Service mode, recommended?

[Todd33]

I'm wondering what I'm missing by running Sage 4.0 in normal app mode. I think other than Sage crashing stops recording (service mode you can restart the GUI without interuption right?), is there anything else? Does suspend for power saving still work in service mode?

[flavius]

What do you need the app for? Even if you use the server to watch shows etc., I'd still run the service. The interface is just a waste of resources - if you don't need it and might interfere with other applications, and it's useless on a headless server.

[nielm]

Service mode you can restart the GUI without interuption right?

yes, so errors in AVI files which cause the DirectShow filters to crash Sage (it happens) do not affect recordings, or errors whilst playing with Studio causing a UI lock-up (it definatly happens with me!) allow you to kill the process without worries.

Also, service mode does not need a user to be logged on to the system, is 'protected' against small fingers accidentally shutting down sage (at least its a lot more difficult to stop it!) and can be set to restart itself -or the computer-automatically if there are problems.

[LostInSpace]

There's one more big advantage: if your computer restarts (after an update, crash, power failure,...) the service is restarted even if you're not logged in...
So it reduces the risk to miss shows.

[pjwerdna]

Presumably using both the Service and the Client part on the same machine uses more resources then running everything without the service?

[TripleTapper]

So how do you run service mode? Is it the same as running it as a Server?

[stanger89]

Start->Programs->SageTV->SageTVServiceControl

You'll probably want to run it as a user for it. What I did was create a user "Sage" (an Admin) Gave it a password.

Then in the SageTVServiceControl app:
Enable Service
Enable Service Recovery
Change user -> .\Sage (for me, ".\usernamehere" if you use a different one)
Enter password (twice)
Make sure SageTV isn't running.
Start service

If that doesn't work, try:
Start->Run->services.msc
Find SageTV
Properties
Log On tab
Check "This Account" and fill in the info above. It should ask you to provide logon as service rights, say yes. And you should be good to go.

[TripleTapper]

Thanks stanger.....I'll check it out

[Todd33]

I went to the service GUI to turn on service mode. When you want to start the Sage GUI do you use the original shortcut or some other method?

[stanger89]

Just like normal, it will detect that the service is running, and run in pseudo-client mode automatically.

[Steve2112]

I was having lots of little problems when running in non-service mode. When I switched to service mode, these problems went away. +1 for service mode.

[geogecko]

Originally Posted by stanger89

Start->Programs->SageTV->SageTVServiceControl

You'll probably want to run it as a user for it. What I did was create a user "Sage" (an Admin) Gave it a password.

Then in the SageTVServiceControl app:
Enable Service
Enable Service Recovery
Change user -> .\Sage (for me, ".\usernamehere" if you use a different one)
Enter password (twice)
Make sure SageTV isn't running.
Start service

If that doesn't work, try:
Start->Run->services.msc
Find SageTV
Properties
Log On tab
Check "This Account" and fill in the info above. It should ask you to provide logon as service rights, say yes. And you should be good to go.

Thanks for posting this. I was trying to set this up per the first part of the instructions, and was not able to. It would say that the login failed. Using the second portion of your instructions, entering the same information, allowed it to work. There must be a problem with the Sage interface not being able to set things up correctly. Many thanks.

[GTwannabe]

Originally Posted by geogecko

Thanks for posting this. I was trying to set this up per the first part of the instructions, and was not able to. It would say that the login failed. Using the second portion of your instructions, entering the same information, allowed it to work. There must be a problem with the Sage interface not being able to set things up correctly. Many thanks.

Remember, you have to do this every time you run an upgrade on SageTV... for some reason, the installer unregisters and reinstalls the service.

[geogecko]

Originally Posted by GTwannabe

Remember, you have to do this every time you run an upgrade on SageTV... for some reason, the installer unregisters and reinstalls the service.

That bites. Just another thing I have to remember. That's something you could easily forget, since you normally don't get any indication that the service is running, unless looking for it.

Oh, well, I printed out the instructions here, and added that to my "bag-o-tricks" of things I need to know when rebuilding...

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by GTwannabe

Remember, you have to do this every time you run an upgrade on SageTV... for some reason, the installer unregisters and reinstalls the service.

You only have to do the second part once, only the first time after you create the account (you need to give it run-as-service permission). On subsequent installs/upgrades, you can use the SageServiceControl app.

[geogecko]

Originally Posted by stanger89

You only have to do the second part once, only the first time after you create the account (you need to give it run-as-service permission). On subsequent installs/upgrades, you can use the SageServiceControl app.

Great. Thanks for the info. That makes it easier, at least.

[Jesse]

Hi,


Dumb question: Can clients can connect to a server that is running the sage service app. only?

I am thinking of adding a second mvp (for a total of 3 clients) and using the sage box as a server only (ie no playback). It would be nice to run just the service app and cut down on overhead on the server.

TIA

Jesse

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by Jesse

Can clients can connect to a server that is running the sage service app. only?

Are you asking if you also have to have the UI running on the server machine? No -- the service handles all server duties when using that mode.

Only when not using service mode do you have to have the UI running in order for clients to connect to the server.

- Andy

[stevech]

I understand that I cannot run Sage as a service and access UNC network drives unless the login for Sage has a password - a MS Windows limitation I guess.

I want my HTPC to boot up and run Sage without use of a keyboard (power fail restart).

Is this a catch-22?

[geogecko]

Originally Posted by stevech

I understand that I cannot run Sage as a service and access UNC network drives unless the login for Sage has a password - a MS Windows limitation I guess.

I want my HTPC to boot up and run Sage without use of a keyboard (power fail restart).

Is this a catch-22?

I believe this will solve your problem.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1618969,00.asp

I am using UltraVNC to access my HTPC via another computer, and it requires a login as well, so this is how most people deal with it. TweakUI is another way, but it requires you to install software...and who needs more software to remember?