Media Center Remote Instructions

Install J. River Media Center

• Download J. River Media Center (Version 14.0.65 or above)

• Set MC to start Media Server on Windows startup for (only) the user you will run it as. MC/Tools/Options/Startup/Windows Startup.

• In Media Center, choose Tools / Options / Remote control dialog. Make sure the transceiver device you are using is activated -- check it in the list of devices. The "MCE Remote" device is selected by default and will handle Microsoft and most compatible transceiver devices.

Choose the Wizard

• From the first page of MC's Tools/Options/Remote Control, choose Next. You will be stepped through the process of adding the ability to control your amplifier or TV. If you don't do this, the Media Center Remote will still be able to control Media Center when in Theater View.

You will need to mount the emitter over the IR receiver on your amp or TV if you want MC to control it.

Or Edit a Single Command

• In Media Center, choose Tools / Options / Remote control dialog. Make sure the transceiver device you are using is activated -- check it in the list of devices. The "MCE Remote" device is selected by default and will handle Microsoft and most compatible transceiver devices.

• The command list has commonly used commands in Media Center, such as music listening, and TV and video viewing.

• You can add new commands, or you can delete or rename existing ones to make the list suit your needs.

• Each command in the list may be assigned to a single button on your Universal Remote.

• To do this, click the "Start Learning" button in the dialog. The text on this button will change to "Stop Learning" and the top command in the list will show "Learning..." in the right-hand column.

• Press the button on the remote that corresponds to the command. The word "Learning" text be replaced by the learned code, and the next command will be ready to learn.

• If you don't want to learn a command, click on the next command in the list that you'd like to learn.

• When you're done, click the "Stop Learning" button.

• You can modify the actions performed by a command. By default, most commands will execute a single "MCC" command within Media Center such as "Play", "Pause", "Mute", or "Fast forward".

Troubleshooting

When you plug the USB cable in, Windows should be able to install the device. When it finishes, you should see "eHome Infrared Receiver installed".

Point the remote at the receiver and press a button. If it blinks once, the hardware is working. If you see a solid red light, it is not working.

If it is not working, go to Control Panel/System/Hardware/Device Manager. Under "Universal Serial Bus controllers", delete the entry for "eHome Infrared Receiver". Then unplug the USB cable from the PC, wait a few seconds, and plug it back in.

HP has an XP trouble shooting page that may also be helpful.

On Vista and Windows 7, no device driver should be required.

If Windows Media Center starts when you press the Green Button, you can check the box under Theater View options called "Disable Windows Media Center ..."

You may also need to enable one or more devices under MC options for Remote Control. Try MCE Remote and HID first.

Tips and Tricks

• If a command does not function when Media Center is not in focus you can create a new command to use the Core Command system. (Tools-->Options-->Remote Control-->Commands-->Add-->custom-->Add Run)

Some commands may require a restart of Media Center/Media Server to become active.

Example: (Volume Up 1%)

Executable Filename: MC17.exe

Parameters: /MCC 10018, 1

Questions?

Please post here.

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