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November 16, 2008 09:37 PM
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Brett

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Joined: 11/16/2008

If you have your music on a home server or any server for that matter, Looks like you can't access them unless they are converted to Itunes.

This is not my idea of a PC..

Is not most music and pics not on a server in many home these days.

Have i gotten something wrong here.

Discussion:    Add a Comment | Comments 1-20 of 24 | Latest Comment | 1 2 Next »

Dave8989 Avatar
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  • member since: 11/15/2008
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November 17, 2008 10:59 AM

This was my first bad impression of the TouchSmart software. I can not really call it "smart"Embarassed.  Media Center knows that my music & photos are on the Home Server and is quite happy.

There are a number of work arounds but the all required taking up space on the TouchSmart. You can use Synchronizing applications like Windows Live Foldershare(Beta) or Live Mesh. These apps, when loaded on your houshold PCs, will keep your Music and Photos folders in sync. Load a tune on one PC and it will find its way to the Home Server and the TouchSmart, etc.  There is also a TouchSmart Addin but I have not tried it since Foldershare works for me.

https://www.foldershare.com/

https://www.mesh.com/Welcome/default.aspx

Dave - I'm a PC in Seattle

Generic Member Avatar
Member
November 17, 2008 3:05 PM

Thanks Dave

Thats the whole point that i dont want to have 1000 songs on each computer we have 6 , Hp has not thought out there application. I think it needs a complete rewrite to get rid of the buds myself, The tiles crash and disapear constantly, some days i want to kick it. lol..

I've settled on not having music on the thing, my Denon amp pics them up off the server and sends them through out the house.

When i have shared my music folders from the other pc's I have had issues with dupicate songs that drive me crazy, So i have all pc's use the server as there "docs, Music, Pictures" storage.

I hope HP does not do like they have with other products just walk away or turn there head on problems after release to public.

Maybe they will listen and improve this ( "winner" ) when it works. as of now though the issues remame enough to make me wonder.

So I just us the touchsmart app for notes, weather (when is does not forget my zip code), My denon control web page and when Grandkids come over and play games whith there little fingers.

Thanks for the links "mesh" looks like I'll try it.

GeekTieGuy Avatar
Member
November 18, 2008 8:05 PM

Can you give examples of tiles that crash and disappear constantly? We'd like to look into that.

As far as not having thought things out, I beg to differ. Certain things have been thought out. But there's not enough time and money to go around to implement every feature that is desired. Not even the features that the designers at HP want badly. There is always a trade-off that has to be made.

The nice thing, in my opinion, is that you can do just what you're talking about: turn off the stuff you don't find useful and use a smaller subset. Also, you have a fully functional computer with Media Center. You get to pick the software you like to use.

I can certainly see the need for more flexible Media apps (picking up media from non-hardcoded locations). Your feedback in that area helps us prioritize where to go next.

Generic Member Avatar
Member
November 19, 2008 2:17 AM

Hi GeekTieGuy

Thanks for the post

I did not mean to offend hard working people, I assume you on the design or tech team.

Let me note the Issues I have.

The following crash and hang the touchsmart app mostly when it is loading or the computer starts and the app is starting programs or web pages (tiles), it seems as there is no timeout period for webpages to load before the tile givesup and crashes,if it crashes it disapears.

1. Yahoo.com crashes tile lost
2. food network.com crashes tilelost
3: Denon server web page crashes tile lostv acsess by ip. (192.168...)
4. No media available from home media server via shared folder
5. No media avalable even if the Doc, Pictures, Music folders location are change to point to server. Music is available if I convert it all to itunes ?
6. The weather tile loses zip code and defaults back to wherever
7. at least once a day eratic beeping when screen is touched (in the thouchsmart app), continues each time screen is touched until it is shut down o r freezes ( in a minimized position) never has frozen the pc, or in full screen. restarting may or may not solve this issue reboot does, but then i get the tiles crashing as the thing loads.

This app (touchsmart) is the reason for the touchscreen in my mind..as vista is not ready for prime time on the touch side. ie touch points are to small (my finger is not as small as the mouse pointer) throughout the O.S. If I enlarge the DPI to help,.. the touchsmart app does not proportion to fit and is worthless

But hp has made is farly simple to use. I wish media center was the answer to fill in the gaps, but really its ok, but it is a bull in a china closet.

I just hate to see hp forget the develpoment of this computer or touchsmart app as it should and could out smart apple and really be winner.

I have had the unfriendly side of hp with their touch screen cell phone. they just ignored us tell the warrantee was up.

That phone could have and would have been an iphone, before the iphone, and would and could have killed the iphone.

But as I quote from you "But there's not enough time and money to go around to implement every feature that is desired. Not even the features that the designers at HP want badly. There is always a trade-off that has to be made" Crashing apps and missing features in my mind is not a trade off.

You guy's got a product that can and will appeal to a HUGE segment of new pc owners. But it's gotta be Right

Its the compromise that has kills HP and the pc industry these days, Why has Apple has always been out front as a tech leader (remember I am a PC guy). Because Job's does not compromise and they get winners out the door.

Well the ipaq hw6500 phone became a BRICK. And should not have.

Lets hope that the corperate "next quarter profit" thinking does not ruin this machine.

Just keep going and strive to get it "RIGHT" and you'll win. Remember Apple will be here anytime with their Touchscreen and it will be "cool" there is no reason that this machine should wind up the way of the hw6500 ipaq mobile phone did,.. dead.

DO you know how many released updates there have been to this app since production beagan ? If the Builds continue then we'll know that it is truly thought out, full featured, and robust..you guys must take these pcs home and use them every day? or i hope at least you have a beta team beating the thing up on a daily basis.

Touchscreen is the future, stay ahead of the curve, proactive not reactive.

This is not a dig, or rant but a cheering onward...it is a hope that HP will give this machine the resources, it needs. Fine tuned and polished. I have seen 3 new models come out all with the same motherboard, just bigger screen and better bells and whisles. But not better software. HP needs this app to be a Killer repeat a killer application that people must have.. Whats been done is great But keep going...
My hope is to have 4 of these babies "Hanging Around" to slide show my pics, Grab a recipe off the net print and it up. (without a Mouse...) turn on the home automation software, Music server, security..see who is at the door, turn on the sprinklers... and shut down the house ant night all with a "touch"

P.S. I have tried unloading all uneeded programs, still I have the crashing issue.
Have done a factory reinstall but does not fix it. office 2003 and yahoo messenger is the only aplication added to the pc..

If there is any senerio that you would like me to explain just ask..

My best to you and your company.

Brett

GeekTieGuy Avatar
Member
November 19, 2008 8:24 PM

Hi Brett,

No offense taken. Thanks for taking the time to put down more details and explain your perspective.

I completely agree that crashing tiles are not a trade-off. We need to figure out why this is happening on your system. The browser has been tested extensively by a large team and we've not seen this happening during testing. I believe that your issues 1., 2. and 3. have a common cause. Issue 4. and 5. I would characterize as missing features, and those are definitely trade-off related in my mind. I understand you see it differently. Issue 6. is also something we need to look into. Again, this is not something we've seen in testing. Issue 7 may be fixed in the near future by a group of updates that we will release.

We are still working on new releases and have finished two updates to the software in the lab. One will be back out on the HP website soon, and the other will come a little later. So the builds continue, as you are hoping.

And yes, as I've mentioned above, we have testers looking at our stuff all the time. As far as real-world beta testing goes, that's not something I can comment on.

Generic Member Avatar
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  • member since: 12/13/2008
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December 13, 2008 2:12 AM

I joined the forum for this point too, i could not believe at first that i don't find the option to add network attached folder to the photos or videos but after i called support i was stunted that its not supported. I never saw any pic or any viewer in windows that cannot read any drive in windows mapped or not. I am waiting for an update before my return expire date to return my just today arrived i816.

Generic Member Avatar
Member
December 13, 2008 6:57 PM

I have my IQ 3 days now and it certainly has the promise of greatness. It could be the ultimate media centre but it needs the software improved. I have my photos, videos and music on a server and it is daft to have to duplicate everything onto the IQ. The USP for this is the touchscreen which is useless without the Touchsmart software. I have a VISTA media centre from Gateway and it was a waste of money. This IQ could be the next great thing IF the software is sorted. There seem to be a good few tech heads have bought this, so it looks like there is a good beta test base out there HP - make use of it. Best of luck with this potentially great product.

Generic Member Avatar
Member
December 14, 2008 1:48 PM

GeekTieGuy said: Hi Brett, No offense taken. Thanks for taking the time to put down more details and explain your perspective. I completely agree that crashing tiles are not a trade-off. We need to figure out why this is happening on your system. The browser has been tested extensively by a large team and we've not seen this happening during testing. I believe that your issues 1., 2. and 3. have a common cause. Issue 4. and 5. I would characterize as missing features, and those are definitely trade-off related in my mind. I understand you see it differently. Issue 6. is also something we need to look into. Again, this is not something we've seen in testing. Issue 7 may be fixed in the near future by a group of updates that we will release. We are still working on new releases and have finished two updates to the software in the lab. One will be back out on the HP website soon, and the other will come a little later. So the builds continue, as you are hoping. And yes, as I've mentioned above, we have testers looking at our stuff all the time. As far as real-world beta testing goes, that's not something I can comment on.
Can you find out if issue 4 and 5 are going to be addressed by HP as these are critical for most peoples daily usage?

GeekTieGuy Avatar
Member
December 14, 2008 3:19 PM

I've been looking into that, but so far I have nothing new to say on the subject.

Generic Member Avatar
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  • member since: 12/20/2008
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December 20, 2008 3:15 AM

I have to agree that's it's just not good enough that media files on your server cannot be adressed from the TouchSmart Apps. I have a HP MediaSmart Home Server I bought exactly to get rid of the mess of having my pics all over the place. I put everything there and I can pull it up on any pc, xBox or on my TV to display a slideshow. But the TouchSmart app does not allow me to do it - sorry guys, but that's a 'go back and try again' rating. I can understand the trade off after I figured out that the app autofinds all picture files on the pc and you may not want it to do that on the network - BUT guys! - you added the 'removable media' menu option so how about adding a 'network' menu option - preferably allowing you to select locations to include in the search.

Moreover, if you try to cheat and put a shortcut to your server share in the pictures folder, it will actually display in the folder view, BUT if you try to open it the app will crash! (But this trick does work with the little sidebar slideshow gadget - you can even drag and drop a shortcut to it. When that can work, surely you guys can figure out a way to make it work in the TouchSmart apps as well).

You may also want to get some tips from the design team on the Media Smart TV product. (From the look and feel of the apps I think you have, but please try and copy the network bit from them too).

Cool product - but THIS one you gotta fix!

Generic Member Avatar
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December 23, 2008 12:52 PM

Bummer!

Just unboxed a IQ505 for my mother - all the video and music files are networked!!!!

Generic Member Avatar
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  • member since: 12/21/2008
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December 23, 2008 7:54 PM

Anders said: I have to agree that's it's just not good enough that media files on your server cannot be adressed from the TouchSmart Apps. I have a HP MediaSmart Home Server I bought exactly to get rid of the mess of having my pics all over the place. I put everything there and I can pull it up on any pc, xBox or on my TV to display a slideshow. But the TouchSmart app does not allow me to do it - sorry guys, but that's a 'go back and try again' rating. I can understand the trade off after I figured out that the app autofinds all picture files on the pc and you may not want it to do that on the network - BUT guys! - you added the 'removable media' menu option so how about adding a 'network' menu option - preferably allowing you to select locations to include in the search. Moreover, if you try to cheat and put a shortcut to your server share in the pictures folder, it will actually display in the folder view, BUT if you try to open it the app will crash! (But this trick does work with the little sidebar slideshow gadget - you can even drag and drop a shortcut to it. When that can work, surely you guys can figure out a way to make it work in the TouchSmart apps as well). You may also want to get some tips from the design team on the Media Smart TV product. (From the look and feel of the apps I think you have, but please try and copy the network bit from them too). Cool product - but THIS one you gotta fix!

I bought a Touchsmart tx2 - I first copied a couple of gig of files to the laptop, but alsoe decided they belong on the Home Server. Now I just have a few on the laptop to demo how it "should" work.

I had to delete the log-on ID, since the touchsmart program did not want to remove the mp3's from the views. Any idea where the .db file is?

Worst of all, the this and my wife's new HP laptop is not able to connect ot the Home Server for a "restore" (I posted a message on the sister forum, I also called HP, but they had no clue)
Anyway - the idea of the touch inteface is great. i am sure I'll figure it our eventually.

Generic Member Avatar
Member
December 23, 2008 9:15 PM

HP sells a "Home Server" to collect all the pics, music and video files but thier TouchSmart application cannot access it.

Please tell me a fix is in the works.

Reminds me of another HP issue a few years back Pavillion PC and HP Scanjet 4670 scanner would not work together. Two HP products not compatable. Ending us having to use a USB hub to connect the scanner to then the hub to the PC and it worked great, but connected directly....no dice. Go figure

HP SOFTWARE GUYS & GALS......Please update the TouchSmart Software so we can access networked shared files!!!!!!!

Generic Member Avatar
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December 24, 2008 10:48 PM

Agreed. This is a glaring omission. I would not buy one without this being addressed.

GeekTieGuy Avatar
Member
December 25, 2008 12:19 AM

I'm sure nothing I can say around this will help in the short term, but I wanted to let you all know that there are people from HP listening. It's good to see that this is something a lot of people want. That may help drive decisisons about future features.

Generic Member Avatar
Member
February 2, 2009 10:33 AM

I have the same problem. I cannot understand why this feature would not be included. My pictures are stuck on my home server. Surely this functionality should be near the top of the list in terms of resource allocation?

GeekTieGuy Avatar
Member
February 2, 2009 11:05 AM

Thanks for voicing the request. It is on the list and your feedback helps prioritize it.

DaveTN Avatar
Expert Member
February 2, 2009 7:43 PM

Thanks GTG for being our liason. :-)

David

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l299/xz550rj/HPMagicGiveaway.jpg

Woohoo! I won my Touchsmart!

SE-JMX Avatar
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  • member since: 02/03/2009
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February 3, 2009 6:40 AM

GeekTieGuy said: Thanks for voicing the request. It is on the list and your feedback helps prioritize it.

Are you seriously saying that the issue of not being able to play or display content from HPs own familly of "Smart" servers is still on the "Nice to have" list within the Touchsmart development community within HP of which I understand you are part of.....

Should we also understand that a fix for this will not be part of the "Spring update v2.5" that you also reported to be held up "due to non technical issues". There seems to be more legal and beancounters steering HP, than development resources actually fixing issues/bugs (or features for you marketing guys out there). Had the Home Server concept been driven by IBM as an example I would possibly have understood that HP Touchsmart development could relax and forget this basic functionality, however since you guys are in the same familly that excuse does not exist....

 When will be functionality on the "list" be delivered ?

GeekTieGuy Avatar
Member
February 3, 2009 10:29 AM

Well, SE-JMX, I'm not sure how to respond to that. I'm sure you realize that large corporations have certain rules that employees have to follow. One of those is that there are limits to how much can be said in public forums.

Work is still going on to address the non-technical issues and that's all I can say for now.

I'm trying my best to stay engaged with the community here, while not overstepping the bounds. Personally, I'm as frustrated as everyone who is waiting for the update.

What I can tell you is that I'll be sure to post something in these forums once the update is available, unless Matt Whitlock or someone else beats me to it. I'll also post on my personal blog.

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