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HP MediaSmart EX490 and EX495 Home Servers beef up Mac support

Paul Miller
Updated ·6 min read

Listen, son, back in our day we had a tape drive, a copy of Retrospect and a nightly schedule... and we liked it. These days HP thinks it can stuff a Dual Core processor, 2GB of RAM and up to four 2TB drives in our faces. The new EX490 and EX495 can handle up to 7TB of internal storage and up to 17TB pairing up internal drives with external hanger-ons. More interesting, however, are the new software capabilities built on top of Windows Home Server. Mac users now get admin features, media collection and bare metal recovery over Time Machine, and the servers have a built-in video converter for collecting and converting videos for a specific device. Speaking of devices, iPhone and iPod touch users can also stream media off of the servers using a free HP iStream app. The EX490 has a Celeron processor and 1TB of storage for $549, while the EX495 does 1.5TB and the Dual Core for $699. PR is after the break.



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HP Launches New Home Server with Enhanced Features for PCs and Macs

PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 15, 2009 – HP today launched the HP MediaSmart EX490 and EX495 Home Servers, new models offering increased capacity, high- performance processors, more control, new user interface and additional Mac support – all at a lower price.
Based on the Microsoft Windows® Home Server platform, the updated HP MediaSmart Servers have a refined user interface and a web-based home page that makes accessing and using the server easier than ever. Additionally, the new models offer a new video converter with custom settings and profiles that will automatically convert video libraries, including unprotected DVDs.(1)
The explosion of digital content is attracting a new kind of buyer to the home server space," said Jason Zajac, vice president and general manager, Worldwide Attach Group, HP. "This buyer wants all the power and capacity that past buyers wanted, but also wants it to be easy to use. The new MediaSmart ED490 and EX495 give them both."
The MediaSmart Server features a new media collector, which allows users to collect media by computer, media type or file location. The server automatically collects and organizes media files across Macs and PCs and streams it across a home network and the Internet.(2)
The HP EX490 and EX495 offer additional features for Mac users, including administration, media collection and a new disc recovery utility providing bare metal recovery on a Mac using Time Machine.(3)
"The new release of HP MediaSmart Server software and hardware continues HP's leadership in building compelling functionality on top of the Microsoft Windows Home Server platform," said Russ Madlener, director, Solutions Marketing, Microsoft. "HP is delivering a true cross-platform product by adding the ability to administer the server from a Mac using Microsoft's new Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac 2."
The new video converter automatically converts videos, including unprotected DVDs, into a format that can be played at the home or remotely.(4) Users are able to control how their videos are converted by selecting the device the video will be played on or choosing specific video settings using the advanced controls features.
In addition, owners of an iPod touch and iPhone can download a free HP MediaSmart Server iStream application from the Apple App Store, enabling them to stay connected to their digital media stored on the server. Users can easily access their pictures, listen to their music collections and watch their favorite videos – all streamed directly to their mobile device from their HP MediaSmart Server.
MediaSmart Server EX490 and EX495 features include: • NewHPMediaCollector • NewHPVideoConverter • Improveduserinterfacewithnewweb-basedhomepage • Macadministration,mediacollectionsandanewMacdiscrecoveryfeature • HPMediaStreamer
• ServerforiTunes • PCHardDriveBackup • Server Backup • SmartPowerManagement • Processors:
o EX495:Intel®Pentium®DualCore
o EX490:IntelCeleron®;Twogigabytes(GB)ofDRAM • Expandability:additionaldrivescanbeaddedforupto7terabytes(TB)
internal storage and 17 TB of storage using internal and external drives.(6)
Pricing and availability Manufacturer's suggested retail price for the HP MediaSmart Server EX490 with 1 TB of hard disk storage is $549 while the HP MediaSmart Server EX495 with 1.5 TB is $699.(4)
The HP MediaSmart Server can be preordered beginning today. The servers will be introduced in select European countries beginning next month.
More information is available at www.hp.com/go/mediasmartserver.
About HP HP, the world's largest technology company, simplifies the technology experience for consumers and businesses with a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com/.
(1) Wired or wireless home network required. (3) Internet access required and sold separately. (3) Requires Time Machine, a formatted USB Flash Drive and the original Mac OSX install disc. (4) Estimated U.S. retail prices. Actual prices may vary.
Windows is a U.S. registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. iPod is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. iPod is for legal or rightholder- authorized copying only. Don't steal music. Intel, Pentium, Celeron, Intel Inside and the Intel Inside logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.
This news advisory contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, the results of HP and its consolidated subsidiaries could differ
materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning expected development, performance or market share relating to products and services; any statements regarding anticipated operational and financial results; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include macroeconomic and geopolitical trends and events; the execution and performance of contracts by HP and its customers, suppliers and partners; the achievement of expected operational and financial results; and other risks that are described in HP's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2009 and HP's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to HP's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2008. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.
© 2009 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.