Azend Group MediaGate GP-IR01BK 1-Channel IR Windows Vista Media Center Remote Control and Receiver (Black)

First some background. I have a pc with an internal tuner card; the tuner package had included a remote and ir receiver that plugged directly into the tuner (not usb). As far as I know, this was a true Media Center remote using the rc6 standard. I had programed my Logitech Harmony remote to control the pc (as well as tv, stereo, etc).I was taking the tuner card out, but still wanted a Media Center remote. I also didn't want to re-program my Harmony. I figured if I bought another remote using Microsoft's rc6 protocol, everything should work as is. I saw another remote on Amazon that was cheaper than this and very popular, but users indicated it did not use Microsoft's rc6 standard.After receiving this, I removed the old ir receiver and plugged this one into a usb port. Windows 7 Pro 64bit detected and installed it automatically. I pointed my Logitech and tried controlling Media Center, and it worked fine, no changes to the Logitech necessary.So this 4 star rating is really for the ir receiver as I have not used the remote itself.

Media Center remote controls are designed for a single purpose. They are not expected to work with anything but Media Center any more than your stock TV remote control is expected to work with your toaster. The biggest differences are how the buttons are arranged, how well the IR receiver works, and whether the remote control has any additional features or buttons. This remote control does well on all points.Setup: Regardless of which MC remote you buy, the setup process is identical. You plug the IR receiver into a USB port. That's it. Any mentions in reviews of Harmony remotes or other brands of remotes has no relevance. The IR receiver receives the IR signals, and Windows processes the info from them using its own drivers. The functionality does not vary and is specified by Microsoft.IR Receiver: IR receivers vary from button sized ones at the end of cords to more hefty ones such as this one, to even larger ones. This one functioned well with the RC pointed at it, pointed away from it, and pointed at the wall behind me, in a room where the PC is about 15 feet away. I compared it with an even larger one (ironically pictured in the manual but not included) and the included one worked just as well.Button layout: Although MC remote controls are not 100% standard, they tend to be pretty close in layout. The various clusters of buttons tend to be laid out similarly. On this model, the volume, mute and channel buttons are in the expected location surrounding the "green button" but are arranged in a circular fashion that makes them easily accessible by feel. Likewise, the cluster of buttons around the Play button is in a fairly standard arrangement, but its circular layout makes it very easy to find the correct buttons. If you've used a different brand MC remote control before, you'll have no problems getting used to this one almost immediately, and won't need to fumble for keys even without a backlit model.Each button also has a text description of its function in case you are not initially familiar with the standard icons such as double arrows or a box with rabbit ears and red dot. Other brands of remote controls use identical icons on the buttons, but you need to know what they mean.Additional features: Media Center remote controls are required to have a standard set of buttons. Their function is dictated by Microsoft, not the remote control manufacturer, so there's almost no variation from one MC remote to another in terms of which buttons are available. However, this one has a radio, music, pictures and video button which are not required buttons. They work exactly as you'd expect them to work in Media Center. There is also a Zoom button, that saves you the trouble of using the "i" button, moving to the left or right until you get to the zoom menu, and choosing a setting.User manual: This remote control comes with a user manual. Since MC remotes are standard, many don't come with one and you can look up what the buttons do on Microsoft's website. This one describes what all the buttons do, and how you set up the IR receiver. It also mentions optional features that do not come with this particular model. It fails to mention that the IR emitter described is optional, but it's only relevant when the RC comes bundled with a tuner card.If there are any weaknesses, it's that you are not buying a more expensive remote control with the optional features described. Other models could have a TV power button in place of the zoom button, in which case the remote would be a learning one for that feature, and (optionally) for the volume control, mute buttons and numeric keypad. If you use a separate RC for your TV anyway, it won't be a big deal. Also, a more expensive backlit model may be available. These are not really faults of the remote control though, but differences between it and more expensive models.As long as you understand that this is designed as a dedicated purpose remote control for Windows Media Center, you will be getting a good one.

I purchased this item for use with my Logitech Harmony 1100 remote. It was to replace another remote (model IR02BK) by this same company when the "pause" button failed to work. On that remote I was informed through a company email that the problem was caused by a production control problem. They provided me a return authorization.Since I could not be without a working remote, before I returned the IR02BK, I ordered the IR01BK as a replacement. Unfortunately, the pause button did not work on that remote either. Last night, after about five weeks of use, the IR01BK stopped working at all.Since the RMA was issued, emails to the company have been ignored, including my request for a phone number so that we could try to resolve these issues. For those who wish to contact the company, based upon the RMA address, the product appears to have been distributed by Media Gate (Anyware Computer Accessories) in Baldwin Park, CA. Their phone number is 626-330-2203.I have given up on trying to make either of the two remotes work. I will now temporarily reinstall the IR02BK and look for a remote with a better reliability history.

I first bought the HP OEM package and the IR receiver was dead on arrival. I sent it back and bought this. It was recognized by Windows 7 and functioning within two minutes. The packaging is much nicer than the HP (well, the HP is OEM so that makes sense, but they are the same price so...) The receiver is smaller and more discreet than the HP. The remote does have a weird reverse curved shape and is not quite as nice as the HP, so minus one star, but I bought this mainly for the IR receiver to use with my Harmony remote so I don't mind. This setup works well.The fast forward or rewind buttons don't work when watching .avi videos through WMC, either on this remote or the Harmony. This isn't an issue with the remote, rather it's with the .avi format. Just be aware if you want to use it for this purpose. Play, pause, FF etc. do work with iTunes which was a nice and unexpected bonus.