Consumer Electronics Installer Blog : Contests

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.

2007 Ultimate Install Contest Winner Article - Imperium Smart Systems

cei — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 18:51:00 GMT

Residential Systems Magazine just published a great article on the winner of our first Ultimate Install Contest. The article gives a full overview (including pictures) of the winning 12 zone Windows Media Center based system from Imperium Smart Systems LLC in the 8,500 square foot Orem, Utah home.

"A lot of the bigger integrators are only familiar with other automation systems that are heavy on programming. I do a lot of presentations to construction companies, giving them a bid and showing them the difference with the Windows Media Center and Life-ware; we can normally do a project for half the cost of our competitors."

- Tyler Jennings, Imperium Smart Systems LLC

See the article at: It's the Ultimate

2008 Ultimate Install Contest Announced!

kollenkark — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 20:11:00 GMT

The 2008 Ultimate Install Contest was kicked off today. For the second year in a row, we are challenging integrators to find new and creative ways to use Windows Media Center as the entertainment backbone of their installations. The winner will be announced at CEDIA Expo 2008 in Denver later this year. Entry deadline is 8/1/08.

To learn more about the contest (prizes, entry details, official rules, etc), please visit http://microsoft.com/ultimateinstall.

Press Release: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2008/mar08/03-13UltimateInstallContestPR.mspx
CE Pro article: http://www.cepro.com/article/microsoft_announces_second_ultimate_media_center_install_contest/
2007 Winner: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/mediacenter/ceinstaller/ultimateinstallcontest/winner.mspx
2007 CE Pro article: http://www.cepro.com/article/the_ultimate_media_center_installation_revealed_imperium_smart_systems

2008 Innovative Housing Technology Awards (IHTA)

kollenkark — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 19:55:00 GMT

The eighth year of the Innovative Housing Technology Awards has been kicked off by TecHome Builder Magazine. The awards aim to recognize and promote best tech advancements and building practices in the housing industry. This is another opportunity for installers and integrators to stack their work against the best out there. The entry deadline is 4/18/08. Winners will be announced in San Francisco, CA during PCBC 2008 on 6/25/08.

For entry and more information see http://www.techomebuilder.com/ihta.