HP ProLiant MicroServer

HI guys, need some advice please. Looking for a backup system for my media files - and whilst I'm at it also a NAS solution for media streaming.

My needs are fairly simple -

1) Currently have about 1Tb of media on main PC (photos, music, videos)
2) Streaming from PC to Apple TV (XBMC installed) (wired)
3) Would like to have 2 x 2Tb HDD's (one as backup).
4) Ability to add another two drives later on. Not crucial, but nice to have.

I'd like a solution that doesn't require my PC to be on all the time for media streaming and that acts as a simple backup solution (multiple drives on NAS or between NAS and PC). After reading up on the gazillion different options, the HP Proliant Microserver seems like a good option for a decent price.

Would it be a fairly easy solution without having to tinker too much?

The one at Server Warehouse for instance, barring the HDD's and an OS, is it basically a ready to go option?

PS I have an old PC (P4) lying around, but the HP seems a much more elegant solution.

Thoughts?
 
SiriS said:
HI guys, need some advice please. Looking for a backup system for my media files - and whilst I'm at it also a NAS solution for media streaming.

My needs are fairly simple -

1) Currently have about 1Tb of media on main PC (photos, music, videos)
2) Streaming from PC to Apple TV (XBMC installed) (wired)
3) Would like to have 2 x 2Tb HDD's (one as backup).
4) Ability to add another two drives later on. Not crucial, but nice to have.

I'd like a solution that doesn't require my PC to be on all the time for media streaming and that acts as a simple backup solution (multiple drives on NAS or between NAS and PC). After reading up on the gazillion different options, the HP Proliant Microserver seems like a good option for a decent price.

Would it be a fairly easy solution without having to tinker too much?

The one at Server Warehouse for instance, barring the HDD's and an OS, is it basically a ready to go option?

PS I have an old PC (P4) lying around, but the HP seems a much more elegant solution.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

You're right the HP MS is a far more elegant solution, the P4 will use a lot more electricity and probably be slower in the end.
It's only as complex as the OS you choose and how comfortable you are with it! Should be fairly straight forward!

P.S.- Digitialplanet R1499 actually works out cheaper as shipping is free for orders over R500.
Min shipping at Server warehouse is R114 + R1495 = R1509 total or up to R1605 (R210 shipping) depending on your area

Shipping cost from their website could be wrong check with them
 
Last edited:
SomeoneEls said:
You're right the HP MS is a far more elegant solution, the P4 will use a lot more electricity and probably be slower in the end.
It's only as complex as the OS you choose and how comfortable you are with it! Should be fairly straight forward!

P.S.- Digitialplanet R1499 actually works out cheaper as shipping is free for orders over R500.
Min shipping at Server warehouse is R114 + R1495 = R1509 total or up to R1605 (R210 shipping) depending on your area

Shipping cost from their website could be wrong check with them
Click to expand...

Thanks!

Thinking of putting Windows on, then I can run iTunes straight from the HP without ever having to use the PC again. This should allow me to use Airplay/Remote.

EDIT/ thanks, just ordered from Digital Planet
 
Last edited:
Off-The-Chart said:
right so the guys running XBMC, Win 7 and something like AMD 6450 (guess any ATI card would do) as HTPC, what are your settings for getting good quality picture?

I still have that "over sharpened" look when I am just in Windows, still have to test when running a movie via XBMC.

the TV for my setting the machine up is a LG 32", but it will be running on a Sammy 50".
Click to expand...

I had the same problem. You have to set the input label for your HDMI connection in question to "PC" on the LG Tv. Check this out. http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthr...-than-VGA-Help-required?p=7732333#post7732333
 
Just on that note, I recently connected my 2nd HP MS HTPC to a new 51" Samsung TV, and following a mates instructions, I 'renamed' the HDMI 1 to PC (DVI). However, no sound was transmitted, and after several hours it turned out that it should have been set to PC, not PC (DVI). In retrospect it was pretty obvious, but it did cause me several hours of downtime.
 
Looking for 2 x 2Tb Western Digital Caviar Green hard drives. None of the physical shops I went to have them. I was busy checking out on Prophecy (decent price), but then saw they don't take credit cards, so I cancelled. Not to clued up on other reputable online stores for components - any suggestions?
 
SiriS said:
Looking for 2 x 2Tb Western Digital Caviar Green hard drives. None of the physical shops I went to have them. I was busy checking out on Prophecy (decent price), but then saw they don't take credit cards, so I cancelled. Not to clued up on other reputable online stores for components - any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Sybaritic R1296 in stock. I have used them a few times were a bit slow once but otherwise good
PC Mall R1199 doesn't mention if they're in stock and I've never used them before.

both accept cards
 
SomeoneEls said:
Sybaritic R1296 in stock. I have used them a few times were a bit slow once but otherwise good
PC Mall R1199 doesn't mention if they're in stock and I've never used them before.

both accept cards
Click to expand...

Thank you. I thought about Sybaritic, but have read a number of negative responses about them in the past. Oh well, maybe I should give them a go.
 
SiriS said:
Thank you. I thought about Sybaritic, but have read a number of negative responses about them in the past. Oh well, maybe I should give them a go.
Click to expand...

I used them once or twice, and tbh it wasnt sterling, but not unbearable either.
 
SiriS said:
Thank you. I thought about Sybaritic, but have read a number of negative responses about them in the past. Oh well, maybe I should give them a go.
Click to expand...

Madman88 said:
I used them once or twice, and tbh it wasnt sterling, but not unbearable either.
Click to expand...

If you're having second thoughts you could always get the 3TB's (which are better value at the moment for R1894 incl shipping from takealot.com (R631/TB including shipping) vs (R690/TB for the 2TB at sybaritic with shipping R1296 +R84)


or the 3TB seagate for R1723 + R84 shipping from Sybaritic (R602/TB)
 
SiriS said:
Thank you. I thought about Sybaritic, but have read a number of negative responses about them in the past. Oh well, maybe I should give them a go.
Click to expand...

Hey Hey

If you are unsure about them, you could give Zaps a try... they accept credit cards. I use and have used them and have had no trouble.

http://www.zapsonline.com/more-than-1-tb/54736-wd-caviar-green-5400rpm-2tb-35-hdd.html

WD Caviar Green 5400rpm 2TB 3.5" HDD
R1,391 tax incl.
Reference :
WD20EARX
Availability: Available to Order
Click to expand...

Or rattle PostmanPot's cage here on the forum... I see you are in Cape Town... he could also help, not sure about credit cards tho', def. EFT. PM him.

EDIT:

Also Wootware are a safe bet too... also accept credit cards but add 3% for the use thereof...

http://www.wootware.co.za/western-d...-variable-rpm-sata3g-internal-hard-drive.html


R 1,286.00 Incl. VAT

Door-to-Door Courier
FastWay Main - Overnight (Insured) R 35.00
FedEx Overnight (Insured) R 79.00
Collect from Wootware
R 0.0
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
maybe go with Wootware, Takealot or LandmarkPC since they all in CPT and then you can do a collection even.
 
Madman88 said:
I used them once or twice, and tbh it wasnt sterling, but not unbearable either.
Click to expand...

SomeoneEls said:
If you're having second thoughts you could always get the 3TB's (which are better value at the moment for R1894 incl shipping from takealot.com (R631/TB including shipping) vs (R690/TB for the 2TB at sybaritic with shipping R1296 +R84)


or the 3TB seagate for R1723 + R84 shipping from Sybaritic (R602/TB)
Click to expand...

kilobits said:
Hey Hey

If you are unsure about them, you could give Zaps a try... they accept credit cards. I use and have used them and have had no trouble.

http://www.zapsonline.com/more-than-1-tb/54736-wd-caviar-green-5400rpm-2tb-35-hdd.html



Or rattle PostmanPot's cage here on the forum... I see you are in Cape Town... he could also help, not sure about credit cards tho', def. EFT. PM him.

EDIT:

Also Wootware are a safe bet too... also accept credit cards but add 3% for the use thereof...

http://www.wootware.co.za/western-d...-variable-rpm-sata3g-internal-hard-drive.html
Click to expand...

Off-The-Chart said:
maybe go with Wootware, Takealot or LandmarkPC since they all in CPT and then you can do a collection even.
Click to expand...

Thanks guys!
 
SiriS said:
HI guys, need some advice please. Looking for a backup system for my media files - and whilst I'm at it also a NAS solution for media streaming.

My needs are fairly simple -

1) Currently have about 1Tb of media on main PC (photos, music, videos)
2) Streaming from PC to Apple TV (XBMC installed) (wired)
3) Would like to have 2 x 2Tb HDD's (one as backup).
4) Ability to add another two drives later on. Not crucial, but nice to have.

I'd like a solution that doesn't require my PC to be on all the time for media streaming and that acts as a simple backup solution (multiple drives on NAS or between NAS and PC). After reading up on the gazillion different options, the HP Proliant Microserver seems like a good option for a decent price.

Would it be a fairly easy solution without having to tinker too much?

The one at Server Warehouse for instance, barring the HDD's and an OS, is it basically a ready to go option?

PS I have an old PC (P4) lying around, but the HP seems a much more elegant solution.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I'm also at this point. And from what I've read the HP is definitely an elegant solution.

However due to budgetary constraints :) I dug out an old P4 and scavenged an ATI card from yet another old desktop. As a media player (XBMC) I've found that it plays 90% of all my content. Subs are a problem (xbmc problem) and HD and mkv rips are choppy (P4 plus old graphcis card).

As a media server, not so good, only because I won't leave it on. When it is on, it works fine. The great thing is that if this is just for evening media consumption, then switching on your P4 running XBMC live is super fast (faster with openelec) and you can use WOL via the Android remote.

Having said the above, I am going the route of a Microserver. My network card recently blew + I need hard drive space + It would be nice to have it always on + HD Content + I need a new toy.
 
nadimm said:
I'm also at this point. And from what I've read the HP is definitely an elegant solution.

However due to budgetary constraints :) I dug out an old P4 and scavenged an ATI card from yet another old desktop. As a media player (XBMC) I've found that it plays 90% of all my content. Subs are a problem (xbmc problem) and HD and mkv rips are choppy (P4 plus old graphcis card).

As a media server, not so good, only because I won't leave it on. When it is on, it works fine. The great thing is that if this is just for evening media consumption, then switching on your P4 running XBMC live is super fast (faster with openelec) and you can use WOL via the Android remote.

Having said the above, I am going the route of a Microserver. My network card recently blew + I need hard drive space + It would be nice to have it always on + HD Content + I need a new toy.
Click to expand...

I'm really stoked with my coming setup - have the Microserver, Windows Home server 2011 and 2Tb HDD's on its way to me.

I'm already running XBMC on my Apple TV 2 (XBMC is awesome), so mine will simply be an always on media server (including running iTunes) and backup device.

Can't wait, love new toys. :D
 
Nice. Still trying to motivate this expense since the p4 was working fine for most purposes.

Lightning through a spanner in the works having lost my adsl router and network card and cordless phone. All money earmarked for proliant awesomeness.

So in summary, i hate you too.
 
Ok. I'm doing it.

N40L for R1360 + R55 delivery here.
Sapphire HD5450 for R375 from here

This is the cheapest I've found it for including delivery. Unless anyone else has anything to say???
 
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