Whilst Windows Home Server v1 offers very limited remote media sharing capabilities, the experience of trying to access your music, video and photos on the road leaves a lot to be desired. HP have attempted to improve things on the MediaSmart Server with their Web Streaming application and iStream iPhone App, but those solutions too have their issues (at least for me). One third-party solution which works reasonably well is Orb, which includes a web client for a PC or Mac as well as an iPhone app.
Today, we’re going to take a look at a brand new service called HomePipe, which allows the streaming of music, movies and photos from a PC, Mac or Windows Home Server over to a mobile device – that could be a laptop, netbook or mobile phone (iPhone and Android apps are available and other smartphones should be able to access your media via the web browser). Here’s how they describe the service:
What is it?
HomePipe is the first-ever consumer-focused cloud solution that enables instant and safe access to all your home files. HomePipe gives you FREE access to your favorite photos, movies, and music—everything on your home network—using any smartphone, netbook or Web browser.
How does HomePipe work?
HomePipe works securely and easily over the Web, using the secure HomePipe network and small lightweight agents that reside in the home.
HomePipe saves you time because you don’t need to move your home files anywhere or be a computer whiz to use it! Now you can leave your pictures of your kids, your family videos or your important docs in a safe and secure place at home and get to them from anywhere on nearly any device. And unlike some cloud services, HomePipe has no storage limit because it leverages your home storage.
Let’s get HomePipe installed and see what it can do.
1. Download the HomePipe application
Our first step is nice and easy. Head over to HomePipe’s website and register for a free account. Once you’ve validated the account by email, you can sign-in and download the HomePipe application. Obviously, as we’re installing on Windows Home Server, we’ll need the Windows app, but a Mac OSX (10.5+) version is also available.
2. Install the Application On Your Home Server Via Remote Desktop
Once downloaded, copy the application across to your home server’s shared folders. The Software folder will be fine. As there is no Windows Home Server add-in for HomePipe, we’ll need to install it directly on the server, and that means opening up a Remote Desktop Connection.
So, on one of your connected PCs, go to Start > Accessories > Remote Desktop Connection. Enter the name of your home server and your Administrator login name and password when requested. This will take us directly to the home server’s desktop.
Double click the Shared Folders on Server icon on the desktop and navigate to the Software folder, where you’ll find the HomePipe application you copied over previously. Double click the app, and walk through the installation wizard.
Well, I say wizard, but the installation is simply a matter of installing a very lightweight agent on the server, and then entering your HomePipe account details. That’s it. Once installed and running, you’ll see a new icon in the System Tray.
3. Configure Your Media Folders
Head back to the HomePipe website and log-in again if you need to. You should see your home server is now listed under HomePipe Installations.
