New Maxtor Backup Drive Streams Media

New external Shared Storage Plus network drive from Maxtor offers up features such as up to 500GB, two USB ports and a media server function.

Maxtor today was touting a new backup hard drive which can also double as a media server. The Maxtor Shared Storage Plus drive, which ranges in size from 200GB to 500GB, will be available in October.

The Shared Storage Plus, Maxtor said, is a network backup hard drive which connects to a router to provide a centralized location for backing up computers’ data. It includes two USB ports for connecting and sharing things like USB printers and other external storage devices.

The other main feature is the built-in media server function. Maxtor said one of the drive’s software features provides the ability to stream media content on compatible UPnP digital media adapters. The software makes it so that the drive needs no active PC to share media.

“With Maxtor Shared Storage Plus, we’ve added software features to maximize the simplicity and value for home and small business networks, such as the critical ability to back up precious digital files to the drive and built-in servers for shared printing and media streaming,” said Stacey Lund, vice president of marketing, Maxtor Branded Products Group. “Now our simple and elegant Maxtor backup experience is available across the entire family of Maxtor OneTouch external drives and Maxtor Shared Storage drives for consumers and small businesses.”