Posted on Connected Internet - tech, mobile and gaming news.
I have been thinking about getting a HP MediaSmart Server as a solution to my home networking needs ever since I went to a HP demonstration a few months ago, My home network has grown a bit out of control over the last year or so, and I need to find a better expandable solution to share files between my devices and also out of the home.
At the moment I have the following setup:
Front Room
- HTPC with 2.5TB of storage (replaced a modded Xbox)
- Xbox 360
- Playstation 3
- AV system
- Netgear Router
- Key Uses: Music, TV shows, Movies
Study
- Main PC with decent speakers
- Main Uses: Work, Music, Occasional TV Shows
Bedroom
- Modded Xbox (broken at moment) -going to replace with media center laptop (getting a freebie!)
- Main Uses: TV Shows, Movies
‘Mobile’ Devices
- Laptop
- Nokia N95
- Sony PSP
The PC in the study used to act as a ‘server’ by holding all my files, but once I built the HTPC I decided it was silly having two power-hungry machines running at the same time so I currently store all my videos on the front room machine, and a copy of my music library on both machines. This causes me problems as sometimes I do want to watch a show or film in the study while I work, which means I have to go and turn the front room HTPC on.
I have the same problem when I want to watch or listen to something in the bedroom, as I have to go and turn on one of the other machines to do so. Things are only going to get worse in the future as I get more connected devices, so I want to put a good solution in place now that can grow with my connected home, with all my files stored in one place.
The HP MediaSmart Server would allow me to centralise all my files in one place in a nice energy efficient device, as well as providing a remote access solution which I lack at the moment. I also like the small form factor, which would allow me to tuck it away in a corner somewhere.
However, I’m convinced I must be able to get a better solution for $800. What are my other options? Should I build my own system instead of buying a HP MediaSmart Server? I’m not keen on tackling a Linux based system as I want something I can either configure quickly, or that just works out the box.
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