How much memory is really needed?

[TakeFlight]

I started with just a 160GB SATA drive when I built my HTPC in July 2004. About 4-6 months later I added a 200GB IDE drive for a total of 360GB. A month or so ago I replaced the 200GB IDE with a 400GB SATA and I'm using the 200GB with an external firewire/usb enclosure for backup purposes. So, now I have a total of 560GB between two SATA drives. About 340GB is dedicated to SageTV and the rest is for the OS/programs, MP3s and archived video clips/shows. I record SD at 3G/hour. I used to record at 2G/hour but now since I watch some SD material on my projector on a 78" screen, 4:3 content is around 64"! So, I notice the difference at that size going to 3GB/hour. Also, I record HD content via firewire and that varies from 7-9GB per hour. Over any given 48 period their is usually near or over 100GB worth of recordings. Right now the web plugin for Sage is reporting the next 48hrs with 37 upcoming recordings requiring 119.85GB. I don't actually watch everything that records. I just like to have a huge catalog of shows to pick from at any given time (like having my own On Demand server at home).

[RedR]

Running 1GB in my PVR server, 2GB in my main game box. I noticed the biggest jump in performance going from 512 to 768. In the end I had an extra 256MB stick so I ended up with 1GB in the PVR server. Between comdetect and other odd processes kicking off, I think 512-768 is best for a server.
I have 5 tuners (two PVR-500's and a PVR-250) writing two four drives (200GB - 300GB). I also have two clients running on the server supporting two MVP units (yes still running the 2.6 version of SageTV). Also running the SageTV web server. My system never flickers, burps, or has any issue with recording or playback, I am VERY happy.

Enjoy,
RedR

[jominor]

Originally Posted by Dekard

Shesh! 3 tuners... What kind of hard drive space do you have to suppor that?

I also have 3 tuners. I have 3x200g and 1x160gig for Sage TV and 4x200 for divx'ed movies.

[Dekard]

I'll be starting out with a single 200 gig hard drive. Here's hoping that lasts me a bit.

[mike_15]

I have 512 in my server(AthlonXP 3200, 3 tuners), I would recommend adding some more.
My system is stable and get infrequent stutter/lag. I have an additional 512 on the horizon.

[Dekard]

Originally Posted by mike_15

I have 512 in my server(AthlonXP 3200, 3 tuners), I would recommend adding some more.
My system is stable and get infrequent stutter/lag. I have an additional 512 on the horizon.

I'm going to be running a slightly similiar setup. I'll have a dual processor rig, Athlon mp 1800's and 512 ram. I'm going to have to upgrade the ram soon I think. Especially since I'll have at least 2 tuners and also a ftp server running on the same box. Of course, having a smallish harddrive will help keep the usage down.. Lol..

[stanger89]

FYI, my server (dedicated) has 512MB of ram, 3 tuners, about 2TB (total, 1.75 in an array + another 250 in misc) storage, and runs absolutely fine.

[mayamaniac]

I have 1G on the server and 512M on client machines.

For a home server running SageTV Server, I think 1 Gig is good enough for now. This will account for other apps you might run, such as SageTV Service Mode, Webserver, Comskip, Girder, MVP Extender, SageEncoder, etc. If you don't run any of those additional apps, then 512M should be good enough.

For Client Machines, 512M is good enough. But just in general, you'll see a noticable improvement in the OS just by increasing ram from 256M to 512M, especially if you run additional apps like Firewall, Antivirus, and other apps and utilities in the background.

I also have 3 tuners and 600G of dedicated space for recordings.