Home servers are a growing segment of the consumer electronics market - although lagging behind the rate at which home digital assets are growing. Market research firm, In-Stat, recently released a report predicting a 62% growth rate for home network media servers from 2006 to 2011. In reality, it is something that needs to happen if families are to secure their rapidly growing digital assets including music, images and videos.
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The core capabilities of the 500GB LaCie Ethernet Disk Mini Home Edition Server are;
- Central storage for sharing, synchronizing and showing your digital media assets with friends and family
- Accessibility home files from anywhere in the world with an Internet connection
- Playback videos, music and photos on your television (UPnP capable)
Saving digital content is a simple as drag and drop. The supplied DesktopMirror application is available for configured backup and restoration of computer files to the device for safekeeping or remote access. Multimedia files can be streamed through DLNA-compatible UPnP media players and the LaCie Mini Home Server can act as an iTunes music server.
A feature many will fall in love with is the Axentra HipServ application allowing users to set up free remote access to their digital assets via LaCie’s media portal, homelacie.com. Using HipServ’s simple menu system users can securely access their files with an Internet browser. Customized access permissions can be configured and sharing invitations emailed to friends and family. Photos can be viewed on any UPnP TV, Microsoft Xbox 360 or Sony Playstation 3.
A premier version of LaCie’s media portal is available on subscription ($29.99 p.a.). Extra features include support for monitoring video surveillance Internet cameras and web-enabled mobile phone access. LaCie intend to continue adding value adding features.
The LaCie Mini Home Media Server is not as powerful as HP’s MediaSmart server but represents excellent value for money and an opportunity to safely store digital memories and important digital assets.
LaCie Ethernet Disk Mini Dome Edition Server Specification
| Capacity | 500 GB |
| Interface | Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/1000 Mbits |
| Rotational Speed (rpm) | 7200 |
| Cache Size | 16MB |
| Processor/RAM | 400MHz / 64MB DDRAM |
| USB Port | for backup on external USB hard drives |
| Network Setting | Easy Install on CD (Mac/PC) Assistant for router set-up |
| Multimedia | UPnP Media adapter compatible iTunes server Photos (JPEG, GIF, PNG); Music (MP3, WMA); Video (MPEG, MOV, WMV) streaming over the Internet |
| System Software | Axentra HipServ v1.5 |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 44 x 160 x 173 mm / 1.7 x 6.3 x 6.8 in. |
| Weight | 1500 g / 52.95 oz. |
| Supported OS | Windows 2000, Windows XP (SP1 & SP2), Windows Vista / Mac OS X 10.3 or higher |
| Web browser | Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher, Safari 1.3 or higher, Firefox 1.5 or higher |
| System Requirements | Ethernet router (UPnP preferred); broadband Internet connection using Ports 80 (http), 443 (https) and 22 (ssh) unblocked – refer to your Internet Service Provider for details; PC or Mac equipped with Ethernet network adapter and a CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive; Intel Pentium III 500MHz processor or greater; minimum 512MB of RAM |
| Software | HipServ Desktop Agent for quick connection HipServ Desktop Mirror for backing up files (Windows) |
| Comments | 1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes. Total accessible capacity varies depending upon operating environment (typically 10–15% less) Audio and video playback is dependent on the codecs installed on your computer. |
| Box Contents | LaCie Ethernet Disk mini - Home Edition; Ethernet cable; external power supply; drive stand for upright use; CD-ROM with Easy Install; Quick Install Guide |
| Warranty : | 3 Year Limited Warranty |
