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HP MediaSmart Server EX495 – New User Interface Unveiled

By on September 14, 2009 in Hardware, Windows Home Server

If you already own the EX47x or Ex48x series HP MediaSmart Servers, one of the most noticeable improvements you’ll see in the new generation is the improved user interface, built into the Windows Home Server console. Whilst much of the core functionality is similar to v2.5 of HP’s MediaSmart Server software (with the exception of improved video conversion controls and radically improved Mac support), the look and feel is a lot sharper as you can see from the shots below.

25 thumb1 HP MediaSmart Server EX495 New User Interface Unveiled 26 thumb1 HP MediaSmart Server EX495 New User Interface Unveiled 27 thumb1 HP MediaSmart Server EX495 New User Interface Unveiled 28 thumb HP MediaSmart Server EX495 New User Interface Unveiled 29 thumb1 HP MediaSmart Server EX495 New User Interface Unveiled 30 thumb1 HP MediaSmart Server EX495 New User Interface Unveiled 31 thumb1 HP MediaSmart Server EX495 New User Interface Unveiled 32 thumb HP MediaSmart Server EX495 New User Interface Unveiled 33 thumb HP MediaSmart Server EX495 New User Interface Unveiled 34 thumb HP MediaSmart Server EX495 New User Interface Unveiled 35 thumb HP MediaSmart Server EX495 New User Interface Unveiled 36 thumb HP MediaSmart Server EX495 New User Interface Unveiled 37 thumb HP MediaSmart Server EX495 New User Interface Unveiled 38 thumb HP MediaSmart Server EX495 New User Interface Unveiled 39 thumb HP MediaSmart Server EX495 New User Interface Unveiled 40 thumb HP MediaSmart Server EX495 New User Interface Unveiled 41 thumb HP MediaSmart Server EX495 New User Interface Unveiled 42 thumb1 HP MediaSmart Server EX495 New User Interface Unveiled 43 thumb HP MediaSmart Server EX495 New User Interface Unveiled 44 thumb HP MediaSmart Server EX495 New User Interface Unveiled 45 thumb HP MediaSmart Server EX495 New User Interface Unveiled 46 thumb HP MediaSmart Server EX495 New User Interface Unveiled

The resulting experience feels much more integrated and cohesive. HP’s first attempt to create a features dashboard in the EX48x series felt like an add-on to the main WHS Console – however, the new version really does now feel like a destination for managing your home server – great job.


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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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  • http://Drshocker.com Jon

    Anyway to transfer 6 TB of Stuff from my 1st Gen unit to this new one ?

    • autodrivel

      In theory, they should both be happy on the same network so just hook them up to a gigabit switch and copy your stuff across

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/tezzer Terry Walsh

    Yep – and they have different default names (EX47x and 48x is HPSERVER, EX49x is HPSTORAGE) so they sit on the network happily – I transferred all of my media across over the network with no issues.

  • bobby

    Hi Terry
    how is this media server compared to the Acer Home server ?
    does this hp server use low power to ?

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/tezzer Terry Walsh

      Consider the Acer a strong budget option – however, the software and media sharing features on the EX49x is much much better if you can spare the cash…

  • Lee Ladisky

    I just bought an eSATA external bay… Do you happen to know if it will work with the ex495? I had heard something about no support for port replication in later models???

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/tezzer Terry Walsh

      Port replication wasn't available on the EX485, but should be fine on the new models, Lee.

  • Fredrik

    Terry, how about noise levels, is it louder or quieter that the previous HP Home server, how about compared to Tranquil?

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/tezzer Terry Walsh

      It's certainly quieter at start-up, but you'll still hear the fans in the background. Tranquil's machines are fanless, so are much quieter (i.e. almost silent!)

  • Rich

    Any word on whether this improved interface will be backfitted to EX485/487 owners?

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/tezzer Terry Walsh

      Existing owners will get an update in the coming months

  • Rich

    Sweet!

  • welchwerks

    dont forget about the EX470 and EX475 guys for this update

  • welchwerks

    Frackly i would like to see hp update all of us without asking , how about it HP

  • http://twitter.com/welchwerks @welchwerks

    sorry im sick, I would like to see this upgrade on the EX470 as well

  • Phil

    yes would also like to see the update on the ex470, but i think im gonna order the new ex490, when it comes out. u figure the 470 is almost two years old now

    • http://twitter.com/welchwerks @welchwerks

      ya but do the cpu and memory upgrades and its just like the 485/7

      also i wouldn't be so pushy for the latest update 2.5 and the latest (3.X ?)

      but they upgrade the servers faster than microsoft upgrades windows

      Thanks for listing : ?

  • Pingback: The HP EX49x – The Reviews Reviewed « MS Windows Home Server

  • Dale

    The new server is all well and good. My origional model is working great.
    What I want to see is the same support from HP as they are giving the new systems.
    Seems that they promised a major update to our software… I popped almost 700 bucks for my system and it will be a cold day in hell before I do that again. Being a newbie to the server systems at that time …I was under the impression that "Mediasmart Server" meant I didnt have to by a buch of crap to stream to my TV etc. Oh well sorry for ranting, Im feeling a bit neglected :)

  • Jason

    i built my own server instead of going HP. But i think i'm in love with all of the Mac support HP is doing. Any way of getting the HP software to work on a home-build WHS?

  • Kap

    I have home built server for sharing the pic and Hp ex485 for back up, music and personal remote access… The Ex495 may be worth for streaming movies to PS3

  • Johnny

    Hi Terry,

    Will HP be bringing this new model to Switzerland in 2009?
    They completely ignored Switzerland so far =(.

  • SimS

    Any news on when the EX48x's will be receiving firmware updates to the new 3.0 version?

  • nigel

    Hey Terry, my name is Nigel and I just purchase one (ex 495) and interface is like the beta program, I've look every place to change with no luck, can you please help me?