Q: Where can I get the specifications for Windows Vista Windows Media Center remote controls?
A: The document containing the required specifications for IHVs and OEMs to build remote controls for Windows Vista computers running Windows Media Center, Remote Control Specification for Windows Media Center Technologies, is available for download on Microsoft Connect. Specifications for IR receivers are addressed in the Windows Vista IR Receiver or Transceiver Hardware Requirements document. All remote control units shipped with a Windows Vista computer running Windows Media Center must conform to the Windows Logo Program 3.0 Premium level logo.
Q: What changes are being made to the Green Start button (also known as the "Windows Media Center Start button") for Windows Media Center in Windows Vista?
A: Microsoft has updated the Green Start button to a round design for Windows Vista allowing users to easily relate any device in the Windows Media Center ecosystem as part of the same updated Windows Media Center user experience. Specifications and supporting engineering graphics files for the new round Green Start button are found in the Green Buuton Guidelines Kit (15 MB download) on Microsoft Connect.
Q: What is the minimum amount of total system memory for a Windows Media Center in Windows Vista computer?
A: Windows Media Center in Windows Vista shares system memory requirements with Windows Vista as described in the WLP. Microsoft recommends 1 GB or more of system memory to ensure optimal performance for Windows Media Center applications such as TV recording, photo editing, and other multimedia functions. Please see the latest draft of the Windows Logo Program 3.0 for information on Windows Vista system memory requirements.
For Windows Vista computers with Unified Memory Architecture (UMA) graphics, the amount of graphics memory must be in addition to the system memory.
Q: What Video hardware feature does MS Vista requirements
A: Microsoft DirectX 9-class graphics processor unit (GPU) with Pixel Shader 2.0 support, a signed driver that implements the Windows Vista Display Driver Model (WVDDM), and native display resolutions at 32 bits per pixel (bpp)
Q: Can OEMs use legacy remote control units (for example, remotes shipped with Microsoft Windows XP Windows Media Center Edition 2005 computers without the new round Green Start button) for Windows Vista computers running Windows Media Center?
A: Microsoft strongly recommends that all new Windows Vista computers running Windows Media Center ship with remote controls that use the new round Green Start button. A transitional period is being offered for OEMs to ship legacy remote control units with the rectangular Green Start button used for Windows XP Windows Media Center Edition 2005 computers with Windows Vista computers running Windows Media Center until May 31, 2007.
Q: Can OEMs add a new function button on a legacy remote control to ship with Windows Vista without requiring the new round Green Start button?
A: No. All remote controls shipping with new Windows Vista computers running Windows Media Center must conform to the specifications for remote controls found in the Windows Logo Program 3.0 Premium level logo and the Remote Control Specification for Windows Media Center Technologies document. Any changes to a legacy remote control unit that requires retooling for the remote must include the new round Green Start button for Windows Vista.
Q: Can remote control manufacturers that do not have a Designed for Windows Media Center Edition license agreement provide legacy remote control units with the rectangular Green Start button to OEMs?
A: No. Only the approved remote control manufacturers on file with Microsoft on or before January 1, 2006 is are allowed to manufacture the legacy rectangular Green Start button used in Windows XP Windows Media Center Edition 2005 for use with Windows Vista.
Q: Why is Microsoft requiring remote controls for Windows Media Center for Windows Vista to use standardized iconography without text rather than using localized text and iconography as in previous versions of Windows XP Windows Media Center Edition?
A: Microsoft is requiring remote controls for Windows Vista Windows Media Center to use only standardized icons rather for two reasons:
1. Controlling Costs
Studies have shown there is significant reduction in cost to the OEM or ODM though inventory management when using one standardized remote control icon design
2. Scalability
Requiring one standardized remote control icon design allows OEMs to offer products to the 190 countries that will sell Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate SKUs
Note While the top portion of the remote control must use the standardized icons, the number pad (or IME) can be localized in sixteen different languages to allow for various markets to be supported.
Q: Did Microsoft develop all-new remote control iconography for the Windows Vista Windows Media Center remote?
A: No, the majority of the remote control iconography used for Windows Vista Windows Media Center remote control unit is ISO-9000 certified and has been used on consumer remote controls for decades. The Windows Media Center-specific icons related to the More Info, Guide, Live TV, and DVD Menu functions have all been shown through usability studies to be easily discoverable through usage.
Q: What user scenarios require a Windows Vista computer running Windows Media Center to ship with remote controls and IR receivers?
A: Windows Vista computers running Windows Media Center that include a TV tuner must include a remote control and an IR transceiver as an input device. Remote control hardware is optional only if the Windows Vista computer running Windows Media Center is a laptop or if no tuner is shipped with the computer.
Q: Will the recommended RC6 protocol work on remote controls for Windows Media Center in Windows Vista?
A: Yes. If an OEM chooses to implement another protocol the OEM must write the IR decoder as well as the button map to plug into the Windows Media Center IR driver. For information on writing a custom IR decoder, read the Windows Vista IR Receiver or Transceiver Emulation Device Requirements document on Microsoft Connect.
Q: Are multiple IR emitters required for Windows Vista computers running Windows Media Center with multiple TV tuners?
A: Yes. For example, Windows Vista computers running Windows Media Center shipping with dual-tuner configurations must provide two IR emitters. If shipping with a single tuner configuration, only one IR emitter is required.
Note IR emitters are optional in Japan, China, and on Windows Vista computers running Windows Media Center shipped with a DVB-T TV tuner.
Q: What IR receiver hardware technologies are supported by Windows Vista?
A: Windows Vista supports all of the IR receiver hardware used in previous versions of Windows XP Media Center Edition plus new technologies. The following chart shows the planned support (subject to final approval) for IR receiver hardware for Windows Media Center in Windows Vista compared to previous versions of Windows Media Center:
| IR Receiver Hardware | Microsoft Windows XP Windows Media Center Edition | Windows Vista Windows Media Center |
| Windows XP Media Center Edition Remote Control Receiver Version 1 | a | a |
| Windows XP Media Center Edition Remote Control Receiver Version 2 | a | a |
| Windows XP Media Center Edition Remote Control Receiver Version 3 | a | a |
| Windows Vista Remote Control Receiver Emulator | r | a |
| IR Transceiver/Receiver with Proprietary Port Driver* | r | a |
| IR on the motherboard | r | a |
| HID Receiver (Input Only) | r | a |
| KEY: a = Supported / r = Unsupported | ||
Q: Can OEMs use hardware from a remote control vendor not currently authorized by Microsoft?
A: Yes, but Microsoft has the option to approve the nominated vendor based on the anticipated sales volume and manufacturing experience of the remote control vendor. For more information, e-mail remotemc@microsoft.com
Q: What is the Windows Media Center in Windows Vista two-way remote control?
A: Windows SideShow™, a new development platform in Windows Vista, enables OEMs to build a two-way remote control with an auxiliary display for controlling music playback as well as guide navigation and other features. Requirements for the auxiliary display are contained in a Microsoft Windows SideShow remote control specification document to be released later this year. Auxiliary displays are optional additions to the Windows Media Center remote and are not required, but any remote implementing an auxiliary display must comply with the requirements as specified in the Microsoft Windows SideShow remote control specification document. Microsoft is in the process of developing reference hardware for Windows Media Center that will support SideShow functionality. For more information, e-mail ssremote@microsoft.com