Using the Hauppauge MediaMVP with SageTV v4.1 & later

[Opus4]

There seems to be some question regarding how to use the Hauppauge MediaMVP with SageTV v4.1's built-in support for it as a SageTV Media Extender. Some answers:

1. v4.1 includes built-in support for using the MVP as an extender. This means that you do not have to install any software other than SageTV to use your MVP; it is there when you install v4.1. (The MVP connects to SageTV, not SageTV Client.)
   
   
2. Please see the v4.1 manual, which you will find in your SageTV directory or you can download it from the Downloads page. Instructions for setting up SageTV and the MVP can be found in Appendix M, starting on p. 248. Essentially: enable the Media Extender Server in Detailed Setup -> Advanced, and plug your MVP into your TV, your nework, and a power socket (probably in that order).
   
   That section of the manual also lists what media can be played.
   
   
3. If you already own an MVP, you can simply purchase an MVP Client license. If you don't own an MVP, you can order an MVP + license bundle, if you wish. Each MVP concurrently in use requires a license.
   
   
4. You can use any STV on the MVP, just like on a PC installation of SageTV. What you see on your TV would be the same interface as if you had the TV connected to a PC running SageTV.
   
   
5. For those of you who like smooth FF/REW... you can do that on the MVP.
   
   
6. A post containing info about configuring the built-in Windows firewall to open the ports needed for the MVP can be found here.

I hope that helps.

Troubleshooting tips:

• For some problems with an nForce chipset mb network controller, you can:

  Originally Posted by ke6guj

  If you go into the properties for the nForce networking controller, you can change the "checksum offload" in the Advanced Tab, from enable to disable.
  
  That'll fix the problem. Works on my main MSI K7N2 and also the ASUS K8N-E deluxe

• Update: See the v4.1.4 beta for PAL & static IP address support.

- Andy

[Lucas]

Andy,

Quick answers needed to questions relevant to European (PAL) users.
Are the European versions of the MVP supported?

Is it possible to order an MVP bundle with a SCART equipped MVP?

Thanks

[Opus4]

No, PAL is not yet supported for the MVP and SageTV does not sell a SCART version.

Edit: PAL is now supported; see the first post, above.

- Andy

[dertb]

What real benifits do i get from upgrading. Do i get AVI support, DVIX support? I understand that the MVP does not have AC3 support and can live with out playing dvds. I already have mutliple stv's running on my MVP's. I already have mpeg'S running on the MVP. I already have MP3's working. As for the speed it is totaly accepitable. What is the bottem line do we get the support for other files? I really can not see paying for the extra licsenses unless I get some thing I dont already have.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by dertb

What real benifits do i get from upgrading. Do i get AVI support, DVIX support?

Not right now, but there may be such support in the future.

I already have mutliple stv's running on my MVP's. I already have mpeg'S running on the MVP. I already have MP3's working. As for the speed it is totaly accepitable.

All I can say is that you should give it a try... you may think that slower menus & slower FF/REW response isn't bothersome, but once you give the built-in support a try, you may not want to go back. SageTV is essentially running on the MVP, not just displaying screens that were created by SageTV running on the PC that the MVP is connected to.

- Andy

[nigelhoward]

Originally Posted by Opus4

No, PAL is not yet supported for the MVP and SageTV does not sell a SCART version.

- Andy

In which ways is the European Hauppauge MVP different to the USA version that makes the EU one as yet unsupported?

N.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by nigelhoward

In which ways is the European Hauppauge MVP different to the USA version that makes the EU one as yet unsupported?

As I posted above: the lack of PAL support at the moment.

- Andy

[nigelhoward]

Sorry, I read your post but worded my question poorly. If I have an MVP that supports Secam/PAL what is it about the software that makes it unsupported.

Is it that the Sage software sets the picture format to NTSC at the server end?

Thanks,

N.

[Alfiegerner]

Originally Posted by Opus4

No, PAL is not yet supported for the MVP and SageTV does not sell a SCART version.

- Andy

Can you confirm or clarify this for us? I was planning to get a PAL MVP with a scart as advertised here, not from the Sage Online Shop but from elsewhere.

So if I was to get a PAL supported MVP would the sage software work?

[Opus4]

I guess I'll try confirming what I posted twice above: PAL is not yet supported for the MVP, so it lacks PAL support at the moment. Finally: sorry, but I don't know when SageTV might support PAL for the MVP.

- Andy

[Alfiegerner]

Sorry for the confusion. I think there may be a misunderstanding here. Bear with me just a minute:

Are you saying that the MVP unit does not currently support PAL, irrespective of whether Sage software does or not?

This is how I interpreted your previous post and this:

PAL is not yet supported for the MVP, so it lacks PAL support at the moment

That's why I posted that link from Hauppauge UK describing the European MVP which specifically does support PAL. This unit is designed for PAL land with a scart output.

Or are you saying you that even though there are MVP units that support PAL, that the Sage Software MVP support does not extend to PAL units?

Me's confused too. Sorry if I'm being dense about this ...

[Opus4]

I couldn't figure out what I was missing... I mean this one:

Originally Posted by Alfiegerner

Or are you saying you that even though there are MVP units that support PAL, that the Sage Software MVP support does not extend to PAL units?

Obviously, there is a PAL version of the MVP, but this discussion is about SageTV's new built-in support for the MVP, which does not yet extend to the PAL version. For now, you could look into Matt's MVP plugin.

- Andy

[redman]

So will the offer to transfer a license from a client to a MVP one, still be offered to those that use PAL? Or should I ditch my client license now, and hope a PAL version comes out?

[Opus4]

You'll have to contact SageTV w/that question.

- Andy

[Alfiegerner]

Phew! Thanks Andy, I knew we'd get there in the end. Okay here's to hoping we have a PAL MVP Sage release soon.

[mayamaniac]

How is this MVP native support for SageTV 4.13 different from Matt's plugin? You said the native support runs on the MVP, how is it doing it faster than Matt's version?

And about the licensing, I already own an MVP and 2 Client licenses, do I need to purchase a separate MVP license or can I use the existing client licenses I already own? Basically, are there any differences between regular client licenses versus MVP licenses?

EDIT: nevermind, just read the 4.1 accouncement and it answered the licensing questions. This could be costly for people with mulitple MVPs, now they have to pay for individual licenses for each MVP. I suggest SageTV offer a volume license discount, such as 3 licenses for $70 or 5 for $100.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by mayamaniac

How is this MVP native support for SageTV 4.13 different from Matt's plugin? You said the native support runs on the MVP, how is it doing it faster than Matt's version?

Because using the plugin, everything (except video decoding) was drawn on the PC & copied to the MVP... the MVP draws things iteself now. In addition to what I said in the first post of this thread:

cpu requirements

other formats in testing

Impressed with MVP!

Uses hardware UI rendering

- Andy

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by Alfiegerner

Okay here's to hoping we have a PAL MVP Sage release soon.

For all of you asking about PAL on an MVP, be sure not to miss the v4.1.4 beta for PAL (and static IP address) support. Please post your results in that thread & file bug reports for any problems.

- Andy

[Alfiegerner]

WoW that was quick! I'll have to wait until after Xmas for my MVP to arrive now but I'll let you know how I get on with the PAL support.

[Alfiegerner]

Okay I couldn't hold out any longer.

Yesterday I grabbed myself a PAL MVP and got it all loaded up last night. Totally chuffed with the result: for about 45GBP I have a Sage TV Client with much better picture quality than I've been able to get using the s-video out on an nvidia FX5600.

My only gripe would be that the UI can be a little slow particularly in the TV Guide section... That maybe just something in my setup though. Would a large channel count and EPG slow down the MVP? I might experiment wth fewer channels tonight.

All in all though, top notch work Sage