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Can someone demystify the confusion I have regarding remotes to work with Vista Media Centre?
I recently purchase a TV tuner and the remote control that came with it doesn't work with Media Centre. So I sent the card back. I've ordered a Hauppauge 2200 but I'm led to believe that this won't work with MC either!
So, I do a bit of research and find there are special media centre remotes , but I also discovered the remote Microsoft Make is being discontinued. WTF is going on here??? Seems absolutely crazy as these TV tuners have "VISTA" plastered over the box. To make me more confused I see the logitec "universal" remotes aren't listed as MCE remotes. Does this mean they don't work with MCE?
I'm a simply guy. I want to buy a single remote to use with my PC running Vista Ultimate. I only want to use Windows Media Centre. I don't want to use the software that comes bundled with the TV tuner.
Will the "LOGITECH HARMONY 525 UNIVERSAL REMOTE" work? If not will ANY of the logitech UNIVERSAL remotes work?
- Generally, the remotes that come with tuner cards are designed to work with the card's own software & not Media Center. The HVR-2200 doesn't have a remote (does it? I've got 2, but can't remember). Some work with Media Center (as do remotes that come with some cases), but their reliability is questionable (they have their own codes & those codes are translated in to the MCE codes to work MCE/VMC).
- The MS remote comes with a USB receiver - this is the crucial bit. Harmony remotes will work with this receiver (but are useless without it).
- Try the Hauppauge MCE Remote - it's meant to be a genuine clone of the MS remote (i.e. no translation).
Justin
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VMC32: Asus M3N78-EMH HDMI, 4850e, TMG A2 CPU Cooler, 2x1GB Kingston HyperX 800, 2 x HVR-2200 (4 tuners), 500GB Samsung, NSK2480B. Connected to a Metz 32 inch LCD.
Office/Server: Abit A-N78HD, BE-2350, 2x1GB Kingston HyperX 800, 2 x AverTV Duo (4 tuners), CoolerMaster Centurion 5 Tower.
The following Member(s) said "Thank You!" to logifuse for this information:
- Generally, the remotes that come with tuner cards are designed to work with the card's own software & not Media Center. The HVR-2200 doesn't have a remote (does it? I've got 2, but can't remember). Some work with Media Center (as do remotes that come with some cases), but their reliability is questionable (they have their own codes & those codes are translated in to the MCE codes to work MCE/VMC).
- The MS remote comes with a USB receiver - this is the crucial bit. Harmony remotes will work with this receiver (but are useless without it).
- Try the Hauppauge MCE Remote - it's meant to be a genuine clone of the MS remote (i.e. no translation).
Justin
Hi Justin,
Thanks for your reply. The issue I have with the Microsoft Remote is it will only work for MCE. I would prefer to have a single remote as I have about 7 at the moment. The Apple TV is the worst, it's tiny and we loose it daily!
Any idea of the Logictech "universal" remotes? I also have other Hi-Fi gear so would be good if i could just get a single remote..
EDIT: OK I've just twigged that the Harmony remotes ARE the logitech remotes. Sorry didn't realise that until just now. So you are saying, the Microsoft Remote comes with the USB IR receiver which the Logictech/harmony remote needs to work?
That leads me to the question; can I just buy a IR receiver and get the harmony remote to go with it?????
Done some more research and it seems that the best route is the following.
1. Buy the Microsoft Remote stick it in you sock draw.
2. Plug in the Microsoft IR receiver
3. Buy any Harmony remote and control ALL my devices then throw the all my remaining remotes in the sock draw.
The remote is perfect. Everything works for Vista Media Centre, it also has a joystick l/r mouse buttons so controls vista as well. Can not fault it. Plugs into USB no software it just works!
Regards,
Bill
The following Member(s) said "Thank You!" to bb.db for this information:
That DigitalNow remote looks really good - how easy is it to use as a mouse?
AFAIK, it has it's own set of codes, so an MS keyboard or Harmony confgured as an MCE remote won't work with it (just noting). I remember a few people being down on the performance of the mouse when it came out - might have improved since.
Justin
__________________
VMC32: Asus M3N78-EMH HDMI, 4850e, TMG A2 CPU Cooler, 2x1GB Kingston HyperX 800, 2 x HVR-2200 (4 tuners), 500GB Samsung, NSK2480B. Connected to a Metz 32 inch LCD.
Office/Server: Abit A-N78HD, BE-2350, 2x1GB Kingston HyperX 800, 2 x AverTV Duo (4 tuners), CoolerMaster Centurion 5 Tower.
I use the joy-stick mouse to copy files to the MPC, and minor tasks. It is slow, but allows minor tasks easily from the remote. I remove the remote and plug in a wireless keyboard for serious stuff.
- Try the Hauppauge MCE Remote - it's meant to be a genuine clone of the MS remote (i.e. no translation).
I'm looking at the Hauppauge MCE remote as well for my VMC machine, but do you know whether it allows the TV and Vol-Up and Vol-Down to be reprogrammed (like the MS MCE remote)?
