually, while the bookmark for the current DVD may be called by clicking on the '+' symbol in front of the DVD title.
3.3.2 Parental Control With the parental control of Nero ShowTime 2 you are able to prevent your children from being able to see films that are unsuitable for them.
Confirm your entry by clicking on 'OK'. Now you are registered as an administrator. Next, create the profile for your parental control. The next time a DVD is inserted, for which the parental control criteria are relevant, then a login window appears. There you or another user must log in with the established profile to watch the film. 3.4 Video Settings Hardware acceleration If the 'Hardware Acceleration' option is enabled, the DVD-Video image acceleration is taken over by your graphics card.
Screen control In this menu you set the appearance of the playback window at the start of Nero ShowTime 2. If the 'Run Full-screen' option is enabled, the film played is automatically shown on the entire screen. If the 'Keep Aspect Ratio' option is enabled, the film will be shown in its original aspect ratio (or rather, height x width). If the 'Hide Video Window' option is enabled, then the playback window is first shown when the film is played. Prior to that time it is invisible.
3.4.1 Video mode In this menu you can set whether you would like to work with deinterlacing in playback or not. In the interlaced mode video images are shown as two different half-images. In the first half-image every other image line is represented; shortly thereafter the second half-image shows the remaining lines, so that a complete image is suggested to the eye.
If you would like detailed information on the subject of interlacing / deinterlacing, we recommend: 'http://www.dvddemystified.com', where you will find a great deal of information on the subject. 3.4.2 Video quality The settings in this section only affect Nero Digital Videos und and have no significance for DVD-Videos or VCDs and SVCDs. You specify the quality of the Nero Digital Videos in this menu. We recommend using the 'Auto-adjust' option, as this ensures the ideal setting for your computer.
3.4.3 Nero Digital settings The settings in this area relate to settings for subtitles and video padding options for films that are available in Nero Digital format.
3.4.4 Image settings In this menu you can change the image settings such as brightness, contrast and saturation. You can also vary particular film effects like luma (brightness information) and chroma (color information). However, this is only possible if the checkbox 'Use image settings' has been ticked.
3.5 Audio In this menu you can define the audio settings. Audio output Select the number of loudspeakers connected by clicking on the list box and highlighting the number of loudspeakers present. Stereo mode You can enjoy stereo sound reproduction if you have two loudspeakers. You will be able to choose between 'Stereo' and 'Dolby Surround' compatible sound reproduction. Four or six loudspeaker mode If you have 4 or 6 load speakers, you can avail of Dolby Pro Logic mode.
3.6 DNC In this menu you can select the 'Dynamic noise control' feature, should your installed drive support it. This function reduces the noise made by the drive during sound playback, thus increasing the enjoyment in watching (and listening to) films.
3.7 Skin browser Nero ShowTime 2 makes it possible for you to adjust graphic interfaces. Select skin This shows the skins that may be selected for your Nero ShowTime 2. Click with the left mouse key on a skin and an image will appear in the preview window. Skin folder This determines the folder in which your masters are installed. Two files are required for a skin to be loaded into Nero ShowTime 2: A file ending in *.skn (such as Blue_Skin.skn) and an *.
4 Reproduce media 4.1 Video 4.1.1 Video formats supported Nero ShowTime 2 can show films in the following video formats: DVD-Video VCD / SVCD with interactive menu buttons DVD+VR/-VR miniDVD (DVD files on CD) Nero Digital (including subtitles and 5.1 channel audio) DVD-Video and (S)VCD reproduction from the hard disk MPEG-1 / MPEG-2 / MPEG-4 / AVI /DAT /DVR-MS / DV / MOV / WMV and ASF file reproduction 4.1.
the appropriate section of the DVD menu or on a number on the path at the side of the device. Normally, each DVD-Video has a menu with various options, such as selecting the language of the film, viewing bonus material and much more. These menus are independent of Nero ShowTime 2 and are therefore different on each DVDVideo. 4.1.3 Playing VCD, SVCD and miniDVDs Of course, Nero ShowTime 2 does not just play DVD-Videos, but also VCDs, SVCDs and miniDVDs.
4.2 Audio 4.2.1 Audio formats supported Nero ShowTime 2 supports the reproduction of the following audio formats: Nero Digital Audio Dolby Digital / Dolby Surround LPCM MPEG-1 MPEG-2 MPEG-4 S/PDIF output for digital sound 4.2.2 Play audio tracks Of course, Nero ShowTime 2 does not just play video files but also the most common audio formats. 1) Start Nero ShowTime 2 via 'Start' -> 'Programs' -> 'Nero' -> 'Nero Vision Express 3' -> 'Nero ShowTime' (or launch the program using Nero StartSmart).
4.3 Playlists 4.3.1 Creating and storing playlists You can load a large variety of media files in a playlist and all these files will be played by Nero ShowTime 2. The playlist compiled in this way can be stored and then loaded at a later stage, making a large number of media compilations possible. 1. Click on , select 'Media files', go to the directory containing the file and highlight the file you would like. Click on 'Add' to attach the file to the playlist, or double-click on the file. 2.
4.3.2 Loading the playlist Saved playlists let you to play the files you want easily. 1. Click on and select 'Media files'. 2. Click on 'Load list', choose the playlist to be loaded and then click on 'Open' to load the saved playlist. 3. Click on the 'OK' button to start playing and to close the window.
4.3.3 Editing the playlist You can edit saved playlists quickly and easily. 1. Click on and select 'Media files'. 2. Click on 'Load list', choose the playlist to be edited and click on 'Open' to load the saved playlist. 3. If you need to add more files, go to the directory where they are located and highlight the file you would like. Click on 'Add' to attach the file to the playlist, or double-click on the file. If you want to delete files, highlight those would like to remove and click on 'Delete'. 4.
4.4 Control during playback The following settings may be selected in full-screen or normal mode! The precise configuration depends on the information in the 'Settings' dialogue window (also see Chapter 3 'The 'Preferences' menu'). 4.4.1 Skin The Nero ShowTime 2 Skin is your main control room, where you will find all functions available during playback. The function for each individual button may be found in Chapter 2.1 'User Interface'. 4.4.
Fast forward [F] Rewind [R] Eject disk [J] Change between full-screen and normal view [Z] Makes it possible to move continuously through the film (without dividing chapters). Show playback time 4.4.3 Context menu The third option for controlling Nero ShowTime 2 during playback is provided by the context menu. To call it up, click with the right mouse key on the screen. The following menu will appear: The context menu cannot be configured and is only intended for quick control.
5 FAQ I can't find Nero ShowTime 2 under 'Start' -> 'Programs' -> 'Nero'. What's wrong? Nero ShowTime 2 is installed together with the NeroVision Express 3 installation packet. If you have only installed the Nero Burning ROM series, you can always install it later at any time. To do so, simply place the Nero 6 CD into your disk drive and install the NeroVision Express 3 packet.
6 6.1 Contact Contact Information Nero ShowTime 2 is a product from Nero AG. Nero AG Im Stoeckmaedle 18 76307 Karlsbad Germany Web: www.nero.com Help: http://englishsupport.nero.com Mail: techsupport@nero.com Fax: +49 7248 928 499 Copyright © 2003 -2005 Nero AG. All rights reserved.
7 Glossary Container format A container format defines type and structure, in other words sets out the framework for packing the file types. AIFF for audio, AVI for video, MPG for audio, video, and subtitles, etc. as well as MP4 for audio, video, and subtitles, for instance are particularly widespread containers. DRM Abbreviation of Digital Rights Management. A procedure that attempts to protect intellectual property from bootleg copying, and for making payment for licenses feasible.
MPEG Is short for Motion Picture Experts Group. This is a group of experts concerned (among other things) with standardizing audio and video compression or container formats. MPEG-1 MPEG-1 is a compression standard for video and audio files. It has been specially developed for the multimedia sector, where only a limited memory (Video CD) or restricted data rates are available. The quality roughly corresponds to that of a VHS video cassette.
Video CD In full, "Video Compact Disc". Films and audio/video data are stored on CDs using the MPEG-1 compression standard. The basis for this is also an ISO file system, and digital video films are also included. A VCD can be played by most CD-ROMs, DVD players and DVD-ROM drives with the help of software. The picture is in ratio 4:3 and the sound is in stereo. However, it is not possible to have a number of soundtracks and a selection of subtitles.
8 Index My picture jiggles 40 Formats supported Audio 34 Video 32 G General settings A Capture frame 17 About Nero ShowTime 2 5 Audio Features 6 Audio settings 29 Audio tracks DVD 20 Keyboard and mouse settings 16 OSD settings 15 Tool tips setting 19 Playing 34 Toolbar setting 18 B Bookmarks Editor 21 H Hardware Optimisation 6 C Contact 41 Control during playback I Image settings 28 Context menu 39 Skin 38 Toolbar 38 D DNC 30 DVD General settings 20 DVD-Video Playing 32 K Keyboard symbols 9 M
P Parental control 22 Playing Audio tracks 34 DVD-Video 32 miniDVD 33 Other video formats 33 SVCD 33 VCD 33 Playlist Editing 37 Loading 36 Saving 35 Programme features 6 S Skins 31 Supported formats 5 SVCD Playing 33 U User Interface 8 V VCD Playing 33 Video Features 5 Video Mode 25 Video settings 23 Nero ShowTime Index • 46
