Linux or Windows? Which to buy?

[Joe Bloggins]

Hi all,

I am sold on Sage TV but I am now wondering if I should choose the Linux or the Windows version? I prefer Linux as I find it more stable as a server (who cares about the Outlook Express patch when you use Windows as a PVR server?)

I intend to deploy Sage TV on a backend server (Dual Xeons, 4GB RAM, RAID0 120GB disks and Hauppauge PVR-500MCE) and use it with a wireless Media Extender.

Is there feature parity between the Windows and Linux version?

What about support?

Comments?

Thanks

Martin

[PGPfan]

Hi Martin,

In your case I'd recommend looking into Windows Home Server. Sage has a version specifically designed for it, and it provides all the features of the regular Windows version of Sage with the robustness of a true server OS. To me, Linux works reliably (one of my home servers is based on Linux) but that is more due to the fact that it has limited hardware suppport (read mature drivers for that reduced selection of compatible hardware) rather than something inherently superior about it's architecture. 'If' you use good quality hardware and don't play 'musical drivers' then a Windows box will be just as reliable.

-PGPfan

Originally Posted by Joe Bloggins

Hi all,

I am sold on Sage TV but I am now wondering if I should choose the Linux or the Windows version? I prefer Linux as I find it more stable as a server (who cares about the Outlook Express patch when you use Windows as a PVR server?)

I intend to deploy Sage TV on a backend server (Dual Xeons, 4GB RAM, RAID0 120GB disks and Hauppauge PVR-500MCE) and use it with a wireless Media Extender.

Is there feature parity between the Windows and Linux version?

What about support?

Comments?

Thanks

Martin

[ke6guj]

My windows Sage install is pretty reliable. I only reboot it once a month, and that is just for Patch Tuesday. If you don't have tons of junk installed, and just the important stuff, a windows box can be pretty good as a server.

My parent's Sage box goes months on end between reboots. It only gets rebooted when I stop by and see that there are windows updates that could be installed (I don't have automatic updates setup).

As for support, A windows license gets you Official Support from Sage and the linux license is designed for OEMs, so no Official Support.

Not all the Sage plugins out there are linux or Mac compatable. Not sure if the supported tuner list is as big for the linux build.

[GKusnick]

Originally Posted by PGPfan

'If' you use good quality hardware and don't play 'musical drivers' then a Windows box will be just as reliable.

Originally Posted by ke6guj

Not all the Sage plugins out there are linux or Mac compatable.

I'll second these two remarks. If you build your own machine and install Windows yourself, instead of buying a prebuilt machine made from lowball parts and loaded with preinstalled crapware, you'll have a much more stable system.

And while there may be out-of-the-box feature parity between the Windows and Linux versions of Sage, the vast majority of third-party add-ons are developed for Windows.

Do be aware, though, that the Windows and Linux versions are separate products with separate licenses. You can't buy a Windows license and then change your mind later and use it on Linux (or vice versa). So be sure before you buy that you're making a choice you can live with.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by GKusnick

I'll second these two remarks. If you build your own machine and install Windows yourself, instead of buying a prebuilt machine made from lowball parts and loaded with preinstalled crapware, you'll have a much more stable system.

I'll third it, my SageTV server (running Windows 2003 Server, not that it really matters) is rock solid. The important thing to keeping a Windows (any PC really) stable, is, as Greg mentioned, to not play "musical <fill in the blank>" with it. My server is just that, a server. It runs the apps that I want running 24x7 (SageTV, J River Media Center) and that's about it. I don't email, surf, install random software on it. And it, quite simply, never goes down.

And while there may be out-of-the-box feature parity between the Windows and Linux versions of Sage, the vast majority of third-party add-ons are developed for Windows.

The bigger consideration, IMO, is hardware support. From what little I can gather, supported hardware is somewhat sparse on Linux/Mac, while on Windows you have the benefit of loads of devices built for Windows Media Center and thus have drivers compatible with SageTV.

Oh, and what hasn't been mentioned, unless something has been changed, there's no "official" support for individuals running SageTV OEM for Linux. Not saying you won't get any, but something to consider...

[bcjenkins]

I switched from windows to linux. I find the QAM support is more extensive and hd runs better. I also like to play around with other servers too which linux is more flexible imho.

B

[joat]

I would argue that it all depends on what you're comfortable with and what else you plan to do with the box. I have SageTV running on the same Linux box as Asterisk, Icecast, MPD, pyTivo, Cidero, and Slimserver. You asked the right question when you queried about feature differences, though the major differences are going to be the additional software you plan to run.

I'd recommend making a list of what features/capabilities/services you want to run and then take a look at what software on which OS best suits your needs. Otherwise, this just becomes a my religion is better than yours argument.

- joat

[stuckless]

In my oppinion, stick with what you know. If you are windows person that sometimes tries linux for kicks, and then goes back to windows.... don't run sage on linux. The biggest problem that I find with windows users going to linux is that they give upt he first time something doesn't work. The same is true for my linux friends that complain about windows not working right I've yet to have windows just work, but through years of using windows, I know most of the nuances and easily troubleshoot a bad driver, etc. I've invested the same effort in linux.

As for hardware support. I personally find that I have better sucess lately in linux than windows. My DVB-S card just works, no driver install disk required. My pvr-usb2 device works, no driver install disk required. I was blown away the other day when I plugged in my canon sd1000 camara, and a dialog appeared asking me to copy files from the camera, again, no driver disk required. (This is a Ubuntu machine)

As for sage support in linux.... even though there isn't any offical support, I've been very impressed with their responsiveness and quality of solutions.

If you are switching to a new OS, plan on some pain... but sometimes the switch is worth it