Windows Home Server -- Engadget

windows home server posts

HP MediaSmart EX490 and EX495 Home Servers beef up Mac support

by Paul Miller posted Sep 15th 2009 at 2:20AM

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.

Gallery: HP MediaSmart EX490 and EX495 Home Servers press shots

Gallery: HP MediaSmart EX490 and EX495 Home Servers hands-on

Continue reading HP MediaSmart EX490 and EX495 Home Servers beef up Mac support

Engadget HD takes an in-depth look at Media Center in Windows 7 RTM

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Jul 27th 2009 at 12:42PM

If you've ever thought about forcing your Xbox 360 to do double duty and in addition to all the games you require it to host for you, set it up to replace your TiVo or cable company DVR, then now might just be the time. The reason is simple, in Windows 7, Microsoft has really made some nice improvements to Windows Media Center. What improvements you might ask? Glad you did, because over at Engadget HD the team went over the changes with a fine-tooth comb. This includes a comprehensive list of improvements and shortfalls in regards to using Windows 7 Media Center as a full time HD DVR as well as a few videos to really help you appreciate what's new and what the experience is like on an Xbox 360.

Gallery: Windows 7 Media Center review

Windows Home Server Power Pack 3 beta adds Windows 7 conveniences

by Donald Melanson posted Jul 17th 2009 at 1:51PM

It wasn't too hard to see this one coming, but Microsoft has now officially rolled out the beta version of Windows Home Server Power Pack 3 which, among other things, brings with it a slew of new features that tie into Windows 7. That includes support for full image backup of Windows 7 PCs, Windows 7 libraries support for shared media folders, built-in Windows Search 4, and a number of Windows Media Center enhancements, as well as "better support for netbook computers," although Microsoft doesn't seem to have elaborated too much on that. No word on a release date for the non-beta version just yet, but Microsoft is apparently hoping to get it out in advance of Windows 7 -- and, yes, it will be a free update for current Windows Home Server users.

[Via The Windows Blog]

mCubed's RipNAS Statement now available in Europe

by Darren Murph posted May 27th 2009 at 2:21PM

mCubed's RipNAS Statement may be unique, but it isn't apt to be widely adopted -- at least not with price points like this. Hailed as the first SSD-based CD ripping NAS device, the product is also available in a traditional HDD form, though both handle automatic ripping, NAS duties and media streaming. Within, you'll find a dual-core Atom CPU, gigabit Ethernet, a TEAC DVD drive, four USB 2.0 sockets and a fanless design. The pain? €1,795 ($2,500) for the 3TB HDD version, or €3,295 ($4,590) for the 500GB SSD model. If you're unfazed by sticker shock, you can pick yours up right now over in Europe.

Gallery: mCubed's RipNAS Statement now available in Europe

HP's MediaSmart Server LX195 reviewed: impressive, but flawed

by Darren Murph posted May 26th 2009 at 9:51AM

After being introduced to the world late last month, we've heard little else about HP's lower-end MediaSmart Server LX195... until now, obviously. This little media streamer made its way into the HotHardware labs for a little Q&A, and it managed to escape with lots of praise, a mild amount of criticism and a price tag that'll likely be too steep for most to swallow. As for performance and features, the LX195 was found to shine; the Media Collector, iTunes server and Time Machine backup functionality all worked great. Unfortunately, the "endless loop of updates" seen during the initial setup and the lack of an April update -- which was sent out to the EX series last month -- left somewhat of a bitter taste in reviewers mouths. Overall, the system delivered and worked as advertised, but the $360 to $400 street price is apt to turn all but the hardest of hardcore HP fans away, not to mention that the aforesaid EX update (which will hit the LX195 this fall) will require users to completely wipe their HDD and start over from scratch. Check the read link for the full writeup.

RipNAS Statement: world's first SSD-based CD ripping NAS device

by Darren Murph posted May 3rd 2009 at 4:29PM

We'll be perfectly honest with you -- the Atom-powered RipNAS definitely caught our interest when it launched with practically no major competitors back in February. Now, the RipNAS family has grown by two with the introduction of the Statement SSD and Statement HDD. We're told that the former is the world's first SSD-based CD ripping NAS device, and we've absolutely no reason to believe otherwise. The totally silent, all-silver box is based on the Windows Home Server OS and handles a cornucopia of tasks: CD ripping, media streaming and networked file storage. Internal specifications include a dual-core Atom CPU, 2GB of RAM and four USB 2.0 ports. The Statement SSD arrives in a 500GB configuration (2 x 250GB SSDs), while the Statement HDD holds 3TB by way of two 1.5TB drives; mum's the word on pricing, but don't bank on 'em being cheap.

HP MediaSmart LX195 boasts 640GB HDD, 1.6GHz Atom, $400 MSRP

by Ross Miller posted Apr 29th 2009 at 8:39PM

Yearning for more info on the HP MediaSmart LX195? Here's some new concrete details for you to go along with the leaked images from earlier this month. As previously suggested, it's got a a single 640GB internal SATA drive with 7200RPM, with the only option for expansion being via the four USB 2.0 ports in the back. We're also looking at a 1.6GHz Atom 230 processor, 1GB RAM, Windows Home Server software and support for Apple's Time Machine. Mum's the word on price, but if you're looking to start saving early, suggested retail price is just under four Benjamins.

Gallery: HP MediaSmart LX195 boasts 640GB HDD, 1.6GHz Atom, $400 price tag

HP MediaSmart Server LX195 lights up in leaked images

by Ross Miller posted Apr 13th 2009 at 1:47PM

Not even two weeks have passed since we first spotted HP's 640GB MediaSmart Server LX195 in boxed form, care of Mr. Blurrycam, and now we've got what appears to be a couple of official press photos. Stylish aesthetics aside, it's sporting four USBs, an ethernet port, and DC input for a power brick. What we're not seeing is any way to swap out or add storage, so it looks like that "single drive server" speculation might be on the money. Speaking of which, the company still hasn't made this official, and as such, there's no word on pricing or availability.

[Via MediaSmartServer.net]

Firmware update brings file conversion, iPhone access to HP's MediaSmart ex485 / ex487

by Darren Murph posted Apr 13th 2009 at 12:01AM

HP's MediaSmart Server ex487 (1.5TB) and ex485 (750GB) both received copious amounts of praise when launched late last year, but considering just how many issues the original two had (the ex470 and ex475), it wouldn't take much to best 'em. Today, HP is issuing its second firmware update of the year for the series, but the first ever for the newest duo -- and make no mistake, it's a big one. The v2.5 update adds in loads of new features, far too many to cover in this space, in fact. If you're interested in hearing more, follow us past the break for all the details.

Gallery: Firmware update brings file conversion, iPhone access to HP's MediaSmart ex485 / ex487

Continue reading Firmware update brings file conversion, iPhone access to HP's MediaSmart ex485 / ex487

How would you change HP's MediaSmart Server ex485 / ex487?

by Darren Murph posted Apr 10th 2009 at 10:54PM

Now that you've had a few months a stream all manners of media throughout your home and backup your small cadre of computers via one of HP's new MediaSmart Servers, we're interested in seeing just how you'd change this bad boy. HP popped in a faster processor and a bit more RAM in order to make sure these, um, actually worked as advertised, but we're certain even that hasn't satisfied the hardcore critics in attendance. Have you been totally satisfied with your ex485 / ex487? Has the server handled all the Windows Home Server functions with ease? Are you noticing any lag? Are you happy with the file support, heat output and overall styling? Feel free to rant uncontrollably in comments below -- just keep it under control.

New HP MediaSmart Server LX195 caught out there by Mr. Blurrycam

by Richard Lawler posted Mar 31st 2009 at 8:49AM

HP MediaSmart Server enthusiast skeeter has uncovered what looks like the latest addition to the line, the LX195. Sporting a mere 640GB, MediaSmartServer.net speculates this edition could be a single drive model, slotting in below the EX475 and EX485 with additional hard drive space added via USB. That's all there is to know, at least until someone gets a peek at one outside the box.

Windows Home Server gets Power Pack 2, Acer easyStore gets US release date

by Tim Stevens posted Mar 24th 2009 at 10:12AM

It was mid last year when Microsoft released the first "Power Pack 1" for Windows Home Server, fixing that ugly data corruption bug and mixing in a few handy enhancements all the while. Since then the company's been quiet about the OS, but finally will release another update today. No major bug fixes this time, but as expected Power Pack 2 will include enhancements to make remote access easier, enabling sharing directly to Media Center PCs or to Media Center Extenders, and adding support for streaming MP4 content to the Xbox 360 and some other devices. Microsoft also let slip news that Acer's easyStore WHS tower will be shipping to the US next month, giving Americans with too much content another box with too many LEDs to fit their needs.

Acer easyStore H340 Windows Home Server eyes-on

by Darren Murph posted Mar 5th 2009 at 5:14PM

Yesterday we took a peek at Acer's hotly designed Altos storage box, and today we're getting up close and personal with its easyStore H340 Windows Home Server. Generally speaking, the box looks almost identical to the aforementioned Altos, except it replaces the totally boss front cover with an entirely more drab and entirely more glossy replacement. Take a look within just there in the gallery.

Gallery: Acer easyStore H340 Windows Home Server eyes-on

Acer's Atom-powered Altos easyStore eyes-on

by Darren Murph posted Mar 4th 2009 at 6:37PM

While it was Acer's Windows Home Server-equipped easyStore H340 getting the Atom upgrade last month, we're taking a look at the Atom 230-packin' Altos easyStore here at CeBIT. Boasting four hot-swappable bays and a ravishing design, this here NAS device is suitable for avid home users and the everyday small business owner. 'Round back, we found four USB 2.0 sockets, an Ethernet jack and an eSATA port, but why not head to the gallery and see all of it with your own two eyes?

Gallery: Acer's Atom-powered Altos easyStore hands-on

Acer's easyStore H340 says hello Atom, hello Windows Home Server

by Tim Stevens posted Feb 26th 2009 at 10:41AM

Discounting CyberPower's misnomer, we haven't seen a proper Windows Home Server to compete with HP's MediaSmart in quite some time. Thankfully Acer is up to the challenge, at least in Japan, announcing its new easyStore H340 series, initially available in two flavors: S1 for those who need just 1TB of storage and the S2 for those who want three times that. (Yes, S3 seems like a more appropriate name to us, too.) Other than the number of drives internally (one for the S1, three for the S2) the machines are the same, sporting a 1.6GHz Atom 230, 1GB of memory, and four internal drive bays. Naturally both offer all the WHS tricks, like remote backup of networked computers and plenty of media streaming, tricks they'll start turning in Japan on March 6th at the cost of about $600 for the S1 and $900 for the S2.