hypothetically, if I were to change from BTV to Sage, I would need to buy which Sage?

[mistergq]

Ok, I am a BTV user. And I should start out with saying I feel like I am cheating on Snapstream by even being over here. But figuratively speaking, Snapstream seems to refuse to give me what I want...integration that is. So they have left me with no choice but to look for what I want somewhere else.

Right now I have BTV running on one computer basically acting as a server (with only providing tv shows to another computer) and a Link computer that is providing those tv shows and live tv to that tv.

So am I correct what I need to buy is SageTV Placeshifter? That will give me one license for the Server and one license for the computer by the tv? And that will allow me to play music and dvds on my computer with that license right?

Another question: is it possible to have a windows computer running the main Sage software, and a linux computer running placeshifter?

Another question: there any plans on selling a placeshifter license for Linux without having to buy the linux server? I would prefer to build linux based computers to hook up to TV so that I don't have to get Microsoft any more money.

Thanks

*pst - don't tell Snapstream I was over here*

[sainswor99]

You need to buy a SageTV Media Center program for the OS of the server you intend to run; in your case it sounds like Windows. You also need a PlaceShifter license, which is not restricted to an OS. The following combo will save you $10.

http://store.sagetv.com/Merchant2/me...tegory_Code=SS

You can download a copy of Placeshifter for Linux here: http://www.sage.tv/download.html

Even though it says trial, as long as you have a license for Placeshifter installed on the machine, you can use any instance of Placeshifter to connect to the server (one connection at a time; the license is for concurrent usage).

HTH,
Stu

[mistergq]

Thank you Stu. That does help.

[Opus4]

BTW: Here is a FAQ listing some differences between Placeshifter and SageTV Client. Note that Placeshifter cannot play DVDs, but SageTV Client can if you have a DVD decoder installed on the client PC.

And, the only type of client that can run on a Linux PC is Placeshifter. The Linux PS client can connect to a Windows SagetV server, but you might want to consider using extender(s) as clients instead of full PCs.

- Andy

[mayamaniac]

Originally Posted by mistergq

So am I correct what I need to buy is SageTV Placeshifter? That will give me one license for the Server and one license for the computer by the tv? And that will allow me to play music and dvds on my computer with that license right?

There are other ways to connect to the server, SageTV Placeshifter is just one way. The equivalent to the BTV Link is the SageTV Client. The PlaceShifter is more for streaming content over the internet. Although it can act as a local client, but its not as full featured as the regular SageTV Client. And then there's the Media Extenders, a set top box client that doesn't require a computer. The current Media Extender can only output to SD, but the new HD Extender is expected to ship soon. So thats more client options that BTV doesn't offer.

Another question: is it possible to have a windows computer running the main Sage software, and a linux computer running placeshifter?

Yes

Another question: there any plans on selling a placeshifter license for Linux without having to buy the linux server? I would prefer to build linux based computers to hook up to TV so that I don't have to get Microsoft any more money

The placeshifter license is the same as the media extender license, and it is installed server side, not client side. And as far as I know, it is the same extender license regardless of OS.

*pst - don't tell Snapstream I was over here*

Don't worry, you're not the first. I'm a former BTV users too, although I switched years ago.

[Khristopher]

Originally Posted by mistergq

*pst - don't tell Snapstream I was over here*

Pssst.....they know! Where do you think most of their defectors go? I like to refer to Sage as "The Promised Land"! LOL

[Brent]

It's not a secret that those of us BTV users that wanted (still want) integration are here as well as a few other places. I'm working on writing up a few "how to convert from BTV" pieces for my blog that will hopefully be helpful to others. My time testing SageTV has been slow though since I'm only doing this on open weekends of which there's been very few of those. Sage has a lot to play with and it takes a lot of time.

[gveres]

Originally Posted by Opus4

And, the only type of client that can run on a Linux PC is Placeshifter. The Linux PS client can connect to a Windows SagetV server, but you might want to consider using extender(s) as clients instead of full PCs.

- Andy

I am sure this has been asked before somewhere, but are there plans for a linux client? I would love to get rid of windows on my TV PCs and linux seems to be the only other choice (without replacing the PCs), but I would like to be able to play DVDs there.

Thanks
Greg

[kerryp24]

Just a little confused about some of the licensing info...
I read thru the manual and it implys that the licenses for the MediaMVP Client and the Placeshifter are similar. They get entered the same way, but you need to register the Placeshifter computer when you attempt to use it the first time.
My real question is...
If I have a MediaMVP license can it be used for both MediaMVP and Placeshifting, as long as they are not both attempting to be used at the same time?
OR, do you need to have two seperate licenses, even if you never have both active at the same time?

Thanks for clarifying the licensing confusion.

Kerry

[Opus4]

The Placeshifter and extender licenses are equivalent, so one can be used for the other. You can connect as many Placeshifter and/or extenders simultaneously as the number of PS/extender licenses you have. And, like the manual says, those licenses are registered on the server.

- Andy

[mistergq]

thanks for the clarification. Since I am using this in my house, and i want to be able watch DVDs, client sounds like the choice.

Now other than streaming through the internet, are there any other advantageous of placeshifter?

[mayamaniac]

Originally Posted by mistergq

thanks for the clarification. Since I am using this in my house, and i want to be able watch DVDs, client sounds like the choice.

Now other than streaming through the internet, are there any other advantageous of placeshifter?

Yes:

-Linux version (no Linux client yet)
-User login (security)
-Portable version (runs without installation, requires Java installed though)
-Server side floating license (So you don't need a separate licenses to run it on multiple computers)

Note: Placeshifter does not support DVD playback, its one of the limitations.