Archive:List of MCE remote controls: Difference between revisions

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This is a (probably futile) attempt to keep up with the vast range of MCE remotes out there, and give some indication of how well they work with XBMC.
This is a (probably futile) attempt to keep up with the vast range of MCE remotes out there, and give some indication of how well they work with Kodi.
 
This article assumes you are using build 26407 or later of XBMC. Earlier builds don't have the support for MCE remotes built in.


If you are adding a review please try to be as detailed as possible about the remote. For example:
If you are adding a review please try to be as detailed as possible about the remote. For example:
<ul>
  <li>What operating systems and versions of XBMC have you tested on</li>
  <li>Does the remote send keystrokes or is it MS compatible?</li>
  <li>If it's MS compatible have you tested reconfiguring it using the registry and did this work?</li>
</ul>
The article groups the Microsoft compatible remotes together first, as these are most configurable when you're using them with XBMC. Other than this there's no significance to the order of the reviews.
== Microsoft Media Center Remote Control ==
Original and best! I don't know if Microsoft still sell them, but there are usually lots available on eBay. They tend to be a bit expensive but they are well made and highly configurable.
[[Image:microsoftlearningremote.jpg]]
There are several versions of this remote:
- Microsoft (Microsoft Logo at bottom of remote and on receiver)
[[Image:mcelearningsmalla.jpg]] (Microsoft)
- Microsoft with Teletext (Microsoft Logo at bottom of remote and on receiver) plus Red,Green,Yellow,Blue and a 'teletext' button.
[[Image:mceteletextsmall.jpg]] (Microsoft with Teletext)
- Dell (No Logos on remote or receiver and no TV standby or volume learning ability)
[[Image:remote-microsoft.jpg]] (Dell - No Learning)
All these variants of the MS remote will work out of the box with XBMC Live, though with a standard Linux install you'll need to install and configure Lirc. To get it to work on Windows you need to configure it to simulate key-presses. See [[Using a Microsoft remote control in Windows]] for details.
{| border="1"
|-
! remote
! wake on USB?
! multi-device control?
! volume learning?
! universal-remote code available?
! IR transmit?
! linux/osx/windows?
|-
| Microsoft
| ?
| N*
| Y
| ?
| ?
| all
|-
| MS w/ Teletext
| ?
| N*
| Y
| ?
| ?
| all
|-
| Dell
| ?
| N
| N
| ?
| ?
| all
|}
== AIM RC6 Media Center Remote Control ==
AIM, Ahead In Multimeadia is a registered trademark of Formosa21 Inc. This is a Microsoft Windows Media Center compatible remote control labeled (RC6) for Windows 7 32bit and 64bit as well. Model Number: RC118 other compatible models made by the same company are RC125 and RC126, which use the same hardware but with different button layout. The receiver Model number: IR605A 
[[Image:Remote_pic_wiki.jpg]]
RC6 remotes is the best you can buy specially after Microsoft's own remote was discontinued; there are so many cheap/clone remotes but spending a few more bucks should leave you satisfied.
This RC6 remote like any other RC6 Microsoft Certified remote will work with any Windows platforum that was released after Windows XP. It's certified for Windows 7 32bit or 64bit. I can not confirm that it works with Linux, but in Maplin's Questions section someone confirmed that it works with Linux and it's detected as an lirc_mceusb2 device.
This Remote is fully comaptible with Microsofts eHome default Driver "Microsoft eHome Infrared Transceiver" no additional drivers required, it will be automatically detected and installed by Windows. It has a dedicated [http://xbmccustomregis.sourceforge.net/index.html website] that has all the required setup files available, the .reg file on site should work with any compatible RC6 MCE remote. by using the latest config.reg file all the buttons work in XBMC.
All buttons are capable of sending IR WM_APPCOMMANDS or Keystrokes, fully configurable.
== HP MCE Remote ==
[[Image:hpremote.jpg]] (Older)
[[Image:HPRemotenewer.jpg‎]] (Newer)
Both versions are compatible with the Microsoft remote, and the .reg files used to reconfigure the MS remote will also work with the HP remote.
On Windows XP Pro SP3 the receiver was recognised and installed automatically. There are reports that Windows XP may not automatically detect the receiver unless you edit irbus.inf as described in http://it.megocollector.com/?p=8. It is not clear when this hack is needed.
With the Remote-XBMC.reg config all the buttons work in XBMC except for the "T" and "Print" buttons. To configure these buttons add the following to the .reg file:
<pre>  4E,00,00,00,04,01,22,\ ; Print button on HP remote - sends ctrl-5
  5A,00,00,00,04,01,23,\ ; T button on HP remote    - sends ctrl-6</pre>
== HP Pavilion HDX Remote ==
[[Image:HPPavilionHDXRemote.jpg]]
This is a newer version of the HP remote. An important difference from the older HP remotes is that it has a unified Play/Pause button instead of separate Play and Pause buttons. Like the older remotes it uses the Microsoft eHome drive so the buttons can be configured by modifying the registry. The Play/Pause button is number 6E. Tho configure this to send a VK_MEDIA_PLAY_PAUSE multimedia keypress use:
<pre>6e,00,00,00,01,cd,00</pre>
== Asrock Remote ==
NB this is preliminary information based on a discussion in the forum.
[[File:AsrockRemote.jpg]]
The Asrock ION PCs come with a remote control. This is compatible with the Microsoft remote, and in Windows 7 (and possibly Vista) the .reg files used to reconfigure the MS remote will also work with the Asrock remote. The .reg files will not work in Windows XP because Windows XP does not detect the remote as an eHome device and install the eHome driver. It is possible the eHome drive could be installed with suitable modifications to irbus.inf (see the review of the HP remote above) but so far this has not been explored.
With the Remote-XBMC.reg config all the buttons work in XBMC except for the four buttons in the row above the coloured buttons. To configure these buttons to send the standard Media center keyboard shortcuts add the following to the .reg file:
<pre>  47,00,00,00,04,01,10,\ ; Asrock remote: Music    - sends ctrl-M
  49,00,00,00,04,01,0C,\ ; Asrock remote: Pictures - sends ctrl-I
  4A,00,00,00,04,01,08,\ ; Asrock remote: Movies  - sends ctrl-E
  50,00,00,00,04,01,04,\ ; Asrock remote: Radio    - sends ctrl-A</pre>
== Mediagate GP-IR02BK ==
[[Image:Remote-IR02BK.jpg]]
Compatible with the Microsoft remote, and the .reg files used to reconfigure the MS remote will also work with the Mediagate. The remote is currently available on Amazon UK and US.
There are some additional buttons not on the official MS remote. These can be configured using the following in the .reg file:
<pre>  27,00,00,00,04,03,04,\ ; Zoom    - sends ctrl-shift-A
  47,00,00,00,04,01,10,\ ; Music    - sends ctrl-M
  49,00,00,00,04,01,0C,\ ; Pictures - sends ctrl-I
  4A,00,00,00,04,01,08,\ ; Movies  - sends ctrl-E
  50,00,00,00,04,01,04,\ ; Radio    - sends ctrl-A
  5a,00,00,00,04,03,09  ; Teletext - sends ctrl-shift-F</pre>
== Mediagate MG-IR02BK ==
[[Image:Remote-MG-IR02BK.jpg]]
Compatible with the Microsoft remote, and the .reg files used to reconfigure the MS remote will also work with the Mediagate.
There are some additional buttons not on the official MS remote (and not on the GP-IR02BK):
<pre>  27 - Zoom
  4B - DVD Angle
  4C - DVD Audio
  4D - DVD subtitle</pre>
== DEC-200B ==
[[Image:Remote-200B.jpg]]
Compatible  with the MS remote. Works out of the box with XBMCLive. Not tested (so far) with the Windows and OSX versions. Don't know if it's configurable with the registry.
== AVS Gear HA-IR01SV ==
[[Image:Remote-HAIR01SV.jpg]]
Compatible with the MS remote. Works out of the box with XBMCLive. Not tested (so far) with the Windows and OSX versions. Don't know if it's configurable with the registry. Currently available from Amazon UK (search for HA-IR01SV). Googling suggests it is widely available.
== Hauppauge Media Center Remote Control Kit ==
[[Image:remote-hauppauge.jpg]]
Compatible with the Microsoft remote, and the .reg files used to reconfigure the MS remote will also work with the Hauppauge.
Note that this is not the same as the Hauppauge 45 button remote that plugs into the Hauppauge PCI card. The Hauppauge 45 button remote has caused some hair tearing and wouldn't be the first choice for an XBMC remote.
== AURC-002 ==
[[Image:AURC002.jpg‎]]
Manufactured by Acowin Industrial Limited; see http://www.acowin.com.hk/product535.html.  Microsoft MCE clone with a cloned HP receiver.  Compatible with the .reg files used to reconfigure the official Microsoft remote and receiver.
== Microsoft XBox 360 Universal Remote Control ==
[[Image:xbox_360_remote.jpg‎]]
This will work on Windows (I've tested on XP and 7) with the Microsoft receiver or a compatible receiver like the HP (the remote does not come with a receiver) though need a minor registry tweak. Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\HidIr\Remotes\745a17a0-74d3-11d0-b6fe-00a0c90f57da
then change the value of CodeSetNum0 to 8, and delete the three entries CodeSetNum1, CodeSetNum2, CodeSetNum3. You need to reboot for the change to take effect.
There are some buttons that aren't on the standard MS remote. The button numbers for these are:
<pre>
  28 - Open/close
  64 - XBox button
  4F - Display
  51 - Title
  68 - Blue/X
  66 - Green/A
  6C - Channel up
  6D - Channel down
</pre>
The volume and mute buttons do not work.
== VRC-1100 ==
[[Image:remote-VRC1100.jpg]]
There is no manufacturer's name on this remote or the manual, but they appear to be from Ortek (http://www.ortek.com/product.asp?pid=103&cname=Mobility). They are widely available on eBay. Maplin UK also sell an own-brand remote control (product code N18HC) that seems to be identical. The remote simulates the MS Media Center keypresses and will work out of the box on Windows, Linux and probably OSX. It also simulates a mouse, although it's no match for a proper mouse or trackpad.
Note that the the i button sends a right mouse click, which isn't much use in XBMC as the right click can't be mapped to an action. There is no way round this without using some helper app like Eventghost, but the Info action could be mapped to one of the other buttons.
If you want to add mappings for the four coloured keys and the four keys below them here are the entries you need in keyboard.xml. The top left (Internet Explorer) key can't be trapped.
<pre>&lt;t mod="ctrl,shift"&gt;Notification(Key, Yellow, 3)&lt;/t&gt; &lt;!-- Yellow button --&gt;
&lt;m mod="ctrl"&gt;Notification(Key, Blue, 3)&lt;/m&gt;        &lt;!-- Blue button --&gt;
&lt;i mod="ctrl"&gt;Notification(Key, Green, 3)&lt;/i&gt;        &lt;!-- Green button --&gt;
&lt;e mod="ctrl"&gt;Notification(Key, Red, 3)&lt;/e&gt;          &lt;!-- Red button --&gt;
&lt;o mod="ctrl"&gt;Notification(Key, u/Yellow, 3)&lt;/o&gt;    &lt;!-- Button under Yellow --&gt;
&lt;g mod="ctrl"&gt;Notification(Key, u/Blue, 3)&lt;/g&gt;      &lt;!-- Button under Blue --&gt;
&lt;t mod="ctrl"&gt;Notification(Key, u/Green, 3)&lt;/t&gt;      &lt;!-- Button under Green --&gt;
&lt;m mod="ctrl,shift"&gt;Notification(Key, u/Red, 3)&lt;/m&gt;  &lt;!-- Button under Red --&gt;</pre>
For full Linux support see http://trac.xbmc.org/ticket/8827
== Speedlink SL-6399 ==
[[Image:remote-SL6399.jpg]]
Cheap and cheerful remote. It simulates the MS Media Center keypresses and will work out of the box on Windows, Linux and probably OSX.
Apparently there are different usb receivers that come with the remote.
<pre>
ID 1241:1503 Belkin Keyboard      // all keys seem to work
ID 1241:e000 Belkin                // keys Start, RTV, Videos, Music, Pictures, MyTV don't work
</pre>
There are several extra buttons not on the standard MS remote. If you want to add mappings for
these keys here are the entries you need in keyboard.xml.
<pre>&lt;t mod="ctrl"&gt;Notification(Key, TV power, 3)&lt;/t&gt;          &lt;!-- TV power --&gt;
&lt;menu&gt;Notification(Key, More, 3)&lt;/menu&gt;                  &lt;!-- More --&gt;
&lt;z mod="ctrl,shift"&gt;Notification(Key, Aspect, 3)&lt;/z&gt;      &lt;!-- Aspect --&gt;
&lt;e mod="ctrl"&gt;Notification(Key, Red/Videos, 3)&lt;/e&gt;        &lt;!-- Red/Videos --&gt;
&lt;m mod="ctrl"&gt;Notification(Key, Green/Music, 3)&lt;/m&gt;      &lt;!-- Green/Music --&gt;
&lt;i mod="ctrl"&gt;Notification(Key, Yellow/Pictures, 3)&lt;/i&gt;  &lt;!-- Yellow/Pictures --&gt;
&lt;t mod="ctrl,shift"&gt;Notification(Key, Blue/MyTV, 3)&lt;/t&gt;  &lt;!-- Blue/MyTV --&gt;
&lt;g mod="ctrl"&gt;Notification(Key, Guide, 3)&lt;/g&gt;            &lt;!-- Guide --&gt;
&lt;o mod="ctrl"&gt;Notification(Key, RTV, 3)&lt;/o&gt;              &lt;!-- RTV --&gt;
&lt;f1&gt;Notification(Key, Help, 3)&lt;/f1&gt;                      &lt;!-- Help --&gt;
&lt;return mod="alt"&gt;Notification(Key, Maximise, 3)&lt;/return&gt; &lt;!-- Maximise/restore --&gt;
&lt;a mod="ctrl"&gt;Notification(Key, Radio, 3)&lt;/a&gt;            &lt;!-- Radio --&gt;
&lt;m mod="ctrl,shift"&gt;Notification(Key, DVD, 3)&lt;/m&gt;        &lt;!-- DVD --&gt;
&lt;a mod="ctrl,shift"&gt;Notification(Key, Audio, 3)&lt;/a&gt;      &lt;!-- Audio --&gt;
&lt;u mod="ctrl"&gt;Notification(Key, Title, 3)&lt;/u&gt;            &lt;!-- Title --&gt;</pre>
== Unbranded MCE remote ==
[[Image:remote-unbranded.jpg]]
There is no manufacturer's name on this remote or the manual, though it may be a [http://www.chinavasion.com/product_info.php/pName/pc-remote-control-media-function-remote/ Chinavasion CVSB-983] or [http://www.acowin.com.hk/product456.html Acowin AURC-001]. It can be used with Logitech Harmony Remote Software by picking Computer>>Media Center PC>>Chinavasion>>CVSB-983.
They are available on Ebay for as little as $2 ($10ish after S&H). It's cheap and feels a bit flimsy, but it works well enough. It simulates the MS Media Center keypresses and will work out of the box on Windows, Linux and probably OSX. It also simulates a mouse, although it's no match for a proper mouse or trackpad.
It isn't very configurable and certain buttons don't work as they should. For example, the fast forward and rewind buttons skip forward or backwards instead of moving gradually.
If you want to add mappings for the four coloured keys here are the entries you need in keyboard.xml. The other keys can't be trapped.
<pre>&lt;f1 mod="ctrl,alt"&gt;Notification(Key, Green, 3)&lt;/f1&gt;  &lt;!-- Green --&gt;
&lt;f2 mod="ctrl,alt"&gt;Notification(Key, Orange, 3)&lt;/f2&gt; &lt;!-- Orange --&gt;
&lt;f3 mod="ctrl,alt"&gt;Notification(Key, Blue, 3)&lt;/f3&gt;  &lt;!-- Blue --&gt;
&lt;f4 mod="ctrl,alt"&gt;Notification(Key, Yellow, 3)&lt;/f4&gt; &lt;!-- Yellow --&gt;</pre>
Update 16th Jan: the rewind button sends three keypresses, left, then ctrl-left, then ctrl-shift-B. The left press causes the video to jump back 30 seconds. With the later releases of XBMC the ctrl-shift-B then starts the rewind (release v9.11 ignores ctrl-keypresses).
Update 1st Nov 2010: Requires a minor kernel patch to support all buttons in Linux.  See patch in https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/607062.  Once patched, works well with Linux.
== GoTView PC Remote ==
The GoTView PC Remote control looks exactly like the "unbranded remote" above. It is also detected as MCE remote by lircd, but has slightly different keycodes, which are incompatible with xbmc defaults.
To make things work correctly, add something like the following before the &lt;/keyboard&gt; &lt;/global&gt; lines in your /usr/local/share/xbmc/system/keymaps/keyboard.xml file
<pre>
      <one mod="ctrl,alt,shift">ContextMenu</one>
      <two mod="ctrl,alt,shift">ActivateWindow(PlayerControls)</two>
      <three mod="ctrl,alt,shift">ActivateWindow(music)</three>
      <four mod="ctrl,alt,shift">ActivateWindow(pictures)</four>
      <five mod="ctrl,alt,shift">ActivateWindow(video)</five>
      <home mod="ctrl,alt,shift">ActivateWindow(MusicPlaylist)</home>
      <r mod="ctrl">Queue</r>
      <h mod="ctrl,alt,shift">Info</h>
      <b mod="ctrl,alt,shift">ActivateWindow(MusicOSD)</b>
      <f mod="ctrl,alt,shift">ActivateWindow(VisualisationPresetList)</f>
     
</pre>
== Philips 5100 4in1 Vista MCE Remote ==
[[Image:philips5100-4in1 landscape.jpg]]
Philips have produced a family of remotes in this range designed for different sales regions each with different features.  This one has the ability to control 4 devices (PC, TV, Sat, Amp) and can be programmed using the manufacturer codes database supplied.  It also has the ability to learn functions from other remotes to replace any of its buttons, making it very versatile once customised to your home cinema setup.  However, the keys are not backlit and the supplied infra-red usb receiver only works with Vista or Windows 7.
Note: Also works with the Official Microsoft MCE receiver as it sends the same signals (RC-6), meaning it can be used on Windows XP via this receiver.
Discontinued - (Can be found on ebay UK)
== Microsoft MCE Keyboard Remote ==
[[Image:Microsoftmcekeyboard.jpg‎]]
Similar to the buttons to the Microsoft MCE remote, but with a full keyboard and a 'nipple' for moving the mouse.  Range is limited and it requires a direct line of sight to the receiver.  Can be operated on the users lap. The keyboard has a very nice feel, though the mouse nipple is hard to use.
Works with the Official Microsoft MCE receiver and with compatible RC6 receivers like the HP receiver.


== Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows ==
* What operating systems and versions of Kodi have you tested on
* Does the remote send keystrokes or is it MS compatible?
* If it's MS compatible have you tested reconfiguring it using the registry and did this work?


[[File:XBox360WirelessController.jpg]]
The article groups the Microsoft compatible (also known as eHome or RC6) remotes together first, as these are most configurable when you're using them with Kodi. Other than this there's no significance to the order of the reviews.


The [http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/gaming/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=090 Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows], which is sold by Microsoft with a separate receiver, works with XBMC on Windows XP, Vista, 7 and with Standard Microsoft Drivers. For Linux there are  Userspace drivers available here:
<div class="toclimit-3">__TOC__</div>
[http://pingus.seul.org/~grumbel/xboxdrv/ Homepage and Binaries] or [https://github.com/Grumbel/xboxdrv/ Git-Source].


In order to use it properly, you should setup a [[Keymap.xml]] accordingly. This will work under Windows and Linux.
= eHome/RC remotes =


For Windows however there is the possibility to use an Eventclient. This Client will send the button-presses to your XBMC. There are disadvantages to this method however:
The remotes in this section all use the Microsoft eHome driver on Windows. See Using a Microsoft remote control in Windows for details.  
* You have to run the EventClient every time you want to use your XBMC
* It is a console-application with a window, that can disturb your experience
* The button-presses will be sent to XBMC even though it might not be in the focus (So - if you play a game for instance with your controller, the button-presses will still be sent to XBMC as well)
The EventClient can be compiled via the XBMC-Source ([https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/tree/master/tools/EventClients/Clients/Xbox360%20Controller EventClient on Github]) or the binary '''Xbox360EventClient.exe''' is available from this [http://forum.xbmc.org/showpost.php?p=426397&postcount=11 Forum-Post] [[http://ul.to/4p5n3t Mirror]] (MD5: 4B69791B1DC2DA4400B5912CFF9EFED0).


== XBox DVD Remote ==
eHome remotes are generally more expensive than the non-eHome remotes, but they are highly configurable and work very well with Kodi. Many universal handsets, for example the Harmony remotes, have emulation for eHome/RC6 handsets built in so they will work with an eHome IR receiver.


[[Image:Remote-xbox1.jpg]]
Note that Microsoft has modified the programming and device specification for remote controls several times. For example, in Vista, the Port Driver/Class Driver Model was added. This means that there may be some transceivers which may not function fully, if at all, on systems prior to Vista. For the curious (or bored) there is a specification for the [http://download.microsoft.com/download/0/7/E/07EF37BB-33EA-4454-856A-7D663BC109DF/Windows-Media-Center-RC-IR-Collection-Green-Button-Specification-03-08-2011-V2.pdf Windows Media Center remote].


The original DVD remote for XBox 1. This is a simple well working remote, almost out of the box experience and it has a good support in xbmc.<br/ >
See [http://wiki.xbmc.org/?title=HOW-TO_wire_your_XBOX_DVD-Remote_for_USB wiring] and [http://wiki.xbmc.org/?title=Lirc_Config_for_Xbox_DVD_Remote lirc config]


This remote won't work "out of the box" with Windows as it doesn't send keystrokes and can't be configured to do so. It can be made to work with a helper app like Eventghost or IR Server Suite.
See http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?t=45337 for the details.


= Non eHome/RC remotes =


These remotes usually work by emulating a keyboard, that is when you press a button on the remote Kodi receives a key press just as if a key had been pressed on the keyboard. Most of the remotes emulate multimedia keyboards or send Windows Media Center keyboard shortcuts like ctrl-shift-P for Play.


[[Category:Remote]]
Kodi has all the required keyboard mappings for these remotes so they should work out of the box. However they usually cannot be configured so they have some limitations. For example, on Windows the green button will start Windows Media Center and this can't be changed without considerable messing around.

Latest revision as of 02:22, 10 September 2020

This is a (probably futile) attempt to keep up with the vast range of MCE remotes out there, and give some indication of how well they work with Kodi.

If you are adding a review please try to be as detailed as possible about the remote. For example:

  • What operating systems and versions of Kodi have you tested on
  • Does the remote send keystrokes or is it MS compatible?
  • If it's MS compatible have you tested reconfiguring it using the registry and did this work?

The article groups the Microsoft compatible (also known as eHome or RC6) remotes together first, as these are most configurable when you're using them with Kodi. Other than this there's no significance to the order of the reviews.

eHome/RC remotes

The remotes in this section all use the Microsoft eHome driver on Windows. See Using a Microsoft remote control in Windows for details.

eHome remotes are generally more expensive than the non-eHome remotes, but they are highly configurable and work very well with Kodi. Many universal handsets, for example the Harmony remotes, have emulation for eHome/RC6 handsets built in so they will work with an eHome IR receiver.

Note that Microsoft has modified the programming and device specification for remote controls several times. For example, in Vista, the Port Driver/Class Driver Model was added. This means that there may be some transceivers which may not function fully, if at all, on systems prior to Vista. For the curious (or bored) there is a specification for the Windows Media Center remote.


Non eHome/RC remotes

These remotes usually work by emulating a keyboard, that is when you press a button on the remote Kodi receives a key press just as if a key had been pressed on the keyboard. Most of the remotes emulate multimedia keyboards or send Windows Media Center keyboard shortcuts like ctrl-shift-P for Play.

Kodi has all the required keyboard mappings for these remotes so they should work out of the box. However they usually cannot be configured so they have some limitations. For example, on Windows the green button will start Windows Media Center and this can't be changed without considerable messing around.