09.06.2008 — Microsoft has named cyberManor the winner of its Windows Media Center Ultimate Install Contest.

The winning installation, announced at CEDIA Expo 2008, was submitted by Gordon Van Zuiden, president of cyberManor. It's installed in the home of Mike Keardon.

"We couldn't be prouder of this accomplishment," Van Zuiden says.

“Winning the Ultimate Install Contest is a testament to the phenomenal efforts of the cyberManor employees who worked so diligently to make this installation one of the greatest integration projects in our company’s history.”

Windows Media Center controls numerous aspects of the family's digital lifestyle, including 12 zones of Russound distributed audio.

The home also features Lifeware for whole-home control of thermostats, lighting, audio distribution, surveillance cameras and IP-based door strike at the front gate.

The Media Center ecosystem in cyberManor's installation includes:

• Niveus Media's n9 media server with four CableCARD tuners
• Multiple Niveus Edge and Xbox360 extenders to distribute digital HD content
• A Niveus Ice Vault to store the family's DVD movie collection

The family’s music library and digital photos are also integrated into the entertainment solution.

The house uses solar panels on the roof to generate power and uses only LED and fluorescent lighting and settings on the Lutron lighting system.

"The goal of this project was to centralize the digital entertainment and automation of the home in a simple and effective system that had one consistent user interface," says project manager Jim Kohl.

"Two of the homeowner's main objectives were the distribution of high-definition personal video recordings to multiple HD video zones throughout the home simultaneously, and the ability to centralize all A/V sources in a single rack mount computer."

Microsoft says there was an increase in both the number of entrants and quality of design in this year's contest.

Microsoft named Wireless Home of Naples, Fla. and Simple Digital Home of Salem, Ore. as the other two finalists.

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