MediaSmart Home - MediaSmart Home News & Announcements

One Haiku Could Win You a MediaSmart Server, Zune HD, or 1TB Hard Drive

Community Headlines — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:10:57 GMT

Intel and Microsoft have teamed up to slap everyone with a little Home Server Enlightenment, haiku style. Tell them how a home server would bring peace of mind to your life, or why you really want one, in the forum of a haiku, and that'll enter you in a drawing for some pretty killer gear. That's right, you're 17 syllables away from winning yourself a brand new EX490 MediaSmart Server, Zune HD, or Western Digital 1 TB Caviar Green hard drive. Need a little motivation? Our news informs you Great prizes for the taking Enter to win now

HP Confirms 3.0 Upgrade for Legacy EX Series Owners, Available December

Community Headlines — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:01:00 GMT

HP's promised upgrade for previous generation MediaSmart Server is taking one step closer to reality. According to this statement from HP's Allen Buckner, HP plans to make a 3.0 upgrade disc available to all legacy EX MediaSmart Server owners for a nominal fee. While much of what we hypothesized back in may is coming to fruition, such as the EX47x loss of Photo Webshare, there are a few things we didn't expect. For example, HP is hoping to perform in-place upgrades, keeping all user data in tact, in leiu of a full factory restore. Unfortunately, the LX195 won't be joining in the 3.0 fun. The reasons behind the mini-MediaSmart Servers's omission remain unanswered, but limitations of the Atom platform would be the most likely culprit. Full statement below: "Back in May, we announced a plan to allow current MediaSmart Server customers to upgrade to the most current software version beginning this Fall. Below are additional details on the plans to deliver these upgrades. HP recently announced the new EX490/495 MediaSmart Servers. These Servers provide our latest software capabilities including an enhanced video converter, greater Mac Support including bare metal recovery, and a simplified user interface. It is this software version...

HP Announces StorageWorks X500 Series, Like an MSS for Small Business

Community Headlines — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:54:30 GMT

Among several new technology solutions announced today focused on small and business, one of interest is the new X500 StorageWorks server, which is (for the most part) a MediaSmart Server aimed squarely at small and midsize businesses. At the $699 starting price, the X500 series offers 1TB of storage, the same PC and Mac features of the MediaSmart line, as well as the core Windows Home Server features like backup and restore. However, it would appear many of the 'home' focused features like the Video Converter and Media Collector have been omitted... at least they're not talked about. The pricing may seem odd considering it's the same price as an EX495 but with less storage, but the warranty and support options here could be dramatically different since this is a business based device. See the X500 Fact Sheet here. Full press release below PALO ALTO, Calif.-- HP (NYSE:HPQ) today introduced solutions to help small and midsize businesses (SMBs) improve data security, maximize productivity and minimize business risk while significantly reducing costs and energy use. The new offerings expand the HP Total Care portfolio, which helps SMBs manage, protect and grow their businesses. “By investing in new IT solutions now, SMBs...

Roundup: HP's EX490 and EX495 Across the Web

Community Headlines — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:58:37 GMT

Since Tuesday's announcmenet of the brand new EX490 and EX495, news and reviews on the new line have been cropping up everywhere. Aside from our own coverage right here at MediaSmart Home, you can find more excellent EX490/EX495 reviews and information all over the web. Check out our roundup below for quotes and links to more great reviews and notable coverage around the web. From MediaSmartHome.com HP MediaSmart Server EX490 / EX495 Hands On Review - More power. More capacity. More control. That's what the third generation MediaSmart Server is all about, but did HP deliver? Review of Mac-Friendly Features in HP's EX495 MediaSmart Server - "Mac people" are certainly used to the fact that not *everything* plays nice with Apple's crown jewel, the OS X operating system, including many software applications and... HP Launches EX490 and EX495 Home Servers with Enhanced Features for PCs and Macs - HP today unveiled the successor to the award winning EX485 and EX487 MediaSmart Servers. Officially announced as the EX490 and EX495, both models include improved... More In-Depth Coverage HP MediaSmart Server EX495 Review (mswhs.com)- HP is set to replace their current MediaSmart EX485 and EX487 servers with the addition of two new...

HP Launches EX490 and EX495 Home Servers with Enhanced Features for PCs and Macs

Community Headlines — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:05:03 GMT

HP today unveiled the successor to the award winning EX485 and EX487 MediaSmart Servers. Officially announced as the EX490 and EX495, both models include improved processors, more storage, and quieter internals. Building on the massive 2.5 software update back in April, these new MediaSmart Servers offer up the latest features and enhancements to innovative features like the HP Media Collector and HP Video Converter, as well as many more enhancments for both PC and Macs. Read our full hands on review right here at MediaSmartHome.com Full Press Release below: PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 15, 2009 – HP today launched the HP MediaSmart EX490 and EX495 Home Servers, new models offering increased capacity, high-performance processors, more control, new user interface and additional Mac support – all at a lower price. Based on the Microsoft Windows® Home Server platform, the updated HP MediaSmart Servers have a refined user interface and a web-based home page that makes accessing and using the server easier than ever. Additionally, the new models offer a new video converter with custom settings and profiles that will automatically convert video libraries, including unprotected DVDs.(1) The explosion of digital content is attracting a new kind of buyer to the home...

HP You On You Contest: Declare Your Story for a Shot at 300k in Prizes

Community Headlines — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:41:30 GMT

HP's "You on You Project" and contest over at YouTube may not have anything to do with MediaSmart Servers, nor does it really have anything to do with HP products in general, but with three-hundred thousand dollars worth of cash and prizes up for grabs, you should definitely be paying attention. The premise is actually pretty simple: create a short video that tells your story (or whatever really), with the only catch that you can't show your face. Then, submit it, and hope your video makes the cut of weekly finalists. This guy will tell you the rest... Visit the You on You Contest page at YouTube We here at MediaSmart Home also want to see your videos. If you submit one to the YouTube contest, post it here to share it with the community , and get a second chance at a prize!