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?

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 3 versions of this remote:

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

(Microsoft)

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

(Microsoft with Teletext)

- Dell (No Logos on remote or reciever and no Tv standby or volume learning ability)

(Dell - No Learning)

All these varients 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 keypresses. See Using a Microsoft remote control in Windows for details.

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.

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
47,00,00,00,04,03,05,\ ; Music - sends ctrl-shift-B
49,00,00,00,04,03,06,\ ; Pictures - sends ctrl-shift-C
4a,00,00,00,04,03,07,\ ; Videos - sends ctrl-shift-D
50,00,00,00,04,03,08,\ ; Radio - sends ctrl-shift-E
5a,00,00,00,04,03,09   ; Teletext - sends ctrl-shift-F

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. 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.

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.

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. 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 20th Jan: this remote appears to be an Acowin AURC-001. See http://www.acowin.com.hk/product456.html

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. 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 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 -->

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.

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 and the supplied infra-red usb reciever only works with Vista or Windows 7.

Note: Also works with the Official Microsoft MCE reciever as it sends the same signals (RC-6), meaning it can be used on Windows XP via this reciever.

Discontinued - (Can be found on ebay UK)

HP MCE Remote

(Older)

(Newer)

Similar to Microsoft MCE remote with the addition of 'Print', 'Radio', 'Music', 'Pictures', 'Videos', and 'TV' buttons. Cannot control a TV or any other devece (the TV button at the top right of the remote is for Windows Media Centre TV). Also available in a light Grey colour. The included receiver has the same hardware as the microsoft receiver. (ehome driver)

There is also a newer version of the remote which uses the same HP receiver. This remote also sends the standard RC-6 remote codes so will work with other receivers such as the Microsoft one at the top of the page.

It is not known for certain whether this remote can be configured through the registry in the same way as the MS remote. From reports in the forum it appears that it can.

There are also reports that Windows XP will not automatically detect the receiver unless you edit irbus.inf as described in http://it.megocollector.com/?p=8

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 reciever. Can be operated on the users lap.

Note: Works with the Official Microsoft MCE receiver.