Take Control Information Page

Please Note : Microsoft doesn't offer any product support for the Take Control TC-1000 remote control. It is an OEM only product and is not available for sale or product support from Microsoft. Some Hardware MVP's have a unit available to them for testing and may be able to answer some general troubleshooting questions. If you have more difficult issues, then please contact Harman International or Madrigal for product support. This site is for informational purposes ONLY and any information is not provided by Microsoft or Harman International and Madrigal. Simply put, it's a site I put together to help those in search of information on the Take Control!

What is the Take Control?

Take Control is the result of a joint development project between Harman International, Madrigal, and Microsoft.

The Take Control is a hybrid IR (infrared) remote control. It combines the advantages of hard buttons, a programmable, back lit touchscreen and an innovative selector wheel. A licensed database containing thousands of IR codes is preprogrammed. The Take Control can also learn additional/new codes using conventional methods.

Take Control is called an "activity-based" remote because its operation can be organized around activities rather than individual components or "devices". Take Control uses "activity screens" to organize the basic commands of the various components in your system needed for a specific activity. For example, the activity screen "Watch TV" might include a group of commands that enable you to control the volume on your A/V receiver, change the channels on your DSS satellite controller, and change the picture or inputs on your TV -- all from a single, customized screen on Take Control. Customizing the remote control can be accomplished right from an easy to use, built-in programming menu. For even greater programming flexibility, Take Control can be connected to your personal computer and customized using special Windowsª software supplied with each unit. Change names of devices, commands, activities and macros. Add, delete or relocate buttons on the screens. Macros can quickly and easily be created to further automate your system. In short, Take Control does more, for less than any other IR remote control.

Where can I get one?

Currently, there are 2 companies that sell the Take Control and they are Harman International and Madrigal and retail for around $399.00 (US$).

New Software Update available from Harman International and Madrigal

A new version of the Take Control Software has been released by both Harman International and Madrigal. This new software will enhance the features and operation of the Take Control and its companion, the Take Control Editor.

Installing the new software offers the following features/enhancements:

Faster performance on the Take Control remote control
Longer, more descriptive labels for buttons, activities, devices and macros
Customizable icons to identify different macros (as with activities and devices)
Enhanced default wheel behavior for built-in activities (example: FF/REW for media play)
Finer granularity in macro timing (select 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 second delays)
Enhanced navigation shortcuts to activities, devices and macros (add buttons for "Back," "Devcs" and "Home Menu")
Lock-out feature to block accidental or unauthorized changes to the Take Control configuration when not connected to a PC. (Removes Device and Activity setup from the Home Menu)
Additional Harman and Madrigal products' in the IR database

Upgrading your Take Control and Editor software will not change any of the activities, devices or macros you have already programmed.

Before you begin . . .

Have your Take Control and the serial cable for PC connection ready. If you do not have your Take Control or serial cable nearby, you can download the upgrade now and install the new software in the Take Control later. When you're ready to upgrade the Take Control, just launch the editor software and choose "Synchronize".

NOTE: Upgrading the Take Control takes about 20 minutes. Please leave the Take Control remote connected to the PC during the entire process. Unplugging Take Control before the upgrade is complete will leave it inoperable. The screen will display a message "Downloader Version 1.0 . . ." and you will need to re-run the Take Control upgrade. If you are in doubt about whether you have already downloaded the latest software, you can check your version number by starting the Editor, select Help, then select About. The version number of this upgrade is 1.5.065.

Harman International (their web site is currently under construction and the download is nowhere to be found). It used to be there, thats where I got my update from. But recently, they changed the site and I can no longer find it. However, you may obtain a CD-ROM copy from the Harman Kardon Parts Department. The cost of the CD-ROM is $9.95 to cover replication, shipping and handling costs. Call 800-645-7484 x6115 to place an order.

Madrigal has the IRIQ Editor software v1.5 for their IRIQ available for download at http://www.madrigal.com/IRIQSoftware.htm. I couldn't find any place to order it on CD though.

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