On Monday April 20th HP will release an update to owners of the EX485 & EX487 MediaSmart Servers which will bring a number of significant media feature updates to the product.
- Video Converter
A new video converter application runs in the background on your home server and will automatically create a copy of your videos (including unprotected DVDs) to a range of additional video formats from which you can select, ensuring better compatibility with playback devices. - Mobile Video Conversion
Videos that you save on your home server can be converted to a mobile video format that is compatible with your iPod, iPhone, PlayStation Portable (PSP) and other popular mobile devices. - iPhone Media Streaming Application
A new iPhone application, downloadable from Apple’s app store, will connect to your home server over Wi-Fi or mobile network and allow you to view your videos, music and photos on the device. - Media Streaming Enhancements
Videos can now also be streamed to internet-connected computers remotely from the home server. - Additional Improvements
Additional enhancements to the MediaSmart Server including an improved mobile streaming experience, more robust Media Collection, improved Apple Time Machine configuration, and the ability to create public and private albums in the Photo Viewer.
I’ve been testing a beta version of the update for the past few weeks and the new video features are a welcome addition, filling in a big gap I pointed out in December’s review of the EX487. I’m still waiting to try out the new iStream iPhone application (apparently a it takes a while for Apple to approve apps at their App Store) but it sounds like a very cool addition that iPhone and iPod Touch owners will want to get hold of as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, none of the above features will be available to EX470 & 475 owners, but HP have confirmed that the previously announced Mac Backup and Amazon S3 online backup features will be available for you guys to download in May.
For more, check out our walkthrough of the new HP MediaSmart Server features.
13. April 2009 at 9:34 am
In other words, EX47x owners are shafted again? I know, I know… coming real soon, now…
13. April 2009 at 11:54 am
@Paul G -
why is HP shafting us ex47x owners . I was going to buy a ex48x but whats stopping HP from building a ex49x and shafting ex47x & ex48x owners then
13. April 2009 at 12:12 pm
@GhostWorks – I may be wrong, but I presume it has something to do with the memory requirements.
In any case, although I do appreciate my EX470’s capabilities — and it has saved my butt when I had to replace a hard drive — I may carefully reconsider my options in a few years, when it’s time to upgrade the hardware. I don’t think neglecting those who spent money on the first release of the hardware is a smart move for HP.
13. April 2009 at 2:07 pm
I totally agree… Why they can’t make this available to us who purchased their first offering. I’m really upset about this. Much as I had to admit this, but Apple does it right! I have NO worries that the new iphone software will work on my IPhone 3G, just as the 2.0 release worked on the first Iphone.
Get your thumb out HP…
13. April 2009 at 2:54 pm
Especially considering that HP supports RAM upgrades by end-users in the EX47x. Should HP not live up to expectations on EX47x support, my next WHS will be a home built white-box.
Disapointing, to say the least.
13. April 2009 at 11:24 pm
@Jad M
Exactly. if the ‘benefit’ of buying from HP is nullified by them not making ‘improvements’ available to us then the benefit of building it myself becomes greater..
14. April 2009 at 7:37 am
After investing a considerable amount as an early adopter in a EX475, I’m really hacked off that continual updates/new features have started to drop off.
I wouldn’t hesitate in upgrading CPU etc if it was a requirement to run this software (already upgraded to 2 GB RAM), as an iPhone owner this software would really add to the benefits of ownership.
Sorry, but if HP doesn’t make this available to users of the older MediaSmarts with some sort of “buyer beware” caveat, this’ll be my last serious HP purchase.
How long do people think it’ll be, or is it even possible, before someone hacks the older MS servers to run this?
14. April 2009 at 10:17 pm
Why in the world can’t HP create an installer that first checks the amount of RAM on the MS Server. If 2GB of RAM isn’t available, block the install until the user has added it. Otherwise, give their “customers” the opportunity to apply the update if the hardware meets the minimum requirements. This is absurd coming from HP!
15. April 2009 at 12:30 pm
This is such a kick in the teeth for early adopters. I am really really p***ed off with HP and am certainly never buying from them again. As soon as they have your money, they just aren’t interested any more.
17. April 2009 at 7:18 pm
another disappointed EX47x owner here. Wake up HP!
17. April 2009 at 9:07 pm
Same here. This is very disapponting. HP sucks bigtime!
18. April 2009 at 10:41 pm
Will you EX47x users get over yourselves. It sounds like there is a memory requirement that the EX47x units did not come with.
HP is an enormous global company that is not going to waste resources on developing software for a small group of users that have cracked open their units to increase the memory.
Part of being an early-adopter is getting the benefit of using the item before everyone else. You know the drill… future units will have increasing amounts of functionality that will not apply to previous generations.
HP is not shafting anyone. You paid money and got exactly what was promised to you.
19. April 2009 at 7:44 am
I think that if we were all complaining about not getting extra USB ports or some other hardware thing you would be absolutely right. When it comes to software though you are missing the point – HP can make the software available to download for EX48* customers and not put anything in it to block 47* customers from installing unofficially. That really does not require any more work for them.
The alternative is
1) People will turn to the torrents to get an unofficial version – and every time someone does that it undermines the computer industry a little bit more by reducing the perceived value.
and
2) People will not pay a premium for a brand like HP in future, but will instead get a cheaper product and factor in buying more software themselves.
and
3) The early adopters, who are often the people who spread the word to friends and colleagues, will be anti-HP in general and steer people away from that in future.
None of that is something HP should want, so what are they up to?
21. April 2009 at 1:01 pm
i downloaded the app last night, but its not connecting to my server. i own the ex485 and it definately is on! is the 2.5 update to the mss required prior to connection? is it available yet?
21. April 2009 at 6:28 pm
Write your comment here…
21. April 2009 at 6:30 pm
What's the of the appl ?
21. April 2009 at 11:29 pm
per the article "On Monday April 20th HP will release an update" Hmmm I still don't see it yet…
The other part is Thomas, where did you find the "App" you downloaded?