Win XP Pro and Logitech 885 remote.

ninjasurfer1

Hi,

I have a Windows XP Pro PC (Quad Core, 8800 gts graphics card, 2gbs of Ram, Avermedia TV Studio card, etc)) which I currently have hooked up to my tv via an Svideo to Scart connection.

I've just bought a Logitech Remote Control Harmony 885 (good old ibood!!)and was wondering whether i can use this to control my PC (for playback of movies, music, etc on my TV) or do i need to buy some extra hardware?

I have a standard Infrared USB adaptor which I can use, but do I need a specialised Infrared adaptor that will work with XP Pro?

Thanks for any advice.

eddiem74

Do you use media center on your PC ?

ninjasurfer1

eddiem74 wrote: »

Do you use media center on your PC ?

I'm running XP Pro so i didn't think I could run Media Center. As far as i was aware, its only available with XP Media center or Vista, isn't it?.

Is there a seperate package/exe that i could use to install it onto XP Pro?

eddiem74

ninjasurfer1 wrote: »

I'm running XP Pro so i didn't think I could run Media Center. As far as i was aware, its only available with XP Media center or Vista, isn't it?.

Is there a seperate package/exe that i could use to install it onto XP Pro?

Not 100% sure as I just built my first HTPC with Vista, and it had media centre on it. I also needed this media center remote and receiver (as my PC didn't have one built in) which I use now with my harmony remote to operate my HTPC.

In the harmony database you could set-up a device to reflect your PC as a media center, which should give you options then on the harmony remote from their database to operate some items on the PC. You could then try using this with your USB adaptor and see if it works perhaps to play something with WMP. No idea if this will work or not, but its worth a gamble.

That failing you could download MediaPortal (MP) a free media center software, which many favor over Microsofts offering. Here's some pics from avforums where some folks have recently got it set-up to wet your appetite. I believe MP can be worked via a microsoft media center remote also so it might work via your harmony and usb infrared?

I am still a bit of newbie in this area myself, however hopefully some food for thought.

mathias

With Win XP pro you will need an IR receiver , much like the one you get with the media center ( as opposed to media player ) remote.

You will also need a third party program or programs to tie the remote codes to functions like media player , there may be some free ones out there but its not at all easy , I dont know of any out of the box solutions.

The media center remote works with media center in XPMCE , Vista home premium and ultimate only and needs to be modified if its to control any other program.

It does not work with Media player on its own , only media center.

Here is one solution , but it doesnt work out of the box , its not exactly pretty , and takes quite a bit of work to set up , i.e. many hours mapping codes to program functions ...

http://www.irtrans.de/en/

ninjasurfer1

Cheers for the replies guys.
I dunno whether I'm misreading it but do your mails mean that the MCE remote mentioned above (and the IR receiver it comes with) WON'T work with XP Pro (and my Logitech 885)?
(i.e. it'll work with MCE and Vista but not with XP Pro).
I've downloaded MediaPortal (and have Girder installed) but the Logitech 885 remote isn't being picked up in the first place so I can't set map any commands to it.

mathias

When you buy the MCE remote you get an IR receiver , an IR receiver is all that you are missing.

With Girder an the IR receiver you should be able to map the logitech to use any program.

ninjasurfer1

mathias wrote: »

When you buy the MCE remote you get an IR receiver , an IR receiver is all that you are missing.

With Girder an the IR receiver you should be able to map the logitech to use any program.

Thanks for that Guys. Looks like i'm almost there!!!

ninjasurfer1

Hi Guys,

I've bought a Media Center Remote control (for Vista) from Maplins (made be AIM).

Its showing SnowFlake Emulation when it tries to look for Drivers for the USB IR receiver(IR603 Receiver), but is unable to find them anywhere, and as such, it will not pick up the remote (or receiver).

Does anyone know whether this is due to it being a Vista remote?

If so, is there any way i can use Girder to control it (via a logitech harmony 885).

mathias

I've bought a Media Center Remote control (for Vista) from Maplins (made be AIM).

I dont know that one at all , didnt you get drivers with it ?

This is the remote that most people use with MCE ( XP or Vista ) , as the OS has all the drivers already because its made by Microsoft , you get a reciever and a couple of IR blasters with it , and the remote can be replaced by a Harmony no problem.

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=309575

ninjasurfer1

Cheers for the link. Looks like i'll have to get that one instead.
Thanks for all of your help!!
;-)