soon to be new user needs some advice...

[t4uecker]

hi there -

now that i hear about the new hd extenders that are scheduled to be released this holiday season, i'm seriously thinking of becoming a sagetv user. (i was an unhappy comcast dvr user, just recently switched to tivo hd, but am not fully satisfied with that either). i have a few questions/confirmations i was hoping to get help with, in advance:

1. in terms of hd content, i'm mainly interested in network channels (i.e., nbc/cbs/abc). my understanding is that the purchase of an hdhomerun unit coupled with my existing cable service will allow me to record that. is that right? or is there any other solution i should consider (i'll still be keeping comcast just to get other cable channels like food network, bravo, etc).

2. i'm currently running a server (in the basement) that is windows-based so i was thinking i'd buy the windows version of the sagetv software. is there any significant reason why i should consider switching my server to a linux-based one (or for that matter, installing a separate linux-based server for sagetv use)? aside from the use for sagetv, the other things the server is currently doing are (1) running sonos desktop software, (2) running the rhapsody service, and (3) storing various photos/videos/documents.

3. i have several dvds ripped and transcoded to xvid on my server. is it pretty easy to access and play these through the sagetv interface? is that natively supported or is that an add-on (and if so, where do i find info about it)? and i suppose, more generally, is there support of playing xvid/divx/mpeg-4 media?

4. one problem we currently have is that the "recorded shows" list gets too lengthy and cumbersome. ideally, i'd like to be able to specify groupings (like "john's shows," "susan's shows," and "kids shows") and organize recorded shows into those groups. i used to own a replaytv unit and it allowed something like this -- when you scheduled a recording you specified into which folder it should be listed. is there a way for doing this with sagetv? and if so, how easy/hard is it?

5. i've been told that there's a commercial skip capability with sagetv. the features list for sagetv indicates that it's built-in, but i thought i'd read elsewhere that it's an add-on. would just like clarification on which is correct and also any advice on how to best use/tune this capability.

6. are there certain plug-ins or additions that are especially useful and that most people choose to add?

7. if all goes well, i might consider implementing a sagetv system for my parents, also. they are tied to a dish network system (because of certain premium channels they want that are only available in their region on dish). will sagetv work with that? and if so, can someone point me to a good description for how to use sagetv in such a setup? (btw, they have 3 different hd tvs, so i'm assuming there's no reason the upcoming hd extenders wouldn't work for them, right?)

thanks again! i'm looking forward to joining the community!

kr

[ke6guj]

Originally Posted by t4uecker

1. in terms of hd content, i'm mainly interested in network channels (i.e., nbc/cbs/abc). my understanding is that the purchase of an hdhomerun unit coupled with my existing cable service will allow me to record that. is that right? or is there any other solution i should consider (i'll still be keeping comcast just to get other cable channels like food network, bravo, etc).

the HDHR is an excellent way to record the network channels in HD. You should get at least the locals, maybe some extras. YOu may want to try firewire recording off of a cable company STB. If you are real lucky you may be able to get some/all of the digital channels you pay for over the firewire.

2. i'm currently running a server (in the basement) that is windows-based so i was thinking i'd buy the windows version of the sagetv software. is there any significant reason why i should consider switching my server to a linux-based one (or for that matter, installing a separate linux-based server for sagetv use)? aside from the use for sagetv, the other things the server is currently doing are (1) running sonos desktop software, (2) running the rhapsody service, and (3) storing various photos/videos/documents.

Unless you like linux and want it, I'd stick with the windows version. More support on the forum, and you do get official support from Sage. Sage sells the linux version with no offical support, but they may be able to help you sometimes.

3. i have several dvds ripped and transcoded to xvid on my server. is it pretty easy to access and play these through the sagetv interface? is that natively supported or is that an add-on (and if so, where do i find info about it)? and i suppose, more generally, is there support of playing xvid/divx/mpeg-4 media?

Real easy to access via sage, natively support to play imported content. Sage can play just about any type of format with the codecs built into mplayer. And if it can't, you can always install the directdraw codec and play them that way.

4. one problem we currently have is that the "recorded shows" list gets too lengthy and cumbersome. ideally, i'd like to be able to specify groupings (like "john's shows," "susan's shows," and "kids shows") and organize recorded shows into those groups. i used to own a replaytv unit and it allowed something like this -- when you scheduled a recording you specified into which folder it should be listed. is there a way for doing this with sagetv? and if so, how easy/hard is it?

One thing Sage doesn't have, any type of multi-user support.

5. i've been told that there's a commercial skip capability with sagetv. the features list for sagetv indicates that it's built-in, but i thought i'd read elsewhere that it's an add-on. would just like clarification on which is correct and also any advice on how to best use/tune this capability.

Sage doesn't have commercial skip built in, but it is an easy add-on. Basically you need a program to scan for new recordings, either dirmon, dirmon2, or comskip monitor. That program will trigger comskip or showanalyzer to scan for commercials and save the commercial list into an .edl or .txt file. Then you need an add-on in Sage to that will read the .edl/.txt file and skip the commercials. YOu can either add int the commercial skip capability into the Default UI, or with a replacement Custom UI that has the commercial skip capability.

6. are there certain plug-ins or additions that are especially useful and that most people choose to add?

Lets see, I use SageMC, a replacement UI for Sage with a lot of added feature. I also use the following plugins, an auto aspect-ratio switcher (automatically set the aspect ratio in Sage to better display videos that are recorder in different asptect ratios ), a sleep timer, favorites excluder (to fine tune the shows Sage records that are covered by my favorites list), and a couple other plugins that finetune SageMC (sounds like those may not be needed with the new SageMC 6.3.4 update). I also have a webserver addon that gives extra functionality.

7. if all goes well, i might consider implementing a sagetv system for my parents, also. they are tied to a dish network system (because of certain premium channels they want that are only available in their region on dish). will sagetv work with that? and if so, can someone point me to a good description for how to use sagetv in such a setup? (btw, they have 3 different hd tvs, so i'm assuming there's no reason the upcoming hd extenders wouldn't work for them, right?)

Sage can work with dish just fine. Basically you hook up your dish receiver to a tuner card in your PC and tell Sage what you have hooked up. YOu configure a way to have Sage control the Dish STB, either via IR signal with an IR blaster (such as the USB-UIRT) or via serial tuning if the STB supports that. Its not too difficult and you can get specific help when you are ready for that.

The HD extenders shouldn't have any problems with whatever content Sage can throw at it (subject to change since they haven't been released yet) and will hook up to a HDTV with no problems. However, don't expect to record HD signals from dish without spending some $$$. Recording digital broadcasts in digital format is difficult, not a lot a ways to accomplish it. FOr dish, you have to modify the STB with an R5000-HD mod that will let you record directly from the STB via USB. that way you are getting the exact signal that dish sends (and I dunno if Sage can display the new MPEG-4 dish content yet). Otherwise, if you hook up a Dish HD STB up to an analog tuner via composite or s-video cables, you will be recording an analog signal that isn't HD.

Basically, the easiest way for digital recording is via Over-the-air with an antenna or unscrambled QAM channels via Cable with a QAM tuner like hte HDHR.

[t4uecker]

Originally Posted by ke6guj

the HDHR is an excellent way to record the network channels in HD. You should get at least the locals, maybe some extras. YOu may want to try firewire recording off of a cable company STB. If you are real lucky you may be able to get some/all of the digital channels you pay for over the firewire.

sounds good. i just want to make sure i understand what hardware i'll need, in addition to the hdhr. do i still need an stb from comcast (hate to give them any more business than necessary)? any particular type of tv tuner card required or recommended?

as a clarification, the scope of what i'd like to record is the following:

(1) network channels in hd
(2) digital cable channels in sd (hd would be great, but as i understand it is not possible); these include not only the basic cable channels, but also some of the higher numbered channels like bbc america, etc.

[ke6guj]

If you want to record any digital channels that are not available on the HDHR, you will need an STB from comcast. You will be able to record all the subscribed channels from the STB to an analog tuner card (any Sage supported tuner card will work. The Hauppauge series of tuners is good.) Any channel you can get on the STB will be recorded via the analog tuner in SD. That would include any premium channels or even HD channels (the STB would output those in SD).

I'd also try the firewire hookup, you might get lucky.

[davephan]

Originally Posted by t4uecker

7. if all goes well, i might consider implementing a sagetv system for my parents

If you setup SageTV for your parents, then you should make sure that you setup disk imaging software to imaging their boot drive. If the computer quits working, or SageTV quits working, then you will be able to recover quickly, provided you periodically take boot drive images.

If your parents are not close by, you might want to also setup a remote control program, such as LogMeIn so you don't have to travel to your parents location to resolve computer problems remotely.

Dave

[t4uecker]

Originally Posted by ke6guj

If you want to record any digital channels that are not available on the HDHR, you will need an STB from comcast. You will be able to record all the subscribed channels from the STB to an analog tuner card (any Sage supported tuner card will work. The Hauppauge series of tuners is good.) Any channel you can get on the STB will be recorded via the analog tuner in SD. That would include any premium channels or even HD channels (the STB would output those in SD).

I'd also try the firewire hookup, you might get lucky.

thanks. in terms of the analog tuner cards, i notice that sage's "hardware" page lists a few hauppauge cards as well as one avermedia card. that seems fine, but i was reading elsewhere about cards that can encode directly to divx -- like the pinnacle pctv pci card. it would seem like a reasonable idea, in terms of using a more efficient codec like divx. is there a reason not to use something like that? i'm wondering because i notice that most people seem to be using hauppauge cards, though i'm not sure why. i know you suggested a sage supported card, but i'm not sure what the significance is of "sage supported."

[t4uecker]

Originally Posted by davephan

If you setup SageTV for your parents, then you should make sure that you setup disk imaging software to imaging their boot drive. If the computer quits working, or SageTV quits working, then you will be able to recover quickly, provided you periodically take boot drive images.

If your parents are not close by, you might want to also setup a remote control program, such as LogMeIn so you don't have to travel to your parents location to resolve computer problems remotely.

thanks, dave. i am, indeed, located several states away from my parents. and as i think about it some more, i'm thinking that maybe i won't bother to set them up with sage. i'm concerned about the administrative aspects of it, since they're not at all computer savvy...combined with the fact that i'm going to be new to sage, myself. so i think i'll get my system set up and working for a while and then reconsider theirs once i'm more conversant with sage.

[t4uecker]

by the way, i've noticed several people mention that they think sagetv (or for that matter, even beyondtv, mythtv, etc) are better options than windows media center edition. i was leaning away from mce mainly because i want to be store content in a central location and then be able to access it anywhere, which it seems can be a bit limited in mce. but i'm curious to understand what others perceive to be the key problems with mce. after all, it does have cablecard support, has its own developer community, etc.

thanks.

[ke6guj]

Originally Posted by t4uecker

thanks. in terms of the analog tuner cards, i notice that sage's "hardware" page lists a few hauppauge cards as well as one avermedia card. that seems fine, but i was reading elsewhere about cards that can encode directly to divx -- like the pinnacle pctv pci card.

I don't see the pinnacle pctv card on the list. You could contact Sage to see if it is supported, and if not, maybe work with them to get it supported.

edit: Just saw this thread talking about the pinnacle pctv, http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27791 .

it would seem like a reasonable idea, in terms of using a more efficient codec like divx. is there a reason not to use something like that?

the theory of recording to divx is good, but IIRC, the actually usage of a divx tuner wasn't that great. Since you are recording live, you have to code the divx file on-the-fly in 1-pass, instead of with a better 2-pass encoding. The quality and sizing of the divx file wasnt' that good compared to the standard mpeg-2 recordings. And I think only the Plextor cards did divx-recording.

i'm wondering because i notice that most people seem to be using hauppauge cards, though i'm not sure why.

Because the hauppauge cards are pretty much mainstream in the PVR world. They have good support from pretty much all the PVR software out there because they are stable and are widely available. And, if CC support is important to you, pretty much the entire hauppauge line does CC in the method that Sage requires. I would have also suggested the nVIdia DualTV card if you didn't need CC support, but they discontinued the card, so finding one may be difficult.

i know you suggested a sage supported card, but i'm not sure what the significance is of "sage supported."

If it's not sage supported, it may not work at all. Those specifically listed card are cards that are known to work. Any unlisted, "chipset", or "should work but untested" card may or may work. By working with Sage, you may be able to get that card supported in a newer release. And don't skimp out and get a software-based analog tuner.

but i'm curious to understand what others perceive to be the key problems with mce. after all, it does have cablecard support, has its own developer community, etc.

Some problems I had with MCE were tuner limitations, only able to have 1 EPG source, could only record to one directory, and DRM issues with the recordings. But mainly the tuner limitation. As for cablecard support, Vista MCE has it, but DRM'ed cablecard support means nothing to me if I don't have complete access to my info.

[davephan]

Originally Posted by t4uecker

thanks, dave. i am, indeed, located several states away from my parents. and as i think about it some more, i'm thinking that maybe i won't bother to set them up with sage. i'm concerned about the administrative aspects of it, since they're not at all computer savvy...combined with the fact that i'm going to be new to sage, myself. so i think i'll get my system set up and working for a while and then reconsider theirs once i'm more conversant with sage.

T4uercker,

It probably won't take you long to get more comfortable with SageTV. There's plenty of help on the SageTV forum.

LogMeIn is a great tool for remotely supporting less savvy computer users. I support several computer systems in my area, one in California, and another one in Vietnam.

Dave