HP microserver to hold all my HTPC content?

413x

413x

413x

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Npt getting much help in network section so im trying here.

I have run out of physical space inside my HTPC case to put any more HDDs so im considering alternatives (the extra HDDs are also choking airflow)

I do not want the microserver to be my HTPC i just want it to simly hold my data as an external drive that i can access from htpc (windows)/phone and tab (both android)
it does not need to do any compressing, i would like to do any ripping and compressing on my main rig and just pas the files to the microserver.

I was thinking of the micro route as NAS boxes are really expensive and i really want 4 bays (2x3TB and 1x2TB resie in my HTPC with a SSD already)

my working diagram would go like this ideally
Rip content to main rig -> transcode on main rig - > pass to microserver wirelessly -> stream from microserver to all devices

is this possible over wireless? hardest file to pust would be 1080p mkv. Im not even sure if this would work as the HTPC would need to see the microserver exactly as an external drive. I would like to do 3D blue rays on the micro too but they would be ISO and i can probably just leave my spare 1.5TB HDD in the HTPC locally
 
I agree with your stance on putting all of the storage at the back end, and making your front end device as lightweight as possible. A HP Microserver sounds perfect for what you would do, you then have your pick of OS. E.g. Unraid, FreeNAS, Linux, Windows Server etc.

Regarding the wireless transfer of files to the microserver, it will work of course but will take a while.
 
I've got a "server" down in the cellar, which is one of the basic OcUK "Primo" builds with a Dual Core Celeron, 4GB DDR3, running Windows Home Server and about 4TB of storage across (currently) 3 disks - the cheap case has space for about 8 3.5" drives, so I'm a long way off filling it yet (and when I do, I'll change it to another cheap case with more drive bays)

I've tried wireless previously, and it kind of works, but not reliably enough for me - I'd be wanting to run a cable wherever possible.

My HTPC is a Core2Duo, running Windows and XBMC, and it just accesses everything on the server via the network shares: \\SERVER\Music and \\SERVER\Videos
 
If you've filled those 8tb of those 3 HD's, then i think i'd consider something else other than a Microserver or theres a chance you'll run out of space again (unless you use the microserver & HTPC for storage)

Something like the Bitfenix Prodigy with something like an AMD Hudson board would be idea for your use i think.
 
I'm new to this but think this might be a silly question.

What makes a server in this sense? Simply the operating system?
If so then I may well be better getting a case with lots of Hdd room and just building it myself.
If so I will probably have to do a spec me!
 
You can fit 6*3.5" drives into a Microserver and they cost considerably less than most self-builds. With additional multi-disk USB 3.0 or eSATA disks/enclosures via PCIe cards you can expand it further still. I rate them highly.

If you got something more powerful you could offload all of your encoding to it though. PersonallyI encode on my main machine because I do nothing else intensive and I'm not a one-click encoder so it's no problem. But if you play games, etc then maybe worth considering.
 
al4x said:
I'm new to this but think this might be a silly question.

What makes a server in this sense? Simply the operating system?
If so then I may well be better getting a case with lots of Hdd room and just building it myself.
If so I will probably have to do a spec me!
Click to expand...

A server is just a headless system really. You can use any OS you want, it's often easier to use a 'Home" OS.
 
No I don't really have anything spare that I can use it would have to be a dedicated buy. The Microserver was my first choice as I really wouldn't be able to build something betterfor as much .
Maybe the Microserver would be a good start at least?
 
I use a Mircoserver kind of how you would use it only I don't rip my own stuff. The microserver downloads it all, moves it to the correct place and then Samsung AllShare does the DNLA sharing to the smart TV downstairs for the family. My laptop and pc also stream off it but just with the samba filesever. I have 3 2TB drives, 1 3TB drive and the OS (WHS2011) on a SSD. I will purchase another 3TB when I get around to it and replace one of the 2TBs. It's also got 8GB of RAM chucked in it.

I can stream 1080P MKVs no problem but I also have a dual band wireless router which helps. Normally my parents will be streaming a film and I will be streaming some TV series at the same time. Love the little box. Only thing is it could be quieter but I will be moving out and will probably just chuck it in a cupboard or somewhere as I never need access to it. It even backs up my other pcs which is handy.
 
I have 12TB in my Microserver (10TB usable space due to redunandcy) and it is running unRAID. Easily the slickest PC I have ever owned in terms of "set it and forget it". I have another Microserver which I use as an HTPC accessing its content from the NAS Microserver over a wired connection. It really is an awesome setup and with the price of Microservers its a no brainer too.
 
thanks guys, looking at getting this.

what is the best way to set this up with my reqs? (and also any advice on setup changes?

will have to be wireless streaming (can connect microserver to router via cable..maybe)
htpc will remain.. in which case im guessing i only require my htpc to see the microserver as one massive drive? (advice on this and if its the best idea)
it is possible i could rip blu rays directly to the server if i dont want to compress first..if this is the case what do i need? (it may just be simpler to do this from htpc/main rig as the speed will only be as fast as the BD-drive anyway)

thoughts?
 
I would suggest wiring up the microserver to a router just because then you have no bottleneck there.

I guess pick a OS you feel comfortable using. I tried out a few but stuck with WHS because I didn't want any hassle and wanted a lot of windows programs such as a mumble voice server and minecraft server. You could rip blurays directly if you bought a bluray drive I guess but the CPU in the server isn't the best and I'm not clued up on bluray ripping. You might actually be able to share your bluray drive in your other machine but then you might as well just use that machine. Someone else will know more about this.

Yeah to share stuff to your htpc all you need to do is share the folders you want with samba. So doesn't matter what OS you are using on the server as most have the samba protocol.

If you go with a lightweight OS you could have the OS on a USB pendrive and have that plugged into the internal USB port on the motherboard. That frees up another sata port for you.
 
Unraid suits the microserver to the ground. I have it running in my cupboard connected to the network. My htpc has a blu ray drive and runs xbmc. Simply pop in lu ray, use makemkv to rip to he server and xbmc auto updates to add the content in.
 
All sounds pretty good tbh. I will try and get a wired connection to the router.. If possible, dunno where the thing will go in that case lol.

^That's pretty much what I wanted to do.. Except usig windows mce. Just because Ifind it better for wwatching and recording dvb-t/2 tv
 
I have this setup with microserver with windows home server and flexraid. This is wired to my revo with xbmc. I found some bluray judder with wireless but is fine over homeplugs.
 
I originally got mine for about £140 after cash back so I would say so :) I've heard they can be had for around £100 or so, £109 sounds like its in that ball park
 
I wish unraid was slightly more visual, I am still deciding what OS to put on mine. I would really like server 2012. But cant find it cheap/for 1-5 users anywhere. Annoying.
 
Maybe the extra 9 is because this one comes with a Microserver cool bag?.. Yep that'sright , a cool bag that looks like a Microserver

Most likely gonna put whs on mine
 
I struggled to get 1080p content to work well over wireless from my ReadyNAS to my Popcorn Hour. My house is also rubbish at HomePlugs, so 100mb tucked down the edge of the carpet for me.

Your wireless might be better but it's worth thinking about.
 
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