Wireless Security Camera Systems

3/27/2012

HP 2133-KX870AT 8.9-Inch Netbook - 6 Cell Battery Review

Average Reviews:
3.5 out of 5 stars

(More customer reviews)Firstly, this review is being written on the 1.6Ghz, HP2133 Mini Note with 2Gb RAM and Vista Home Basic (which was installed at the factory). I have also read the myriad comments in the other reviews about poor CPU performance and warm operation. Therefore, I'll avoid similar statements, only to say that I have also noticed these issues under certain circumstances.

Nevertheless, I have turned off most of the useless bells and whistles in Vista and customised the OS to work adequately for the tasks I perform. And what I do isn't necessarily trivial. I have Office 2007 installed and it works fine to write university assignments and work reports, etc. Word, with the screen set to "page width" view is readable and as functional as my desktop. I also installed Adobe CS3. Yes, it can be slow at times, but it performs well enough to get the job done (using InDesign, Photoshop and occasionally, Dreamweaver). However, I understood when I bought the Mini Note, that it was not designed for multimedia production, but more for multimedia presentation and for basic computing. It is NOT a desktop replacement and was never intended to be.

The more I use my 2133, the more I love it. That doesn't mean I haven't noticed some negative issues (other than those highlighted in other reviews). I'll outline these below.

I won't comment on the touchpad, because I rarely use it. Most of the time, I use the Mini Note on a desk or on my briefcase (placed on my lap), so I plug in a laptop mouse. I would do this with ANY laptop or notebook. However, the Mini Note does allow for more space to use a mouse than a conventional laptop. Once I have finished using the Mini Note, it fits in my briefcase with all my other stuff.

Talking of placing the Mini Note in a briefcase; I am astonished that there isn't a case or bag for it. Most laptop bags are too big and would defeat the purpose of buying the Mini Note. As a result, I use a cloth bag I got with a mixer tap (faucet) I bought for a renovation. It is the perfect size to protect against scratches and marks. This is not to say the nice brushed aluminium (aluminum) case is susceptible to scratches; it's not, I just like to protect my equipment.

The Mini Note's screen hinge and battery design prevents any connectors from being located at the back of the unit (where I'd like them). Hence, all the connections are on the left and right sides of the machine. I usually plug the notebook mouse into the left USB port and run the cable around the back of the Mini Note to the right side. This keeps the cable out of the way and gives me more room on the right for the mouse. This is OK if I am working off the battery. But when the Mini Note is connected to mains power, the huge power plug that sticks out the right side is quite annoying and can get in the way of the mouse. HP, take note; please redesign the next series to have an "L" shaped connector to keep it out of the way.

Some other reviewers mentioned the lack of battery life. I agree with this, too. Nevertheless, there are configuration tweaks you can apply to help maximise battery life. In the BIOS I turn off the hardware I don't regularly use, such as Bluetooth, LAN, Express card, web cam, etc. If I need them, I just turn them back on.

Now, the screen; I love it. At 1280x768, it is bright and sharp, therefore, usable. Yes, it presents some text and menus in tiny fonts, but at the distances most people would use this machine, the screen is readable. Most web sites fit within the browser view port without horizontal scrolling. I'd prefer this over the offerings from other UMPC manufacturers.

I know I said I wouldn't mention the temperature issues, but, I feel compelled to state that after an hour or so spent writing this review (I was distracted by a phone call) the Mini Note is hardly warmer than the ambient room temperature. Of course, this is just running Word 2007. But, as far as I am concerned, this is the sort of thing the Mini Note is designed for; simple productivity tasks.

Additionally, one reviewer stated that the CPU fan runs flat-out all the time. He obviously missed the setting in the BIOS that lets you turn this "feature" off. Normally, the Mini Note runs very quietly, as is the case with mine right now. Although, I must admit that twice now, when waking from "sleep" mode, the fan in my Mini Note seemed to get stuck on full speed. A reboot fixed this, which implies it is an OS problem, not the hardware.

What would make the Mini Note perfect? OK, a faster CPU would definitely be welcome. Secondly, the 225mm (8.9") screen is fine; however, the lid has a lot of wasted real estate. After moving the speakers, it could accommodate a screen 50mm (2") larger (275mm or 11"). Even at the same resolution, this would make the Mini Note considerably better.

That seems to sum up all my main thoughts on the Mini Note. But suffice to say, after another hour using it, I love it even more. Highly recommended.

Click Here to see more reviews about: HP 2133-KX870AT 8.9 Inch Netbook - 6 Cell Battery

Product Description:
Small but mighty, the HP 2133 Mini-Note PC offers you a full-function laptop that weighs just 2.8 pounds. Designed to go where you go without weighing you down, it's perfect for young students in your home, and robust enough to handle demanding business applications for road warriors. Despite its size, it features an 8.9-inch scratch-resistant display with a WXGA resolution and a nearly full-size keyboard (92 percent). A durable all-aluminum case encompasses the top and bottom of the notebook, while an internal magnesium alloy support structure helps protect sensitive components from damage.

The HP Mini-Note features a simple, refined design and anodized aluminum shell that is sleek and sturdy yet lightweight. See a larger view of all the external ports. It's powered by the VIA C7-M ULV processor, which provides a 1.6 GHz clock speed and excellent power management capabilities. Other features include a 120 GB hard drive, 2 GB of installed RAM (maximizing capacity), tri-mode Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11a/b/g), integrated Bluetooth, lightning quick Gigabit Ethernet, VGA webcam built into the screen's bezel for video chats, and up to 4.5 hours of battery life.
It comes pre-installed with Microsoft Windows Vista Business, which has a new user interface, named Windows Aero, that makes it easy to navigate through the operating system and from application to application. For instance, Windows Aero helps you juggle multiple tasks at once by providing a three-dimensional, real-time, animated view of all your open applications and documents. Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.
The Basics

Processor:

Hard Drive:

Memory:

DVD/CD Drive:

Keyboard & Mouse:

The HP DuraKeys have a clear coating applied over the notebook keyboard to protect the finish and printed letters and characters. See a larger view of the keyboard and internal features. Screen, Video & Audio
The 8.9-inch display has a 1280 x 768-pixel resolution, for native 720p high-resolution clarity, and the Mini-Note includes a VGA output for connecting to an external monitor or projector. Video is powered by the integrated Via Chrome 9 video/graphics card, and it includes an integrated high-definition audio card for crisp sound via the internal 2-watt stereo speakers.
Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
This notebook has an integrated tri-mode Intel 3945ABG wireless LAN (802.11a/b/g), with throughput up to 54 Mbps at 5 GHz (802.11a) and 2.4 GHz (802.11g). It's compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found in home routers and Wi-Fi hotspots) as well as 802.11a networks (which has a higher throughput, but more limited range--great for closed office environments). With the Bluetooth connectivity (version 2.0), you can communicate and synchronize with Bluetooth-enabled peripherals such as PDAs and cell phones. You also get super-fast wired connectivity via the Gigabit Ethernet port (10/100/1000).
This notebook includes a next-generation ExpressCard 54/34 card slot (replacing the PCMCIA slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features. And it offers a Secure Digital memory card slot for downloading pictures and videos from your digital camera, or filling up a card for your MP3 player. It includes the following ports:

Operating System
The Windows Vista Business operating system is designed to meet the needs of business organizations of all sizes. For small businesses, Windows Vista Business will help keep PCs running smoothly and more securely so you will be less reliant on dedicated IT support. For larger organizations, Windows Vista Business provides dramatic new infrastructure improvements, enabling your IT staff to spend less time focused on the day-to-day maintenance of PCs. An array of sophisticated new backup technologies helps protect your information even in the event of a catastrophic hardware failure. And Windows Vista Business has a new user interface, named Windows Aero, which is designed to deliver new levels of efficiency for any business user. This new interface makes it easy to navigate through the operating system and from application to application. For instance, Windows Aero helps you juggle multiple tasks at once by providing a three-dimensional, real-time, animated view of all your open applications and documents.
Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.
Preloaded Software
Microsoft Office Ready 2007, Norton Internet Security, MS Live Messenger, Adobe Flash Player, Roxio Creator Basic, Intervideo WinDVD, HP Backup and Recovery Manager
Dimensions & Weight
This notebook measures 10.04 x 6.5 x 1.05 inches and weighs 2.8 pounds.
Power
This model is powered by 6-cell high capacity lithium-ion rechargeable battery, which can provide up to 4.5 hours of battery life.
What's in the Box
This package contains the HP 2133 Mini-Note PC (model KX870AT), rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a limited warranty for parts and labor for one year from date of purchase as well as technical telephone assistance for one year. Software is also covered for 30 days from date of purchase.

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3/26/2012

PLATE CAM BAR TYPE 6LCD MONITOR Review

Average Reviews:
3.7 out of 5 stars

(More customer reviews)I would rate the PRODUCT a 4 - it works as what it supposed to be.

But the installation to the front reverse light power line requires a lot of skill and knowledge to your car's wiring system. alls in the manufacture installation instruction was "connect the blue line to the reverse power line, red wire to the 12V power line.....". I contact Boyo for tech support, all I was told was that "this is meant for professional installers". I didn't want to screw up my car, so i paid $100 to have it installed (I want to add that I have installed numerous radios and subs to my previous cars and didn't have much problem). - good product over all. But if you are not too good with all those wires in your car and you plan to DIY, you really have to think about it twice.

Click Here to see more reviews about: PLATE CAM BAR TYPE 6LCD MONITOR

Product Description:
Boyo VTC461R Wireless Camera System w/6 Color Monitor & 1/3 DSP CCD License Plate Camera (1 Each)

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3/25/2012

Hawking HomeRemote Pro HRPS1 Home Control and Remote Monitoring Starter Kit Review

Average Reviews:
1.8 out of 5 stars

(More customer reviews)I've had the system installed for a little over a year now and have given up - it's just too flaky.

Probably OK if you are at home and can unplug it every once in a while to force a reboot and re-association with the Z-wave devices, but just not robust enough if you are away for more than a week or two. What happens after a while is either a) the gateway doesn't respond or b) it no longer sees the devices. It would probably help if one could reboot it remotely via the browser, but that isn't possible.

When it works it works fine, but the web browser interface is too limiting and at any one time there is probably a 40-50% probability that remote control over the web will work.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Hawking HomeRemote Pro HRPS1 Home Control and Remote Monitoring Starter Kit

Product Description:
With the award-winning Hawking Technology HomeRemote Pro Home Control and Remote Monitoring Starter Kit, you'll have everything you need to set up a HomeRemote Pro Home Control and Remote Monitoring System. With this system, you can control your home appliances and monitor your home from anywhere in the world via a Web browser or cell phone.
The HomeRemote Pro Home Control and Remote Monitoring Starter Kit:

Set up a home monitoring and remote control system with ease using this starter kit. View larger.
Recipient of the Product of the Year Award from Electronic House Magazine, and featuring state-of-the-art Z-Wave wireless mesh technology, the HomeRemote Pro requires no hard wiring or special installation, saving you thousands of dollars when compared to traditional home security and monitoring systems.
This starter kit includes the following components: The HomeRemote Pro Internet Gateway; HomeRemote Pro Door Sensor; and HomeRemote Pro Lamp Module.
How the HomeRemote Pro Monitoring System Works
The HomeRemote Monitoring System lets you monitor your home, secure it from intruders, and control its appliances and power usage via a cell phone or an Internet browser while you're

This diagram shows how the HomeRemote Pro Monitoring System works. View larger. working, at school, or even traveling abroad. You can also use it to monitor your children or pets, or keep tabs on an elderly family member. And business owners can use the system to keep an eye on their premises or employees.
By connecting the included Pro Internet Gateway to your Internet router, you'll effectively create a wireless network that "connects" your home to the Internet. And by adding HomeRemote Pro accessories to your home, such as the included Pro Door Sensor and Pro Lamp Module, or other HomeRemote Pro-enabled products, such as Electrical Appliance modules and Pro Motion Detectors (sold separately), you'll have the option of remotely controlling your heating and cooling system, lighting, blinds, garage door, and virtually any electrical appliance in your home.
If you want to add surveillance features to your property, by installing HomeRemote Pro video cameras, such as the Wireless Video Camera or Video Camera with Night Vision, you can monitor your premises 24/7 in real time from virtually any place in the world.

The comprehensive web interface lets you check on the status of your home and turn on lights, shades, and other appliances. View larger. Award-Winning Z-Wave Wireless Technology
At the heart of the HomeRemote Pro System is Z-Wave wireless "mesh" technology, an award-winning wireless standard for home automation. Unlike traditional remote technologies that rely on infrared signals, Z-Wave is not affected by walls or other barriers, and it offers two-way communication, giving you confirmation that your commands were received and executed. With Z-Wave, the guesswork and finger-crossing is taken out of the equation.
Because each "module" or HomeRemote Pro accessory acts as a repeater that extends the distance of the Z-Wave signals, with a few easily installed and strategically placed HomeRemote Pro accessories, your entire home can be covered in a matter of minutes without any hard-wiring or special installation.
Easy Set Up: No Special Tools or Wiring Required
Setting up a HomeRemote Pro Monitoring System up couldn't be easier. Once you connect the Pro Internet Gateway to your router, you log into the HomeRemote Pro Web site, where you can customize your HomeRemote Pro System by naming the rooms in your home. (You can also personalize your HomeRemote Pro Web page with photos of yourself and other custom touches.) Then it's just a matter of plugging accessories into outlets throughout your home and adding them to your system.
The "installation" of HomeRemote Pro accessories is as easy as plugging in one of the several HomeRemote Pro modules into available electrical outlets. Once the modules, which are about the size of typical home appliance timers, are connected, you simply plug your lamp or appliance into it. The modules let you control appliances remotely (you can schedule them, or turn them on or off on demand), and they will also act as "repeaters" that effectively extend your home's Z-Wave wireless network.
You're now ready to control your home through a browser from anywhere in the world. And by adding your cell phone number to your account settings, your Internet-enabled cell phone can be used to control your home and even stream video of particular rooms.
Note: HomeRemote Pro has two levels of services, basic and pro. Some features mentioned above require a pro-level service. Click here to see a comparison chart of the differences in features and capabilities between the basic and pro-level services.
Other HomeRemote Pro Features
The HomeRemote Pro System offers several customization and monitoring features that give you the ultimate in control and oversight of your home.

Using your cell phone, you can access your HomeRemote-connected appliances and surveillance equipment from anywhere. View larger. The system's Scene/Scheduler feature allows you to create a rule that applies to a group of different appliances. For example, instead of turning all your lights off one by one from your cell phone as you're leaving your house, you can set a Scene called "All Lights Off" that turns off all your lights with the press of a button, or turns them off on schedule you've created.
The Alerts and Notifications feature send email and text (SMS) message alerts to designated recipients whenever a specific event, such as the opening of a door, occurs within a room. Device Linking allows one module or sensor to trigger other modules to turn on or off. Opening a door, for instance, could trigger all the lights in your home to turn on.
And to help you keep an eye on your property, Activity Logs let you view recent and past events in your home if you suspect suspicious activity, or if you simply want to monitor your home while you're away.

The optional Pro Video Camera (l) and Pro Video Camera with Night Vision (r) lets you monitor your home from anywhere in the world. View larger. Expanding your HomeRemote Pro System
The HomeRemote Pro System can be customized to grow as your needs grow. New modules and sensors can be added at anytime. You can add additional HomeRemote Pro Wireless Door Sensors, Motion Detectors, Appliance Modules and Lighting Modules, or specialty products, such as window shades, thermostats, garage door openers, keyless door locks, light switches, and outdoor lighting modules from other HomeRemote Pro compatible manufacturers. The HomeRemote Pro System is compatible with all products featuring the award-winning Z-Wave technology logo.
HomeRemote Pro Services
Basic-Level service is included with a purchase of a HomeRemote Pro Gateway or HomeRemote Pro Starter Kit. For a small monthly fee, you can upgrade to Pro-Level Service to utilize all features on the HomeRemote Pro System.
For more information on subscriptions and HomeRemote-compatible products, visit www.homeremote.net.

What's in the Box
HomeRemote Pro Home Control and Remote Monitoring Starter Kit includes one Pro Internet Gateway (HRPG1), one HomeRemote Pro Door Sensor (HRDS1), one HomeRemote Pro Lamp Module (HRLM1), one Ethernet cable, one Power Adapter for the Gateway, three AAA batteries, installation guide and user manual.

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Toshiba Satellite A505-S6973 16.0-Inch Laptop - Black/Grey Review

Average Reviews:
3.8 out of 5 stars

(More customer reviews)Bought this for my wife to replace a 4-year-old Acer. Ordered last night and got it this morning...

Right off the bat, the huge screen size mesmerized me. Migrating from a 14" to this with a much better quality screen was a pleasure to the eyes.

The system booted up quickly for the first time but I had to do LOTS and LOTS of updates including SP1. Toshiba never stops short of putting bloatware in its laptops sadly. But about 2 hours of "cleaning" made the laptop breath a lot easier...

The web cam sliding panel on the screen is annoying and I haven't found a way to completely disable it yet.

Overall, on looks I give it a solid 5 stars. I got the black one. It's shiny and very good-looking. It's a bit on the heavy side at over 7 lbs but that was totally expected.

The keys on keyboard are very comfortably spaced and are very responsive. The 10-key is a HUGE plus. The mouse is very tactile and responds great to the touch of the fingertips. It's supposed to allow multi-finger touch as well I think, but haven't had a chance to mess around with that yet.

It also comes with instructions as to how request your free copy of the Windows 7 upgrade. You can do so through Toshiba's web site.

The bottom of the laptop does not get nearly as hot as the older Acer used to, so that's a plus.

My first laptop ever was Toshiba Satellite (that was n years ago!) and only if I had kept that one and I could put the side by side... what a world of difference.

I left the BEST feature (in my opinion and so far) for last: The speakers are THE BOMB!!! They are hands down the best speakers on any laptop I have ever seen/owned. I owned another Toshiba that I bought from the retailer that sells things in bulk and it also had very loud speakers for a laptop but this laptop's speakers are both LOUD and FANTASTIC quality. The harman/kardon label says it all. Indeed one of the best features so far...

Again, it's been only 1 day and I spent most of it getting rid of the bloatware, downloading numerous VISTA updates, and installing many of the software she uses, so I didn't get to play with it much. But overall, I am loving it, and most importantly she's been truly enjoying it so far. <<**UPDATE 7/12/09**>>
One little annoying feature I could've lived without is the volume buttons' system beep. These touch-sensitive buttons (located on the top right corner of the keyboard) are very responsive, but by default they produce a very annoying system beep every time one or the other is touched. I found through the Sound settings in Control Panel an option that let me turn that off which improved my experience with the volume buttons 100%. Before, sometimes after holding the + or - button for a few second, I guess because the annoying system beep itself was glitchy, it'd get "stuck" and would continue to beep even after I let go... That's resolved now that I turned off the system beep associated with it. The touch buttons now function the way they ought to. The buttons are lit so when you touch one or the other, the light goes off for each touch indicating the volume is going up or down one notch. No need for the buzzing system beep... Anyhow, thought to share this...

<<**UPDATE 7/23/09**>>
VERY IMPORTANT-----READ!!!!
Last night, as my wife was using the laptop, it just died.... literally, the whole screen went out.... The power button and battery button were both on; the hard drive light was off; the indicators right below the screen (top of the keyboard) were all off; the power button was fully lit. The fan (yes, it actually has a fan... I found it, but it's SUPER quiet) was functioning but the keyboard didn't seem to respond....... Long story short after troubleshooting for at least 45 minutes and getting nowhere, I called the tech support. It was a call center overseas but the response was quick and tech seemed knowledgeable enough I guess; troubleshooting steps were exactly same as what I had already tried...... sadly, he declared the laptop dead at 10:46 p.m... Cause of death: Unknown (hardware related!). So the tech support tells me I have to ship it to their depot... nothing is done overnight! They would ship the empty box -- ground shipping --, then I'd ship it back to them -- again GROUND --, then it'd take them 7 to 10 business days to repair, and then they'd ship it back to me -- GROUND! I am sorry, but my poor Sony laptop after 10 or so months of heavy use, started having problems with its Wi-Fi card; long story short, I had my laptop picked up, repaired, and sent back to me within 5 business days good as new.

Back to this review, Amazon at the end saved the day... They overnighted one for me last night and I'll have the brand new laptop tomorrow, and then I have to send them this one back... just like that. So as of right now, I am disappointed with Toshiba's overall customer service.... The laptop was doing fantastic, and I have no idea why it died so suddenly... but it did and it's a done deal.. Moral of the story: 1) Sometimes you just end up getting a lemon 2) You get you what you pay for. With the money I bought my Sony laptop I could've bought 6 (I am not joking) of these laptops.... and neither their service nor their product has ever stopped short of being perfect... I am just sayin'...

Click Here to see more reviews about: Toshiba Satellite A505-S6973 16.0 Inch Laptop - Black/Grey

Product Description:
Replace your desktop PC with the Toshiba Satellite A505-S6973, which features a 16-inch diagonal HD TruBrite widescreen LED-backlit display, touchpad with multitouch control, power-saving Eco Button to help reduce power consumption based on your needs, USB Sleep-and-Charge ports, and a dual-layer DVD

3/24/2012

HP Mini 210-1030NR 10.1-Inch Black Netbook - 9.75 Hours of Battery Life Review

Average Reviews:
4.0 out of 5 stars

(More customer reviews)I purchased this netbook because of the small size, excellent price, long battery life, and great customer service that HP is known for.

As far as the computer goes...
The computer itself is very light weight and easy to tote around. Not too heavy in a purse or bag and the size it great for concealing what you're carrying, say on a city bus or train.
I'm not a big Winblows fan so I changed the OS to Linux Mint 8 and that gave me back around 8 or 10GB of space that the old OS was eating up. There is plenty of room on the hard drive for a mid-sized music collection, lots of files, and plenty of pictures with room to spare.
The keyboard is great, but lacks a home key, page up, and page down. The touch pad gives you the ability to double click or single click by touch and there is a button on the keyboard for a right-click action.
The AC adapter is plenty long for most tasks and the battery life is excellent.
The webcam is fairly low quality but for basic things, such as using Skype or other conferencing methods, it will do the job. Speakers and mic are great and produce good quality sound for a netbook.

Customer Service...
After having the 210-1030nr for only two weeks, my hard drive went bad. No drops, no spills, no crazy room mates, just went bad. I called HP customer service and they were excellent! They're sending me the shipping materials to send the computer back and are footing the repair bill for me. Great customer service, just like I expected.

The 210-1030nr would have earned that fifth star had the hard drive not gone bad on me. I know, however, that this is a rare occasion for a netbook and sometimes things are not made properly or other issues occur that are beyond my, or any one else's, control.
This HP has performed very well up until the hiccup with the hard drive. My boyfriend was very impressed with the machine, despite his initial aversion to it's small size; he was worried it would be fragile or flimsy. He will be purchasing one for himself very soon.

Click Here to see more reviews about: HP Mini 210-1030NR 10.1 Inch Black Netbook - 9.75 Hours of Battery Life

Product Description:
Prepare to be noticed when you take this Netbook out on the town. Small, slim and stylish, the HP Mini 210 lets you surf the web, stay connected, and be entertained wherever you go.Amp up the fun by playing videos and music or showing off your photos.Exclusive, integrated software keeps you in sync with your life by letting you e-mail, chat, and instantly access your files from anywhere.Take just what you need And leave the rest on your primary PC. At less than one inch thin and starting at just 2.69 pounds, this ultra-compact PC won't weigh you down. You'll enjoy a 16:9 10.1" diagonal BrightView Infinity display and nearly full-size keyboard.

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3/23/2012

HP EX487 MediaSmart Home Server Review

Average Reviews:
3.8 out of 5 stars

(More customer reviews)UPDATED at Bottom on 05/05/2009

Hi All,

I have been using different types of NAS solutions, including a Drobo, for a while now and wanted to give the Windows Home Server solution a shot for my home.I am an IT person by trait.I know that it is fairly easy to build a small home server but I had heard so much about the HP interface that I wanted to give this a shot.Unfortunately I did not buy from AMAZON and had to use a third party to get the item....but that's neither here or there.My review is about the product itself.

The box includes the server, the rescue cd, the restore cd, and a cd for both mac/pc workstations.Remove the item from the box, plug in the power and a ethernet cord to your router/switch and you are ready to roll.The first setup of the client software MUST be done on a PC so that you can set the server up.Very easy and very well made software that will guide you through the entire process.

(A Side Note - HP Recommends that you use a router that has UPNP on it so that the remote capabilities of this server can be used without issues.A list of some routers is below. I was unfortunately using Apple Airport Extreme Base Stations but had a handy dandy D-Link DIR-655 at home...which I switched to immediately and permanently so I can use this server.Product Link for DIR-655: D-Link DIR-655 Extreme N Wireless Router

Once the setup process is concluded (5-10 minutes) you are able to start using the server at once and create user accounts, media syncing, iTunes servers, etc.Very Very simplistic approach.One of the reasons I give it a 5/5.One feature that I want to mention, which puts this device over the others, is that it has a built in plug-in that allows me to use an Amazon s3 account to backup the entire server...normally you would have to use a 3rd party software (jungle disk, which i own) to do this but having it built into the server and having the server manage the backup to the cloud is amazing.

MAC Specific: I wanted to see how this server would work on a MAC and what the ramifications would be of using time machine over the network without having to buy Apple's time capsule.Again, very easy.I installed the software on my macbook pro.It has a section where you define the amount of space you want to use on the server for your time machine backup...10-20-30-40-etc gb....Set the space, it creates the area on the server, hit the start button, go to time machine preferences and use this new hard drive which shows up in the list as HP Mediasmart Server and VOILA....you are time machining away at gigabit speeds.Did I mention the ethernet on this is Gigabit.

Dynamic DNS:We all have some sort of broadband if we consider devices like this and most of us do not opt to pay the exorbitant costs for static ip addresses....instead we just use DHCP from Cable or DSL.Those addresses change..maybe not often..but they do change.One of the features of WHS is to allow you remote access from where ever you may be...and or for a family member to get in and take a look at some files you have stored for them...pictures, music, etc...The server has a built in feature to allow you to use two or three services....TZO (if I remember correctly is one that is included free for one year--allows custom domain names), Microsoft offers a free domain if you have a FREE Microsoft Live ID.I opted for the free service as it allows me to use a simple name like tarun . homeserver . com.You simply pick a name for your server (tarun) and it goes and checks if it is available...if it is you are all set.This is when a UPNP router comes into play so that media smart can set the router up to allow incoming connections to the proper ports for the server....VOILA...works like a charm.I can get to the server from work and upload files, download, etc....very very nice and very easy.

I can get in to much broader detail about the setup but then that would defeat the purpose of this review.I think I have already typed to my hearts content.I really love this device...it is worth its price.I am sure we can all build it cheaper and smaller...but hey...for me I don't want to tinker with hardware since it is time consuming and I would much rather hang out with the kids.

This is a great device which, backed by HP, will only get better with time.

5/5

ps.If you have any questions...please feel free to comment and I will answer them as best as I can.

Quick Note 02-28-2009:If you are a PC user then the WHS agent will pull all of your music and pictures to the server and make them available...this includes iTunes music and playlists.If you are a MAC user...u are out of luck for automation...but you can copy your entire iTunes music folder over to the WHS Manually.WHS will make the iTunes library and playlists available to all network users.I moved my iTunes from my mac to the WHS and then simply told iTunes the new location...so if I add new music, podcasts, etc...I dont have to sync directories...iTunes will just add them to the WHS Music Folder...which is mounted on the mac as a volume.Hope that helps a bit.

ps..Firefly is what WHS/HP use for iTunes....something which I believe can be installed on a drobo with droboshare.

UPDATE 03-06-09 - If you are a opendns user then there may be some issues in regard to pinging and browsing to your whs using the connector on pc's.There is a simple fix...add an exception at [...] for your server.Example: server.local where server is your server name and .local is your home.I did it today and my pc was able to find the server without issue.Some routers may not experience this problem...but I had it with both the apple airport extreme and the d-link.A simple fix....

UPDATE 03-10-09 - Compatible Routers:
The Good:
* D-Link DGL-4100 GamerLounge Broadband Gigabit
* D-Link DGL-4300 GamerLounge Broadband Gigabit
* D-Link DIR-655 Wireless Xtreme N Gigabit
* D-Link EBR-2310 Ethernet Broadband
* D-Link WBR-1310 Wireless-G
* Linksys WRT150N Wireless N Broadband
* Linksys WRT54G3G-ST Wireless G for Mobile Broadband
* Linksys WRT54GC Compact Wireless-G Broadband
* Netgear WPN824NA RangeMax Wireless Router
* Trendnet TEW-631BRP Wireless N Draft
The BAD:
* Linksys WRT330N Wireless-N Gigabit Gaming
* Microsoft MN-500 Broadband Networking Wireless Base
* Apple Airport Extreme Base Station
* Linksys WRT55AG Wireless 4 Port
* Qwest Actiontec m1000DSL
* US Robotics USR8001 DSL/Cable with Print Server

Quick Update 03/13/2009 - Friday the 13th:
1.The server is backing up to Amazon S3 perfectly almost every day and I have not had one issue yet.

2.A FUN Project to try is to download the ps3 media server which is freeware that can be installed on WHS to automatically stream your music, videos, pictures, etc on to your PS3...if you have one.I will post a link in the comments section.

3.Last but not least for today - If you want to remove that annoying reminder to install Mcafee.....you can check the ignore button but that item remains in the list forever....How to remove it?There is a share from the mediasmart called SOFTWARE which houses certain files.One of the files is a rather large file....larger then 50mb if I am not wrong....I wish I could remember the name.That is the McAfee add-in installer...once it is removed from the software share and the server is restarted..u will never see it mentioned again and dont have to worry about checking off ignore.

I know this review is getting LONG...but I want anyone that owns and or is considering buying one of these units to have as much information as possible.Its not easy to drop $600 these days and end up with something you may never use.I sincerely hope my review helps you make the right decision.

Quick NOTE: 03/24/09 - Microsoft has released powerpack two for WHS.I have also configured, manually, my new dual band Apple Airport Extreme to work with WHS.You simply need to forward 3 ports to your WHS box from within the Airport Utility Software.I believe somone has posted a link in the comments section also.....

Update 03/26/09 - This was pointed out to me in the comments section as I was unaware.You are able to completely image a Windows PC and recover it via a CD that is provided by HP.The initial backup takes a while depending on how much space you are using but once its done you feel better knowing your machine can be fully recovered if the hard drive dies, etc..

Update 05/05/09 - (happy cinco de Mayo) - I just wanted to chime in and let everyone know that a new version of the WHS software is available from HP.Make sure you update your units so that they have the latest and greatest.The new features allow for automatic video conversion for any videos you drop in designated folders.Also, HP has a iPhone and iPod touch software which connects to the server to allow for music streaming and photo viewing.AWESOME features that keep making this an AWESOME addition to anyone's home network.

Click Here to see more reviews about: HP EX487 MediaSmart Home Server

Product Description:
Automatically back up and protect your digital memories, centralize your media and content for sharing with friends and family, and enjoy your digital media while at home or away with the HP EX487 MediaSmart Home Server. Based on the Microsoft Windows Home Server platform, this sleek, quiet server is ideal if you have multiple PCs on a home network, or want the flexibility to enjoy your digital experiences from anywhere over the Internet. And it's easy to set up--just plug it in, connect it to your wireless router (sold separately), and load the software onto your PCs and Macs.

The HP EX487 makes backing up your home's PCs and streaming media a breeze, and it comes with 1.5 TB of storage. Centralize your iTunes music libraries on the MediaSmart Server for playback to any networked Mac or PC running iTunes. The HP Media Collector conveniently schedules the MediaSmart Server to copy and centralize digital files and libraries from networked PCs. The pre-installed HP Photo Publisher software enables you to easily upload photos to Facebook, Flickr, Picasa Web Albums and Snapfish. and the MediaSmart Server provides peace of mind with effortless backups of your Windows-based PCs via the Windows Home Server backup feature and Macs running Leopard using Apple Time Machine software.
The EX487 MediaSmart comes with dual 750 GB hard drives (for 1.5 TB of storage right out of the box) and four drive bays that allow you to add optional off-the-shelf SATA I or II hard drives--up to a maximum capacity of 9 TB (terabytes). Additionally, the MediaSmart includes four USB 2.0 ports and one eSATA port for connecting an attached external hard drive, and it provides capabilities for offsite backup via automatic upload to Amazon's S3 service.
The sleek, streamlined micro-tower design is perfect for use in the home office or the living room, with perforated steel exterior panels that provide cool, quiet operation. A Sleep Mode conserves energy and saves you money in more ways than one. The built-in sleep mode consumes only 1W of power, and the server can take on many of your PC's responsibilities, enabling you to turn off your individual computers to further save energy and money.
Software Features

Satisfy all your backup and media storage needs with four internal hard drive bays, four USB 2.0 ports, one eSATA port, and access to Amazon S3 online backup.

PC Operating System Support

Hardware Specifications

What's in the Box
HP EX487 MediaSmart Home Server, power cable, Ethernet cable (RJ45), PC restore disc, server recovery disc, software installation disc, printed documentation. The MediaSmart Server is backed by a one-year limited warranty and dedicated software technical support both online and by phone.

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GeoVision GV-650 - Video input adapter - PCI - NTSC, PAL Review

Average Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars

(More customer reviews)This is something I really have been wanting for a few years.I use to have a avermedia stand alone DVR which was good but limited features.I bought aGV-650 4 channel with BNC inputs.This was the best 300.00 i spent and its just what i needed.With this card it brought my 4 cameras around my house to life.There are so many features with this software that you'll probably never use some of them.The best thing i like about this card & software is the customization you can do.through the software you can pinpoint and mark the areas you want to pick up & record. you can also block out areas in your area you don't want to pick up.It also has advanced recording capabilities.You can also hook up some computer speakers and have a sound alert you when the cameras are activated.I have a 250gb hard drive and with the motion dtection set 24/7 I have only used 6 gb. in the last week. i'd say thats pretty good.The installation was very easy just plug the card into an empty PCI slot,hook up the cameras,load the software and your ready to go.this is my 3rd surveillancesystem and this is by far the best and very user friendly.With the GV650 system you have so many options & features.One of my favorite features is object tracking. Which you can set a certain area and it will record activity. So when i come home from work i can go to that module and review whos been around my property and have it on video. it also has face detection where it will lock onto the persons face.For the best picture quality i would reccomend a good graphics card,LCD screen with DVI inputs for the best picture possible.I hope this helps someone in there purchase.

Click Here to see more reviews about: GeoVision GV-650 - Video input adapter - PCI - NTSC, PAL

Product Description:
Includes the following: DVR Card Users Manual Local and Remote Software (Version 8.1)Specifications:Input Type: GV-650 D-Type: DB15 X 2Video Inputs: 4 CamerasAudio Inputs: 2 ChannelsRecording Rate: At 320 X 240 Resolution - 60 fps (NTSC), 50 fps (PAL)Display Rate: 60 fps (NTSC), 50 fps (PAL)Video Resolution - NTSC/PALFull D1, Half D1, CIFCompression Format: Wavelet, MPEG-4, Geo MPEG4, Geo MPEG4 (ASP), Geo H264GV-DSP Support: YesGV-A16 Support: YesGV-NET/IO Card Support: YesDimensions: GV-650 D-Type: 175 (W) x 98 (H) mm Note: GV-650 is currently not compatible with VIA series and ATI series chipset motherboards.

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