HP Proliant Microserver vs. Xstreamer Ultra

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I'm buying my technologically challenged sister a media player. After my recent disappointment with a packaged solution (AC Ryan) I'm considering a more high end solution. I use XBMC at home on an old P4 and as much as I like it, it does require a fair amount of debugging (probably hardware related).

On the one hand the HP Proliant + OpenElec appeals to my geekdom.

Concerns:
  1. After sales :) service - debugging and the like. Its not support I'm willing to provide.
  2. Overkill for a non techie
  3. Cost to convert it to a media player? Is it just the video card I need?

The Xstreamer Ultra sounds like a nice all in one package on which I can optionally install XBMC. However its basically a eee pc equivalent which is preinstalled with a custom OS. Hence based on price i'd rather go with the Microserver.

Thoughts. Answers.
 
nadimm said:
I'm buying my technologically challenged sister a media player. After my recent disappointment with a packaged solution (AC Ryan) I'm considering a more high end solution. I use XBMC at home on an old P4 and as much as I like it, it does require a fair amount of debugging (probably hardware related).

On the one hand the HP Proliant + OpenElec appeals to my geekdom.

Concerns:
  1. After sales :) service - debugging and the like. Its not support I'm willing to provide.
  2. Overkill for a non techie
  3. Cost to convert it to a media player? Is it just the video card I need?

The Xstreamer Ultra sounds like a nice all in one package on which I can optionally install XBMC. However its basically a eee pc equivalent which is preinstalled with a custom OS. Hence based on price i'd rather go with the Microserver.

Thoughts. Answers.
Click to expand...

You'll also need an IR receiver + remote.. The cheapest combo is about R300
 
I would suggest the micro server. Just the fact that you can put hard drives in the micro server is already a win. I did a media PC setup for a complete PC noob the other day and he is LOVING it! He does skype me every now and again to solve problems but they were easy to resolve as i use TeamViewer to remote into the PC for any support (he's only ever called me twice).
 
KaMoS said:
I would suggest the micro server. Just the fact that you can put hard drives in the micro server is already a win. I did a media PC setup for a complete PC noob the other day and he is LOVING it! He does skype me every now and again to solve problems but they were easy to resolve as i use TeamViewer to remote into the PC for any support (he's only ever called me twice).
Click to expand...

Cool.

So 1400 for the microserver + 600 for graphics + 300 for remote. R2300. Not bad.

Although for 1000 more you're getting a fully spec'd media pc. Tough one.

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk
 
yeah but its for your "technologically challenged sister"
anyway, i'm a big fan of the HP microserver, but it's not as n00b friendly/Plug & Play as an ACRyan..

It's not a tough one - get the hp if you want XBMC, why would you want to pay R1000 more for the same thing (spec wise) and have nowhere to install the drives in?

You are then basically paying R3000 for a little box to play avi files - You still need something to physically store the media itself (and remain on while the xstreamer accesses it)
 
Keeper said:
yeah but its for your "technologically challenged sister"
anyway, i'm a big fan of the HP microserver, but it's not as n00b friendly/Plug & Play as an ACRyan..

It's not a tough one - get the hp if you want XBMC, why would you want to pay R1000 more for the same thing (spec wise) and have nowhere to install the drives in?

You are then basically paying R3000 for a little box to play avi files - You still need something to physically store the media itself (and remain on while the xstreamer accesses it)
Click to expand...

True.



Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk
 
If she has an Android/Apple smartphone, there are also free XBMC remote applications that can communicate with / control the HTPC over the local network, meaning you don't need to buy a remote/receiver. That was a major selling point for me with XBMC.
 
Keeper said:
It's not a tough one - get the hp if you want XBMC, why would you want to pay R1000 more for the same thing (spec wise) and have nowhere to install the drives in?
Click to expand...

You can install 1 drive in the Xstreamer.

The Xtreamer Ultra + Wifi N USB anteanna is at R3,500.00 though .... so R1,200.00 more than the HP. In reality though, you'd really need to get a new HDD for the HP as well, as 250GB won't really hold more.

So for the R1,200.00 extra you get HDMI cable, audio/video cable, VGA > DVI converter, Li-ION mini keyboard/trackpad and 8GB memory stick.

Yea the HDMI, AV and converter may only be R200.00, the stick R100.00 and they keyboard R400.00 - but that's still R700.00 worth of extras in the box. On top of that, you're getting a more powerful machine with more connection options (optical and Wifi G/N) for literally a few R100.00 more.

It is tough though, because not all people are going to use wifi, they keyboard, the cables etc - so it may be a little of a waste. However, if you're planning on getting that anyway, I'd consider the Ultra
 
Not trying to be funny here, but paying R1200 for a USB stick, hdmi cable, video cable and VGA converter sounds a little idiotic to me :wtf:

The only thing there worth something is that mini keyboard thing, which:
a) Sucks, according to a poster from another thread (xrapidx was it? not sure)
b) You are almost never going to be using it... seriously, who uses a keyboard to watch tv? Get a Harmony.
c) Can be replaced by using an iPhone, iPad or Android Device.


But yeah, you go spend that extra R1200 for your usb stick and vga cable, go nuts :p
 
Keeper said:
But yeah, you go spend that extra R1200 for your usb stick and vga cable, go nuts :p
Click to expand...

... and the 1.3ghz vs 1.8ghz ... and 1GB DDR2 vs 4GB DDR3 ...

I'm not saying the one is crappy ; I just don't think it's as clearcut.

Does the HP have an optical port?

For me - personally - I'd need an optical port
 
Please tell me what 1.8ghz is going to do better than 1.3ghz on a media centre?
It's like saying "my DVD player has a faster DVD drive than your DVD player" when they both play movies equally well...it's really moot.

As for the Memory, do you even know what ram costs these days?
(Also, it's a moot point. Openelec is more lightweight than a feather in a vacuum.


Optical port? Why do you need it? If it is for "full 5.1 surround sound" then I suggest you go check how much of your local media contains more than 5 channels.
 
Oh - you're one of those :/

Not a bad thing, but it's quite difficult to explain to those types, so we'll agree to disagree

EDIT : Really no need for your tone because I have a different opinion btw. This a forum and we all have different opinions
 
Dolby said:
Oh - you're one of those :/

Not a bad thing, but it's quite difficult to explain to those types, so we'll agree to disagree

EDIT : Really no need for your tone because I have a different opinion btw. This a forum and we all have different opinions
Click to expand...

Is it just me finding it difficult to judge tone in text? :P
 
Dolby said:
You're not skilled enough ;)

I see glaring, condescending, arrogant and on the verge of eruption!
Click to expand...

I've jumped to that conclusion way to many times! Resulting in a huge misunderstanding with a not too sharp blonde. ( Excuse the stereotype) . xD
 
Ok - I'll assume I was wrong then, and explain :P

R2,500.00 gets you the 1.3ghz 1GB RAM and R1,000.00 more gets the more powerful 1.8ghz 4GB RAM. Yes, one may not use the powerful system for streaming - but it doesn't harm to have it?

I buy a BMW 330i for R400k but the offer me a 335i for R420k ... I'll take the 335i even I'm not doing 5 seconds sprints all the time. Offer me R199.00 10GB (which I don't really use more) or R299.00 uncapped ... I'll take uncapped. Canon 7D at R15k or 1Dx at R20k ... I'll take the 1D. i5 at R1,000.00 and i7 at R1,300.00 ... I'll take the i7 and so on and so forth.

On the few movies that have a digital soundtrack - I'd like to hear that soundtrack. It's also becoming more and more common to get higher resolution movies with digital sound tracks. I - for one - would like to know hat I can play whatever I throw at the system

In a nutshell it's different opinions. They're both PCs at the end of the day and you have to decide if you'll pay the marginal difference to get more - and if you'll use it.
 
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like i've said, if you believe those accessories is worth R1200, go for it - nobody is stopping you.
Just make sure to keep your PC on at all times when you want to use the Xstreamer.
 
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