Does Sage seriously not support ISO in anything? Seriously?

[htpcmaniac]

Sage doesn't do ISO files? It looks like that answer just cost them my purchase of two Hauppauge HD PVR's, server software, software for my laptop and two of the HD devices. I was pretty impressed with their forward thinking, but how did they drop the ball like this? I mean I can understand MS and Apple avoiding it because they promote their own formats, but are you really telling me that Sage doesn't do what my 5 year old modded XBOX does natively?

I've been reading a few posts about ISO support. I have a 150 ish DVD's in ISO format and it seems like Sage hasn't had the foresight to code this feature into their product. It works natively on my 5 year old modded xbox. Did I mention the software running on that was free?

This weekend, I was going to buy 2 Hauppage HD PVR's, 2 HD Sage devices and software for a server and a laptop. It looks like my money is staying put.

Is there any plans to fix this or should I just find other software. FYI, no uncompressing ISO's into VOB's is NOT a viable option. I really couldn't care less if they support VOB files or not. Any input would be appreciated.

[evilpenguin]

Ugh, you're just begging to be flamed with that bad attitude.

But moving on, no Sage doesn't currently support ISO but most of us have accepted this and just started using VIDEO_TS folders. If that's not an option for you I'd suggest emailing Sage Support and asking if they have any plans to add support for ISO's in the next version. They're usually pretty forthcoming and helpful.

If that doesn't work, I know BeyondTV doesn't support them but think MCE may support ISO's via the MyMovies plug-in.

[htpcmaniac]

My attitude is astonishment and if people want to flame that they can flame away. I was all excited that I'd found a solution to pair with the first consumer level component capture card, but now it seems like they don't get it. Given that things like VLC and the made by amateurs xbox software can do it, there's no excuse for it not to work. Thanks for the info though. I'll dig around on MCE support.

[MeInMaui]

I'm not sure if it still works, but here is a link to a customization for mounting ISO's. If you want anything better, you'll have to submit the feature request to SageTV just like EP said.

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...ight=mount+iso

Aloha,
Mike

Edit: Oh yeah, I forgot...

[Lucas]

Originally Posted by htpcmaniac

My attitude is astonishment and if people want to flame that they can flame away. I was all excited that I'd found a solution to pair with the first consumer level component capture card, but now it seems like they don't get it. Given that things like VLC and the made by amateurs xbox software can do it, there's no excuse for it not to work. Thanks for the info though. I'll dig around on MCE support.

You have to understand that in contrast to what you have quoted, SageTV is a commercial software that may have legal issues if it supports ISO officially.

I vaguely remember though seeing a message that there may be a way to watch ISOs on an HD extender....

Don't know what the current state of things are.

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29528

[unkyjoe]

I am sure Sage is just beside themselves

But seriously, your attitude could use a little adjusting, most people here are pretty civil to one another and helpful, that is unless the post begins like yours does.

I dont have an answer for you, but I am sure someone here does, I just had to take the bait.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by htpcmaniac

Sage doesn't do ISO files?

No it doesn't, nothing does. XBMC is one of only two apps I know of with native ISO support.

Almost nothing supports ISOs natively because they're a big PITA to deal with.

BeyondTV, Meedio, MediaPortal, none of them support ISOs natively, the best anyone supports is mounting and launching a 3rd party app, but that doesn't work for extenders (sage does have a customization to do that).

It looks like that answer just cost them my purchase of two Hauppauge HD PVR's, server software, software for my laptop and two of the HD devices. I was pretty impressed with their forward thinking, but how did they drop the ball like this? I mean I can understand MS and Apple avoiding it because they promote their own formats, but are you really telling me that Sage doesn't do what my 5 year old modded XBOX does natively?

Because XBMC is one of the only apps that didn't "realize" ISOs are totally pointless and overcomplicated.

I've been reading a few posts about ISO support. I have a 150 ish DVD's in ISO format and it seems like Sage hasn't had the foresight to code this feature into their product. It works natively on my 5 year old modded xbox. Did I mention the software running on that was free?

And one of the only "products" that supports ISO natively.

This weekend, I was going to buy 2 Hauppage HD PVR's, 2 HD Sage devices and software for a server and a laptop. It looks like my money is staying put.

Let us know if you find anything that support the HD PVR and ISOs natively.

Is there any plans to fix this or should I just find other software. FYI, no uncompressing ISO's into VOB's is NOT a viable option.

Why not, it would open you up to 10x the HTPC apps if you drop the requirement for native ISO support. ISO is an all but abandoned format for storing DVDs.

[unkyjoe]

How about this thread

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29528

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by unkyjoe

How about this thread

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29528

Seems like it's a happy accident it works at all there.

[unkyjoe]

Why do people even convert to ISO?

Is it so there is simply one file to deal with instead of multiple files?

So what are the other benefits? Oh thats right NONE!

I have an XBMC as well, I play my ripped DVD collection off of my server using the regular DVD structure and it works great, full menu support and the like.

[matt91]

It's clear to me that this guy spent time ripping his DVDs to ISO, and is burnt that no one supports it.

[bnh]

but can't an ISO can be unpacked back into the regular DVD folder structure? it's not anything has been lost... except time.

[Khristopher]

Originally Posted by matt91

It's clear to me that this guy spent time ripping his DVDs to ISO, and is burnt that no one supports it.

Only person he can blame is himself for choosing .iso over standard DVD folder structure.

Originally Posted by bnh

but can't an ISO can be unpacked back into the regular DVD folder structure? it's not anything has been lost... except time.

Yes, you can unpack an .iso to regular DVD structure.

The OP is being a little ridiculous IMO.

[evilpenguin]

In fact, all you need to do is install winrar and you can batch unpack them all and delete the originals with a single right-click. No fancy tools necessary.

[htpcmaniac]

"Only person he can blame is himself for choosing .iso over standard DVD folder structure."

The OP isn't going to spend the better part of $1000 with this company if they completely ignore the request that has been made on these forums consistently for as far back as I can search. In so far as why ISO. For the devices that do support it, it streams better than VOB and yes, I do fully realize that it's a DVD image and what that means. Even Netgear's own 8000HD device prefers ISO. According to Netgear, and I mean what would they know about networking, streaming one file is far better than streaming multiple files.

In the end, it's about money and a company that doesn't listen to its customers and doesn't have an official stand on this. They quasi support it in their HD device, but don't support it well. Given that they do sort of support it, the arguments around legal liability are out the window. Either they don't support it for legal reasons and thus its not in any product or they haven't bothered listening to customers and haven't bothered porting it.

In terms of who supports it? There's a plug-in for both MCE and MediaPortal (the latter being entirely free). There are several streaming devices that support it. VLC does a great job of playing it. Better than VOB's in my experience.

"Only person he can blame is himself for choosing .iso over standard DVD folder structure."

I should blame myself? What for? I chose a format that works better. Sage can blame itself for losing out on $750 and another $250 when I buy a second tuner for my solution.

"Yes, you can unpack an .iso to regular DVD structure."

I can or I could just not buy the Sage software.

"I have an XBMC as well, I play my ripped DVD collection off of my server using the regular DVD structure and it works great, full menu support and the like."

In my experience over the last year watching probably 100 DVD's streamed from a server to an mXBOX via a wirelessly bridged network, ISO's are far more stable than VOB's. I get no stuttering with them. The same can't be said for VOB's.

I have to say, I'm rather surprised to see a large group of people who are backing a company that charges for the software, but in this case is completely ignoring a large number of development request from a large number of current and potential users. You have to ask yourself, what other features could be in the product if they were spending more time listening to their customer base.

[Khristopher]

Originally Posted by htpcmaniac

The OP isn't going to spend the better part of $1000 with this company if they completely ignore the request that has been made on these forums consistently for as far back as I can search.

Making a request on these forums is not the same as making an official request to Sage.

Originally Posted by htpcmaniac

Even Netgear's own 8000HD device prefers ISO.

Perhaps you should buy one of those instead.

Originally Posted by htpcmaniac

In the end, it's about money and a company that doesn't listen to its customers

Complete and utter rubbish!! If you've spent any time using the product (which you haven't) you'd know how wrong this statement is.

Originally Posted by htpcmaniac

There's a plug-in for both MCE and MediaPortal (the latter being entirely free).

Both MCE and MediaPortal can not even come close to being considered the same calibre of software that SageTV is.....and I'm speaking from experience.

Originally Posted by htpcmaniac

I should blame myself? What for? I chose a format that works better.

Works better? That's completely an opinion, and nothing more. I have absolutely no problems watching my ripped DVD's which are not in .iso format.

Originally Posted by htpcmaniac

Sage can blame itself for losing out on $750 and another $250 when I buy a second tuner for my solution.

I'm sure they're heartbroken about it too. One less raving lunatic to provide support to.

Originally Posted by htpcmaniac

"Yes, you can unpack an .iso to regular DVD structure."

I can or I could just not buy the Sage software.

Please choose whichever option that will also include the ceasing of your incessant whining.

Originally Posted by htpcmaniac

In my experience over the last year watching probably 100 DVD's streamed from a server to an mXBOX via a wirelessly bridged network, ISO's are far more stable than VOB's. I get no stuttering with them. The same can't be said for VOB's.

Perhaps you don't have your network setup properly. As I already said, I've personally had NO, NONE, ZERO, ZILCH, NADA, problems with stuttering while streaming VOB's from my server (which is connected via wireless through an Apple Airport Express connected back to my main Airport Extreme router). I've just proven your statement wrong.

Originally Posted by htpcmaniac

I have to say, I'm rather surprised to see a large group of people who are backing a company that charges for the software, but in this case is completely ignoring a large number of development request from a large number of current and potential users. You have to ask yourself, what other features could be in the product if they were spending more time listening to their customer base.

You have to ask yourself, why do you feel you need to get on a soapbox over this issue? If you don't like the fact that SageTV doesn't official support .iso's, MOVE ALONG.

People here support Sage because they know it's an incredible product. People also support the company because they DO listen to their users.......you're blinded by your own petty issue to see this.

[mikehaney]

I have used just about every HTPC program under the sun, and I can tell you that overall Sage has the best mix of features and stability of them all. I most recently switched from Media Portal (before that it was Myth, before that MCE, etc.) and yes, it does support ISO files - by mounting them using Daemon Tools and then streaming off the virtual drive. Media Portal also has the nice TVSeries plugin, which is the #1 thing I miss from it. But try spending some time using their TVServer and it is an exercise in frustration. Constant problems, rebooting the server at least once a day, WAF of about 10%.

Is Sage perfect? No. But what it does, it does very well, and very solidly. I NEVER have to touch my Sage server anymore. The HD100 extenders are a dream - they just work, with very little setup and no babysitting needed.

To say you are going to completely ignore a product because of some esoteric reason is rash and a little immature IMO. Especially when it's such an easy thing to deal with. My whole DVD collection (200+) started as VIDEO-TS folders, then I converted them to ISO's when I used Myth, then I converted them back to VIDEO_TS folders when I switched to Sage. It's not hard to do at all, and was well worth the effort to gain all the other benefits of Sage.

[SprDtyF350]

HeHe.... Khris, I haven't seen you have so much fun since the BTV Integration days...

[Khristopher]

Originally Posted by SprDtyF350

HeHe.... Khris, I haven't seen you have so much fun since the BTV Integration days...

Just speaking my mind. I'm also not above admitting when I'm wrong......and my initial assessment of SageTV (back in my BTV days) was COMPLETELY wrong. Sadly it took a couple years of suffering with BTV before I realized this.

A little off topic, but it blows me away that Snapstream still refuses to develop an integrated product. They've shot themselves in the foot, and really don't seem to care.

To top it off, they're still selling their Beyond Media Joke for $50!!!

[paulbeers]

So back to the original issue.....

Why wouldn't you just unpack the ISO's? As stated, this can even be done in a giant batch! Start it before bed, go to work, probably done when you get home.....

Ho hum. With this sort of attitude, I wouldn't want him on Sage anyway because he would be a big pain in the @$$ to help/support.