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Frequently Asked Questions
General
Compatibility, Features and Capabilities
Using Firefly and Beyond Media Basic
Menu Options and On-Screen Elements
Miscellaneous
General
1.01 What is Firefly?
Firefly is a wireless remote control that allows you to control various
media applications on your personal computer. The remote control interacts
with the PC via a USB receiver and a software interface that can be seen
from across the room called Beyond Media Basic. Firefly uses Radio Frequency
(RF) technology, so it can transmit through walls and obstacles and even
control a PC in another room.
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1.02 What are the system requirements for Firefly?
See the Firefly System Requirements page.
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1.03 Is the Firefly PC Remote an IR remote?
No. The Firefly PC Remote uses RF (radio frequency) technology. In the future,
however, we plan to incorporate IR functionality as well.
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1.04 At what RF frequency does the Firefly PC Remote operate?
The Firefly PC Remote operates at 433.92 Mhz.
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1.05 What kind of warranty comes with the Firefly PC Remote?
The Firefly PC Remote is backed up by a 90-day limited warranty.
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1.06 Will I be charged for updates to Beyond Media Basic?
No. Updates for Beyond Media Basic will always be free for registered users.
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1.07 Are the Firefly PC Remote and USB receiver sold separately?
No. Firefly is only sold as a retail package that includes: Firefly PC Remote,
USB receiver, CD (drivers and Beyond Media Basic), installation guide, user's
guide and two AAA batteries.
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Compatibility, Features and Capabilities
2.1 Does Firefly work with Windows Media Center Edition (MCE)?
Yes. You can set your "primary interface" to Windows Media Center
Edition or any other supported "front-end" during the Firefly setup
process or make this change later in the "Settings" section of
Beyond Media Basic.
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2.2 Does the Firefly PC Remote work with Macintosh or Linux systems?
Firefly and the included Beyond Media Basic software are only compatible
with the Windows operating system. However, Firefly is based on the X10 PC
Remote Control. There are X10 drivers available from 3rd parties for both
the Macintosh and Linux platforms.
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2.3 What applications does the Firefly PC Remote support?
Firefly has an extensive list of supported applications.
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2.4 How do I request support for my favorite application?
Post your request to Firefly
Product Discussion Forum. Be sure to include application name, version
and the website address where we can get the most current version of the
application.
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2.5 Does the Firefly PC remote work with Girder?
Yes. Firefly works with version 3.3.1c of Girder. This version includes the Firefly plug-in. Please
note that the Firefly plug-in does not work with older versions of Girder.
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2.6 Can I use more than one Firefly PC Remote with my system?
Yes. You will, however, need to change the "channel ID" of one
remote so that the commands sent from each don't conflict with one another.
To change channel ID, select the "Settings" in the Beyond Media
Basic Main Menu, then select "Firefly Settings." Use your Firefly
Remote to change the "Remote Channel" option from "all channels" to
a specific channel, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the
change.
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2.7 Can I use the Firefly PC Remote to control my PC from a different
room?
Yes. The Firefly PC Remote uses RF signals, so its signal can travel through
walls and other obstacles to a range of fifty feet.
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Using Firefly and Beyond Media Basic
3.1.1 What does the Firefly button do?
The Firefly button allows you to return to the home screen of media interface
that you are using on you PC, e.g. Beyond Media Basic, Windows Media Center
Edition (MCE) or myHTPC.
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3.1.2 How do I know what buttons do what in the various Firefly
supported applications?
When you are using a supported
application , press the "Help" button on your Firefly PC
Remote to launch a list of the buttons on the Firefly PC Remote and the
function each performs in that application.
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3.1.3 Can I control the system volume and power settings on
my PC using the Firefly PC Remote?
Yes. Raise and lower system volume using Firefly's volume buttons. Use
the Mute button to temporarily stop all system sound. These audio options
are also available by selecting the "Settings" section in the Beyond
Media Basic Main Menu. Select the "System Volume" option to make
changes. You can also be access power management states from this screen.
Select the "System Power" option.
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3.1.4 What is the "mouse" button on the Firefly PC
Remote?
This button enables and disables "mouse mode" which allows you
to control the mouse pointer on your PC. Use the the directional arrows and
the OK button on your Firefly PC Remote to navigate and select on-screen
options. Use the "Menu" and "Exit" buttons for the left-click
and right-click options on your mouse.
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3.1.5 Why so I hear a sound different from normal one when
I press certain buttons?
This sounds signals that the function you are trying to perform is not supported
by Firefly in the current screen or application.
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3.1.6 What are the buttons marked DVD, TV, Video, Music and
Photos on the Firefly PC Remote?
These are "media" buttons that allow you to launch applications
simply by pressing a button. For example, if you have Beyond TV configured
as your TV application, pressing the "TV" button will launch Beyond
TV.
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3.1.7 How can I change the application associated with the
media button on my Firefly remote?
You can associate your favorite media application with each media button
by going to the "Settings" option in the Beyond Media Basic Main
Menu and selecting "Media Buttons." A list of possible applications
for each button is populated based on the supported programs installed on
your PC.
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Menu Options and On-Screen Elements
3.2.1 What does the "Start Menu" option in the Beyond
Media Basic Main Menu do?
Selecting this menu option is the same as pressing the Windows Start button > All
Programs... It allows users to browse the program folders and launch individual
applications installed on the PC.
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3.2.2 How do I add applications to the Beyond Media Basic Main
Menu?
Please see the document Add Applications to the Main Menu in the Firefly Help
File.
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3.2.3 How can I delete programs from the Beyond Media Basic
Main Menu?
Please see the document Remove Applications to the Main Menu in the Firefly Help
File.
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3.2.4 A new option called "Update" appeared in the
Main Menu. What does this do?
The "Update" option appears whenever there is an update available
for Beyond Media Basic. Selecting this option will will download the latest
update. Please note that to receive this notification and complete an update,
you must have an active connection to the Internet.
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3.2.5 What are the messages that appear on the top right of
my screen when I press a button?
These messages that inform you what action is being performed in the application
when you press a particular button on the Firefly PC Remote. They can be
disabled by selecting the Settings > Firefly Settings from the Beyond
Media Basic Main Menu.
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3.2.6 What does the "Running Applications" option
in the Beyond Media Basic Main Menu do?
Please see the document View Running Applications in the Firefly Help File.
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Miscellaneous
3.3.1 Can I check for updates to the software manually?
Yes. To check manually for updates to Beyond Media Basic, right click on
the Firefly task bar icon and select the option titled "Check for updates."
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3.3.2 How can I restart the Firefly tutorial?
Press Start > All Programs... > SnapStream Media > Firefly > Firefly
Tutorial.
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3.3.3 I don't want Beyond Media Basic to start when Windows
starts. Can I disable this?
No. Beyond Media Basic must be running for the remote control to function.
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