Re: Help me understand media extenders and windows home servers?

To add a little to that, the Home Server product that MS has produced and a few OEMs are building hardware to support, is typically intended for a household with several PCs and a network. It serves as a central hub, for file storage, sharing and backup capabilities for the various PCs on the network. Really a pretty neat concept for a multi-PC home, without having to wrestle with a server OS or cobble together a similar solution out of assorted parts. Not really a standalone thing though. HP is capitalizing on the capability of this network attached storage to allow access by the various PCs and entertainment items. They are pushing the entertainment aspects of Windows Home Server, instead of the file share and backup capabilities and labeling it a MediaSmart Server. If you look through HP's site the MediaSmart Server is the black box with the four blue light stripes on it. Note it is often shown in a picture with some other PC, either desktop or laptop.

If you are looking at a PC with media capabilities, TV, recorder, etc.,, what you are looking for is one that runs Media Center Edition, or one that runs one of the higher end versions of Vista. Note that calling a PC a Media Center PC or Media Center capable, doesn't guarantee it has a TV tuner. Watch the specs to ensure that it does. If it does come with a tuner, or dual tuners, for sure it will be running an OS that supports them.

--
Sven
MVP Mobile Devices
"Gary Mount" <gary_mount@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:%23bExmQodIHA.4728@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The HP MediaSmart Server does not use a monitor. You can't plug one into it. It does not have a video ouput. You access from another computer.

<me@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:3c61s3lp38dcr15l90g961sja7fo9thptg@xxxxxxxxxx
I don't own any computer at the moment but nee to buy
something for typical Internet, word processing uses.

Having said that... I'm trying to wrap my head around
all the dizzying options now days.

One thing that does interest me is somehow using my C
as a TV "recorder".... so can watch programs at later
date.

I was reading abt this device.. an HP windows home
server but am not seeing what features it gives me. se
link

http://h71036.www7.hp.com/hho/cache/447351-0-0-225-121.html

Does this unit actually have TV tuners in it and can be
hooked up to a TV to watch the programming? Can it be
used as an "only" PC or must it be used in conjunction
with other PCs on a network?

and... what exactly do "media centers" connected to my
TV give me the ability to do?

Bottom line...can someone give me a laymen's education
on how to buying "system" vs just a "computer?
Something that gives me a "future"?


.

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