How much money in your sagetv home system

[Fluffdaddy]

I was just thinking on how much cash I got tied in my networked sage system.

1)Really Nice cases and
2)PC hardware for my two servers,2 clients and one MVP.
3)Adding software cost for sage and 3rd party encorders and so on an on and on.

I just realize I spent a lot more money then if I just went with a Cable/replaytv/tivo dvr's and 2 cheap dvd players
But I think you get what you pay for. I'm really happy with my networked 6 tuner SD/HD DVR and DVD player/copier media center.

[ke6guj]

Hey, you've got some holes in the pricing choices. Where's $1500-2000, and $3000-5000?

[Fluffdaddy]

Originally Posted by ke6guj

Hey, you've got some holes in the pricing choices. Where's $1500-2000, and $3000-5000?

Yeah I know. I have Attention Deficit Disorder and the cat playin with his ball threw me off my game

[stanger89]

Where's "I don't want to know".

[Fluffdaddy]

Holes filled

[paulbeers]

Oy.....uhhh....

*thinks*.....

Uhhhh...now see are we considering just what we have in our current setup? or all the money we have spent over time? oy....

I am glad my wife doesn't read these forums is all I have to say!

Actually a lot of my hardware is left overs from old upgrades....My server is mostly my old main box (except for one of the hard drives and obviously the capture cards) and my client's video card from what is now my server and the hard drive is from an old computer....So those are like freebies right? Hehehehe. Let's completely ignore the resale value right? Hehehe.

[steingra]

oh gosh I dont even want to know and I am just getting started. I feel like Im building the matrix down here sometimes. By the time Im done the whole house, every tv and every pc will be able to use SageTV. Either directly or using a MediaMVP.

And now Im building lots of Terrabyte servers, with one rule to live by: ALL parts must be on serious discount that will keep the wife from wiggin out.

Eventually I will have a high WAF.

[DFranch]

I'm not counting the Mboard, Video Card or CPU, they were leftovers from upgrading another computer.

2 PVR 250's - $240
1 PVR 150 - $70
Antec Overture Case - $100
160 GB HDD - $100
300 GB HDD - $130
Windows Media Center - $116
512 MB DDR Ram - $120
Wireless KB & mouse - $75
802.11G Wireless NIC - $50
Sage TV Software - $60

Totals $1061. Damn I thought it was more like $850. Still cheaper than 3 tivo's with lifetime subscription. Not much cheaper, but cheaper.

Damn you Fluffdaddy for making me add this all up. I'm depressed now. I'd be dead if the wife were to read this.

[MrApollinax]

Originally Posted by DFranch

2 PVR 250's - $240
1 PVR 150 - $70
Antec Overture Case - $100
160 GB HDD - $100
300 GB HDD - $130
Windows Media Center - $116
512 MB DDR Ram - $120
Wireless KB & mouse - $75
802.11G Wireless NIC - $50
Sage TV Software - $60

Ability to have a complete all encompassing media center without having to pay monthly costs EVER....Priceless...

For anything less than that there is TIVO...



I'm sorry.... i just had to do it....

[sleonard]

"For anything less ... there is TIVO"

[DocDrydenn]

I'd have to say about $2500-$3000. I lost track somewhere about 6 months ago with no desire to try and remember.

The fact that I'm still growing/building isn't helping, either.

The fun I get out of doing it and the frustration I cause my wife makes it worth every penny.

[jptaz]

I am guessing over $3000 since I just spent over $2000 on the new Server and new MVP licenses...but actually it might be more since I have replaced several MBs, bought new PCs...new monitors...it has been over a 4 year period....gee I hope my wife never figures it out...Maybe I am actually in the over $5000 now...

Oh well, my reason for doing this is hobby/religious hatred of monthly fees for non content...really TV Guide information does not constitute content.

John

[timrob]

What you really need is to track how much time you have put into your system. For me, the money is miniscule compared to the amount of labor involved.

[Deadbolt]

Originally Posted by jptaz

I am guessing over $3000 since I just spent over $2000 on the new Server and new MVP licenses...but actually it might be more since I have replaced several MBs, bought new PCs...new monitors...it has been over a 4 year period....gee I hope my wife never figures it out...Maybe I am actually in the over $5000 now...

Oh well, my reason for doing this is hobby/religious hatred of monthly fees for non content...really TV Guide information does not constitute content.

John

Jptaz...do you like your VBOX USB2 units? What model is the HDTV VBOX external unit? Are they fully supported by sage?

Thanks!

[jptaz]

Originally Posted by timrob

What you really need is to track how much time you have put into your system. For me, the money is miniscule compared to the amount of labor involved.

True...but it is a labor of love...I would not have done it if I did not love doing it.

[jptaz]

Originally Posted by Deadbolt

Jptaz...do you like your VBOX USB2 units? What model is the HDTV VBOX external unit? Are they fully supported by sage?

Thanks!

I love my VBOX USB2 Units. They are VBOX USB-A-3560, on the supported list for SageTV. I bought all 3 of the units from http://www.copperbox.com/ which has them at a good price and has free shipping. I had problems running multiple of them until SageTV support provided me with an updated MS DLL( PsisDecd.dll ), I believe this is the version from Windows Media Center Edition. I am currently running 4.1.7 Beta with the MS DLL from support and it is working perfectly. I occasionally get signal dropout but it is rare and truhfully is more reliable than my TVs built in HD Tuner.

I have all 3 units plugged into a Belkin 4 Port USB 2.0 Powered hub since I read that the tuners are more reliable when they have a good dedicated USB Power source...each draws the full 500ma the spec supports so that also helps take the load off of the computers power supply.

John

[jptaz]

Oh yeah...one more thing.

I am using a Channel Master 4228 for my antenna and it is mounted in my attic. My house is one of only a few 2 story buildings in my neighborhood so I do not get too much problems. It might be better if it was actually roof mounted, but it does a good enough job for now...I may just add a line amp since I am now splitting it 4 ways 3 to HTPC and 1 to TV.

John

[Fluffdaddy]

I was shocked when I realize I spent "over" $2500 on my system. But finally I got everything the way I like it Hardware,software and reliability wise.....I'm done

*But $800 of that is when a year ago, lightning ran up/down my network cable and fired every other part in my Sage HTPC and everything hooked up to my 8 port router at the time. I swear it felt like the heart of the lightning storm stopped right over my house an let me have it for a good 2 minutes, and the thunder did not do my dog any good either.
Never seen anything like it before or since

[IVB]

I'm going to declare that only $1000-$1500 of the cost of my system can be attributed to SageTV.

Now, i'm in a lot deeper than that, but you didn't ask how much the whole house media distribution, or home automation stuff costs. I'm going to use similar "sins of definition" if any female members of my family ask.

[dagar]

Had to pick the last for funnies ... but ~2K with no major upgrades