If Microsoft wants to digitally “connect” our homes, they need to start promoting Media Center in a big way, and they need to develop a better cost effective plug-and-play solution. It is one thing to be able to use Media Center on one’s computer. It is quite another thing to seamlessly “connect” an entire home using this software.

Ian Dixon reports that Microsoft completed fitting of Media Center and Extenders at 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.