Consumer Electronics Installer Blog

MCIA installation case studies

kollenkark — Sat, 30 May 2009 20:31:00 GMT

The Media Center Integrator Alliance has just published two case studies demonstrating two approaches for installing Windows Media Center. The first case study out of Florida is a fully automated showcase home coming in under $50,000 with Windows Media Center at the core of the experience. The second installation is the winner of the Ultimate Install Contest and truly a reference design for best practices for how to integrate Windows Media Center into a customer's home.

See the case studies and their companion videos at http://www.mediacenterintegrator.org/media_center_ecosystem/installation_case_studies.

Microsoft @ CEDIA EXPO 2008

TechNet Archive — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:22:00 GMT

Microsoft heads to CEDIA EXPO 2008 with some exciting announcements and new initiatives for custom installers. Last year at the show, the Windows Media Center team showcased the latest hardware from their channel partners and engaged integrators in education and training. Planning to continue this momentum in the CEDIA channel, Microsoft, located in booth 410, will highlight new scenarios for the Media Center platform and continue to encourage installers to learn more about the benefits of Windows Media Center as a whole-home entertainment solution.

Through CEDIA training courses, Microsoft will be instructing installers on everything from the very basics of Windows Media Center installations to the setup and configuration of Windows Home Server. Below is a listing of the four separate classes and the times they are being offered during the show.

CEDIA Training

Date/Time	Session	Location
Thursday 9/4 4p – 5:30p	Introduction to Windows Media Center in Custom Installations	Hyatt – Capitol 7
Friday 9/5 12:00p – 1:30p	Setup and Configuration of Digital Cable TV Tuners for Windows Media Center	Hilton Garden Inn – Platinum
Saturday 9/6 10:00a – 11:30a	Introduction to Windows Media Center in Custom Installations	Hyatt – Capitol 3
Saturday 9/6 2:00p – 3:30p	Setup and Configuration of Windows Home Server	Convention Center – 608
Saturday 9/6 4:00p – 5:30p	Setup and Configuration of Digital Cable TV Tuners for Windows Media Center	Hyatt – Capitol 3
Sunday 9/7 10:00a – 11:30a	Adding Value to Windows Media Center with Windows Home Server, Extender and Zune	Convention Center - 505

Windows Media Center Ultimate Install Contest
In addition to dedicated education initiatives at the show, Microsoft will also be announcing the winner of the 2008 Windows Media Center Ultimate Install Contest – Microsoft's exclusive competition for custom installers. Now in its second year, the Ultimate Install Contest seeks to recognize the residential integration business that best utilizes Windows Media Center (WMC) in a custom home installation project

The contest, announced earlier this year at EHX Spring in Orlando, FL, closed entries on August 1. The winning entry will be announced at on Saturday, September 6, 2008.

Media Center University: Whole House Integration of Media Center Systems – Part 5

TechNet Archive — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:42:00 GMT

The second half of Todd Rutherford's presentation on integrating Windows Media Center into a whole home solution focuses on content acquisition for the customer.

Topics covered include:

Content
- Online - Download / Streaming
- Personal media
- Other

Download: iPod | MP3 | WMA | WMV | WMV (high) | Zune

You can download the white paper presentation from CE Pro's web site and follow along with the video. Please keep in mind that while Microsoft is posting these videos, the presentations were recorded by Microsoft at the express, written approval of EH Publishing. The content and presentations are not the property of Microsoft and are for information purposes only. No guarantees, expressed or implied, are provided to the accuracy of the content provided.

Media Center University: Whole House Integration of Media Center Systems – Part 4

TechNet Archive — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:21:00 GMT

Our very own Todd Rutherford builds on previous Media Center University topics in the first half of his presentation by providing guidance on integrating WMC with automation systems and designing the right WMC solution to meet the needs of the customer.

Topics covered include:

Automation System Integration
- Controlling Media Center from Control Systems
- Controlling Automation hardware from Media Center
- Hybrid Solution Options
Whole House Entertainment
- Understand the Customer's Entertainment Needs
- Choosing an Architecture and Solution

Download: iPod | MP3 | WMA | WMV | WMV (high) | Zune

Media Center University: Optimizing for Entertainment & Networking – Part 3

TechNet Archive — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:05:00 GMT

In the final segment of Optimizing Media Center for Entertainment & Networking, Mike Seamons walks through Extender set up, network tuning, Windows Home Server and some different deployment topologies. WMC can be installed as a HTPC, centrally in the rack or as a headless Extender server and Mike speaks the benefits and considerations of each configuration including advanced topics like integration into a whole home audio system.

Topics covered include:

Setting Up a Media Center Extender
The 3 Server Solution
Display Connected or Headless
MCX Design Best Practices
HTPC Design Best Practices
Simplifying the Experience

Download: iPod | MP3 | WMA | WMV | WMV (high) | Zune

Servicing and warranty coverage of Xbox360's you resell to your customers

TechNet Archive — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:59:00 GMT

There are many of you who are using Xbox360's as great additions to your custom installed home entertainment solution for your clients. Whether they want an awesome gaming console or a compelling and powerful Extender for Windows Media Center, there is so much an Xbox 360 can do for your consumers.

Concerning the user of Xbox360's for your client's AV solution, we would like to clarify a point that could have an impact on how you service your customers system. Microsoft warrants the Xbox 360s to the end-consumer only.

Ultimately, it is your customer who is purchasing the Xbox 360 and the warranty information must, therefore, be completed with your customer's information (not the installers). The warranty process is set forth in section B of the Xbox360 limited warranty. Failure to follow these instructions may result in delays, cause you to incur additional charges, or void the warranty. You can find the full warranty online at

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/systemsetup/xbox360/resources/warranty.htm (US only).

As a custom installer, in order to resell Xbox 360 to your clients, please see the list of authorized distributors at http://www.xbox.com/en-US/retail/distributors.htm.

Media Center University: Optimizing for Entertainment & Networking – Part 2

TechNet Archive — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:01:00 GMT

Mike Seamons continues his presentation of Optimizing Media Center for Entertainment in this second video filmed at EHX Spring 2008. In part two, he discusses the steps he takes to optimize Windows Media Center. He discusses removing all unnecessary software, installing Windows Updates and other configuration. Additionally, he discusses how to integrate Zune with WMC.

Download: iPod | MP3 | WMA | WMV | WMV (high) | Zune

Topics covered include:

Removing all Unnecessary Files
Network and Sharing Tips
Cleaning the Desktop
Setting the Resolution, sounds, and screen saver
Setting Up Windows Media Player
Syncing everything with Zune
Default Content Removal

You can download the white paper presentation from CE Pro’s web site and follow along with the video. Please keep in mind that while Microsoft is posting these videos, the presentations were recorded by Microsoft at the express, written approval of EH Publishing. The content and presentations are not the property of Microsoft and are for information purposes only. No guarantees, expressed or implied, are provided to the accuracy of the content provided.

More Media Center University videos are coming soon...

EngadgetHD Extender Overview

TechNet Archive — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:28:00 GMT

If you are looking to get a better understanding of which Extenders are right for your installations, take a look at Ben Drawbaugh's The Media Center Extender shootout article. He walks you through some of Extender options on the market today, their features and stats.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/06/19/the-media-center-extender-shootout/

CGMS-A and Windows Media Center

kevincol — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:37:00 GMT

On Tuesday June 10th, 2008, at 10AM PST, Microsoft will release the Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista (KB950126) that addresses some of the concerns around the CGMS-A flag. More information around copy protection for television broadcasts can be found on the blog post dated June 4th, 2008.

The update will provide a change in behavior for those users with NTSC, ATSC and QAM tuners, who connect directly to their antenna or cable feed without connecting through a set-top box. Content that has been marked as “CGMS-A copy never” will be treated as “CGMS-A copy once” and will be allowed to record on Window Media Center.

For users with a Digital Cable Tuner connected to a Digital Cable Ready PC, or who are connecting to their Media Center PC via their cable set top boxes, content marked as Copy Never with the CGMS-A flag will not be able to be recorded in Windows Media Center. For Digital Cable Tuners with CableCARD, the content protection behavior is defined in the CableLabs specification. More information regarding this can be found at http://www.opencable.com/downloads/specs/OC-SP-OCUR-I04-060622.pdf and referencing the tables on pages 33-36.

Microsoft will continue to work with partners to address issues such as the incorrect marking of content using CGMS-A, and to help us improve the experience for our users.

Media Center University: Optimizing for Entertainment & Networking – Part 1

TechNet Archive — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:56:00 GMT

Download: iPod | MP3 | WMA | WMV | WMV (high) | Zune

In the first installment of Optimizing for Entertainment and Networking at EHX Spring's Media Center University, Mike Seamons provides guidance on choosing one technology over another. In his presentation, he covers the difference between analog and digital formats, component cables and HDMI, Cat 5 and Cat 6 Ethernet wiring, several TV tuner options, and how to deal with protected content.

Topics covered:

Video, Audio, Network, and TV Technologies
Digital Media Copy Protection

You can download the white paper presentation from CE Pro’s web site and follow along with the video.

Keep an eye out for more Media Center University videos coming soon.