Networked Configuration

[MichaelColey]

I have wanted to build a networked media system for quite a while, and I just stumbled across SageTV a couple days ago. I read through the FAQs and did some searching on the forums, but am not 100% sure on how best to configure things.

I would like to be able to access live streams (from Dish and antenna) and recorded shows throughout the house. I don't mind spending some money up front on the server, software, etc., but would like to minimize any ongoing expenses and the expense of adding additional client boxes. I have the following equipment already:

* A spare 750Mhz Pentium with 1GB of RAM and a small hard drive.
* Two Dish Network receivers, one of which is a 501 PVR.
* An antenna for local channels, although I currently get them on Dish as well.
* TV, phone, and network connections throughout the house.
* Two PCs in the house that I may or may not want to run client software on.
* Four TVs throughout the house (and potentially more later) that I would like to have access the network.
* An access close/room right behind the main TV in the living room where I can put any necessary server hardware.

From what I've read, here's what I think I need to do:

1) Upgrade the hard drive on my server to 250GB or 400GB.
2) Buy the SageTV/PVR-500/remote bundle (and potentially a second PVR-500 if I want four input sources). This will go on the server, which will also control the main TV in the living room. (Will I need a video card to provide TV-out, or does the PVR-500 do that as well?)
3) Get a USB-UIRT to control the Dish receivers. (Will one control both? Will they conflict?)
4) Buy a copy of SageTV Client for each PC I want to access the server.
5) Buy a copy of SageTV Client and a MediaMVP for each TV (other than the main one off of the server) that I want to access the server. (Does the MediaMVP come with a decent remote, or should I buy one from Sage?)

Will this work? What am I missing?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[salsbst]

Some notes:

I'd recommend that, if possible, you keep the server as a server, and not run SageTV UI on it. However, I break my own advice today and don't have any specific troubles to point to.

You don't need extra licenses for each MediaMVP. You need one license per host PC, so you could run 4 MVPs from one client license if they are all driven by the same PC.

PVR500 does not have any rendering capabilities, so you'll want a video card for output.

If you're using a USB-UIRT to control the Dish boxes, then there is no need for the bundled remote that comes with the PVR-500.

Be prepared to be underwhelmed by TV out. If you can go component, DVI or VGA, you're getting alot better video quality.

I believe the MediaMVP comes with a decent remote.

You may want something to control the client PCs via IR -- I use a USB-UIRT for each client.

[RedR]

Heya,

This is pretty much the exact setup I have.
salsbst, I am interested in your mention on the MVP's not using a license. As I understand it using the server w/ the UI supporting one TV, while a SageTV client license for each MVP. The reason for this is you run a SageTV client license on the server for each MVP you want. The only other way I was aware of was running the server in service mode, but this would prevent using the server for one TV correct?

[dagar]

The MVP comes with the Hauppauge 45button remote. It's not bad actually.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by RedR

salsbst, I am interested in your mention on the MVP's not using a license. As I understand it using the server w/ the UI supporting one TV, while a SageTV client license for each MVP. The reason for this is you run a SageTV client license on the server for each MVP you want.

The reason you need only a single client license is that you can run multiple instances of SageTV Client on a single PC using one license. If the client is installed on another PC, that's when you need a second client license.

- Andy

[MichaelColey]

I'd like to make sure I understand how MediaMVP and SageTV Client works with SageTV.

If I have the server set up with SageTV and a couple PVR-500 cards and hooked up to a TV, then have a couple PCs set up with SageTV Client and a few MediaMVP boxes hooked up to TVs, how does it work?

Will any of the Clients or MediaMVPs be able to access the guide, watch pre-recorded shows, and watch live TV?

When there are more clients trying to watch live streams than tuners on the server, what happens? For instance, if there are four tuners and five clients trying to watch live streams, does the oldest one get the boot or does the newest one not get live streams, or what? I'm assuming that multiple clients watching the same channel will only take a single tuner and that clients watching pre-recorded programs won't tie up a tuner. Other than that, all the clients can be doing their own thing, right?

Will all the clients be able to schedule programs to record?

Thanks in advance!

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by MichaelColey

If I have the server set up with SageTV and a couple PVR-500 cards and hooked up to a TV, then have a couple PCs set up with SageTV Client and a few MediaMVP boxes hooked up to TVs, how does it work?

Will any of the Clients or MediaMVPs be able to access the guide, watch pre-recorded shows, and watch live TV?

Have you seen the SageTV interface & what all you can do? The SageTV UI shown via the MVP is exactly the same; in fact, you could also use that same interface on the PC where the client that is serving the MVP is running -- what you do on the PC or MVP is reflected on both displays. That includes scheduling & all. (Of course, the client could actually be sleeping in the sys tray & the MVP will still function as normal, so the PC doesn't even have to show the MVP client's window.)

When there are more clients trying to watch live streams than tuners on the server, what happens? For instance, if there are four tuners and five clients trying to watch live streams, does the oldest one get the boot or does the newest one not get live streams, or what? I'm assuming that multiple clients watching the same channel will only take a single tuner and that clients watching pre-recorded programs won't tie up a tuner. Other than that, all the clients can be doing their own thing, right?

If works the same as any SageTV Client -- I haven't used live TV in a long time, but you can't boot someone else out of watching live TV, so if all tuners are already in use, you can decide to watch something already recording or some other pre-recorded show.

- Andy

[MichaelColey]

Originally Posted by Opus4

Have you seen the SageTV interface & what all you can do?

No, I've just seen the sample screen shots. I almost downloaded the 15 day trial to see more detail, but the description made it sound like it wouldn't even work if I didn't have a capture card (which I don't yet).

[Opus4]

No, it won't do much w/o a capture card.

BTW: if you want more details about the interface & haven't done so already, there is a PDF manual you can download on the same web page as the trial download. There is also a v3 PDF manual, but v3 isn't available as a trial -- and probably won't be until after it is released.

- Andy

[MichaelColey]

Okay, just a few more questions about my proposed configuration and I think I'll have it all down:

1) Is the USB-UIRT what I need to allow SageTV to control the Dish receivers (which will be two inputs/tuners)? Does SageTV know how to use them? Will one USB-UIRT control both? Will the two receivers conflict with each other (i.e., will the USB-UIRT be able to change the channel on one without the signal affecting the other)?

2) Can you mix input signals? For instance, can I have two Dish inputs and two antenna inputs? Will SageTV present them as a single list of channels and be smart enough to know which input/tuner to use?

3) What type of video output card would you recommend for the main SageTV unit? My TV will accept just about any inputs, although S-Video is easiest due to other components. It's a large widescreen HDTV. Will SageTV be able to take advantage of the widescreen aspect ratio and show more detail (yet still be able to show standard programs?) I'm not going to set up for HDTV viewing/recording, as the spare computer I will be using for the server probably isn't powerful enough. The only HD signal I currently get is local channels through the antenna, anyway.

4) I want to make sure I'm 100% clear on how the MediaMVPs work. If I have four of them hooked up throughout the house, controlled by a single PC, all four of them can be doing their own thing (watching different streams or pre-recorded shows or whatever), right? Or will they all show the same thing?

Thanks once again for your incredible patience with this newbie.

[salsbst]

Originally Posted by MichaelColey

1) Is the USB-UIRT what I need to allow SageTV to control the Dish receivers (which will be two inputs/tuners)?

Yes

Does SageTV know how to use them?

You train Sage to send the proper codes by pointing your remote at the USB-UIRT and "learning" the codes.

Will one USB-UIRT control both? Will the two receivers conflict with each other (i.e., will the USB-UIRT be able to change the channel on one without the signal affecting the other)?

I believe people have this working, but I'm not one of them. I only have one STB.

2) Can you mix input signals? For instance, can I have two Dish inputs and two antenna inputs? Will SageTV present them as a single list of channels and be smart enough to know which input/tuner to use?

Yes.

3) What type of video output card would you recommend for the main SageTV unit? My TV will accept just about any inputs, although S-Video is easiest due to other components.

If your TV has DVI or VGA inputs, then you have a ton to choose from. If its best inputs are component, then the Radeon line is probably a better choice due to its component adapter. DO NOT USE S-VIDEO UNLESS YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST. If you need a switcher, get a switcher. S-video's maximum resolution is 720x480i, and the colors are terrible.

It's a large widescreen HDTV. Will SageTV be able to take advantage of the widescreen aspect ratio and show more detail (yet still be able to show standard programs?)

Yes, the video is upconverted to the display's resolution.

4) I want to make sure I'm 100% clear on how the MediaMVPs work. If I have four of them hooked up throughout the house, controlled by a single PC, all four of them can be doing their own thing (watching different streams or pre-recorded shows or whatever), right?

Right. But I believe you need moderate horsepower on the PC that hosts the SageClients in order to run four MVPs simultaneously.

Or will they all show the same thing?

No.

[SHS]

I think he way under power to run Multiple MediaMVP
MichaelColey what make and model of you motherboard before you go pop in the 500MCE you should bewere that 500 nee 3,3v and PCI spec 2.2 or higher which may not work with min of older chipset like BX, 810, VIA, SiS or Ali?.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by salsbst

If your TV has DVI or VGA inputs, then you have a ton to choose from. If its best inputs are component, then the Radeon line is probably a better choice due to its component adapter. DO NOT USE S-VIDEO UNLESS YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST. If you need a switcher, get a switcher. S-video's maximum resolution is 720x480i, and the colors are terrible.

Mostly agree, but also consider the Geforce 6600, as they have component outs also.

[salsbst]

Cool, I wasn't aware that anyone had produced an nVidia with component out, yet.

[stanger89]

Most all of the 6600s have it, some of the 6200s (most maybe, not sure) I think the 6800s do also.