A few weeks back HP Sent me their new MediaSmart Server EX495 to check out, and after playing with it I think it’s time I share what I think.
But before I share my thoughts I wanted to share a little tutorial I had my mom do a on how to set up the EX495. I had her do the tutorial because she had set up a MediaSmart server on her own in the past and this time I wanted proof that she knew how to do it. So we made a video, check it out here. She did get nervous making it and wasn’t sure how to explain everything so I did set her up with some cards to read off of.
Besides wanting proof that she could do it on her own, I also wanted to show how easy it is to set up, and remind everyone that just because the word server is in the name of a product it doesn’t mean it’s difficult and something you should be afraid of.
So the EX495 is the latest MediaSmart Server from HP and if you were to just look at it, you wouldn’t think it’s newer than what was already on the market because it pretty much looks the same as the previous versions. However it is what you can’t see that makes it different. From its improved user interface to a dual core CPU the HP MediaSmart Server while looking the same is a lot easier to use and more powerful.
Lets first talk about the new User Interface. Everything seems to be better organized now. The most novice of users will in my opinion quickly find where things are located and how to set them up. HP also took the time to educate the user. Each area has its own information button that explains how everything works. That bit of extra information comes a long way especially if you are somewhat lost.
Just check out the screen shot below.
As you can tell from the above image, HP took a lot of time to organize everything and make it so easy for us to use.
No taking hours to figure out how to set up backups, or how to collect media. Everything is easily organized with detailed information. The EX495 is the perfect server for any novice user.
But the user interface and ease of use aren’t the only things HP improved. They have improved Mac Support.
For example you can now launch the HomeServer console on your Mac. If you don’t believe me look at the screen shot below.
Microsoft couldn’t even get the connector to launch on a Mac yet HP did. Just shows you how serious HP is about the Home Server market.
It’s also ingenious how HP has managed to get Time Machine to work with the HP MediaSmart servers.
Besides the cool new interface and the ability to launch the HomeServer connector on your Mac, the EX495 has a faster CPU. If you are wondering what CPU it’s the Pentium Dual Core 2.5 Ghz 64-bit.
One might ask themselves why does a HomeServer need such a powerful CPU, after all it just stores data. While a simple storage device is probably what Microsoft envisioned HP has turned it into so much more. It needs that CPU power to convert your video files so that they are viewable on the web, it needs that processing power to power the media collector and all the other task your HP EX495 will do.
On the previous version of the HP MediaSmart server because of the slower CPU I saw some video conversations take up to 12 hours. With the EX495 I have not seen any video take longer than six hours with the average being two hours. A lot of my video files are 4 to 6 GB in size.
Overall the HP MediaSmart Server EX495 is a fantastic machine, HP has made the process of backing up your home computers seamless and dare I say fun.
There are other Home Server solutions on the market, but none that I have played with can compare with what HP has done and I doubt Microsoft could have envisioned what HP has done with their software.
For more information on the HP MediaSmart Server EX495 visit: http://www.hpdirect.com
Comments: (9)
Stranger on Mon, Dec 21st, 2009 at 02:19 PM
Your mom rocks! Great video and review
stainless steel barometer on Tue, Dec 22nd, 2009 at 04:52 AM
I would love to get this as I have a whole lot of data that I would like to share. Also like the fact it can backup my important data.
Mio Navman Spirit V505 on Tue, Dec 29th, 2009 at 03:33 AM
The HP MediaSmart Server EX495 offers fast performance, innovative digital content management, and an excellent storage and backup solution for both PCs and Macs. Its storage capacity is easily expandable and its remote over-the-Internet access is comprehensive. The server is also quiet and aesthetically pleasing.HP first came out with their MediaSmart server line of computer running Microsoft Windows Home Server a few years ago and since then, they have been slowly upgrading and adding new features every few months and releasing a new model. The latest model, the HP MediaSmart EX495, offer speed boosts due to upgraded hardware and improved networking support. HP also altered the user-interface of the administration area to make things more easily accessed by the user.
Mio Navman Spirit V505
Dubai Holidays on Thu, Dec 31st, 2009 at 01:56 AM
With the new EX490 and EX495, HP has made the change to more broadly differentiate the two models. Both feature Intel processors that are faster than previous servers, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, and more storage capacity.HP’s third generation home server, here are the unboxing shots you’ve been waiting for! WGS received one of the first production units a couple of weeks ago, and one of the first things I noticed was that the box had been changed to a pretty cool front opening design.HP sure knows how to make a Windows Home Server. The company has been at it for years now and the latest model does just about everything better than the previous models. That’s how it’s suppose to be.HP’s hitting the upcoming holiday season at full steam, armed with a third generation MediaSmart Server lineup to replace the relatively young EX-485 and EX-487.Dubai Holidays
Bill Ash on Sat, Jan 09th, 2010 at 11:26 AM
Man, your mom was awesome! A really good video. 
Rackmount on Thu, Feb 11th, 2010 at 07:02 AM
Finicky Post! You had a massive occurrence. I am plagued with your illustration.
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remote support on Mon, Feb 15th, 2010 at 03:11 AM
I want to have a program on my Mac, like Windows Media Server, that I can set up as a media server to stream remote support music to other places on my network. I tried downloading Windows Media Server, but the latest version for a Mac doesn’t have it support that option (I think it’s version 10 or later that you need). Any ideas on alternatives?
option software on Fri, Mar 05th, 2010 at 12:28 AM
It needs that CPU power to convert your video files so that they are viewable on the web, it needs that processing power to power the media collector and all the other task your HP EX495 will do.
remote desktop on Mon, Mar 08th, 2010 at 01:52 AM
Does a Upnp Media Server use up your download bandwidth when transcoding videos and data remote desktop | online meeting over the network? If you set up a media server on a PC and watch stuff from it via the PS3, does it use up the total download bandwidth of your internet?
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