Will this work?

[sheddav]

I have 3 Direct TV HD box's and want to add the following 3 Hauppauge HD-PVR's each connected to 3 different PC's running sagetv server and the 1 HD Homerun connected to OTA antenna with a 1x2 splitter on the same network. Can a workstation running the client pickup all these separate server devices and control them for recording? Or do the Hauppauge HD-PVR's have to be connected to the Same PC running server


The Bottom line is that I want to be able to record 5 different channels at the same time, with HD PVR's and PC's in different locations on the same network. Any help greatly appreciated.

[Opus4]

If you must have the tuners on different PCs, then see Appendix G of the SageTV PDF manual regarding setting up network encoders. If possible, it would be better to set up a single server, though.

- Andy

[SWKerr]

My old setup was close to what you are trying to do.

I had a DirecTV receiver at each HDTV. I had a HTPC at each TV as well. Each PC will need to run Sage Server and you need to setup the HD-PVR on each particular PC running in service mode and configured to be a network encoder. You will then need to pick a PC to be the master Sage Server. You will launch the slave PCs, which will have to have a server license, in Client mode attaching to the master Sage Server. The Master Sage Server will need to be configured for its own HD-PVR and then add the shared HD-PVR from the other Sage Servers. It should work fine but you will need to purchase three Sage Server licenses. I am sure this sounds confusing but hopefully you can follow it.

This may put a significant load on your network. I would make sure I was running gigabyte or there will likely be problems.

It is possible to put more than one HD-PVR on a server and control each receiver independently but I don't know if anyone is doing three right now. I would question if you really need three. Once you have programs in you library you will not likely be watching 5 live programs at once. Since the HDHR will cover 2 locals the HD-PVR is only needed for extended channels. Most of that programming is run several times a day and Sage is smart enough to postpone something if it can be recorded later. Most people could probably get away with just one HD-PVR and the HDHR and not miss a show but if you have a lot of people in the house and they still like watching live TV (My kids) then the extra HD-PVR makes sense. You could even git rid of a DirecTV receiver or two.

Also: If you don't need the HTPC to be at the TV as a recording device you could just use the extender at that PC and save some cash.