Microsoft Media Center Remote Installation Guide



If you are considering an HDTV tuner and want to use it with either MCE 2005 or Vista Media Center, you owe it to yourself to also invest in a Media Center remote. Designed specifically for use in either of Microsoft's Media Center's, it's a tough install, you plug the IR receiver into an available USB port on your Media Center PC. That's just about it, unless you want to record from a satellite or cable box. Then you actually have to do a little set up work in Media Center. I've laid out those step below. Before we get into that, let me list the reasons spending under $35 for Media Center remote is a good deal:

  • You can use the remote from at least 30' away, and it doesn't have to be pointed directly at the IR receiver if your under 20'.

  • The IR receiver has a 10' cord so it can be placed far from the PC.

  • The remote can learn to power on/off the TV from the TV's remote and can learn volume up/down from your sound systems remote.

  • You can go from the desktop directly to "Recorded TV", "Live TV", or "TV Guide" with the press of one button.

  • The included IR blasters will change channels on a satellite or cable box for analog TV.

  • The remote can also be used to control other Media Center applications such as the DVD's and music.



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    OK, here's the routine for using the Media Center remote for a satellite or cable box.

    First, you need to have an analog capable PC TV tuner installed on your PC. Be sure it has video composite (the yellow RCA plug) or S-Video input and audio input (either red & white RCA or 1/8" jack). You will need to connect these to the appropriate cable/satellite box outputs. You may need to buy a cable with 1/8" on one end and red/white RCA on the other. You can get them at Radio Shack.

    Now, plug the two IR blasters from the Media Center remote package into the back of the IR receiver and place them close to the cable/satellite box remote control sensor one above and one below. There are sticky pads on the sensors that will adhere to the box (see pic below)



    Now you are ready to do the software setup. There are a lot of steps here, but it's really a simple process.

    #1

    Go into Media Center and run TV setup. When you get to the following message, select the "manually configure" option.



    #2

    Select cable or satellite based on your situation.



    #3

    You'll get these instructions.



    #4

    Next, based on how your set top box outputs the video signal to the PC TV tuner, select the correct one on the list. Media Center will try to automatically find the correct selection. Once selected, you should see a picture in the small box as shown. If not check your connections.



    #5

    Select Yes here.



    #6

    Now Media Center will try to sync codes with the remote so it can send the correct signal to the IR Blasters to change channels.



    #7

    At this point you'll need the remote for the satellite/cable set-top box. Press and hold the "0" while pointing it at the Media Center IR receiver (it's the one connected to your PC's USB port)



    #8

    Now it will either recognize the set-top box and you will see the following message or it won't and you will see the message displayed on #15. So if it didn't recognize it, go there now. Otherwise continue to #9.



    #9

    Now it will need to know how many numbers to "blast".



    #10

    It needs to know if you have to also blast an "enter" command.



    #11

    It now needs you to enter a valid TV station number with the Media Center Remote or your PC's keyboard. It will then blast that number and hopefully the picture in the small box will change to that station. If it changed correctly, answer the appropriately otherwise you may need to adjust the IR blasters. You should see red light flashes when it's blasting.



    #12

    Now it's time to fine tune the timing on the blasting. As it says on the screen, use the channel up/down at least 6 times to see if the channel changes correctly. If it does answer the prompt appropriately and the blast sequence will be set to fast. If not, the next iteration it will be set to medium, then slow. I would suggest that if it works on fast, you still answer "did not change correctly" and get it to set to medium. I have had my tuner miss some changes on fast even though it worked for the test.



    #13

    This screen tells you what the blaster speed is to.



    #14

    That completes the Media center Remote setup sequence. Now you can set up the guide for your particular satellite/cable company, if you haven't already. That's it. You can now record and view TV programs from your cable or satellite set-top box.

    Enjoy!





    #15

    You'll only come here if Media Center does not recognize your cable/satellite box. That means you'll have a little extra work to do, so select "Learn set-top box codes" and get started.



    #16

    OK be prepared to punch buttons on your satellite/cable box remote several times. Get real close to the Media Center Remote receiver and point the remote at it.



    #17

    First it needs to know if you have to press enter to change stations after you enter the channel number.



    #18

    Now just follow the prompts on the screen. It will have you press and hold all numbers (0-9) and the channel up/down buttons at least twice.



    #19

    This is what you'll see when you finish. Now go back to #9 and follow from the sequence from there.



    Get a Microsoft Media Center Remote w/IR blasters here for $21.99

    You'll also help support this site.
    THANK YOU!


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