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HTPC HP Microserver - media center with XBMC or Plex?

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by niro, 1 Dec 2013.

  1. niro

    niro What's a Dremel?

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    I bought an HP N54L microserver and am planning to turn it into a media center, where I can dump and download my movies and TV onto it, and it can be streamed from 2 other rooms in the house. Ideally want it to handle 1080p and 5.1 sound

    I have come up with few options:

    1) Windows 7. Install Plex server and get the £10 NOW TV boxes and hack them for use with plex client. Leaning away from this now as it has issues with 1080p playback although most of my stuff is 720p

    2) Windows 7 with XBMC. Get couple Raspberry Pi, install XBMC onto that.

    3) Windows 7 with XBMC. Get couple 'The Little Black Box', install XBMC onto that. Not too much more expensive than the Pi (after you get all the power, etc for the Pi) and from what i've been reading seems to be lot better.

    4) OpenElec. Although not sure if I would be able to download stuff straight onto it, might have to download to my computer first then copy over.

    Can anyone recommend me an ideal setup for what I want please?
     
    niro, 1 Dec 2013
    #1
  2. samkiller42

    samkiller42 For i AM Cheesecake!!

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    I've got a Phenom X6 server with Windows Home Server, and i use Plex, and i hosts to 2 Now TV box's and my Roku 2. While i appreciate my server has more horse power, i don't see why the N54 wont be able to transcode anything 1080p. If your shying away from this, don't, it's only because your looking at the Now TV box's, The Roku 2 XS is full 1080p, and the Roku 3's are too, as well as LG and Samsung apps.
    Plex media library's can also be shared with other devices like iPads/Android Tabs, Phones and Windows OS's, So i also have an iPhone 4 and my HTC connecting over 3g without issue, and i've also shared it with friends from work, It really is powerful.

    My only complaint, It can sometimes have a hissy fit when adding new content, and forget which services to download the Meta data from, but a quick Server reboot sorts it out. It's not often it happens thankfully.

    If you need any help with Plex, give me a shout, always happy to help with what i know.

    Cheers,
    Sam
     
    samkiller42, 1 Dec 2013
    #2
    niro likes this.
  3. faugusztin

    faugusztin I *am* the guy with two left hands

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    FYI you don't need Windows for Plex, there is a Linux client now.
     
    faugusztin, 1 Dec 2013
    #3
  4. loftie

    loftie Multimodder

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    And you can install RasPlex(?) on a Pi, YMMV, but there's also a plugin to stream from a PMS on a Pi running XBMC.
     
    loftie, 1 Dec 2013
    #4
  5. Instagib

    Instagib Minimodder

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    Another vote for plex here. My samsung smart tv can access my plex server via its own app. Dead handy.
     
    Instagib, 1 Dec 2013
    #5
  6. niro

    niro What's a Dremel?

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    thanks guys :)

    I was going to go for plex due to simplicity, but i've decided to go with openmediavault and xbmc, just seems to be tons of options with it, will take lot of hours to get it all configured and running but hopefully will be worth it
     
    niro, 4 Dec 2013
    #6

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