WD Readies 1TB, 2TB Home Network Hard Drives
network-attached storage hard drive
The My Book World Edition network storage drive allows users to back up photos, videos and other digital media onto one device, according to the Lake Forest, Calif.-based company.
A recent Western Digital study found that 70 percent of users claimed to back up their digital content, most did so only sporadically and did so onto CDs, DVDs or thumb drives that can be lost, according to the company.
The My Book World drive plugs into a router that makes it accessible to any computer on the network. The drive can automatically back up files from PCs and Macs, and any changes to the files on the computers are automatically detected and backed up to the network drive, too, according to Western Digital.
"For easier safekeeping of personal files and media collections stored around the home, families need network storage solutions with true plug-and-play installation, automatic back up capability and familiar file organization," said Kurt Scherf, vice president and principal analyst with Parks Associates, in a statement. "With My Book World Edition, WD is delivering peace-of-mind for users who want to easily back up all their computers, as well as bringing to the table media centralization, streaming and remote access functions for more advanced families."
Music, photos and videos also can be streamed directly from the My Book World Edition drive to any PC, Mac or connected DLNA media player, such as Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation3, wireless digital picture frames or TVs using the integrated Universal Plug and Play media server and iTunes Music server software, according to Western Digital.
Users can also securely access and share their centralized files from anywhere in the world where they have access to the Internet, using the My Book World Edition drive's Web remote access service, according to Jim Welsh, senior vice president and general manager of WD's branded products and consumer electronics groups.
MSRP for the 1TB device is $229.99 and $449.99 for the 2TB unit.