Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not quite ..., July 3, 2009
This remote seems to work well for the basic MCE functionality, but it has some issues that hamper its usability (for me.)
First, the "learning" feature that's been mentioned elsewhere. The MS remote for MCE has the ability to "learn" to turn your TV on/off, and to adjust the volume on your stereo (or TV.) This remote mentions such a feature in the manual ("if available"), but the version sold here doesn't actually have this feature. Having to juggle three remotes gets cumbersome, especially when the "standard" MCE remote doesn't have this problem.
Second is response time. As implied in my previous paragraph, I also have an MS MCE remote. The MS remote/receiver is quite responsive. With this remote you have to hold down each button longer for it to "register" as a button-click with the receiver. At first I thought it was an issue with the remote itself, but I later realized it's an issue with the receiver. (The receiver that came with this remote will work with the MS remote, but it still has a "sluggish" response time. No such issue if I go back to the MS receiver.) If you're used to clicking through menus (or commercials) quickly, this gets aggravating because it doesn't register some of your clicks.
Finally, this remote is extremely lightweight. It has no heft to it. This might actually be a good thing if it weren't for the learning issue, but since I'm not actually using the remote for its intended purpose, this means I can't even use it as a paperweight on my coffee table.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good, not great, May 29, 2009
I got this remote to use with a new system I have running Media Center on Windows 7 Release Candidate. I also have another system running Vista Media Center which I've been using with the old "official" Windows XP Media Center Edition (MCE) 2005 remote. I like this new one much better than the old Microsoft one.
This remote is a bit light for my tastes and is a too thin at the top, but the construction is solid. I really like the arrangement of the transport controls in a neat circle around the play button. I never mistakenly hit the Fast Forward button when I'm trying to hit Skip Forward like I did with the old remote. I also like that the record button is recessed in this circular array. It keeps it from being accidentally hit.
This remote also has some extra direct link buttons like "Pictures" and "Music" that weren't on the older official remote. Those have come in handy for me at times.
The setup for the remote is as simple as "plug and play". Once the USB cable for the IR receiver was plugged into a USB port on the computer, it was instantly recognized. Windows automatically installed the device and it was ready to go in about 15 seconds with no intervention on my part. It doesn't get any easier than that. Just hit the Green Button and go.
I do like this remote a lot. It isn't perfect, though. It is not a universal remote, it doesn't have backlit keys, and (as I mentioned above) it could stand to be a little thicker towards the top for better feeling when the upper buttons are being used. I will also say that the cable included for the IR receiver is very short. It is about only 3 feet in length. The good news is that the cable is not hard-wired. It is a standard mini B USB connector, so you can go anywhere and pick up a longer USB A to USB mini B cable if you need to move the receiver further from your system.
Overall, though, the benefits outweigh the negatives. I would recommend this remote control.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a Great Remote!, January 30, 2009
So many times you buy a product online and it doesn't quite measure up. Not this one--from the box to the style of the remote, to its working features--this is one great remote, and a statement like that is hard to get from me. I'm using it to drive a media center PC for my main HD TV.
If you understand this is a remote for only using Windows Media Center (WMC), you will not be disappointed. Some of the things this remote will do (most with one button push)
1. put the PC to sleep/ wake it up
2. Select the main menu when watching a DVD
3. Change channels on your TV tuner attached to the PC.
4. Start recording a TV program from the TV guide.
5. Zoom in on the screen for DVD's that don't fill the screen. (four choices)
6. One button WMC startup.
7. easy guide navigation (up, down, left, and right)
8. One button push to watch TV from outside WMC.
Things that keep it from perfect:
The directions mention a "learning" capability (to use the volume on the TV vs. the computer, for example), but this model didn't have that.
It requires a separate infrared receiver (provided) that plugs in to a USB port. About 2X2 in.
And did I say, this is one the nicest looking remotes? Stylish--it looks first class.
The directions say it's for Vista--I'm using it with Vista Ultimate.
I recommend this highly!
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