HP ProLiant MicroServer

Hi there

I'm looking for a home server solution, and seem like the HP Proliant G7 is only 150 pounds at Amazon!

Is this too good to be true?!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/ProLiant-N40L-2GB-U-250GB-MicroServer/dp/B005LRCASM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348524165&sr=8-1

justsomebloke wrote: »

The cash back is already included in that price

Still, beats having to chase HP for it!

For someone who just wants to have a server to stream media to the main PC/WD Live/Android Tablet, would going for this be a good solution or would I be better off buying a NAS/building a pc for it?

Redisle wrote: »

For people who bought this in the past, how long did the rebate checks take to come? I have been waiting 32 days since getting the rebate confirmation email and no sign of it yet.

Waiting since Sep 21.

spongerobinson wrote: »

it took approx 45 days from receiving their confirmation email until i got mine. think it says something in the small print about taking 40 days if i remember rightly.

Was about the same for me. Took so long I was wondering whether I had already gotten it but forgotten.

zuroph wrote: »

any idea if the offer will come up again, how regularily does it run?

It's been running continuously for over 18 months now but could end at any time.

Here is the Nov. claim form for the UK, can't find the Irish one at the moment but it should be available here also.

I bought from UK and claimed UK cashback successfully. I'm still waiting on my check, but it's only 45 day since it was approved now. They quoted 45 days lead time for check from approval.

Is there another thread going with the tech aspects of this server since about 1000 boardsies have it at this stage. Looking to get a Satellite card for it at the moment.

Remouad wrote: »

This seems to be the catch all thread for the server.

I'm looking at satellite cards too.
Best one seems to be the BlackGold 3600 but it seems to be constantly out of stock.
Looking at getting the TBS6981. Should cover the Freesat stuff.
Haven't figured out what I'm going to do about a Saorview yet.

So found a link here: http://www.buydvb.net/tbs6981-pcie-dvbs2-dual-tuner-tv-card_p11.html

Any better prices?

For anyone else interested looks like it is compatible with media portal

http://wiki.team-mediaportal.com/1_MEDIAPORTAL_1/11_Preparing_Your_System/01_Supported_TV_Cards?highlight=TBS6981

Which has an add on for XBMC.

Will just see is there any of these pci express cards on amazon cheaper.

ballooba wrote: »

With the satellite card in the microserver can it be streamed remotely to raspbmc/xbmc?

That's the plan anyways!

GaryCocs wrote: »

So found a link here: http://www.buydvb.net/tbs6981-pcie-dvbs2-dual-tuner-tv-card_p11.html

Any better prices?

For anyone else interested looks like it is compatible with media portal

http://wiki.team-mediaportal.com/1_MEDIAPORTAL_1/11_Preparing_Your_System/01_Supported_TV_Cards?highlight=TBS6981

Which has an add on for XBMC.

Will just see is there any of these pci express cards on amazon cheaper.

That's the cheapest I've been able to find it. will take a while for delivery as it's coming from singapore(I think).

It's about 15 euro more expensive on amazon when you take postage into account.

I'm looking at using media portal or For The Record as my tuner backend.
Going to try them both out and see which will do the job.
If you're looking at a linux solution MythTv is another option.

If you're going to have multiple XMBC clients I'd recommend using a mysql database to keep it all in sync.

ballooba wrote: »

With the satellite card in the microserver can it be streamed remotely to raspbmc/xbmc?

Media portal, For the record or mythTv will allow you to do this.

XMBC v12 is adding additional PVR support. It's in code freeze so hopefully release isn't too far away.

The Raspberry Pi doesn't have wireless built in so you'll have to connect it directly to your router/hub or add a usb wireless adapter on a powered usb hub.

Maybe an MK802 stick might be better.

ballooba wrote: »

What about import duty though?

I can't imagine WiFi being much use for streaming video. My Raspbmc is connected via Ethernet.

Thanks for that tip. I only have one XBMC instance at the moment but that might change.

I've it set up, some issues regarding multiple instances scanning for new media but works pretty well.

http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=HOW-TO:Sync_multiple_libraries

GaryCocs wrote: »

I've it set up, some issues regarding multiple instances scanning for new media but works pretty well.

http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=HOW-TO:Sync_multiple_libraries

Have you tried setting it up so that there is one master instance/profile that updates the database?

So If I buy from Uk, I can claim the UK cashback? I've the 3600 sitting here waiting for a home, figured out I just need a molex adaptor to get the power supply into the card.

54kroc wrote: »

On the spec sheet it says it has a storage capacity of up to 8.0TB (2TB x 4).
Does anyone know if you could fit in a lager capacity HD? 4TB x 4 perhaps.

I understand people have fit 5 x 3 TB. Using the optical drive slot as a HDD slot with use of a caddy.

54kroc wrote: »

On the spec sheet it says it has a storage capacity of up to 8.0TB (2TB x 4).
Does anyone know if you could fit in a lager capacity HD? 4TB x 4 perhaps.

I know you can do a bios mod that will allow you to have larger harddrives. Don't remember how big you can go but can definitely do 3TB

qwertz wrote: »

I read an article/tutorial where some crazy guy fit in eight hard disks. An additional controller was required, though.

Where did he find the space???? :eek:

Might be cheaper and easier to just buy a second server.
Only £202 on amazon now so that would be £102 after the cash back!!
Very tempted to buy a second one at that price.