How to troubleshoot channel changing in MCE 2004

This article describes how to troubleshoot Windows XP Media Center 2004 if the Media Center Guide remote does not correctly change the channel on your cable box.

Note This article assumes that your remote works correctly, and that you can use it to navigate the user interface.

When you use the remote, the mouse, or the online guide to make channel change request, a signal is sent from the MCE computer, through the infrared (IR) blaster, to the cable box. The IR blaster is configured to send the appropriate IR signals to the cable box to mimic the signals that are sent by the cable box’s remote control. If channel changing does not work, or if channel changing works sporadically, the following methods may help you discover the cause of the issue.

• Verify that the IR receiver and the IR emitter are installed according to the OEM’s instructions.
• Verify that the bud on the IR emitter is placed directly over the IR receiver in the cable box. Cable boxes may have two such receivers. You may have to shine a flashlight in the front of the cable box to view through the near-opaque display to locate the IR receivers. Test by placing the IR emitter over each IR receiver in the cable box.
• Prevent external lighting sources from interfering with the IR receiver. To do so, put the IR bud directly over the IR receiver, and then put a piece of tape over the outside the IR bud.
• Slow down the channel changing. To do so:
  1. Click Settings, click TV, and then set up the TV signal.
  2. Follow the instructions on the screen until you are prompted to choose the number of digits. Verify that you have set the correct number for the highest number of digits that your cable box receives, and then click Next.
  3. On the How Do You Change Channels page, verify if you have to press ENTER. If you are not sure, test on your existing cable remote or contact your cable provider.
  4. On the Select Your Set-top Box Brand page and on the Select Remote Control Code page, verify that you have the correct manufacturer selected. If you are not sure, contact your cable provider for this information.
  5. On the Set IR Signal Speed page, click The channel did not change correctly. This lowers the IR speed to Medium.
  6. Follow the instructions on the screen to finish the wizard.
     
     If this procedure does not correct the issue, repeat this procedure, but at step 5 click The channel did not change correctly two times to lower the IR speed to Slow.
• Contact your cable provider to see if there are any known issues between the cable box that they supplied and Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004.

If none of these methods have resolved your issue, contact your OEM to discuss hardware causes for this issue.

Media Center Technical Support

Because Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition was included with your hardware device or system, the hardware manufacturer provides technical support and assistance for this software. Your manufacturer may have customized the installation with unique components such as specific device drivers and optional settings to maximize the performance of that manufacturer's hardware. If you require technical help with Windows XP Media Center Edition, contact your manufacturer directly because the manufacturer is best qualified to support the software that the manufacturer has installed on the hardware.

You can also visit the Windows XP Media Center Edition product information Web site at the following Microsoft Web site: