Third generation MediaSmart Server packs upgraded hardware, new user interface and full OS backup for Apple Mac.
HP have announced the forthcoming release of their third generation MediaSmart Server, with two new models soon to arrive in the USA and Europe. The EX490 and EX495 will look familiar to home server enthusiasts, housed in the same chassis as previous models – however, the new models offer upgraded hardware, a new user interface and most impressively, full OS and data back-up and restore for Apple Mac computers.
The Hardware
The new EX495 receives a powerful boost courtesy of an Intel® Pentium® 2.5 GHZ 64-bit Dual Core Processor, whilst the EX490 gets the Intel® Celeron® 2.2 GHZ 64-bit Processor (which in itself isn’t too sluggish for a home server). The major benefit of the new power plants is faster video conversion, with HP stats declaring 7x faster video conversion than Atom powered home servers on the EX495 and 3.5x faster video conversion on the EX490. a 115 min video can be converted in 70 mins, and 145 mins respectively according to HP.
Having used the new EX495 for a couple of weeks, performance is certainly improved compared to the EX487 I’ve been running this year, with a noticeable improvement on access speed, streaming performance and Console responsiveness.
Storage is further boosted on the new models with the EX495 equipped with a 1 x 1.5Tb drive, and the EX490 packing a single 1Tb drive.
Specs as follows:
| Model: | HP MediaSmart Server EX495 | HP MediaSmart Server EX490 |
| Price: | $699 | $549 |
| Processor: | Intel® Pentium® E5200 2.5 GHZ 64-bit Dual Core Processor | Intel® Celeron® 450 2.2 GHZ 64-bit Processor |
| Memory: | 2Gb | 2Gb |
| Storage: | 1 x SATA 7200 RPM 1.5TB | 1 x SATA 7200 RPM 1.0TB |
| USB Ports: | 4 | 4 |
| eSATA Ports: | 1 | 1 |
| Dimensions: | Width: 14cm (5.5″)Height: 25cm (9.8″)
Depth: 23cm (base)-25cm (top) (9.2″-9.5”) |
Width: 14cm (5.5″)Height: 25cm (9.8″)
Depth: 23cm (base)-25cm (top) (9.2″-9.5”) |
| Weight: | 5.10 kg (11.0 lb.) | 5.10 kg (11.24 lb.) |
| Power Consumption: | Sleep: 1WIdle: 44W
Active Load: 46W Extreme Load: 70W |
Sleep: 1WIdle: 41W
Active Load: 43W Extreme Load: 57W |
The Software
HP’s MediaSmart Server software has been updated to version 3.0 and arrives with a new, glossy user interface embedded into the Windows Home Server Console.
A new web interface also allows you to easily control your home server when accessing remotely:
From a features perspective, the HP MediaSmart Server software is broadly similar to the previous EX48x series. However Video Conversion controls have been improved and simplified allowing the user to select conversion settings by device.
The MediaSmart’s Media Collector has also been upgraded to allow automatic music, video and photos to be collected from PCs and now Apple Macs as well.
But it’s not all feature upgrades – dig deep into the EX49x series and you’ll see that the Amazon S3-powered Server Online Backup feature from the last generation MediaSmart Server has been removed. HP have told us this will be delivered through a new “Add Software” website linked from the MediaSmart Server’s Console.
New Apple Mac Features
Indeed, after winning Macworld’s Best of Show award this year, HP have significantly ramped up the MediaSmart Server’s support for Apple Macs running Leopard and Snow Leopard, including:
- Full OS Backup and Restore
- Automatic media collection includes Mac iPhoto, iTunes, and iMovie libraries on the Mac.
- Windows Home Server Connector for the Mac
The HP EX48x series provided basic data backup support for Macs via Time Machine backups stored on the MediaSmart Server. Now you can restore your Mac OS with a bare-metal recovery, using a prepared USB stick plugged into your Mac at start up.
Macs can now also access the Windows Home Server Console, courtesy of clever use of Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Client for Mac to allow full control of your home server from the Mac Desktop.
As previously revealed, existing HP MediaSmart owners will be able to upgrade their boxes to the latest 3.0 software release. HP have yet to announce a specific timeline for the release of the software, but last week confirmed that it would be this Fall.
Availability
The HP MediaSmart Server will be available to pre-order soon from the usual suspects on the USA and Europe. Stay tuned to WGS for more in-depth features on the EX495, and of course, our Hands-On review.
14. September 2009 at 11:13 pm
Still now word on Australian release, what the hell HP??
15. September 2009 at 4:35 am
Terry, do you know what will happen if we upgrade to the new software and are currently using the Amazon S3 Backup interface that's built-in to our 485 unit?
15. September 2009 at 6:10 am
Not at this point, Bill – will post as soon as I find out…
15. September 2009 at 6:13 am
Okay thanks Terry. If I come across anything I'll post back as well.
15. September 2009 at 6:39 am
Boy it is sure nice that we 1st generation users really get left out in the rain. Really makes you want to continue with HP (Not!)
15. September 2009 at 7:08 am
Eh? First gen owners will be getting the 3.0 update in the Fall
"As previously revealed, existing HP MediaSmart owners will be able to upgrade their boxes to the latest 3.0 software release. HP have yet to announced a specific timeline for the release of the software, but last week confirmed that it would be this Fall."
Does anyone read this stuff?
15. September 2009 at 7:33 am
I've read it.
You've mixed up the hard drive sizes in your chart, the 495 should have the 1.5TB.
The improved Mac integration looks tempting, just need to see how the UK prices pan out.
15. September 2009 at 2:46 am
15. September 2009 at 8:15 am
Does the new models from HP support port-multiplier on the eSATA port on the back of the server.
The EX470 did the EX480/485 doesn´t and how but the new EX490/495 ?
15. September 2009 at 10:15 am
Yes, port multiplication is supported.
15. September 2009 at 10:21 am
I'm interested in this too. Its what stopped me from investing in one of the last generation models
15. September 2009 at 11:58 am
is the memory upgradable ???
and is it definitely does port multiplier via esata as it said 7TB internal and up to 10TB using both eSATA and USB ( giving the impression that the eSATA only picks up 1 drive of 2TB and the USB doesn't pickup anything bigger than 1TB )
15. September 2009 at 12:42 pm
Terry, do you know if those power numbers above are for the stock configurations or loaded (4 drives) configurations? I'm assuming the former as it would be some amazing engineering if they got the power lower than the EX48x with those configs. Also, you mentioned the S3 being removed but am I reading it right in that you can just add it? Why did they even bother doing that? Why not just leave it in there?
I just bought an EX485 recently. While I do like it a lot the fact that it doesn't support the port multiplier really irks me… nice to see that HP brought it back. Too bad it's too late for me.
15. September 2009 at 3:46 pm
Given that the 2.5 software never showed up, what hope of getting the v3 software for existing owners??
15. September 2009 at 3:52 pm
I've been told the 3.0 release will be provided to users instead of the v2.5 release.
15. September 2009 at 5:22 pm
I have an original HP MediaSmart Server and am happy with it, but I would like to upgrade. While these new ones sound great, I am waiting for two things:
-A tool/feature to migrate from my current setup to the new server. Does HP or Microsoft currently offer any way to move all my current data?
-The next version of WHS. While my credit card is itiching to pre-order one of these, I think I will wait for a server with a new release of WHS before I take the plunge.
I am so glad to see that WHS is continuing to be activly supported by the hardware vendors.
15. September 2009 at 5:09 pm
a Tool/Feature would come in pretty handy for me as well from ex475 to new model
when is there going to be a newer WHS OS coming out , any info , pics etc
17. September 2009 at 11:18 am
Nothing as yet, i heard somewhere (sometime) there will be no new developmens until after windows 7 has shipped
15. September 2009 at 6:12 pm
I applaud HP's decision to support old hardware with the new software once again
21. September 2009 at 12:00 am
I'd have preferred 4GB of RAM as standard considering it add's such a small amount to the price but otherwise it's a very tempting product and has certainly got the edge over the Fujitsu offering which I've been considering.
Correct me if I'm wrong but this seems to be the first time HP are differentiation the 2 models by more than HDD space (and neither has 2x HDDs for mirrored backups which isn't a good call for most people, great for me though as I've got an unused 1.5TB disk which I've planned on saving for a Home server).
I'm leaning towards the Pentium but the TDP is higher than the Celeron, so I'm concerned by possible cooling/noise issues. Can't wait for the review.
22. September 2009 at 2:23 pm
Anyword if these are going to be released in australia ?