MCE Remote tutorial (1 Viewer)

[JiRo]

0. Introduction

Some time trying to optimize Media Portal installation, especially the client. Initially, I came along that way a comprehensive solution, now focuses primarily on the maximum simplicity and compactness. Therefore I also gave up using EventGhost and gradually I came to the solution, except when MediaPortal and its native utilities for remote control functions do not use anything else. In the course of, among other things, I studied a wide range of texts, descriptions and instructions. I know that MCE remote issues are discussed. And so I would like to introduce all of my experiences.

My configuration:

The client is installed on the Mini-ITX PC with Atom 330 + ION, Windows 7 Professional. Installed MediaPortal 1.2. USB IR receiver is MCE compatible. Remote is Logitech Harmony One. Described solution, however, can be largely implemented (practically except mouse emulation) on any MCE compatible remote control.

My solution is based on:

• simple edit ehome infrared driver mapping tables
• MP Tray utility
• modify "MCE Remote.xml" mapping file
• windows hotkey user definition
• using free charge items only (except HW)

My solution allows me:

• very quick reaction to remote commands
• fully remapping functions and buttons without the need for additional program (EventGhost, Girder, HIP, IRSS, ...)
• remote control mouse emulation (movement in 8 directions)
• emulation of the classic keyboard on the remote control, including a combination of input buttons and shortcut keys (Ctrl, Alt, Win)
• special functions (MediaPortal emergency restart, MediaPortal temporary hiding and acces to Windows desktop and many, many others) activated from remote control

I wrote about my solution here. I have received many questions and so I decided to write a little tutorial called "MCE Remote tutorial".

1. MCE IR receiver

Standard MCE receiver (generally tansceiver/receiver) has standard USB interface. After connecting to PC with Windows 7 system automaticaly install set of drivers with functionalities (see attached picture MCE remote tutorial-mce-ir-drivers.jpg):

• Microsoft eHome Infrared Transceiver - transmiting IR commands
• Microsoft eHome MCIR 109 Keyboard - receving IR keyboard with enhanced keys
• Microsoft eHome MCIR Keyboard - receiving IR keyboard
• Microsoft eHome Remote Control Keyboard keys - processing mapped IR remote control commands to keyboard keys
• HID-compliant mouse - processing mapped IR remote control/keyboard commands to mouse controls
• eHome Infrared Receiver (USBCIR) - receiving IR commands

Key features of MediaPortal is the correct processing of remote controls and any other devices (if applicable) that communicate via IR interface.

2. MCE IR input devices

There are many MCE IR input devices. They can be divided into two groups:

• simply devices - simply and non programmable remote control (standard MCE remote control), basic keybord
• compound devices - combined and/or programmable remote controls (for example Logitech Harmony family), combined keyboards

Compound device can generate commands more device types. In addition, simply devices (remote control) can use the mapping technique (defined in eHome Infrared Receiver) and generate (internaly) not only standard remote commands, but also emulate keyboard commands. Using of all of these combinations allows to define a range of mapping and emulation functions on many levels:

• at input devices level - combined and/or programmable input devices (remote control)
• at eHome Infrared Receiver (USBCIR) driver level - driver mapping table
• at Remote control MediaPortal plugin level - MCE Remote.xml file

Yes I know, there are another solutions with embedded applications (EventGhost, Girder, HIP, IRSS, ...). But as I wrote in the introduction, I wanted to avoid this solution. In the following description of the solution then we will be without them. (BTW I know them very well, I used EventGhost two years).

3. Processing of input commands

...will be continue...

 

[JiRo]

Hi community,

today I returned to my idea, to write small MCE Remote tutorial. An updated version of chapter 0. Introduction and new chapters 1. MCE IR receiver and 2. MCE IR input devices can be found in the 1st post of this thread.

JiRo.

P.S. Other chapters will follow soon...