Media Center Integrator Alliance Offers Training at CEDIA Expo 2009

BEAVERTON, Ore. – Media Center Integrator Alliance (MCIA) in collaboration with CEDIA University recently announced its Media Center Series training sessions taking place during CEDIA Expo 2009. The training sessions are designed to teach integrators skills for successfully installing Windows Media Center as the entertainment platform in a home. The Media Center Series will offer four separate courses that cover everything from optimization of a Media Center PC to network design and configuration and digital cable installation.

Each training class of the Media Center Series will earn integrators two CEU credits. The following is a list of the class times and descriptions for interested integrators.

Wednesday, September 9th

Optimizing the PC as an A/V Source (EST051) — (8:00am – 12:00pm)

Systems integrators will learn key skills to setting up and optimizing a Windows Vista-based Media Center PC as a great single-room or whole-house media server. In this four hour course, participants will learn to set up and optimize audio and video performance, establish consistent and efficient control management, and implement different control options for a Windows Media Center.

Integrating Digital Cable (MPT862) — 1:00pm – 5:00pm

Systems integrators will learn how to configure, test, and diagnose issues associated with bringing standard and premium digital cable content into Windows Media Center. Systems integrators will be able to differentiate different types of digital TV content, set up a digital cable tuner with CableCARD™, and implement digital cable within Media Center.

Thursday, September 10th

Networking for Media Distribution (EST053) — 8:00am – 12:00pm

Systems integrators will learn how to configure, test, and diagnose issues associated with setup and optimization of a residential network for digital media distribution. Participants in the course will learn to select appropriate home networking components, set up and connect Windows Media Center to a home network, including extenders, as well as troubleshooting and problem solving of a home network.

Designing a Media Center Ecosystem (ESD099) — 1:00pm – 5:30pm

Systems integrators will learn how to evaluate customer expectations and behaviors and design a system that delivers on those expectations using Media Center. The course will cover understanding customer needs and wants, explaining A/V performance and copy protection technology considerations as well as implementing consistent control of the Media Center topology.

Ultimate Install Contest Winner Announcement

MCIA and co-sponsor Microsoft, will also be announcing the winners of the 2009 Ultimate Install Contest on Wednesday, September 9th. The Ultimate Install Contest seeks to recognize the residential integration business that best utilizes Windows Media Center in a custom home installation project. Integrators looking to showcase their media center integration solutions should visit http://www.microsoft.com/ultimateinstall for more details on how to enter this year’s contest. Contest closes August 1, 2009 at 11:59pm PDT.

Click here for more information on how to sign-up for the Media Center Series at CEDIA Expo 2009 (pdf).

Click here for more information on how to become a member of the Media Center Integrator Alliance.