Windows Media Center IR Hardware not detected

Anonymous
2009-07-06T09:33:04+00:00

Hi,  I'm getting stuck at the "IR Hardward not detected" when trying to set up TV.

I'm in Australia and have a wireless component receiving my digital signal from another room.  www.cocoonsystems.com.au  I'm running a Haupaggue (spell?) TV tuner.  The TV tuner can view the signal coming from my cocoon via their product called WinTV.  It is viewed on the Composite connection.  (PC is a new Dell desktop with Vista loaded)

So, when I go to set up Media Center to see the signal also I conduct the following:

1.  Set up TV Signals

2.  Region Australia

3.  Choose Antenna

4.  Select Digital Terrestrial

5.  Select Yes (to view through a set top box, because the other option doesn't find my signal)

6.  It finds picture and sound playing through Composite 1, so I select this

7.  IR Hardware not detected.

Media Center will not let me by-pass step 7 if I don't have an IR connection.  I don't need my PC to change channels because I use the digital tv remote to change channels through the cocoon system.

Is there any way anyone knows that I can by-pass this annoying question of IR Hardware not detected?  I can only assume if I had my Video Camera connected through the Composite connection I would have the same problem also, as that doesn't have a remote either.

Anything I can do?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2009-07-06T19:06:30+00:00

Balibooblue,

Thank you for visiting the Microsoft Answers community forum.

The only way I know to get around the need for an IR hardware device during the setup of Media Center for TV viewing is to use a "virtual" IR device.  There is one called "Vista MCE IR Blaster" that is a file you download from the Internet that simulates an IR device.  You will have to do a search for it.  Or you can buy the hardware that Media Center is asking for relatively inexpensively online, about $20 USD.

Using Third Party Software, including hardware drivers can cause serious problems that may prevent your computer from booting properly. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Third Party Software can be solved. Using Third Party Software is at your own risk.

Let us know if this information was helpful or if you need additional help.

Thank you,

Gloria

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-02-15T20:52:08+00:00

    YES!!! That worked for me!

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-01-01T22:15:14+00:00

    You can by going through the setup process. When it asks if you have a cable box answer NO same for antenna. What I did notice is depending on the ZIP code channel 3 may not be available so make sure you find a ZIP code where channel 3 is available as this most likely is where your cable box is sending its signal to on your PC card.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-09-01T23:56:46+00:00

    Ditto. I've been hoping since I installed Win7 SEVERAL YEARS AGO, that MSFT would DO something to fix this IR problem. I would think, like me, most people would want to attach a cable box and or a VCR as I have to record from. I don't know why anyone would want to control the cable box with the WMC remote. 

    I have the MSFT WMC remote and I have the IR blaster and so forth, but why would I give a flip about setting up the STB to operate with it? Makes little if any sense to me.

    A "skip" button I vote YES for. How does one ever set up an S-VIDEO and COMPOSITE VIDEO with only one blaster anyway? Anyone? Anyone? Beuller? Beuller?

    jurassical

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-08-29T02:11:12+00:00

    The "Virtual" IR device solution doesn't work for 64bit PCs. also; I saw your answer and purchased an IR remote. I then went through the set up process for the 24th time and, lo and behold, it was still not seeing an IR remote. As a Microsoft Answers Support Engineer, perhaps you can tell us why Microsoft requires its own remote in the first place and why the requirement hasn't been done away with already.

    Also, regarding the solution put forth by Maddogcr, it occurs to me that one could not record favorite TV Shows on the PC like that. That would be my priority and so that solution still isn't enough.

    This needs to be made right, and Microsoft is the only one who can do that. otherwise, I'm going to have to finally make the switch to Apple

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