Value
This server works really well and makes set-and-forget backups a thing of reality. This turned out to be a major boon in our recent edit of Depleted: Day 419. I had done a full night's work on an alternate version of the entire gunfight in Day 419. However, because I was working on the project in two different locations, I ended up accidentally saving over top of this alternate After Effects project with a version that didn't have this work done. I didn't realize what I'd done until over a week later when I went to work on it again and realized that it didn't exist! Fortunately, the EX495 had run its morning backup between the night I had created the file and the night I copied over top of it and I was able to pull up a pristine copy of my file over a week later!
If it had RAID capability, it would be a slam dunk for being an incredible value. Unfortunately, without it, it's a little spendy. HP does have a less expensive model called the EX490 which uses a Celeron processor and has a smaller 1 TB drive that runs $550. (Additionally, Amazon carries both of these for over a $100 less than list price.)
The consistant stream of backups that don't have to be deleted allowed me to restore a gunfight sequence I had accidentally saved over top of over a week earlier. (Footage from Depleted: Day 419.)
Final Comments I was really impressed with this little server that doesn't take up much space, but is well-ventilated, well-made, and runs effortlessly. Despite its Achilles Heel, it's an excellent system that really deserves your consideration.
Ease
of Use
7.5
Depth
of Options
9.3
Performance
8.2
Value
vs. Cost
7.6
Overall Score
8.2
The
director of two feature length films and half a dozen short films,
Jeremy Hanke
founded Microfilmmaker Magazine to help all no-budget filmmakers make
better films. His first book on low-budget special effects techniques, GreenScreen Made Easy, (which he co-wrote with Michele Yamazaki) was released by MWP to very favorable reviews. He's curently working on the sci-fi film franchise, World of Depleted through Depleted: Day 419 and the feature film, Depleted.
