Microsoft announces Windows Media Center Ultimate Install Contest

2009 Windows Media Center Ultimate Install Contest promotes Windows Media Center via a custom home installation project. The goal is to implement the best possible Windows Media Center platform in a residential electronics system. The entry period ends on August 1, 2009. Entries are limited to two per company. Each entry must include the following: a description of the solution with feature highlights, a material list, a list of integrated components, an installation overview, and between 5 to 10 pictures showing the solution.

Judging will be broken down into the following criteria: twenty percent for the use of Windows Media Center experiences, thirty percent for the use of Windows Media Center as the primary user interface for media consumption, twenty percent for technical merit, twenty percent for originality, and ten percent for integration with non PC consumer devices. Prizes will be awarded to 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place. The Grand Prize includes a trip to Atlanta, Georgia, to attend CEDIA ‘09 and a trip for two to Redmond, Washington.  Grand Prize winner will also receive a  Xbox 360 console, four  wireless controllers, Media Center remote, subscription to one year of Xbox live, 4 video game titles, Zune digital media player with 120GB, Zune digital media player, and 1 Zune Home AV Kit