A lovely box arrived this morning from Lenovo – the IdeaCenter D400 Windows Home Server. Don’t you just love Mondays!
The IdeaCenter D400 has an Intel Atom 230 Processor, comes with a 1GB of Memory, and either 1TB or 2TBs of storage depending on which of the two models you go for.
I’m going to start looking at the review shortly but for now take a look at the unboxing shots and at the unit itself.
Tonight I will be showing you some options for setting up TV signal, recording TV and storing TV programs with Windows Media Center (WMC) and your Windows Home Server. Since Friday TV sucks I will be using Sunday programming.
This article started out with one purpose: To show how to record TV programs on my Vista PC and then move the shows to WHS.
Thursday night is a great night for TV. We have Survivor on CBS, Flash Forward on ABC, and the NBC comedy shows. My problem is that my trusty MOXI cable DVR can only record two channels at once. Bummer.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Charter and Moxi since I can set recordings and view the menu over the internet. The quality is top-notch too. I also added a 250 GB Seagate to expand the recording storage but I am still limited to only two channels recording at the same time!
In addition, my wife likes to record the Jade Channel and there is no way I can currently record FOUR channels at once. Love Exchange? Really dear? I am not recording that. Sorry.
So herein lies the dilemma. How do I record three or even four channels all at the same time? I could get a second MOXI box for the office, and pay an extra $20 a month, but I would not be able to watch it on the 50”. If I record them somewhere else, how do I get the shows to view on the 50” Plasma in the living room? I have the Dell Studio Hybrid HTPC networked and connected via HDMI but I do not have a TV tuner on that PC. I do have WMC on the Hybrid so if I could get the show to the server then I could watch from there.
Mental note: Internet sites like Hulu sometimes have HD programming but between the delay in posting new shows and the commercials I would like to try and record in-house. In addition, a lot of the HD shows are not played in true HD.
My solution? Record HD signals over the AIR on my office WMC Vista PC and let Windows Home Server store the TV shows so I can watch them on any PC in the house!
Viva WHS. Seriously.
I wrote a few weeks ago about the upgrade to the WHS Power Pack Three Beta. You need the Power Pack Beta for the TV Archive function of WHS. You can find that article at:
I love WMC. I think eventually I will use it for all of my media. Back in May I wrote about how to add your DVDs to your Windows Media Center. If you do not already have your favorite DVDs stored on your server I would suggest reading it at:
Enough of the links. Lets set this pig on fire.
The installation of the WMC Connector is very simple. Find the file in your start menu.
Once you have clicked on the Windows Media Center Connector installation is quite simple. Click on Next.
Enter the password for your WHS and then click on Next.
Once the connector has been updated you just need to click on Done and restart your system.
Now that WHS is configured for TV archive and storage we need to figure out the best way to find TV signal!
I have done a lot of research over the last two weeks and I have been frustrated at the information that is out there regarding connecting your direct cable line to a Vista WMC PC. Most of us know that when you plug your cable coax directly to a TV you get the basic cable channels (usually 2-99) and NO HD signals. To get HD you need a HD cable box from your service provider. Your cable provider MIGHT be different but I doubt it. I use Charter and I love the HD signal but I can only get HD signals with their equipment. Of course their equipment is not made to interact with Windows. Crap.
I am not going to go into any detail about the different signal types. There is ATSC and clear QAM and your TV Tuner should be able to read both. Also remember that Digital does not mean HD.
As a test for signal quality I will hook up the cable coax directly to the TV Tuner. The STB (set top box) I rent is a Explorer 4250HDC and has every channel including HD, a program guide and music channels. I will disconnect the coax from my Charter HD STB (currently connected to the hanging Dell 24” via HDMI as shown below) and plug it into the WMC Vista PC. I am going to skip the actual WMC setup screens for brevity.
When you connect your cable coax to the TV Tuner of your PC, and set up is complete, you only get the basic 2-99 channels and only in standard definition.
You get a crappy picture like this:
I cropped but did not change the aspect ratio.
When you connect your PC TV Tuner to an HD antenna over the AIR (shown out of order below for comparison purposes) you get this picture:
Look at what a difference HD makes!
Besides, when you use the cable coax connection and the Microsoft TV Guide they do not sync:
Does this look like Formula One Racing to you? I think NOT.
What do I do? Connect with my cable and get standard crappy picture or connect over AIR and get only a few network TV channels but in HD?
Ah, the mysterious and all elusive CableCard. My service provider supports it (and will install it) but I cannot find any equipment for sale that uses it. I spent the better part of a week looking for any TV Tuner that can support a CableCard. I found out that ATI makes an external unit but I cannot find it for sale anywhere. I also see that Dell and HP both have it in system manuals but I cannot find any actual hardware for sale on their sites.
The CableCard would seem to solve my issue of HD on a PC with a cable coax connection. I would love to hear from anyone that has had any luck with a CableCard setup.
I have decided to connect an antenna to my WMC Vista PC and get the HD over AIR signal. Since I want to record ABC Flash Forward, I want the best picture possible. Watching that show requires detailed pause screens. They better not screw it up like they did Lost. Anyway. Recording Flash Forward is the whole point of this project anyway.
Viva HD. Viva ABC. Viva MGD. Viva WHS. Seriously.
Good luck with this on your own. This is where the beer comes in. You may want to check with the following website before you spend a lot on an antenna:
http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx
I am sorry but I did not include pictures of the unboxing of the antennas!
Antenna #1 – Came with the Pinnacle TV Tuner. Big magnet base. Does not work well.
Antenna #2 – $10 from Meritline. Works ok but flimsy and ugly.
Antenna #3 – Bought from Home Depot for $56, mounted it outside, ran the cable inside and it worked for crap. Returned it. Flippers.
Antenna #4 – Bought at Big Lots for $19 and it works the best but only when leaning against the window of the office.
I live in Azusa up near the mountains so my signal in not line of sight. Your signal strength will vary and WMC has a nice interface to show you the signal strength of each station as you go through the AIR antenna set up process.
Again, I am going to skip the actual WMC setup for the antenna for brevity. If anyone really wants to see that process please post in the comments section and I will see if I have enough beer to do it again. Seriously.
So, the HD signal with antenna is a great picture. I only get CBS, NBC and KTLA (WB). All of the other channels have low signal strength. Looks like I am not recording Flash Forward. Crap. Seriously.
I must admit I am happy with the three stations I do get. Very nice.
Dude, you should not get into a helicopter with Rabbit. Well ok, the pilot is pretty hot. She will make your eyes pop out. Or pop in.
After you have determined your signal strength and connection you are ready to start recording. I use the Side Bar Web Guide for most of the scheduled recording. It is easy and does not require WMC to be open.
Once you have a few programs recorded you will start to see your menu fill up. This is the past week of my recorded shows.
John Juanda is great. SNL is kinda funny. Make it so Number One. Russell is hilarious. And is she gonna bang everyone on the show?
Remember that these are only the shows I am recording on the PC. MOXI still has the full HD menu so without a CableCard I will always have to use MOXI.
My Studio 540 Desktop main drive is only 500GB so although I have space for 38 hours of HD shows I want to get it to the server so I can watch it on the 50”.
How do I know I have 38 hours? Curious what space your PC has? Right mouse click and choose Settings.
Once in Settings select TV>Recorder>Recorder Storage
Mental note: I could only get WMC to record to local attached drives and NOT mapped drives.
Ok, so I am finally getting around to the WHS feature. From within WMC scroll to Home Server and select tv archive.
Mental note: The console view is pretty cool. Check it out. You can see info about your WHS without using the WHS Console.
Once in the WMC Home Server tv archive you can tell WHS which shows you want to have moved to the Recorded TV folder. I left one show unchecked since I watch that in the office and do not need it on the server.
Each night at midnight WHS transfers the recorded shows for that day into the Recorded TV folder on your WHS. You can see in the folder below that Poker After Dark was not moved. The latest SNL was not moved either since it was in the middle of recording when midnight rolled around.
Mental note: I changed my Backup time to 3:00 AM to avoid any issues.
On my PC the only shows in the local Recorded TV folder are the Poker After Dark programs. I was watching one while I was writing this article so it only shows one Poker program in the screen shot above.
There are other archive options in the WMC WHS so if you wanted to have WHS move only certain shows you could check the boxes of each show individually.
In addition, you can have WHS move ALL of the shows.
There is also a cool log that tells you what was moved and when.
Mental note: To any Microsoft people out there reading this; when I want to MUTE the WMC I just want to mute WMC and not the whole PC!
Overall I am very happy with WMC and the WHS Power Pack Beta update. Everything works as promised and the whole setup is very easy to use.
My only complaints are with the HD signal and with the lack of CableCard hardware. Even the best antenna still gets interrupted once in a while and in my area some channels signals are not even available. I would really like to hear from anyone successful with a CableCard hardware setup.
In addition I know there is a OEM TV version of WMC that some manufacturers ship so I would like to hear about that. Does Windows 7 incorporate the TV version?
See you next Friday night,
Timothy Daleo
The generous folks over at Raxco have given us 7 full licences for PerfectDisk 10 for Windows Home Server Family Pack to giveaway to you lucky readers. Yes, its been a little while since we did a giveaway here at Using Windows Home Server, but they are back!
Why 7 copies you may ask? Well, PerfectDisk 10 is the first disk defragmenter certified by Microsoft for Windows 7 – way to go guys!
The Windows Home Server Family Pack gives you 1 licence for your Windows Home Server and 10 licences for your computers at home – so it is great combination.
We reviewed PerfectDisk 10 back in March, so go remind yourself all about it and why you need it by clicking here.
So, we have now completed the 7 days of giveaways and without further ado here are the winners picked at random:
Chris Kenney
Homeservershow
Cujobark
Dave Marchant
Heaphus
Welchwerks
Oguime
Congratulations guys, you should be hearing from Raxco shortly with your licence information and download instructions.
For everyone else, thank you for entering and stay tuned for more giveaways shortly.
A few days ago, Richard, one of our readers asked a question about using his own domain name with Windows Home Server instead of either the TZO.com or the Homeserver.com address.
The following day Richard posted a follow up:
If like me you already have your own registered domain name most providers will set up a sub domain and DNS routing against it free of charge. This will not affect any existing services such as web sites on your main domain name.
I managed to get my personal sub domain working with my Home Server by tricking the console into saving the details without buying any addition services as follows:
1. Open the console and select remote access.
2. Select “TZO.COM custom domain name”.
3. Selected “Transfer my custom domain name to TZO.COM” (you will need to add a name and email address) 4. Enter your custom domain name when requested and click transfer.
5. Click Finnish and quit TZO.COM web site when transferred.
The custom domain and IP info is now cashed in your Home Server and no costs incurred.
Remember to configure port forwarding on your router correctly before you start.
Click here for our article on configuring port forwarding on your router.
So thanks for that Richard, I am sure other people will find that useful.
HP have released a number of Windows Home Servers over the last 2 years since Windows Home Server was launched. Now comes two new Windows Home Servers – the HP MediaSmart Server EX490 and the EX495. This review concentrates on the EX495 and what it has to offer.
SPECIFICATIONS
The EX495 Specification is as follows:
Processor : Intel Pentium Dual Core 2.5Ghz
Memory : 2GB DDR2
Capacity included : 1.5TB
Open Bays : 3
Ports : 4 USB and 1 eSATA
Dimensions (inches) : 5.5 x 9.8 x 9.2
And those of you out there that want to use the eSATA port as a port multiplier will be happy to hear that HP have re-enabled it after the EX48x series only allowed connection of a single eSATA drive to the port! Good job HP, again, good listening to your customers feedback.
THE OBLIGITORY BOX SHOTS
For those of you out there that love the shots of the box – yes, you know who you are, here they are. As usual they have the black look with the coloured graphics on.
WHATS IN THE BOX?
The contents of the box are now very well packaged, and it is no longer the case that you have to grab the plastic and pull, and hope for the best! Now you can simply lift out the EX495 without any fuss. The box itself contains the EX495, an Ethernet cable, a power cable, 3 software DVDs and the usual HP Setup Poster to get you going.
The generous folks over at Raxco have give us 7 full licences for PerfectDisk 10 for Windows Home Server Family Pack to giveaway to you lucky readers. Yes, its been a little while since we did a giveaway here at Using Windows Home Server, but they are back!
Why 7 copies you may ask? Well, PerfectDisk 10 is the first disk defragmenter certified by Microsoft for Windows 7 – way to go guys!
The Windows Home Server Family Pack gives you 1 licence for your Windows Home Server and 10 licences for your computers at home – so it is great combination.
We reviewed PerfectDisk 10 back in March, so go remind yourself all about it and why you need it by clicking here.
So you are probably asking yourself how do you win one of these great packs? Well, each day for the next 7 days we will be giving 1 pack.
To win a pack, all you have to do today is to go to our forums and in the giveaways section leave a comment telling us if you are planning to using Windows 7 and if so what version are you going to use – or you are already using. Click here to be taken straight to the forum.
All the winners will be announced on Sunday (that’s tomorrow) – so this is your last chance to win!
After finding a security hole in the original version of P80 and the fact the install was a bit a of work, P80 author Kris Rodenhausen went back to the coding drawing board. Several good things became of this, the least of which is a true Windows Home Server add-in. I think we all know how to do that so there is no need for me to go through how to install an add-in.
I also don’t think I need to rehash all of the same ol’ screen shots and all of the same information of what P80 is and instead just point to the review on the first version for that information. What I want to concentrate on with this review is what is new in version 2.0.5. For starters P80 should install no matter what language and future versions will be attempted to localize other languages.
What you need to get started:
As mentioned P80 installs through the Console now. Because of this there is now a new tab on the Settings page of the Console for P80. Here are links to the P80 Release Info, the P80 support forum and a email link for support.
The next big change is how a you log in to the P80 website. No more fiddling with settings and other software. Just one click to log into your personal WHS website and the P80 link is right there, no more double log in. This eliminated the security hole that was in the last version since the website is on the private site of your web page. Now WHS handles all of the security. I will say that anyone you give access rights to will be able to view the P80 website. I’m sure we all trust anyone we give access rights to but I did want to bring this up. So remember whatever you can do with P80 they can do also.
Speaking of trust it seems Microsoft and WHS don’t trust each other. Having read many posts about certificate errors from WHS users this can pop up. I get to my WHS website via https://xxx.homeserver.com when either on my LAN or remote places. Some people can’t get to the WHS website from inside their LAN without using http://ip or http://WHSname. When I go to my WHS website using either of those two methods I get the certificate errors. Clicking “Continue to this website (not recommended)” lets me log into the website but the red address bar is shown. With any luck Microsoft will get this fixed for all WHS users.
There is also the addition of a shared folder, //shares/P80ServiceImages, that contains icons that you can use for the monitored Services on the Summary page. You can use the default images files or make and use your own files as long as they are .JPEG or .PNG files with a pixel setting of 48×48. Once you have these files picked out just browse to them and click on them. P80 will import the files into the image folder.
Other updates include the addition of percentage readings of the hard drives in you WHS. Now shown on the Summary and Drives pages are total used, shared and remaining percentages in the storage pool and on each individual hard drive.
Saving what I think is the best new additions for last. Everyone is always wanting “the killer feature.” Kris has added the ability to shutdown or reboot your WHS. Like before using Nick Asseloos’s excellent add-in, AutoExit, you can control the PCs on the LAN to either hibernate, shut down, reboot and so on. Nick upped his game with the latest release and now you can use Wake On Lan to wake up your PCs with Auto Exit, as long as your hardware supports it. Kris has brought that into P80 too . You add the fact you can view and do all of this from any web enabled PC or phone and I think you have “the killer” feature and just an all around nice app.
fasthair
The generous folks over at Raxco have give us 7 full licences for PerfectDisk 10 for Windows Home Server Family Pack to giveaway to you lucky readers. Yes, its been a little while since we did a giveaway here at Using Windows Home Server, but they are back!
Why 7 copies you may ask? Well, PerfectDisk 10 is the first disk defragmenter certified by Microsoft for Windows 7 – way to go guys!
The Windows Home Server Family Pack gives you 1 licence for your Windows Home Server and 10 licences for your computers at home – so it is great combination.
We reviewed PerfectDisk 10 back in March, so go remind yourself all about it and why you need it by clicking here.
So you are probably asking yourself how do you win one of these great packs? Well, each day for the next 7 days we will be giving 1 pack.
To win a pack, all you have to do today is to go to our forums and in the giveaways section leave a comment telling us about a feature that you would love to see in Windows Home Server that isn’t there today and we will select a lucky winner at random (yes, its the same question as yesterday but its a really interesting topic and you try thinking of 7 interesting questions!). Click here to be taken straight to the forum.
All the winners will be announced next Sunday – and stay tuned for tomorrow’s giveaway.
Dave over at the Home Server Show Podcast has just released episode 60 – my home time flies!
Dave says:
In show 60 I am joined by Jim, John, and AJ. There is no shortage of news and discussion points for this episode so hang on because we might run long! I’ll also go over some twitter posts and my weekend adventures with TivoCenter and my EX495.
Add-In: AutoExit2009
Add-In: AssetUPNP
3.0 Patch 1 for HP MSS EX490/495
HP announces upcoming release of 3.0 software for EX47x and EX48x owners.
AirVideo, video streamer for the iPhone, and iPod Touch
Jim’s Oracle conference, OpenWorld
A little off topic but fun nonetheless.
History Channel is showing WWII in HD
Dish Network HD Receivers
Add-In of the Week – AutoExit2009
Click here to choose your listening options for the podcast.
Following on from our unboxing of the HP X510 Data Vault yesterday, today we are doing the unboxing of the new HP MediaSmart EX495 Windows Home Server. You will notice the difference in outer packaging of the two home servers.
The EX495 is the latest release from HP in the MediaSmart server range that runs Windows Home Server.
Expect the review shortly 🙂
And yes, once again I dedicate this unboxing to Dave at the Home Server Show Podcast.
The generous folks over at Raxco have give us 7 full licences for PerfectDisk 10 for Windows Home Server Family Pack to giveaway to you lucky readers. Yes, its been a little while since we did a giveaway here at Using Windows Home Server, but they are back!
Why 7 copies you may ask? Well, PerfectDisk 10 is the first disk defragmenter certified by Microsoft for Windows 7 – way to go guys!
The Windows Home Server Family Pack gives you 1 licence for your Windows Home Server and 10 licences for your computers at home – so it is great combination.
We reviewed PerfectDisk 10 back in March, so go remind yourself all about it and why you need it by clicking here.
So you are probably asking yourself how do you win one of these great packs? Well, each day for the next 7 days we will be giving 1 pack.
To win a pack, all you have to do today is to go to our forums and in the giveaways section leave a comment telling us about a feature that you would love to see in Windows Home Server that isn’t there today and we will select a lucky winner at random. Click here to be taken straight to the forum.
All the winners will be announced next Sunday – and stay tuned for tomorrow’s giveaway.
A few weeks ago we reported that HP had released a new Windows Home Server aimed at the SOHO market – the X510 also known as the Data Vault.
Here are a some quick pictures of the unit unboxed (these are especially for Dave from the Home Server Show Podcast as I know he just loves the unboxing shots). 🙂
The two points to note are that the packaging is very plain, unlike the MediaSmarts and that the X510 looks exactly the same as a MediaSmart.
The packaging is more what a business would be used to seeing as apposed to all the pictures and graphics on the side of the MediaSmarts, and I have to say it is very well packaged inside the box as well.
I will be doing the review shortly, so keep your eyes open for it.
Terry over at We Got Served has published the press release from HP announcing the launch of the EX490 in the UK – although there is no sign of the EX495 yet.
If you want to order yours now from Amazon, click here.
Here is the press release:
HP Launches New Home Server with Enhanced Features for PCs and Macs
LONDON, UK, 13 October, 2009 – HP today launched the HP MediaSmart Server EX490, a new home server model offering increased capacity, high-performance processors, more control, new user interface and additional Mac support.
Based on the Microsoft Windows® Home Server platform, the updated HP MediaSmart Server has a new, refined user interface and a web-based home page that makes accessing and using the server easier than ever. Additionally, the new model offers a new video converter with custom settings and profiles that will automatically convert video libraries, including unprotected DVDs.(1)
“The explosion of digital content is attracting a new kind of buyer to the home server space,” said Shaun Hobbs, HP Accessories and Services Category Manager, UK. “This buyer not only wants power and capacity but also ease of use. The new HP MediaSmart Server EX490 delivers on all fronts.”
The HP MediaSmart Server EX490 features a new media collector, which allows users to collect media by computer, media type or file location. The server automatically collects and organises media files across Macs and PCs and streams it across a home network and the Internet.(2)
The HP MediaSmart Server EX490 offers additional features for Mac users, including administration, media collection and a new disc recovery utility providing bare metal recovery on a Mac using Time Machine.(3)
“The new release of HP MediaSmart Server software and hardware continues HP’s leadership in building compelling functionality on top of the Microsoft Windows Home Server platform,” said Russ Madlener, director, Solutions Marketing, Microsoft. “HP is delivering a true cross-platform product by adding the ability to administer the server from a Mac using Microsoft’s new Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac 2.”
The new video converter automatically converts videos (including unprotected DVDs) into a format that can be played at the home or remotely. Users are able to control how their videos are converted by selecting the device the video will be played on or choose specific video settings using the advanced controls features.
In addition, owners of an iPod touch and iPhone can download a free HP MediaSmart Server iStream application from Apple’s App Store, enabling them to stay connected to their digital media stored on the server. Users can easily access their pictures, listen to their music collection and watch their favourite videos – all streamed directly to their mobile device from their HP MediaSmart Server.
HP MediaSmart Server EX490 features include:
· New HP Media Collector
· New HP Video Converter
· Improved user interface with new web- based home page
· Mac administration, media collections and a new Mac disc recovery feature
· HP Media Streamer
· Server for iTunes
· PC Hard Drive Backup
· Server Backup
· Smart Power Management
· Intel Celeron®. Two gigabytes (GB) of DRAM
· Expandability: additional drives can be added for up to 7 terabytes (TB) internal storage and 17 TB of storage using internal and external drives. (6)
Pricing and availability
Available from 15th October, the HP MediaSmart Server EX490 with 1TB of hard disk storage is £429
The generous folks over at Raxco have give us 7 full licences for PerfectDisk 10 for Windows Home Server Family Pack to giveaway to you lucky readers. Yes, its been a little while since we did a giveaway here at Using Windows Home Server, but they are back!
Why 7 copies you may ask? Well, PerfectDisk 10 is the first disk defragmenter certified by Microsoft for Windows 7 – way to go guys!
The Windows Home Server Family Pack gives you 1 licence for your Windows Home Server and 10 licences for your computers at home – so it is great combination.
We reviewed PerfectDisk 10 back in March, so go remind yourself all about it and why you need it by clicking here.
So you are probably asking yourself how do you win one of these great packs? Well, each day for the next 7 days we will be giving 1 pack.
To win a pack, all you have to do today is to go to our forums and in the giveaways section leave a comment telling us how many computers you have at home that you would use PerfectDisk on and we will select a lucky winner at random. Click here to be taken straight to the forum.
All the winners will be announced next Sunday – and stay tuned for tomorrow’s giveaway.
