Specifications

Remote Control and Receiver-Transceiver Specifications and Requirements
for Windows Media Center in Windows Operating Systems
66
RF Receivers
These devices use Radio Frequency (RF) instead of IR to communicate the keypress
information. The easiest way to build these is to use a USB connection and write the firmware to
make the USB receiver appear to the operating system as a HID device.
To build an RF receiver device, the ODM needs to design and build the hardware. If the
hardware appears as a HID device, they can use the in-box HID drivers. If the hardware does not
appear as a HID device, they need to design and distribute the software drivers. They need to be
aware of and account for the limitations below in the section ―HID Device Limitations‖.
RF Receiver Device Summary
Design Cost
Moderate
BOM Cost
Up to ODM
Risk
Moderate
Support for ODM customization
Moderate
Operating System Support
Windows XP Media Center Edition and later
Connection
Any (USB preferred)
IR HID Devices
IR HID devices decode the IR protocol in hardware and produce keystrokes (HID reports)
directly.
IR HID Device Summary
Design Cost
Moderate
BOM Cost
Up to ODM
Risk
Moderate
Support for ODM customization
Moderate
Operating System Support
Windows XP Media Center Edition and later
Connection
Any (USB preferred)
More Complicated Receiver Examples
In addition to the basic device types above, it is possible to build more complicated receivers.
These receivers appear very desirable at first glance, but they incur a great cost in terms of
design cost, BOM cost, and risk.
RF Receivers – Transmit/Receive
These devices combine an RF remote with the ability to transmit IR. To do this, the OEM would
basically take an existing IR transmit/receive device and add the ability for RF support. In order to
control a set-top box it is not possible to completely remove the IR reception hardware from your
device because it is required for Parse-and-Match or Learning functionality.