New Windows 7 formats Time server idle power levels

Question

Hi,  I am a new user of an NMH405 which I hope to upgrade to 3TB or 1.5TB raid1 (not 100% yet).  I bought the unit as a NAS unit (but chose this model as it was on special offer) hoping that I could use the media server features later.
I have the unit working as a NAS using the original drive and have come up with some questions that I cannot find answered either in the documentation or the FAQ's and community posts.
First Windows 7 appears to be only partialy supported.  The folder locations for media are different to Vista and there are new formats such as .WTV which replaces .DVR-MS as the default TV format.  The supplied backup software didn't install correctly and the update (well I think the import software is updated) on the website is hidden inside a huge .ISO file which is going to take hours to download.  However reading the posts indicates that the .DVR-MS format is only half supported.  Solutions involve editing an .XML file or customising the NTI backup in order to get files onto the server.  .WTV is not even mentioned anywhere.
Is fully realised Windows 7 support going to be in the next release? and approximately when?
I decided to use a static IP address for the server as I have been suffering master browser problems with Windows networking.  However I then ran into the Time server bug and had an 8 hour 14 minute offset to the system time.  I have temporarily solved this by assigning a reserved address in my DHCP server and reverting to DHCP mode.  However during the process I found that the NMH405 had become the master browser and solved the initial problem - ACE.
Fix next firmware update?
Drive support.  This is difficult to keep up to date and June 2009 is a little out of date.  Well hidden as well, I first found the list by accident but have since had difficulty finding it deliberately.  No "Avoid these drives" list though, but there is sporadic indiction of non-compatibility in the forums.  The list is date 7 days before the .ISO image and of course long before the October date of the latest firmware.  Cannot find an update notice indicating changes - e.g. drive support.
Make it easier to find and try to keep it more up to date.
Power levels and drive spin down.  From the data sheet 60W is the only indication, however a link to a third party indicates 13W but no spin down?.  With the emphasis on "Green Power" in the US I am suprised this information is not in bold in the data sheet (though other NAS vendors also hide it).  My unit will spend 80% of its life idle, I do hope the drives do get to spin down and extend their life and save power.
Is direct Cisco information available rather than just third party?
Finally perhaps a silly query, but why not.  Can I use a USB hub and attach multiple drives externally?
StokersSon

Answer 1

Hi,
Thanks Wilkins377 for your two cents.  At least I know it should work.
Well I now have upgraded to 2 x 1.5GB drives (not in the approved list) and have them working 100% as a raid pair.  Also Firmware to 3.18.15
Using a USB hub I have got multiple HDD USB drives working - including NTFS formatted (read only of course).  So the hardware is all functional.
However no matter how I format my 2GB and 4GB flash drives (FAT or FAT32 including alternate allocation size) the  mediahub does not see them in either port directly or the powered hub.  I am using an XP machine to format them.  An SD card is seen OK.
Well flash is not important, being able to use multiple USB for backup and networked access is.  I am not likely to need to use the hub ports for media import as it is easier to get access to my PC and place the hub out of reach.
I still cannot tell if the drives spin down, they are still quite warm after several hours of only the media hub and router being powered.  I need to get a stethascope and listen if they spin up on access, the nearby PC fans are too noisy.
Regards
StokersSon
StokersSon