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Product Specifications
| General | |
| Brand: | Hewlett Packard |
| Processor | |
| Processor Type: | AMD Sempron |
| Memory | |
| RAM Size: | 512 MB |
| Hard Drive | |
| Hard Drive Size: | 500 GB |
| Additional Specifications | |
| Operating System: | Windows Home Server |
Technical Details
- A powerful home server providing access to personal documents and digital entertainment from anywhere in the world
- Ideal for households and families with multiple PCs on a home network
- Powered by Microsoft Windows� Home Server and an AMD Sempron processor
- Copy music photos and videos onto the server in a few simple steps
- With an optional Digital Media Adapter (sold separately) people can also stream content directly to an entertainment centre
- Automatic back-up across multiple PCs and notebooks ensures files will never be lost
- Sophisticated PC back-up software also provides incremental and single copy back-ups saving time and disk space on the server
- Four hard disk drive bays provide storage expandability as a user's needs grow
- off-the-shelf SATA I or II hard disk drives can be easily installed providing up to 3.5 terabytes of storage capacity
Product details
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Product Description
Manufacturer's 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.
Box Contents
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
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.
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.
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
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.
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.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
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
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
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Overview of EX475
I was looking for a home server and after reading other reviews on this product decided to try one. A price search ranged from 599 GBP downwards to the best deal from Amazon at 329... Read more
Published 17 months ago by JC
Great!
I bought this over a year ago now, and thus far it has saved my bacon twice, and it continues to back up and protect my computers, images, videos etc. Read more
Published on 7 Jan 2010 by Dr. Andrew L. Reynolds
Don't Buy, Updated Models Released
HP have just released a newer model of these called HP MediaSmart ex485 and ex487.
HP's Jason Zajac said in a statement, "A growing number of digital-savvy households... Read more
HP's Jason Zajac said in a statement, "A growing number of digital-savvy households... Read more
Published on 29 Dec 2008 by James Johnson
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. Read more
Published on 13 Aug 2008 by Stephen Peacock
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... Read more
Published on 29 Feb 2008 by D. Stickland
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