HP Offers MediaSmart Server For Home Network Sharing

By: Sara Smith
Staff Writer
Published: Dec 31, 2008

Hewlett-Packard this week has unveiled its latest MediaSmart home server at a bargain price. The HP EX485 model is priced under $600.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, LP has unveiled a new model for their HP MediaSmart Server lineup priced at $600. The home server allows users to centralize their files from their home PC, Mac, digital cameras or iPods.

"The HP MediaSmart Server centralizes all your files, from all your home computers, in one place so you can grab them anywhere you have an Internet connection and share how you want," HP said in a statement.

A home server has extra security and backup routines which a desktop PC or Mac doesn't have. For example, if a user stored all of their files onto one server, the server can run these maintenance tasks without interrupting other home computers. Users on the move can also retrieve files from the server through the Internet and set up ways to share the information.

"Your music, photos, videos and other media are part of your life - but they're scattered over multiple computers, disk drives, CDs, DVDs, and MP3 players...Macs and iPods too," HP said in a statement.

HP MediaSmart Server is a solution to storing all files and different media. It does seem to be a smart thing to do, especially households that have different gadgets such as a mobile phone or an iPod.

"You can extend your digital media experiences by conveniently streaming your favorite music, videos, and photos from your HP MediaSmart Server to PCs, Macs, gaming consoles (Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3), and TVs on your home network," HP said.

The server is compatible with Mac OS X Time Machine, Microsoft Windows, and it can serve iTunes music through the network to any connected computer or gadget. The server comes with a 2.0 GHz Intel Celeron, 2 GB of DRAM, and offers 750 GB of storage.

HP plans to ship the HP Media Smart Server ex485 in February 2009 for $600.