Consumer Electronics Installer Blog : Content

Microsoft @ CEDIA EXPO 2008

cei — 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

cei — 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: Optimizing for Entertainment & Networking – Part 3

cei — 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

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

cei — 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...

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

cei — 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.

CGMS-A, Broadcast flag and Windows Media Center

cei — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:29:00 GMT

Recently there has discussion regarding copy protection for television broadcasts , we wanted to provide some top level information on some of the various copy protection mechanisms that are used for television broadcasts and the affect on Windows Media Center.

The Broadcast Flag is only used for digital television and the United States Court of Appeals ruled that the FCC had exceeded its authority in creating the Broadcast Flag rule. More high level information on the Broadcast flag can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadcast_flag. Windows Media Center does not enable or utilize the Broadcast Flag.

CGMS-A is a copy protection mechanism used in analog television signals. More high level information on CGMS-A can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CGMS-A. Windows Media Center currently enables CGMS-A.

Last month, some Windows Media center users were prevented from recording one episode of “American Gladiators”. Those users received an error stating that the recording was prevented due to restrictions set by the broadcaster. This was triggered by the inadvertent use of the CGMS-A flag.

Microsoft is investigating ways to reduce this from occurring in the future and will keep the profesional installer community abreast of changes when they occur.

Free WebGuide add-in for Windows Home Server now available

kollenkark — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 01:25:00 GMT

There is now a new, free WebGuide add-in for Windows Home Server that allows users to stream music, photos and videos outside of their homes. The add-in and more information is available at http://www.asciiexpress.com/webguide/homeserver.aspx.

Other information:

http://winbeta.org/comments.php?id=13475&catid=1&highlight=webguide

http://wegotserved.co.uk/2008/01/10/add-in-webguide-for-windows-home-server/

http://mswhs.com/2008/01/10/add-in-webguide-for-whs-free/

http://home-server-blog.de/2008/01/10/add-in-webguide-fr-windows-home-server/

http://blogs.technet.com/homeserver/archive/2008/01/10/updated-version-of-webguide.aspx

http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/Software/WebGuide-for-Windows-Home-Server.html

http://homeserverblogger.com/2008/01/09/webguide-for-whs/

http://laboratoire-microsoft.org/news-26395-webguide-gratuit-pour-tous.html

Windows Home Server Power Pack 1 (aka UR1)

kollenkark — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 21:52:00 GMT

The Windows Homer Server team has announced a new minor release that adds new functionality and improvements including:

Windows Home Server Connector Software
Windows Home Server Data Backup
Remote Access
Home Computer Backups

More details…

Windows Home Server blog: http://blogs.technet.com/homeserver/default.aspx
Channel 10 interview with Todd Headrick from WHS: http://on10.net/blogs/larry/Windows-Home-Server-Power-Pack-Announced/Default.aspx

Welcome to Microsoft’s CE Installer blog!

kollenkark — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 01:19:00 GMT

Our team believes that Microsoft technologies can enable consumer electronic installers to be more successful. We plan to use this blog to help us develop a better relationship with the installer community by sharing solutions and new information.

Over the course of the last year, our team has been working hard to help home entertainment professionals understand the opportunities that exist with Microsoft products. You can see the results of some our efforts at http://microsoft.com/ceinstaller, The Ultimate Install Contest and the articles “In the News” section on this page. Other efforts are still in the works and we hope to share more as we make progress. Be sure to subscribe or check back here for the latest developments.