Specifications

Remote Control and Receiver-Transceiver Specifications and Requirements
for Windows Media Center in Windows Operating Systems
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Components of an IR Transceiver
The following sections provide information about the components of an IR transceiver.
Remote Control Input and a Long-Range IR Receiver (Up to Five
Meters)
The Windows Media Center user interface is designed to be used with a remote control by an
end user who is sitting up to 5 meters away from their Windows Media Center PC. The long-
range IR receiver is used to process commands that are sent from the remote control and used
to control and navigate through the Windows Media Center user interface. The typical distance
between the remote control and IR receiver is typically 2 to 3 meters. However, the remote
control and receiver must work properly at up to a minimum of 5 meters apart.
The long-range receiver is also used during the initial setup when the end user first starts
Windows Media Center. The long-range receiver parses the remote control IR signal based on an
IR data sample to identify the remote control. If Windows Media Center cannot identify a set-top
box remote control based on the IR data sample, the user can then perform IR learning. Input
functions are required for IR receivers or IR transceivers.
IR Learning (from Five Centimeters or Less)
IR learning is used to capture IR data from a set-top box remote control that is not listed in the
Windows Media Center Licensed IR database. After the data is captured in the IR learning
process, the data is transmitted using IR emitting to control the set-top box.
IR Emitting
IR emitting is used to send IR commands from the Windows Media Center PC to the set- top box
to change channels. This means that the user needs only one remote control to control the
Windows Media Center PC. IR emitting also enables Windows Media Center to change channels
automatically so that TV shows are recorded as scheduled even when the end user is not
present and using the Windows Media Center PC.
Additionally, IR emitting is used when an end user is using a Media Center Extender device to
control and play content that is on the Windows Media Center PC. The TV signal and
programming that are sent to the Extender device come from the Windows Media Center PC.
When a set-top box is present, the Windows Media Center PC must be able to emit an IR signal
to the set-top box to change channels when watching TV and using an Extender device.
IR learning is required if a manufacturer is building an IR transceiver.
System-Level Interaction
End users expect a Windows Media Center PC to perform in a way that is similar to other
consumer electronics devices that you can control with a remote control. This includes the ability
to use the remote control to wake the Windows Media Center PC after it goes into a standby
mode. A system function enables the remote control to wake the Windows Media Center PC from
a standby state. System functions are required for IR receivers or IR transceivers.
IR Transceiver Requirements
The following sections provide requirements for the components of an IR transceiver.