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.

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.

Consumer Electronics Installer Blog : Placeshifting

Microsoft @ CEDIA EXPO 2008

CGMS-A, Broadcast flag and Windows Media Center