Intel Aims for the Media Server Market with New Atom-Based Storage Platform

I know only one other person who has a home server and a fleeting few more who have a NAS device in their homes, but all of these people do so specifically to accomodate the increasingly massive amounts of media that they not only want to store, but pipe around the house. Intel thinks there is a growing market here and has taken the wraps off a new storage platform built around the Atom D2550 and D2500. The goal is not only to bring low-power x86 processing to the SMB NAS market, but to push the NAS as a media player for the consumer market. Intel is specifically playing up the new platform’s HDMI output and 1080p video playback, and the first offerings from Thecus, Asustor, and QNAP also include unique features to tap into the platform’s multimedia capabilities. I have never been able to decide which is nerdier, running an HTPC or running a NAS, but Intel seems bent on finding the nerd nexus that brings these together in one package.

Figures published by Gartner predict a sevenfold leap in the average household’s storage requirements in the next few years – from 464 GB in 2011 to 3.3 TB in 2016. Responding to the challenge, the chip giant’s latest storage push seeks to take NAS devices out of the closet and into the lounge, courtesy of improved hardware acceleration for multimedia, 1080p video playback and that direct connection to the TV.

We Got Served

–Press Release After the Break–

“Intel’s next-generation Atom processor provides an ideal solution for powering intelligent storage system designs that will act as a personal cloud inside the office or home, and will deliver better ways to store and access data,” said David Tuhy, general manager, Intel Storage Division. “With a range of systems designers on board, the Intel Atom processor-based storage solution raises the bar in how data is stored, managed and shared.”

Meeting the Business Challenge: A Personal Cloud

Businesses such as retailers, financial services firms, medical and legal offices require on-site solutions to store and access data locally, as well as the ability to access that data remotely. With this solution, businesses can provide their employees with a personal cloud storage experience so they can have fast, secure access to files from work, home or on the road from any connected device. This solution also supports multiple file transfer protocols so companies can share data and content regardless of the operating system.

Broad Security Capabilities

With security of paramount concern to businesses, this solution is supported by the McAfee AV SDK and VirusScan which will give small businesses a valuable tool for protection against data corruption and virus attacks. Centralized backup of all devices also assures businesses that their data is protected. Businesses with video surveillance systems can attach up to two monitors to a single platform-based storage device and view up to four camera feeds that feature HD-quality clarity.

Content Vault for Consumers

Devices featuring this storage solution also act as centralized media platforms for storing movies, music, video, games, photos and other content.

“QNAP’s new HD Station, utilizing Intel® Atom™ processor D2550 graphics capabilities, plays local and network media such as high-definition movies, home videos, pictures, and music — all with the comfort of a big size screen via HDMI connection and a remote control, smartphone or any wireless USB keyboard or mouse,” said Jason Hsu, product manager of QNAP Systems Inc. “Turbo NAS showcases the potential of the graphics capability of the Intel Atom processor and how it can be applied for home entertainment.”

Families and friends can also experience the peak performance and graphics capabilities of this solution when they gain access and share files using a variety of connected devices including Ultrabooks™, notebooks, smartphones and tablets, creating a personal cloud.

“With the launch of the Intel® Atom™ processor D2550 using award-winning solutions from Thecus®, multimedia opportunities are endless,” said Florence Shih, general manager of Thecus. “The Intel Atom processor D2550’s value is its unique combination of performance and graphics capabilities. By pairing with local display and HDMI output, Thecus adopts this technology to empower an entertainment powerhouse for an unparalleled theater experience.”