Need Help: Fios or Cablevision?

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by jasmithvr6

Per TV?!?! This is getting more expensive by the minute.

Hmm...when you say put the STB and HD-PVRs inside the cabinet with the server, I guess I should be more specific where the "cabinet" will be located. I plan on putting the server and network gear in a separate room in the basement and my TV will be on the main floor upstairs. Will a remote like the URC-MX850 be able to control the STB and HD-PVRs in this setup? How does the USB-URIT fit into the equation and will I need a IR base station to make this all work? Since I'm contemplating not having a PC anywhere near the TV (just an STX-HD100), my guess is the USB-URIT option won't work.

Sorry for barrage of questions...I guess I should have tried to stay on top of the new technology. Kids have a way of changing all that.

I think you have some misconceptions on how a normal SageTV setup is.. setup... The STB's are not connected to the television, and are not controlled directly by the user. The playback side is controlled by the user (Either the Sage computer itself, a PC based client machine, or an HD or SD extender), and this is all that is needed near the TV.

Example:

[bcjenkins]

The only problem with the map, excellent map btw, is that the MVPs can't playback hd-pvr yet.

B

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by bcjenkins

The only problem with the map, excellent map btw, is that the MVPs can't playback hd-pvr yet.

B

Yeah, true.. My goal was to clear up what equipment is required to be at the Television, and how the STB control scheme works -- Which I did quite well I'd say!...

I don't own an HD-PVR, so I was not aware that the server couldn't transcode the recordings from it. Good to know in case I do end up going the HD-PVR route.

[bcjenkins]

The good news is that the latest SVNs from the FFMpeg trunk are able to decode the HDPVR files fine.. Although we'll likely see this make it in to 6.4 release (already in RC mode) I would suspect they'll be adding it shortly thereafter.

B

PS - For Windows users, http://sourceforge.net/project/showf...roup_id=205275 will let you transcode these files.

[jasmithvr6]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

I think you have some misconceptions on how a normal SageTV setup is.. setup... The STB's are not connected to the television, and are not controlled directly by the user. The playback side is controlled by the user (Either the Sage computer itself, a PC based client machine, or an HD or SD extender), and this is all that is needed near the TV.

This map is AWESOME! It definitely clears up a lot of my questions and I appreciate the time spent in putting it together. One quick question related to the chart...so the media extender device is located at the TV and is controlled with a remote to change channels, that much I knew. The STB, HDHR, Sage Server and even the router for that matter can all go in a separate room. So far so good. That being said, let's say I'm watching TV using my media extender remote and want to change the channel. How does the media extender communicate with the Sage Server and ultimately the STB(s) to accomplish this? Is it as easy as having a USB-UIRT connected to the Sage Server and pointing at the front of the STBs? If so, I assume the STBs need to be fairly close together for them to receive the signal from the USB-UIRT.

[cslatt]

Originally Posted by jasmithvr6

That being said, let's say I'm watching TV using my media extender remote and want to change the channel. How does the media extender communicate with the Sage Server and ultimately the STB(s) to accomplish this?

The Media Extender talks to the Sage Server over the network.
The Sage Server can talk to the STBs either via Firewire or via a USB-UIRT pointing at them.

[Fuzzy]

Bear in mind that most boxes of the same brand all respond to the same IR codes, so if you have a USB-UIRT simply pointed at your two boxes, and send out 1 - 2 - 3, BOTH boxes would tune to channel 123. The USB-UIRT supports multiple zoning, however (3 zones, actually, the built in emmitter, along with two 'remote' emmitters). You could use the 2 remote emmitters to control the boxes (Zone 2 and Zone 3), placing the emmitters on the IR reciever on the box, and creating a 'dam' around it (balck electrical tape works quite well), so it doesn't affect the other.

Of course, if your STB's have firewire, there is the option of controlling the box over that, which is MUCH more elegent, faster, and more reliable.

[jasmithvr6]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

Bear in mind that most boxes of the same brand all respond to the same IR codes, so if you have a USB-UIRT simply pointed at your two boxes, and send out 1 - 2 - 3, BOTH boxes would tune to channel 123. The USB-UIRT supports multiple zoning, however (3 zones, actually, the built in emmitter, along with two 'remote' emmitters). You could use the 2 remote emmitters to control the boxes (Zone 2 and Zone 3), placing the emmitters on the IR reciever on the box, and creating a 'dam' around it (balck electrical tape works quite well), so it doesn't affect the other.

Of course, if your STB's have firewire, there is the option of controlling the box over that, which is MUCH more elegent, faster, and more reliable.

Interesting. I hadn't thought of that, but it makes sense. So if the STBs support firewire, how do I make the connection to the Sage Server for multiple STBs if there's only 1 firewire connection on the PC?

[mistergq]

for what is worth, I have two FIOS STB sitting on top of one another. I have never had a problem of the one box changing the channel of the other box.

I was not able to successful set up the firewire and went with USB UIRT two zones.

[jasmithvr6]

Originally Posted by mistergq

for what is worth, I have two FIOS STB sitting on top of one another. I have never had a problem of the one box changing the channel of the other box.

I was not able to successful set up the firewire and went with USB UIRT two zones.

Thanks mistergq. I assume both STBs are identical? It sounds like the multiple zone option of the USB-UIRT works well. I see the Sage Store has it for $50, so I may pick one up. My FIOS install isn't scheduled until 9/30, but I'm trying to get my ducks in a row prior to that date.

For thoserunning FIOS...can anyone confirm if you can receive a signal (either SD or Clear QAM) without using a STB? For instance...I just picked up 2 HVR-1600's ($29 a piece...what a steal!) and plan on connecting them to my STBs. If I wanted to add an HDHR, could I do so without the need to introduce another STB? Since I'm 6 weeks away from going live, I'm not able to tinker as of yet but curious how many STBs I'll eventually need.

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by jasmithvr6

Thanks mistergq. I assume both STBs are identical? It sounds like the multiple zone option of the USB-UIRT works well. I see the Sage Store has it for $50, so I may pick one up. My FIOS install isn't scheduled until 9/30, but I'm trying to get my ducks in a row prior to that date.

Just be aware that the USB-UIRT does not come with the emitters for the 2nd and 3rd zone. Though they could be easily manufactured. The USB-UIRT has a standard 3.5mm mini-jack for the emitters (tip==zone 2, ring==zone 3, sleeve==ground.) You could pick up a cheap mini-jack to 2-rca cable, hack off the RCA ends, and solder on some IR LED's from radio shack, if you are so inclined.

Also, sage does not support the zoning 'built-in'. It is easy to implement though. After learning your remote, make two copies of the .ir file (one for zone 2, one for zone 3). Edit each file, and add a Z2 or Z3 to the front of the codes for each number. Then just change the .ir file from within sage to the appropriate one for each box.

[bcjenkins]

FiOS TV requires a STB for SD. At least locals/music channels in clear QAM though.

B

[cslatt]

Originally Posted by jasmithvr6

For thoserunning FIOS...can anyone confirm if you can receive a signal (either SD or Clear QAM) without using a STB?

I'm on FIOS in Northern Virginia and my HD Homerun gets:

All SD locals
All HD locals
All music channels
A couple random channels (G4, UNI, BRIDGES, The Weather Channel)

[bcjenkins]

SD locals are same as something like PVR-500 SD though? Because they are coming in over QAM, I would expect them to be treated like an HD feed as far as MVPs are concerned, thus requiring transcoding. True?

B

[jasmithvr6]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

Just be aware that the USB-UIRT does not come with the emitters for the 2nd and 3rd zone. Though they could be easily manufactured. The USB-UIRT has a standard 3.5mm mini-jack for the emitters (tip==zone 2, ring==zone 3, sleeve==ground.) You could pick up a cheap mini-jack to 2-rca cable, hack off the RCA ends, and solder on some IR LED's from radio shack, if you are so inclined.

Or presumbly I could use the IR Blasters that come with the HVR-1600's. I like that idea a lot better.

[bcjenkins]

Why not use a left/right audio splitter and mono ir led 3.5mm plugs?

B
ps - Isn't there a limitation to the number of hauppauge ir blasters SageTV supports?

[ONLYinHD]

You'll regret going with FiOS. I had it and canceled mine in the first half of April and they're still jacking me around trying to say I didn't return their equipment. Even though I've given them the tracking number and model/serial numbers on 3 different occasions over the last few months.

Talk about a terrible company. No service hours. You have to take the day off from work to call them and then they lie to you and say the problem(s) are fixed just to get you of the phone. But you find out later that they lied and nothing's been fixed at all!

The tv pq was not very good anyway and their dvr was programmed by a "C" student apparently. That's the real reason I cancelled. But I'm still dealing with their incompetence - 4 MONTHS LATER!

You want to deal with a company like that??? Be my guest.

I've written off all v e r i z o n services forever.

[davefred99]

Originally Posted by ONLYinHD

You'll regret going with FiOS. I had it and canceled mine in the first half of April and they're still jacking me around trying to say I didn't return their equipment. Even though I've given them the tracking number and model/serial numbers on 3 different occasions over the last few months.

Talk about a terrible company. No service hours. You have to take the day off from work to call them and then they lie to you and say the problem(s) are fixed just to get you of the phone. But you find out later that they lied and nothing's been fixed at all!

The tv pq was not very good anyway and their dvr was programmed by a "C" student apparently. That's the real reason I cancelled. But I'm still dealing with their incompetence - 4 MONTHS LATER!

You want to deal with a company like that??? Be my guest.

I've written off all v e r i z o n services forever.

Wow,
My experience has been good with verizon. I did have a billing issue that took a little time to get figured out but other than that I have had now problems. There DVR is no match for Sage but its not supposed to be. The Fios DVR is no worse than any other Cable DVR and better than some. As to picture quality all I can say is FIOS has a much better PQ than Direct TV or Time Warner cable in my area. Infact Verizon Fios SD is Damn near as good as upconverted DVD's on my 46'Samy DLP set.
Sorry to here your experience was so bad.
Dave

[TallMomof2]

I've also had an excellent experience with Verizon. This was after being lied to by Adelphia, now Comcast, about their cable modem. Had it a month and it *never* worked even after multiple visits. We had Dish for several years and their PVR menuing is much better than Verizon but when I called to upgrade to HD and add boxes the CS told me it couldn't be done, she was wrong. The knowledgeable CS reps work in the account deactivation department. When I called to cancel my service the CS rep told me I could've gotten the HD and extra boxes but it was too late. Signed up for Fios TV, already had Fios internet and home phone, and am very happy. The SD picture quality is far, far superior to Dish. DH noticed that immediately but he isn't fond of the PVR menuing.

Once I get the house wired for ethernet we'll probably go with several HD Extenders, a couple of HD PVRs, and a couple of STBs. I think the HAF will be greater with SageTV.

[cslatt]

Originally Posted by ONLYinHD

You'll regret going with FiOS.

I haven't regretted it at all. Excellent video quality, insane Internet speeds, 24/7 tech support (yes, really) and they even sent a tech out on a SUNDAY to fix my service (turned out a thunder storm had fried the box on the outside of my house).