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Networks and Remotes => Remotes => Topic started by: LazyBorzoi on April 09, 2019, 11:12:57 am

Title: JRiver MC25 fails to learn commands from a Microsoft Media Center Remote system
Post by: LazyBorzoi on April 09, 2019, 11:12:57 am
I got  a Dell MCR IR receiver with a remote that works with JRiver MC25 by default (I didn't have to change anything at all). The model number is OVU4003/00 in case someone is wondering.
The problem I encountered is the following:
I would like to use another remote (from my preamp) to control the MC25. I went to the remote tab in MC25 and started the learning process. I press a button on my preamp remote while pointing at the IR receiver. I can see the receiver blink (red light comes on) which tells me that it sees my command but the MC25 does absolutely nothing (the program still says learning and it never changes to learned).
Any idea what I might be doing wrong or how to fix it?
Thanks!
Title: Re: JRiver MC25 fails to learn commands from a Microsoft Media Center Remote system
Post by: RoderickGI on April 09, 2019, 07:05:20 pm
The simple answer is that MC will only learn MCE commands, and those are the commands that it already knows about, so doesn't need to learn.

This has been an ongoing issue for me. Search the forum for posts and threads, and specifically for answers from Hendrik. Also search the Wiki as there is some good information in there. Some very old. https://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/Media_Center_Remote_Instructions

Under "Options > Remote Control > Devices & Options > Selected input devices" check both "Microsoft MCE" and "Remote, Keyboard, gamepad, or other HID", which may or may not help.

Title: Re: JRiver MC25 fails to learn commands from a Microsoft Media Center Remote system
Post by: LazyBorzoi on April 10, 2019, 10:20:45 am
The simple answer is that MC will only learn MCE commands, and those are the commands that it already knows about, so doesn't need to learn.

This has been an ongoing issue for me. Search the forum for posts and threads, and specifically for answers from Hendrik. Also search the Wiki as there is some good information in there. Some very old. https://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/Media_Center_Remote_Instructions

Under "Options > Remote Control > Devices & Options > Selected input devices" check both "Microsoft MCE" and "Remote, Keyboard, gamepad, or other HID", which may or may not help.

Thank you.
Yeah, both "Microsoft MCE" and "Remote, Keyboard, gamepad, or other HID" are selected in my case and it still doesn't work.
What I did is I made my preamp remote learn the commands from the MCE remote but ... it works every other time.
Especially skip forward and skip backward buttons. It's very weird... So if I press skip forward once, it would skip to the next track but if I press it again, nothing happens.
I found a workaround for this though. If I press Pause and then skip forward, it seems to work every time. I can't explain this behavior but at least it works!
Title: Re: JRiver MC25 fails to learn commands from a Microsoft Media Center Remote system
Post by: RoderickGI on April 10, 2019, 03:11:39 pm
If an IR Remote works intermittently it is often just weak batteries. Something I always try when I get strange results like that.
Title: Re: JRiver MC25 fails to learn commands from a Microsoft Media Center Remote system
Post by: LazyBorzoi on April 11, 2019, 11:35:11 am
If an IR Remote works intermittently it is often just weak batteries. Something I always try when I get strange results like that.

No, unfortunately, that is not the issue. I put fresh batteries in and I can see the IR receiver blink every time I press a button on my preamp remote but the MC doesn't react to it on every press.
For example, I press the Skip to next track button and it works the first time. But then if I press it again (and I do wait a few seconds too), nothing happens.
However, if I first press Pause and then Skip, it seems to work.
WTF???
Title: Re: JRiver MC25 fails to learn commands from a Microsoft Media Center Remote system
Post by: RoderickGI on April 12, 2019, 06:10:59 am
IR Remote controls are an arcane form of magic.

I have noticed that sometimes the Skip ( >>| ) button can be a little problematic. But not to the extent you are talking about. Maybe after the first press MC is in a state where it won't accept a second press. Perhaps to protect you from yourself and prevent double or triple skips. I don't know.
Title: Re: JRiver MC25 fails to learn commands from a Microsoft Media Center Remote system
Post by: cncb on April 12, 2019, 08:25:25 am
I am pretty sure the MCE IR remote commands are unique in that they are not quite the same each press.  My old URC remote was never able to learn them at all.
Title: Re: JRiver MC25 fails to learn commands from a Microsoft Media Center Remote system
Post by: JimH on April 12, 2019, 08:45:50 am
I am pretty sure the MCE IR remote commands are unique in that they are not quite the same each press. 
They should be.

Bright lights in a room can affect behavior.  Sunlight, for example.

Even a mirror can cause problems sometimes.