I am a newbie..I have read and re-read many options to stream video from my PCs. Among all, I believe PS3 with PS3 Mediaserver software and the HP Windows Home server with 4 TB is the best option for me. I understand that the HWS has ESATA port which can help me to increase the capacity if needed.

My humble question for the gurus are

1. What are your experiences with PS3 + PS3 Mediaserver
2. Are there better options other than HP Windows home server

I am a newbie..I have read and re-read many options to stream video from my PCs. Among all, I believe PS3 with PS3 Mediaserver software and the HP Windows Home server with 4 TB is the best option for me. I understand that the HWS has ESATA port which can help me to increase the capacity if needed.

My humble question for the gurus are

1. What are your experiences with PS3 + PS3 Mediaserver
2. Are there better options other than HP Windows home server

Are you talking specifically about the HP MediaSmart Servers? If so the latest models (EX48x) has an ESata port but is not supported as a port multiplier (so you can do nothing more then add 1 additional drive). You can still add drives via the USB Port (Using something like this that I know owners of the EX48x models use - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816111050). The first gen model which I have (EX470) has the ESata Port Multiplier which I use (max of 4 additional drives). I have absolutely no idea why HP got rid of this feature. You can also look at the Acer EasyStore (http://us.acer.com/acer-v2/product.do?link=oln85e.redirect&changedAlts=&kcond48e.c2att101=-1&CRC=2759084358#wrAjaxHistory=0), but not 100% sure it supports ESata PO=ort Multiplier.

Also, if you have questions about the HP MSS head over to www.mediasmartserver.net and post questions on the forum (I am an active member there), they have a very helpful communtity and I know a few members who has successfully gotten the PS# Media Server working with their MSS .

Thank you Damian.

I am looking to set up my environment. I firmly have decided with PS3 + PS3 media server software. I was looking for the ideal windows home server.


I just read about the Acer product. I think, that should suffice my requirements. Mediasmartserver.net is a very good website for my needs

Thank you once again

Thank you Damian.

I am looking to set up my environment. I firmly have decided with PS3 + PS3 media server software. I was looking for the ideal windows home server.


I just read about the Acer product. I think, that should suffice my requirements. Mediasmartserver.net is a very good website for my needs

Thank you once again

Good to hear. Mediasmartserver.net is good not only for questions relating to the HP MSS but also good for questions relating to WHS in general. Good luck with everything.

If you don't mind...Can you please share with me what Content streamer do you use to stream videos,songs,photos...

If you don't mind...Can you please share with me what Content streamer do you use to stream videos,songs,photos...

I have the following:

PS3
Xbox360
SageTV HD200
Popcornhour
AppleTV
HTPC x 2

However, my primary media extender are my 2 HTPCs. I have tested a bunch of different software but primarily run Windows Media Center using MediaBrowser (http://dbone1026.blogspot.com/search/label/MediaBrowser). I have the Popcornhour set up in my sons room (great for videos, not so great for songs/photos). The SageTV HD200 works well and has a decent interface for your all your media (see this post I did in my blog - http://dbone1026.blogspot.com/2009/03/sagetv-hd200-inital-review-and-setup.html). It also has an add in that integrates well with WHS.

I personally don't care for the PS3 as a media player/extender, the AppleTV has way too many limitations which makes it nothing more then a paper weight, and the XBox is decent but still has more file limitations then I like (W7 may fix some of this).

Hope this is of some help. Don't hesitate to ask any other questions that you may have.

Thank you for you detailed reply. My only problem is I do not want anything to do with PCs. I want a dedicated extender which can play anything you throw in. I read in detail your experience with Sage..but I am hesitant to buy that product. I prefer more stabler product that can use HDMI 1.3. I am not sure Sage supports HDMI 1.3. Also, I am reading a lot of Xtreamer...But I do want to wait before the hype settles down.

If Xtreamer turns out to be good, I might buy it instead of PS3

I just ordered the Acer WHS, I got 1TB WD thrown in free. I have 2TB space to start with. Let me start my journey

Thank you for you detailed reply. My only problem is I do not want anything to do with PCs. I want a dedicated extender which can play anything you throw in. I read in detail your experience with Sage..but I am hesitant to buy that product. I prefer more stabler product that can use HDMI 1.3. I am not sure Sage supports HDMI 1.3. Also, I am reading a lot of Xtreamer...But I do want to wait before the hype settles down.

If Xtreamer turns out to be good, I might buy it instead of PS3

I just ordered the Acer WHS, I got 1TB WD thrown in free. I have 2TB space to start with. Let me start my journey

Even though HTPCs are great and offer the most flexability, as you pointed out they are still PCs and require normal PC maintenance. SageTV not being HDMI 1.3 is one of my biggest complaints. It has resulted in issues with some of my HD audio tracks that I have had to take extra steps to correct. I don't know if/when they have a new model planned.

I am in the same boat as you with the Xtreamer. My Popcornhour looks like it may have died on me this weekend, so I am looking for another extender to replace. I will wait until I see the first batch released and some concrete reviews before I decide on it.

Good luck with the Acer. I am a big fan of WHS. It does a great job of backing up computers on the network and I prefer the JBOD feature as it allows for mixing and matching of different disk sizes. Depending on whether you keep your data that is on the Acer elsewhere, make sure you enable duplication if your data will be keep solely on your Acer. Downside is it reduces your HDD space in half, upside if a drive goes bad you just pop in a new one and won't lose your data. Right now I have 8.5TB worth of drives with my MSS/ESata Enclosure.