I have a customized HTPC setup that I have in near 100% working condition (you can never be completely satisfied with your set-up haha). I'm running Windows XP Media Center and I control everything via Logitech Wireless Media Keyboard. It works great and does everything I want it to; however, I still would like to have a "normal" hand-style remote. I already own the Radio Shack Kameleon 6-in-1 remote because I used to use it with my TV and now I'd really like to set it for my HTPC. I know I can buy the MCE Remote but it's not as cool or impressive plus I already own this Kameleon. Could someone point me in the direction I need to be in order to set this up? I know I'll at least need an IF receiver that plugs in via USB but then what?

HELP!

There are several ways you can do this. I'm assuming the remote you have is model 15-2133 from the description. I'm not sure if you can get just the MCE receiver without the remote, so you will most likely have the remote anyway, so you can use the learn function of the Kameleon remote to learn the functions from the MCE remote. However, I think you might run out of learning memory before you record all the functions.

The other way is to call One for All or Radio Shack and get the upgrade for MCE protocol. Since 15-2133 is phone upgradeable, you should be able to get the upgrade done over the phone. If not, they can email you the .wav file for the upgrade if you ask. I think the upgrade setup code you want is either 1272 or 1972.

Another way to get the upgrade uploaded to the remote is to use JP1 cable. Unfortunately, it seems like the way 15-2133 is designed, it's difficult to get keep the cable attached and have the batteries stay in place while uploading the upgrade using a computer. You can also make the .wav file with the tools and upgrade files they have at the site linked above, and use that to upload upgrades like you would with One for All over the phone.

Whichever way you get the upgrade, once the remote has been programmed with MCE upgrade, the ir receiver won't know the difference and will behave just as if getting the signal from the original MCE remote, and MCE should work with the remote. If you want to control other programs with the remote, however, you will need additional software.

I've done this with URC-9910 and Comcast remote (it's made by the same company that makes Kameleon and OfA remotes, and uses the same setup codes), and they work great.

Awesome, and thanks for the quick reply. Sounds a lot simpler than I was expecting. I guess I'll look on ebay for the MCE remote and receiver and get the upgrade loaded via phoneline.

One more thing though, how can I turn off the motion sensor turn-on feature on the Kameleon? It's a cool feature and all but everytime someone walks across the room or my surround sound gets going the poor remote goes on and off and on blah blah. I go through batteries like crazy. Can I just have it where I press any key and it turns on?

Nevermind, I found the answer somewhere else on this site. Thanks for the help again.


http://kameleonrc.blogspot.com/ <---- For anyone else who's interested in how to

One more thing,

If I already have a Logitech Wireless keyboard and mouse can that receiver be used? Or is that RF? Sorry, when it comes to frequencies and such I'm a total newb, put me inside a computer and I'm at home:)

Also this is the TV tuner card I'm going to order to use with MCE [Link: tigerdirect.com] It also comes with a remote so will I still need the MCE USB receiver?

Most likely it is an RF receiver.


Generally, ir receivers are specific to the remote it comes with. The receiver for that remote will most likely not accept the ir signals from the MCE remote, therefore also not accept universal remote with MCE upgrade. Technically, the receiver probably detects the signal, but the driver ignores it.
If that remote is meant to be used with MCE, however, it probably comes with a driver that hooks up the remote to MCE. In that case, your Kameleon needs to emulate the remote that comes with the TV card, which may not necessarily be the same as the MCE remote. In that case, you will have the same 3 options for upgrading your Kameleon to emulate the TV card's remote as before (call One for All, JP1 cable, or learning).