Anyone using HP Microserver Gen8 for transcoding?

[cw-kid 192]

Hi

 

Looking at the HP Microserver Gen8 specs as my N40L Microserver doesn't transcode 1080p content to clients like Roku.

 

The CPU on the Gen8 is an Intel Celeron G1610T / 2.3 GHz ( Dual-Core )

 

Is this powerful enough for transcoding to remote clients?

 

The one on the N40L is a dualcore AMD Turon processor 1.5ghz

 

 

Thanks

[Nathanio 35]

I would say it'll struggle. I had a Core i3 in my server and the time to live for the transcoded stream was quite long.

 

I eventually got frustrated with the waiting and upgraded to a Xeon E3 and don't need to wait anymore!

 

I have also found an ssd helps as allows quicker data throughout. I have a small 32gb ssd as a scratch drive for transcoding. Good use of a small older drive.

[Griffo 3]

Does ffmeg use all 4 cores if available? 

https://b3n.org/installed-xeon-e3-1230v2-in-gen8-hp-microserver/

[Happy2Play 9780]

Does ffmeg use all 4 cores if available? 

https://b3n.org/installed-xeon-e3-1230v2-in-gen8-hp-microserver/

Do you want it to?

 

[BarryAmerika 24]

Hi cw-kid

 

I have all my media on an N40L. I had the same dilemma with a Gen8.

 

I can't afford to upgrade my N40L at the moment so I'm keeping the files there and running the Emby server on my workhorse PC. It's an i7 so does a nice job, a far smoother experience than the N40L but uses a bit more power than I'd like for something that is on 24/7.

I have three teenage kids so I didn't think the stock CPU on the Gen8 would cut it and think an i3 is probably minimum. Most of my devices can handle direct streaming, but not the Roku.

 

I might just get an i3/i5 intel NUC and use that headless, as a proper replacement for the N40L server looks like being unaffordable within the next 12 months.

[cw-kid 192]

Thanks for the input guys!

 

I did see an article about upgrading the CPU on the Gen8 box, to an Intel Xeon E3-1230 V2

 

https://b3n.org/installed-xeon-e3-1230v2-in-gen8-hp-microserver/

 

Only asking because with cash back these Microservers are about £109 at the moment.

 

I have two remote Now TV Boxes running Emby, I lowered the video quality in the Roku Emby app Preferences from 3.2MB to 1.5MB they can now play DVD VIDEO_TS rips which the server transcodes OK. And some 720p video files but not all and not 1080p, even the new black Now TV box that now supports 1080p.

 

I have not changed any of the transcoding settings on the Emby server as nothing looked obvious.

 

If I do update my server it needs to be low powered, the N40L uses about 50 watts and since using Emby its now on 24/7. Before it used to hibernate when no clients (mainly Kodi) were active on the LAN.

[c0m3r 95]

I have just upgraded from an n54l to the g1610 using the offer you mention. Performance is definitely better but not massively so. In fairness i do little transcoding with most using direct streaming. I went for the upgrade knowing there were some cpu upgrade options available if i wanted to which wasnt as option with the gen7. Theres also true 16gb memory support, usb3 and dual gigabit ports.

 

If you are interested in cpu upgrades, there are various options available including i3s an xeons dependent on your budget.

[cw-kid 192]

Yeah I  wasn't exactly sure what CPUs you could put in to the Gen8 would have to do some more research. 

 

Just been looking for HP Microserver Gen9 but couldn't see any specs or release dates. 

[c0m3r 95]

Basically any ivybridge cpu which supports ecc ram should work however you have to consider the thermal rating as the server uses a passive heatsink. Other than that there are a fair few options