A Few Questions

[deadtoaster2]

I recently heard about Sage and soon became very interested in it. I have read around the forums and some of the FAQ's on this site. They have answered some of my questions, but lots remain unanswered. I would like to ask them and see if anyone knows what the best way to go about this is. I understand that you can only receive one video signal per capture card. Just like a standard VCR can only record one show at a time. However when using a VCR and a standard TV you can record one show, and watch another live show at the same time. My understanding of this is that to record one thing and watch another I would need 2 tuners (or the 500 model that has 2 tuners on it) Is this correct?

I don't think I would need more than 2 tuners, I hardly ever want to watch more than one or two things that are on at the same time. If there were 2 things on at one time I could use both tuners to record, correct?

If I got the 500 model will the sage software automatically know which tuner to use to record shows or will I need to manually set it each time I want to record something?

If I got 2 of the 150 models would I need to configure them so I can use both with 1 remote? Is this hard?

Alright well that's all of the questions I have for now. I should let you know that we have standard cable. If this is in the wrong forum sorry, this looked like the best place to post it. Thanks

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by deadtoaster2

I recently heard about Sage and soon became very interested in it. I have read around the forums and some of the FAQ's on this site. They have answered some of my questions, but lots remain unanswered. I would like to ask them and see if anyone knows what the best way to go about this is. I understand that you can only receive one video signal per capture card. Just like a standard VCR can only record one show at a time. However when using a VCR and a standard TV you can record one show, and watch another live show at the same time. My understanding of this is that to record one thing and watch another I would need 2 tuners (or the 500 model that has 2 tuners on it) Is this correct?

Correct.

I don't think I would need more than 2 tuners, I hardly ever want to watch more than one or two things that are on at the same time. If there were 2 things on at one time I could use both tuners to record, correct?

Yup.

If I got the 500 model will the sage software automatically know which tuner to use to record shows or will I need to manually set it each time I want to record something?

Yes, in fact, you can't even tell it which to use for which show.

If I got 2 of the 150 models would I need to configure them so I can use both with 1 remote? Is this hard?

The operation of Sage (eg using the remote) is independent of tuning/recording, in fact they don't even need to be in the same machine. Nothing changes from a user perspective when you add more cards, except the ability to record more than one thing (and maybe the guide if they have different lineups).

[lamanmi]

Welcome and you found a great product. To answer your questions:

1) Yes, to watch live tv and record something else (through the Sage system) you would need two tuners, however, you could also just connect the cable to both your TV and Sage system and connect the Sage system to your TV through some composite or s-video input. So you can watch something on your TV on normal cable while Sage is recording something with just one tuner. Note, also you can watch something previously recorded while recording something else with just one tuner also.

2) Yes, if you have two tuners you can be recording two shows at once.

3) Yes, Sage will pick the first available tuner automatically. If you had preference you can even set it to use one tuner over the other for some reason.

4) I do not believe the 150 comes with a remote, so you probably would want one 250 or get some other remote control option (i.e. Firefly). I use the 250 (I have 2 250s in my server) remote and it works fine.

5) The remote is really controlling Sage, not the tuners. So Sage in turn controls the tuners, so setting up a remote is a snap.

Hope this helps.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by deadtoaster2

My understanding of this is that to record one thing and watch another I would need 2 tuners (or the 500 model that has 2 tuners on it) Is this correct?

I don't think I would need more than 2 tuners, I hardly ever want to watch more than one or two things that are on at the same time. If there were 2 things on at one time I could use both tuners to record, correct?

Yes, you need 1 tuner for each show being watched/recorded. (SageTV records while watching.)

If I got the 500 model will the sage software automatically know which tuner to use to record shows or will I need to manually set it each time I want to record something?

It automatically schedules recordings for an available tuner that can receive the channel that the show is on. It has a conflict management system that attempts to reschedule recordings when shows are on at the same time; if it can't reschedule, it adds one to the schedule and lets you know there is a conflict, in case you want to change it.

If I got 2 of the 150 models would I need to configure them so I can use both with 1 remote? Is this hard?

You don't use the remote to control the tuner; you use the remote to control SageTV. SageTV then controls the tuners as needed. The 150 comes with a remote, but the MCE models (such as 150mce, 500mce) do not.

Edit: Wow, this forum must have been waiting for some question to pounce on!

- Andy

[deadtoaster2]

Thanks for the quick replies. If I understand the whole remote thing, I could add one tuner card now that comes with a remote. And later if I wanted to I could add a second tuner that didn't come with a remote and I wouldn't have to configure anything because sage would take care of everything, the remote that came with the first tuner would work for both?

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by deadtoaster2

If I understand the whole remote thing, I could add one tuner card now that comes with a remote. And later if I wanted to I could add a second tuner that didn't come with a remote and I wouldn't have to configure anything because sage would take care of everything, the remote that came with the first tuner would work for both?

Yes and No. There is a conflict issue between the Hauppauge cards that come with a remote (150, 250, 350) and those that do not (150mce, 250mce, 500mce). The driver cannot tell whether the card has a port for connecting a remote or not (unless it has been fixed, but I haven't yet heard that it has), so it is possible for the driver to decide that the wrong card has the remote & you won't have the ability to use the Hauppauge remote receiver at all. There are a few ideas on the forum to get around this, but I don't think any were easy and/or worked consistently.

Essentially: be very wary about mixing mce & non-mce Hauppauge tuner cards.

Oh yes -- there is no such conflict with the PVR-USB2, so you could always use a remote with it if there were MCE cards. I believe.

- Andy

[deadtoaster2]

Okay so if (just as an example) I got the 150 with remote to start, then later decided to get another 150 with remote that would work because they are the same type, therefore they would use the same drivers?

Also I noticed there are 3 different types of remotes that come with different packages. Are there any big advantages to getting one or the other? Or do they all work well? Thanks again for the replies.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by deadtoaster2

Okay so if (just as an example) I got the 150 with remote to start, then later decided to get another 150 with remote that would work because they are the same type, therefore they would use the same drivers?

Sort of, basically the driver uses the first card it finds. So if that happens to be the card with the reciever great, if not, well you have to start moving the reciever around untill you find the right card. If all your tuners have ports your fine, if not then you end up having to re-arrange cards.

The Hauppage remote is a good starter remote, but I'd consider a USB-UIRT+your favorite remote down the road.