Today we can announce the next change here at UWHS – our newsletter. This newsletter will include daily news, occasional special offers and giveaways just for the newsletter subscribers.
The newsletter will be emailed to you every morning and will contain a digest of the previous days articles, and occasional offers and giveaways.
We won’t ever sell your details, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
So why not sign up today or sign up below.
About a month ago, I brought you an unboxing of the Logitech Harmony 1100 universal remote. I have a review after using it for the last month…read on for details!
My wife asked for a universal remote to control the main home entertainment center in our living room. She, my daughter, our babysitters, pretty much everyone who used the system except for me, was frustrated with the six remotes that were required to control the system. It was to the point where no one save me could play a BluRay or DVD in the living room! Logitech to the rescue!
As a refresher, here is what Logitech has to say about this remote:
Say good-bye to cheat sheets. Everyone in the family can select what they want to do—such as “Watch TV”—and your Harmony remote does the rest.Learn more about one-touch activity-based controls.
You can access the most-used buttons with one hand or two—and it’s backlit so you can see your icons even in the dark.
Support for 5000+ brands and 225,000+ devices, so you know it will work with what you have today and what you’ll add tomorrow.See how your home-entertainment setup would work with Harmony.
You can control devices you can’t see—like a stereo in a closed cabinet.when you add a Logitech® Harmony RF Extender (sold separately).
You choose which commands you want on screen and when—giving you complete control over your entertainment system.
You can control your home-entertainment devices with one remote—reducing clutter and complexity in your living room.
Your remote recharges in its base station so you won’t be looking for batteries when you want to be watching TV.
Dave and the guys have just released the Home Server Show episode 138.
Here’s what Dave says about this weeks show:
Three podcasters, three Add-Ins. We talk as in depth as we can get at this juncture about the three drive extender type add-ins for Windows Home Server 2011. Drive Harmony by DataCore, DriveBender, and StableBit. Lots of news to discuss and some interesting topics about transferring WHS backups from version 1 to 2011 and a discussion about hard drives. There is a crazy amount of discussion in this show. I apologize for it’s length but it was fun and I hope you enjoy it.
As usual you can download the show from here.
My friend, and fellow WHS MVP Martin Rothschink has been in touch to let us know that Lights-Out for Windows Home Server 2011 version 1.5.0 build 1550 is now available to download.
The Add-In basically allows you to monitor and control all power aspects of your server and PCs on your network. You can turn on, put to sleep, hibernate and shut down PCs on the network. You can even monitor the actual PC usage and server remote access as well.
Lights-Out enhances a Windows Home Server in these areas:
This weeks Digital Lifestyle Show has just been released – its show 306.
Here’s what Ian says about this week show:
Download and listen to the show from hereWe are back with another packed show. We talk digital infrastructure in the home, Media Center addins, SeeSaw being killed, Home Server setup and Garry’s trip to the Connected Home Global Summit.
Today saw an update to Beta 3 of Drive Bender for Windows Home Server 2011 released.
Here is what is included in the beta 3 update:
For more information check out the Drive Bender websiteRelease v1.1.3.8 – beta (2011-06-01)
– Updated beta license to run until mid August.
– Improved Manager feedback during long tasks.
– Drive balancing has been enabled.
– The Drive Bender log files now rotate.
– Bug fix: Running an exe from a drive letter mount no longer causes an error.
– Bug fix: Save Office files to a shared folder no longer causes an error.
– Bug fix: WHS backup database cleaning now completes successfully.
– Many other bug fixes and enhancements.
The long promised beta for DataCore’s DriveHarmony software for Windows Home Server 2011 is finally available.
I’m downloading it now and will let you know how I get on with it.
Sign up for and download the DriveHarmony beta now
FireCore have just released the latest version of aTV Flash (4.3) for the 1st generation AppleTV.
Here is what they said:
We are pleased to announce the release of aTV Flash version 4.3 for the original silver AppleTV. Included are some new features, as well as a number of improvements to existing features and core components. Read on for more details.
What’s new in 4.3?
What can I do with File Sharing?
File Sharing allows you to stream non-iTunes media stored on your AppleTV (including media stored on external drives) to other devices including a second AppleTV (silver or black) or a Mac/PC computer.
How to use File Sharing
After installing the File Sharing package through the Maintenance –> Install Extras menu, the File Sharing option can be enabled through the Maintenance –> Settings menu.
When File Sharing is enabled (or set to Auto-Start) the relevant connection info will be visible when the File Sharing item is highlighted. The AppleTV’s username and password are both ‘frontrow’ (without quotes).
Great! Where can I get it?
aTV Flash version 4.3 is available through the Downloads tab in your account. If you’re already running aTV Flash on your AppleTV you can update through the Maintenance –> Manage Plugins menu.
Yesterday Apple released a security update (2011-003) that includes a fix for the MacDefender malware issue. So if you have a Mac you should update now!
Available for: Mac OS X v10.6.7, Mac OS X Server v10.6.7
Impact: Definition added
Description: The OSX.MacDefender.A definition has been added to the malware check within File Quarantine. Information on File Quarantine is available in this Knowledge Base article: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3662
Available for: Mac OS X v10.6.7, Mac OS X Server v10.6.7
Impact: Automatically update the known malware definitions
Description: The system will check daily for updates to the File Quarantine malware definition list. An opt-out capability is provided via the “Automatically update safe downloads list” checkbox in Security Preferences. Additional information is available in this Knowledge Base article: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4651
Available for: Mac OS X v10.6.7, Mac OS X Server v10.6.7
Impact: Remove the MacDefender malware if detected
Description: The installation process for this update will search for and remove known variants of the MacDefender malware. If a known variant was detected and removed, the user will be notified via an alert after the update is installed. Additional information is available in this Knowledge Base article: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4651
ASoft has just released beta 2 for AutoExit 2011 for Windows Home Server 2011.
Here is what Nick said:
It’s been a while since Beta-1 of AutoExit for WHS 2011 was released, but now you can rest assured Beta-2 is here!
This version mostly fixes issues that were present in Beta-1 and it had been made fully compatible with the release version of WHS 2011.
A new feature in this beta is that you can now also add non-WHS machines (which don’t have the WHS Client Connector software installed)
You can download it from the ASoft site.
Check out the article and video Tim posted about the previous beta
Last week we unboxed the new Tranquil PC Leo HS4 Windows Home Server 2011 box, and today we have the exclusive review of the Leo HS4.
Tranquil are one the first companies to release a Windows Home Server 2011 box, the other being Viridian with their VS-4HA. In fact, there isn’t exactly a line of companies rushing to release Windows Home Server 2011. Acer have promised one, but as yet it has failed to materialise. And frankly that is it for the “big” players. Hopefully this is just down to them being cautious and we should soon see some more.
Unit dimensions
213 (w) x 331 (d) x 195 (h) incl feet (mm)
Unit construction
Enamelled Steel (typically >70% recycled materials)
System heat sink
Internal CPU and Chipset aluminium heat sink (fan less)
CPU
Intel 2nd Generation Core Processor i3-2100T (2.5GHz)
Memory
2GB DDR3 1333Mhz (upgradeable)
HDDs
4x 3.5″ bays (1st bay factory fitted with 2TB HDD) 3x free.
Colour options
Satin Black or Gloss White
Front panel
Power, Mode and backups switches, Multi-coloured status LED’s and 2x USB 2.0 ports
Rear panel
12v DC power in / 2x USB3.0 / 4x USB2.0 / 10.100.1000 LAN port / 1x eSATA / Desk lock / (optional 2x eSATA with port multiplier)
Weight
Base unit (nett) 6Kg
Power supply
External AC/DC with country specific power cord
Working temp
Maximum 44’C ambient
Mounting options
Desk
Power consumption
23W (incl 1xHDD)
Acoustics
23dBA (incl 1x HDD)
Software
Windows Home Server 2011 – PC Recovery CD – Server Restore DVD
Paul York has just been in touch to let us know about an add-in he has just released for Windows Home Server V1 called Serviio Media Server.It’s in beta at the moment.
This is what Paul said:
The add-in manages (and optionally installs) Petr Nejedly’s excellent and free Serviio DLNA media server. If you’re not familiar with Serviio, it is a transcoding-capable media server that “just works.” It streams just about every media file out there to any device, and based on a device profile, transcodes the media only if necessary for that device. it was recently recommended by Sony as “the” server to use for it’s TV’s, Blu-Ray players, and game console.
Today ZOTAC have announced the new Z68-ITX WiFi series mini-ITX platforms and they look very interesting indeed.
Here is the full press release:
Learn more from the ZOTAC websiteHONG KONG – May 31, 2011 – ZOTAC® International, a leading innovator and the world’s largest channel manufacturer of graphics cards, motherboards and mini-PCs, today unleashes the Z68-ITX WiFi and Z68-ITX WiFi Supreme – a pair of mini-ITX platforms designed for the most adventurous and demanding enthusiasts. The ZOTAC® Z68-ITX WiFi series enables users to take advantage of all features of 2nd Generation Intel® Core™ family processors including integrated graphics, overclocking and Intel® Quick-Sync Video technology.
Powered by the latest Intel® Z68 Express chipset, the ZOTAC® Z68-ITX WiFi series enables adventurous enthusiasts to extract every ounce of performance available from 2nd Generation Intel® Core™ while maintaining use of Intel® GMA HD 2000/3000 series integrated graphics processors. Support for Intel® Quick-Sync Video technology enables lightning-fast video transcoding for virtually instant video conversions to popular portable media players with the ZOTAC® Z68-ITX WiFi series.
Lucid Virtu software is bundled with the ZOTAC® Z68-ITX WiFi series to let users combine the high-speed transcoding capabilities of Intel® Quick-Sync Video and discrete ZOTAC® GeForce® series graphics cards for the ultimate high-performance combination.
“The ZOTAC® Z68-ITX WiFi series is our most ambitious mini-ITX offering to date – never before have we been able to match a full ATX board in features and overclocking capabilities.” said Carsten Berger, marketing director, ZOTAC® International.
The ZOTAC® Z68-ITX WiFi series feature support for mSATA SSD drives for insanely-fast storage performance from a pint-size form factor. The ZOTAC® Z68-ITX WiFi features a switchable combo mSATA / mini-PCI Express slot, occupied by a WiFi card, while the ZOTAC® Z68-ITX WiFi Supreme has a dedicated mSATA slot on the backside of the board.
SATA 6.0 Gb/s and SATA 3.0 Gb/s ports are available on the ZOTAC® Z68-ITX WiFi series for connectivity with standard 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch hard drives and SSDs. Intel® Smart Response Technology, or SRT, enables users to pair smaller capacity SSD drives with large hard disk drives for superior performance and system-responsiveness without sacrificing storage capacity with the ZOTAC® Z68-ITX WiFi series.
“Storage performance is the greatest bottleneck for modern PCs. With the support for mSATA and Intel® SRT technology, our ZOTAC® Z68-ITX WiFi boards substantially improve storage performance when paired with the right hardware,” Mr. Berger added.
The ZOTAC® Z68-ITX WiFi packs mini-DisplayPort and dual HDMI outputs for users that take advantage of the integrated Intel® GMA HD 2000 / 3000 graphics processors found on 2nd Generation Intel® Core family processors. A full-speed PCI Express x16 slot is available on the ZOTAC® Z68-ITX WiFi for users that demand greater 3D performance.
The ZOTAC® Z68-ITX WiFi Supreme improves 3D capabilities by integrating a GeForce® GT 430 graphics processor with 1GB of DDR3 memory to enable stunning DirectX® 11 visuals, NVIDIA® CUDA™ technology and the ability to drive four simultaneous independent displays. An open-ended PCI Express x4 slot is available for additional expansion as well.
It’s time to play with the ZOTAC® Z68-ITX WiFi series mini-ITX platforms.
We have talked about My Movies in the past, and with the release of My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011 2.0 Pre Release 7 last week, it’s time for our review.
According to the My Movies website:
My Movies for Windows Home Server is a single add-on program for Windows Home Server, providing a set of features around movies and music, making it the perfect solution for adding, identifying and maintaining movie and music data on your Windows Home Server, serving it to different Media Center solutions or music playback devices.
My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011 overall contains the same functionality as My Movies for Windows Home Server, but where My Movies for Windows Home Server shares components with My Movies 3, My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011 shares components with My Movies 4.00. This also means that My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011 contains monitoring functions for TV Series as included in My Movies 4.00, which My Movies for Windows Home Server does not.
As of today, My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011 is still in beta, but according to the website it should be released by the end of May (although today is the 30th May), so expect it sometime in June.
Here is what Brian says about points:
Learn more about the points system hereSome features in My Movies requires that your user account has gained a specific amount of purchased or contribution points. While My Movies is in it’s basics a free product, we would like to reward users who contribute to the software development either by purchasing points, or by participating in building and improving our data service.
Pre Releases – Read Notice!
Before installing a pre release version, you must make a backup of your database using the settings in your WHS console. There are no guarantee that a pre release version functions as expected, and it should therefore only be used for evaluation purposes. The database backup ensures that you can revert back to the latest stable version.
My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011 – 2.00 Pre Release 7 can be used with My Movies 4.01 Pre Release 3 clients.
Once you have downloaded the add-in, double-click it to start the installation.
Click Install the Add-in to continue.
After the add-in has successfully installed, click Close.
