Given up on PVR for now .. still want an HD / BR HTPC .. is it possible?

[eggman51]

Having messed about with HTPCs for over 5 years I am capitulating and giving up on the PVR aspects of it. The HDTV issues are far too much hassle for me to bother with and am buying an HD PVR from the local CableCo (my only option.. can't get TiVo here in Canada).

But I still want to connect a device to my TV that can serve as a DVD / HD-DVD / BR-DVD / Music / Network Video / Joost / Photo etc device. In looking around for this I am realizing that there is no single device available that does this, so an HTPC build is a probable requirement.

But I can't even manage to find a *decent* piece of software that has an integrated UI for the above activities.

I really like Sage. I think it's the nicent of the Media Center apps out there. But the lack of integrated HD-DVD and BR-DVD playback is the last major issue I have with Sage. If that was a capability, I'd be very happy with Sage.

Is there any chance the HD DVD format support is going to happen?

(I've looked at PowerDVD and at Nero 8 but neither are very attractive options for a variety of reasons, tho PowerDVD *might* be tolerable as an interim until Sage offers an integrated solution).

Thanks in advance.
egg

[nielm]

Originally Posted by eggman51

Is there any chance the HD DVD format support is going to happen?

Quick answer: probably not in the near future. Not even Windows MCE can play them internally (it has to minimise and run an external player)

Because:
1) codecs and container processors that can be used by 3rd party apps and Vista's PVP do not exist yet for HD-DVD/BR.
2) Sage is currently written to use DirectShow, and DirectShow cannot be used to playback HD-DVD (as it does not have the required security restrictions)

Longer answers with more discussion..
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26431
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26016

[eggman51]

sorryu for the delay in responding. tyvm for the message reply.
I bought Sage for my windows box and a Mac client for my laptop to fool around with.

I think I will use a 3rd party app from within Sage for HD and BD playback and the Motorola PVR for the PVR duties (sage is effectively a DVD cataloger for movies in .vob and divx from the network as well as photos and MP3s).

Thanks again for the response.

egg