Maybe a stupid question, but...

Question

I've got a new E1705 with the media center remote control.  Inside the box that held the remote was also a fairly long black cord with what appears to be 1/4' type plug at one end and a small maroon colored end with a sticky pad at the other.  It doesn't appear to be a mic even thought that is what the end with the plug resembels.      What is this for and where does it plug in???  I haven't a clue.   Thanks, fireman1000

E1505x2 · Answer

That cord is the infrared receiver for the remote.  The laptop itself, as far as I know, doesn't have a built in IR receiver, but I may be wrong, I have a different model.  You can use that IR receiver with most PC's. I believe it plugs into one of your sound ports (line-in/mic) and converts IR signals into audio pulses for the media center software to convert to commands when you press buttons on the remote.   You basically mount the red end someplace clearly in view (line of sight) of the remote control when using it with your notebook computer, hence the sticky pad.   Enjoy.

E1505x2 · Answer

A) Are there batteries in the remote? Are they seated correctly? Are they fully charged, not drained?

B) Are you pointing the remote directly at the IR receiver from 18" away? Try it with the lights in the room off, some lighting can effect IR, you just need to try it in the dark one time to find out :)

C) Did you configure the software for the remote? Was there any? There should be a software control for it somewhere that allows you to configure the remotes behaviour.

hope that helps.. Good Luck

fireman1000 · Answer

By the way, it also came with a rather large infrared receiver with a USB connector that works fine but it would be great to get the smaller one to work for mobility purposes. Thanks

fireman1000 · Answer

Thanks but when I plug it in, a pop-up window appears and I choose mic function then the sticky pad end lights up as if it goes live, but the remote doesn't make anything at all happen even when I manually go into media center. Any suggestions???

Thanks,

fireman1000

fireman1000 · Answer

Yes to all questions. The remote lights up whenever any buttons are pressed as well as the sticky end of the probe that I plugged into the mic port that stays lit all of the time whenever I choose mic from the popup window immediately after plugging it into the port.

Thanks again for your help.

E1505x2 · Answer

Ahh it's likely an IR blaster with transmitter. The cord is not a receiver but a transmitter to control another device such as your cable box. Look on the USB box itself for a small hole the cable plugs in to.

And I'm betting theres a detailed manual for the whole thing somewhere, if not on dells site (which it should be) then contact dell (if that is wher you got the remote kit) and ask them for a link to the manual, not the setup guide.

once again, good luck, and sorry.. I don't think the cable will work as a portable receiver, although, those do exist.

tonebalone · Answer

See if this manual helps: http://www.2partsfusion.com/manuals/MCE_Remote_Manual.pdf

tonebalone · Answer

This is my 2 cents worth: if you have to be within 18' to use a remote, you might as well just use your fingers.

E1505x2 · Answer

:smileyvery-happy:  The 18' rule is used for testing, not general use. Some IR receivers have trouble when the transmitter is closer than 1 foot away, and at 18' it is unlikely that unusual environmental lighting will wash out the IR light/signal.

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