Exclusive: The Next Generation HP MediaSmart Server – Codename Encore

By on June 27, 2008 in Hardware, Windows Home Server

Yesterday I attended (via phone conference) a meeting held in Denver at which HP revealed its plans for the next generation HP MediaSmart Server to a very small group of industry analysts and online journalists.

I’m under a non-disclosure agreement regarding the features and specification of the new home server, which has the internal codename “Encore”, but I can say I was very impressed with what I saw, and it’s clear that HP have given a lot of thought to what the word “MediaSmart” really means, and have then sought to bring it to life in their next generation.

That’s about all I can say right now, other than it was a really interesting few hours on the phone, and great to have the opportunity to hear what’s planned and share my own point of view on how the community will react to Encore. Headline: I think you’re going to be impressed too.

I’m not sure when I’m going to be able to tell you any more about Encore (my guess is not for a while yet), so in the meantime, check out the recent interview I did with HP’s Carlos Montalvo a few weeks ago. It’s an interesting read on his thoughts on the future direction of the home server platform.


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About Terry Walsh

Terry Walsh is the founding editor and owner of We Got Served. Since February 2007, the site has provided detailed coverage and analysis of the emerging home server category, and has subsequently grown into a trusted outlet for digital home news and reviews.
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  • Rick (RB 1)

    Interesting, Although i am surprised they have announched it so soon. I am expecting a more powerful system in a larger form factor (more drives internally) and more than the 512mb ram. I take it this wil be based on the current version of windows home server?

    Rick

  • http://www.wegotserved.co.uk Terry Walsh

    Well, I’d say they haven’t announced it yet – just given us a sneak preview.

  • http://geocline.net/ Stephen

    is it coming to Australia????

    that’s the important thing!

  • Pingback: HP plans next gen MediaSmart Server, codename “Encore” » D' Technology Weblog: Technology, Blogging, Tips, Tricks, Computer, Hardware, Software, Tutorials, Internet, Web, Gadgets, Fashion, LifeStyle, Entertainment, News and more by Deepa

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  • Pingback: Ian Dixon's Blog : The Next Generation HP MediaSmart Server - Codename Encore

  • Pingback: Ian Dixon's Blog : The Next Generation HP MediaSmart Server - Codename Encore

  • Andrew

    Any potential release date?

  • Jerry

    Maybe you cannot say much about this particular item but can you tell us whether or not this may make our existing MediaServer obsolete? May obsolete is to strong of a word to use. I ask because it has not been that long ago that I purchased the HP server, and though I am glad technology grows, I sure hate to think that my investment is already heading toward the point of being old news and a more grand product is on its way. I hope HP realizes this and allows for software upgrades, etc.

    Just a thought!

  • Scott

    Yes I too hope that my Media Smart Server is not already going to be obsolete. That is just not cool! A upgrade should be provided to its loyal customers if it is coming out within the next 6 months.

  • http://www.wegotserved.co.uk Terry Walsh

    I absolutely can’t comment on their plans for the future, but I will point to the fact that HP are very focused on adding value for existing HP MediaSmart owners through releasing their forthcoming update for the server, which brings new, free functionality such as the PVConnect media server software and other subscription services like McAfee antivirus.

  • http://www.wegotserved.co.uk Terry Walsh

    @Andrew – can’t talk timings, sorry.

  • JesD

    Terry: I understand you cant disclose too much but can you tell us if HP will be considering migration to the new server for current customers that own the current MSS? For instance, I have 5 TB full of info….will I be able to just simply plug those disks in and use the new server?

  • http://www.wegotserved.co.uk Terry Walsh

    Sorry guys, all I can tell you is in the post above.

    Terry

  • http://www.wegotserved.co.uk Terry Walsh

    Thanks for the feedback, JB!

    Terry

  • http://www.gridjunction.com Alexander K

    Interesting…
    One of things I am hoping for in any future HP WHS version is tighter collaboration and integration between HP and Microsoft in terms of re-using some of the MS provided WHS technologies.
    For example IMHO having 2 distinctly different “Update” set(s) of functionality is unnecessary, as we all know the HP MSS April update had a little hiccup (my understanding is due to deployment problems) which I believe might have been avoided if say Microsoft considers opening up the “Update” channel for OEM partners?

  • JB

    I have to say I don’t like this kind of “News”, because there is nothing useful in the story, besides “I know something you don’t”
    …same thing on TGB, with the “I got the letter” thread, just a waste of my time.

    My 2 cents.

  • JohnCz

    Does this indicate Microsoft has an early build of the next release of Windows Home Server?

  • JohnCz

    Also, I hope HP considers getting the device certified by CableLabs.

  • Scott

    Personally I’m just thrilled that rather than putting all time and resources into fixing the current server which is yet to do all that it was promised to do, they’re onto the next halfway thought out project. Wasn’t Power Pack 1 promised for the first half of 08? I really hope someone starts up a class action suit with this one, while many of us don’t mind investing $500+ in some digital peace of mind, it’s a bit much to flush.

  • Alexander

    Typical, the day after I buy an HP EX470 this news comes out! Now I’m stuck in the quandary as to whether to cancel the order or not.

  • aussie2u

    Tough crowd here! One says Terry has wasted his time by “teasing us”, while another wants a class action suit. Geeesh.

    I for one am happy with the product and the Service Pack will only enhance that I’m sure. As for better upcoming products, I’m thrilled to think they are still looking at WHS. Can you imagine if Terry’s news was that Microsoft analysts said WHS was another “Bob” marketing disaster and totally killed the whole thing?

    Keep in mind that WHS was an OEM software all along. If you bought the HP applicance, you have a package that SP1 should fully exploit. If you took WHS and did your own thing, results may vary but you should have had fun along the way. I did.

  • Scott aka tough crowd ;)

    Update: I was having a horrible day when I posted that previous comment and this announcement was the straw that broke the camels back. A law suit would be extreme no doubt. For the most part I have been pleased with my ex-470, I have already used it once to restore my computer, saving me weeks of trying to get all of my settings back to how I like them. I have been patiently waiting for the Power Pack & Updates so that I could remove all of the read only restraints on my server users, and use the server to it’s full/promised potential. But the thought of my server finally coming together only to have support dropped a short while later, well pretty much the only thing that would smooth that over in my book would be some type of upgrade program.

    I will make it a point to cool down before I type in the future. Have a good day all.

  • Jarle

    I’m just curious, but when do you think you can tell us more about this next generation?

  • http://www.wegotserved.co.uk Terry Walsh

    I honestly don’t know.

    Terry

  • JB

    I have tried to stay cool about this mess called Windows Home Server for a while now and I think you are on to something, a class action lawsuit on software is really needed these days; in order to get companies more committed to quality and not just release dates.

    When was the last time you purchased a piece of software, be it OS, games, applications and it work as promised out of the box. No patches, service pack, power pack or work arounds, no it just worked.
    …and I’m not talking updated against hacks or security, that of course is seperate, I’m talking about the software itself and the list of features promised to you in the product description or on the shiny box it came in.

  • Rick (RB 1)

    I think its a poor show for them to be even mentioning a next generation home server at this stage, whilst i am normally keen to updated technology i use its pointless until the current system has been fixed!. Now i love WHS and its potential so lets hope that soon we can all start to realise it with out corruption bug or other problems.

  • Tim

    Terry,

    I know you can’t talk about dates or detail, but I do have a question you can answer…

    If you were planning on purchasing a HP EX470 today… would you hold off on it?

    Thanks,
    Tim

  • Pingback: Computer forWritten » HP MediaSmart Windows Home Server (EX470/475) - Discontinued?!?!

  • Dan Foxx

    Ex470/Ex475 are already moved to the “retired servers” section in the support website!

    http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/…v/servers.html
    - Click on: Discontinued/retired systems
    - Click on: Home Servers

  • Marc-Andre

    Hi! I was wondering if there have been any updates to this. I’m really interested in purchasing a new MediaSmart server but at this point I would prefer to wait for the next generation server. Any idea if this will come out before the end of the year?

    thanks

  • aussie2u

    Agree! Terry said he was under a non-disclosure but after nearly 4 months since this was talked about, you’d think we’d know something more.

  • Marc-Andre

    I respect non-disclosure agreeements and I don’t need any details about the next version. I just want a very basic idea of when the thing will come out. Ifits not for the next 6 months, I think I will just build my own box.

  • http://www.wegotserved.co.uk Terry Walsh

    So, NDAs also cover release dates!

  • Martin H

    In interview on TV with Allen Buckner saided that HP would come with a new generation in January.

    http://www.homeserverhacks.com/2008/11/hp-allen-buckner-on-tv.html

  • Pingback: HP offers MediaSmart Server for $399 | Ed Bott’s Windows Expertise |

  • JHW

    If the server OS is not 64-bit and RAM is not upgradeable past 4Gb forget it.

  • http://www.hodgkinshistory.com/ The Kitty

    Any more news now that it is after Christmas?

  • Pingback: Review: HP MediaSmart Server EX487

  • HeavyShift

    Ah, the pain of being an early adopter. When I walked into Frys last December and cast my eyes upon the Ex470, I wondered to myself, “should I wait until the next generation?”. However the tipping point to go ahead with the purchase then was the fact I had an immediate for a WHS.

    I hope HP will not drop the Ex470 from support too soon. And I hope the next generation of the WHS OS will run on the Ex470. Otherwise I will be highly ……. off.

  • Chris Watts

    This was about six months ago, so is the next-generation MediaSmart Server the EX485 and EX487? If so not that impressive just extra memory and Apple support. Either this is a big let down or I take it their planning something else?

  • David

    I have been told by a supplier in the UK that HP are not going to be shipping the EX485\487 to the UK and are withdrawing the old versions.

    Have you heard anything?

    I am willing to forward you the mails I received.

  • http://www.wegotserved.co.uk Terry Walsh

    Soon…. ;-)