From Sage to SageMC Question(s)

[bleucube]

Been using Sage for about six months and went to SageMC last night in order to get the NetFlix plugin. Installation went super smooth although now I have some Wifey factors to deal with. I got the "look" last night which is never good. So far two things are pissing her off:

1. In sage we were using Malore menus in the recorded tv section using two column format. Is there a plugin or a way to set this up in sage? I'm currently using the default theme.

2. Can someone tell me the basic steps to add toggle full screen on/off to the sub menu on every screen?

What other plugins would your recommend to make her more at ease? I have sagemc installed on our HTPC which is hooked up directly to the TV. When use it for everything (watching live tv, recorded tv, videos...etc)

Thanks!

[Skirge01]

1. Can't help with #1.

2. Are you using a programmable remote or have an extra button on the remote you can train Sage to use? I have a Harmony 880 which has a button assigned for the fullscreen toggle. Works great.

I think fewer plug-ins may be the way to start for the wife. Please don't think I'm talking down to her or anyone else for a lack of knowledge about Sage. Quite the opposite: Sage has such a potential to BE complex that a new user can easily be overwhelmed. I think this is why many people use MCE or VMC. I would keep the main menu as simple and straightforward as possible with minimal options that do what she's primarily going to use. Create another menu (i.e. My Menu) that has the more "advanced" stuff you're going to use and that she may be interested in exploring.

For example, my main menu has 5 items on it: My Videos, Play DVD, My Pictures, My Music and My Menu. They do exactly what they say. Play DVD will open up PowerDVD, give it control, and will play either a regular DVD or a Hi-Def DVD of either format. I also have the date/time in text format and the weather in the lower right corner. It's all very basic in it's presentation. "My Menu" has all my little "toys", such as RSS feeds, MovieTimes, Online Videos, etc.

[MeInMaui]

Here is a link to the Malore menu plugin for SageMC.

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...90&postcount=1

Aloha,
Mike

[bleucube]

Thank you for the quick responses.

I do have an 880 - will have to take a look at modify the remote. Curious why use powerdvd over the default player?

Thanks meinmaui! Just what I was looking for - althought I'm half-tempted for her just to deal with folders.

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by bleucube

Thank you for the quick responses.

I do have an 880 - will have to take a look at modify the remote. Curious why use powerdvd over the default player?

Because it can't play Blu-ray or HD DVD's. So, keeping with my own K.I.S.S. mentality for my house, it's just easier to launch an external player for ALL discs.

Speaking of which (thanks for making me realize this, btw), to keep with that same mentality, I should look into launching an external player for inserted CD's. Too bad PowerDVD won't play CD's. I think I'll need to look at Arcsoft's Total Media Theatre for the all in one solution.

Damn... I'm going to need to find a new icon that has a DVD and CD logo on it, which means it should also have the Blu-ray and/or HD DVD logo. CRAP! Thanks A LOT!!! LOL!

[wayner]

Originally Posted by Skirge01

Too bad PowerDVD won't play CD's. I think I'll need to look at Arcsoft's Total Media Theatre for the all in one solution.

You still play physical CDs. As one of my buddies would say "How Amish of you".

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by wayner

You still play physical CDs. As one of my buddies would say "How Amish of you".

LOL! It's not that this function is used regularly. All my music has been in MP3 format since back in the Napster days.

But, I do have friends who come over with CDs or I have new CDs that I haven't ripped yet and I want to be able to play them. Plus, there's the whole thing about showing off SageTV to people and then you tell them it can't do something as simple as play a CD! WAY too embarrassing.

This is the same reason I have the ability to play Blu-ray or regular DVDs, even though I have those stored on my server, as well: the total package.

EDIT: Oh, and BTW, PDVD does play CDs, so I'm back to using it.