5 September 2008

In the wake of Microsoft’s increased engagement with the custom installation channel, a broader ecosystem has developed based on Windows Media Center

Kevin Collins,  Connected TV Business, Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft This year’s CEDIA Expo saw Microsoft announcing expansive growth in its Windows Media Center ecosystem, the formation of a new industry alliance, and numerous partner innovations supporting the Windows Media Center in the custom installation channel.

The CEDIA Expo is an annual show for the residential electronic systems industry put on by the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association. This year it runs from 3 to 7 August in Denver, Colorado.

“In the wake of Microsoft’s increased engagement with the custom installation channel, a broader ecosystem has developed based on Windows Media Center,” said Kevin Collins, director of the custom installer channel in the Connected TV Business, Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. “We are thrilled with the level of innovation on the Windows Media Center platform that hardware and software companies are showcasing at CEDIA Expo.”

Multiple channel partners have highlighted support for up to eight CableCARD tuners and up to ten Extender for Windows Media Center devices. Adding to the growing demand for centralised home storage, multiple OEMs will preview new hardware designed to provide integrators with a solid whole-house solution to store and access clients’ music, photos and videos from either an entertainment server running Windows Media Center or Extender for Windows Media Center devices.

Significant partner announcements expected during the event are numerous. Autonomic Controls will introduce new control modules enabling two-way integration of Windows Media Center and iTunes into Remote Technologies T4 and K4 remote controls. Fluid Digital will promote the integration of the Windows Media Center TV Pack to enable an enhanced TV viewing experience, native support for four digital cable tuners, an enhanced electronic programme guide, and the ability to share non-protected digital cable content across Microsoft PlayReady technology-enabled PCs and portable media devices.

Samsung Electronics America will showcase its MediaLive Extender, which delivers digital entertainment including HD content, photos, music, feature films, home movies, and live and recorded TV, from any hardware running Windows Media Center to the big screen of a Samsung HDTV via a wireless or wired home network. Meanwhile, Cannon PC announced that it will begin shipping the Windows Media Center TV Pack with its line of Media Center PCs during early September.

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