Hewlett Packard EX475 1TB MediaSmart Server

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Editorial reviews

Product Description
The sleek, quiet HP MediaSmart Server EX475 provides remote access to files on the server, automatic backup of all networked PCs, media streaming across your home network, a photo sharing Web site, and virtually limitless storage expandability (1TB plus two empty expansion bays). This home server is ideal if you have multiple PCs on a home network, or want the flexibility to enjoy your digital experiences from anywhere over the Internet. It is based on Microsoft's Windows Home Server operating system and supports 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet and both wired and wireless networking (requires wireless router). AMD Live! 64-bit processing power supplies fast file access and timely backups.

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Customer reviews

review by: Vezda date: 2008-11-23 rating:
Excellent machine
I think the 1st thing I will cover is what router will play nicely with Server. I'm using a netgear DG834GT with V1.02.13 firmware, version 14 messed up the port forwarding. Not all routers will work with the EX475 so do some homework before you decide on buying this unit.
I did have some problems with IP addresses swapping round on the router and when logging on via the web I would get my printer web page, this was easily fixed by creating static IP's.

I set up the EX475 using a vista powered laptop which was dead easy and straight forward. Basically insert disc and follow screen prompts. I've installed one Ad in which is a program called web guide which allows you to stream music and videos over the net.

The EX475 comes with 2 x 500gb hard drives & the EX470 comes with a single 500gb drive, I bought the EX470 and added a Samsung 1tb drive for the same price as buying a EX475, something to bear in mind when your looking to purchase one of these machines.

What else can it do??

Yes of course it's a server and its stores all your files etc, you can choose to mirror your important files onto another drive for safety.

Now the best bit I use it for is the media storage, photo's, video, MP3's etc. I was going to buy a Home theater PC to go under the tv and be able to stream all my films on to the television. I didn't need to as a Playstation 3 picks up the server and will play avi,mpegs,some divx and vob files which are ripped dvd's. It upscales films and really does a fantastic job.

To sum up it is a really good piece of kit and does work well, yes you will have problems along the way and more often than not a reboot will get things going.

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review by: date: 2008-09-01 rating:
Excellent piece of kit
I've had my EX475 about a week now - everything is set up and working nicely. Have fitted a 1TB External USB HDD to back up the server itself. Strangely, it seems server back-ups have to be initiated manually, while client back-ups are automatic on a schedule.

Also strangely, it is not possible to connect a printer to the EX475 using the home server console. I managed to do it, but I had to use the Terminal Services program which is not recommended. Perhaps they will add this feature - saves buying a network print server or having to leave a machine on all the time.

One point to watch out for - remote control of client PCs is NOT possible unless those clients are running XP Pro, or Vista Ultimate. The Vista Home Premium OS that most of us have, s not supported, due to no terminal services app. the HP/MS advertising is definitely misleading on this point.

I have 3 PCs and 3 laptops on my home network. I have set up remote access for all my family so we can all view photos/videos or retrieve/store files over the internet. All seems to work very well.

I have to say I was well surprised - these days, I just don't expect anything to work straight out of the box!

Jon

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review by: royalsteve68 date: 2008-08-13 rating:
Total rubbish
Well ive had this a week and its been a nightmare....worked in computers for 20 years and this is the WORST product i have ever used.

install on first computer failed.....reinstall features on disk didnt work, so uninstalled windows home server and the hp apps, then reinstalled...worked this time

anyway.....since then

backups sometimes dont start even though setup correctly

the stupidest thing is as a backup device this is massively flawed......if your server develops a fault and cant be repaired then you will need to install the disks into a new mediasmart server as the disks CANNOT be read by any other device due to the way the server stores the data (its more like raid striping), problem is that if you install the data disks into a mediasmart server it formats it...dur!! also, you are knackered if you lose one disk...i contacted HP support and they have confirmed these scenarios are correct....unbelievable

others probs,
can view pics on my xbox360 but cant watch videos (can see the folders and files, cant play them, even though the files are fine and supported by xbox360 (avi and mpg) - even hp support, ms support and xbox support were dumbfounded by this one

often cant access the server - even though logon/pw correct, but can a bit later

install on wifes laptop unsuccessful as it cant find the server even though UPnP setup correctly

cant access shared foledrs anymore...server seems to think im logged on...reboots/reinstalls dont work/not logged on anyway

i cant help felling i have a dodgy one as my brothers one works perfectly apart from the major backup/data loss issue mentioned above

using a gigabit wireless/wired router and wired gigabit switch but these are setup correctly

im returning mine...fed up spending hours sorting out this rubbish...hp/ms/xbox support are hopeless...in fact hp couldnt careless, so nor can i

my feeling is that this device doesnt do what is states...its akin to selling a car without a brake pedal

incidentally i installed a dlink 655 gigabit router and netgear switch in under 30 minutes - take note HP and MS!!

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review by: date: 2008-04-03 rating:
A nice item fom HP (if you really need it)
Considering for the price of nearly £500 you can buy a complete PC, this item takes a bit of justification. In my case a failed 500GB external hard drive from Western Digital didn't quite cut it, but I bought one anyway.
Like all hardware from HP this Home server comes with an easy to follow setup poster. Installation, whilst not a complete nightmare, was not a walk in the park either. I spent a fair bit of time tweaking my firewall settings in order for the unit to be found on my system. I wished i'd known too, that the CD-Key sticker was on the base of the unit - quite tricky to read this without pulling out the power lead.
Getting my router correctly configured for remote access was another minor challenge, allthough having a linksys router (an 8 port cabled BEFSR81 in my case) did help as it was for the most part automated.
I find the HP Media Smart Home Server easy to use now I am familiar with it. I have come to terms with being forced to logging on to my PC with a password (user accounts are essential for remote access)
With hindsight I am glad I bought the unit rather than getting another external hard drive. It is very usefull and I am filling up the storage space fast. Just as well it is easily expandable.


review by: date: 2008-02-29 rating:
great package but not gone the full distance
i have had this great, silent and lovely looking box now for a week. had a great demo at PC world from the HP chap who sold me on the idea after about an hour of show and tell.

when i got home and plugged it all up, installed the server software on the PC, things just worked.

it makes very little noise, if not being totally silent stood next to my work server, network printer and sundries.
for what it is and what it offers, there is no heat to speak of.

as for not getting that elusive 5th star....
although its a windows home server (Microsoft) i was hoping that there would have been a MAC version of the PC software that lets me into the guts of the programming and set-up. so set-up and servicing all have to be done from a PC with the software installed... not great if you are mainly a MAC user.
the web login is great for accessing your files, but not having set-up rights from the MAC just puts it out there as a bit of a dud.

now back to the web login!
what a great little bit this is...
once the server is all set up and working, you can get it to let you in via a 'normal' https website, giving you secure reign over you files while you are away or want to let a friend or family look at your pics or even upload pics while you are on holiday.
a simple step by step system shows you the way to getting it up and running and needs little to no prior knowledge of servers or networking or even ip's and routers.
HOWEVER, should your router NOT support uPNP (universal Plug and Play) then you will have to read the handbook or the built-in help files to show you how to set up the 3 ports to make this work.
all in all, not rocket science and i know my technophobe mother could work it where her mobile texting skills fail her.

this thing is great... there is little doubting it!
the simple lack of care for the Mac user somewhat does my nut. (not that im a big MAC freak) im a basic novice Mac-ist and have a couple of PC's for most of my work, but i just love the relative simplicity and security of Macs.

so to conclude, a VERY solid, stable and well thought out piece of kit with a decent software package.
NOT needing or even allowing for a monitor, keyboard and mouse on it is a great thing... keeps cost down and makes it more of a setup and go machine, while removing the temptation for turning it into a PC.
while you can use it with Macs over the internet and networks, you can't control it, but granted its a Microsoft unit.

well done to Microsoft and HP

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