HP ProLiant MicroServer

Install Plex, XMBC has a iOS client if you are jailbroken, but to be able to get the same functionality out of XBMC you need to setup a SQL Database etc.

On the other hand Plex has a native iOS client, which I use everyday btw, Install Plex Media Server on your HP let it scan your media and add metadata and fanart, then you're pretty much done, all your PC's, Consoles and iDevices are connected.
 
Soul Assassin said:
Install Plex, XMBC has a iOS client if you are jailbroken, but to be able to get the same functionality out of XBMC you need to setup a SQL Database etc.

On the other hand Plex has a native iOS client, which I use everyday btw, Install Plex Media Server on your HP let it scan your media and add metadata and fanart, then you're pretty much done, all your PC's, Consoles and iDevices are connected.
Click to expand...

Thanks alot, this is exactly the answer I was looking for. How does Plex handle the streaming of FHD 1080p content from the HP to the iPad for example? I read somewhere that it needs a minimum of a 2.2GHz Core 2 Duo processor (iirc) or does the HP handle it? I have the N40L with 6gigs RAM installed.

Anything else you can recommend I do to get the most out of my HP Plex media server?
 
And another dumb question - do I need to download and install both Plex Media Server and Plex Media Centre? The HP Server is going to be directly connected to my TV via HDMI to play the media. The only time I will stream media is when I watch off the iPad, iPhone or my PC that is setup in my bedroom.

I know it is a really dumb question so I appologise for that :wtf:
 
I've only tried 720p, my Wi-Fi isn't that good, if you have 300mbps wireless n and good signal, I'm pretty sure 1080p wouldn't be a issue, Mike Smit is the resident Plex guy but I think he's still on holiday, I'm sure he said the HP streamed 1080p, if I remember correctly he said he could stream three 720p movies, and two 1080p streams struggled.

Unless you want to stream more than one 1080p file at once I think you will be golden provided the Wi-Fi holds up, also on the Plex client you can adjust the video quality to match your Wi-Fi speed.

I just now tested a 1080p file and the Plex Transcoder CPU usage hovered at around 50% so I can confirm the HP has enough grunt.
 
weelzSA said:
And another dumb question - do I need to download and install both Plex Media Server and Plex Media Centre? The HP Server is going to be directly connected to my TV via HDMI to play the media. The only time I will stream media is when I watch off the iPad, iPhone or my PC that is setup in my bedroom.

I know it is a really dumb question so I appologise for that :wtf:
Click to expand...

If you're using your HP as a HTPC then yes, Plex Media Server and the Plex Client are both needed.
 
Soul Assassin said:
I've only tried 720p, my Wi-Fi isn't that good, if you have 300mbps wireless n and good signal, I'm pretty sure 1080p wouldn't be a issue, Mike Smit is the resident Plex guy but I think he's still on holiday, I'm sure he said the HP streamed 1080p, if I remember correctly he said he could stream three 720p movies, and two 1080p streams struggled.

Unless you want to stream more than one 1080p file at once I think you will be golden provided the Wi-Fi holds up, also on the Plex client you can adjust the video quality to match your Wi-Fi speed.

I just now tested a 1080p file and the Plex Transcoder CPU usage hovered at around 50% so I can confirm the HP has enough grunt.
Click to expand...

To be honest I will rarely be streaming full 1080p content to the iPad, mostly Disney movies for the kids so it shouldn't be a problem. Cool so defiantly going to go with Plex then. Once it is installed I will look to see if there are "must-have" add-ons/extension.
 
I'm currently using Hippo remote on my iPhone, I do have a Harmony, I just need a IR receiver for the HP.

As for the add-ons Plex has something called the unsupported app store with a bunch of stuff, also it has a bunch of video and music channels, such as Youtube, Hulu and Pandora.

Just remember Plex on iOS is $4.99.
 
Soul Assassin said:
I'm currently using Hippo remote on my iPhone, I do have a Harmony, I just need a IR receiver for the HP.

As for the add-ons Plex has something called the unsupported app store with a bunch of stuff, also it has a bunch of video and music channels, such as Youtube, Hulu and Pandora.

Just remember Plex on iOS is $4.99.
Click to expand...

Yeah I saw it $4.99 but it will be well used :)

Will have a look at the unsupported app store once everything is up and running. Thanks for all the info, can't wait to get home and get this thing up and running!
 
Mine has been up and running since May, and I can say without any doubt it's the best piece of kit I've ever bought, Combined with Mweb uncapped Sabnzbd + Sick Beard + CouchPotato, and Plex to tie everything together.
 
So last night I managed to add the extra 4GIGs RAM, added the graphics card (was intending to add the ASUS GT520 as it is also a low profile but the heatsink/cooler built on it was too big :cry: so I had to install the GT210, will maybe later on upgrade it as the GT210 only has 512MB). I then installed Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit and a few other programmes (antivirus, VLC, iTunes ect) and of course Plex Media Server and Media Centre.

I couldn't add my additional HDD's because I didn't have the screws to tighten them to the caddy's but will be getting some today and then proceed to install them.

I just have a few question regarding Plex server and media centre. Once I install the 2x 2TB's HDD's, do I go into the media server setting to add them to my libraries or do I add them somewhere else (so I can see them in the Plex Media Player - hope that makes sense?)?

And secondly, does it automatically start scraping the media or do I have to start it? If I have to, where do I do this? On my one drive where most of my content is, I already have all the art work, movie/episode write ups ect as I use to use a WD TV Live Media Player which would download all this info for each movie/series - should I delete these files or will they work still with Plex? I don't want to have duplicates or the wrong info so if I need to delete all the files and start over, I'd rather do that to save myself hassle down the line.

Once everything is added and scraped, will I then just need to set Plex to start automatically on boot and then be able to browse and play my media as I would with any other media player or is there something else I need to do?

Sorry for all the questions, just really excited to get this up and running finally.
 
I'm on my phone right now, I will give a full reply once I turn on my PC, for now, in regard to the HDD and screws, look on the inside of the server door, they included a tool and I think about 15-20 screws, built right into the door.
 
Soul Assassin said:
I'm on my phone right now, I will give a full reply once I turn on my PC, for now, in regard to the HDD and screws, look on the inside of the server door, they included a tool and I think about 15-20 screws, built right into the door.
Click to expand...

thanks never knew that
i just saw the 4 black screws there...
 
Soul Assassin said:
I'm on my phone right now, I will give a full reply once I turn on my PC, for now, in regard to the HDD and screws, look on the inside of the server door, they included a tool and I think about 15-20 screws, built right into the door.
Click to expand...

OK cool thanks, really appreciate that.

HAHAHA that's the one place I never looked - I searched the inside of the server, the box, the booklets and everything because I thought they have to be here somewhere, will have a look when I get home.
 
Soul Assassin said:
I'm on my phone right now, I will give a full reply once I turn on my PC, for now, in regard to the HDD and screws, look on the inside of the server door, they included a tool and I think about 15-20 screws, built right into the door.
Click to expand...
I was just about to mention that, all the screws you could possibly need are in the door with the tool you need for them.
The design on the microserver is awesome.
 
weelzSA said:
So last night I managed to add the extra 4GIGs RAM, added the graphics card (was intending to add the ASUS GT520 as it is also a low profile but the heatsink/cooler built on it was too big :cry: so I had to install the GT210, will maybe later on upgrade it as the GT210 only has 512MB). I then installed Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit and a few other programmes (antivirus, VLC, iTunes ect) and of course Plex Media Server and Media Centre.

I couldn't add my additional HDD's because I didn't have the screws to tighten them to the caddy's but will be getting some today and then proceed to install them.

I just have a few question regarding Plex server and media centre. Once I install the 2x 2TB's HDD's, do I go into the media server setting to add them to my libraries or do I add them somewhere else (so I can see them in the Plex Media Player - hope that makes sense?)?

And secondly, does it automatically start scraping the media or do I have to start it? If I have to, where do I do this? On my one drive where most of my content is, I already have all the art work, movie/episode write ups ect as I use to use a WD TV Live Media Player which would download all this info for each movie/series - should I delete these files or will they work still with Plex? I don't want to have duplicates or the wrong info so if I need to delete all the files and start over, I'd rather do that to save myself hassle down the line.

Once everything is added and scraped, will I then just need to set Plex to start automatically on boot and then be able to browse and play my media as I would with any other media player or is there something else I need to do?

Sorry for all the questions, just really excited to get this up and running finally.
Click to expand...

Have you added your media folders to their respective sections in the PlexMediaServer console (the http://localhost:32400 one)?
 
DrJohnZoidberg said:
Have you added your media folders to their respective sections in the PlexMediaServer console (the http://localhost:32400 one)?
Click to expand...

No I haven't done this yet. I did not know the screws to attach the HDD's to the caddy's where inside the door so I couldn't add any drives. Will be doing this tonight. That was one of my questions I had, where do I link the drives to Plex so the media will show in the Plex Media Centre - I take it that's where I would do it?
 
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