Whilst we’ve been sworn to secrecy, we’ve been aware for a while that Tranquil PC have been working on a new cutting edge Media Server system, and today we can at last reveal some of the details.
Launched this Easter weekend, the M one is a Windows Home Server based system which combines 2Tb of internal storage with 4 DVB-T digital terrestrial tuners to allow simultaneous multi-channel TV viewing and recording around the home, as well as a multitude of other functions:
- Watch live DVB-T television
- Playback recorded TV programs
- Set-up TV recording schedule
- Electronic Program Guide
- Listen to your music collection
- View your picture albums
- Watch DVD files
- Watch downloaded videos
- Watch online videos (incl HD)
The M one box can be located anywhere that provides a wired network + TV antenna + mains power. As with other products in their home server range, additional storage is available via the easy connection of exetrnal hard drives. Tranquil have been testing the device heavily over the past two months at their HQ in Manchester for stability as well as ensuring the units power consumption is minimised.
The hardware is a customised version of Tranquil’s popular A3 chassis, which was recently awarded PC Pro’s A List status ahead of the HP MediaSmart Server.
We’ll have more details on the M one over the weekend, but for now, it’s great to see more home server innovation coming out of Manchester from Tranquil PC - I think the Media Server arena is going to be a very exciting area we’ll see home servers evolve to, and the fact that this kind of functionality can be achieved with the existing Windows Home Server platform is fantastic news, and a much needed shot in the arm for the home server category.
Stay tuned for more over the coming days.
March 20th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Wow, that thing sounds amazing!
Do you know if they have any plans to produce a model that would work with US Television Standards?
Thanks,
Daniel
March 21st, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Great - but how do you use the tuners in the home server in Media Center? Can you use the EPG, schedule recordings etc from a living room HTPC without any tuners, using this WHS box to handle the recording for you?
March 21st, 2008 at 1:18 pm
the M one is the server - HDDs, Tuners, etc (also happens to service Home Server too)
The STBs (set top boxes) are network connected to the server (can be more than more server). They are small, silent, low power, and have consumer electonics connectivity - ie EASY use with your TV / Audio system (unlike some PC Media Centers).
The STB controls the M one completely - it’s simplicity itself !
Keep your eyes open for more news over next few days
March 21st, 2008 at 10:59 pm
I guess this is based on SageTV?
March 22nd, 2008 at 9:51 am
Sounds very promising… It’ll be interesting to see what connectivity this has, will it feed directly to a TV? and is there any means of controlling it from the sofa i.e a remote of sorts? My problem is that my wireless router and my TV antenna are on different floors so sorting out a wired connection could be an issue; I’ll look forwa