Freecom today launched the ‘Dual Drive Network Center’, a simple to use network storage center featuring two separate, removable hard drives that give users the option to either store up to 4TB of data or create a safe backup of their files on the second drive. The Dual Drive Network Center reliably stores data from an entire network in one central location, making it easy for multiple users to download and stream movies and TV programmes as well as store and access their music collection and photos.
Many people rely on hard drives to store all kinds of multimedia content, but if their drive crashes their valuable information and memories can be lost forever. With the Dual Drive Network Center, home users can protect against this danger by programming it so that one drive automatically makes an exact copy of the other, giving them the peace of mind that comes from knowing everything is safely backed up.
The Dual Drive Network Center can also be configured so that the two drives can be used as one single volume to maximise the amount of storage space on the network. A secure remote access option makes sharing information with family and friends while on the move easier than ever before – giving users the freedom to upload pictures while on holiday or watch their movies at a friend’s house. Users can also organise and control access to their data by assigning individual usernames and passwords to ensure that their individual content remains secure and segregated at all times.
“When it comes to sharing multimedia content across a network, it makes sense to save files in one place rather than go to the trouble of installing separate storage devices for every computer and laptop in the house,” said Axel Lucassen, managing director at Freecom. “With the increasing uptake of web 2.0 applications and new media, it’s important to have an easy way to manage growing amounts of multimedia content, and our dual drive concept gives users more control than ever before over the way they manage and store their data. The different configuration options let users set up a system that works best for them – whether it’s to safely backup precious photos or maximise the amount of storage capacity they have for movies and music.”
The Dual Drive Network Center is UPnP and DLNA certified to allow for easy and seamless video and audio streaming to playback devices, and comes complete with a built-in BitTorrent client so that users can download large multimedia files directly to the drives quickly and easily – even while their computer switched off. The Dual Drive Network Center connects directly to a network router or switch, and simple installation software makes it easy for any user to set up in minutes. The internal hard drives can easily be removed and replaced, and for more technology-savvy users, the Dual Drive Network Center is also available as a ‘drive in’ kit that comes without the standard hard drives, giving users the option to assemble their ideal network center with drives of their own choice.
The unit runs quietly with low power consumption, a heat-absorbing aluminium enclosure and a temperature-controlled dual ball bearing cooling fan system prevents the drive from overheating.
