09.03.2009 — If you've avoided Windows Media Center because set-up can be a pain, then you might appreciate Niveus' new White Glove service offering.

"Normally you [dealer] have to do all of the set-up," says CEO Tim Cutting. "With our service, they can tell us how they're using the product. We set up the servers here and ship them for a nearly plug-and-play install."

Niveus will set up its Media Center machines for static/dynamic IP addresses, content sharing, audio, video and more.

In addition to the original set-up, Niveus will provide "proactive management" of media servers in the field, so problems like impending drive failures can be thwarted before they happen.

"Our support team will come in every morning and look at the dashboard," Cutting says.

Niveus can alert the homeowner or the dealer or simply fix any issues on its own.

"A good number of things [remote fixes] don't even require any disruption – even sometimes not even interrupting a Blu-ray playing."

Niveus is partnering with a third-party provider for the remote management tools. The company has not named the provider but Cutting says, "There will be names people trust."

There will be a charge for the new services, says Cutting: "most likely a small single-digit percentage of the system."

Niveus is offering a free upgrade to Windows 7 for new purchases.

Niveus will be demonstrating the new services, along with its new entry-level $2000 Zone player during CEDIA Expo 2009, booth #2318.