The newer versions of the official MCE remotes have the ability to control other hardware in addition to Media Center. You can program the TV button and the Volume buttons. Most likely you would want to control the On/Off function on your TV and the volume on your amplifier. 

By default, the VOL + and VOL - buttons on the remote control the system volume on your computer, and the TV button has no command assigned to it until it “learns” one.

Do not perform this procedure in bright natural or artificial light.

Place the remote control for Media Center PC head to head (4 to 4 cms apart) with the remote control from which it is learning.

This is how you do it you would go about programming the remote:

1. On the remote control for Media Center PC, press and hold the DVD MENU and OK buttons at the same time until the remote control lights turn off (2 seconds). The remote is now in learning setup mode.
2. On the remote control for Media Center PC, press and release the TV, VOL +, or VOL – button, depending on which command you want it to learn. The remote control for Media Center PC lights blink once to confirm the selection.
3. On the remote control that is teaching the command, press and hold the button that you want the corresponding button on the remote control for Media Center PC to learn.
4. The remote control for Media Center PC lights blink twice to confirm the selection.
   

If the remote did not learn the command, the lights blink quickly four times. To try again, repeat steps 1 through 4.

Repeat steps 1 through 4 for the other buttons that can learn commands.

To restore the default remote control settings:

1. Press and hold the DVD MENU button and LEFT navigation button at the same time until the remote control for Media Center PC lights turn off.
2. Press the OK button.

The remote control for Media Center PC lights blink twice to confirm that the buttons have been reset. The TV button will have no command assigned to it and the VOL + and VOL – buttons will adjust the Media Center PC system volume.

If the default settings were not restored, the lights blink quickly four times. To try again, repeat steps 1 and 2.

Enjoy!