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Ask Engadget: best (Windows) Home Server and universal remote solution?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Tim, who's looking to take his living room (and digital life, by the sound of it) into the future. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "A while back I was looking at getting the HP Media Smart Home Server, but some time has gone by and I'm wondering if that is still the best solution going around. I want something that is ideally priced at a max of $1000; it has to be something small, not noisy or too power-hungry, and it has to be something that I can hide away. I'll use it for network storage, backup, streaming and remote access. I was also wondering if it's worth getting a good universal remote to dim lights, turn on the TV, amp, PS3 and maybe even some home server control -- or have the iPhone / Android apps become so good that they are now the best option? Thanks!" Great Qs, Sir Tim. We're of the belief that most everything from a home automation standpoint can be done on Android or iPhone, particularly if you're starting from scratch (and aren't looking for enterprise-class services). As for Windows Home Server? You've still got a few options, but has anything come along to trump up? If you've got a say in all this, sound off in comments below!
Windows Phone beta app plays nice with WHS 2011, streams media from your network
Fancy accessing your Windows Home Server directly from your Windows Phone? Then you might want to experiment with the Phone Connector add-in for WHS 2011 beta (aka Vail). This lets you connect you to core network functions and settings via an app on your handset, including alerts, user accounts and connected devices. Crucially, it also streams all your lovely media, so long as it's in WP-supported codecs. And if you pin the app to your home screen, you'll get a nifty live tile with your network's name, free disk space and a breakdown of network health alerts. Sure, you might have a bit of fuss to get this RC working, but then that's half the fun.
Vail is now Windows Home Server 2011, Drive Extender's officially dead
Microsoft announced months ago that the artist formerly known as Vail -- now officially known as Windows Home Server 2011 -- was dropping Drive Extender functionality. Though we were given hope that the feature might be reinstated, the release candidate of WHS2011 went out to testers today... sans Drive Extender's 'drive pooling for dummies' capability. In its place, Microsoft has included a Move Folder Wizard that alerts you when a new hard drive has been added (for those who were visited by the HDD fairy without their knowledge, no doubt) and walks you through formatting and partitioning your new drive. However, partition size is limited to 2TB for it to work with the server backup feature, so your massive collection of ripped Blu-rays will require a veritable alphabet of drive letters. Not all the news is bad though, as the dev team has enabled Shadow Copy in the OS to allow data time traveling in case you accidentally delete something. If that sounds good to you, hit the source link below and get your download on.
Microsoft shows off Home Server 'Vail' app for Windows Phone 7
Things may have been looking bleak for Microsoft's upcoming version of Windows Home Server, dubbed "Vail," when HP announced that it was dropping the OS in favor of WebOS last month, but Microsoft has now given it a boost of confidence that should put any rumors of its death to rest. The company is showing off an add-in for Vail that will let you manage alerts on your Windows Phone 7 phone, access media stored on your home server, and in turn send pictures stored on your phone to your server (but not other media, apparently). Still no firm word on a release, but Microsoft says it will available "soon." Hit up the source link below for Microsoft's complete walkthrough of the app.
HP dropping Windows Home Server to focus on WebOS, won't be hitting the slopes at Vail
More bad news for fans of little Windows servers for home. HP, makers of the MediaSmart boxes that defined the first release of Windows Home Server, has confirmed that it is canceling plans to support the next major release of the OS, codenamed Vail. This comes hot on the heels of the removal of storage pooling from that release, an extremely unpopular move among the relatively few but ardent fans of WHS. HP is promising to continue support for its existing MediaSmart products but apparently has already redeployed development teams to focus on WebOS devices. For its part, Microsoft will be relying on Acer and Tranquil PC to hang the decorations for the Vail release party. Anyone still care to RSVP?
Steve Ballmer looking into removal of Drive Extender from Windows Home Server
Windows Home Server hasn't exactly taken the consumer market by storm, showing yet again that people are more interested in shiny new toys than protecting their precious data. Still, there's been a huge amount of negative backlash from Microsoft's recent decision to drop Drive Extender from the next release of WHS, currently codenamed Vail. Drive Extender is the tech that enables multiple physical disks to act as a single logical volume, making it easy for even non-techy folks to add more and enable data replication. Terry Walsh over at We Got Served was similarly taken aback by the decision and took the opportunity to drop a note to Big Poppa Steve Ballmer. He got a response: From: Steve Ballmer Sent: 26 November 2010 05:30 To: Terry Walsh Subject: RE: MVP Feedback – Windows Home Server "Vail" Crisis Let's look into it Yes, it's a short response, and it course could mean anything or, indeed, nothing, but it is at least a response and a positive sign that the huge outcry among fans of Windows Home Server can indeed make its way to the top of the executive chain. Now we just wait to see what comes rolling back down...
Windows Home Server 'Vail' drops drive extender support, MS suggests you buy bigger HDDs
If you're a current Windows Home Server user there's a very good chance you've taken advantage of the drive pooling features of the OS. Need more storage? Pop in a new HDD, watch some lights blink for a bit, and then you're ready to get back to downloading... whatever it is you're downloading. Granted things didn't always work perfectly, but this tech, formally called Drive Extender, makes adding storage easy, makes it possible to replicate only the data that needs it, and is completely hardware independent. And now it's going away. Microsoft has confirmed that the next release of Windows Home Server, Vail (due in the first half of 2011), will not feature Drive Extender, indicating you'll need to simply buy bigger drives and manually handle data replication or rely on RAID to make this happen, solutions that are decidedly less intuitive for non-techie users. The reaction among WHS fans has been overwhelmingly negative, with 148 comments (and counting) on the announcement post, most telling MS where it can shove its RAID controller. Feel free to keep on venting here if you like. Update: Malcom dropped this link into comments, where Windows guru Paul Thurrott indicates the issue is related to MS trying to position this to the small business sector -- that Drive Extender can't keep up with more professional loads.
Windows Home Server 'Vail' sees new beta release, adds OS X support
It's not the biggest of releases, but progress is progress at this point. Since launching in late April, Microsoft has been rather mum on the future of its latest Windows Home Server build. This week, however, the second major beta release has been let loose into the wilds, with Vail's most recent build now available to download there in the source link. The Big M doesn't go into great detail on what all has been added and / or changed, only saying that this new version has "plenty of enhancements and improvements over the original." The so-called "Preview" also adds support for Mac OS X backups, though users should know that storage check and repair (among other things, most likely) aren't exactly working seamlessly. But hey, that's what you get for living on the beta, right?
Windows Home Server 'Vail' beta now available for download, brings improved UI and streaming options
It's been a long (long!) time since we've caught wind of a substantial Windows Home Server refresh, but for those waiting on pins and needles, we're thrilled to say that the excruciating wait has finally ended. Sort of. Microsoft has revealed today its public beta of the next version of WHS, code named "Vail." The primary upgrades / changes include the extension of media streaming outside of the home or office, improvements in multi-PC backup and restore, simplified setup and user experience as well as "significantly" expanded development and customization tools for partner. Beyond that, the company's playing things pretty close to the chest, but you can feel free to grab a 64-bit copy of the beta starting today and dig in yourself. 'Course, Microsoft recommends that you install the software on a secondary (read: not important to your livelihood) machine, and on the development front, it's introducing a new SDK for those who wish to "create add-in applications using Vail's new extensible programming model." So, whatcha waiting for? That download is a-callin', and a brief demo video is just beyond the break. Update: And we've already got our first review -- good for those too chicken (or busy, frankly) to completely wipe a second PC just to see how Vail stacks up.
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.
MTV-HD is on the air
MTV's new high definition channel MHD went live yesterday on Cox Communications and Verizon, it is available in Florida and California only for the moment. Another interesting note is that besides the launch concert featuring the Goo Goo Dolls, MTV has been shooting in high definition with 5.1 surround sound for over a year, building up content for the new network. Any HDBeat readers notice a new HD channel in their lineup today?
