Media Center Remote Guide

Microsoft Media Center Remote Guide

Created February 3, 2010

One thing you'll need to complete your Media Center PC setup is a compatible remote. Some PC tuners include a remote, but most only work with the included software, which is many cases is inferior to Microsoft Media Center. A Media Center remote will cost $15 and up depending on features.

All Media Center remotes will have the following features:

Special Media Center buttons:

Media Center Button – starts the Media Center app and/or brings up the main Media Center screen
Recorded TV – brings up list of recorded TV programs
Guide – starts TV Program listings screen
Live TV – starts real time TV on last viewed channel
DVD Menu – starts DVD Menu screen
Back Button – return to previous screen
PC button – puts PC into or takes it out of sleep mode (from this state Media Center can “wake up” the PC to record previously scheduled TV shows)

Other more DVR like Buttons:

Play
Stop
Record
Fast Forward
Rewind
Skip (30 second skip forward by default)
Replay (15 second rewind by default)
Volume (up/down)
Channel (up/down)
Mute
Numbers (0-9, *, #)

Some are learning remotes and will tuner on/off a TV or other devices and control volume of other devices such as a audio tuner. Others have the ability to be a remote mouse. Others have extended range. Others include IR blasters for changing channels on a set-top box (go HERE for instructions on how to set up Media Center Remote IR blasters).

Included with all remotes is a IR receive that "receives" the transmitted commands from the remote. It plugs into a USB port on your PC. Windows (XP, Vista and Win 7) will automatically install the IR receiver drivers, no CD required.

Remotes are normally good from 20 feet or so from the IR receiver.

Below are some examples of the different remotes and their features.

This is your basic Media Center remote with standard features only

This is basically a standard remote, but also has mouse capability

This remote has a mouse ball, but no other extra features

This a one of the few Media Center learning remotes but has no mouse capability

Need extra range? This remote work up to 60 feet, thru walls and door. Otherwise it's a stock Media Center Remote.

The remote has IR blasters for remote control of a set-top box, but no mouse or learning capability. For how to setup IR blasters, go HERE.

The Logitech Harmony 670 is a programmable remote that is designed for DVRs and can control up to 15 devices (including Media Center of course). You will need a PC IR receiver for it to work with Media Center. Probably the best way to get a IR receiver is to buy a cheap Media Center remote, like the first one above, use the receiver part and save the remote itself as a backup. The Harmony 670 is what I use for my main Media Center, and I love it.

NOTE: This link (click on the remote below) is for a refurbished 670. A new one will run over $100.