If you look down on the top of the box, you'll see 3 slots between the core of the device and the plastic surrounding. The IR receiver is behind the middle slot.

You may need to unpair your Aim Anywhere remote (I have an XR5 v4-R), but I've got my new X1 Xi3 box working with a URC MX-880 through MRF-260 and a blaster just fine.

I'm using the Xfinity [RF Only] (202) codes. I've searched for hours and I can't figure out how to "pair" a universal remote with the Xi3 and I don't know if it even will. I tried to learn the Setup hard button on the XR5, but I have a feeling it's a 2-way registration and the MX-880 will never be able to "pair".

Also, I don't know if the [IR Only] (195) codes will work just as well if I am using an IR blaster. Been at this too long to care, it's working.

Hope this helps someone.

Pair a URC with Xfinity? You kiddin' me mon?

I think jimbob's not quite gettin' the way we talks around here. Fust, we offers answers to questions, and this thrad starts with an answer. Jimbob, who's askin? Whut's the kestion?

"Pairing" is a term for devices which can "talk" to each other, when they are set up to only talk with one particular other. Remotes like the MX880 are set up to emit codes from a set, and ANY device that responds to that codeset can be controlled by ANY MX880. That's not pairing, and MX880s cannot be paired.

What is an Aim Anywhere remote? Who makes it? Is it one of the multi-device remotes where you "program" it by telling it which set of codes to use for each of several devices?

Another thing: If the Xfinity is only controllable by RF, it must be controlled by an Xfinity RF controller made to control it. IR is pretty universal, with modulating frequencies mostly around 38 kHz; rarely around 56 kHz (I think); hardly ever at 455 kHz; and there might be an old Pioneer that still can respond to 1.125 MHz. Programmable remotes that can control most components are able to use 38 and 56 kHz.

RF, though, can use whatever particular frequency, within a few legally available bands, the manufacturer of the receiving device chooses to use, so universal transmitting devices would be stupidly expensive to make. There is no standard decided-upon frequency.

The RF remotes of the MX880 variety send RF to their own receivers, which convert the signals to IR. An example of there being no universal decided-upon frequency for RF is found in these remote systems, where they can be set to any one of six or eight frequencies. This only works because the remote control and the receiver are set BY YOU to match one another.

Wow, easy crowd;)

Ernie, you clearly know this stuff! With massive respect to the pros that have posted so much information that I've benefited from over the years, I'm in no way trying to compare my knowledge with yours, but share information so others don't have to go through the brutal tail-chasing I had to.

This is indeed all the information one needs if you have the new RF-based Xfinity platform and have been searching for a way to use an IR remote or a remote with IR blasters (covers a respectable chunk of the universal remote market) with the newest X1 boxes (DVR & Satellite). The "question" comes from dozens, if not hundreds, of posts across the big A/V forums where it is unanswered. There are a bunch of different remotes and devices that Comcast farmed out manufacturing to so I just listed the one I had. To be specific, I was given the XR5-v4.

I had a need and thoroughly researched if others had the same need or problem, reviewed the available information Google could find, tested various configurations, and presented a solution that works.

Ernie, thank you again for the detailed information on the IR/RF frequencies and you indeed validate that the MX-880, or any non-Xfinity remote, can't be paired. Pairing is a term used by Comcast and appears all over the web and support forums for the new Xfinity RF platform and it's remotes. Like a Roku remote, the Xfinity RF remotes are uniquely paired with a device. This is another question countless people have been asking.

All that said, I'll add to my post with some links that I'll admit would have been helpful in the OP.

Remotes:
[Link: customer.xfinity.com]

Pairing:
[Link: customer.xfinity.com]

If this belongs in another section, a moderator is free to move it to another section because Google will pick it up eventually.

We just set-up a little system earlier this week using an MX900+MRF350 to control a X1 box. Piece of cake.

I am trying to verify that the box has the ability to be controlled by IR. [Link: corporate.comcast.com]
Is this the box you are talking about when you say the IR is between the slots?

Thankyou

Your link doesn't go to anything or at least I get an error.

Anyway, the Xfinity boxes can be controlled by IR with no problem. The issue is only with what remote system you are using and what code set with it.

As to the IR sensor. If you shine a bright flashlight onto the front, you can see the semi-transparent window where the IR sensor is.

it's the x2 box

The box I have seen doesn't have a transparent front. It's solid.

It still will reciever IR, it's there somewhere

The XG2 box's IR sensor target area is located on the front.
pretty much centered left to right and is in the bottom third.

It looks solid but it is not. There is a small section that is transparent to IR, where the IR sensor is located.
That is why you need a bright flash light. Otherwise you can't see that area, as it doesn't pass visible light very well - it looks almost solid.

This is the same on most every electronic device with an IR remote out there. This is a very common task, that people have been doing for decades to find the IR sensor. Sometimes the area is very noticeable, other times very hard to see even under the brightest flashlight.

Thank you
the Xg2 is the box I am referring to.

I have a similar problem with a slingbox and a new Contour cable box from COX.
COX told me its a Pace XG2. Its made by Samsung and called a SX022ANM.

The remote is RF by I need to know if I can control cable box channels using
a IR remote and if so what model number and code wored changing channels.
From there I can check on the slingbox forum for a compatible file to add to
my slingbox.

My other contour box is a Arris XG1 v3.

I have so far not had much luck on the slingbox community forum.

Any help would be appreciated. My slingbox has useless since this upgrade
to contour.
thanks, Ken

Apparently Ken found how to control it with a Slingbox.  The Samsung SX022ANM is also branded as Pace PX022ANM, and that is in the Slingbox list.