Archive:List of MCE remote controls

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 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:

• What operating systems and versions of XBMC 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 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.

There are several versions of this remote:

- Microsoft (Microsoft Logo at bottom of remote and on receiver)

(Microsoft)

- Microsoft with Teletext (Microsoft Logo at bottom of remote and on receiver) plus Red,Green,Yellow,Blue and a 'teletext' button.

(Microsoft with Teletext)

- Dell (No Logos on remote or receiver and no TV standby or volume learning ability)

(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.

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

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 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

(Older)

(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:

  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

HP Pavilion HDX Remote

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. To configure this to send a VK_MEDIA_PLAY_PAUSE multimedia keypress use:

6e,00,00,00,01,cd,00

There is also a version of this newer HP remote with red / green / yellow / blue buttons as the top row of four. On that (and I assume the one pictured) the button numbers for the replay button (top-middle) and the TV button (top-right) are 80 and 39 respectively. Hope that helps

Asrock Remote

NB this is preliminary information based on a discussion in the forum.

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:

  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

NOTE: Some Asrock ION330HT ship with a Nuvoton W836x7HG CIR Device Driver with is not RC6 compatible. In this case the Windows registry fix for the ehome driver will not work.

Mediagate GP-IR02BK

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:

  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

Mediagate MG-IR02BK

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):

  27 - Zoom
  4B - DVD Angle
  4C - DVD Audio
  4D - DVD subtitle

DEC-200B

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

Compatible with the MS remote. Frequently works out of the box with XBMCLive - some versions ship with new receivers whose product IDs are not always included with LIRC such as ID 0011 from VENDOR_TOPSEED. If the remote doesn't work and/or the light on the receiver stays on once a button is pushed, the reciever needs adding to LIRC. Instructions are here. 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

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

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

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:

  28 - Open/close
  64 - XBox button
  4F - Display
  51 - Title
  68 - Blue/X
  66 - Green/A
  6C - Channel up
  6D - Channel down

The volume and mute buttons do not work.

VRC-1100

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.

<t mod="ctrl,shift">Notification(Key, Yellow, 3)</t> <!-- Yellow button -->
<m mod="ctrl">Notification(Key, Blue, 3)</m>         <!-- Blue button -->
<i mod="ctrl">Notification(Key, Green, 3)</i>        <!-- Green button -->
<e mod="ctrl">Notification(Key, Red, 3)</e>          <!-- Red button -->
<o mod="ctrl">Notification(Key, u/Yellow, 3)</o>     <!-- Button under Yellow -->
<g mod="ctrl">Notification(Key, u/Blue, 3)</g>       <!-- Button under Blue -->
<t mod="ctrl">Notification(Key, u/Green, 3)</t>      <!-- Button under Green -->
<m mod="ctrl,shift">Notification(Key, u/Red, 3)</m>  <!-- Button under Red -->

For full Linux support see http://trac.xbmc.org/ticket/8827

Speedlink SL-6399

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.

ID 1241:1503 Belkin Keyboard       // all keys seem to work
ID 1241:e000 Belkin                // keys Start, RTV, Videos, Music, Pictures, MyTV don't work

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.

<t mod="ctrl">Notification(Key, TV power, 3)</t>          <!-- TV power -->
<menu>Notification(Key, More, 3)</menu>                   <!-- More -->
<z mod="ctrl,shift">Notification(Key, Aspect, 3)</z>      <!-- Aspect -->
<e mod="ctrl">Notification(Key, Red/Videos, 3)</e>        <!-- Red/Videos -->
<m mod="ctrl">Notification(Key, Green/Music, 3)</m>       <!-- Green/Music -->
<i mod="ctrl">Notification(Key, Yellow/Pictures, 3)</i>   <!-- Yellow/Pictures -->
<t mod="ctrl,shift">Notification(Key, Blue/MyTV, 3)</t>   <!-- Blue/MyTV -->
<g mod="ctrl">Notification(Key, Guide, 3)</g>             <!-- Guide -->
<o mod="ctrl">Notification(Key, RTV, 3)</o>               <!-- RTV -->
<f1>Notification(Key, Help, 3)</f1>                       <!-- Help -->
<return mod="alt">Notification(Key, Maximise, 3)</return> <!-- Maximise/restore -->
<a mod="ctrl">Notification(Key, Radio, 3)</a>             <!-- Radio -->
<m mod="ctrl,shift">Notification(Key, DVD, 3)</m>         <!-- DVD -->
<a mod="ctrl,shift">Notification(Key, Audio, 3)</a>       <!-- Audio -->
<u mod="ctrl">Notification(Key, Title, 3)</u>             <!-- Title -->

Unbranded MCE remote

There is no manufacturer's name on this remote or the manual, though it may be a Chinavasion CVSB-983 or 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.

<f1 mod="ctrl,alt">Notification(Key, Green, 3)</f1>  <!-- Green -->
<f2 mod="ctrl,alt">Notification(Key, Orange, 3)</f2> <!-- Orange -->
<f3 mod="ctrl,alt">Notification(Key, Blue, 3)</f3>   <!-- Blue -->
<f4 mod="ctrl,alt">Notification(Key, Yellow, 3)</f4> <!-- Yellow -->

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.

Update 12th June 2011: I've bought one recently. They must have changed hardware or whatever because mine works well with XBMC out of the box both on Win7 and Linux Ubuntu. Most keys are functioning correctly and 4 colored keys can be mapped by adding the following entries in keymap.xml:

<keyboard>
   <one mod="ctrl,alt">YourAction1</one> <!-- Green -->
   <two mod="ctrl,alt">YourAction2</two> <!-- Orange -->
   <three mod="ctrl,alt">YourAction3</three> <!-- Blue -->
   <four mod="ctrl,alt">YourAction4</four> <!-- Yellow -->
   ...
</keyboard>

Other unbranded MCE remote

There is no manufacturer's name on this remote or the manual, but it works very well with XBMC Dharma PVR on Windows XP Sp3. No additional software required (p.e USB drivers ). Live TV channels are showned trought Media Portal Server 1.1.3.0 installed on same computer as XBMC.

The Remote is MS compatible and using it is possible move mouse pointer with arrows button.

No reconfiguration needed. It is possible buy this remote also online website (like ebay).

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 </keyboard> </global> lines in your /usr/local/share/xbmc/system/keymaps/keyboard.xml file

 
      <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>
      

Philips 5100 4in1 Vista MCE Remote

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. The supplied infra-red usb receiver only works with Vista, Windows 7 and Linux.

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

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

The 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: Homepage and Binaries or Git-Source.

In order to use it properly, you should setup a Keymap.xml accordingly. This will work under Windows and Linux.

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:

• 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 (EventClient on Github) or the binary Xbox360EventClient.exe is available from this Forum-Post [Mirror] (MD5: 4B69791B1DC2DA4400B5912CFF9EFED0).

XBox DVD 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.
See wiring and 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.

Flirc

Flirc is a small usb device that plugs into your computer and pairs with your same television remote. No need for another remote to clutter your table, pair once, and use forever. The best part about flirc is that it mimics a keyboard so every media center application understands it without any drivers. Flirc runs across all platforms.

Flirc Website

Picture of Flirc

(I don't have permissions to upload the file as an embedded picture)

Original Boxee Box remote control

picture of Boxee remote

(I don't have permissions to upload the file as an embedded picture)

This remote comes with the Boxee Box from D-Link, but is also sold separately. It comes with at small USB receiver, and works out of the box as an external USB keyboard. On the front face it has navigation buttons, OK, Esc, and a Play/Pause button. On the back face, it has an almost complete QWERTY keyboard.