Hello,
I'm planning to connect DirecTV receiver to my TV tuner that has IR transmitters. I understand that I need to use the Media Center remote controller to change channels.
However, I don't like using remote controllers. Is it possible to change channels via Media Center GUI?
Thanks.
You can, but unless you have an Infrared blaster you probably won't get through the Media Center setup wizard.
Media Center insists that it be able to change channels on your Cable/Satellite box in order for the scheduled recording feature to work. I have yet to find a way to bypass that step in the wizard short of lying to it and saying that I was using over-the-air TV reception. I then use my cable box controller to change channels, since as far as Media Center is concerned I only get Channel 4, which is the cable access channel.
Unless you can find some third-party software to run your DirectTV box, you're stuck with the remote.
Having said all that, with an IR Blaster you can use Media Center to change channels. It will use it's built-in tuner to send the IR signal to the DirectTV box for you via the IR Blaster. Be careful in choosing one, as there are numerous compatibility issues between all the various brands of IR Blasters and cable/satellite boxes. :)
Good luck! :)
I ended up buying a Media Center remote which did not include the IR Blaster. Works great for scrolling through pictures (almost as well as just using the arrow keys on my keyboard...), but won't change cable channels by itself. I think I can guess why you don't care for remotes.
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