Documentation

Quick Start

  1. Download latest version of Netflix Remote Controller for Windows 10. (Running Windows 8.1? Use v0.16 instead).

  2. Then, just run it. This utility will auto-start Netflix and continue to run in the system tray (in the background).

  3. Use the buttons on your remote listed in the Keys/Buttons section below to control Netflix.

Features

  1. Control the Netflix Windows app with a remote control - perfect for your Windows-based HTPC, whether it runs Media Center, Kodi or another TV media solution

  2. Starts Netflix app fullscreen on Windows 10 - no more ugly white bar in the header!

  3. Multi-resolution & DPI zoom compatibility

  4. Select & play a movie/episode using remote

  5. Enable high-quality Dolby Digital 5.1 audio in Netflix, automatically

  6. FFwd/Rewind playback using remote

  7. Change Season in a series' Detail view using remote

  8. Change Episode in Playback mode using remote (experimental feature)

  9. Search for a movie/episode. Windows 10 users can talk to search via the Cortana personal assistant.

  10. Switch Profiles to access your personalized Netflix content.


Tested on

  • latest Netflix app from the Windows Store.

  • Windows 10 and Windows 8.1 with all latest updates.

  • standard Media Center Remote (Microsoft RC6, Philips branded).

Limitations

  • Beta version - so expect some flaky behaviour!
  • Navigation in category menus may not yet behave as expected.

Requirements

  • Netflix app from the Windows Store - AKA Netflix Metro app / Modern UI app.
    • Only latest version of the Netflix app is supported. Note: Windows will often update your apps transparently in the background without notifying you.
  • Windows 10 or Windows 8.1

Installing

  1. Download latest version or see what's been updated in the Changelog.

  2. Then, just run this utility before starting Netflix.

This utility will run in the system tray (in the background) whilst you're running the Netflix app.
Then, to control Netflix, use the buttons on your remote listed in the Keys/Buttons section below.

Configuring

Command line parameters

These parameters can be easily included by creating a shortcut to NetflixRemoteController.exe and entering the desired parameter(s) to the end of the command - see example.

smstextentry: Enhanced Search entry. Use the numeric keys (0>9 buttons on your remote) to enter alpha text in the search input field. This uses T9 SMS text entry style, e.g. press button '2' on your remote once to enter the letter 'a' into the input field; or press '2' three times to enter 'c'.
Note1: Windows 10 users will see an additional helper overlay message to assist entry.
Note2: the 'Clear' button on the remote clears the input-field.

force5.1audio: Auto-switches all movies to high-quality 5.1 audio stream, rather than the default Stereo stream. No longer necessary, as latest ver of Netflix does this automatically.

stopbuttonquits: Provides you with the ability to Quit the utility with the STOP button on the remote.

refreshratemode: Ability to manually change the refresh rate (e.g. to match the playing stream) using the Refresh Rate keys.
Note: Will only function if your display supports the target refresh rate. Original refresh rate will be restored when this utility closes.

disablenetflixstart: Prevents the Netflix app from auto-starting when NetflixRemoteController.exe is started. With this setting present, you must start Netflix yourself.

disablenetflixquit: Prevents the Netflix app from auto-closing when this utility is quit using the shortcut (Ctrl-Alt-Q). With this setting present, you must quit Netflix yourself.

disablefullscreen: Only for Windows 10 users. By default, this utility will attempt to make Netflix fullscreen and remove the taskbar - to disable this feature, start this utility with this parameter.

systemcursor: By default, this utility will change the mouse cursor to a bright red dot to make it easier to see the position of the highlight. To disable this feature, start this utility with this parameter.

Keys / Buttons

Default keys and remote buttons are listed below. Depending on your remote, some buttons will not perform the listed action by default - you'll likely need to customize the included hotkeys.ini file.

Global naviation keys

  • Navigate Up

    Up remote/keyboard key
    Customize using Up in hotkeys.ini

  • Navigate Down

    Down remote/keyboard key
    Customize using Down in hotkeys.ini

  • Navigate Right

    Right remote/keyboard key
    Customize using Right in hotkeys.ini

  • Navigate Left

    Left remote/keyboard key
    Customize using Left in hotkeys.ini

  • Select

    Enter remote/keyboard key
    Customize using Select in hotkeys.ini

  • Navigate back / cancel

    Back remote button or Backspace keyboard key
    Customize using Back in hotkeys.ini

Keys during Playback

  • Pause/Resume Playback

    Play/Pause remote button or Space keyboard key
    Customize using PlayPause in hotkeys.ini

  • Stop Playback

    Stop remote button or Alt-Win-S or Alt-S
    Customize using Stop in hotkeys.ini

  • Skip forward in small increments during Playback

    FFWD remote button or Alt-Win-M or Alt-M or Ctrl-Shift-F, then press the Select button.
    Customize using Fastforward in hotkeys.ini

  • Skip backward in small increments during Playback

    Rewind remote button or Alt-Win-N or Alt-N or Ctrl-Shift-B, then press the Select button.
    Customize using Rewind in hotkeys.ini

  • Skip forward in large increments during Playback

    SkipNext remote button or Alt-Win-X or Alt-X, then press the Select button.
    Customize using SkipNext in hotkeys.ini

  • Skip backward in large increments during Playback

    SkipPrevious remote button or Alt-Win-Z or Alt-Z, then press the Select button.
    Customize using SkipPrev in hotkeys.ini

  • Go to timecode 0:00 during Playback

    0 (zero) on remote/keyboard
    Customize using RewindToBeginning in hotkeys.ini

  • Jump to Next Episode during Playback of a TV episode

    no default key available - add one by customizing hotkeys.ini
    Customize using NextEpisode in hotkeys.ini

  • Open Languages menu during Playback

    no default key available - add one by customizing hotkeys.ini
    Customize using Languages in hotkeys.ini

  • Open Episodes menu during Playback of a TV episode

    Info/More button on your remote or Alt-Win-I or Alt-I or Ctrl-D or (for Kodi users)
    Customize using Episodes in hotkeys.ini

Refresh rate keys during Playback

  • 24 Hz refresh rate

    2 remote/keyboard key with refreshratemode parameter set
    Customize using Refreshrate24 in hotkeys.ini

  • 50 Hz refresh rate

    5 remote/keyboard key with refreshratemode parameter set
    Customize using Refreshrate50 in hotkeys.ini

  • 60 Hz refresh rate

    6 remote/keyboard key with refreshratemode parameter set
    Customize using Refreshrate60 in hotkeys.ini

Other keys

  • Access Navmenu on Homepage

    Red button on your remote or Ctrl-F1 or Alt-Win-R or AppsKey or Ctrl-Alt-1
    Customize using Navmenu in hotkeys.ini

  • Access Search on Homepage

    Green button on your remote or Ctrl-F2 or Alt-Win-E or Browser_Search or Ctrl-Alt-2
    Customize using Search in hotkeys.ini

  • Cortana voice search

    Yellow button on your remote or Ctrl-F3 or Alt-Win-Y or Ctrl-Alt-3
    Customize using Cortana in hotkeys.ini

  • Access Profiles Menu on Homepage

    Blue button on your remote or Ctrl-F4 or Alt-Win-B or Ctrl-Alt-4
    Customize using SwitchProfile in hotkeys.ini

  • Quit this utility (and Netflix)

    Ctrl-Alt-Q or Alt-Win-W
    Customize using Quit in hotkeys.ini

Tips

  • Increase Windows' DPI setting for a better couch experience. I recommend you increase the Windows DPI setting to 125% or so. In this mode, the Netflix images are much larger and more suited for viewing from a comfortable TV sitting distance. This "Larger mode" comparison example highlights the benefits for the 10ft UI experience in Netflix. To increase your DPI setting:

    • In Windows 10:
      • you can find the DPI setting by right-clicking on your desktop background > Display settings > "Change the size of text, apps and other items". If you change this setting be sure to restart your system or at the least, Sign out and Sign back in.
    • In Windows 8.1:
      • go to PC settings > PC and devices > Display > More options > "Change the size of apps, text, and other items on the screen (only applies to displays that can support it)" and change "Default" to "Larger".
        Note: This setting is different to the one found in Control Panel - i.e. it is not the same one found in Control Panel > All Control Panel Items > Display > Screen Resolution - so don't modify the settings there.

  • Don't close Netflix directly, instead, run this utility and then when you're finised watching Netflix, just close this utility - doing so will close both itself and Netflix, and also restore the Windows taskbar (on Windows 10 systems).

  • Cursor or red dot disappearing? Can't see where the highlight is? Try keeping your mouse plugged in. This will make sure the cursor/highlight is visible. Alternatively, enable Mouse Keys in Windows settings

  • Try re-mapping your "Windows" / "Home" button on your remote to Alt-Win-W. The Alt-Win-W shortcut also quits Netflix, so you can can press this combo to close Netflix and return you to your HTPC system's main menu. Alternative shortcuts can be set using the included hotkeys.ini file

  • Windows 8.1 or Windows 10? Which OS version is best for Netflix?
    At present, Windows 10 has the latest Netflix interface and is being updated more rapidly than Netflix's Windows 8.1 app.

Problems?

Troubleshooting

  • Navigating not working correctly?
    • Do you only notice the problem with your remote, or does navigation with the keyboard not work as expected too?
    • If you've changed your resolution or zoom/DPI setting recently, be sure to restart before retrying (or at the least, Sign out then Sign back in)
    • Check if the details reported by Netflix Version Checker are correct, as this utility uses a similar detection method
  • If left/right/up/down navigation was working, but is now starting to behave strangely during the same Netflix instance, as a workaround press the BACK button a few times to reset the utility's navigation.
  • Lost the Windows taskbar? This likely happened because you closed Netflix rather than closed this utility - the shortcut key Ctrl-Alt-Q should exit this utility and restore the taskbar.

Feedback

Please post feedback here: Netflix Remote Controller thread on AVSForum together with your system info to help resolve the issue faster:

  • NetflixRemoteController version number (e.g. 0.21). You can find this info by right-clicking the .EXE file > Properties > Details tab > Product Version.
  • Netflix version - use NetflixVersionChecker to get this - (e.g. 6.2.25.0)
  • Windows version (e.g. latest retail Windows 10 release)
  • display resolution (e.g. 1920x1080 landscape)
  • remote (e.g. Microsoft RC6)
  • confirm that the info (e.g. the resolution) displayed in NetflixVersionChecker is correct (i.e. being detected correctly) as it uses similar detection methods.

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