Gizmodo: whs

Microsoft Warns Home Server Users Not to Write to Server or Use Media Managers

Wilson Rothman — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:00:00 EDT

Acknowledging the "data corruption bug" that's been ravaging Windows Home Servers since Christmas, Microsoft today warned users NOT to:
• "Use applications to directly edit or change files stored on Windows Home Server"
• "Use media management programs, such as Windows Media Player, to import files to the Windows Home Server"
• "Redirect applications to access files stored in the shared folders"
Instead, users are instructed to move files to and from the server only by hand, using Windows Explorer or a command line tool. Promise of a fix was cautiously optimistic, but not exactly speedy:

The issue can now be reliably reproduced and a fix is in development. Once the patch has passed internal quality bars, external participants will be asked to help test the fix. Our current plan is to release beta test versions of a fix over the next few months, with a final version currently estimated for June 2008.

Some of you will probably want to get on board with that beta test. In the meantime, let's all heed those warnings. [Updated Windows Knowledge Base Support Page; Windows Home Server Official Blog]

HP MediaSmart SL4282N and SL4782N HDTV with Media Center Inside

Brian Lam — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 02:23:09 EST

The Skinny: MediaSmart 1080p LCD TVs are coming of age—both the $1,900 42" and the $2,400 47" will have built-in Microsoft Media Center Extender connectivity and an improved higher-contrast panel (2000:1). They have 3 HDMI ports, 2 component inputs, integrated Wi-Fi in A, B, G, and N flavors and Ethernet. Has ATSC and QAM Tuners and 500cd of brightness.
One catch: Though you can rent movies without your PC, the PC still needs to be running, and there's a bit of a delay.

HP Updates MediaSmart Server, Adds Linux-Powered mv2120 Media Vault

Wilson Rothman — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:01:00 EST

The Skinny: The mv2120 Media Vault, a junior Linux-based server with the Photo Webshare and iTunes server functionality of its big brother but a much lower cost. (They'll start at $300.) As for the big guy, he's getting some much needed updates come February, including server-side anti-virus software from McAfee; improved media streaming to Media Center Extenders thanks to Packet Video, and support for 64-bit Vista.

HP's Windows Home Servers Shipping Sept. 15

Jason Chen — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 14:20:51 EDT

Amazon, by way of a product page, leaked the ship date and price of HP's MediaSmart Home Servers. These Windows Home Server machines (more about them here), will be sold in two models at $599 and $749, with 500GB and 1TB of storage respectively. Each one will have a 1.8GHz AMD Sempron processor along with a HP Photo Webshare suite that can build a photo-sharing website automatically. They will both supposedly ship starting September 15. [Amazon via ComputerWorld]