Home and Media

Xbox One controllers randomly disconnect

I had an issue on my own Xbox One where one or other controller would randomly disconnect and then reconnect few seconds later after pressing A button on the affected controller. After ruling out obvious issues (low batteries, wireless interference, re-pairing, updating firmware), I started looking into hardware.

Original Xbox One Controllers communicate using proprietary Wi-Fi Direct type of connection (newer models added Bluetooth for PC connection, but controller to console connection is still using Wi-Fi). Specific part that manages Xbox One wireless communications is shown below and can be easily find to buy online my searching Xbox One Wireless Board 1525.

Remove ads from Viber Desktop

Recently Viber started displaying ads in Windows Desktop version. I don't have issues with non-intrusive ads that don't interfere with user experience, but Viber ads cover good part of contact panel and often are quite flashy images with questionable content (weight loss pills, Viagra, etc.)

Media Portal - No AAC sound watching live TV

Issue

No sound in Media Portal watching live UK Freesat and Freevew HD TV channels that stream AAC sound.

Resolution

Download and install LAV audio filters
Open Media Portal Configuration
Go do Codecs and Renderer > TV Codecs
Next to LATM AAC audio: select LAV Audio Decoder

Power Settings - Sleep Button Action keeps reverting to default setting

I have a Media PC that needs to ignore power on/off commands sent by Logitech Harmony remote (Media Centre profile) when the PC is switched on. The idea behind it is that when the PC on, sending IR power command doesn't put it to sleep. But when the PC is off, IR power command will wake it up. Putting the PC to sleep is achieved by mapping a completely irrelevant IR command to run a simple .bat script that engages the sleep mode.

Normally this can be easily achieved by going into Power Options > Change Plan Settings > Change Advanced Power Settings > Power Buttons and Lid > Sleep Button Action and set it to Do nothing.

The problem with this is that the setting for some reason doesn't stick. Every now and then Sleep Button Action for no apparent reason reverts to Sleep...