Instructables stumbled upon a nifty little trick getting their DirecTV universal remote to work with the Xbox 360. After a few simple steps and about 5-10 minutes of cycling through codes, they were able to power up the Xbox and even get some DVD playback functionality out of it. The cool thing about this is that it opens the door to the possibility of other universal remotes being programmed to work with the 360. For example, DirecTV isn't available in Canada, but Shaw Cable has a similar service with its own set top box and universal remote that can manage every component of your home theatre, and if it can be configured to control the Xbox 360, that would be very convenient indeed. Full instructions and brief video after the break.1.) Change your remote to av1, making sure it's not pointing at a receiver that would react to the input. Press and hold mute and select until the av1 switch blinks twice.
2.) Press 991, then 2, followed by the power button.
3.) Press the up button 30-50 times, with a small delay between each until the Xbox 360 turns on. Note that the light above av1 will blink after each press.
4.) Once you reach the proper code that turns on your Xbox 360, press select to finish configuring the remote. Now you have a working Xbox 360 remote.
If any of you fanboys have DirecTV and try this, let us know how well this replaces the official remote from Microsoft.
[Via Digg]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-23-2007 @ 1:15PM
Dr Woopass said...
You can already use any universal remote control with an IR learning feature on the xbox360. I currently use an inexpensive MX500 remote to control the display, set top boxes and console.
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1-23-2007 @ 1:27PM
JJdoglegg said...
sweet, I just got DirecTV 2 weeks ago, i'm stuck at work now but will try this tonight.
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1-23-2007 @ 1:28PM
Chris said...
Sweet... I just got it to work. I can't get it to power my 360 on or off, but everything else functions fine (exit button, dvd controls, directional buttons) THANKS!!
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1-23-2007 @ 1:29PM
darley said...
I use the Harmony 880 with my 360.
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1-23-2007 @ 1:31PM
Chris said...
Correction.. It does power it on or off.
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1-23-2007 @ 1:38PM
ThorzHamer said...
I recently received a Harmony Remote for 360 as a gift from my Fiancé and if you are serious about getting rid of all of the remotes on your coffee table then do yourself a favor and go out an get a Harmony remote... yeah they are a bit pricey for some but I have literally ONE remote that can control my tv,surround sound receiver,cable box, tivo, and my 360 with HD DVD..... I used to have 5 remotes on the damn table and now its ONE!
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1-23-2007 @ 2:05PM
smak from irvine said...
This is news how???? Must be a slow day...
wtf, logitech harmony 880, done.
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1-23-2007 @ 2:07PM
bostoneric said...
X3
Harmony 880!
move along nothing else to see here!
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1-23-2007 @ 2:47PM
Lobato said...
Does anyone know which IR code is that? My LG TV remote has a table of selectable codes, maybe it's listed there too...
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1-23-2007 @ 4:18PM
TurboFool said...
My Time Warner DVR universal remote controls the 360 perfectly, because it has codes for controlling Media Center PCs, and the 360 responds perfectly to Media Center remotes.
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1-23-2007 @ 4:54PM
Don Wilson said...
Not working for me, I've got the exact same DirecTV remote control. Someone needs to find the actual code.
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1-23-2007 @ 6:57PM
Frank aka TheMan661 said...
Wow I have been waiting for this one, being that I just got directv a few months ago and was dissapointed when the remote would not work. Nice find Dave.
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1-24-2007 @ 12:10AM
Bibbo said...
Confirmed, 360 responds with on Time Warner Cable's DVR Remote Model UR5U-8400 (manufactured by Pace, I believe). All you have to do is program the remote with auto search.
Hold the [device] + Select buttons simultaneously until [device] stays lit, then press CH+ about 40-50 times until 360 powers on. It's that easy. Fully functional with all DVD playback features, and powers system on/off.
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1-24-2007 @ 1:13AM
Stridery said...
All you have to do is use the Media Center PC remote code.
Select AV1 or AV2
Hold Select + Mute until the lights blink twice.
Press Power
Type in 21972
thats it!
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1-24-2007 @ 1:33AM
Pseudo99 said...
Why is this making news everywhere? Is it that slow of a news day?
The original Xbox DVD remote was manufatured by RCA, so most RCA universal remote
codes worked for it. 99 percent of IR remotes can replicated by universal remotes, and
DirecTV and Dish remotes have universal code support built in.
If it's a slow news day, maybe we should have stuff like:
"If Xbox/Xbox 360 drives have a disc read error, you can buy a new replacement laser
and replace it!"
"NEWS FLASH! You can use rechargeable batteries on an Xbox 360 and a wall charger
INSTEAD of the play and charge kit....this way, you can always be wireless!!!"
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1-24-2007 @ 12:26PM
Scott said...
I thought any universal learning remote could do this? I know mine can and has been since I got the 360 at launch.
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1-24-2007 @ 1:51PM
Dean said...
Hmmm, my 360 and my HR20 are both in a closet. Could I use the HR20 remote in RF mode to control the 360? I would guess not, but it would be nice if I could. Or, better yet, use the HR20 remote to control other devices in my closet too, such as my A/V receiver, but from RF mode. I have an RF universal remote, but I like some of the special buttons on the HR20 remote.
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