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HP to Add iPhone App and Video Transcoding to MediaSmart Servers

Monday April 13, 2009 9:54 am PDT by Eric Slivka
HP's MediaSmart servers gained some attention at Macworld Expo 2009 for providing home server solutions for cross-platform environments including Windows, Mac and Linux. The MediaSmart EX485/EX487 servers were honored with a "Best of Show" award at the expo.

Electronista reports that HP is preparing to release a software update to the servers that enables video streaming to mobile devices, as well as automatic video transcoding to provide mobile devices with smaller, lower-resolution video content.

The new video converter automatically transcodes non-protected video to H.264 format in two resolutions -- one for mobile devices and a higher resolution for home use. To avoid performance issues, the converter works in the background as a low-priority function. Video can be downloaded directly to a variety of mobile devices including the iPhone, iPod touch, Sony PSP and Microsoft Zune.

HP will also be releasing a free iPhone application via the App Store to enable access to a wide variety of content based on a user's home server. According to the report, the application will provide access to video, photos and music over Wi-Fi or 3G.
[ 19 comments ]

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dongmin
Posted: 41 months ago
The question is: Why isn't Apple doing this with their server products?

We should have ready access to all our media through our iPhones.
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ipoppy
Posted: 41 months ago
Yawn...where is my Slingplayer!!!:mad:
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jaw04005
Posted: 41 months ago
HP keeps making this product better. I highly recommend it. Apparently, the dual-core Celeron's in these servers are actually decent processors. Nice.
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SirOmega
Posted: 41 months ago
Wow, now I really want an Ex485. I have my own custom built WHS box, but I cant do TM backup over wireless or stream movies (already a copy in H.264 at iPhone res) over wifi to my phone.
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BG-Mac
Posted: 41 months ago
Apple needs to release a home itunes server ASAP! Day one purchase for me.. :D:apple:
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srl7741
Posted: 41 months ago
Apple does not seem to interested in storage solutions. You would think with the success of the iTunes Store they would also realize there is a need to store a large amount of content in such a manor that it's easy to access and plays well with other Apple products. I really hope Apple releases some sort of product that will address this.
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str1f3
Posted: 41 months ago

Apple needs to release a home itunes server ASAP! Day one purchase for me.. :D:apple:


I agree 1000%. This has been needed for a few years. The home media server is more important than a tablet that is being rumored. An apple home media server would sell more than a tablet even though the latter would be sexier. I don't like the HP. You need windows to do a full installation of the software and apple would do a better job with support for iTunes. You have to also consider the thing is ugly and very un-apple.
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BG-Mac
Posted: 41 months ago

I agree 1000%. This has been needed for a few years. The home media server is more important than a tablet that is being rumored. An apple home media server would sell more than a tablet even though the latter would be sexier. I don't like the HP. You need windows to do a full installation of the software and apple would do a better job with support for iTunes. You have to also consider the thing is ugly and very un-apple.


I'm so close to picking up a Mac Mini and a Drobo. I've been holding out since the rumored Apple Home Server that was rumored to be released at Macworld.
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MacFly123
Posted: 41 months ago

Apple does not seem to interested in storage solutions. You would think with the success of the iTunes Store they would also realize there is a need to store a large amount of content in such a manor that it's easy to access and plays well with other Apple products. I really hope Apple releases some sort of product that will address this.


There have been rumors for a while that Apple is working on a new Apple TV/Media Server and even talking about streaming from iTunes as many times as you want so you don't have to store everything on your computer/iPhone etc.

I agree 1000%. This has been needed for a few years. The home media server is more important than a tablet that is being rumored. An apple home media server would sell more than a tablet even though the latter would be sexier. I don't like the HP. You need windows to do a full installation of the software and apple would do a better job with support for iTunes. You have to also consider the thing is ugly and very un-apple.


Yes you are right all around.... BUT.... Did you ever stop to consider that the Tablet is going to be a companion product in joining your Apple TV and server as an ultimate entertainment center solution??? ;) Trust me they are working hard on BOTH and it is all meant to be together! One word with Apple, ECOSYSTEM!
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hfletcher
Posted: 41 months ago

Yawn...where is my Slingplayer!!!:mad:

Me too! Sling submitted the iPhone app ages ago... Mind you, apple can take weeks to approve apps.
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