Is there a Remote that "Just Works"? (1 Viewer)

[jluvs2ride]

I have an Ortek VRC 1100 that I am trying to make work, but I'll throw it away in a heartbeat if there is something else that "just works". I had been using an ancient ATI All in Wonder RFI remote that worked fine but wanted to move toward a Logitech Harmony 300 Remote. Something IR based rather than RFI.

With the new remote I can navigate the menues in MP but once something is playing, I have no control. I have searched the forum but found nothing that appeared to be the solution.

I have the IR dongle installed on the PC running Windows 7 64 ultimate and I have the latest Media Portal installed. The red led in the reciever responds to commands from the VRC 1100, but doesn't seem to respond to commands from my harmony (not the one I intend to use with the HTPC). Is the IR reciever designed only to talk to the VRC 1100 or if I program the remote as an MCE remote should they talk?

I had originally intended to just use the IR Reciever and program whatever remote would work into the Logitech Harmony 300, but since the IR reciever doesn't seem to respond, I am somewhat at a loss.

Thanks.

 

[ryan20021982]

Standard Microsoft MCE remotes work perfect have 3 htpc's of my own and built around 10 for others and all use standard MCE remotes. The real Microsoft ones are the nicest I think because of the backlight and the option to program the volume buttons to control your a/v receiver volume.

 

[DieBagger]

Yeah I also use the WMC Remote without problems...

 

[jluvs2ride]

Yeah I also use the WMC Remote without problems...

Nice, but...
1. Can you still get these?
2. Can I program my Logitech to emulate one?
3. Will I need to get a new IR receiver?

Thanks.

 

[DieBagger]

Amazon.com: Windows 7 Vista XP Media Center MCE PC Remote Control and Infrared Receiver for Home, Premium and Ultimate Edition: Electronics

Although I have no idea if this one works as well as the old xp mce I have. IR receiver is included in both.

Edit: What about http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Con...8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1290540128&sr=1-8 ?

 

[jluvs2ride]

Edit: What about Amazon.com: Microsoft Remote Control and Receiver for Media Center PC with Windows (A9O-00007): Electronics ?

I actually have one of these and have been trying to get it to work.

 

[ryan20021982]

Ebay theres are tons of em

 

[kiwijunglist]

search ebay for "HP MCE Remote" this works out of the box for both XP Pro SP3 and Vista/Win7. No drivers to install just plug in and go.

This is the one I use

NEW HP MCE /REMOTE CONTROL /USB IR RECEIVER /IR Emitter - eBay (item 280341679823 end time Nov-25-10 01:52:03 PST)

I'm sure the other ones with the same receiver but slightly different remote should be ok, but the above version with that specific remote branded as linksys or the other version that has exactly the same buttons but has HP written on it are guaranteed to work perfectly with no setup.

If you can get hold of the genuine ones they are better, for reasons posted above (ability to send IR signal to AV receiver to directly control vol / power on+off the receiver and backlight). However they don't make the old style genuine ones anymore. I actually use lmremote to blast a vol+/- signal to the receiver when i press the vol button on the remote, and also blast on/off signal when i press the mute button.

This one is the genuine one, but as you can see they have no stock because they don't sell it anymore -> Amazon.com: Microsoft Remote Control and Receiver for Media Center PC with Windows (A9O-00007): Electronics

 

[jluvs2ride]

Ok, just bought the Linksys/HP remote off EBay. We'll see how t works. I take it I just select MCE remote in MP

 

[revs]

Your logitech harmony should work with no issues - just set it up so that it thinks its controlling Windows Media Centre - then it will emulate the MCE remote.

I have a Harmony 555 and its working perfectly.