Jason Dunn
11-05-2007, 10:55 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://astore.amazon.com/digitalmediathoughts-20/detail/B000UY1WSK/104-8147914-2239126' target='_blank'>http://astore.amazon.com/digitalmediathoughts-20/detail/B000UY1WSK/104-8147914-2239126</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Multiple PCs in your home often means photos, music, videos and files scattered about and difficult to locate. The HP MediaSmart Server provides a central location to keep all your files for easy access. Centralize and share your files and media across your home network. Remotely access files on your server and run applications on your home PCs from any internet connected computer. Stream photos, music and videos to PCs on your network or to your TV or stereo system. With HP Photo Webshare, however, you can quickly and automatically create a photo website on your server and share photos and video clips with only the friends and family you designate. Easily setup a personal web address that visitors can use to see photos on your webshare. Set up automatic emails to notify friends and family to share different photo albums."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/HP-windows-home-server-nov5.jpg" /><br /><br />Windows Home Server is one of the most exciting things to come out of Microsoft in years, and HP is one of the vendors leading the charge with their own hardware. The HP MediaSmart Server is something I've been watching for quite some time now, and Amazon finally has it available for order - kind of. The HP EX470, which is the version with a single 500 GB hard drive, is <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/digitalmediathoughts-20/detail/B000UY1WSK/104-8147914-2239126">available for order today at a price of $569 USD</a> [Affiliate]. The HP EX475, which features a second 500 GB drive (for 1 TB total storage) is otherwise identical as far as I can see - <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/digitalmediathoughts-20/detail/B000UXZUZC/104-8147914-2239126">Amazon is selling it for $709</a>....or, they will be, once they start to accept orders for it. <br /><br />I've built my own Windows Home Server using a spare computer I have, and am really impressed with the software - the built-in functionality is impressive, and the ability to <a href="http://www.wegotserved.co.uk/windows-home-server-add-ins/">expand the functionality with add-ons</a> is icing on the cake. I'll be posting more about Windows Home Server moving forward, including a giveaway. Stay tuned!<br /><br /><b>UPDATE:</b> If you want to see more about the HP MediaSmart server, <a href="http://www.wegotserved.co.uk/2007/11/01/check-out-the-hp-mediasmart-server-reviewers-guide/">check out this reviewers guide</a> and these <a href="http://www.youtube.com/hpmediasmart">YouTube videos</a>.