I've posted my review of "Encore", the new MediaSmart Server EX487. Feel free to discuss, dissect, and ask any questions here.
http://www.mediasmartserver.net/2008/12/28/review-hp-mediasmart-server-ex48/

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Alex Kuretz
Remote Notification: Monitoring and alerting for your Home Server via email, Twitter, text message, RSS, push notifications, and on your Mac desktop
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Nice review Alex! I just posted ours too over at http://www.MyHomeServer.com, I hope you check it out
One note on your review, you may want to note the Comodo SSL 5 year free certificate, that's part of the new offerings by HP when the user selects a HP Personal domain name. My review has some details and screenshots on the new certificates

Keep up the great work!

-Eric
http://www.MyHomeServer.com
Dedicated to the Home Server Revolution

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http://www.MyHomeServer.com

I want to see a UI upgrade to the existing server. At least an update to the twonky software. I am hoping that we are not left behind with this hardware update. I would consider a subscription fee for the update if that was an option. I dont think the hardware is that diffrent since I have the 2gb memory upgrade.

Great review! Thanks for all the details!

really nice review, just read it.

I didn't even know this thing was coming out, my lesson to visit here more often!

I couldn't find anything on your review, but as an original MMS owner, can I update my MMS to the new one? Like software wise, so it gets all the bells and whistles, like the sleep mode, Mac support and so on?

The 2 GB ram was about time really, and the CPU seems a bit juicer, which is fine. I really like the Aqua lights too...my blue LEDs look old now:(

Hmmm... very nice hardware but I think I'll be sticking with my ex470... until WHS v2 comes out anyway.

... or until it is revealed how much more alternative OS friendly the newer units are.

Thanks. Great review.

How does the Intel Celeron 2 ghz 64 bit processor differ in performance from the AMD Sempron LE-1150 2.0 ghz processor that is currently appearing in the Ex 47x series?

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HP MSS EX490 with Intel E6300
4 GB RAM
7 TB Drive Storage

MediaSmartServer.net Wiki, it's loaded with helpful information about WHS and the HP MediaSmart Server.

Great review!!! So for current MSS owners, is there really any reason to "upgrade" to the new MSS, as from your review I don't see much of a reason. Also, and I think a few other members have asked this, will current MSS owners be able to upgrade their software, or will the new software upgrades only apply to EX487 owners?

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Cheers,
Damian

DIY WHS - 12.5TB and growing, too many gadgets to list

Did you read the MediaSmartServer blog today?
Blog - http://www.adigitalhomeblog.com
"Like a midget at a urinal, stay on your toes!" - Lieutenant Frank Drebin

Thanks Alex for your time in reviewing the EX487.

As many current MSS owners will likely ask, it would be interesting to see if there is a software upgrade path for current MSS owners - even for a small fee.

It'd also be interesting to hear HP's feedback on the eSATA "issue" to determine if the port works with port multipliers, or if a BIOS update is required. For many experienced MSS users, that itself could be the single most deal breaker for considering to upgrade to the EX485/7.

Although we should expect some enhancements to the current offering, there doesn't appear to be anything that is particularly deal-breaking that would make me run out and upgrade my current MSS. The biggest thing to me is Mac support and the ability to back them up to the MSS if you own Macs in your household.

Otherwise, I'm happy that HP continues to make strong commitments to the platform.


P.S. dbone1026 (Damian), congratulations on your 500th post and becoming a "Top Contributor".

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Richard

My gadget blog: http://www.gadgetinsane.com

Assuming that it is the Conroe-L440, it is based on the same architecture as the Core-2 Duo but with only a single core. I can't directly compare the two, but I had a 430 1.8 in my test homebrew, and it was pretty zippy. I now have a new build using the 450 2.2ghz.

I would conjecture that there would be a noticeable difference. Also, the Conroes run at only 35w

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This Space For Rent

Thank you for the review. It sounds like a major HP software upgrade with a few minor hardware enhancements and at least one, for me, major hardware downgrade (esata not port multiplier aware). I don't understand why HP doesn't make an MSS with at least 5 internal drive bays, (HP has a 5 drive backplane just like the MSS 4 drive backplane - see the Blackbird 002 gaming computer), 2 esata ports, and offer a 5 bay external sata drive enclosure in the same or similar form factor as the MSS.

Holy Crap, didn't even realize. I will have to come up with a snazzy new Avatar!!!

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Cheers,
Damian

DIY WHS - 12.5TB and growing, too many gadgets to list

Did you read the MediaSmartServer blog today?
Blog - http://www.adigitalhomeblog.com
"Like a midget at a urinal, stay on your toes!" - Lieutenant Frank Drebin

+1

Thanks for your review alex, Very interesting, I figured they would go with intel after the flier with AMD. The potential is there, since the cpu is socket 775. I wonder how forgiving the motherboard is on this one.

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HP EX470, 4 GIG, 4200+ EE SFF, WHS V1, Production
HP EX485, 4 GIG, E5800, WHS 2011, Stablebit Drive Pool, Transfer Server, Backup Server
HP EX490, 4 GIG, Q9400S, WHS 2011, Stablebit Drive Pool, Mediaserver
HP EX485, 4 GIG, Q8200S, WHS 2011, ITUNES Server

Any pictures of the hardware? Do we still have the VGA-PS2-Serial connector on the motherboard? Are the connector pins the same or have they changed?