MCE Remote on Windows XP Pro?

pumaz · 28 Aug 2006 at 17:31

I've built myself a HTPC with Windows XP Pro installed, I don't really want to pay out for a new OS until Vista but i would like to use a MS MCE Remote to control my HTPC.

Does anyone know if this is possible?

Thanks

kevpuk · 28 Aug 2006 at 17:39

Hi Pumaz (how's the CPU/RAM).....I think the MCE remote gives very limited functionality in 'regular' XP.....have you considered something like iMon ? I use the Soundgraph setup and the remote works extremely well in XP itself, and also in MCE.....plus the VFD is really quite something

..... and allows true power on/off with remote !

pumaz · 28 Aug 2006 at 18:07

The CPU and Rams installed and running great cheers Kev

I'll check your suggestions out thanks, although i already have the remote so would like to use that.

Edit...

Just checked The Imon / Imedion looks great but I'm looking to get an Antec Fusion case and this already as a display and and 1 drive bay which is needed for the DVD drive.

kevpuk · 28 Aug 2006 at 18:43

Might be worth checking the VFD in that case.....iMon do a stack of oem versions, you see......and that may be a remote-ready solution (the iMon soundgraph, for example, has the IR receiver integrated into the VFD - neat

)

pumaz · 28 Aug 2006 at 19:19

There is space for a receiver in the Fusions VFD. So am i right in thinking if i can find just the remote and receiver it should work?

kevpuk · 28 Aug 2006 at 19:26

Errrm, maybe :rolleyes:

tbh, not sure......

I know that iMon make the VFDs for many oem setups, such as Silverstone cases with VFDs, and that some of said VFDs have a IR receiver integrated into them......but don't have any more depth of knowledge.

My iMon Soundgraph setup has such an integrated receiver, but only seems to work with the supplied iMon Pad remote (which, imho, is far nicer than the Microsoft one)......annoyingly, however, the Microsoft MCE keyboard seems to only work with the Microsoft IR receiver......Booooo ! I have relegated my Microsoft remote to 'not-in-active-service' pile......and have grudgingly left the IR receiver plugged in (and hidden as best as possible

) so that the keyboard can still do it's funky thang !

pumaz · 28 Aug 2006 at 20:26

Thanks again Kev. think i'll just get the Antec fusion first then worry about the remote later maybe until Vista etc.

hittman · 29 Aug 2006 at 01:52

kevpuk said:
Hi Pumaz (how's the CPU/RAM).....I think the MCE remote gives very limited functionality in 'regular' XP.....have you considered something like iMon ? I use the Soundgraph setup and the remote works extremely well in XP itself, and also in MCE.....plus the VFD is really quite something ..... and allows true power on/off with remote !

finking of getting the Soundgraph iMON VFD. by true power on/off, u mean u can just turn it on the pc like a tv?

I'm assuming the pc would have to be in standby mode or sumfink?

kevpuk · 29 Aug 2006 at 09:16

hittman said:
finking of getting the Soundgraph iMON VFD. by true power on/off, u mean u can just turn it on the pc like a tv?

I'm assuming the pc would have to be in standby mode or sumfink?

Not really, what I meant is that the remote can actually turn the PC totally off and totally on again......although it can be set up to switch to Sleep/Hibernate etc. instead......the package comes with a ATX power pass-through cable that allows this......