Late last week, HP announced that as part of their February update, the HP MediaSmart Server would include free media server software from PVConnect. The software also comes bundled with the new Fujitsu-Siemens SCALEO Home Server. I had a quick chat with Packet Video on Sunday to understand the real benefits that PVConnect brings over a standard WHS installation. The key things include the ability to stream a very wide range of media formats to a range of DMRs including the Xbox 360, PS3 and others, as well as transcoding ability for photos which ensures that your photos are shown at the most appropriate resolution for the specific display you’re serving them to. I’m over at the HP booth today for a while, so I’m hoping to take a look at the software in more detail.
According to PacketVideo, the software for Windows Home Server will also be made available to buy spearately through their website, along with a 30 day evaluation version. If you have a MediaSmart Server, you get it for free.
PVConnect released their own announcement regarding their partnership with HP yesterday - here’s the release:
Jan 07, 2008 09:00PVConnect(TM) Media Server Software Included in Select New HP Storage and Home Server Devices
PacketVideo’s PVConnect Software Enables Devices to Share Content with Other Home and Mobile Devices
SAN DIEGO –(Business Wire)– Jan. 7, 2008 PacketVideo’s (PV) PVConnect media server software will be included in new products launching this year to allow for media content to be shared among a variety of compatible home consumer electronic and mobile devices. In particular, PVConnect will be the media server software for the HP Media Vault 2100 and 5100 network-attached storage devices, both expected to ship in the spring.
PVConnect media server software can manage literally tens of thousands of individual media files without negatively influencing CPU performance. This capability makes it the perfect choice for high-capacity storage units such as the HP Media Vault devices, which can hold up to 1.5 terabyte of capacity and have multiple bays and USB ports for adding even more capacity.
“As the world continues its transformation to digital media, consumers are amassing mammoth amounts of video, music and photo files — files that add up quickly and can become a nightmare to manage and share,” said PV CEO James C. Brailean, Ph.D. “PVConnect is a powerful tool to create order out of media files, and to extend their reach to other home network devices.”
PVConnect server software will also be part of an early spring software update for the newly released HP MediaSmart Server, which is based on the Windows(TM) Home Server platform.
“Our MediaSmart Server and Media Vault products have created exciting new ways for people to connect to their digital content and share experiences with friends and family no matter where they are,” said Carlos Montalvo, vice president of marketing, Managed Home Business Unit, HP. “The integration of PacketVideo’s PVConnect software into our server product suite makes it easier than ever to share and enjoy high definition media files through out the home and on the go.”
PVConnect is developed by PV, a subsidiary of NextWave Wireless Inc. (NASDAQ: WAVE). PV also supplies the multimedia software that enables such services as Verizon Wireless’ VCAST music and video services, NTT DoCoMo’s 3G FOMA service and Orange’s Orange World services.
PVConnect is certified by the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), meaning it can enable a device to talk to hundreds of other DLNA-compatible devices as well as those that follow the standard Universal Plug-and-Play (UPnP) protocol. PVConnect also has a flexible adaptation layer that makes popular gaming consoles such as the Microsoft(TM) Xbox 360(TM) and Sony(TM) PS3(TM) devices able to access and control media from storage devices like the HP Media Vault and HP MediaSmart Server.
About PV: PV, a subsidiary of NextWave Wireless Inc. (NASDAQ: WAVE), is the software innovator powering the world’s leading mobile multimedia services. With more than 250 different devices supported and 170+ million PV multimedia clients deployed around the world, PV has the deepest, broadest and most respected multimedia software expertise in the industry. Founded in 1998, PV is headquartered in San Diego, California, with regional offices in the U.S., Japan, Europe and India.
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurances that forward-looking statements will be achieved, and actual events or results could differ materially from the events or results predicted or from any other forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, PV, and should not be considered as an indication of future events or results. Important factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially are described in filings of our parent company, NextWave Wireless Inc. (NASDAQ: WAVE) with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All such documents are available through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. PV and NextWave Wireless Inc. make no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect changes in events or circumstances after the date any such statement is made, except as may be required pursuant to applicable law.
PacketVideo
Gretchen Griswold, 858-731-5335
griswold@pv.com
or
Ruder-Finn
Jeff Seedman, 310-882-4009
seedmanj@ruderfinn.com
January 8th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
My homeserver already streams content to my 360 and PS3… Why exactly do I need this software?
January 9th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
It’s really there to improve some of the experience of using WHS with DMRs - whilst they work fine, functionally with PVConnect you’ll get thumbnails of your media on some of those devices, as well as transcoding of photos to the specific device you’re playing, to ensure they look their best.