We Got Served – Windows Home Server & Your Digital Home

Earlier in the year we took a detailed look at Cisco’s new Media Hub, a Linux-based home server that did a great job of serving up music, videos and photos to networked devices around the home.

If you check out our hands-on review, you’ll see that I loved the user interface (which still has yet to be bettered on any device we’ve reviewed), and remote access setup was a complete dream, whilst the backup capabilities left a lot to be desired.

Cisco today announced a software update for the existing model alongside the release of an addition to the Media Hub range. Let’s see what’s new.

New Diskless Model (NMH300)

Cisco are releasing a version of the Media Hub which does not include any pre-installed hard disks – leaving you to choose the type and size of storage you want to purchase to fill the unit’s two drive bays. This is they type of freedom I know a lot of HP MediaSmart Server owners have requested for some time – generally, it’s often cheaper to purchase your own storage than the mark-up that comes when the storage is pre-installed.

Mac Installation Support

The Media Hub will ship with a dual format Mac/PC installation disk, allowing for installation on both operating systems. Existing owners can download the installation package from www.linksysbycisco.com.

Firmware Update

A new software update for the Media Hub will shortly be available with the following features:

Apple Support

• AAC playback capabilities from within the Media Hub Interface
• Media Importer capabilities for Mac
• Improved interface experience when using Safari

Playback and Navigation

Photos

• Improved thumbnail generation
• Improved slideshow transitions
• Ability to disable slideshow
• Single photo preview

Music

• Improved Album view
• Support for user generated Album Art
• Playlist repeat

Video

• MOV file support
• Optimisation for videos imported from Flip Video devices
• Volume Level Persistence
• Recently Viewed

Remote Access to content stored on Media Hub

• File size cap removed for video playback
• Guest password capabilities for access to Media
• Improved web certification process
• FTP username and password capabilities

System and File Management

• Extended SD card recognition
• New Notifications
  • New drive
  • New firmware
  • Drive full
  • RAID failure
• No need to format new disc during RAID configuration
• Internet Time Sync
• Ability to copy or move entire folders
• Dedicated “Tree” items within File view for uPnP and USB devices

Certainly looks like a worthwhile update for existing owners. Find out more at the links below:

More Info: Media Hub (Cisco Website) | Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk