Maxtor is set to light up the storage market with a shared storage device that includes a media server for streaming content.
Maxtor has launched a shared storage device for homes and small business networks that includes a media server for sharing and streaming files without a PC. Regional Marketing Manager for Maxtor Craig Davis describes the product as “One of the hottest of storage devices thats ideal for both the home and office”.
Dubbed Shared Storage Plus, the 200GB to 500GB drive can be connected to a cabled Ethernet network or to a network router — a wireless one, for instance — so that its contents can be shared across the home or small office. Included software lets each user backup and restore files at will, while something called “SimpleView” acts like a virtual IT administrator to provide backup and storage status at a glance to all users. Users can share folders or lock them down by assigning access rights, and the software automatically identifies and sorts more than 100 different Windows file types and drops them into music, photo, movie, Web, software, or documents folders.
Said Craig Davis “During the past week we have been demonstrating the product at a trade show. The response has been sensational. What is interesting is that people who see the product want it both in their home and office”.
Because the drive supports streaming media via compatible UPnP AV digital media adapters, a home can use the device as centralized storage for all video, photo, and music files, where users could simultaneously listen to music in one room on a wireless networked sound system and play digital movies in another room on yet another networked entertainment system. No active PC need be on the network to share and stream files.
Shared Storage Plus will be available in 200GB, 300GB, and 500GB models, at prices oranging between $395 and $695. All are to ship in October.
Maxtor also said that owners of its Shared Storage drive — which first went on sale in January — can upgrade to Shared Storage Plus functionality at no charge by downloading additional software from the company’s support site in October.
For Further Information go to: http://www.maxtor.com/portal/site/Maxtor/menuitem.6adb6b8313633595062e6be791346068/?channelpath=/en_us/Products/Network%20Storage
