HP ProLiant MicroServer

koogs said:
Is anyone using their MS as both a download machine and a HTPC for playback?

I want to use mine with Sickbeard for series dowloads and as a playback machine for media. The MS will be permanently hard wired to my router and connected to my AVR via HDMI.

I still havnt decided on what OS to use as yet. Researching my options.............
Click to expand...

I'm going to do this as well. I figure i could just run Ubuntu with xbmc on top.

I don't know linux. But i don't forsee this as a problem
 
fish_man said:
Hi guys, nice setup Mike,
Any recommendation on a Bluetooth keyboard and mice or a combo of the 2 something that I can use while sitting on the couch.
Click to expand...

This Cideko Air Keyboard works a treat. Moving the mouse accurately takes a bit of getting used to but once you have practiced a bit it works well under Windoze and Openelec.
 
Flikka said:
@Mike Smit excellent write up and thanks in advance for your further testing. All I can say is that I didn't understand half of what you said about Plex server etc, my network and server knowledge is exactly zero, brother handles all of that, I setup pc's and build them haha.

You running on Windows 7 Ultimate, is there even a need to go the Home Server 2011 route - seems like a big hassle to get setup but I dont know as I have never done it - clearly

Cybernatic is the cheapest I have seen with shipping R1400, getting mine for R1500 here in Cape Town so not really a loss.
Click to expand...

I only installed Windows 7 Ultimate because I had it. At the end of the day I am only using it to serve and play media, so any decent OS should do.
I was going to go Ubuntu with the plex client but don't feel like the pains of working out how linux works, configure drivers, etc...

Plex if an off shoot of XBMC - just better. Read up about it here http://www.plexapp.com/
All new Samsung and LG TV's will have the client built in, as well as new Samsung bluray players.
On the Samsung BD5300 and up you can install the plex client yourself. I have done this and it works very well.

Off-The-Chart said:
awesome Mike, thanks for that.

now we have confirmation that it really can be pushed to it's limits and will still do more than the average person would need to do.

and man that is quite a setup you have there.
Click to expand...

Thanks dude :) I am a bit of a tech junkie and a movie lover, so the two go hand in hand :)

koogs said:
Is anyone using their MS as both a download machine and a HTPC for playback?

I want to use mine with Sickbeard for series dowloads and as a playback machine for media. The MS will be permanently hard wired to my router and connected to my AVR via HDMI.

I still havnt decided on what OS to use as yet. Researching my options.............
Click to expand...

Won't be a problem. I used to use a standard old Core2Duo to both server, play and download. Had both JDownloader and uTorrent on it. The machine its-self ran pretty slow with all this going on, but the media streams remained smooth. I have left my downloads on this machine and moved all movie related stuff to the MS.

fish_man said:
Hi guys, nice setup Mike,
Any recommendation on a Bluetooth keyboard and mice or a combo of the 2 something that I can use while sitting on the couch.
Click to expand...

Thanks dude :)
I have a Logitech BT keyboard and mouse combo. Not used it yet though as the machine is now configured and I don't need to do anything more to it. Plex Media Center runs all the time so I just navigate using the Windows Media Center remote.
If I do need to work on the machine I have Teamviewer running on it for this purpose.
 
Can't find a definitive answer on plex vs xbmc.

Can you elaborate.

I love the Android integration with xbmc. I can push YouTube videos to my TV from my phone, it pauses on a phone call and displays caller id, sms's, wol. Also Eden's soon to be released, so that might change things right?
 
Some great builds going on here.

I'm busy trying to build a MS that has 2 GFX cards with Linux Mint and a Multiseat configuration.
It will also need to be the torrent machine and do DLNA streaming.

The results will hopefully give me 2 HDMI outputs that can each play separate media files, browse the web as well as download files and stream to other devices.

I am still waiting for some cables though before I can get this all going(HDMI extenders and pci riser card extension cables being the most important)(I ordered from china so its taking its sweet time)

I'll do a write up if this all works, I'm 99% sure it will.
 
nadimm said:
Can't find a definitive answer on plex vs xbmc.

Can you elaborate.

I love the Android integration with xbmc. I can push YouTube videos to my TV from my phone, it pauses on a phone call and displays caller id, sms's, wol. Also Eden's soon to be released, so that might change things right?
Click to expand...

Here is some reading material..

Few months old and not as relevant as when it was written, but will provide a history of XBMX/Plex
http://xbmc.tumblr.com/post/8890700647/plex-and-xbmc-differences

Some nice detailed info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plex_(software)

Hope that helps.
 
Beachless said:
Some great builds going on here.

I'm busy trying to build a MS that has 2 GFX cards with Linux Mint and a Multiseat configuration.
It will also need to be the torrent machine and do DLNA streaming.

The results will hopefully give me 2 HDMI outputs that can each play separate media files, browse the web as well as download files and stream to other devices.

I am still waiting for some cables though before I can get this all going(HDMI extenders and pci riser card extension cables being the most important)(I ordered from china so its taking its sweet time)

I'll do a write up if this all works, I'm 99% sure it will.
Click to expand...

Please do report back. Sounds interesting what you are attempting.
 
Mike Smit said:
Here is some reading material..

Few months old and not as relevant as when it was written, but will provide a history of XBMX/Plex
http://xbmc.tumblr.com/post/8890700647/plex-and-xbmc-differences

Some nice detailed info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plex_(software)

Hope that helps.
Click to expand...

I did google :)

Yup. Read the wiki link. I'm guessing the plex media server has advantages over xbmc.

I couldn't get to tumblr (Offensive content).

Found other links saying that it has better scraping. But these were pretty old.

I'll give it a try. But I really don't see any definitive advantages.
 
nadimm said:
I did google :)

Yup. Read the wiki link. I'm guessing the plex media server has advantages over xbmc.

I couldn't get to tumblr (Offensive content).

Found other links saying that it has better scraping. But these were pretty old.

I'll give it a try. But I really don't see any definitive advantages.
Click to expand...

I don't have a lot of experience with XBMC, but for me the initial difference was setup and configuration. Plex Server was soooo much easier to setup. The accuracy of the metadata also seems to be much better on Plex.

When I fire up a client, it automatically hooks up to the Plex Server. Just nothing to do. With the exception of the client on the blurray play. There I had to input the IP address.

What is mentioned above is enough of a deal breaker for me. Plex is simple and works.

I last looked at XBMC about 2 years back or something so will revisit it and see if/what has changed.
 
I guess i'll have to see for myself.

I use XBMClive, which is basically been done away with. So maybe plex is the way to go.

Thanks.
 
nadimm said:
I guess i'll have to see for myself.

I use XBMClive, which is basically been done away with. So maybe plex is the way to go.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

The fact that LG and Samsung have licensed the Plex Client for their newer models is enough said IMO.
XBox talk of a Plex Client too :)
Little MS going to be busy :)
 
koogs said:
Is anyone using their MS as both a download machine and a HTPC for playback?

I want to use mine with Sickbeard for series dowloads and as a playback machine for media. The MS will be permanently hard wired to my router and connected to my AVR via HDMI.

I still havnt decided on what OS to use as yet. Researching my options.............
Click to expand...

I am running openelec on my MS. It has sickbeard and sabnbzd built in, just need to enable it. And show me another os which can be installed in 2 minutes? Or updated by just copying 2 files into the correct network share, rebooted and it is updated?

At least give it a try.
 
zamicro said:
I am running openelec on my MS. It has sickbeard and sabnbzd built in, just need to enable it. And show me another os which can be installed in 2 minutes? Or updated by just copying 2 files into the correct network share, rebooted and it is updated?

At least give it a try.
Click to expand...

I had a look at openelec but can't find anyway to enable a DLNA Server so other devices around the house can access the media? Is it when possible?
Shared folders not an option.
 
Just unboxed MS. Stupid question, but is it at all possible to install Windows Home Server via USB without a monitor? As in remotely via router from my PC? I don't have a VGA-DVI adapter with me.
 
Got mine tonight to just installed 8GB ram going to install WHS tomorrow night
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X