Remotes
Microsoft Media Center remotes
MC13 introduced support for Microsoft MC remotes. These typically have a Green Button that starts Media Center (J. River or Microsoft).
Please see this thread for more information.
MC14 added support for HID devices as remotes. These include keyboards and some MS MC remotes. IR blaster support was also added, so that MC can send IR signals to control other devices. This could be used to turn receivers and set top boxes on or off, for example, or to change the volume on a receiver.
Universal remotes
You can add a generic IR (Infrared) receiver to your PC, and control Media Center with any universal remote.
- You can use a universal remote with Media Center to control the selection and playback of music. A remote like the Sony RM-VL900 will work. You need to have an Infrared receiver like the USBUIRT, UIRT2, RedRat, or IRMan, which will connect to your PC with a serial or USB cable. MC has a custom setup screen in Tools> Options> Remote Control. Alternatively, Media Center supports the Microsoft MCE Remote Control and Keyboad natively, setup instructions are located here.
- You can set up Media Center to use it. This is done in the Remote Control section of the Options menu. You can configure Media Center to "learn" the IR signals for each button on the remote. Be sure you've set MC to "auto advance" -- then each time you press the highlighted button (volume up, for example), the program will advance to the next. Some commands require parameters -- playlist names, for example.
Once you've finished the process, you're ready to sit back and use the remote. Just be sure to point it at the IR receiver.
Associated links:
Software Remotes
MC can be controlled by other programs. Several third party solutions are available:
- NetRemote from Promixis
- [1] MusicLobby from Cinemaronline
- XPTunes
- Rivermote from Melloware
- HTTP Remote Control from GrantDG
Please see the Third Party board for more information.