User’s Guide Creative Sound Blaster Wireless Music Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Creative Technology Ltd. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, for any purpose without the written permission of Creative Technology Ltd.
Contents
Contents 1 Introduction Package Contents ..................................................................................................................................... Minimum System Requirements .......................................................................................................... Model Number, Serial Number and MAC Address ..................................................................... Product Registration ...................................................................
Playing a Playlist ............................................................................................................................... Playing tracks in the Now Playing List ...................................................................................... Playing tracks from an artist ........................................................................................................ Playing tracks from an album ...........................................................................
Speakers ...................................................................................................................................................... B-7 Updates ........................................................................................................................................................ B-7 C Maintenance and Safety Advice Wireless Receiver and Remote Control ......................................................................................... C-1 Batteries .........
Introduction
Introduction Thank you for choosing the Creative Sound Blaster Wireless Music.
Product Registration Enjoy a host of benefits by registering your product during installation, or at www.creative.com/register. Benefits include: ❑ Service and product support from Creative ❑ Exclusive updates on promotions and events Technical Support and Warranty Technical Support information can be found on the Installation CD. d:\support\\support.pdf Warranty information can be found on the Installation CD as well. d:\warranty\\\warranty.pdf (replace d:\ with the drive let
Your Sound Blaster Wireless Music At A Glance
Your Sound Blaster Wireless Music At A Glance Wireless Receiver 1 2 3 4 5 6 Figure 2-1: Front and rear views of the Wireless Receiver Your Sound Blaster Wireless Music At A Glance 2-1
FIND REMOTE button ❍ Activates a beeping sound from the Remote Control. Use this feature if you need to locate your Remote Control ❍ Assigns a Remote Control to a Wireless Receiver. This lets you use a Remote Control with different Wireless Receivers. See "Using Your Remote Control" on page 41 for more information.
Attaching the stand (optional) Figure 2-2: Attaching the stand to your Wireless Receiver (optional) Your Sound Blaster Wireless Music At A Glance 2-3
Remote Control 7 8 1 2 9 10 3 11 4 12 5 13 14 6 15 Figure 2-3: Front view of the Remote Control Your Sound Blaster Wireless Music At A Glance 2-4
1 MENU button ❍ Displays main menu on the LCD 2 NOW PLAYING button ❍ Displays the track details of the currently playing track. If nothing is playing, or the NOW PLAYING button is pressed a second time, the Now Playing Track List is displayed.
❍ Up and Down buttons scroll through menu options on the LCD 10 Navigation buttons ❍ Right button selects a highlighted menu option, or shows a list of additional options for the highlighted menu option ❍ Left button returns to the previous menu ❍ OK button selects a highlighted menu option. If the menu option is an artist, album, track or playlist, it is added to the Now Playing List.
LCD overview Your Sound Blaster Wireless Music At A Glance 2-7
Getting Started
Getting Started DO NOT connect your Wireless Receiver to your computer until you have installed the software. Step 1: Install Software • If your wireless router or access can be configured as a DHCP server feature, you should enable this feature. This will make it easy to add other devices (for example, another Wireless Receiver) to your wireless network. 1. Turn on your computer and make sure your wireless router or access point is set up and working properly. 2.
If your network is WEP enabled, make sure it is in Open mode. Share Key mode is not supported by Sound Blaster Wireless Music. 4. If yours is the only wireless network operating in the vicinity, the software will automatically detect and connect to it. If not, the SB Wireless Music Configuration — Network dialog box will appear. Select a network from the list available networks, and click the Next button.
10. When your computer restarts, connect your Wireless Receiver to your computer’s USB port using the supplied USB cable when you are prompted to do so.
Step 2: Add tracks to PC Music Library 1. Creative MediaSource Player/Organizer should automatically launch when your computer restarts after installation. To manually launch Creative MediaSource Player/Organizer, double-click the Creative MediaSource Player/Organizer icon (Figure 3-3) on your desktop. Figure 3-3 2. If you are not already in Creative MediaSource Organizer, click the Player/ Organizer View button. 3. On the Task bar, click the Import button, and select Import Tracks.
Step 3: Set up Wireless Receiver 1. Decide where you would like to place your Wireless Receiver. For optimum performance, make sure your Wireless Receiver is placed on a flat surface that is at least 50 cm (20 inches) from the floor, and where there is minimum obstruction between your Wireless Receiver and your wireless router or access point. 2. Connect your Wireless Receiver to speakers or a home stereo system (both available separately).
Optical input connector of 2 or 2.1 channel speakers Optical cable (available separately) Figure 3-5: Connecting 2.
Connecting to a home stereo system • On your home stereo system, connect the RCA cable to either the CD inputs or the auxiliary inputs (or other inputs if these are unavailable). • When you turn on your home stereo system, make sure that the stereo receiver or AV Amplifier is in the correct input mode. For example, make sure you select auxilliary mode if your Wireless Receiver is connectied the auxiliaryinputs.
Optical input connector of a stereo receiver or AV Amplifier Optical cable (available separately) Figure 3-7: Connecting a home stereo system to the OPTICAL OUT connector of your Wireless Receiver Getting Started 3-8
3. Connect your Wireless Receiver to a power outlet using the supplied power adapter, and turn on the power outlet if necessary.
Step 4: Play Music 1. Insert three AA batteries into the Remote Control.. Make sure your Remote Control is no more than 10 meters (33 feet) when you set up and use your Remote Control. Figure 3-9: Inserting batteries into the Remote Control 2. Press the Power button on your Remote Control. Your Remote Control is automatically assigned to your Wireless Receiver if you have only one Wireless Receiver installed on your wireless network.
4. Press the Volume buttons on your Remote Control to increase or decrease the volume. For more information about using the Remote Control, see "Using Your Remote Control" on page 4-1.
Using Your Remote Control
Using Your Remote Control Selecting Menu Options Using Multiple Wireless Receivers You can use the Navigation buttons to scroll and select menu options. For example, if you are in the Now Playing List menu: 1. Press the Up and Down down the menu. buttons to scroll up and 2. Press the Right button or OK button to select a highlighted menu option, or show a list of additional options for the highlighted menu option. 3. Press the Left menu.
Playing Music Playing a Favorite Playlist The easiest way to play a Favorite Playlist is to press one of the FAVORITES buttons. Alternatively, you can select a Favorite Playlist from the Favorite Playlists menu. To select a Favorite Playlist from the Favorite Playlists menu 1. Press the MENU button. 2. Scroll to the Favorite Playlists option and press the Right button. 3.
You can use the SB Wireless Music Application to configure Smart Playlist preferences (see "Configuring Smart Playlist preferences" on page 5-2). For more information about using the SB Wireless Music Application, refer to its online help. Playing a Playlist 1. Press the MENU button. 2. Scroll to the Music Library option and press the Right button. 3. Scroll to the Playlist option and press the Right 4.
Playing tracks from an album Playing tracks from a genre 5. Scroll to an artist and press the Play button to start play back, or press and hold the Play button to add all tracks from the selected artist to the Now Playing List. To view the albums listed under the highlighted artist, press the Right button or OK button. 1. Press the MENU button. 2. Scroll to the Music Library option and press the Right button. 3. Scroll to the Album option and press the Right 4.
Playing a track Playing all tracks Viewing the Now Playing List 1. Press the MENU button. 2. Scroll to the Music Library option and press the Right 3. Scroll to the All Tracks option and press the Right 4. Scroll to the first letter of the track you want to play and press the Right button or OK button. If the track starts with a number or punctuation mark, scroll to 0-9 and press the Right button or OK button. 5.
Setting Play Modes Press the MODE button to toggle between the following play modes: • Normal Resumes playing tracks in sequence. • Shuffle Plays all tracks in the Now Playing List in random order. When you select this play mode, the Shuffle icon will appear on the LCD. • Repeat All Repeats all tracks in the Now Playing List. When you select this play mode, the Repeat All icon will appear on the LCD. • Shuffle/Repeat All Plays and repeats a random track in the Now Playing List.
Checking Battery Status The LCD may display one of the following icons to indicate the battery status: ❍ Batteries are full ❍ Batteries are 60% full ❍ Batteries are 30% full ❍ Replace your batteries as soon as you can Using Your Remote Control 4-7
Configuring Settings
Configuring Settings You can configure settings using the SB Wireless Music Application. For more information about using SB Wireless Music Application, refer to its online help. To launch the SB Wireless Music Application Click Start -> Programs or All Programs -> Creative -> SB Wireless Music -> SB Wireless Music Application. Configuring Your Wireless Receiver 1. In the SB Wireless Music Application, click the Settings button. 2. Click the SB Wireless Music Device tab. 3.
Configuring Smart Playlist preferences 1. In the SB Wireless Music Application, click the Smart Playlist button. 2. In the Smart Playlist Manager dialog box, click the New button to create a new Smart Playlist. Figure 5-2 Configuring FAVORITES buttons 3. Enter a name for your Smart Playlist in the Smart Playlist Name box. 4. Select your preferences and click the OK button. 5.
3. Assign playlists to the FAVORITES buttons from the list box of each button. Figure 5-3 4. Click the OK button.
About Music Files
About Music Files Overview You can download music files from Internet music sites, or "rip" music files from audio CDs to your computer. Music files that you add to the Wireless Music Application must, however, be MP3 or WMA files. MP3 and WMA files are music files that have lossy compression encoding, which means that some data is lost during compression. However, using standard sampling rates and bitrates will ensure that these music files retain much of their audio quality.
The time needed for a successful audio extraction depends on: ❑ CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive speed ❑ defects, like scratches on the audio CD ❑ error-checking features on the CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive To rip an audio CD using Creative MediaSource Organizer 1. Insert an audio CD into your CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive. 2. Launch Creative MediaSource Organizer by clicking the Creative MediaSource Player/Organizer icon on your desktop. 3.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions This section covers common problems you might encounter or questions you might have while using your player. If you have a technical problem with this product, you may wish to consult our self-help tool “Knowledgebase” for online troubleshooting and solutions. Go to www.creative.com and select your region.
Why does a Hardware Installation error message appears on a Windows XP operating system during installation? At the time of this product's release, Microsoft strongly encouraged companies to submit their hardware solutions for certification. If a hardware device driver is not submitted, or does not qualify, for Microsoft certification, a warning message similar to the one shown here, appears. You may see the message when installing this driver. If you do, you may choose to click the Continue Anyway button.
Why do I have to enter configuration settings during installation? Sound Blaster Wireless Music is designed to be easy to install. Configuration-free installation is possible when: ❑ yours is the only wireless network operating in the vicinity ❑ your wireless router or access point is operating in default mode, where WEP encryption is disabled and beacon message is enabled Operation My computer does not have an audio card.
How do I know if my Wireless Receiver is connected to my wireless network? The Info menu displays the IP address of your Wireless Receiver. The only difference between this IP address and the IP address of the computer that the SB Wireless Music Server is running on, is the last number. For example, the IP address of your Wireless Receiver can be 192.168.1.100, whilst the IP address of the computer that the SB Wireless Music Server is running on is 192.168.1.101.
How many Wireless Receivers can I use on a wireless network? A wireless network can support up to four Wireless Receivers playing at the same time. Additional Wireless Receivers may be installed provided that not more than four are playing at the same time. How do I reset my Wireless Receiver? For normal operation, you only need to set your Wireless Receiver to standby using the Remote Control.
Server is running. The system tray is usually located at the bottom right corner of your desktop. ❑ Make sure your computer and your Wireless Receiver are within transmission range of your wireless router or access point ❑ Make sure your Wireless Receiver is connected to the wireless network. ❑ If using static IP address, make sure that there is no IP address conflict with another computer or device How do I reset my Remote Control? Remove your Remote Control’s batteries, and then re-insert them.
Speakers What type of speakers should I use? You can connect any amplified digital or analog 2 or 2.1 channel speaker system. For high-quality sound, we recommend the following Creative I-Trigue™ range of speakers: ❑ Creative I-Trigue 2.1 L3300 ❑ Creative I-Trigue L3500 ❑ Creative I-Trigue L3450 The availability of Creative speakers varies from country to country. Check www.creative.com/speakers or your local Creative office/distributor for details.
Maintenance and Safety Advice
Maintenance and Safety Advice Wireless Receiver and Remote Control ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Store away from direct sunlight. Do not expose to heat or fire. Avoid using or storing in surroundings that exceed 45°C (113°F). Keep away from excessive moisture. Do not subject to excessive force or impact. Do not modify or disassemble. Only clean the product with a soft dry cloth. Do not use liquid cleaners. Only qualified personnel should repair or service the product. Remember to set the volume at a moderate level.
Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications Wireless Receiver Standards ❑ IEEE 802.11b Interface ❑ USB 1.1 port for Wireless Receiver installation and configuration ❑ Two RCA jacks for analog output ❑ Optical connector for optical SPDIF output Antenna ❑ Built-in antenna (2.4 GHz) ❑ Built-in antenna (433 MHz — 924 MHz) Frequency Band (802.11) ❑ 2.412 GHz — 2.472 GHz Frequency Band (RF Remote Control) ❑ US (FCC): 906 MHz, 910 MHz, 917 MHz, 924 MHz ❑ Europe (CE): 433.3 MHz, 433.7 MHz, 434.1 MHz, 434.
❑ Outdoors: Up to 150 meters (492 feet) at 11 Mbps, subject to the signal strength of your wireless network Playback Formats ❑ MPEG Audio Layer 3 (MP3) and Windows Media Audio (WMA) Power Adapter ❑ 6VAC 1.5A adaptor Remote Control LCD ❑ 132 x 64 pixel backlit display Antenna ❑ Built-in antenna (433 MHz — 924 MHz) Frequency Band ❑ US (FCC): 906 MHz, 910 MHz, 917 MHz, 924 MHz ❑ Europe (CE): 433.3 MHz, 433.7 MHz, 434.1 MHz, 434.
Glossary
Glossary Ad-hoc mode A small peer-to-peer network mode, in which wireless clients are connected to each other directly without using an access point. Some of the wireless clients are part of the network for a limited duration. They are also in close proximity with the rest of the network. According to the IEEE 802.11b specification, Ad-hoc mode is referred to as an independent basic service set.
Encryption A procedure to convert a file from its original form to one that can be read only by the intended recipient. IEEE 802.11 A family of wireless network standards, which includes 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11e, and 802.11g. The original 802.11 standard was first approved in 1997 but was not very successful because it was relatively slow at 2 Mbps. IEEE 802.11b A high-bit wireless network standard that works on the 2.4 GHz band and utilizes DSSS (direct sequence spread spectrum) technology.
LAN (Local Area Network) A computer network that spans a relatively small area. Most LANs are confined to an office, single building, or group of buildings. MAC (Media Access Control) address A unique number that is assigned by manufacturers to each Ethernet network device. A MAC address lets a network identify Ethernet network devices at the hardware level. Router A hardware device that connects two separately functional networks using the same or different protocols.
Wi-Fi Wi-Fi is promoted by the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA). It places a stamp of certification on wireless products that are interoperable with other 802.11b compliant products.