I purchased a HP MediaSmart Server ex470.  For those who are not in the know, it is a headless Windows server running a hybrid of Windows Server 2003 called Windows Home Server.  My primary reason for having the server is to centralize the 3 PCs multimedia files (pictures, music and movies).  The secondary reason is to stream the files to Vista Media Center, my PS3 and xbox360.

Installation was a snap, although I had to change over to a Vista 32 box to install the included HP software.  I was able to configure accounts username/password to match the local accounts on each Vista box.  This allows me to connect to the server without entering any information.  It also gives each account a private user folder to store personal files that are blocked from the other users.  Permissions were fairly basic, but this is meant for a home not business so I understand.

Shortly after copying media files I ran into my first snag.  Viewing video files (mp4 or dvd (video_ts folder).  on Vista Media Center, PS3 or xbox360 all had various issues.  I will be following up with some of the things I’ve tried, the successes/failures of each and what I am still trying to make this all work…