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Should I Buy A HP MediaSmart Server?

November 9th, 2007 • Related • Filed Under

I have been thinking about getting a HP MediaSmart Server as a solution to my home networking needs ever since I went to a HP demonstration a few months ago,Â My home network has grown a bit out of control over the last year or so, and I need to find a better expandable solution to share files between my devices and also out of the home.

At the moment I have the following setup:

Front Room

HTPC with 2.5TB of storage (replaced a modded Xbox)
Xbox 360
Playstation 3
AV system
Netgear Router
Key Uses: Music, TV shows, Movies

Study

Main PC with decent speakers
Main Uses: Work, Music, Occasional TV Shows

Bedroom

Modded Xbox (broken at moment) -going to replace with media center laptop (getting a freebie!)
Main Uses: TV Shows, Movies

‘Mobile’ Devices

Laptop
Nokia N95
Sony PSP

The PC in the study used to act as a ’server’ by holding all my files, but once I built the HTPC I decided it was silly having two power-hungry machines running at the same time so I currently store all my videos on the front room machine, and a copy of my music library on both machines. This causes me problems as sometimes I do want to watch a show or film in the study while I work, which means I have to go and turn the front room HTPC on.

I have the same problem when I want to watch or listen to something in the bedroom, as I have to go and turn on one of the other machines to do so.Â Things are only going to get worse in the future as I get more connected devices, so I want to put a good solution in place now that can grow with my connected home, with all my files stored in one place.

The HP MediaSmart Server would allow me to centralise all my files in one place in a nice energy efficient device, as well as providing a remote access solution which I lack at the moment. I also like the small form factor, which would allow me to tuck it away in a corner somewhere.

However, I’m convinced I must be able to get a better solution for $800. What are my other options? Should I build my own system instead of buying a HP MediaSmart Server? I’m not keen on tackling a Linux based system as I want something I can either configure quickly, or that just works out the box.

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About the Author

Everton is based in London and has worked in the internet and mobile space for over ten years now, and before that worked in corporate strategy and consulting. He has a degree in Economics from Cambridge University, and currently runs the Portal and online operations for one of the largest ISPs in the UK. He also writes for Windows 7 News.

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There Are 9 Responses So Far. »

#1

Comment by Lars on 9 November 2007:

why not just hook some small hardware NAS servers up with your router. Most of them can act as a FTP server, Bit torrent client, Samba like server.
#2

Comment by Adam Pond on 9 November 2007:

First of all, I wouldn’t suggest that you buy the 1 TB version - buy the 500 GB version for $599 and then buy another 500 MB Hard driver for just over $100 from someplace like Newegg. That’s what I’m going to do - My setup isn’t nearly as complex as yours and I can’t wait to buy a Media Server - just is going to make my life a lot easier for watching and using my media at home in different areas as well as on the road
#3

Comment by 360gamr on 9 November 2007:

Where are the pics of your setups? Sounds like you have a fantastic geek house, we wanna see!
#4

Comment by Zath on 10 November 2007:

I’m eventually going to need to look to having a server in my HTPC set-up, currently I just keep adding hard disks to my main desktop PC which is always turned on, so every other computer in the house can access the content.

It would be great to see your set-up sometime Everton!
#5

Pingback by Building a Home Server Part I | Connected Internet on 11 November 2007:

[...] the element I think is going to be finding a good case. I really like the small form factor of the HP MediaSmart Server, so I’m aiming for something as small with space for 4 hard [...]
#6

Comment by Joseph Plazo on 12 November 2007:

Id rather purchase parts separately. The stock servers that Lenovo, HP and Asus churn out never impressed me.

But when I pick my parts - like an Asus 8800GT video card, QuadCore MB, 4GB RAM - I end up with a vastly superior behemoth at about the same price.

Don’t buy the brand. Buy the performance.

Go man!
#7

Comment by mv3gp on 12 November 2007:

i think it is better to build you own. Engadget has nice article on it.
http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/24/how-to-build-a-practical-htpc/
#8

Comment by Rutherford on 3 January 2008:

Agreed. You get the best possible mix- if you know what you’re doing
#9

Pingback by Testing Pics : conectedinternet.com on 15 May 2008:

[...] the element I think is going to be finding a good case. I really like the small form factor of the HP MediaSmart Server, so I’m aiming for something as small with space for 4 hard [...]