WebGuide Addon Available For Windows Home Server
I’ve had my Windows Home Server for around a month now, and although I’ve been very impressed with it, there are two areas where it could be better.
The first is that it can’t act as a Media Center to record TV, so that Media Extenders can be connected to it. I’m in the process of buying a new house and if the WHS box could act as an Media Center, connecting up the other rooms would be a lot easier and cheaper.
The second drawback with WHS, is that it can’t stream files remotely. To play a file remotely requires it to be downloaded, which can be lengthy. Luckily this drawback has been fixed partially by the release of WebGuide for Windows Home Server. WebGuide for Windows Home Server enables you to remotely access, listen, watch and stream your music, photos and videos stored on your home server while away from home.
WebGuide for Windows Home Server provides the following functionality:
- Integrates with Windows Home Server remote website via homepage link and single-signon.
- Access your photos with thumbnails, “zoom” and exif-data.
- Browse your music library and listen to it via the web.
- Stream your videos/movies at multiple resolutions and bitrates.
- Mobile access to your music and videos from Windows Mobile devices.
Installing WebGuide was relatively easy as the service is added just like other WHS addons, and once I made a small change to my router I was able to access my files remotely. I haven’t been able to access my music library for some reason, but photos and videos are working fine. I’m sure I’ll be able to crack the problem with music when I get a chance.
To learn more about WebGuide, click here.
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Comment by rutherford on 18 January 2008:
You’re buying a new house? Is it from your fantastic adsense earnings?
Congratz man!
Comment by Everton on 18 January 2008:
@Rutherford
As you can guess with all the AV gear I have I can be a bit noisy at times…I’ve decided it’s time to sell my flat and get my own floors and ceilings, so that I don’t have to worry about upsetting my neighbours. Also I need parking!
Comment by rutherford on 18 January 2008:
Hmmm… with your love for high quality sounds, don’t forget the acoustical tiles and ceilings. Nothing like a padded room for the 7.1 theatre system, eh Everton?
Comment by Philip Churchill on 19 January 2008:
Glad to hear your adventures with WHS. Within the connector software, Shared Folders tab, Music, Properties, User Access tab - Is access set to Full?
Comment by Everton on 19 January 2008:
@Philip
Ahhh I think that’s the problem. I don’t have music access to full as I don’t want anyone accidentally deleting my music. What I’ll do is change the config file to have the right username
Comment by gamingnewslink on 20 January 2008:
ive been tracking your posts about home servers since you started posting about it and I’m starting to like the idea of having a home box for home and remote purposes. But honestly i didnt have a clear idea of what those “purposes” will be. This article gave me a clearer idea and a boost. if only my spare hard drives were better than the ones i have mounted on my pcs right now lol. discarded-but-working computers here in the philippines are dirt cheap because of the ongoing transition period of computer shops from single core PCs to multicored, thus second-hand computer stores sell stuff cheaper than they used to