Newbie help requests

[cavalli]

My local HTPC friend, ToonGal, has been using SageTV forever and I've always been interested in it. I've seen her use it forever, but haven't had the interest to actually buy it for myself. Until yesterday. We were playing around with v4.1.13 and I'm amazed at how great the interface is compared to v2.2.8. MCE is now dead to me. Long live SageTV. Bought my own copy from PC Alchemy last night. So far not disappointed.

Here are the questions that she couldn't answer (and might ask herself if she stays with v4). I'm too impatient now that I finally dove in.

1) What do I do to make my MVP units work? Do I buy a STVCS license, STVCM license, or does it come with that functionality built in? (PCAlchemy doesn't sell the MVP version, but they are cheaper than the Sage Store.) I bought two MVP units from Radio Shack also. If I have to buy something, then two of them? Do I have to pay for a 3rd if I want a PC to view TV too? Are the licenses only for max clients I use at one time? Since there's only my son and I, it would only be two at most at any time.

2) Where/how do I get "studio"? I remember all the hullaballoo about this, but thought I read this now came with my license. I'll figure out how to mess around with it on my own.

3) Are there any STVs which simulate "Cayars"? I liked what I saw more than the bland one included in the distribution. I see the list of STVs available, but nobody seems to be maintaining them and it's hard to compare them without a frame of reference. I added all extras and that was great, but (for instance) it doesn't skip commercials (one of the best features compared to MCE or Tivo.)

4) Are plug-ins "safe"? I read you can't remove them nor can you update them. That's a pretty scary proposition.

5) Anything else worth knowing? Seen v1.4 and v2.2.8 in general and like what I see. (Help me convince ToonGal to go to v4 so she can help me too.)

Thanks!

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by cavalli

1) What do I do to make my MVP units work? Do I buy a STVCS license, STVCM license, or does it come with that functionality built in? (PCAlchemy doesn't sell the MVP version, but they are cheaper than the Sage Store.) I bought two MVP units from Radio Shack also. If I have to buy something, then two of them? Do I have to pay for a 3rd if I want a PC to view TV too? Are the licenses only for max clients I use at one time? Since there's only my son and I, it would only be two at most at any time.

You need a client license for the MVP, and you would need as many licenses for as many MVPs that you plan to use at the same time. (When you turn an MVP off, its license is freed for use on another MVP or Placeshifter client.) Some more info is in Appendix M of the 4.1 PDF manual.

2) Where/how do I get "studio"? I remember all the hullaballoo about this, but thought I read this now came with my license. I'll figure out how to mess around with it on my own.

Studio is part of v4; see Appendix L in the manual. There are some sticky posts with more info in the Studio section of the forum.

4) Are plug-ins "safe"? I read you can't remove them nor can you update them. That's a pretty scary proposition.

STV Imports do not modify the original STV (SageTV3.xml), so you can always revert back to the default.

- Andy

[k9k9]

Haven't tried them all but this post might be of use to you for number 3

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13844