Sage 7.0 Wishlist

[IVB]

Originally Posted by Crashless

I'm curious to know what everyone would do with a mySQL database vs what already exists with studio and it's access to the database internally.

It seems that everything people are looking for in a "mySQL integration" could be provided with a java plugin running.

In my case, I'm trying to get away from using the Sage skin in it's entirety, use CQC for all back-end automation & front-end display, and just rely on SageTV as the "under the covers recording engine". Beelzerob has written a CQC driver to integrate SageTV but there are some limitations and i'm currently having a bizarre error where the "recent recordings" list isn't getting updated.

I'm hoping that between SageTV adding direct db access and CQC adding some stuff, the integration will be more robust. Plus, I can clean up my current 'now available' screen below and add some more functionality. As you'll see, I prefer a rather different look than what most folks want. I may be totally off-base, but I was hoping using a db to track everything would expand the stuff I could do.

Note how there is:
- Security System Integration (top right, status of alarm)
- Denon receiver integration (top left, status & buttons to select power & mode)
- Available on XM or CD
- SageTV stuff.

[Mysticeti]

Originally Posted by malbec

...
4) Another vote for cable card, but with a full recognition that is an issue with the Movie industry and the members of Congress rather than the folks at Sage
...

Ditto. At this time Cable Card is the only thing that matters to me.

[src666]

Originally Posted by Mysticeti

Ditto. At this time Cable Card is the only thing that matters to me.

I just wish it were that easy. CableLabs has taken steps to ensure that the only systems that can use a Cable Card are ones that are locked down TIGHT, so that their precious bits can't escape into the wild. Which is pretty pathetic when you think about what they are protecting (TV - TV that has been PAID FOR by the consumer), but that's where we are.

[jsonnabend]

Originally Posted by Crashless

I'm curious to know what everyone would do with a mySQL database vs what already exists with studio and it's access to the database internally.

It seems that everything people are looking for in a "mySQL integration" could be provided with a java plugin running.

Who wants to start learning the ins and outs of STV(i) creation simply to get at some data? Plus, MySQL is open, open, open.

- Jeff

[petertgreen]

We have a Windows client, a MAC client, even a LINUX client and hardware clients (media extenders) what about a client for the Sony PS3? Would that even be possible?

[mikesm]

Originally Posted by src666

I just wish it were that easy. CableLabs has taken steps to ensure that the only systems that can use a Cable Card are ones that are locked down TIGHT, so that their precious bits can't escape into the wild. Which is pretty pathetic when you think about what they are protecting (TV - TV that has been PAID FOR by the consumer), but that's where we are.

Even if Sage supported cabelcard, it would have to be gelded just like the VMC support is. I don't understand why everyone wants to see cablecard support in sage if it is as neutered as VMC is.

Just get an R5000-HD and be done with all this crap. If you keep wishing for cablecard support you will always be disappointed, even if you get what you ask for.

Thx
mike

[surge]

Originally Posted by mikesm

Even if Sage supported cabelcard, it would have to be gelded just like the VMC support is. I don't understand why everyone wants to see cablecard support in sage if it is as neutered as VMC is.

Just get an R5000-HD and be done with all this crap. If you keep wishing for cablecard support you will always be disappointed, even if you get what you ask for.

Thx
mike

If CableCard support did make it, the tuner is around $250. The R5000 is $550.

With both solutions, if you want 4 tuners, you need 4 of each.

Price is one thing. Another is, if the cable company switches the box used or you move, you need a new R5000 (I haven't messed with one, but it seems they are modified boxes depending on your cable co.)

[mikesm]

Originally Posted by surge

If CableCard support did make it, the tuner is around $250. The R5000 is $550.

With both solutions, if you want 4 tuners, you need 4 of each.

Price is one thing. Another is, if the cable company switches the box used or you move, you need a new R5000 (I haven't messed with one, but it seems they are modified boxes depending on your cable co.)

Maybe true if you move, but I guarantee you the MSO is not going to obsolete tends of millions of these boxes anytime soon. The capex hit to replace (equipment and trick rolls) them would cause wall street to punish them severely.

The price is high, no doubt about it, but you aren't counting the inflated cost of a cablecard ready system, since the tuners won't work on systems that you build. Net net for 1 or 2 tuners it's not that far apart. For 4, yeah, that's pretty expensive, but I haven't found anywhere close to needing that many. Remember firewire usually is good for a few HD channels beyond the OTA stuff, and I use QAM tuners for all the in the clear channels.

Besides, saying cablecard is cheaper than an R5000 is like my wife coming home with an awful dress that she'd never wear but b uying it because it was on sale. :-) Even if cablecard were $50, it doesn't do the same thing, and is no where near as useful.

Did I mention that SDV still doesn't work with PC based cabelcard systems? Ever wonder why you haven't heard of the USB dongle to enable SDV on VMC like you have on tivo?

Thx
mike

[Crashless]

It seems as though we need an R5000 that uses cablecard.

Re: mySQL. I guess I see how it could be easier from the outside, but I don't see why someone can't make a java middle-ware-like plugin that can take mySQL queries and execute them in SageTV.

I guess the difference in solution is we can do it, or wait for Sage to do it. The tools are available now to create the functionality you guys want.

Edit: BTW, very sweet interface there IVB!

[jdamore]

I have another new wish for Sage 7.0..

Now that I am removing the pc in the bedroom and replacing it with the STX-HD100, I am going to miss having a web browser. And the HD100 has USB ports so..

1. Keyboard support via the USB ports on the HD100

1. Integrated Web Browser

[MeInMaui]

Originally Posted by jdamore

I have another new wish for Sage 7.0..

Now that I am removing the pc in the bedroom and replacing it with the STX-HD100, I am going to miss having a web browser. And the HD100 has USB ports so..

1. Keyboard support via the USB ports on the HD100

1. Integrated Web Browser

Me too.

This is the only thing keeping me from replacing my client in the living room with an HD Extender.

Aloha,
Mike

[bjkiller]

support for UTF-8 with reverse direction, eg - Hebrew and Arabic languages.

[alon24]

support UTF--8 text (hebrew) on the HD extender like the client does.
Ability to aet a GLOBAL propery that will do LT or RTL to all the display widgets in a displayed stv

better studio, make it more usaball, its 2007, why cant we have oop there, instead of this xml...

support subtitle files on the hd extender (UTF-8 - Hebrew)

(I know I am a bit biased towards Hebrew, so you can add Arabic to the mix, same same)

[DigitalMan]

Originally Posted by src666

For me, the issue is accessibility/barrier to entry. In order to work with Sage's data, you have to be able to write an STV/plugin. If they used a standardized database, then just about any developer tool comes into play.

It might be easier for Sage to expose the data through a web services interface.

[reboot_this]

I want the ability to choose whether or not "duplicate" channels show up in the guide see this post

[mikesm]

I second using mySQL or another database instead of the proprietary wiz.bin stuff. This would make a wide set of integration activities possible, and probably integration with a mymovies type database application easier too.

thx
mike

[craigdthom]

Streaming Internet Radio seems to be a very popular Item!!!!

1. Allow the Media Player/Extender to accept input streams .. Process internet radio streams natively, so that extender can play internet radio without the use of a 3rd party add-in, but if we must use a 3rd party add-in that will be ok ... just as long as we get Internet radio on the extender

2. Allow remote control of the extender menu ... remote as in using the desktop or laptop to navigate and select the extender menu options(listen to the Audio stream without turning on the TV)

[bama]

Similar to what others have posted:

1) A multi-user environment like what has been mentioned above (filtered recordings)

2) Netflix Integration

[matterofrecord]

Hi

All SAGETV needs is a decent EPG. I use sage for recording digital tele in the UK. The only thing stopping sage from being perfect for recording tele is the lack of a stable epg. Comapred to the faults in the EPG, everything else is minor as far as I am concerned. SAGETV is by far the best for recording tele. "Beyond tv" is useless as it doesn't record dvb-t, "media portal" doesn't work, "GBpvr" doesn't work properly, the bundled software that came with my hauppauge cards doesn't work properly. Vista media centre lacks flexible, has to have the epg downloaded and only supports 2 tuners. As far as I see SAGETV is prime position to take the number one spot and establish itself as the best pvr software. All it needs to be worthy of recommendation is a stable digital epg. It can't be that difficult. My set top pvr has managed it, media portal has managed it even hauppage has managed it with their EPG tool. Sage has already produced a very impressive peice of software. I'm sure it's within the grasp of the sage team to improve the epg enough to get it stable.

Europe is curently trying to switch over to digital television. This is mainly because we are a mobile phone obsessed continent. The powers that be have realised the potential gains to had from selling off the analogue broadcast waveband to mobile phone companies. This has resulted in a switch to digital. All of europe is a big market. there are over half a billion european citizens. Surely the market is worth playing for.

As far as I can see there are a number of ways you could get your software upto recommendable level.

Often the epg wrongly allocates midday television to midnight and visa versa. This would seem to me, as a non programmer, that it might be a programming oversight or something similar.

Often sage updates the epg eliminating otherwise good quality epg data and replacing previous programmes with "no data". Often resulting in missed recordings. If you can think of a method of "locking in" any recording unless it's manually cancelled that would improve usability.

You might also want to consider switching the automatic epg update to a manual epg update. Or at least giving people the option. This way if you get a good epg you can keep it and not risk losing it to an automatic update.

If all this fails you could try using already availible epg import tools to import direct from the hauppauge EPG. This is more civilised that scraping data direct from radiotimes.

You could of course download the digital epg and make it availible for import. It surely wouldn't be a copyright discretion if it was already free availible to everyone already using your product. You would just be adding extra product stability.

As far as I am concerned Any other niggle is minor and easily liveable with. The epg is currently a let down. Please sort it out.

Anyway that's it ONE WISH FOR SAGETV 7 - A QUALITY EPG THAT WOULD MAKE SAGE TV PERFECT.

Many Thanks


matterofrecord


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Sage 6.2.1, XP home sp2, 2 hauppauge win-tv nova-500's , intel duo 6750, 2gb ram, gigabyte GA-P35C-DS3R, some hard drives and other bits that make it go.
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[Halstead]

I'd love to see integration of MCE's on-line services (particularly Vongo and the other premium services). I know that BeyondMedia offers this feature, so it is possible. Between SageTV's newly expanded On-Line Services offerings and this, it would be the most robust 10-ft interface for downloadable content available.