Interested in trying sagetv befor uying a new server

[jangell]

Will this machine handle a test? HD Content?

Win XP SP2
AMD Athlon 1200 mhz
256 Megs Ram

If not, can I spend a few bucks and upgrade it...

This would just be for a demo

[paulbeers]

Originally Posted by jangell

Will this machine handle a test? HD Content?

Win XP SP2
AMD Athlon 1200 mhz
256 Megs Ram

If not, can I spend a few bucks and upgrade it...

This would just be for a demo

From an HD standpoint, no. Ram is way to low, processor too slow and you didn't mention what video card you are running.

It will probably work for SD content (depending on your vid card), but unfortunately HD is in need of a 2.0Ghz+ processor, 512mb of Ram, and a fairly recent vid card.

[jangell]

thanks.

One other Q...

After I test and LOVE (Which I am sure I am going to) Will I need a vid card if I intend to use the new HD Extender?

[paulbeers]

Originally Posted by jangell

thanks.

One other Q...

After I test and LOVE (Which I am sure I am going to) Will I need a vid card if I intend to use the new HD Extender?

Not at all. My server has a 6200LE and that is completely overkill. Integrated graphics is good enough...heck even an old PCI vid card would be enough. Unfortunately when I bought my new motherboard, it only has 3 PCI slots and I needed them all for my Tuners, so I had to go buy a cheap PCIE vid card.

All your server has to do is run Sage and your OS of choice (Windows, Mac, Linux)...it then just passes the encoded video to your extender.

[jangell]

how will i integrate teh computer with my comcast HD Set top box?

[RobJ]

I don't know, I'm not particularly optimistic, trying to fit into 256MB, and with that CPU. It may run, but LOVE is not the word you'll be thinking of, as to its performance. There will be lots of disk thrashing and little spinning wheels, while you wait for the next screen after each click.

You will want to run in Service mode, to separate the UI from the server part. As a server in Service mode, if you don't EVER need to transcode, performance should be OK. But you will need to activate the UI almost daily to check the Recordings list or the Guide and other normal PVR tasks, and that will swamp this machine. I run my SageTV in 512MB, SD recordings only, and watch them too, and I run in over 700MB (Commit Charge). SageTV needs about 65MB in Service mode, at least 200MB to load the UI and do a minimal amount of things, and over 350MB after running a day of normal full operations.

Since I currently can't afford the HD Extender, I can't help with how much of the normal PVR management can be done on the extender.

[paulbeers]

Originally Posted by jangell

how will i integrate teh computer with my comcast HD Set top box?

Currently, the only way to integrate an HD set top box is to run the Svideo or Composite cables to an MPEG encoder card and then it becomes SD instead of HD. There is a device from Hauppauge that hopefully will be out in the next couple of months that will connect to your HD Set top box and give you HD output. Currently the only HD from cable would be any unencrypted channels (usually your locals) that your cable company provides (see ClearQam).

[jangell]

Originally Posted by paulbeers

Currently, the only way to integrate an HD set top box is to run the Svideo or Composite cables to an MPEG encoder card and then it becomes SD instead of HD. There is a device from Hauppauge that hopefully will be out in the next couple of months that will connect to your HD Set top box and give you HD output. Currently the only HD from cable would be any unencrypted channels (usually your locals) that your cable company provides (see ClearQam).

How do I get my HD Programming from Comcast?

I'm currently using ReplayTVs and was looking fro an upgrade that would support HD

[sleonard]

Originally Posted by paulbeers

Currently, the only way to integrate an HD set top box is to run the Svideo or Composite cables to an MPEG encoder card and then it becomes SD instead of HD. There is a device from Hauppauge that hopefully will be out in the next couple of months that will connect to your HD Set top box and give you HD output. Currently the only HD from cable would be any unencrypted channels (usually your locals) that your cable company provides (see ClearQam).

Originally Posted by jangell

How do I get my HD Programming from Comcast?

I'm currently using ReplayTVs and was looking fro an upgrade that would support HD

Originally Posted by paulbeers

There is a device from Hauppauge that hopefully will be out in the next couple of months that will connect to your HD Set top box and give you HD output.

S

[jangell]

Got it...so primary use for SageTv at tis point is for DVDs and other content...Not HD content from your cable provider?

Any differnece if I go with Dish or DirectTV?

[paulbeers]

Originally Posted by jangell

Got it...so primary use for SageTv at tis point is for DVDs and other content...Not HD content from your cable provider?

Any differnece if I go with Dish or DirectTV?

Not at all. Its just a limitation currently with what you can do for HD from your cable company. Your cable company encrypts most of its HD channels and therefore Sage can not do anything about that (yet). You can still use it for SD and ClearQAM. That is what I use it for and am very happy. Most of the stuff I record is on the major networks anyway so I have that in HD since those are in the ClearQAM and when I want to record other channels, I just record in SD.

DishNetwork has more options because you can get the R5000 mod that will allow you to record all HD channels thru USB (or is it Firewire). DirectTV unfortunately doesn't have this option yet. Unfortunately this is a bit of an expensive venture at around 500 bucks to have your receiver modded.

The real key to unlocking the HD magic from any device, is the Hauppauge device. Most of us here are just waiting for it to come out in order to get all our HD channels.

[jangell]

Many thanks...