Microsoft Remote Control

Media Center Remote & IR Receiver

Strengths: Works without drivers; nice integration with Windows XP Media Center; great range; includes two IR repeaters

Weakness: Silly expensive; Kind of ugly; IR receiver is HUGE

I was setting up a windows xp media center computer in my new media room (yipee!), and decided to go with this product versus others due to it's built in integration with Windows. I didn't have to load any software, as it was already pre-installed with XP. I plugged the IR receiver in, it was detected right away, and I was able to navigate with the remote right away. It has very nice range, and...
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I was setting up a windows xp media center computer in my new media room (yipee!), and decided to go with this product versus others due to it's built in integration with Windows. I didn't have to load any software, as it was already pre-installed with XP. I plugged the IR receiver in, it was detected right away, and I was able to navigate with the remote right away. It has very nice range, and you can even angle it strange, and it will still work. I guess that is why they made the IR receiver so darn large, so it would pick up any IR signal.

The only reason I bought this product was for the IR receiver. I didn't even want the remote, as I was also buying the matching media center keyboard. I wish they had an option to buy it without the remote. Oh well. So I ended up paying over a $100 for the complete setup (remote, keyboard, receiver). The keyboard did have similar capabilities as far as range and "aimability" was concerned.

The package also included a couple of IR blasters that you can use to aim at a cable or satellite box for tuning prior to video recording. Nice bonus, but I'm not using this right now.

By sierra_nevadas - Apr 26, 2007

Useful tool for Media Center PCs

Strengths: Lots of remote functionality

Weakness: None so far

Works with XP as well, but does not have full media center functionality. Used it with my media center laptop, which the remote controlled with ease. I did not install any software, and it worked fine.

By tdmosk - Apr 2, 2007

Microsoft Remote, Better than most other

Strengths: Works Seamlessly with most applications

Weakness: Wish it had RF also in addition to IR

Very good product of decent quality and all the things you need to get up and running. Even computer phobic family can operate a HTPC with this remote. Very good integration with operating system and the most common programs.

By shalender - Sep 28, 2008

Microsoft Remote, Better than most other

Strengths: Very good price for the functions it offers

Weakness: Wish it were RF also in addition to IR

Very nice remote compared to the other options especially since it so very well integrated into windows without any special drivers. Most applications accept this remote. Even computer phobic family members can use this and feel comfortable

By anonymous; - Sep 28, 2008