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Niveus Media Server - Vail Edition now available through ADI
There's no arguing the fact that Niveus makes some pretty swank gear; the problem is finding someone to sell it to you. As of this week, though, the outfit's Media Server - Vail Edition will be available across the nation at ADI branches. Expectedly, no price is given, though it is noted that all Vail Editions sold through ADI come bundled with "an exclusive HDGiants content package, including 1 HDNet film and credit towards the purchase of MusicGiants downloads." Full release is after the break.
Rumors abound, Apple working on media server?
Just when we thought we were done with rumors for the day, another one pops up. 9to5 Mac is reporting that Apple could be working on a media server that might rival HP's MediaSmart Server. They suggest the server will be similar to a Time Capsule, only with more functionality. According to 9to5, the new product will include a Dynamic DNS system to tie in with MobileMe; this will provide username.me.com domains for easier access across the Internet. In addition, the device will include AFP filesharing and Time Machine backup stores. The device will not run off of Mac OS X Server, as you might suspect; rather, it would run the same system and processor that the Time Capsule does. You can read more about this rumor, and read more details about the rumor on the 9to5 Mac website. Do you think Apple is about to jump further into the NAS market with a supercharged Time Capsule?[via MacRumors]
HP MediaSmart Server ex487 gets hands-on love and full-blown review
HP's 1.5TB MediaSmart Server ex487 (and its smaller 750GB sibling, the ex485) were just announced hours ago, but that hasn't stopped a few lucky reviewers from putting their hands-on pictures and impressions online for the world to pore over. The biggest knocks that seemed to really grate the nerves of critics were that the single eSATA port was not port-multiplier aware, and despite the bump to 2GB of RAM, the TwonkyMedia and Remote Media Streaming software were still deemed "quirky and in need of some polish." Those gripes aside, the newfangled unit was pretty well adored. In fact, WeGotServed flat-out called the device "stunning," praising HP for its tightly integrated applications that worked fairly well on top of Windows Home Server. For those eying a simple-to-use media server, it looks like HP finally produced one that can be purchased sans regret; the real question, however, is will the outfit push these delectable new features down to existing ex470 / ex475 owners?Read - MediaSmartServer reviewRead - WeGotServed review / hands-on
HP debuts Mac-compatible MediaSmart ex485 / ex487 home servers
It's been a long, long while since we've heard the words HP MediaSmart, and in fact, the last mention that was made wasn't exactly positive. HP's looking to put the past away and forge ahead with two new ones in the line: the Mac-friendly ex485 and ex487. Both devices are (of course) based on Microsoft's Windows Home Server platform, and just like their predecessors, these are meant to automatically backup machines around the home and act as a network-accessible repository for all things media. The pair features HP's Media Collector (used to schedule, copy and centralize digital files from networked PCs) and also acts as an iTunes server and an external backup device for Macs running Leopard and using Apple's Time Machine software. As for specs, you'll find a 2GHz Celeron CPU in each with 2GB of DDR2 RAM, gigabit Ethernet, four USB 2.0 ports, one eSATA jack and four internal HDD bays. The February-bound duo can be pre-ordered on January 5th for $599 (ex485; 750GB) / $749 (ex487; 1.5TB), and each can be scaled up to 9TB. Full release is after the break.%Gallery-40219%
Niveus and HDGiants link up on movie distribution deal
We haven't really heard much from the single entity that emerged after VideoGiants and MusicGiants ran full force into one another, but Niveus Media is keeping said outfit relevant by bringing its movie collections to the Media Server and Storage Server – Cargo Edition. Films will be made available to dealers and consumers in packages of 50 ($1,099) or 100 ($2,099) titles, and of course, each title will come with all of the snazzy cover art and metadata to make searching a breeze. At least for now, the flicks are delivered to dealers on hard drives (50+ movies is a lot to download, holmes), but at least you know you'll be getting the best quality material. Full release is after the break.
Kodak's Theatre HD Player reviewed: not all smiles
It's mildly unfathomable that we're just now seeing a review on Kodak's July-announced Theatre HD Player, but maybe that's because most folks could smell the lameness from the press release. Nevertheless, one critic finally got up the courage to publish his feelings online, and while the unit did have its bright spots, not everything was fine and dandy. First and foremost, the $299 price point was deemed absurd given the omission of any built-in storage and the unit's inability to access HD movies / TV shows. That said, the user interface "shined in its simplicity and was a lot of fun to use," which inevitably left the reviewer simply wanting more. In other words, you're probably better off passing this one by until Kodak figures out a way to add in a bit more functionality, but feel free to give the read link a look if you're still in doubt.
Ask Engadget HD: What's the best HDD-equipped HD media server?
For some, HD media streamers are the answer. For others, a dedicated HTPC does the trick. For Nick, it's an HDD-based HD media server that he's after -- you know, those HDD enclosure-sized boxes that provide local multimedia for your HDTV to play back. "I'm in the market for a hard drive-based HD media server, as I'm not really interested in messing with a network in order to stream content from a PC to my TV. Local storage of my content is fine, so I'm looking for the box with the most user friendly interface and the widest format support. Any tips?" Surely someone out there has a bit of advice for ole Nick here. Don't let him down -- he's really putting himself out there.Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
VidaBox RackServer and RackClient v2 go without heads, HD DVD
Either HD DVD fell off of VidaBox's worklist or simply got left off the press release, but the new RackServer and RackClient v2 from the company have other features that will appeal to well-heeled HD connoisseurs (and their no doubt completist libraries). The RackServer will eat up 4U of space, but you'll get "1-step archiving" of unencrypted CD, DVD and Blu-ray discs in return. Since you can rip from up to five discs at once (with drive extenders), the 2-7TB storage (expandable to a crazy 16TB in a separate chassis) will come in handy. Once you've got all that ripping done, the RackClient v2 will spit out the bits from unencrypted Blu-ray, DVDs and other media, including the DTS-HD MA and Dolby TrueHD audio you paid so dearly for. We don't even have the heart to ask about pricing.
MvixBOX media server: 2TB of web-enabled, media streaming goodness
It looks like Mvix USA, a company known for their media streamers, has really pulled out all the stops with their new NAS. The MvixBOX has two drive bays (1.5TB SATA HDDs not included), Windows file sharing, an RSS client, a Bit Torrent client, telnet and secure SMTP. If that isn't enough, it's also an FTP server, an Apache web server (with MySQL, SQlife and PHP pre-installed) and features Mvix's RapidBox functionality (their version of RapidShare file hosting). This all might be a bit much for the typical consumer, but for the small business (or hardcore torrent-head) the device could replace an entire server. Just expect a sharp decline in productivity when your SQL programmer realizes he can watch Battlestar Galactica on the thing.
Tranquil PC's SQA-5H home server: 5 bays, Atom 330, the works
No, this ain't a Craigslist ad, this is just a bomb-diggity home server set to officially be released by Tranquil PC tomorrow. The SQA-5H is a cube-shaped server with five hot-swappable drive bays, a 1.6GHz Intel Atom 330 processor and 1GB of RAM (2GB maximum). Additionally, it touts a Quick System Backup for piping your stored data onto an external HDD, a "Mode" button for quick capacity checks and an optional SQA-EX slave unit which provides five additional drive bays connected with a single cable. Expect to find pricing details within 24 hours on the November-bound device.[Via WeGotServed]
DViCO's TViX-HD 6500 eats Blu-ray rips for breakfast, spits 'em out via HDMI
Nearly two full years after DViCO introduced its TiVX 5010-P HDTV recorder, along comes a new duo in the line to finally up the ante. But it's not the infantile TViX R-2230 ($399; pictured) that we're really interested in -- though it can play back ripped VOB / ISO files. Rather, it's the $599 TViX-HD 6500, which also includes support for playing back Blu-ray backups via HDMI. We'll spare you the legal spill, but for those too frightened to potentially scratch their precious Blu-ray Discs, this looks to be the unit for you. So far as specs go, you'll find HDMI 1.3, component, S-Video and composite jacks, support for a smorgasbord of file formats, a USB port for loading up media from flash drives / external HDDs and an optional digital TV tuner to boot. Why do we get the feeling both of these things will be next to impossible to locate in the US?[Thanks, Geller]
Velocity Micro intros CineMagix FuzeBox Home Media Server
Remember that Velocity Micro FuzeBox that was talked about back in August? Say hello to that very box, which was properly introduced this week by the aforesaid firm. As the title implies, Velocity Micro paired with Fuze Media Systems in order to create this here HTPC, which features CableCARD support, multi-zone audio, optional Blu-ray burner, Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of DDR2 RAM, 750GB of storage space, multicard reader, gigabit Ethernet, a whole slew of ports and a FuzeBox MCE remote to boot. Best of all, the system gets going at just $1,995, though speccing it out will get that figure much higher in a hurry.
Blusens offers up Blu:Brain HD media server
Blusens hit the scene in a big way last October, but for whatever reason, we haven't heard from 'em since... until now, that is. The Blu:Brain Home Entertainment Device features a somewhat misleading name, as there's (regrettably) no built-in Blu-ray drive to speak of. What it does have, however, is a remarkably sexy shell, twin digital TV tuners (DVB-T), a removable internal hard drive, Ethernet / WiFi connectivity and a USB port. Essentially, this here box can serve up all sorts of multimedia (high-def content included) via HDMI, though word on the street says it won't even be available to order until 2009.[Via Gizmos]
HP's MediaSmart EX475 takes on homegrown Windows Home Server systems
If you've somehow managed to hold off from buying one of HP's MediaSmart servers (or, you know, just forgot about your plans to buy one), MissingRemote has a nice writeup explaining the benefits of picking one up versus building your own. The storage junkies over there pitted an EX475 against a "home brewed Frankenstein" and a server built with WHS-specific parts in order to see which of the three would emerge triumphant. In the end, HP's own unit managed to garner the most of their love, which was quite surprising to be honest. Sure, building your own can be a ton of fun, but the EX475 just delivered in every important area for right around the same price as the other two homegrown competitors. Don't believe us? Tap the read link and check it out.
Sony kicks out WiFi-enabled 1TB Home Share VGF-HS1E media server in Europe
We've already seen this circular media server loosed in Japan, but Sony is just now getting around to launching the thing in Europe. The Home Share VGF-HS1E follows the same design scheme as most of Sony's living room-based HTPCs and comes loaded with a pair of 500GB 7,200RPM SATA hard drives, a multicard reader, three USB ports, Ethernet, WiFi and DLNA-compatibility. There's no word on price, availability or any of that good stuff, but we'll be keeping an ear out.[Via Pocket-lint]
Media server concept from Toshiba doubles as mega D&D die
Here's another mouth-watering concept on display at CEATEC today: Toshiba's Media Server -- not to be confused with some kind of nefarious explosive device from an early episode of Doctor Who. It uses NFC to download files from your cell phone, which in turn can be displayed on a TV via WirelessHD. But best of all, it's shiny and looks nothing like some of the mundane media servers we've seen in the past, which is reason enough for us to want one, or perhaps a pair to make 2d12. Here's hoping it gets past the concept stage.
Alienware cans Hangar 18 HD media server before its time
It was under two years ago when we initially caught wind of Alienware's Hangar 18, and while the outfit seemed pretty bullish about the thing just 12 months ago at CEDIA, things have apparently went south. As of right now, the Hangar 18 website simply redirects back to the company's homepage, and CSRs are now informing inquiring consumers that the HTPC is simply no longer available for purchase. We know, this thing was overkill in every sense of the word, but it's not like that's stopping Niveus, Exceptional Innovation and all those other guys from making headway. So long, Hangar 18 -- we barely knew ya.[Thanks, Aaron]
Captive Works intros CW-4000HD Linux Media Center
Tired of those Windows-based media servers, are you? Enter Captive Works, which has just unleashed its Linux-based CW-4000HD. The all-black unit packs an AMD 4600 X2 CPU, 512MB of DDR2 RAM, a hard drive slot, NVIDIA's GeForce 7050 GPU, an optional ATSC tuner, HDMI / component / S-Video outputs, four USB 2.0 ports, a DVD burner and analog / digital audio outputs. It also comes bundled with software to handle PVR duties, P2P streaming, multimedia playback and pretty much anything else you'd expect a low-end HTPC to do. No mention of a price at the moment, but stay tuned on the read link if you're interested in (eventually) taking one home.[Thanks, Aren]
ReQuest produces HD user interface for its whole-home servers
We can't say we're thrilled to hear that ReQuest's wares didn't already come with a high-def interface, but given that HD GUIs are still mighty tough to come by, we can't harsh on it too much. The media server producer has just cranked out a presumably gorgeous high-definition graphical user interface for its iQ whole-home music system as well as its N-Series / F-Series media servers. Users can navigate the software with just five commands -- Up, Down, Left, Right, and Enter -- and while entering those inputs in that order won't give you a 1-Up or anything, they should be manageable with virtually any IR remote.
Conceptronic intros Media Titan server / PVR for DVB-T nations
After a long summer of staying all but silent, Conceptronic is hitting back with an all new PVR / media player. The aptly-named Media Titan brings along optional 802.11n wireless support, twin hard drives, dual DVB-T tuners and support for more formats than you can shake a stick at. You'll also find a bundled remote, three USB ports for external storage, HDMI / Ethernet ports and UPnP AV compliance. Pricing remains a mystery for now, but citizens of Germany, Spain, Portugal and France can expect to find out later this month. Full release after the break.[Thanks, KJ]
