HP MediaSmart EX495 Server
Manufacturer: HP Part number: FL705AA#ABA
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- For a reasonable price, the HP MediaSmart Server EX495 is a great network storage, content managing, and backup device for home and small business environments. It offers stellar performance, a great backup solution, and remote access options that are easy to use.
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CNET editors' review
HP MediaSmart EX495 Server price range: $295.00 - $973.30
- Reviewed by: Dong Ngo
- Reviewed on: 10/02/2009
The good: The HP MediaSmart Server EX495 offers fast performance, innovative digital content management, and an excellent storage and backup solution for both PCs and Macs. Its storage capacity is easily expandable and its remote over-the-Internet access is comprehensive. The server is also quiet and aesthetically pleasing.
The bad: The HP MediaSmart Server EX495 has no RAID, IP camera, or printer support. It doesn't accept hard drives with data already on it. The server can't do backup or recovery for multiple PCs at a time and it takes a long time to set up. The server's on/off switch is too sensitive and can easily be pressed by accident.
The bottom line: For a reasonable price, the HP MediaSmart Server EX495 is a great network storage, content managing, and backup device for home and small business environments. It offers stellar performance, a great backup solution, and remote access options that are easy to use.
User reviews
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Does what its advertised to do for good price.
by dschoemaker on March 24, 2010
Pros: Plug in and follow directions and its easy to use.
LOTS of room for expansion of storage.
Cost effective solution for home user.Cons: Not able to plug in free standing driver to copy directly to/from via eSata port.
No hard copy directions - you have to use the guide on the computer, which you can only access about half way through set up.
Not a fan of the interface for movies.Summary: I'm not sure why other folks are having such a hard time with this. I plugged it in and it has been backing up my computers with no problem. ...
Summary: I'm not sure why other folks are having such a hard time with this. I plugged it in and it has been backing up my computers with no problem. I am able to access the music files and video files from remote locations using all the included software. ... its not as graphically pleasing as I would want, but its functional and works.
I have two desktops at home, a laptop, two x-boxes and an itouch. It works with all of them as advertised.
I'm going to be VERY VERY selective in what add-ins I put on this though, as there is really no way to tell what's going to "break" the software.
For $650.00 its a resonable solution to backup and a VERY nice option for storing/streaming all of my media. But before you think that's ALL its going to cost don't forget to start including the extra drives your giong to install. :) Your really looking at a box that's going to run you closer to $1,000 with @7 TB of storage.3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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I really wanted to like the EX495
by rayman1963 on February 7, 2010
Pros: + Operating system never crashes
+ Hardware seems pretty stable/reliable
+ Good overall system performance
+ Expandability
+ Expanding user base and add-ins are attractive
+ Support for Mac Time Capsule backupsCons: - Included software is horribly unreliable: Twonky media server software just quits, the "automatic" conversion of decrypted dvd's fails repeatedly, the iPhone streaming doesn't work
- HP infrequently updates software
- Limited to 10 devicesSummary: I have a mixed network environment, with 2 Macs, 4 PCs, Sonos sound boxes, xbox, Wii, PS3, iphone, and ipod touches. I am using the EX495 to centrally store and ...
Summary: I have a mixed network environment, with 2 Macs, 4 PCs, Sonos sound boxes, xbox, Wii, PS3, iphone, and ipod touches. I am using the EX495 to centrally store and manage our music/video content and perform all backups. The "value added" software that is included is, unfortunately, rubbish (with the exception of Time Capsule backup). I have tversity running on an old XP box that is WAY more reliable than the flaky Twonky software, which rarely gets updated by HP. The iphone software never seems to be able to connect, my Bravia TV can't get the DNLA feed from the EX495 (but gets it from the TVersity box), etc. It is hard to get online support from HP, and they don't make it easy to contact them. I really like what Microsoft has done with WHS, though, and I do like the TIme Capsule support. My Sonos boxes can now read from the server and stream music flawlessly. Speed is overall good. The rubbish McAfee antivirus does not download updates and needs to be removed.
Overall, I had high hopes, but came away disappointed. Don't waste your money on the HP box until they fix the software. Windows homeserver rocks -- I would recommend buying one. Find good third party solutions for Time Capsule support and for Streaming video, forget about the iPhone stuff for a while, and you will be happier.3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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The EX495 server power management not green.
by keeperoregon on November 29, 2010
Pros: The EX495 has more features that my older EX475 version. But I primarily use this WHS to perform backups. Performance is the most noticeable feature that exceeds the EX475. The "Wake Server" feature from local clients is a feature I use regularily.
Cons: The power management features of the EX495 and clients does not work. The server "Wake time" always work. The "Sleep time" only works once until the next "Shutdown" or "Restart". When client backups get performed are unpredictable.
Summary: Being an owner of both a EX495 and a EX475 server, I experience that my manual method of doing backups with the EX475 was more power efficient than trying to ...
Summary: Being an owner of both a EX495 and a EX475 server, I experience that my manual method of doing backups with the EX475 was more power efficient than trying to use the power management feature of the EX495. I thought we created computer to do those mundane tasks that have to be performed over-n-over :-(.
The "Wake This Computer For Backups" client feature would wake the computer just fine. But once the backup was complete, the computer would continue to run rather than "Sleep" or "Hibernate". Many times the backup would never start and the client would only "Sleep"/"Hibernate" on its power management cycle which has been OS specific.
In trying to diagnose these issues, I tried downloading the "Toolkit 1.1" and found the "Event Viewer" didn't have any information on what the status of what the Backup service what performing. The "options" for the "Backup" component was set to "Verbose", which didn't help at all.
There have been no firmware updates since Feb 2010 and I have had a case open on the "Sleep"/"Wake" time issue since 8/16/2010.
BTW, all my clients are HPs computers, XP, Vista, and Windows 7. I am really thinking about looking for a UNIX solution at this time. I also agree that one should save their money until HP/Microsoft corrects these issues.
--Mark1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Amazing---
by Catherine_1989 on June 24, 2010
Pros: reliable--
Cons: none------
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great server
by mmv99 on March 29, 2011
Pros: Small and reliable
Cons: Admin interface very slow
Summary: This is a great buy for the money. I steam all kinds of media in the house and this server does a good job.
Summary: This is a great buy for the money. I steam all kinds of media in the house and this server does a good job.
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Perfect !
by Schultz26 on March 9, 2011
Pros: Ease of Use
Simple set up
Easy online access
Small size
Expandable ..... Easily (We've added 3 more 1.5 TB HDsCons: Using a hardwire :(
Summary: Easy to use, simple to set up.
Summary: Easy to use, simple to set up.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: HP
- Part number: FL705AA#ABA
- Description: The HP MediaSmart Server stores, centralizes and shares digital entertainment and documents with members of a home network or friends and family via the Internet. It also includes remote access, automatic back up and immense storage expandability. Share photos and video clips via a personalized link with friends and family you designate, who can securely view and download photos or upload their own to add to your photo album. Enjoy shared music, files, photos, movies and even PC applications with remote access through a secure Web connection from any Internet-connected PC, anywhere in the world.
General
- Packaged Quantity 1
- Product Form Factor Micro tower
- Localization English / United States
Processor / Chipset
- Type Intel Pentium 2.5 GHz
- Number of Cores Dual-Core
- 64-bit Computing Yes
- CPU Qty 1
- Max CPU Qty 1
RAM
- Installed Size 2 GB
- Technology DDR2 SDRAM
- Form Factor DIMM 240-pin
Hard Drive
- Type HDD - Removable
- Capacity 1 x 1.5 TB
- Interface Type Serial ATA-300 Serial ATA
- Spindle Speed 7200 rpm
Storage Controller
- Type 1 x Serial ATA
- Controller Interface Type Serial ATA-300
Storage Controller (2nd)
- Type None
Hard Drive (3rd)
- Type None
Optical Storage (2nd)
- Type None
Storage Removable
- Type None
Monitor
- Monitor Type none.
Telecom
- Modem None
Networking
- Data Link Protocol Ethernet ,
Gigabit Ethernet ,
Fast Ethernet Printer
- Type None
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included Network cable
Expansion / Connectivity
- Bays 4 (total) / 3 (free) x Drive cage 3.5" x 1/3H
- Slots Memory,
1 (total) / 0 (free) x CPU,
DIMM 240-pin - Interfaces USB 2.0,
4 x USB 2.0 eSATA ( 1 in front ),
1 x eSATA Ethernet,
1 x LAN Power
- Device Type Power supply
- Power AC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )
Operating System / Software
- OS Provided Microsoft Windows Home Server
- Software Drivers & Utilities
Dimensions & Weight
- Width 5.5 in
- Depth 9.8 in
- Height 9.1 in
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 1 year warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 1 year
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse HP products on Shopper.com
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- Manufacturer:HP
- Address:
3000 Hanover Street, Palo Alto, CA 94304-1185


