First they decided to charge $ for the v3 software upgrade, now they won't make this plugin available to older generations of MSS. I'll look elsewhere the next time I buy a WHS box.
MediaSmart Home Interview: HP's Charlie Shilling on the HP MediaSmart Expander for TiVo
Categories: Patches and Upgrades Media Sharing and Connected Devices
Ever thought about how great it would be if you could use a MediaSmart Server as extra storage for your TiVo? If you own both, I guarantee you have. For those with an EX490 or EX495, that dream became reality. HP has pulled back the curtain and unveiled the HP MediaSmart Expander for TiVo. And, who better to tell you all about than HP's own Charlie Shilling, Future Product Manager for the HP MediaSmart Server, who kindly agreed to a quick interview to talk about this fantastic new feature for the MediaSmart Server.
 | MW: HP has just announed the HP MediaSmart Expander for TiVo, and on the heels of other announcements from the famed DVR maker, this is pretty exciting stuff. Tell us, in your own words, about the new HP MediaSmart Expander for TiVo. |
 | CS: The need to offload recorded tv from DVR’s to our Home Server consistently shows up as a customer need and HP is delivering on that need. The HP MediaSmart Expander for TiVo is a feature of the HP MediaSmart server that allows TiVo customers to expand their TiVo box and store more shows. With it TiVo customers don’t have to worry about running out of room on their TiVo, and they don’t have to delete shows to save more shows. The HP MediaSmart Expander for TiVo allows users to transfer recorded TiVo shows to the HP MediaSmart Server and then watch them on PC’s, Macs, and back on their TiVo connected TVs. So simply put, it's an expander for TiVo, and it allows you to view those shows around the network. |
| | How long as HP been collaborating with TiVo on this, and is this exclusive to the MediaSmart Server? |
| HP has been working with TiVo on this for several months now. This is a unique solution. HP’s relationship with TiVo is very strong but it is not an exclusive deal. |
| | But for the time being, the MediaSmart Server is the only home server offering this? |
| That's correct. |
| | That's great. Now, let's dive in a bit deeper and talk about interaction and use. How does offloading shows to the MediaSmart Server work? What will you see on the TiVo? |
| The solution uses a pull philosophy, meaning users pull TiVo shows from their TiVo box to the HP MediaSmart server from the user interface in the HP MediaSmart server. And then conversely, users pull TiVo shows from the HP MediaSmart Server to the TiVo box using the TiVo user interface. You can see all of your TiVo shows stored on your server from the TiVo UI and the HP MediaSmart server UI. |
 |  |
| | Can you play/stream shows directly from the home server on the TiVo, or do you transfer them back before you can play? |
| To watch a TiVo show that's stored on the HP MediaSmart Server, users can go to the TiVo UI, find the shows that they want to watch that are on the server, and then pick the show and select transfer and they immediately start watching the show while it's being transferred. So, we're not really streaming, we're actually transferring, but you can watch while it's transferred. It's smart in that way. HD shows should be buffered a few minutes before you try to watch them. All transfers are manual, nothing is automatically deleted. |
| | How does this work with TiVo desktop? Will you be able to watch TiVo recorded content on the home server directly on a PC? |
| With the free TiVo desktop software users can view TiVo shows stored on the HP MediaSmart server from any computer on the network. Mac users need the Roxio app to view TiVo shows. The TiVo website has a lot of information about how to set that up. |
| | Given the close timing between this announcement and TiVo's launch of the new TiVo Premiere DVRs, will the HP MediaSmart Expander for TiVo only work with the new Premiere TiVo units, or will this ability be available to all TiVos? |
| The HP MediaSmart Expander for TiVo works with TiVo® DVR Series II, Series III, or TiVo® desktop software, and it also works with the new Premiere TiVos. |
| | Do you see similar functionality being extended to more types of DVRs down the road? |
| HP is always evaluating market opportunities in the in this market but we don’t have anything specific at that is time. |
| | What MediaSmart Servers will be able to take advantage of this new feature and how will they get it? How much does it cost? |
| The EX490 & EX495. Users if these models can download it free by clicking on the “Add Software" tab in the HP Media Smart Server console in the EX490/495. |
I'd like to once again thank Charlie for taking the time out of his schedule to talk with the MediaSmart Home Community. We certainly hope to share more interviews with Charlie and others at HP in the future.
TiVo and the TiVo logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of TiVo Inc. or its subsidiaries worldwide. Microsoft is a U.S. registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
March 10, 2010 11:47 AM
I don't understand how this is any better than TivoDesktop, which allows you to copy shows back and forth between the Tivo and a PC. Furthermore, TivoDesktop allows you to AutoTransfer a series...with this add-in you have to individually select every show for transfer.
Is this transfer any faster than the TivoDesktop? Tivo to PC, or vice-versa, takes 1.5 times the show length...not very good for spontaneous watching.
Diesel
Administrator
- member since: 03/26/2008
- rank: 3 of 10477
- 27 articles authored
- 1 blog entries posted
- 33 forum threads started
- 562 comments
March 10, 2010 12:04 PM
dieseljwt said: I don't understand how this is any better than TivoDesktop, which allows you to copy shows back and forth between the Tivo and a PC. Furthermore, TivoDesktop allows you to AutoTransfer a series...with this add-in you have to individually select every show for transfer. Is this transfer any faster than the TivoDesktop? Tivo to PC, or vice-versa, takes 1.5 times the show length...not very good for spontaneous watching. Diesel
I don't have a TiVo to go hands on with, so I can't comment about the transfer speeds. Maybe someone else will chime in on that.
This isn't intended to be "better" than TiVo Desktop, but complimentary to the TiVo experience. Home Server is the ideal place to offload recordings for viewing later if you're space strapped on the TiVo. You can still play it on the PC, but it doesn't have to live there. I agree an automatic solution would be nice, but it seems pretty easy to manage through the console.
March 10, 2010 12:08 PM
Only supporting the EX490/495 MediaSmart Servers clearly shows how HP is simply not committed to its user base. I am starting to regret my recent pruchase of an EX485 in 2009. I just paid for the 3.0 software update, and now it sounds as if I will have to pay to get an EX490 if I want to be able to user the most recent tools and applications that HP will now be lauching. (NOT!)
Administrator
- member since: 03/26/2008
- rank: 3 of 10477
- 27 articles authored
- 1 blog entries posted
- 33 forum threads started
- 562 comments
March 10, 2010 12:17 PM
JDH said: Only supporting the EX490/495 MediaSmart Servers clearly shows how HP is simply not committed to its user base. I am starting to regret my recent pruchase of an EX485 in 2009. I just paid for the 3.0 software update, and now it sounds as if I will have to pay to get an EX490 if I want to be able to user the most recent tools and applications that HP will now be lauching. (NOT!)
I have to admit that I'm also a little befuddled with the 49x restriction. Given the difference between the 490 and the 48x with the 3.0 upgrade is... well... nothing (at least that I can discern from a software perspective), I'd say (at least) 48x users on 3.0 should be invited to the party.
March 10, 2010 2:11 PM
I see this software as mildly interesting, but not sure how I can use it in my environment. For me, it's missing auto-transfer of shows to the home server, ability to detect and trim commercials, and ability to convert video files to a format more suitable (smaller than mpg2) for long term storage.
I have the prerequisite hardware, so I plan to give this software a try even though I already have pyTivo and Streambaby installed on my home server to serve videos to my Tivo.
March 10, 2010 6:55 PM
Installed the HP software onto my home server. It didn't find any of my 3 Tivos. I checked the event log on my home server and noticed an error from the HP software complaining about listening on UDP ports. Suspecting a port conflict, I stopped both the pyTivo & Streambaby services on my home server and recycled the HP Tivo extender service. Second time around it found one of three Tivos and I was able to transfer a file.
So the software works somewhat though I have no idea why it only finds one of three Tivos nor why it conflicts with pyTivo or Streambaby. For me, PyTivo + Streambaby > HP Tivo extender software so I'm uninstalling the HP software. To be fair, I'm a tinkerer and the HP software is lacking for me however it might be suitable for others.
March 12, 2010 8:32 AM
I think this is a step in the right direction, but I am curious why I couldn't run it using my EX485 once I have upgraded to 3.0 of the HP software? I understand that the lifecylce for technology is very short and we can't expect any vendor to always go backwards with every new offering, but it does seem in this case any MediaSmart Server running 3.0 should be able to handle. If the increase in CPU power is the reason for not offering to EX48x users, HP needs to clearly state that.
As for transfer speeds, I have two Tivo's on my 100MB network and as a general rule, I can immediately start watching a transferring show for SD contect from either Tivo Desktop on the PC or the other Tivo. HD content however, I need to give a 15 minute headstart (for 30 min show), especially if I want to skip commercials (which I obviously do... I own Tivo, right?).
Surely HP will add automatic transfer to v2 of this add-in... it's such a basic need. In fact, I should be able to check a box to autotransfer everything on my two Tivo's to the WHS if I want.
Either way, I think this is a good start... HP has recognized that there are 3-4 million Tivo subscribers, and probably a good slice of them have Mediasmart Servers. I think Tivo will round the corner with the new Tivo Premier (I know, it doesn't do everything in the world we'd like), especially becuase of some of the cable company deals they've struck... if they become the defacto high-end DVR for many of those large cable companies, they'll be able to significantly improve market share.
Good work HP! At least on this 1.0 product... I'm looking forward to 2.0.
March 13, 2010 8:15 AM
As Microsoft is currently working on a new version of homeserver the last thing I would do is buy a 490 for this feature. But as I have a 470 and a 487 and to me it seems when ever hp is going to do some thing to improve the OS they make sure you have to buy a new server.
Because odf this I am going to give up on Buying HP. They may have some nices features that they include but as soon as you buy one they seem to make a new model with more features. It does not seemk woth it to me to but HP anymore. The just don't take care of the customer.
Administrator
- member since: 03/26/2008
- rank: 3 of 10477
- 27 articles authored
- 1 blog entries posted
- 33 forum threads started
- 562 comments
March 15, 2010 10:10 AM
updated: March 15, 2010 10:12 AM
mpf54 said: As Microsoft is currently working on a new version of homeserver the last thing I would do is buy a 490 for this feature. But as I have a 470 and a 487 and to me it seems when ever hp is going to do some thing to improve the OS they make sure you have to buy a new server. Because odf this I am going to give up on Buying HP. They may have some nices features that they include but as soon as you buy one they seem to make a new model with more features. It does not seemk woth it to me to but HP anymore. The just don't take care of the customer.
In some ways I do agree with you, this particular feature seems like low hanging fruit. However, there are outside variables that we have to consider that impacts a company's ability to provide free upgrades. No one likes to hear about Sarbanes-Oxley Act accounting rules, but I suspect that to be at play here. I seriously doubt they account for the MSS as a subscription, which would mean they can't offer siginifcant new features after the sale without realizing revenue differently up front or charging a fair value fee. It explains why the 3.0 software upgrade isn't free, and also why this isn't free either. It also restricts them from charing something like a penny for things.
What I don't see, however, is why completely hold back last-gen users from attaining this at all. I think many would pay a reasonable fee to buy this TiVo improvement for their EX485 or EX487.
"But as I have a 470 and a 487 and to me it seems when ever hp is going to do some thing to improve the OS they make sure you have to buy a new server. Because odf this I am going to give up on Buying HP. They may have some nices features that they include but as soon as you buy one they seem to make a new model with more features. It does not seemk woth it to me to but HP anymore. The just don't take care of the customer. "
I find statements like these hilarious, no offense. Anyone who buys a Ford, Honda, Nissan, etc car often find that car makers improve the car they bought last year with new features and sell it as a new model. They don't give anyone any of those improvements without buying a new car, I don't see anyone complaining that? Wouldn't you say they'renot be taking care of their customers, too?
March 15, 2010 1:37 PM
Yes But HP seems to always require you to buy a new model. They do not offer to update a year old model wirh a new feature. A car is a little different as the servers they make are able to get a new feature. Take a look at the track record of HP. They clealy do not care about any old hardware oyt there with customers. All they want to do is sell new. Anyt the one thie since they have been selling WHS they can't even get it done right when they are selling it. They know how to take orders on vaporware though
Administrator
- member since: 03/26/2008
- rank: 3 of 10477
- 27 articles authored
- 1 blog entries posted
- 33 forum threads started
- 562 comments
March 15, 2010 2:16 PM
updated: March 15, 2010 2:17 PM
mpf54 said: Yes But HP seems to always require you to buy a new model. They do not offer to update a year old model wirh a new feature. A car is a little different as the servers they make are able to get a new feature. Take a look at the track record of HP. They clealy do not care about any old hardware oyt there with customers. All they want to do is sell new. Anyt the one thie since they have been selling WHS they can't even get it done right when they are selling it. They know how to take orders on vaporware though
Let's be fair now. My EX475 has received a significant amount of love from HP since I bought it. Much for free in the beginning. The EX485 and 7, I agree, has received a little less free love, but did get enhanced features with the not free 3.0 upgrade. So, HP doesn't always "require" you to buy a new model, do they?
You're also misusing the term vaporware, btw. If you're talking about the 3.0 upgrade, many have reported receiving it. It is, therefore, not vaporware.
While I agree servers and cars are different products, I disagree that your differentiating point is that servers are able to get new features while cars are not. That's BS. Why can't I get the new engine from this year's model in my last year's make? Surely they should design it so it can be installed in mine, too. I see, 'they just don't care about me as a customer to keep my 2009 model car in-line with current models.' As silly as it sounds, that's exactly what you're saying.
The problem is expectation. You see, we as consumers differentiate between hardware and software. We believe that the physical has value, but software does not and we should be given all evolution of software free, for all eternity. That expectation is, frankly, unrealisitic and unfair. Just as there is cost to make and distribute a physical product, there is significant cost to develop and distribute software.
Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy it when my products are enhanced with new and better abilities after my initial purchase, particularly for free. Do I expect it? No. Do I believe I'm being mistreated because I wasn't upgraded? No more than I believe I'm mistreated for Honda not upgrading my engine when next year's more fuel efficient one comes out. I can't claim I've been poorly treated simply because my once "latest" product is now not the latest.
March 15, 2010 3:42 PM
I have not seen anyone in the US admit to getting the 3.0 upgrade yet. Yet HP says they got more orders than expected. So where are the people that got one in the US. This experience with HP has made my mind up that it is better to build one myself. As least then if I don't support it it is my fault. OK maybe vaporware was not nice. But wht does a company start taking orders and charging credit cards when they can't provide the product?
My complaint with HP is they make some thing sell it and right away make a new model. And how often have they said there will be an upgrade to your 470. Have you seen one yet.
Administrator
- member since: 03/26/2008
- rank: 3 of 10477
- 27 articles authored
- 1 blog entries posted
- 33 forum threads started
- 562 comments
March 15, 2010 8:01 PM
mpf54 said: I have not seen anyone in the US admit to getting the 3.0 upgrade yet. Yet HP says they got more orders than expected. So where are the people that got one in the US. This experience with HP has made my mind up that it is better to build one myself. As least then if I don't support it it is my fault. OK maybe vaporware was not nice. But wht does a company start taking orders and charging credit cards when they can't provide the product? My complaint with HP is they make some thing sell it and right away make a new model. And how often have they said there will be an upgrade to your 470. Have you seen one yet.
Well, I see this is less about the new TiVo feature than it is about the delays in getting the 3.0 upgrade. If you browse the forums here and on mediasmartserver.net, there are some in the US that have received their copy, and yes, I have one, although mine was a pre-release for review which doesn't exactly count.
I agree, HP shouldn't be charging cards until items ship. If they have, and I've heard some people have, that's clearly a blunder.
Yes. HP makes things, sells them, then makes new models. How are they different from any other tech company in that regard? Also, the 470 was on the market for a year plus, and the 48x for almost 10 months. I'd hardly call that "right away." In fact, for the computer biz, that's longer lived than most.
Let me also get this straight. You're mad at HP for being late on getting you the 3.0 upgrade (all HP features), so your solution is to build your own server and not get any of the HP features at all? How is that better?
April 11, 2010 8:35 AM
I have a an 475 and ordered the 3.0 upgrade. After installing the upgrade, I was then able to then download and install the Expander for TIVO. It found my HD tivo and works as expected (if a bit slow, but that's to be expected with the slower hardware that I have). I read somewhere else that the requirement for the Expander for Tivo is the 3.0 software, not the 490 hardware.
Administrator
- member since: 03/26/2008
- rank: 3 of 10477
- 27 articles authored
- 1 blog entries posted
- 33 forum threads started
- 562 comments
April 12, 2010 10:08 AM
MrBill said: I have a an 475 and ordered the 3.0 upgrade. After installing the upgrade, I was then able to then download and install the Expander for TIVO. It found my HD tivo and works as expected (if a bit slow, but that's to be expected with the slower hardware that I have). I read somewhere else that the requirement for the Expander for Tivo is the 3.0 software, not the 490 hardware.
You are correct. It was a miscommunication. We all took "not supported" as meaning "won't work," which isn't true. The TiVo Expander on the EX47x and EX48x is not supported by HP, but there's nothing to prevent you from installing it on older systems with the 3.0 upgrade. Not supported actually means that you're on your own if you have issues.
We've cleared this up in our news coverage of the TiVo Expander.
RSS
