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Microsoft show off Media Center and Extenders at Magnolia AV stores

It looks like Microsoft are getting the idea that for Media Center and Extenders to be a success they need to show them off in stores. They have just completed fitting out all 13 Magnolia AV stores with a  merchandising rack showing off the Windows Media Center experience.

 

The merchandising rack (see the photos) feature a PC with Windows Vista Ultimate (hidden in bottom shelf) along with the Linksys DMA 2100 and 2200 Extender as well as the Linksys router (WRT 600N). The PC is connected to a 50” TV  and when a button is pushed on the display, a 2 minute video is shown with audio that explains what Windows Media Center with Extenders are all about.

Hopefully this will attract people to ask for more detail and then they can get a demo of Media Center, I would like to see some of this kind of marketing in the UK as I still think most consumers aren’t aware of Media Center existence

 

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Posted Jul 11 2008, 05:50 PM by Ian Dixon
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Comments

Alexander wrote re: Microsoft show off Media Center and Extenders at Magnolia AV stores
on 07-11-2008 6:22 PM

When Linksys launched the DMA2100/2200 some PCWorld stores had Media Centre live demo setups with POS posters from Linksys and these were located in the AV section of the store, so some thought had gone into marketing. I suspect that this effort was only from Linksys's side only.

Unless you show a product/feature in action and how it relates to customers' lives, mainstream adoption will continue to allude Microsoft. Inevitably when someone comes around to our house for the first time, they are amazed by what MC is and what it can do. The second time they come around they ask questions and want to play with it themselves. The third time ends up being a Q&A session of what to buy, etc. And from then on I'm treated as MC tech support. If I can convert so many of my friends, why can't Microsoft? What's even funnier that over the course of my friends' transformation, the perception of Vista also changes for the better (in fact I only purchased Vista in preparation of the extenders).

Ray Casey wrote re: Microsoft show off Media Center and Extenders at Magnolia AV stores
on 07-11-2008 8:08 PM

about time but this strategy is fraught with a big "change managemen" problem.   curious as to how they will mitigate the traing risk and more importantly... ah I will hold that one close to the vest...

Ian Dixon wrote re: Microsoft show off Media Center and Extenders at Magnolia AV stores
on 07-12-2008 9:43 AM

very good point Alexander

Windows Media Center at Magnolia AV Stores | Multimedia-PCs wrote Windows Media Center at Magnolia AV Stores | Multimedia-PCs
on 07-12-2008 5:46 PM
The Beginner's Guide to Windows Media Center - Part 1 | We Got Served wrote The Beginner's Guide to Windows Media Center - Part 1 | We Got Served
on 07-17-2008 8:48 AM
Microsoft promo Windows Media Center and Extenders at Magnolia AV stores wrote Microsoft promo Windows Media Center and Extenders at Magnolia AV stores
on 07-17-2008 9:12 AM
Ian's Digital Lifestyle wrote This weeks posts
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superswiss wrote re: Microsoft show off Media Center and Extenders at Magnolia AV stores
on 07-17-2008 9:13 PM

What, no tuner? They should showcase a Cablecard system. Pausing/Recording premium HD would sure grab more attention IMO.

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