SageTV HD Extender Update

[lobosrul]

Originally Posted by Brent

I thought the HD100 already did this.

It supports mkv, however you cannot switch to a secondary audio track, or select subtitles.

[valnar]

Well, the current HD extender uses the Sigma 8620 chip and unless Sage just entered the hardware R&D business, chances are they will basing the new one on a newer/better SoC. It's possible they will use the same one and just tweak it more, but I doubt it. So the question is.... what new SoC's have come out recently?

I just hope it's a better design all around, and not a "different-but-same" because their current manufacturer (perhaps... just speculating) can't produce them any more or they had a contract disagreement. None of us want a parallel move.

[johnnytyler]

I would hope the new extender has gigabit ethernet and allow for HD audio with 7.1 passthrough (i.e HDMI 1.3a implementation) as the popcorn hour allows. I believe this is what would be necessary to allow for full 1080p with HD audio MKV's to be allowed to play. These extenders are already available and I bet that Sage will refresh with this design. See the popcorn hour webpage for more details.

[Brent]

Why would gigabit ethernet be good? What would you be streaming that would require that?

[johnnytyler]

That is overkill, I thought the new popcorn hour extender had gigabit ethernet. I was worng it still is 10/100 however it could be used for high bit media files for faster connections. But probably not necessary.

[gplasky]

The Popcorn B110 motherboard is a good contender to build upon. Sigma Designs 8635, passthru for DTS, AC3, DTS-HD MA, DTS-HD HR, Dolby True HD, Dolby Digital Plus. HDMI 1.3a, optical and coaxial S/PDIF connectors, 4xUSB2.0 host ports, 2xSATA, 1xIDE, 10/100 Ethernet and mini-PCI WiFi support (WiFi card not included). It also serves as a NAS and a BitTorrent peer-to-peer downloader if you stick a hard drive in it. Check it out here: Popcorn Hour B110 All it needs is a case for a "base" model.

Gerry

[QueOnda]

Make enough, Cuz I need at least 2 of them!!!!

[briands]

Originally Posted by Brent

Why would gigabit ethernet be good? What would you be streaming that would require that?

Would help with high speed transfer of files from USB (remeber those unused USB ports?) attached drive back to the server...

[briands]

Originally Posted by valnar

Well, the current HD extender uses the Sigma 8620 chip and unless Sage just entered the hardware R&D business, chances are they will basing the new one on a newer/better SoC. It's possible they will use the same one and just tweak it more, but I doubt it. So the question is.... what new SoC's have come out recently?

I just hope it's a better design all around, and not a "different-but-same" because their current manufacturer (perhaps... just speculating) can't produce them any more or they had a contract disagreement. None of us want a parallel move.

I like the 8630

[autoboy]

Yeah, i especially like the blu-ray reference design.

http://www.sigmadesigns.com/public/P...ray8634_br.pdf

[bastafidli]

Well, the good news is that there might be some used STX-HD100 available for sale :-)

[sting7777]

Originally Posted by bastafidli

Well, the good news is that there might be some used STX-HD100 available for sale :-)

Is there an accepted place to post regarding buying/selling used hd-100's?

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by sting7777

Is there an accepted place to post regarding buying/selling used hd-100's?

No buying/selling/trading is permitted on this forum. All such posts will be immediately deleted.

To buy/sell hardware, use some place like ebay.

- Andy

[bastafidli]

Just to clarify, is it acceptable to post link to such place?

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by bastafidli

Just to clarify, is it acceptable to post link to such place?

No, that would count as advertising which is what offering to buy/sell/trade would be considered.

See the Forum Rules / Terms of Service.

- Andy

[jasmithvr6]

Originally Posted by Deacon Crusher

I'm thinking/betting/hoping the big improvement is rock solid support for full bit rate 1080p blu ray rip playback.

This is the one remaining unreliable feature with the extender.

Of course I now have 3 of them so will be a bit bummed if the new one comes out and solves that problem, but such is life.

Is it possible that the new extender will support 1080p natively? Not sure when HD will start broadcasting in 1080p.

[Deacon Crusher]

already supports 1080p quite nicely, just has some problems with some blu-ray rips and actually a number of cable/satellite folks are already doing 1080p.

[wayner]

Originally Posted by Opus4

No, that would count as advertising which is what offering to buy/sell/trade would be considered.

See the Forum Rules / Terms of Service.

Many Communities will have one specific forum dedicated to buy/sell/trade. Any possibility of setting one up here - all such discussion would have to take place in this forum. It would be a much more focussed place for Sage stuff compared to eBay which is so broad.

p.s. SageTV and "Sage Extenders" brings zero hits on eBay.

[MeInMaui]

There is a classified section over at MissingRemote.com. That should give you plenty of exposure to the htpc community.

Aloha,
Mike

[trini0]

After reading this, I'm discouraged.
I was about to start setting up the extender with a soon to be 46" LCD.
I hope that features can be added to the current HD Extender..