Activation Key needed for Beta?

[seanonymous]

Do you really need to pay money for an activation key for the Beta version?

After using BeyondTV for a few years, I gave up on Windows and spent some time getting a MythTV box running. I'm not very happy with it, so I thought I'd give SageTV a try, but I don't want to go back to Windows and I certainly don't want to spend money on something that may not be compatible with my system.

Is there no way to make sure I can get this software working, even if it's just the beta version, before having to pay for it?

[ToxMox]

The trial only works for the regular release version that you can download from the main Sage site.

[_Demo_]

You need a key for betas in the linux version since the trial period is not implemented unlike in the windows version.

_Demo_

[seanonymous]

So I need to spend $80 before I can even see how well (if at all) this software works?

Can I use the same key on the linux and windows versions, so that I can fall back on building a windows box if the linux version doesn't perform like I expect it to?

Please pardon my skepticism, but I don't have a windows box at the moment (it feels so good to say that) and linux drivers have been hit or miss for me so far.

[_Demo_]

The keys can only be used on the operating system you bought them for.

You can find the system requirements for the linux version at http://www.sagetv.com/linuxOEMedition.html

_Demo_

[seanonymous]

You expect me to read documentation? That's Crazy!

Oh, wait, it says my ConvertX isn't supported by the linux version, anyway. I guess I should have started there. Thanks for the help!