Microsoft Expands Reach of Windows XP Media Center Edition To Europe and Asia

["Mark McCall" <lists@xxxxxxx>]

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2003/aug03/08-06MediaCenterInternationalPR.asp
More Than 30 New PC Manufacturers to Deliver Media Center PCs To France,
Germany, United Kingdom, China and Japan

REDMOND, Wash. -- Aug. 6, 2003 -- Microsoft Corp. today announced it is
working with key partners in Europe and Asia to deliver Media Center
Edition
PCs later this year to five new countries including France, Germany, the
United Kingdom, China and Japan. Based on Microsoft® Windows® XP Media
Center Edition, Media Center PCs are complete Windows XP-based PCs that
provide a new integrated media and entertainment experience that is
convenient and easy to use. Media Center PCs represent the evolution of
home
computers into digital media hubs, allowing consumers to easily integrate
their digital entertainment experiences -- including live television,
personal video recording (PVR), digital music, digital video, DVDs and
pictures -- all with the freedom of remote-control access.

Companies planning to introduce Media Center PCs in Europe and Asia include
the following:

a.. France: Absolut Technology, Elonex, Granville Services France, HP,
Kesa Electricals PLC, Packard Bell, PC City, Peristyle, Toshiba, UNIKA
Computer and Yakumo GmbH
b.. Germany: 4MBO International Electronic AG, Actebis International
Distribution GmbH, Fujitsu Siemens, HP, GERICOM AG, Hyrican
Informationssysteme AG, Medion AG, Packard Bell, TAROX Systems &
Services
GmbH, Toshiba, Vobis Microcomputer AG, WORTMANN AG and Yakumo GmbH
c.. United Kingdom: Centerprise International Ltd., CFL Media Center
Systems, Elonex Plc, Evesham Technology, Hi-Grade Computers Plc, HP, Hugh
Symons Group plc, iQon Technologies Ltd., MESH Computers PLC, Packard Bell,
PC World, Quantum Microponents Ltd., Time Group Ltd., Toshiba and Yakumo
GmbH
d.. China: HP, Toshiba
e.. Japan: Fujitsu Limited, Hitachi Ltd., NEC, SOTEC CO. LTD. and Toshiba
Microsoft also is working with two leading electronic programming guide
providers, Nikkan Hensyu Center Co. Ltd. in Japan and Broadcasting
Dataservices Ltd. in Europe, to offer Media Center PC users a free* TV
program guide as part of the Media Center experience. With the program
guide, consumers can search television listings to select, watch and record
favorite TV episodes, movies or sporting events on their Media Center PC.

"We have seen an enthusiastic response from our customers and partners
since
the October 2002 launch of Windows XP Media Center Edition, and we are
excited to see our partners carry this momentum to new markets in Asia and
Europe," said Kevin Eagan, general manager of the Windows eHome
Division at
Microsoft. "The expanded availability of Media Center PCs will allow
even
more people to enjoy the convenience of having all their entertainment
choices, including television, music, digital video and DVDs, in one
familiar, easy-to-use destination on the PC."

Media Center PCs allow consumers to get the most out of their digital media
experiences, and, according to recent research, adoption of these
technologies and Internet use is on the rise worldwide. For example,
according to Forrester Research in a report earlier this year ("Where
Next
for the Home PC?" Forrester Research, European Consumer
Technographics,
January 2003), there is a marked increase in digital content consumption
with more and more European consumers using home PCs to enjoy their digital
media.

"The largest increase in home PC usage centers around entertainment:
Forty-four percent of owners listen to music on their PC, 40 percent view
photos, and 21 percent view DVDs via PC," said Paul Jackson, senior
analyst
for Forrester. Forrester forecasts that these changing consumer needs will
spur demand and drive sales over the next five years for a new wave of
"pleasure PCs" with sophisticated multimedia options.**

The new PC manufacturers join the more than 20 companies, including Gateway
Inc., HP, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Toshiba and ViewSonic Corp.,
already
shipping Media Center PCs to consumers in the United States, Canada and
Korea, in offering a variety of PC form factors that target the living
room,
media room, bedroom and any other room where consumers might enjoy digital
entertainment.

About Windows XP Media Center Edition

Windows XP Media Center Edition turns a PC into a media center that
integrates digital entertainment experiences with the freedom of
remote-control access. Consumers can enjoy live television, personal video
recording, music, photos, videos and DVDs from a new remote-controlled PC
experience called Media Center. The sleek Media Center interface serves as
a
unified destination for entertainment on the Media Center PC and is
designed
to be viewed from anywhere in the room. Windows XP Media Center Edition,
which builds on the rich media platform launched nearly two years ago with
Windows XP, is ideal for technology and digital entertainment enthusiasts
who frequently listen to music, enjoy photos or watch movies on their PC..