FAQ: HP MediaSmart Server ex485 and ex487 (Page 8 of 9)

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by MediaSmartHome Team January 29, 2009 03:45 PM

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Media Features

Q. Does the HP MediaSmart Server work as a media server (using, for example, UPnP protocol to serve files to a digital media receiver hooked up in your entertainment center)?

A. Yes. By default Windows Home Server provides the Windows Media Connect media streaming protocol, a superset of UPnP AV 2.0. Unlike Linux-based NAS products, the HP MediaSmart Server provides media streaming for downloaded “Hollywood” movies. What this means is that you can order a movie from your PC or TV that is connected to your network, and the movie can be downloaded to the server and streamed to your TV without having to keep the notebook powered up.

Q: What is the Twonky Media add-in ?

A. Twonky Media is delivered as an installable add-in on the MediaSmart Server, and provides enhanced media streaming functionality over the default Window Media Connect streaming. It will enable DLNA 1.0 certified, DLNA 1.5 compliant and UPnP media streaming from the HP MediaSmart Server to a variety of entertainment devices in the home.

Twonky Media provides:

Album art when browsing to music folders on the Server using a DMR (digital media receiver) like the Xbox 360, PS3, HP MediaSmart Connect or others.
Picture thumbnails when browsing to picture folders on the Server using a DMR.
Support for a wider range of media file types like m4a, mp4, ogg for Music; and Divx, MPEG-4, vob for Video
Customer can now choose folders from which to stream content, and is not limited to Photos, Video or Music file folders.

Twonky Media is the engine behind the remote media streaming capabilities of the MediaSmart Server, and comes as a pre-installed add-in. You can stream photos and music to computers on the internet.

Q. What kind of performance can I expect from the HP MediaSmart Server for media streaming?

A. Performance is dependent on the environment and network configuration which will vary from user to user. Depending upon the network environment, the HP MediaSmart Server is capable of handling multiple streams of high-definition (HD) video.

Q. What is the best way to load owned DVDs onto HP MediaSmart Server?

A. Loading traditional commercial DVD’s to the server would require decryption of the content protection which is illegal. However, the new High Definition optical formats (HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc) both have a “Managed Copy” provision that should in the near future enable customers to legally make a copy of the disc or load the movies onto a central server like the HP MediaSmart Server .

Q. How does this product complement/work with other HP entertainment devices (e.g., HP MediaCenter PC, HP TouchSmart PC)?

A .The HP MediaSmart Server is the ideal partner for any computer in the home including standard desktop and notebooks PCs as well as entertainment computers such as the Media Center PC.