One of the most frequent questions which I have been asked today is, will existing MediaSmart owners get the updated features of the new server range?
Well it’s now official. I have word direct from HP that the Mac Backup feature, which is to be made available on the new EX485/EX487 models of the MediaSmart Server will also be available to existing EX470/EX475 owners as well.
HP have also stated that the server online backup add-in (Amazon S3) will also be made available and although no time frame has been given we are told that both features will be available soon via the HP Software Update utility which is built into the console.
This is good news to all of us who own one of the original MediaSmart Server’s, I just hope we get the new black scheme interface as an upgrade too, and additional software upgrades in the future. But knowing HP and how they have handled other products in the past, I’m sure we will!
Microsoft MVP Philip Churchill's MS Windows Home Server Blog is one of the leading sources of breaking news and information, insightful opinion, and great tutorials regarding Windows Home Server. If you're an HP MediaSmart Server owner, this is a can't miss!
Hi Philip,
Thanks! That is welcomme information. Have you heard anything about the media collection feature that checks PCs connected to the server on a regualar basis and automatically transfers media over to the appropiate folder share on the server? That's my favorite new feature. If you could see if that upgrade might be available from your HP sources, I, for one, would sure like to know.
George
George
This is GREAT news! Of all the new features, the Mac backup feature is the one I most need. We are mostly a Windows household, but my wife is a free-lance videographer and uses a Mac for editing, and it has been so frustrating that I couldn't set up her Mac to backup to the server.
Remote Media streaming is definitively the reason I got the Mediasmart server...I was dissapointed to not get it in the first generation, and have been waiting for this update since day 1...but now there's no excuse to roll it out to the existing users.
SeaRay33 said: Hi Philip, Thanks! That is welcomme information. Have you heard anything about the media collection feature that checks PCs connected to the server on a regualar basis and automatically transfers media over to the appropiate folder share on the server? That's my favorite new feature. If you could see if that upgrade might be available from your HP sources, I, for one, would sure like to know. George
Philip, can you shed any more light on the issue raised by Alex Kuretz in his reveiw and futher conversations with HP that the new servers DO NOT support the attachemnt of a multi-bay eSATA backplain tower thought the eSATA port in the MSS? My understand from what Alex said after talking with HP is that HP DOES NOT now support a port mutilpler in the eSATA port(the AMD Chip in the EX45x servers DOES support port mutilpication) adn HP has apparently stated to Alex that they do not plan to add or support this feature on the new servers in the future.
Can you add anything to this or confirm my understanding of the port multiplier issue?
George
Phillip----thanks-----but those are only two features of a pretty large list of software improvements.
And the Mac feature I personally have no use for (although I'm sure Mac folks will love it).....
I'm more intertested in all those media sharing and streaming improvements....
And I'm sure (or at least pretty sure) that those are the features that most of the folks who own the 1st generation of MSS are MOST interested in.
Can you convey this to HP for us??? They have been a great company in the past in supporting this product.
Heck----to tell you the truth-----I wouldn't even mind a "software upgrade fee" of something reasonable----say less than $50......
But in the end-----I'd sure like to have the same functionality.....
MediaSmart EX-470 with 5 PCs. 4 PCs w/Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bit, 1 PC w/Ultimate 32 bit. HP Mediasmart High Definition TV Model SL4278N 42-inch, D-Link DIR-655 Wireless N router
I don't currently own an HP Media Smart box at all, but am in the market. Price is an issue in my decision making process, so I've been looking closely at the EX470 since HP is currently selling the refurbs for $380, and the 2GB RAM upgrade (third party) is very cheap.
Anyway, weighing on my mind also is the feature set announced at CES in the new 48x models...specifically, the media collector feature, so I'm not sure which model I should get.
I have yet to find anywhere that states for sure that these new software features will be available for the 1st gen models, other than the back up for MAC (which I don't need), and the S3 off site back up stuff.
I spoke with HP directly about this (1st level support, so who knows), and the guy told me that 'for now' these were the only features that were going to be available to the 1st gen owners. Is this true? Can someone confirm?
If it matters to anyone at HP, I too would be willing to pay a small 'upgrade' fee if this isn't something that they plan to make available for free.
Thanks a bunch....I hope to purchase within the next few months....
The Mac and S3 software upgrades is all I have heard that will be made available to existing server customers... i.e. same as you have heard. That information came indirectly from HP via a very trusted source. Here is a link to that source and a very good referecne site for you as well.
http://www.mediasmartserver.net/2008/12/28/review-hp-mediasmart-server-ex48/
See the December 29, 2008 @ 5:16 pm comment on Alex Kuretz's review of the EX487 from the link above. If you follow the comments further there are some more info on what might be provided to EX47X customers as well.
There is no way, IMHO, that HP would reveal that they will make all the software available (fromt the EX48X models) to EXS47X owners before the new models have been selling for a while. I bet they make most of it available to all customers at some time in the future. Just my 2 cents.
George
It is great to hear that HP is moving forward with the WHS product line. However, I and I am sure others, am skeptical as to just how well HP will continue to support the existing EX470/475 users JN0-342 exam. I know, this may not be the final support listing but it sure makes me ache to see NO next to a couple of items that would mean a lot to me. 1z0-048 exam
With the announcement of HP's new EX485 & EX487 today, bringing a new hardware spec and a raft of new add-ins, the question on everyone's lips has been whether HP will release any of the new applications for existing HP MediaSmart Server owners. 642-356 exam
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