Compression + Automation Questions

[sim]

Hey guys,

I'm new to the forums and new to the SageTV software as well. I just bought a Hauppage WinTV PVR USB2 a few days ago and from what I've read SageTV is the best software out there. So far I'm happy, I just have a few questions. I apologize if these have been answered before, I've spent quite a bit of time looking through the forums and using the search function to try and find the answers to my questions. I am using a Toshiba M40 Laptop with my TV Tuner.

1) I've tried recording at different qualities including VCD and Mpeg-2. The VCD has a decent size, but I can't watch while using the PVR functions. The mpeg-2 seems really large. I want to be able to record at the perfect mix of size and quality. Because I'm using a laptop, HD space is already limited to 60 gigs total, and only about 15 gigs free. I can't go and record everything at really high quality because I will quickly run out of space. Anyone have any recomendations for the quality I should use?

2) Is there someway to have SageTV start the computer for recording purposes? So if I leave it in hibernate/sleep mode, can it come out of it start the recording and then go back into hibernate/sleep at the end of the recording? This would make using the laptop ideal. I do not want to leave it on all night or all day while I'm at work. If it can come in and out of low power mode that would be ideal! Anyone know if this is possible using SageTV or if there is some plugin or 3rd party software that will help with this?

Thanks a lot in advance and for everyone's help!

Sim

[Opus4]

I usually suggest playing around with the recording rates to find one that suits your preferences. The details of the recording qualities are in the properties file, but there is some info about the bitrate & so on in this post. (BTW: v3 lists the GB/hour for each setting when choosing a recording quality setting.)

You could consider an external USB2 or firewire hard drive for your recordings... the laptop isn't overly portable with such a drive, but it isn't too portable with a tuner attached to it either.

Regarding power management, see the info starting on p. 23 of the v2.2 PDF manual in your SageTV directory. SageTV can automatically interact with your power management settings & wake the computer in time for recordings. There is also a power management tool or two listed in this index.

- Andy

[Lucas]

I frequently use the DVD Extended Play (around 1.3 Gb per hour) and it is pretty good on screens that are not too large (up to 29"). Also try the "Good" setting.

Give them a try and then stick with the one you prefer for most shows.

You can also selectively record some shows like sport at higher qualities and zap them after you are done watching.

[dvd_maniac]

I haven't tried V3 yet. But does it allow you to create recording qualities through the UI instead of manually adding them in properties file? If not, is it in the works for the final version?

[Opus4]

They aren't editable in the UI since they wouldn't take effect until the next time you restart SageTV anyway. (Edit: I think Lauren Glenn was adding it to her STV, though.)

- Andy