HP MediaSmart Server EX470/EX475

The MediaSmart Server, when connected to your home network, will make automated backups of all of your computers, share files with everyone on your network, and make those same available from any Internet connected computer. It features a small enclosure, with ports, connectivity, and included software optimized to operate as a home network media server. To view media content in your home theater, you will need an additional media streamer that is connected to your home theater with A/V hookups; which the MediaSmart Server does not have. There are two models of the MediaSmart Server with different included storage capacity: 1) the EX475, which features 1 TB of storage (2 x 512 GB) and 2) EX475, that includes a single 512 GB drive. These servers retails for $650 and $500 respectively.

Where to Buy

HP MediaSmart Server 1
MSRP$650.00
Release date November, 2007
BrandHP
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Pros & Cons20
Reviews7
Details
Buy It
Competitors4
Comments3
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
7 reviews
81
negative
mixed
positive
5 positive
0 mixed
2 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

show me!

Pros:
Do you agree?
•
Easy to setup
+3agreedisagree

•
Good backup functionality (incremental backups)
+3agreedisagree

•
much more expandable than a network drive
+3agreedisagree

•
small enclosure
+3agreedisagree

•
clean, logical port layout on front and back
+3agreedisagree

•
excellent ventilation
+3agreedisagree

•
easy to add storage
+3agreedisagree

•
Consolidates iTunes from all the computers on the network
+2agreedisagree

•
System restore functionality
+2agreedisagree

•
reasonably priced
+2agreedisagree

•
Serves more than 2 streams of Hi-Def Video easily
+2agreedisagree

•
Supports and streams MP4
+2agreedisagree

•
"folder duplication" allows for redundancy is more flexible than a RAID 1 mirrored setup
+1agreedisagree

•
runs Windows Home Server which is a standard Media Connect Client (make sure to turn on Media Sharing in WHS)
+1agreedisagree

•
easily stream to Xbox 360 out of the box
0agreedisagree

•
Works well with PS3
0agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
No connectivity to a AV system
+4agreedisagree

•
no native RAID
+2agreedisagree

•
price availability
0agreedisagree

•
more expensive than other media streaming alternatives
0agreedisagree


7 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!
See individual votes »

Details

HP EX470 and EX475 MediaSmart Server specifications

  • Processor: AMD 1.8 GHZ 64-bit Sempron processor
  • Memory: 512MB DDR2 DRAM
  • Network support:
    • Connects easily to the home network through a built-in Ethernet port. 10/100/1000 (Gigabit) RJ45 Ethernet
    • Supports both wired and wireless PCs (via a wireless router)
  • Interfaces: 4 USB 2.0 ports (1 front, 3 back), 1 eSATA port (back)
  • Storage:
    • 1x SATA 7200 RPM, 500GB for EX470
    • 2x SATA 7200 RPM, 1 TB (2 x 500GB) for EX475
    • Four hard drive bays for easy expandability
    • Additional off the shelf SATA I or II hard drives can be added to expansion. No tools required.
    • Maximum storage capacity: Only limited by number of hard drive bays (4) and USB ports (4). Example: Using 500GB hard drives, maximum 4 terabytes (total supported capacity of all internal and external drives connected to HP MediaSmart Server).
  • Power: Internal universal power supply
  • Chassis: Black micro-tower designed for office or living room. Perforated steel on front and back for quiet and cool operation.
  • Dimensions: 5.5”(W) x 9.8”(H) x 9.2”(D) (approx.) (14 cm (W) x 25 cm (H) x 23 cm (D)

Redundancy

The HP MediaSmart Server does not include a RAID option natively. However, it does have an alternative to ensure redundancy called "folder duplication". Essentially, any folder can be duplicated to any other drive (internal or external) of the user's choosing. HP claims this to be superior to RAID since it gives the user more control on what you back up.

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This report was started January 21, 2007 at 11:32 am by Erik
with the last edit occurring December 4, 2009 at 3:59 pm by Lefty10
This page has been viewed 3215 times, with 83 edits by 9 contributors.
See the full report history »

Buy It

HP MediaSmart Server EX470/EX475

• HP EX475 MediaSmart Home Server (AMD Live, Windows Home Server, 1 TB Hard Drive)

• MediaSmart Server EX475 1TB 4-Bay NAS Drive

UPC: 883585222643

EAN: 883585222643

MPN: GG796AA

HP MediaSmart Server EX470

• HP MediaSmart Server EX470- AMD 1.8GHz 64-bit Sempron , 512 mb ram, 500 gb sata hd, 10/100/1000 (Gigabit) RJ-45 Ethernet, Internal Universal Power Supply, Windows Home Server

UPC: 070390503511

EAN: 0070390503511

Competitors

HP MediaSmart Server EX470/EX475 is ranked 2nd among it's competitors.  See the top picks in Media Streamers »
FreeNAS

FreeNAS

MSRP  $0.00    Released  --
Pros
  • Free and open-source.
  • Turns a computer into a NAS device
  • Minimal system requirements
Cons
  • RAID requires full drives - can't use the drive you install FreeNAS on
  • Even basic configuration can be confusing for beginners.
  • Non-standard configuration can be difficult to setup.
ProSCORE
20 reviews
75
Vote! (4 votes)
vote HP MediaSmart Server EX470/EX475 25% vs. vote FreeNAS 75%
Buffalo Technology LinkStation Quad

Buffalo Technology LinkStation Quad

MSRP  $399.99    Released  April, 2009
Pros
  • high speed gigabit network interface
  • very quiet - silent for the most part
  • dual USB jacks for further expansion
Cons
  • different drives have been found by multiple reviewers - impossible to tell which yours might come with
  • takes a ridiculous amount of time to re-build RAID arrays
  • does not support hot-swapping
ProSCORE
1 review
75
Vote! (0 votes)
vote HP MediaSmart Server EX470/EX475   vs. vote Buffalo Technology LinkStation Quad  
Linksys NMH305

Linksys NMH305

MSRP  $299.99    Released  January, 2009
Pros
  • sleek looking
  • room for two SATA drives
  • can utilize gigabit speeds (not just 100mbit)
Cons
  • no LCD screen or card reader (as found on the higher end unit)
  • User interface requires Flash and does not work well on Linux browsers.
  • No ability to dynamically down-size partitions.
ProSCORE
3 reviews
63
Vote! (0 votes)
vote HP MediaSmart Server EX470/EX475   vs. vote Linksys NMH305  
Asus Eee D200

Asus Eee D200

MSRP  --    Released  January, 2009
Pros
  • massive NAS built into the router
  • wireless N
  • fully integrated PC will allow for powerful use in an enthusiast's hands
  • 3.5" touchscreen
  • 4 USB ports for use with peripherals or expansion of capacity
Cons
  • quite large for what it is
ProSCORE
2 reviews
90
Vote! (0 votes)
vote HP MediaSmart Server EX470/EX475   vs. vote Asus Eee D200  

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Comments

1.  avatar waltm said:

Article should have price and availability date
Apr 10, 2007 4:42pm
2.  avatar sandman said:

Press reports suggest that it will retail for about $750 and is expected to be released in Nov 07
Sep 10, 2007 2:24am
3.  avatar sandman said:

I just got one a few weeks ago from the HP.com and I paid $750 for the EX 475. Ebay is selling them for $600 :(

Jan 18, 2008 1:16pm
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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

Erik

avatar
December 29, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
82
negative
mixed
positive
9 pros
2 cons
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • much more expandable than a network drive
  • small enclosure
  • clean, logical port layout on front and back
  • excellent ventilation
  • easy to add storage
  • reasonably priced
  • "folder duplication" allows for redundancy is more flexible than a RAID 1 mirrored setup
  • runs Windows Home Server which is a standard Media Connect Client (make sure to turn on Media Sharing in WHS)
  • easily stream to Xbox 360 out of the box

Cons

  • No connectivity to a AV system
  • no native RAID

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

sandman

avatar
January 18, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
80
negative
mixed
positive
4 pros
1 con
want itwant it
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Easy to setup
  • Good backup functionality (incremental backups)
  • Consolidates iTunes from all the computers on the network
  • System restore functionality

Cons

  • No connectivity to a AV system

Comments

"Press reports suggest that it will retail for about $750 and is expected to be released in Nov 07"
"

I just got one a few weeks ago from the HP.com and I paid $750 for the EX 475. Ebay is selling them for $600 :(

"

Competitors

sandman prefers HP MediaSmart Server EX470/EX475 over FreeNAS
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

vijayl

avatar
March 8, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
15 pros
0 cons
love itlove it
have ithave it

Pros

  • Easy to setup
  • Good backup functionality (incremental backups)
  • much more expandable than a network drive
  • small enclosure
  • clean, logical port layout on front and back
  • excellent ventilation
  • easy to add storage
  • Consolidates iTunes from all the computers on the network
  • System restore functionality
  • reasonably priced
  • Serves more than 2 streams of Hi-Def Video easily
  • Supports and streams MP4
  • "folder duplication" allows for redundancy is more flexible than a RAID 1 mirrored setup
  • runs Windows Home Server which is a standard Media Connect Client (make sure to turn on Media Sharing in WHS)
  • Works well with PS3

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Fila

avatar
September 16, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
69
negative
mixed
positive
9 pros
4 cons

Pros

  • Easy to setup
  • Good backup functionality (incremental backups)
  • much more expandable than a network drive
  • small enclosure
  • clean, logical port layout on front and back
  • excellent ventilation
  • easy to add storage
  • Serves more than 2 streams of Hi-Def Video easily
  • Supports and streams MP4

Cons

  • No connectivity to a AV system
  • no native RAID
  • price availability
  • more expensive than other media streaming alternatives

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

juggern4ut

avatar
February 6, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
1 con
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

Did not agree with any pros

Cons

  • No connectivity to a AV system

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Omar

avatar
December 29, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
1 pro
0 cons

Pros

  • reasonably priced

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

waltm

avatar
April 10, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
1 con

Pros

Did not agree with any pros

Cons

  • price availability

Comments

"Article should have price and availability date"
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

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This product is also known as:

EX, 470, EX, 475, EX470, 470EX, EX475, EX470EX, 470EX475, EX470EX475