This weekly post is five screen shots of Windows Media Center with a CableCARD tuner to get you excited about Windows Media Center and Windows Home Server.
Seriously.
Tranquil PC Launch Series 2 Windows Home Servers and Reduce Prices
Hot on the heels of the Series 2 SQA-5H Windows Home Server, and the Safe Server Module (SSM), Tranquil will announce tomorrow two new Series 2 Windows Home Servers and a price drop for the SQA-5H.
This is great news for people who are in the market for a lower cost home server and its great to see Tranquil PC pushing forward with new models.
Tranquil PC shipped the first Windows Home Server appliance in Sept 2007, and since that time has won numerous awards and always had the highest rated reviews. We now provide not only the finest, most power efficient Home Servers, but we also can ensure that you can get the best out of your Home Server.
There are 3 models to choose from – the Harmony T7, the Harmony T2 and the SQA-5H.
Harmony T7 – Series 2
The Harmony T7 – Series 2 Home Server in ideal, affordable starter unit. Powered by the latest Intel Atom D510 Dual core CPU, this Home Server delivers outstanding performance, coupled with low power consumption. This high quality unit will be at home anywhere, similar in size to a typical hard back dictionary. With wall mount option, it can be secured out of sight and out of mind. Supporting 4x external HDDs, this is an excellent Server start up option. Why not couple it with the slot on T7-HDx units (and have up to 9TBs of storage)
Harmony T2 – Series 2
The Harmony T2 – Series 2 Home Server for mid range users. Powered by the latest Intel Atom D510 Dual Core CPU, this Home Server delivers outstanding performance, coupled with low power consumption. This slim server supports 2x internal high capacity HDDs, 4x high speed USB HDD ports, and optional 4x eSATA ports. With numerous professional mounting options, this server can sit on your desk, fit in a 19″ rack, sit on the floor, or even be secured to a wall.
SQA-5H – Series 2
Our flagship Home Server, the SQA-5H, powered by the latest 64 bit ready Intel Atom D510 (2×1.66GHz) Dual Core and running Microsoft Windows Home Server. This server provides high capacity, quick installation storage, and a long list of new features. The power consumption is still very low, and it’s still a very quiet server too!
With new accessories such as the SQA-Ex (additional 5x HDDs) and the SQA-HDD1 (HDD carrier) along with a 3 year warranty, this is the Home Server for the discerning buyer.
All models have the following features in common
| · Windows Home Server (PP3) Operating system
· Powerful Intel 64 bit D510 CPU (Dual 1.66GHz) |
| · High Speed Network – Gigabit LAN |
| · High Speed 800MHz RAM (up to 4GB) |
| · Silent and reliable Fanless CPU cooling |
| · Power efficient and cool HDDs |
| · Designed and manufactured in UK
· AVA CD ripping engine + various Media servers |
| · 24 month warranty (Except SQA-5H which is 36 months) |
Prices range from £249+VAT for the basic Harmony T7, up to £399+VAT for the SQA-5H-1000
Reduced pricing
The SQA-5H pricing has also been reduced, as well as the pricing on additional storage options etc.
Contact
To learn more about the new Series 2 Home Servers from Tranquil PC :
http://www.tranquilpc-shop.co.uk/acatalog/HOME_SERVERS.html
To take a quick review of the different versions :
http://www.tranquilpc-shop.co.uk/acatalog/comparison_new.html
Intel Atom CPU
S1Digital Announce 100 Disc Blu-ray Changer
Earlier this week, S1Digital announced a 100 disc Blu-ray changer that could be used with Windows Media Center and/or Windows Home Server.
This is what S1Digital had to say:
When connected to an S1Digital Media Center (or any third party Microsoft Windows 7 or Vista PC that includes media center) you’ll be able to load up to 100 Blu-ray and/or DVD movies into the S1Digital Bly-ray Disc Changer. Using the included My Movies software, each disc will be scanned and metadata and cover-art automatically downloaded to the server. Once catalogued, you can view more information about the movie, or watch the movie by selecting the appropriate cover-art, which is all available on the familiar and easy-to-use media center interface. The changer is simple to use and enables almost instant access to movies without having to physically find and load each movie. (Please note that this feature will be available soon).
When connected to an S1Digital Entertainment Server (or any third party Windows Home Server), you’ll be able to automatically archive your Blu-ray, DVD and CD discs to the server*. With the included My Movies for WHS software, every movie and audio disc will automatically be stored on the hard drive, catalogued and metadata and cover-art will be downloaded. As each movie or album is stored, it is immediately available on your home network from any S1Digital Media Center (or other PCs and certain media streaming devices) for playback.
A typical Blu-ray disc can take an hour or more to archive. With our solution, you simply load up the changer and hit go. You don’t have to load each disc one by one. The changer will automatically move from disc to disc so you don’t have to worry about spending days manually storing movies and music.
* Note: Non copy protected discs only – copy protected discs cannot be legally copied
So if you have a lot of content you would like archived to your Windows Home Server, and you have some spare cash available, you might want to take a look at this.
The price for this beauty is $1500, and it also cannot be returned for a refund. To learn more, and possibly make your order, click here.
HP Release New Version of iStream App for HP MediaSmart Windows Home Servers
If you have an iPhone or an iPod Touch, and an HP MediaSmart Server running at least the 2.5 server software then you could use the iStraem app to connect to your Windows Home Server and view pictures, videos, and so on. We did an in-depth review of the app last year – why not take a quick look by clicking here.
A few days ago HP released an update to this app – now at version 2.0.50.
Here is what HP say about the updates:
iStream 2.0.50 Changes and New features:
Performance improvements:
A more responsive user interface when starting large videos, improved music streaming, and faster browsing through the lists of items on the server.New languages:
– Spanish
– JapaneseMusic + Videos + Photos:
– Search: Search for an item by name within any list under Music, Videos or Photos. Click the search button (magnifying glass in the lower left area) and type the characters contained in the item you’re looking for.Photos:
– Send up photos via email.
Instructions: Under Photos, go to a list view or view an individual photo. Then click on the action button (circle with arrow) on the lower left. Select the action sheet menu item “Send Photo”.Limitations: up to 5 photo attachments per email; the size of the photo attachments has to be less than 9 MB. The attached photos will be resized to 1024 pixel for the longest side if they are bigger than that.
Requirements: Email account needs to be setup on the device.
Music:
– Cover flow mode when viewing a list of albums or playing a song; to activate turn device into landscape mode.Videos:
– Video playback issues with iPhone OS 3.0 or higher were fixed; video playback performance has been improved.– Video playback is not allowed when connected via cellular networks to reduce bandwidth requirements; Video playback over Wi-Fi is still allowed.
– Videos are filtered to show only videos converted with mq[2] or Mobile[3] Video Converter profile.
[2] = if connected to a HP MediaSmart Servers running software version 2.5
[3] = if connected to a HP MediaSmart Servers running software version 3.0
GETTING THE APP
If you already have the app installed, you can just check for update either directly in the App Store on from your device.
What is amusing is that the App Store information is wrong. Notice above it says it’s version 1.1.34 and yet underneath it says 2.0.50. Pretty poor really! Also, the app says 1.1.34 until you click on it (see below this image).
DO I HAVE THE RIGHT VERSION?
Given the confusing information provided by HP, you might wonder if you have the right version!
The image on the left was before the update and the one of the right after.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The app is easy to install, or update if you already have it.
It is a shame that the video playback over the mobile/cellular network has been removed though. So if you really need that functionality you might want to consider NOT updating.
And for those of you still running older versions of the HP MediaSmart Server software, your wait is almost over.
HP MediaSmart Software Version 3.0 Update – Update
So, those of you with an HP MediaSmart Windows Home Server that isn’t running the version 3.0 software are probably wondering what has happened to the update?
It was supposed to be out by the end of last year, and it didn’t arrive. We posted an update back in December.
Last night we had an email from HP giving us an update on their update.
The following updates have been made:
· The upgrade process is now compatible with PowerPack 3 and Windows 7 machines.
· The media streaming process has been updated with the latest version of the PacketVideo media streamer.
HP are saying that is there are no further problems in this final stage of testing then the update should be available for order on HP.com later this month.
So if you want to run the MediaSmart Server 3.0 software on HP MediaSmart Server EX470/475 and EX485/487 models watch this space.
So fingers crossed, and we will keep you updated.
Now We Know – Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool
There is another easy way to load your Windows 7 Installation DVD on a USB Drive. Check out this 3 minute video.
A special thank you to Tyler and Dave Heckendorf for metioning this tool in my prior post.
I will try and check the comments areas next time. Our search only looks at prior posted articles.
Background
Why do this?
There are times when we need to install Windows and a DVD drive is not available. Whether you want to run an installation on a netbook, a rack server or a new build, the USB Drive is the faster way to go!
–
The download link (and help topics) to the tool can be found at:
http://store.microsoft.com/Help/ISO-Tool
–
How Does It Perform?
I used the USB Drive I created above to load Windows 7 onto my new refurbished Dell Mini 10V last night and it took 33 minutes. Not bad for a netbook.
The process worked perfectly!
I hope you get a chance to try the process out.
Now We Know
The Tranquil PC SSM and Other Windows Home Servers
So as you may have read earlier today, I managed to get my hands on one of the new Tranquil PC SSM (Safe Server Modules) for Windows Home Server.
Tranquil sell the SSM for use in their SQA-5H boxes, but there is nothing stopping you from buying one and using it in your existing Windows Home Server.
To that end, I though I would see if it actually fitted in some of the Windows Home Server’s I have access to. The main reason for the test was to ensure it would sit properly in the server, if there was a server door cover the drive bays that the door would close, etc, etc.
So here are the results, along with some comments:
LENOVO IDEACENTER D400
Fits perfectly, although the drive caddies are a bit flimsy so it’s a bit of delicate work getting the SSM in, and even harder getting it out of the caddy itself. So it’s worth taking your time and not using too much pressure or you might break the caddy.
ACER EASYSTORE H340
this was the easiest and quickest to do – no problems other than again when removing it the front part of the SSM moved a lot and I can see it getting broken.
HP MEDIASMART SERVERS AND THE X510 DATAVAULT
The only thing I would say is that fitting the SSM into the caddy was a little tough, but it worked fine. This goes for all the various HP MediaSmarts and also the X510 Datavault.
FINAL THOUGHTS
So there you have it. The SSM will work in the Tranquil PC Windows Home Servers, and will fit perfectly well into the Lenovo Ideacenter D400, the Acer Aspire H340 and all the HP MediaSmarts and the X510 Datavault.
Stay tuned for my full review in the next few days.
A Quick Look at the Tranquil PC SSM (Safe Server Module) for Windows Home Server
A couple of weeks ago we reported on the news that Tranquil PC were launching something to help protect your Windows Home Server known as the Safe Server Module, or SSM.
Here is what we said about the SSM:
The SSM is designed specifically to be housed in a SQA-5H Home Server.
(It may be possible to fit it to other Home Servers too)It comes delivered with 2x 500GB 2.5” HDDs, prepared in a RAID1 mirror array, including a Tranquil build of Windows Home Server (PP3) for either the Series 1 or Series 2 SQA-5H.
It can simply be added to an existing SQA-5H – and the Server initialised again (loosing the DATA), or you can Restore the Home Server with the supplied new DVD, with the SSM fitted and recover your DATA *
Priced at £169.00 + VAT, the SSM represents excellent value for money, bearing in mind the system protection it offers, and ease of replacement of the primary (OS + DATA) HDD. You also will receive a desktop application to help you to monitor the SSM, and also setup email messaging to alert you to the status of the SSM. You will also be able to re-use your existing HDD1 as a server storage or backup drive !
Well today I managed to get my hands on one (this is the point where Diehard will now email me loads of questions – go ahead buddy, I’m ready!) 🙂
WHATS IN THE BOX?
The box itself is a small, plain affair and the contents are the SSM (including 2 x 500 GB HDDs in a RAID 1 mirror), and small manual a Windows Home Server Recovery DVD which includes both SSM support and the AVA Media CD.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE SSM
The SSM itself is the size of a hard drive and contains 2 x 500 GB drives).
FINAL THOUGHTS
The SSM is small, light and it is very easy to remove and replace the drives it comes with, in the event of a failure.
Before I play around with it in my SQA-5H, I am going to see if it fits in some of the other Home Servers.
If you want to order an SSM, you can do so by clicking here. The price is £169.00 (Excluding VAT at 17.5%).
More later…….
The Home Server Show Podcast 75 Out Now
Dave and the guys over at the Home Server Show have released podcast number 75.
Here is what Dave says about this weeks show:
The Home Server Show 75 – Virtualization Part 2
In episode 75 John, Jim, Chris, and Dave take a look at what’s going on in news, forums, and posts. Our featured guest is Tom Sydow(wodysweb) and we will be talking more about virtualization and the hardware your going to need to get started. If you missed part one you might want to give it a listen as well. Episode 68 will get you started in virtualization. Be sure to hit the forums and discuss.
We welcomed some new writers to homeservershow.com
Add-In Challenge ‘09 winner is released in “Proof of Concept”
I’ll be giving away a couple of licenses for Gladinet via Twitter next week. Sign up and follow homeservershow on Twitter.
Picasa deal with free Eye-Fi card
Hardware and Virtualization
CPU
• Intel – VT-x virtualization technology
• AMD – AMD-V virtualization technology
Chipset
• Intel VT-d technology
• AMD IOMMU, coming in the 800 series chipsets
Storage Controllers
• SATA
• PATA
• SCSI
• SAS
• ISCSI
VM Storage
• Vmdk
• Vhd
• Pass-through
• Fixed vs. dynamic disks
• Local
• San (iscsi, sas…)
• Clustered Shared Volumes
Networking
• Physical NIC
• Virtual NIC
• Management NIC
• Virtual Switch
• Virtual Port Groups
RAM
• Nothing special, just plenty of it!
Expansion Cards (PCI/PCIe/PCI-X) Support
• RAID cards
• TOE Networking Cards
• Ceton CableCard J
USB Support
• Flash drives
• USB HDDs
• USB TV Tuners
Management
• Hyper-v Management Snap-in
• vSphere Client
Resource Provisioning
• CPU Reservation
• RAM Reservation
• Disk allocation
• Resource pools
• Resource shares
Hypervisor Installation
• Local Disk
• Flash Memory
System differentiators ESXi vs. Hyper-V relating to WHS
• Running other Linux vs. windows VM’s
• Smaller vs. larger hypervisor footprint
• Direct disk access pass-through
• Hardware pass-through
• Read virtual disk files on other systems
• Fail-over & load balancing
• Backups
• Driver support (HCL lists)
• Memory over commitment
• Thin provisioning of disks
Oh and Dave, thanks for the mention on last week’s show – I think! 🙂
You can listen to it, or download it, as usual, from here.
Vote for WHS and other gadgets in the 2009 Engadget Awards
Well it’s that time of the year again when Engadget have their annual awards voting.
From a Windows Home Server perspective, the HP MediaSmart Home Server is one of the finalists in the Home Entertainment Device of the Year category.
You will also notice a number of other gadgets we have talked about on the site in other categories.
So why not vote?
Click here to enter your votes.
Lights-Out Service Release 1.0.1 Add-In for Windows Home Server Now Available
Fellow WHS MVP Martin Rothschink has just released version 1.0.1 of his great Windows Home Server Add-In Lights-Out.
Here is what Martin says about the release:
Version 1.0.1 released 04.02.2010
· Fixed client context menu issue
· Fixed a typo and changed some translations
· Fixed missing SB Core warning
· Fixed a division by zero in network scanner
· Fixed directory handling in FileMonitor, to watch files in a directory use the path without wildcards
· Fixed a sporadic crash during stopping known services
· Fixed adding Lights-Out Service itself to service list
· Fixed validation problem in settings dialog
· Fixed a crash in client backup blocker running on XP
· Fixed backup time calculation in client service
· Fixed client version detection when client has been restored with an outdated version
· Fixed display of countdown dialog after cancel
· Changed file monitor to allow multiple entries
· Changed process monitor to allow multiple entries
· Changed sending of magic packet to matching subnet and 255.255.255.255 broadcast address to handle hamatchi nics
· Changed scheduled wake-ups, resets the delay time now when a wake-up has been sent
· Improved handling of dual boot machines with different identities
· Improved handling of transport disconnects by WHS connector
· Added different tray icons for Windows 7 (contrast problem)
Please follow these steps to upgrade
· Uninstall your current version using WHS Console, Settings->Add-Ins
· Delete old msi file found in \\Server\Software\Add-Ins
· Download new version and store in \\Server\Software\Add-Ins
· Install new version using WHS Console, Settings->Add-Ins
Clients will be updated automatically within 5 minutes when you have a licensed version or during the trial period.
Otherwise execute the client installer \\Server\Software\LightsOut\LightsOutClientInstall.exe to update the clients.
You don’t have to uninstall the previous version on the client.
If you want to download the update, click here. Nice one Martin!
NewEgg Deal on HP MediaSmart EX485 Windows Home Servers
Tim, ever on the lookout for a great bargain spotted that NewEgg are doing a new deal on HP MediaSmart EX485 Windows Home Servers.
Basically, the cost is $289.99. Oh, and you get Free Shipping as well!
There is a limit of 3 per customer and I guess the offer is time limited as well, so if you are in the market for a very good priced Windows Home Server, you should take a look at this.
The link for the offer is here.
And if you are not sure about the EX485, take a look at our in depth review here.
Using a Windows 7 Desktop To Restore a Windows 7 Desktop With Client Restore Wizard… Again
To some this type of Restore isn’t anything new while others have never heard of it. I was in the last camp until one day last year I was just reading the Microsoft Windows Home Server forums. I know it sounds kind of geeky to be just reading some forum for the hell of it but I’ve learned a lot about WHS doing so and have seen many problems that I’ve never had pop up with either of my two WHS, they both just work. Never the less I gleam some useful tips now and then from it.
Such was the case when I ran across a post about a person having trouble trying to restore one of his machines. The tip was to use Client Restore Wizard located on the Client in C:\Program Files\Windows Home Server. Again this isn’t anything really that new and in fact Drashna over at We Got Served did a post on how to do this. His post however used the Home Server as the Client and to be honest, and in Drashna’s own words admitting the fact, was a bit cryptic to discourage this type of restore because it can screw up your WHS if you don’t pay attention to what you are doing. Picking the wrong drive can break your WHS in a BIG WAY. In this post I’m not trying to one up Drashna but instead I want to point out that Windows 7 has extra steps or the system will not boot.
First I guess this begs the question of why would a person even want or need to do this type of restore? I can think of a couple of reasons. First one being no matter how hard you try to get the Restore software to find the Home Server it fails most likely because the correct NIC drivers didn’t install. This can happen for far too many reason to list here but a couple of the reasons are the Restore CD media is pretty old by hardware standards and the drivers are simply just not on the CD. This is happening more and more, because a lot of people are choosing to go with 64bit systems. The second reason is, in my opinion, faster and there is no driver issues to deal with.
I suppose a downside to this type of restore is a bit more work because you have to move drives around from the dead box to a working machine which involves opening up cases and hooking stuff up. But if every other type of “normal” restore has failed, you don’t have much choice other then a reformat and reinstall the OS. Consider this a last ditch effort if all else fails. And for God sakes if you are not comfortable digging around inside your PC DO NOT attempt this!
The alterative is just slip the drive you want to restore in a external USB drive enclosure which will work but be slower because of the slow USB buss. You might even remember Timothy’s post about using the external USB drive approach that ultimately failed because… wait for it… NIC drivers. Timothy tried to use the normal restore using the restore CD. His restore was booby trapped because he was trying to restore a 64bit system. Like most users of WHS (remember WHS is designed for the “average” user of a PC) Timothy simply didn’t know about the 32/64bit driver issues. Of all the things great about WHS this driver issue, in particular the NIC drivers, is probably the biggest snafu in an otherwise great product. I’ll get a post up about this driver issue shortly and what to do about it.
The Issue With Windows 7 Restores and Fixing it
The special requirement for restoring Windows 7 is most (for some reason some OEM installs don’t have this, my netbook doesn’t ) have a hidden 100MB partition that is used for booting and I believe something to do with the BitLocker software that is part of the Ultimate edition, though I’m not positive on that last part. Without this hidden partition the system will not boot. There are a couple of ways to work around this. Microsoft is aware of this problem and has issued a KB white paper on this that Andrew posted a few days back. That article still has one fatal flaw and maybe two, both have to do with the 64bit driver issue. Again I’m not going into that in this post because it is something we don’t have to worry about with this kind of restore. Remember I said one of the advantages of this type of restore is no driver issues.
The first way is simply just restore the drive without the hidden partition but, like I said, the system will not boot if you do it this way. To fix this simply boot off the Windows 7 Install DVD and run the “repair” wizard. While this does work it’s not very “clean” and makes a persons blood pressure go up when the system doesn’t boot after a restore if they don’t know this. Plus if you are restoring a OEM system you probably didn’t get a OS install disk. If that is the case now would be a good time to make a “System Repair Disc” using the Wizard in Windows 7 for when “that day comes.”
The second way to fix this is to create the hidden 100MB partition like the Microsoft KB paper states either during or before the restore. I prefer to prepare the disk before starting the restore. This way I know EXCATLY which disk I’m going to be working with during the restore because I’m also going to give the drive a unique name that will be easy to identify during the restore.
Chances are if you are reusing the disk out of the broke machine it will already have the hidden partition on it, which is fine an dandy, but we don’t really know if it is not corrupt in some way. If you are using a new disk because of disk failure or you just want to install a larger drive we need to (re)create the hidden partition. For this article we are going to be using a new drive.
Disk Setup
Once the disk being restored is connected to the client begin by clicking Start/All Programs/Administrative Tools/Computer Management then Storage/Disk Management. Now you see all of your drives listed and here is where things can go horrible wrong. YOU MUST MAKE ABOUSLUTELY POSITIVE WITHOUT A DOUBT SURE that you are working with the disk you want to restore to. If you screw this up, you not only have one, but two borked machines or at the very least lost data on your client. So put the beer down (Timothy!) and pay attention here. Since you are here at Using Windows Home Server you are already above the “average” users so this going to be simple.
As you can see in above screenshot the new drive doesn’t have a drive letter. Mine is listed as Disk 2 and is highlighted in Green. Also notice my C: drive has that 100MB hidden partition highlighted in blue/gray. This is the partition you DO NOT want to touch and why when I create the new 100MB partition I will give it a name I can identify during the restore. Also note that in the upper panel it only shows three drives but if you count in the lower panel it shows four partitions. This is all because of this 100MB partition and why it is so important to understand what you are looking at here and how easy it is to screw up the client you are working on. Now that we know what to look out for lets setup the new drive.
Following the white paper instructions we use Disk Management to create a “Simple Volume” that has a size of 100MB on the hard drive. Do this by right clicking in the “Unallocated” space of the new drive. (my Green one)
- Select the “Do not assign a drive letter or drive path” option in the New Simple Volume Wizard.
- Format the volume by using the NTFS file system.
Back in Disk Management right-click this new 100MB volume, and then click “Mark as Active.”
We also need to create new partition(s) on the remainder of the drive, we’ll do this just like before. Right click on the other Unallocated space and choose New Simple Volume. Follow the Wizard and adjust the Volume size to your needs, ie if you have a D: ect. partition(s). Only thing different is this time we choose “Assign a Drive Letter” and pick the drive letter of you want.
That is it for setting up the new disk for the restore. However I still want to give these new partitions names so they are easy to identify during the restore. I’m not so much worried about the Primary drive since it has a drive letter, R: in my case, but I’m going to name it anyway. This is as simple as right click/properties on each new partition then in the General Tab of the dialog box just type in the new name for each the new partitions then click Apply/OK.
Here is what my final Disk Management looks like. The Green drive is once again my new drive for the restore and the Red drive is my client system. Now you see why it is so important to understand what drive is which and this 100MB partition deal. This all seems like a lot of work but really it only takes a minute or two to get the drive set up. But because of the way Windows 7 sets the disk up with that 100MB partition you need to understand this Disk Management deal when restoring a drive outside of its normal machine.
From here is it just like any other restore. Launch Client Restore Wizard.EXE from C:\Program Files\Windows Home Server fellow the prompts and just choose the new drive you just set up for the 100MB and System partitions. After the restore is done put it back in the original machine and boot it up.
To be honest after the first time reading the tip on the MS WHS forums and trying a do a dry run I got stuck at the drive selection. I couldn’t figure out which 100MB partition was which and which one to put where. I even posted a question to the forum asking how to do it. That answer was also pretty cryptic too. That MS white paper hadn’t been released either so I had to kind of stumble through it until I got the routine figured out. So I hope this helps someone out sometime.
fasthair
Syncing Windows Home Server, Zune and Windows Media Center – by Joel Burt
| Over at the official Windows Home Server blog, my good friend Joel Burt has just published an article entitled Syncing Windows Home Server, Zune and Windows Media Center!
I was putting the initial workings together for a similar article after seeing what Tim had at CES but now that Joel has done such a good job I figured the best thing to do was to just repost Joel’s article. Nice work buddy! Joel writes….. Windows Home Server was a large part of CES this year. I was pleasantly embraced by all you fellow Windows Home Server users and I joyfully shared the new features sets that Power Pack 3 empowered your home server with. The beautiful thing about our booth is the ability to walk everyone step by step, on how to take advantage of these new features. For those of you who were not at CES, I’d like to take the time to share with you those steps that I shared with CES attendees. One of the key scenarios that got a lot of interest at the show was how a Zune music player can benefit from having a Windows Home Server around as well. This post goes into more detail about why and how it all works together.
As most of you probably know, Power Pack 3 is a free update for Windows Home Server that comes down from Windows Update. You can find install procedures within our blog, so please, if you have not updated your Windows Home Server yet, do so! For the rest of this post, I will assume you already have your Windows Media Center, Windows Home Server + Power Pack 3 and your Zune setup.
Before we get going in the details, let’s start by talking about why I’m so jazzed about our Zune + Home Server scenario. The key benefit in my mind is in how the Zune player can be a great way of transporting all of your recorded TV from a Media Center PC on the go. But I’m getting ahead of myself…Let’s paint a picture for you:
Before I left for CES earlier this month, I set several recordings of my favorite TV show to be recorded and then compressed to Zune format. I am not sure if you have ever used a Zune HD but I was extremely surprised with how long the battery lasts playing video. WOW! I consistently played 6 hours of content on the trip -no charging. My laptop wouldn’t have made it through my first connection flight let alone the whole trip. Yes, I had a connection because I bought my plane ticket a little late and had to arrive very early in the morning for setup. At least I was well prepared with my media!
So here’s the details of how I managed to stay completely entertained during my flight(s):
1. Open Windows Media Center and verify that you have your TV shows set to be recorded. Next, , go back to the main Windows Media Center menu and scroll up to your Home Server tiles. Select TV Archiving to begin.
2. TV Archiving will display <Series>, <Programs> and <Settings>. “Series” will display the series you have selected to be recorded. Series are multiple shows or multiple episodes. Programs display individual recordings and will only apply to that one episode/recording. It is up to you to decide which one you would like to use or use both. I’ll be selecting Series recordings because I’m excited to watch a few seasons of my shows on my next trip. In order to continue, you will need to select at least program or series.
3. Now that I have one selected, I can scroll over to settings to decide what I would like to do with these recordings. I personally like to Archive all recordings automatically, but this is another optional feature for you. I also have 6TBs of space on my home server… not that I’m bragging. 🙂 *cough*
4. “Create a compressed copy” is the feature we’re going to enable here. In order to take advantage of this feature, you have to move or archive your content to your Windows Home Server or you cannot select this. Since we’re working with a sweet Zune HD, set the format to Zune. Finally, scroll down a little further and set the saved folder to “Home Server Videos folder” (or one of your choice). To make things easier for this step by step, please select “Home Server Video folder” and click Save.
Now what we’ve done here is set Windows Media Center to record our shows and then make two copies of the show on our Windows Home Server; one in its original full quality format and the other in a smaller Zune format to preserve our space on our Zune. After all, we have lots of play time to take advantage of, let’s make the most of it.
I do want to call out a little secret that you can take advantage of. Some TV shows – especially those that are transmitted in HD – use AC3 audio and because of that, your shows might not compress. In order to fix that, you’ll need to download and install an AC3 codec. I know it sounds complicated, but it’s not and most importantly – it’s free. I personally downloaded mine from http://download.cnet.com/AC3Filter/3000-2170_4-190264.html?tag=mncol#userreview but you can get yours from wherever you like. [Note that the below process is not supported by Microsoft, and users should proceed with caution. This is presented merely as an option for users.]
Let’s take a quick sidebar to walk you through a quick step-by-step for installing the one codec that I’ve used on my own, AC3Filter:
1. After running the file you just downloaded click Next
2. Leave all options default and click Next
3. Then click Install
4. With the codec installed, now we can move on to setting up the Zune! Your Windows Media Center is well on its way to creating your giant TV show collection in Zune compatible form. Let’s tell the Zune to look at that folder and to sync with it.
Since you’ve already installed Power Pack 3, your Windows Home Server’s Video shared folder has already been added to your libraries. Zune software is setup! That was easy. You didn’t have to do anything!
Here I have “X-Men” ready and converted. It does take a while (maybe overnight) to convert. I already had this one completed, so you might want to be a little patient.
5. Finally, I can sync this video to my Zune by right clicking and selecting, “Sync with Zune HD”. Repeat this for all of the videos you would like to have on your Zune HD and enjoy your next flight to where ever you go!
As an added bonus, you can even watch this newly created WMV file through your Zune software. How cool is that?!
JB
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