HP EX470 and EX475 MediaSmart Servers Running Windows Home Server Review

There has been a rapid shift of photos, music and video to digital format and with it has been a building need for a simple, reliable product to manage and store them. One hardware platform developed for this purpose is the HP MediaSmart Server which was given its first brief introduction to the public at CES 2007 (International Consumer Electronics Show). It was named as the winner of LAPTOP magazine’s Best of CES Award in the Best Storage Device category.

HP MediaSmart Server

HP have developed a networked storage server for family digital images, music and videos allowing access over a home network or the Internet. The software platform for the product is Windows Home Server.

Two capacity sizes, 500GB and 1TB, are available for the HP MediaSmart Server. The server has four internal hard-drive bays, four USB 2.0 ports and one eSATA port for storage expansion. Increasing capacity is a simple process requiring no tools or cables using off-the-shelf SATA drives with installation. Windows Home Server Console will add an new disk drive without manual configuration or powering down the unit.

Centralizing digital multimedia files in one location on the HP MediaSmart Server rather than having them spread over numerous PCs (and difficult to find) can simplify the management of family digital archives.

HP MediaSmart Server Features

Internet and Network Access

The HP MediaSmart Server provides secure remote access to shared folders and files from an Internet-connected computer using your personal web address. Applications can be run on home network computers through the HP MediaSmart Server using a secure personal web address.

Users

Up to 10 user accounts can be created for accessing the HP MediaSmart Server. Access privileges, such as Read/Write, Read Only or No Access can be defined for each user. Remote access privileges can also be set for each user.

HP Photo Webshare for Photos and Video Sharing

HP Photo Webshare software is provided by HP for sharing photos and video clips. It can be used to quickly and automatically create a secure personal photo website on your server and share photos and video clips with only the friends and family you designate. Automatic notification emails can be created for friends and family to share different photo albums. Visitors can upload their own photos for sharing and download full resolution photos.

Digital Media File Streaming

Users are able to stream photos, music and videos using Microsoft Windows Media Connect to a HP MediaSmart TV, PCs on your network, an Xbox 360, or to a networked home entertainment center.

Automatic Backup

The HP Media Server has automatic backup routines which will protect backup digital media files to networked PCs running Windows XP and later operating systems. The number and frequency of backups can be customized. After the initial backup only the changes (delta) are backed up. Only a single copy of each file is backed up regardless of how many identical copies there are on the networked PCs serviced.

For and additional layer of redundancy it’s possible to designate folders to be copied automatically onto multiple hard drives. The backup routines work with both internal and external hard drives.

Restore Features

The included HP PC Restore disc will restore a hard drive image without the original operating system disc. An individual file can also be restored.

User Reviews and Price Comparisons

Visit the following online retailers to read hands on user reviews and get competitive prices.

HP EX470 MediaSmart Home Server (AMD Live, Windows Home Server, 500 GB Hard Drive)
HP EX475 MediaSmart Home Server (AMD Live, Windows Home Server, 1 TB Hard Drive)

HP MediaSmart Server 1Tb

HP EX470 MEDIASMART SERVER 500GB WINDOWS HOME SERVER
HP EX475 MEDIASMART SERVER 1TB WINDOWS HOME SERVER

HP MediaSmart Server EX 470
HP MediaSmart Server EX 475

HP MediaSmart Server Specification

PC operating system support	Backup – Microsoft Windows® Vista, Windows XP Remote access to computers – Microsoft Windows® XP Professional, Media Center Edition 2004 or higher, or Windows® Vista Ultimate or higher File sharing – Microsoft Windows® Vista, Windows XP Home or Windows XP Professional, Windows 2000 Professional SP4, Mac, OS X, Linux.
Specifications	Processor AMD 1.8 GHZ 64-bit Sempron processor Memory 512MB DDR2 DRAM
Network support	Connects easily to the home network through a built-in Ethernet port. 10/100/1000 (Gigabit) RJ45 Ethernet - Supports both wired and wireless PCs (via a wireless router)
Interfaces	4 USB 2.0 ports (1 front, 3 back) 1 eSATA port (back)
Internal hard drives	1 SATA 7200 RPM, 500GB for EX470 2 SATA 7200 RPM, 1 TB (2 x 500GB) for EX475 Four hard drive bays for easy expandability Additional off the shelf SATA I or II hard drives can be added to expansion bays. bays. No tools required.
Maximum storage capacity	Only limited by number of hard drive bays (4) and USB ports (4). Example: Using 500GB hard drives, maximum 4 terabytes (total supported capacity of all internal and external drives connected to HP MediaSmart Server).
Power	Internal universal power supply
Chassis	The sleek, streamlined micro-tower design is perfect for use in the home office or or the living room. Perforated steel exterior panels provide cool, quiet operation.
Dimensions	UnPackaged: 5.5”(W) x 9.8”(H) x 9.2”(D) (approx.) 14 cm (W) x 25 cm (H) x 23 cm (D) (approx.) Packaged: 15.75”(W) x 9.8”(H) x 14.72”(D) (approx.) 40 cm (W) x 25 cm (H) x 37.4 cm (D) (approx.)
Warranty and Support	One-year limited hardware warranty and software technical support for one year year from date of purchase. HP offers 24/7 toll free consumer support.
Package contents	HP MediaSmart Server Power cord Ethernet cable Software installation disc PC restore disc Server recovery disc Quick start and HP support guides

Technorati Tags: MediaSmart Server, Best Storage Device, Windows Home Server, MediaSmart, Photo Webshare, Digital Media File Streaming, backup digital media files

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[...] HP EX470 and EX475 MediaSmart Servers Running Windows Home Server Review [...]

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[...] HP sells an excellent product to help cope with the ever growing storage and organisation requirements for photos, music and video to digital format. The HP MediaSmart Server was named as the winner of LAPTOP magazine’s Best of CES Award in the Best Storage Device category. Read our review of the HP EX470 and EX475 MediaSmart Servers. [...]

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» HP EX470 and EX475 MediaSmart Servers Running Windows Home Server Review

November 2, 2007