HP unvields MediaSmart Expander for TiVo

[Chris Miller]

HP put out the following press release today

See also HP MediaSmart Server TivoExpander
and HP's Charlie Shilling on the HP MediaSmart Expander for TiVo


Consumers Can Now Manage TiVo Content from HP MediaSmart Servers

PALO ALTO, Calif., March 10, 2010 - HP today made available HP MediaSmart Expander for TiVo®, a new software application that lets TiVo DVR(1) owners manage video content from an HP MediaSmart Server.(2)

With a high-definition (HD) DVR from TiVo, consumers can record and pause live TV, and access the world's largest on-demand video store to watch hit movies, TV shows, music videos and cool web videos.

With the new software application, which is offered at no charge to MediaSmart server owners, TiVo customers can:

- transfer shows from a TiVo DVR to a HP MediaSmart Server and back to a TiVo DVR

- manage TiVo recordings stored on a HP MediaSmart Server

- watch TiVo DVR recordings that are stored on the HP MediaSmart Server on any PC in the home

Based on the Microsoft Windows® Home Server platform, the HP MediaSmart Server is a central repository for automatically backing up and accessing digital music, videos, photos and documents from multiple computers on a home network.(3)

The HP MediaSmart Server automatically organizes files across all Windows and Mac computers, streams media across a home network and the Internet,(4) and publishes photos to popular social networking and photo sharing sites.

"The HP MediaSmart Server is the ideal companion for TiVo users. With the HP MediaSmart Expander for TiVo, consumers can record more high-definition programs and not worry about filling their DVR since they can transfer their movies and shows on the HP MediaSmart Server and watch them on their PC,” said Jason Zajac, vice president of Attach, Personal Systems Group, HP. “Plus, consumers will benefit from all of the additional features the HP MediaSmart Server provides, such as backing up all Windows and Mac computers.”

Pricing and availability

The free HP MediaSmart Expander for TiVo application can be accessed through the Windows Home Server Console of the HP MediaSmart Server EX90/EX495 and HP Data Vault.

Manufacturer's suggested retail price for the HP MediaSmart Server EX490 with 1 terabyte of hard disk storage is $549, while the HP MediaSmart Server EX495 with 1.5 terabytes is $699.(5)

More information is available at www.hp.com/go/mediasmartserver.

About HP

HP creates new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments and society. The world's largest technology company, HP brings together a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure to solve customer problems. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at www.hp.com.

(1) Requires TiVo DVR Series II, Series III, TiVo Premier and TiVo desktop software.

(2) Compatible with HP MediaSmart Servers EX490/EX495. HP MediaSmart Server, PCs and TiVo DVR must be on the same network.

(3) Wired or wireless home network required.

(4) Internet access required and sold separately.

(5) Estimated U.S. retail prices. Actual prices may vary.

TiVo and the TiVo logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of TiVo Inc. or its subsidiaries worldwide. Microsoft is a U.S. registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

[Chris Miller]

I can't wait to try this out. I have a MediaSmart EX495. When I can get the TiVoEpander add-in, I'll give it a shot. I want to see how it behaves with CCI protected content.

[hurnik]

Since it's based on Windows Media server software, I'd bet it adheres to copied content. In fact, you probably can't copy protected content from the Tivo to it, it may be a NAS type device that extends the Tivo drive across the network.

And given MS previous versions of that software I wouldn't trust it with my data. (a few minor issues like it would lose your data due to bugs in the File system of the OS).

[Chris Miller]

Mar 10, 2010 18:40:41 GMT -5 hurnik said:

Since it's based on Windows Media server software, I'd bet it adheres to copied content. In fact, you probably can't copy protected content from the Tivo to it, it may be a NAS type device that extends the Tivo drive across the network.

I don't think it's based in Windows Media Server (or Center) technology. Windows Home Server is essentially Windows Server 2003 Small Business Edition with some interesting tweaks.

The HP MediaSmart Expander for TiVo appears to be based on the same technology used by the TiVo Desktop. But it seems to run faster. It was able to get the list of shows from my TiVo boxes very quickly. That is more of a reflection of TiVo Desktop as it is fairly easy and quick to get list of shows from a TiVo.

It does have the same copy protection restrictions as TiVo Desktop. CCI protected content can not be copied. As far as I can tell the HP converter will not transcode these files to other formats (like iPhone). I would like to figure out a way to get that done. I could use TiVo Desktop Pro to transcode the files, but that would be a bit clunky.

Mar 10, 2010 18:40:41 GMT -5 hurnik said:

And given MS previous versions of that software I wouldn't trust it with my data. (a few minor issues like it would lose your data due to bugs in the File system of the OS).

That problem was resolved nearly two years ago. There was a problem with applications that used ADS, backups were never in any danger of being corrupted. The current version has been pretty solid for me.

[xzi]

Correct, Windows Home Server is just that... a home server. It has a very specific use case and a distributed media server is not it--that's what Media Center is for. It is indeed Windows Server 2003 SBS--right down to the RDP Proxy services and DFS.

However it is a very impressive product for households that want centralized storage and backups in multi-PC households and works great!

[Chris Miller]

While you don't get the full media server functionality of Windows 7, HP does provide a licensed copy of Twonky with their MediaSmart servers. I can access music/video/pictures from my ESX495 on my TV set through a WD TV Live HD box.

If TiVo ever goes under (how many quarters can they lose money before it finally ends?), I think I would switch to a Windows 7 box with a Ceton card.

[the block]

Mar 11, 2010 7:22:08 GMT -5 Chris Miller said:

While you don't get the full media server functionality of Windows 7, HP does provide a licensed copy of Twonky with their MediaSmart servers. I can access music/video/pictures from my ESX495 on my TV set through a WD TV Live HD box.

If TiVo ever goes under (how many quarters can they lose money before it finally ends?), I think I would switch to a Windows 7 box with a Ceton card.

d**n that Ceton card looks pretty badass. If I was building an HTPC, I think I'd try and build it around that thing for sure.

I was thinking about getting one of those WHS boxes, either one of the HP models or the Acer easystore. While it may not have special media sharing software on it, there's no reason they wouldn't allow a device capable of SMB streaming like a popcorn hour to stream media from it, right?

[Chris Miller]

Mar 11, 2010 10:12:28 GMT -5 the block said:

I was thinking about getting one of those WHS boxes, either one of the HP models or the Acer easystore. While it may not have special media sharing software on it, there's no reason they wouldn't allow a device capable of SMB streaming like a popcorn hour to stream media from it, right?

If you want to stream using other software, you should be able to do so. WHS is WIndows Server 2003, if it runs on Server 2003, it should run on WHS.

Part of the value add that HP provides with their MediaSmart servers is a licensed copy of TwonkyMedia Server. Twonky will stream video, pictures, and music to other devices. It supports DLNA, and there are plenty of devices that can use DLNA.

I bought my HP for the backups, being able to view all my pictures in HD on my TV was just icing on the cake. If you just want to do backups, then the Acer or one of the cheaper HP models will do the job. If you plan on doing media stuff on it, I would spend the extra quatloos and get the dual core HP.

[hurnik]

Mar 11, 2010 10:12:28 GMT -5 the block said:

Mar 11, 2010 7:22:08 GMT -5 Chris Miller said:

While you don't get the full media server functionality of Windows 7, HP does provide a licensed copy of Twonky with their MediaSmart servers. I can access music/video/pictures from my ESX495 on my TV set through a WD TV Live HD box.

If TiVo ever goes under (how many quarters can they lose money before it finally ends?), I think I would switch to a Windows 7 box with a Ceton card.

d**n that Ceton card looks pretty badass. If I was building an HTPC, I think I'd try and build it around that thing for sure.

I was thinking about getting one of those WHS boxes, either one of the HP models or the Acer easystore. While it may not have special media sharing software on it, there's no reason they wouldn't allow a device capable of SMB streaming like a popcorn hour to stream media from it, right?

The card does look interesting. So about another $500 or so for a machine to put it in with Windows 7 Home Premium (can't remember if that has the "media server" stuff in it), although $800-900 is still a bit "rich" for me. (My TivoHD was only $200 or so as I had some gift cards and best buy reward zone coupons, and I did the lifetime agreement/transfer back then for $300).

Not sure if the ATI card was much cheaper compared to the Ceton card.

But I'm sure the price will come down.

I wonder how it does the 4 recordings at once. Wouldn't you need two M-cards for that? Or one M-card and then what, 2 analog or QAM channels maybe what they mean?

[Chris Miller]

I don't think you can compare a TiVo with a Media Center PC. Very different price points, very different functionality.

The TiVo is essentially a one trick pony, but it does that trick so much better than anyone else. It's a DVR with some access to online content. I've become a fan of Brian Cooley's snarky car reviews on CNET Car Tech Video HD video podcasts that I subscribe to. HD Nation is nice too. I could watch them on a PC, but it's more comfortable on the big screen. I was hoping to see more with the TiVo Premiere, but that platform has a lot more horsepower than the S3 platform. Hopefully that opens the door to new functionality.

A decent Windows 7 box with a Ceton card is probably going to run about $1000. I'm not sure how they pulled off 4 channel recording with a single m-card, but we still need two Tuning Adapters (twice the fun for the same price).

That Win 7 box will have a DVD or possibly a Blu-ray drive, so you would be getting more than just DVR functionality. Plus access to Hulu, YouTube, and other onlne video content. Plus much easier to expand the drive space than with a TiVo.

[shanedude]

1 m-card can authorize 6 digital tuners: www.cablelabs.com/opencable/primer/cablecard_primer.html btw, this is an interesting read!
This ceton card actually has 4 seperate qam tuners. I am using the ATI external card along with a tuning adapter have been happy with it. Of course I would replace it all in a min for that ceton if it could handle bocr tru2way in the future... Hauppauge also announced plans for a tuner card with m-card slot. Hopefully the bocr market produces some actual products someday so I wont need the tuning adapter for sdv chs.

[the block]

Mar 11, 2010 23:47:56 GMT -5 Chris Miller said:

If you want to stream using other software, you should be able to do so. WHS is WIndows Server 2003, if it runs on Server 2003, it should run on WHS.

Part of the value add that HP provides with their MediaSmart servers is a licensed copy of TwonkyMedia Server. Twonky will stream video, pictures, and music to other devices. It supports DLNA, and there are plenty of devices that can use DLNA.

I bought my HP for the backups, being able to view all my pictures in HD on my TV was just icing on the cake. If you just want to do backups, then the Acer or one of the cheaper HP models will do the job. If you plan on doing media stuff on it, I would spend the extra quatloos and get the dual core HP.

Yeah pretty much what I'm looking for is a centralized file server, that I can easily access remotely, run a few programs on it (SABnzbd for usenet, and also run a bit torrent client), and then being able to stream 1080p mkv's over the network to my popcorn hour, and PC. I also like the backup functionality of WHS.

Right now I've got my workstation doing all of this right now, and I just want to get it all off my PC onto a server to do it all, so my workstation is just a workstation.

Is what I'm asking too much for one of the atom based WHS's, or do I need to bite the bullet and buy one of the beefier WHS's like the HP dual core unit that you have?

[Chris Miller]

Mar 13, 2010 10:33:19 GMT -5 the block said:

Yeah pretty much what I'm looking for is a centralized file server, that I can easily access remotely, run a few programs on it (SABnzbd for usenet, and also run a bit torrent client), and then being able to stream 1080p mkv's over the network to my popcorn hour, and PC. I also like the backup functionality of WHS.

Right now I've got my workstation doing all of this right now, and I just want to get it all off my PC onto a server to do it all, so my workstation is just a workstation.

Is what I'm asking too much for one of the atom based WHS's, or do I need to bite the bullet and buy one of the beefier WHS's like the HP dual core unit that you have?

I think what you have to do is to figure out how much processing power you need on the server. I don't have any personal experience with Atom processors, but you plan on doing any audio or video transcoding, I would suggest a multi-core box.

You don't need a fast processor to push video over the network, your network connection will be the bottleneck Stuff that is grabbing data over BitTorrent or Usenet will be limited by your ISP connection.

[hurnik]

Mar 12, 2010 22:14:56 GMT -5 Chris Miller said:

I don't think you can compare a TiVo with a Media Center PC. Very different price points, very different functionality.

The TiVo is essentially a one trick pony, but it does that trick so much better than anyone else. It's a DVR with some access to online content. I've become a fan of Brian Cooley's snarky car reviews on CNET Car Tech Video HD video podcasts that I subscribe to. HD Nation is nice too. I could watch them on a PC, but it's more comfortable on the big screen. I was hoping to see more with the TiVo Premiere, but that platform has a lot more horsepower than the S3 platform. Hopefully that opens the door to new functionality.

A decent Windows 7 box with a Ceton card is probably going to run about $1000. I'm not sure how they pulled off 4 channel recording with a single m-card, but we still need two Tuning Adapters (twice the fun for the same price).

That Win 7 box will have a DVD or possibly a Blu-ray drive, so you would be getting more than just DVR functionality. Plus access to Hulu, YouTube, and other onlne video content. Plus much easier to expand the drive space than with a TiVo.

Yes, I agree that a Tivo vs. Media Center (or whatever MS wants to call it nowadays) even vs. MythTV are diff. beasts. But for the purposes of recording TV and whatnot is all I really care about. (I really don't feel like turning my $2500 TV into a glorified screen to browse the web with--I have a laptop with wireless that'll do just fine WHILE I'm watching TV).

However, the ability to record 4 things at once though would probably offset the price (ie, 2 Tivo units with sub vs. one of the Ceton cards). Now I find that very intriguing indeed. Unfortunately I've yet to find a wireless mouse/keyboard that'll work more than 5 feet from the PC (although I imagine that you could purchase a thingy for a pc with Windows 7 that would work with a Logitech remote control?)

[hurnik]

Mar 13, 2010 0:02:07 GMT -5 shanedude said:

1 m-card can authorize 6 digital tuners: www.cablelabs.com/opencable/primer/cablecard_primer.html btw, this is an interesting read!
This ceton card actually has 4 seperate qam tuners. I am using the ATI external card along with a tuning adapter have been happy with it. Of course I would replace it all in a min for that ceton if it could handle bocr tru2way in the future... Hauppauge also announced plans for a tuner card with m-card slot. Hopefully the bocr market produces some actual products someday so I wont need the tuning adapter for sdv chs.

Wow, very interesting. Did not know that.
Yes, tru2way is what's stopping me from forking over that much money (although at the pace TW crawls, who knows). I know comcast in Denver has tru2way rolled out already. And with the economy/job market, one never knows where one may have to move in the future.