Followup:
The driver is here
http://www.byremote.com.au/Hip/mce_remote_faq.htm
But has anyone gotten it working with Beyond TV??
Microsoft OEM a remote control to compliment their XP Media Centre Edition (MCE) which is attractively priced and designed and includes a USB-based IR Receiver. Both the remote and the operating system can be purchased separately and the remote will work to some degree with standard XP (service pack 2 is recommended). The remote allows you to control the PC (which is cool) and you can even teach it the TV on/off and volume up and down buttons so you can perform those functions from the MCE remote.
Some of the buttons send normal keystrokes like <Enter> and <Up> and <Down> which work in any application.
It is also supplied with two IR "Blasters". These are designed to allow the PC to send commands to other devices (such as a TV) by simulating a remote control and sending the infra red signals that it (the TV) understands. So if you have a cable, freeview or other kind of set top box, you can get the PC to change the channel of the other set-top-box (provided it is on the Microsoft list). You program the computer to record a program, and the PC will make sure that the set-top-box is tuned to the right channel). If its not on the Microsoft list, MCE has the facility to set up manually from a normal STB remote by capturing and storing the IR Commands.
French programmer Bruno FLEURETTE has provided a (free) set of stand-alone and programmable tools that provide the following extended features:
- Complete control of the IR Input (optional) allowing you to use it to control ANY program on your PC (with or without MCE)
- Learn IR commands from the remote controls of other devices (TVs, STBs etc)
- Transmit previously saved IR commands or Pronto format CCF commands to either blaster allowing you to control external (non-PC) devices directly from your computer via the remote.
- Accept the input from other (compatible) remote controls allowing you to process more commands than previously possible using just the supplied remote control.
All this would be possible with standard XP and allow complete control of your PC and external equipment via remote control with or without MCE.
What do you need?
- A PC running XP (any edition) with an available USB port (for the IR receiver).