HP EX490 MediaSmart Server Available in UK October 15th at £429

HP today announced the imminent availability of the HP EX490 MediaSmart Server in the UK, which can be pre-ordered now and will ship from Thursday at a price of £429.

Whilst the return of the MediaSmart Server to Europe is great news, it has become clear that the EX495 will not be shipping over here, for reasons unknown. I’ve asked HP UK for clarification on why the decision has been taken to only release the EX490, and will update you as soon as I hear back. Remember, however, that the HP StorageWorks X510 which is to be released in Europe is basically a rebranded EX495.

Press release as follows:

HP Launches New Home Server with Enhanced Features for PCs and Macs

LONDON, UK, 13 October, 2009 – HP today launched the HP MediaSmart Server EX490, a new home server model offering increased capacity, high-performance processors, more control, new user interface and additional Mac support.

Based on the Microsoft Windows® Home Server platform, the updated HP MediaSmart Server has a new, refined user interface and a web-based home page that makes accessing and using the server easier than ever. Additionally, the new model offers a new video converter with custom settings and profiles that will automatically convert video libraries, including unprotected DVDs.⁽¹⁾

“The explosion of digital content is attracting a new kind of buyer to the home server space,” said Shaun Hobbs, HP Accessories and Services Category Manager, UK. “This buyer not only wants power and capacity but also ease of use. The new HP MediaSmart Server EX490 delivers on all fronts.”

The HP MediaSmart Server EX490 features a new media collector, which allows users to collect media by computer, media type or file location. The server automatically collects and organises media files across Macs and PCs and streams it across a home network and the Internet.⁽²⁾

The HP MediaSmart Server EX490 offers additional features for Mac users, including administration, media collection and a new disc recovery utility providing bare metal recovery on a Mac using Time Machine.⁽³⁾

“The new release of HP MediaSmart Server software and hardware continues HP’s leadership in building compelling functionality on top of the Microsoft Windows Home Server platform,” said Russ Madlener, director, Solutions Marketing, Microsoft. “HP is delivering a true cross-platform product by adding the ability to administer the server from a Mac using Microsoft’s new Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac 2.”

The new video converter automatically converts videos (including unprotected DVDs) into a format that can be played at the home or remotely. Users are able to control how their videos are converted by selecting the device the video will be played on or choose specific video settings using the advanced controls features.

In addition, owners of an iPod touch and iPhone can download a free HP MediaSmart Server iStream application from Apple’s App Store, enabling them to stay connected to their digital media stored on the server. Users can easily access their pictures, listen to their music collection and watch their favourite videos – all streamed directly to their mobile device from their HP MediaSmart Server.

HP MediaSmart Server EX490 features include:

· New HP Media Collector

· New HP Video Converter

· Improved user interface with new web- based home page

· Mac administration, media collections and a new Mac disc recovery feature

· HP Media Streamer

· Server for iTunes

· PC Hard Drive Backup

· Server Backup

· Smart Power Management

· Intel Celeron®. Two gigabytes (GB) of DRAM

· Expandability: additional drives can be added for up to 7 terabytes (TB) internal storage and 17 TB of storage using internal and external drives. (6)

Pricing and availability

Available from 15^th October, the HP MediaSmart Server EX490 with 1TB of hard disk storage is £429