By on November 05th, 2007

Video Chat for Windows Home Server

SightSpeed Logo

The leader in Internet video communications, SightSpeed is to support Windows Home Server.

Their video chat service is a new way for you to chat with friends and family over the Internet in real time, face-to-face. The service which is easy to setup and use, allows video calling and multi-party video conferencing using patented video technology that ensures you get the best possible video and sound quality every time. A full-motion 30 frames per second video with clear audio and no annoying delay. Users can easily record and send video mails and publish videos to blogs and Web sites as well as making voice only calls to other PCs or to any landline or mobile phone anywhere in the world.

Keep an eye on www.sightspeed.com for more information.

add-ins • News • Other Software • Windows Home Server
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By on November 05th, 2007

SageTV Media Server for Windows Home Server

The SageTV Media Server is an excellent example of how Windows Home Server can serve as a ‘digital hub’ for home entertainment. You have the ability to stream anything, including live TV (with optional tuner), from the Windows Home Server to any PC or Mac screen at home or anywhere over the Internet with SageTV Placeshifter. The SageTV Media Extender adds the ability to bring digital content from the Windows Home Server to the TV screen.

Digital Media Libraries and DVR for Every TV and PC Screen

SageTV Media Server software with optional TV tuner provides a complete DVR, Online Video, Music and Photo experience for any Windows-based, Mac or Linux screen at home or away from home and the SageTV Media Extender provides a low cost set-top solution that brings the full SageTV DVR, Online Video, Music and Photo experience to the TV screen at the press of a remote.

Always On, Anywhere

An always on Windows Home Server with SageTV Media Server allows any Windows-based, Mac or Linux computer with SageTV Placeshifter media player to access the Windows Home Server digital media library anytime, anywhere over a broadband or home network connection. The new SageTV Placeshifter version adds support for an animated digital entertainment experience.

Exchange with Portables

SageTV Media Server software has built in digital media converters that make it easy to exchange digital media with portable devices including Zune, iPod™, iPhone, Motorola RAZR™, Sony PSP2 and other popular portables. With it’s season recording capabilities and optional tuner it’s easy to keep your portables updated with the latest episodes of your favorite TV shows automatically.

SageTV Media Server software for Windows Home Server is also designed to support the AMD LIVE!™ Home Media Server solution. The AMD LIVE! Home Media Server solution is designed to help consumers easily access, share and enjoy their PC files, photos, movies and music throughout the home network and on the go..

The SageTV Media Server software for Windows Home Server will be available for free 21 day trial download as an easy to install add-in at http://www.sagetv.com/whs. SageTV Media Server will be available for purchase at $79.95 and is also available for bundling with OEM systems including free trial. SageTV Media Extender is available starting at $109.95.

add-ins • News • Other Software • Windows Home Server
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By on November 05th, 2007

Embedded Automation Releases mControl Add-In

Embedded Automation the company dedicated to home automation has released the mControl add-in for Windows home server. Based on mControl v2 (Home Edition), the Add-In provides ‘Digital Home’ control functionality to the Windows Home Server platform including the ability to:

  • Monitor and control home security systems and thermostats
  • View and record IP cameras
  • Monitor and control INSTEON, Z-Wave and other lighting devices
  • Send and respond to IR (remote control) messages

Embedded Automation has tailored the mControl Add-In to work seamlessly with Windows Home Server by:

  • Using the native Windows Home Server Add-In installation management functionality – simply copy the mControl Add-In to the Software Add-Ins share and use the Settings console to manage installation.
  • Adding a Windows Home Server Console tab to provide administrative and diagnostic functionality for the mControl Add-In.
  • Adding mControl as a Windows Home Server web application to provide convenient and secure remote access through a personalized login.

The mControl add-in allows users to monitor and control their home. Managing lights, security panels, climate control systems, audio/visual components and viewing security cameras. Users have access to the entire mControl functionality from systems connected with their Windows Home Server, including networked Windows Media Center PCs and remote connections.

add-ins • News • Windows Home Server
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By on November 05th, 2007

Home Server Performance Now Enhanced By Diskeeper Defragmenter

DK2008-Gen-Left

Diskeeper now have a version of their defrag software specifically for Windows Home Server.

Families with multiple PCs linked to a server are constantly saving and deleting their favorite music, photos, movies, video and Office files. This causes the files to become scattered or “fragmented” into thousands of pieces across the disk. The more fragmented these files are in, the longer it takes the computer to read them. It also results in painfully long anti-virus scans (as there are thousands of files to be scanned due to increasing fragmentation levels). 

Windows Home Server users need to get rid of this fragmentation to get the most performance and reliability out of their machines. Diskeeper Defragmenter for HomeServer will enable these files to load faster and markedly speeds up anti-virus scan times as well. It does this “on the fly” or as it occurs, automatically, in the background, with no intervention required by the users. Once deployed, your Windows Home Server will run faster with more stability.

Key Features Include:

  • NEW! Snaps directly into the Windows Home Server console for ease of use.
  • NEW! Defrags even the fullest drives with 1% free space to ensure optimum performance and reliability.
  • NEW! Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) Compatibility mode leverages the data protection of Windows Home Server’s VSS with all the performance benefits found from defragmenting.
  • Real-time Defragmentation automatically handles performance-robbing fragmentation as it occurs, keeping system speed and reliability at a constant maximum. 
  • Advanced background processing technology ensures no performance hit by tapping into otherwise idle system resources to perform all of Diskeeper’s speed enhancing operations.

dk2008-homeserver-console

Diskeeper 2008 HomeServer will be available to any Microsoft Windows Home Server customer as an electronic download through the Windows Marketplace, from Diskeeper Corporation at $69.95.

add-ins • News • Other Software • Windows Home Server
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By on November 05th, 2007

Avira to Support WHS with Award-Winning Malware Detection and Removal Technology

German security solutions company Avira have announced that they will be offering an award-winning malware detection and removal technology to protect information stored on Windows Home Server. The software which will integrate into the console will offer complete protection against malware attacks on files stored on the server through its on-demand and on-access real time scanning features.

Keep an eye open at the Avira site for more upcoming information.

add-ins • News • Other Software • Windows Home Server
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By on November 05th, 2007

More Hardware and Software Partners Announced

Today Microsoft announced additional hardware and software partners who will be delivering new consumer products and solutions designed to work with Windows Home Server.

On the hardware side:

  • Available in Europe in late 2007, the Fujitsu Siemens Computers SCALEO Home Server 1900 offers 1TB capacity across two hard drives, Gigabit Ethernet and advanced power management features.
  • Iomega Corp. today unveiled new details about its home server product due in early 2008, the Iomega HomeCenter Server, which will ship with one 500GB hard drive and four “easy-swap” drive bays for storage expansion.
  • Available in early 2008, the Life|ware Life|storage will offer enterprise-class capabilities to consumers, including Life|ware Entertainment and Automation Server software for home management.
  • The MAXDATA Belinea o.center, which will also be available in Europe soon, is energy-efficient, offers advanced management and media functions, and allows up to four hot plug SATA hard drives.
  • Also available in Europe later this year, the Medion Home Server comes with up to 2 TB of storage capacity and will offer universal plug-and-play media streaming based on PacketVideo PVConnect software.
  • Available now, the Tranquil PC T7-HSA Tranquil Harmony Home Server is a small, quiet and energy-efficient solution with 500GB and 1TB options.
  • On sale today, the Velocity Micro NetMagix HomeServer is a small, sleek unit that can be situated in a horizontal or vertical position, starting with 1 TB of expandable storage capacity.

In addition, companies including Ace Computers, Advantec, PC Club and Universal Systems Inc. are now offering Windows Home Server systems based on the system builder version of the software. Other leading manufacturers, such as Gateway Inc. and LaCie, have announced plans for Windows Home Server products. Also, Seagate Technology announced the compatibility of its PC hard drives and external storage devices with Windows Home Server. Intel Corporation will soon be announcing a new, ideal platform for Windows Home Server, as well.

Software Solutions:

  • Avira GmbH in Germany today announced that its malware detection and removal technology will support Windows Home Server.
  • Diskeeper Corporation today released a special edition of its Diskeeper 2008 defragmentation software for Windows Home Server.
  • Embedded Automation Inc. released the mControl add-in for Windows Home Server, providing home automation functionality.
  • Proxure Inc. announced the release of KeepVault for Windows Home Server, providing automatic, online backup and storage of data.
  • SageTV LLC released SageTV Media Server for Windows Home Server, enabling media streaming from Windows Home Server to any PC or Macintosh, at home or over the Internet.
  • SightSpeed Inc. announced SightSpeed 6.0 video chat service compatibility with Windows Home Server.
  • Telligent Systems Graffiti CMS is compatible with Windows Home Server, enabling users to quickly create personal Web sites and blogs.
  • WiLife Inc. announced the release of Command Center Software version 2.1 home security software for Windows Home Server.

Additional third-party software and service solutions for Windows Home Server include avast! and F-Secure anti-virus and security software, CEIVA digital photo frames, Iron Mountain and Jungle Disk off-site data protection services, Lagotek Home Intelligence Platform for home automation, LobsterTunes for streaming to Windows Mobile-based devices, PacketVideo PVConnect for universal plug-and-play media streaming, Raxco Software PerfectDisk for performance optimization, Riptopia CD loading service, Sonos System Software 2.5 for centralized storage and organization of digital jukeboxes, and Whiist for easy creation of Web pages and photo albums on Windows Home Server.

News • Windows Home Server
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By on November 05th, 2007

HP MediaSmart Server Available for Pre-Order

Good news for those of you that have been waiting for the HP MediaSmart Server. From the 27th November (2007), you shall be able to get hold of a copy. The 500GB EX470 will be available for $599.99 and the 1TB EX475 for $749.99. Amazon, Circuit City and the HP Store have it for pre-order right now in the US, with Amazon selling it for a lower price. UK pricing is to follow later today.

USA Pricing:

  EX470 EX475
Amazon 534.99 679.99
HP Store 599.99 749.99
Circuit City 599.99 749.99

Many thanks to Bob Crook, Bernardo Zamora and Alex from http://www.mediasmartserver.net for the links.

Hardware • News • Windows Home Server
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By on November 04th, 2007

The Week in Review – Sunday's Summary

Here is a summary of everything we have posted here on MS Windows Home Server for the last 7 days, just in case you missed something that we posted throughout the week. The Week in Review – Sunday’s Summary:

  • How-to Install SharePoint Services on Windows Home Server
    • For those of you that don’t know Windows SharePoint Services allows teams to create Web sites for information sharing and document collaboration. And it can be installed with some difficulty for free on Windows Home Server. Luckily Tom from Ramblings of a Home Server User has posted a…
  • Add-In: Duplication Info – Updated
    • Wow! as quick as I posted the info about this add-in, a few hours later and it’s been updated already. From version 1.0.0.0 to version 1.0.1.0, which now includes easier setup via a .msi installer, for conventional setup using the Add-Ins tab within the console. Plus a file size heading has been…
  • Add-In: Duplication Info – See How Drive Extender Works
    • Yotsuba has developed a great add-in for Windows Home Server entitled Duplication Info, which enables you be see what hard drives your duplicated files reside on, enabling you to see how drive extender works.  Since the add-in does not have an installer, it is a bit harder to install, but we will…
  • Jungle Disk for Windows Home Server Review
    • We were sent a private beta of Jungle Disk for Windows Home Server, an online, off site backup solution for Home Server.Once the add-In was installed we were able to use the new Online Backup tab under the settings dialog to configure Jungle Disk. From here we clicked the link to take us to the…
  • HP MediaSmart Server Interface Pics
    • On Monday (05 November 2007) we will have more information from HP on the availability and pricing of the EX470 and EX475. The two models that make up the HP MediaSmart Server series. In the meantime, for your weekend enjoyment, we would like to grace you with these screen shots from the new HP…
  • Add-In: WHS Event Monitor Updated
    • Developer Dave Mercer has just released a new version of the add-in WHS Event Monitor which monitors the event logs on the Home Server and emails the results to you. The new 1.0.2.0 version has the following bug fixes and enhancements: Added Homepage link and RSS linksFixed bug in SMTP NoAuth UX…
  • Do you have a Seagate Hard Drive – Then they Probably Owe you Money
    • If you have a Seagate hard drive in your Home Server or in one of your client machines then Seagate Technology LLC have agreed to settle a lawsuit, if it gets approved on February 7, 2008 by offering customers who purchased a hard drive from the company during the last six years a cash […]
  • Windows Home Server Wholesale $161 and in Stock
    • American OEM distributor TechData has now fulfilled its backorders and have 283 copy’s of Windows Home Server remaining in stock. They are charging $161 which is the wholesale price for 1 copy of Windows Home Server. They are also offering a 5% discount on a purchase of 5 or more copies.
  • HP MediaSmart Server EX470 and EX475 Guide
    • Thanks to the lovely PR people at HP in the US, we have a copy of the HP MediaSmart Server Reviewer’s Guide. It details how to setup and configure the EX470 and EX475 models and goes on to discuss the MediaSmart Server Control Center, where you can access the Photo WebShare, iTunes music sharing,…
  • Installing the Connector Software on Vista x64
    • Microsoft are currently internally testing an x64 Connector for Windows Vista Machines, which should be available between December 07 – March 08. Unfortunately a Connector for XP x64 will not be available, but what can you do in the meantime if you want to install the Connector software on your…
  • Add-In Honorable Mention List at Microsoft
    • Microsoft has placed the Code2Fame Challenge Winners up at their WHS page. As well as the 3 top winners: 1st Place Andrew Grant for Whiist2nd Place Davis Wright for Jungle Disk3rd Place Prakash Gautam for Community Feeds for Windows Home Server Honorable mentions are mentioned for the following: F.…
  • The 120-Day Evaluation Kit is here
    • The 120-day trial version of Windows Home Server is finally here. The evaluation kit can be ordered on line for free from around the world, all you have to pay are the shipping and handling charges. For the US the charge is $5.99 with one to three weeks for delivery. Canada have the English or…
  • WHS Developer Tips
    • Our friend Brendan from the I Hate Linux web site is hosting a series of Windows Home Server developer tips aimed at both add-in and standalone application developers. The semi-regular series will cover some of the neat and undocumented features that programmers can take advantage of. He has kicked…
  • Microsoft Employee Shows Us His Gadget Home
    • Microsoft employee and power user Jeff Sandquist shows us the technology that he uses at home. And of course, being a geek like the rest of us, his home includes Windows Home Server. The video downloads available in WMV, iPod, MP3, PSP and Zune formats are available from Channel 10.
  • New Tranquil Harmony Home Server Series PC Announced – T2-WHS-A2
    • Tranqual PC has released details of their newcomer to the Tranquil Harmony Home Server series, the T2-WHS-A2. Due to be released in the first week of November, it’s based on the silent T2e chassis comprises 2x internal drives, support for 6x USB HDD and optional support for an additional 4 or 8…
  • Another Podcast on Windows Home Server
    • PC Pro is a UK monthly magazine on…, PCs. They also have a monthly Podcast to complement the mag available over on their web site. On this months show they discuss whether Windows Home Server is set to be another Microsoft operating system flop or the unexpected success of the year.Thanks to We…
  • Easy Photo Sync For WHS
    • This is a review of PhotoSync Beta2 for Windows Home Server. It’s an Add-In that automatically uploads photos from your server to your Flickr account.Installation. Installation was straightforward and simple. The steps were as follows (Steps 1-4 apply to any Add-In):1. Download the msi file to a…
  • Add-In: Recorded TV Manager Add-in for Windows Home Server – Beta 2
    • Rick Drasch has just posted Beta 2 of “Recorded TV Manager Add-in for Windows Home Server”. For those of you that don’t know, the add-in uses a Windows service application on the Home Server to monitor Media Center recorded TV folders and automatically move or copy content throughout your home…
  • Remot
    e Access Timeout

    • When using remote access you may find that uploading or downloading a large file or a group of files will cause the connection to time out before the operation finishes with the error message “The remote connection to the computer timed out. Please connect again.”By default, remote access is…
  • ATT Comcast Time Warner Blocking Ports – The Debate Continues
    • I got an email from George Hayles regarding the info I posted the other week regarding ATT, Comcast and Time Warner blocking ports that can affect our Home Servers. He has asked if I can get your juices flowing and bring up the subject again, he adds:“Since we are dealing with an oligopoly here,…
  • Windows Home Server Drive Extender Explained
    • Today Microsoft published a Technical Brief for Windows Home Server Drive Extender. The 20 page PDF document explains the features and functionality of the drive extender, highlighting the benefits of the technology. The document also looks at the drive extender filter and migrator service,…
  • Add-In: Windows Home Server Event Monitor Updated
    • Dave Mercer the developer of Windows Home Server Event Monitor has updated the add-in from it’s initial 1.0.0.8 release to version 1.0.1.0 to fix some bugs: Removed spurious tooltip and fixed typos Clarified UI a little    Added tooltips     Changed Regex defaults in event grid view to…
  • Add-In: AutoExit 2008 for Windows Home Server
    • After being in beta for the last few months, today sees the launch of the final version of AutoExit 2008 for Windows Home Server.This add-in can be used to shut down and reboot machines in your home network. Wake On Lan is also supported, enabling you to easily boot up machines remotely. These…
  • HP and Microsoft MediaSmart Server Webcasts
    • HP and Microsoft are making available four free webcasts that will unveil and demo the long-awaited MediaSmart Server.In addition to a live demonstration at these educational events, you’ll also hear from consumer technology industry experts, like Rob Enderle, Rick Doherty, Paul Thurrott from…
  • Add-In Home Base now Open Source
    • Aleksei Nipirakis has started to place you source code to his add-in Home Base onto SourceForge.net. The add-in that allows your Mobile Phone to download files from the Home Server and lets you blog from your phone as well is now Open Source GPL and will enable other developers to build and develop…
  • Add-In – Windows Home Server Event Monitor
    • Dave Mercer has developed a new add-in. Windows Home Server Event Monitor monitors the event logs and sends them in a single email at a fixed frequency, with the ability to send some events immediately (e.g. remote login failures).  This is an Alpha release and Dave would love to hear your…

Summery • Windows Home Server
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By on November 03rd, 2007

How-to Install SharePoint Services on Windows Home Server

For those of you that don’t know Windows SharePoint Services allows teams to create Web sites for information sharing and document collaboration. And it can be installed with some difficulty for free on Windows Home Server. Luckily Tom from Ramblings of a Home Server User has posted a comprehensive 12 page PDF how to guide to make life easier when installing it on Home Server.

Download How-to Install SharePoint Services 3.0 on Windows Home Server

Other Software • Tutorial • Windows Home Server
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By on November 03rd, 2007

Add-In: Duplication Info – Updated

Wow! as quick as I posted the info about this add-in, a few hours later and it’s been updated already. From version 1.0.0.0 to version 1.0.1.0, which now includes easier setup via a .msi installer, for conventional setup using the Add-Ins tab within the console. Plus a file size heading has been included within the interface.

Duplication Info 1.0.1.0

Download Page

add-ins • Windows Home Server
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