Specifications

Remote Control and Receiver-Transceiver Specifications and Requirements
for Windows Media Center in Windows Operating Systems
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Windows Media Center Two-Way Remote Control with Compatible Auxiliary Display for
Windows SideShow
An OEM can build a two-way remote control with an auxiliary display for controlling music
playback, guiding navigation and other features. A Windows SideShow gadget for Windows
Media Center will support this functionality. For more information, contact
[e-mail].
Extender for Windows Media Center Remote Controls
Media Center Extender technology can provide full access to personal content stored on Digital
Living Network Alliance (DLNA)-compatible digital media servers. For more information about
remote controls for these products, contact: [e-mail].
Remote Address
The IR Protocols support multiple remotes and multiple Windows Media Center computers in the
same room. The total number of separate remote control addresses is eight. The user should be
able to change the address of the remote with a few simple keystrokes.
On the remote control, the end user simultaneously presses the DVD MENU button plus a
numeric button [1-8] for more than three seconds to change the remote control address. To
indicate that the remote control address was changed successfully, the LED will blink twice. It is
strongly recommended that all Windows Media Center remote controls support addressability.
Alternatively, the remote control address can also be changed by pressing the DVD MENU or
MORE INFO button and a transport button for longer than three seconds. The transport buttons
are Stop, Record, Pause, Rewind, Play, Fast Forward, Skip Back, and Skip Forward, and these
buttons map to 1 through 8 respectively.
Labels and Icons for the Remote Control
The remote control can be icon-based only, label-based only, or have both icons and labels.
The following implementations are required:
 If using icons, the icons can be placed either above, below, or on the button.
 If using labels, the label placement must be consistent within button clusters.
In addition to the preceding required elements, Microsoft strongly recommends that:
 If you are designing a new remote control, make sure that the buttons are large enough so that
the icons can be located on the buttons.
Windows Media Center Keyboards
The purpose of a Windows Media Center keyboard is to enhance the user experience by giving
the user all the buttons and functions they need in one easy-to-use device.
The keyboard does not replace the requirements to distribute a Windows Media Center remote
control with a Windows Media Center computer. When you are designing a Windows Media
Center keyboard, Microsoft strongly recommends placing the characters above the number keys.
The Green Start button on a Windows Media Center keyboard must meet the same requirements
that are specified for a standard Windows Media Center remote control.
Mouse functionality can be integrated into the keyboard.
The following Microsoft Required buttons must appear on a Windows Media Center keyboard:
 Green Start button