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 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…