Sage client multiple instances across multiple desktops?

[electronicsuk]

As a previous user of SageTV at my old property, I have to confess that I have become a little out of touch over the past couple of years. Previously, I had run a server machine fitted with a dual DVB-T/Analogue tuner card, with an MVP client on the main living room TV and a selection of Windows/OSX clients elsewhere around the house.

Now, having finally finished a 1 1/2 year renovation project on my new house, I'm looking to move in within the next couple of weeks. This also means that I need to get SageTV up and running again. As I now have integrated wiring for all TVs around the house, I guess I've become a little more demanding. I would now like to have full 1080P HD on each of the five sets, a number of DVB-S2 tuners (have fitted a dish + multiswitch in preparation), and 7.1 surround in the living room (again, wiring already fitted).

The sticking point is that I would like to achieve all of the above from as few client machines as possible. I gather that the SageTV theater would fulfill my needs, but all TVs are to be wall mounted with the rest of the equipment hidden away in a wiring closet. It seems a little silly that I will have to purchase five individual Sage Theater units, rack them up, and then run audio + video out to each TV set via HDMI/IR over cat5 extenders.

Instead, would it be possible to run a single combined SageTV server/client machine, with a number of tuner cards and multi-head DVI graphics cards, which would take the place of individual client machines? I appreciate that this would be more expensive than the Theater hardware manufactured by Sage, but this seems a more 'elegant' solution and does not leave me locked into any particular piece of hardware that cannot be easily upgraded when obsolete.

I read that it's now possible to specify a sound card through the client, which presumably would also work with GFX cards with inbuilt 7.1 surround via the HDMI link. I'm not so convinced about the video side of things, though - would this not require virtual desktops split across multiple graphics cards? Then there's also the issue of remote control, it would need to be possible for multiple instances of the client software running on one machine to be able to each be able to listen to a specific IR receiver.

The more I think about it, the more complex this seems to become. Has anyone ever tried with success? I assume there must be plenty of people out there with structured wiring who want to keep all their A/V kit tucked neatly out of the way.

[GKusnick]

My feeling is that multiple instances of SageTV Client on one machine is not going to work. The Client software just isn't designed for that, and if you try to launch a second instance, it will simply pass its command line to the already running instance and exit. To get multiple instances to coexist would probably require multiple virtual machines running separate instances of Windows.

You can run multiple instances of Placeshifter on one Windows desktop, but you'd still have to figure out how to control them separately.

I really think the HD200 is going to be your most practical option. But instead of putting them all in the AV closet, I'd look at ways to mount them behind the TVs so that only the IR sensor shows.

[david1234]

Originally Posted by electronicsuk

The more I think about it, the more complex this seems to become. Has anyone ever tried with success? I assume there must be plenty of people out there with structured wiring who want to keep all their A/V kit tucked neatly out of the way.

What your describing is running FIVE instances of the SageTV Client on a single server! I'm not sure it can be done, but it would be interesting to watch someone try

You can use your structured wiring without all the complexity. Just put the client/extenders into the closet and run the wires from there. It's not too different as far as the networking/cabling goes, and there just much less to go wrong.

[david1234]

Originally Posted by GKusnick

To get multiple instances to coexist would probably require multiple virtual machines running separate instances of Windows.

The hardware to run 5 copies is what would really make this tough. The graphics cards capable of outputting hardware-decoded HD produce a lot of heat.

[sic0048]

I definitely think 5 HD Theaters are the way to go. As suggested, they do not need to be out in sight. They have a very small footprint so you could easily hide them behind the TV. You would probably need a IR repeater system to make the remote control work however.

Another option is to place the units out of the room and utilize all the extra wiring you just ran. However, unless you specifically ran wire to distribute component video signals from another location to the TV, you'll have to use cat5e baluns to run the video and audio signals. Plus, you'll still need an IR repeater system to be able to use your remote with the system.

So the first option is easily done and would allow you to keep your installations pretty clean (ie no device clutter). For $100 or less per unit, you can get an IR repeater system so that the only thing showing in the room is a small IR reciever. I have done this myself and used the LCD type receivers that are about 1/4" wide, about 2" long, and 1/4" high. They are black in color and virtually disappear when I stick them on the corner of my black LCD TV bezels. I even used a sharpie to color the white wire black. The thin white stripe on the wire stood out much more than the receiver itself. With the wire colored back, they really do not stand out at all.

[electronicsuk]

Originally Posted by sic0048

I definitely think 5 HD Theaters are the way to go. As suggested, they do not need to be out in sight. They have a very small footprint so you could easily hide them behind the TV. You would probably need a IR repeater system to make the remote control work however.

I haven't actually seen one of these outside of the SageTV store, so it's hard to imagine how well they would fit behind the TV. I'll have to wait on that one until I move in and get everything mounted on the wall.

Originally Posted by sic0048

Another option is to place the units out of the room and utilize all the extra wiring you just ran. However, unless you specifically ran wire to distribute component video signals from another location to the TV, you'll have to use cat5e baluns to run the video and audio signals. Plus, you'll still need an IR repeater system to be able to use your remote with the system.

I think this might be the way to go, and it's not too dissimilar to what I would have done using a single client machine. Perhaps not quite as elegent, but I can always fabricate a chassis to hold everything neatly in the 19" rack. Each TV has a dual data outlet wired back in cat5e to a 19" rack where I would like the majority of the A/V kit to go, and I think all the cable runs should be short enough to be within usable range for a balun. I've also seen baluns with inbuilt IR repeaters, so that's not too much of a problem either.

Of course, all this still leaves me tied in with the SageTV theater unit, but I think I can live with that given the significant cost saving and ease of use over any of the other solutions I can come up with. I had thought about a mini-ITX blade system, but the chassis alone retail for around £1500. Again, I could fabricate one, but it's still significantly more complicated than the alternatives.

So, you've talked me out of it. Thanks guys!