Here's a suggestion...
Sorry, but I was about to suggest the same thing, then decided to check your posts to see if you mentioned what remote and/or software you're using, and found this. Maybe it's no longer relevant, or no longer working for you...
I use a Firefly remote with LM Remote Keymap—because I found Girder too intimidating. It switches "profiles" based on the application in focus (using a default profile if there isn't one for the application in focus). But it also has a command for forcing the use of a specified profile. If I were in your circumstance, I would simply include a menu item or button in the default profile (accessible no matter what has focus) to switch to the MC profile, and one in the MC profile to switch back to the default. I've forgotten how Girder works, but surely it can do the same thing—in some manner less awkward than what you found three years ago.
Aaah yeah, I'm using EventGhost these days since it's free. The solution from a few years ago is pretty clunky but still works, even with Eventghost. However, with EventGHost, you can actually control some (though not all) MC functions when MC is out-of-focus... using the Windows SendMessage API, with the commands referenced on the JRiver wiki. EventGhost is set to target the
Media Center 15.exe Window /
MJFrame Window Class.
There are certain messages that are specific to MC. EventGhost can properly control an out-of-focus MC window with these, for example:
Play - SendMessage command: 33768 (wParam: 10000; lParam: 0)
Volume Up (+5) - SendMessage command: 33768 (wParam: 10018; lParam: 5)
There are other MC functions that are controlled with generic keystrokes (such as up/down arrow keys). Eventghost can't control an out-of-focus MC window with these as the sendmessage keystrokes target any windows application that's in focus, for example:
Up- SendMessage command: 33768 (wParam: 27000; lParam: 38)
Down - SendMessage command: 33768 (wParam: 27000; lParam: 40)
Any tips on how to control all functions of MC when it's out of focus?