Get MVP or wait for 3.0

[prowler2000]

I record my SAGE video using the Plextor PX-TV402U, creating DIVX files. So I understand the MVP service on the Server “'transcodes on the fly' and streams an mpeg2 stream”. Let’s say that’s okay with me ….

1) Do I need to purchase a SAGETV client license for the MVP? How about if I have two MVP’s?
2) How do the video selections appear in the MVP screens? Does it work like the menu selections on the SAGETV software or does it just show the actual file name with all of the unformatted and extra numbers? Is it divided by the show with sub menus showing the recordings or is it just one huge listing of shows to sort through?
3) Any other features missing or better than the SageTV client?

Or is there a better solution (hardware) for a unit next to the television? Or is another PC the best answer? I would hope the new SageTV extender would have a similar menu system to the SageTV software.

[gplasky]

1. You need a client license for each device. (MVP or a PC) 2 MVP=2 licenses.
2. You're looking at a duplicate of the Sage interface on your MVP.
3. You can't play DVDs. (If you rip DVDs you have to rip to a different audio stream. (not AC3).

MVP is cheaper and less noise. A PC is better (more features). MVP (Sage Extender) has the exact same interface as Sage TV.

Gerry

[pftg4]

Originally Posted by gplasky

1. You need a client license for each device. (MVP or a PC) 2 MVP=2 licenses.

Gerry

you need a client license per pc but you can use more than one instances of the client on one pc for example you can run 2 mvp from one pc i think

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by prowler2000

So I understand the MVP service on the Server “'transcodes on the fly' and streams an mpeg2 stream”.

I don't believe matt's client does that.

[Crashless]

Originally Posted by prowler2000

I record my SAGE video using the Plextor PX-TV402U, creating DIVX files. So I understand the MVP service on the Server “'transcodes on the fly' and streams an mpeg2 stream”. Let’s say that’s okay with me ….

Matt's client does not do this. The standard Hauppauge MVP program does do this, but you won't have a Sage interface, it will be the standard interface, and you'll lose all the functionality that the Sage Client provides.

Or is there a better solution (hardware) for a unit next to the television? Or is another PC the best answer? I would hope the new SageTV extender would have a similar menu system to the SageTV software.

In your case, using DIVX as your recording format, I reccomend that you go with a cheap second computer. You should be able to build one for less than $400 if you're thrifty, and don't try to make it do too much.

Either way will give you the sage interface, but only the computer option will be a complete solution in your case because of your use of the DIVX codec, and the lack of transcoding in the current MVP client.

Don't hold your breath for transcoding support, as it hasn't been mentioned by Sage, and Matt has not been able to find a suitable open source DIVX library to make it work. If you want, and you aren't itching to buy something now, and DVD playback isn't an issue for you - you could feasibly wait a couple of weeks (or whatever it ends up being) for 3.0 to go into beta before you make your decision.

Given that you're only real option is to build another computer, I would wait.

[prowler2000]

Thanks everyone for the great info. I intend to have ripped DVD's for playback too, so it looks like the current choice is another PC. I have yet to determine the best way to decrypt my DVD’s. I used DVD decrypter many times, but haven’t decided on a format. I suppose that issue is for another thread … if someone knows a current thread on the subject please let me know.

Originally Posted by Crashless

Matt's client does not do this. The standard Hauppauge MVP program does do this, but you won't have a Sage interface, it will be the standard interface, and you'll lose all the functionality that the Sage Client provides..

Very interesting … I didn’t realize “Matt’s Client” was needed for the Sage looking interface.

Originally Posted by Crashless

In your case, using DIVX as your recording format, I reccomend that you go with a cheap second computer. You should be able to build one for less than $400 if you're thrifty, and don't try to make it do too much.

Either way will give you the sage interface, but only the computer option will be a complete solution in your case because of your use of the DIVX codec, and the lack of transcoding in the current MVP client.

I won’t give up on DIVX recording since the size is so much better. It seems the MVP unit has been around for a while, I wonder when they will come out with a newer generation.

Originally Posted by Crashless

Matt has not been able to find a suitable open source DIVX library to make it work. .

Too Bad … that would rock!

Why should I wait for the 3.0 beta? I’m sorry to have missed all of the talk on the new features. Wouldn’t be okay to buy a PC client license and upgrade when needed?

Thanks again all.

[Crashless]

Originally Posted by prowler2000

Thanks everyone for the great info. I intend to have ripped DVD's for playback too, so it looks like the current choice is another PC. I have yet to determine the best way to decrypt my DVD’s. I used DVD decrypter many times, but haven’t decided on a format.

...snip...

Why should I wait for the 3.0 beta? I’m sorry to have missed all of the talk on the new features. Wouldn’t be okay to buy a PC client license and upgrade when needed?

Thanks again all.

If you don't mind losing menus, why not stay with DIVX? You won't find a thread here on ripping DVDs, as it's against the TOS. Google is your friend...


I was recommending you wait for the beta if you didn't mind losing DVD abilities. Since you want that, there's no reason not to do what you just proposed.

[prowler2000]

Still thinking about this … maybe DIVX is not the way to go now.

Yes I could put another computer together … but on the other hand, I could double my 300 Gig storage space for around $200, use MPEG2, and get an MVP.

Does Matt’s Client for the MVP work with MPEG4? It’s about the same size and quality as DIVX … I could also live with that.

I haven’t asked or researched … but I’m thinking the comskip doesn’t work with DIVX either. Anyone know? How about with MPEG4?

[Crashless]

It's always tough to turn down more storage; especially when you're bringing your movie collection online.

AFAIK the mvp client doesn't work with any mpeg4 derivitive (divx is one of them, xvid is another that doesn't work), and only natively decodes mpeg2.

I believe you are also correct in your assumption that comskip doesn't work with any mpeg4 format either. Both those programs are built on top of mpeg2 libraries that are well established in the open source community. You could try talking Jere Jones into building a divx version of his comskip program though. It's always worth a shot, as I'm sure you're not the only one who would like this functionality.

Don't let any of this discourage your decision to buy the plextor box, from everything I've read it's a great device - but unfortunately it's bleeding edge stuff, and there just hasn't been enough market penetration to get all these extra features ported to support it.

Good luck!