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July 1, 2008 09:29 PM

Categories: Digital Media Receivers

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hpmoon

  Member
Joined: 06/19/2008

I was shocked to find that HP decided not to bother supporting any 64-bit Windows installation for key functions in this new product.  On Page 69 of the Installation and User Guide, HP admits (in very tiny print) that this product's HP MediaSmart Services Gateway software won't run on 64-bit systems.

Windows Vista 64-bit is currently the best-available technology for Windows users and facilitates full RAM memory addressing above 3gb, which is all but essential in 2008.  It is also in many other ways a more efficient operating system than its 32-bit counterpart, and the number of PCs that have gone with 64-bit installations has increased dramatically.  Many argue that Vista itself should have just gone 64-bit exclusively so as to prevent companies like HP from dragging their feet and claiming "full" Vista support, without taking the minor effort to ensure 64-bit compatibility.  (Although it is a larger undertaking to re-write software to take advantage of a 64-bit platform, it is a very minor and elementary task to ensure that a 32-bit application simply can work on a 64-bit platform within its 32-bit "emulation.")

Discussion:    Add a Comment | Comments 1-17 of 17 | Latest Comment

JohnBick Avatar
  Member
July 2, 2008 9:23 AM

Do not blame HP for this, it is a limitation in the Windows Home Server operating system from MS.

And the WHS Power Pack #1 (PP1) will completely resolve this when available (later this summer?). MS PP1 is available to all in beta at this time if you have an urgent need and the HP "client side" software is also available. The HP MSS software with a number of changes/additions to the server (that are in addition to the WHS software) was released for a few hours a month ago and pulled back after errors were found. It will be made available again after PP1 is released.

NET: It has been known a long time. It is not an HP limitation. The solution is available in Beta today.

...JohnBick

MSS: HP EX475 + two 1TB WD (3TB total), 2 GB mmry, LE-1640, APC UPS, PP1
PC1: Vista/32 Ultimate SP1 w/150 GB Raptor RAID-2 (C) & 320x4 GB RAID-5 data (D)
PC2: Laptop, Win XP Home SP3
Linksys WRT54G v1.1

nmpcrazy Avatar
  Member
July 2, 2008 9:51 AM updated: July 2, 2008 9:53 AM

IMO 64-bit has not reached critical mass yet and most people will opt for 32-bit OS because they know that pretty much anything they want to do will be supported. I do think that HP should have plans to upgrade the Connect to be 64-bit capable when 64-bit becomes more mainstream.

IMO it was HPs decision to go with Vista MCE for the extender that is really bone headed! Talk about hitching your wagon to a dead horse!

nmpcrazy

HP792(P42.53,XP Pro, PVR250, FusionHDTV USB, BTV)
Dell(P42.0,Linspire,2.5TB,used as server)
Linplayer2(2), Ziova CS615, MediaSmart Connect

TV guy Avatar
Member
July 2, 2008 2:03 PM updated: July 2, 2008 2:11 PM

Let me explain the fine print for 64-bit support, before it gets out of hand.

First of all, the Connect will work just fine with 64-bit Vista in BOTH UPnP and Extender modes. This applies to streaming photos, music, and Videos from a PC to the Connect via either WMP11 or in Extender mode.

The limitation, until mid August, when a new s/w update will be available is ONLY with the HP's MediaSmart gateway software and indirect downloads for Cinemanow. The Limitation came from Cinemanow - they did not know when a 64-bit version would be ready. However, a 64-bit version of the Cinemanow manager is now available and HP will update its s/w by mid August. Until then, the missing features are:
*Indirect downloads for Cinemanow
* Automatic exposure of .mp4, .m4a, and some other files that are not directly exposed by WMp11

Thanks

TV Guy (Working for HP)

Generic Member Avatar
Member
  • member since: 07/02/2008
  • rank: 29 of 1133
  • 6 comments
July 2, 2008 2:21 PM updated: July 2, 2008 2:22 PM

Interested in the lack of "automatic exposure of .mp4" under 64 bit. I run Vista Ultimate on 64 bit m9100t and and have a Mediasmart Connect on order. I also have a Hauppauge HD-PVR and record .ts h.264 files with it. Right now VMC can't see or play h.264 and WMP 11 also doesn't add these files to the library. With the fix in August will WMP11 be able to add the files to the library, and will I then be able to view them via the Mediasmart Connect? Until then, if I copy the files locally via a Pocketdrive will I be able to play them via the Connect?

TV guy Avatar
Member
July 2, 2008 3:20 PM

willowpc said: Interested in the lack of "automatic exposure of .mp4" under 64 bit. I run Vista Ultimate on 64 bit m9100t and and have a Mediasmart Connect on order. I also have a Hauppauge HD-PVR and record .ts h.264 files with it. Right now VMC can't see or play h.264 and WMP 11 also doesn't add these files to the library. With the fix in August will WMP11 be able to add the files to the library, and will I then be able to view them via the Mediasmart Connect? Until then, if I copy the files locally via a Pocketdrive will I be able to play them via the Connect?

The MediaSmart services gateway server - installed on the PC - works closely with WMP11. You can add folders to monitor via WMP11's add to Library.  The extra files with extensions .divx, .ts, .mp4 etc,  will NOT show up on the WMP11 library, but they WILL show up on the Connect.

In UPnP mode, the Connect can talk to multiple PCs. So, if you have an old 32-b PC lying around you can install the s/w CD on that PC until the 64-b version is out.  I am also told the new packet video server for the Media vault and the MediaSmart Server may automatically expose .mp4 and other formats (but I have not tested this).

Martin C Avatar
  Member
  • member since: 06/11/2008
  • rank: 23 of 1133
  • location:  Canada
  • 9 comments
July 6, 2008 10:28 AM

So hpmoon, to be clear on this. The 64-bit support has been an issue with the Microsoft Connector. Microsoft includes a 64-bit connector in the Power Pack 1, which is in Beta at the moment and will be released sometime this summer.

I have installed PP1 myself, and I have a 64-bit Vista Home Premium system on which I installed the 64-bit connector. Works just fine.

So after the MSFT PP1 final release, and the associated HP update, you will have full 64-bit support in your WHS and associated client-side applications.

Martin.

hpmoon Avatar
  Member
August 6, 2008 1:24 PM

OK, it looks as though the Power Pack 1 connector has been released. What are the steps now to get my MediaSmart Connect fully operational with my Vista Ultimate x64 system? Are we now waiting for HP to update its own software? In other words, is HP still holding this up? (They have had access to the beta for some time now.) Thanks in advance, Martin.

Cindy W Avatar
  Working on Behalf of HP
August 6, 2008 2:13 PM

First, install Power Pack 1, either through the download, or you can wait until August 12, when Microsoft is scheduled to push their update.

After you have PP1, and have also accepted the HP Update, you can connect your Vista 64-bit system. There is an article located on the home page of this site which takes you step by step through the process of adding your Vista 64-bit client.

Cindy

Disclaimer: Any opinions I might express are my own, and in no way represent HP.

TV guy Avatar
Member
August 6, 2008 2:34 PM

hpmoon said: OK, it looks as though the Power Pack 1 connector has been released. What are the steps now to get my MediaSmart Connect fully operational with my Vista Ultimate x64 system? Are we now waiting for HP to update its own software? In other words, is HP still holding this up? (They have had access to the beta for some time now.) Thanks in advance, Martin.

Power Pack 1 has nothing to do with mediasmart connect.

However, you are correct that HP's Mediasmart services gateway s/w (which allows for the Cinemanow service download and exposes additional files, like .mp4 file) is still not available for 64-bit; however, outside of those two functions, everything else should work just fine (including streaming from wmp11, using it as extender, etc.)

hpmoon Avatar
  Member
August 6, 2008 2:44 PM

Cindy W said: First, install Power Pack 1, either through the download, or you can wait until August 12, when Microsoft is scheduled to push their update. After you have PP1, and have also accepted the HP Update, you can connect your Vista 64-bit system. There is an article located on the home page of this site which takes you step by step through the process of adding your Vista 64-bit client.
So, Cindy, it looks like based on what TVguy wrote immediately after your message, we are waiting for HP to update the gateway software (which is now possible in tandem with the PP1 release) and your instructions do not actually apply to a MediaSmart Connect owner who is trying to achieve full functionality with a Vista Ultimate x64 system.  Is that right?

Cindy W Avatar
  Working on Behalf of HP
August 6, 2008 3:29 PM

My comments applied only to Vista clients and the Server updates, not for Connect. Sorry for the confusion.

Cindy

Disclaimer: Any opinions I might express are my own, and in no way represent HP.

hpmoon Avatar
  Member
August 6, 2008 3:45 PM

Part of this confusion arises from the fact that HP merged the MediaSmart Connect-specific forum into the general MediaSmart forum where we're at now. At the time this thread was started, however, it was specific to the MediaSmart Connect.

Cindy W Avatar
  Working on Behalf of HP
August 6, 2008 3:50 PM

Yes, you're right. I'll talk with the site administrator and see if we can get it structured to clarify this better. Thanks.

Cindy

Disclaimer: Any opinions I might express are my own, and in no way represent HP.

Matt Whitlock Avatar
  Administrator
August 6, 2008 6:14 PM

We merged the MediaSmart Connect specific forum topic with the "Other Media Extenders" topic and renamed it Digital Media Receivers, which is where this thread now resides (if it used to be in the general MediaSmart forum, then it was simply in the wrong place). To help alleviate confusion and be on the safe side, I did add "MediaSmart Connect" into the title. Hopefully that should do the trick.

hpmoon Avatar
  Member
August 11, 2008 2:06 PM updated: August 11, 2008 2:52 PM

Any update on this? Earlier in this thread, there was a semi-official estimate of a mid-August release for the HP MediaSmart services gateway software for 64-bit systems. We are just about there. I understand that the WHS PP1 was "holding this up" even though it has been in beta for quite some time, but WHS PP1 is out now anyway and HP has had plenty of time to get their gateway software ready for 64-bit systems, pulling the trigger after the beta WHS PP1 software went final. In a nutshell, HP put the MediaSmart Connect on the market without 64-bit compatibility. Lacking a commitment date, HP should be advertising the product as not fully compatible with 64-bit systems.

MitchSchaft Avatar
  Moderator
August 11, 2008 2:29 PM

I'm sure they'll make an announcement when it's ready, bro. We waited months after they told us the MSS update was supposed to be out :P.

TV guy Avatar
Member
August 11, 2008 3:07 PM

MitchSchaft said: I'm sure they'll make an announcement when it's ready, bro. We waited months after they told us the MSS update was supposed to be out :P.
See a separate message thread on how to get an early look at the s/w.

Discussion:    Add a Comment | Back to Top | Comments 1-17 of 17 | Latest Comment

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