Setup suggestions

[rgreenpc]

I currently have:
2 DirecTV H20 IRDs
2 Vbox DTA-150 ATSC tuners

I plan on adding a 3rd ATSC tuner and possibly (slight) a 3rd IRD.

I am thinking of sticking my setup in a closet and run 2 HD200s with SageMC.

Does anyone seen any issues with this setup or have alternate suggestions?

[Brent]

Looks good so far.

Sounds like you'll have a server PC (headless?) in the closet and just use the extenders at the TVs right?

What are the specs of the PC you'll be using for the server PC?



One suggestion I would make is to try out the trial on your PC just to get familiar with things in SageTV first - before getting the extenders. I say this because I think you are a VMC user and the biggest issue I see people have is getting the server set up just right for SageTV and then getting all the settings and such set the way you like them in SageTV. Just a suggestion and if you've already played around with SageTV you're probably already to this point but thought I'd mention it just in case.

[rgreenpc]

Originally Posted by Brent

Looks good so far.

Sounds like you'll have a server PC (headless?) in the closet and just use the extenders at the TVs right?

What are the specs of the PC you'll be using for the server PC?



One suggestion I would make is to try out the trial on your PC just to get familiar with things in SageTV first - before getting the extenders. I say this because I think you are a VMC user and the biggest issue I see people have is getting the server set up just right for SageTV and then getting all the settings and such set the way you like them in SageTV. Just a suggestion and if you've already played around with SageTV you're probably already to this point but thought I'd mention it just in case.

Thanks for the advice Brent -

Currently I have 2 PCs to chose from:
Dell XPS410 - Core2Duo 2.6 Ghz, 3GB Ram, Nvidia 8600GTS
or
Homebuilt - AMD 4400+ 2GB ram and Nvidia 8600GTS

I currently have the Dell in the living room next to the TV. I am not opposed to this setup at all if it makes life easier.

The other thing I noticed is that people are posting comments about HD200s and SageMC not rendering properly... is it a user error or a function of how SageMC works vs. a standard STV file?

The other thing I guess I need to consider is heat... I guess the HD-PVRs are very heat sensitive... I wonder if sticking them in a closet with a computer is a very good idea.

[CyRex]

Originally Posted by rgreenpc

The other thing I guess I need to consider is heat... I guess the HD-PVRs are very heat sensitive... I wonder if sticking them in a closet with a computer is a very good idea.

I have one of the first generation HD-PVR's (no cooling fan) which is setup in a closet with my headless server, cable box, plus about 6 other pieces of gear. It gets pretty warm in there, and I haven't experienced any issues.

That said, I think in the first batch of HD-PVR's that came out, some (with a particular chip) had heat problems, while others did not.

Anyway, I would say give it a try. If, at some point, your HD-PVR starts acting strange, then you may want to try moving it to a cooler location...

-Dan

[Brent]

Originally Posted by rgreenpc

Currently I have 2 PCs to chose from:
Dell XPS410 - Core2Duo 2.6 Ghz, 3GB Ram, Nvidia 8600GTS
or
Homebuilt - AMD 4400+ 2GB ram and Nvidia 8600GTS

Either of those should be just fine for a server. The Dell will be your best bet for playback with the HD-PVR as the HD-PVR needs the dual core to handle playback of the h.264 files.

I currently have the Dell in the living room next to the TV. I am not opposed to this setup at all if it makes life easier.

Shouldn't matter either way imo.

The other thing I noticed is that people are posting comments about HD200s and SageMC not rendering properly... is it a user error or a function of how SageMC works vs. a standard STV file?

I'm using a HD200 (and a HD100 for that matter) with SageTV and the SageMC user interface and works just fine. Not sure what was posted on the redering problems - link to one of those comments and I'll tell you for certain. Bottom line I have no concern about the HD200 with SageTV.

The other thing I guess I need to consider is heat... I guess the HD-PVRs are very heat sensitive... I wonder if sticking them in a closet with a computer is a very good idea.

Even the newer HD-PVRs are a bit hot. I would think they should be okay as long as you have a way of not stacking them and not putting them next to any other device outputting a lot of heat. I think it would still work in a closet as long as you follow those guidelines.

Some have had heat issues with their HD-PVR, but Hauppauge has been very good to replace any that have had this issue so if you happen to get one that this happens to RMA it and get a replacement.

Hope that helps and doesn't scare you too much I'm using a HD200, a HD-PVR and have no problems with either.

[rgreenpc]

Brent -

The SageMC HD200 comments I think were user error as there haven't been any issues. If you search the forums for "HD200 Black and white" you find the two threads.

I am trying to work the cost/benefit for my wife. She wants it, but she wants it to work day one (live VMC) and not need me to tweak for weeks.

If I could use an X360 as an extender I think it would be a much easier sell.

As it stands I will have to sell one of those off and work out the details for the setup on a test machine so that I can deploy it quickly and easily.

I do have a license of XP... is there any benefit to using XP vs Vista other than UAC?

[Brent]

Originally Posted by rgreenpc

I do have a license of XP... is there any benefit to using XP vs Vista other than UAC?

Not really. Should work just fine with either Vista or XP. Vista has the benefit of EVR but beyond that shouldn't matter either way.