No SageClient.properties file??

[ghostlobster]

This is weird!
I just wiped one of my systems, reinstalled from the OS on up, installed the SageTV Client 6.5.20 and then connected to my Sage WHS box, which I also just dropped 6.5.20 on.
Now, I connected up without a hitch, set my preferences (Cyberlink H.264, etc) then went back out of Sage to set the always_use_dshow_player poarameter in the sageclient.properties. Well...there was no sageclient.properties file! Yes, I'm 100% certain of it. I set my folder options to show hidden/system files, and everything, just in case, but there was no sageclient.properties file, nor was there a sage.properties file.
However, when I launched Sage again, all of the settings I changed before were still maintained. Huh?
So, I went into Vista's settings, disabled UAC, rebooted, then launched Sage. Now, Sage acted as if it had never been launched, prompting me through the initial setup. So, I made my changes, exited out, and now there's a sageclient.properties.
This looks like a bug with a fresh 6.5.20 install on Vista with UAC enabled, but I'm not sure.
One thing that also stands out about this build...last night after doing the OS install, I went into Windows Updates...Vista SP 2 was available, so I applied it. Yes, it was directly within Windows Update, it did not say anything about it being beta. It's out and available in a staged availability format.

[Opus4]

There's no bug; see the FAQ about this:

Where does SageTV store its data files in Windows Vista?

- Andy

[ghostlobster]

Ahh, OK, I'm an idiot!
I just never did an install with UAC enabled before...generally, the first thing I do I disable UAC with every Vista PC I've ever built.
Thanks, and sorry for the false alarm!

[DigitalMan]

Ok, I don't upgrade very often and I'm still on 6.4.8, but I'll be upgrading in the not too distant future. I've been a registered user since version 2.0 and what I just read in this FAQ is very disturbing.

I run Sage in service mode and if you're seriously going to suggest I run as localsystem or administrator then I have to tell you this advice is reckless and irresponsible.

There are plenty of options for where to store things from a service-mode application. I'm sorry for the harsh tone, but I don't think you realize how serious an issue this is (to me at least).

Originally Posted by Opus4

There's no bug; see the FAQ about this:

Where does SageTV store its data files in Windows Vista?

- Andy

[babgvant]

Originally Posted by ghostlobster

Ahh, OK, I'm an idiot!
I just never did an install with UAC enabled before...generally, the first thing I do I disable UAC with every Vista PC I've ever built.
Thanks, and sorry for the false alarm!

FWIW you don't need to disable UAC to get this behavior. After installing Sage, and before running it (either on the client or server), go to the sagetv folder (C:\Program Files\SageTV for e.g.) right click select properties, then select the security tab and "edit" permissions to allow users (the group) full access to the folder.

[ghostlobster]

Originally Posted by babgvant

FWIW you don't need to disable UAC to get this behavior. After installing Sage, and before running it (either on the client or server), go to the sagetv folder (C:\Program Files\SageTV for e.g.) right click select properties, then select the security tab and "edit" permissions to allow users (the group) full access to the folder.

As always, Andy, great advice! However, as I completely detest UAC, I'll just leave it disabled.

[JREkiwi]

Just as an aside, the property always_use_dshow_player can be set in the UI. No need to edit any properties file.

Just set MPEG4 Playback in Video/Audio Setup.
SageTV Player = true
Directshow = false

John

EDIT: Before I get pulled up on the inaccuracy of my abbreviated post above. Didn't "always_use_dshow_player" get replaced by "mplayer/use_for_all_mpeg4_playback"? which can be set using the UI.

[ghostlobster]

Originally Posted by JREkiwi

Just as an aside, the property always_use_dshow_player can be set in the UI. No need to edit any properties file.

Just set MPEG4 Playback in Video/Audio Setup.
SageTV Player = true
Directshow = false

John

EDIT: Before I get pulled up on the inaccuracy of my abbreviated post above. Didn't "always_use_dshow_player" get replaced by "mplayer/use_for_all_mpeg4_playback"? which can be set using the UI.

Dunno! More reading release notes for me I guess!
Just out of curiousity, the main reason I set that parameter is because .mkv files looked washed out if it was not set to true. Is that normal?

[babgvant]

Originally Posted by JREkiwi

EDIT: Before I get pulled up on the inaccuracy of my abbreviated post above. Didn't "always_use_dshow_player" get replaced by "mplayer/use_for_all_mpeg4_playback"? which can be set using the UI.

I think that setting overrides always_use_dshow_player so you can get online content working and still have your mkvs look ok.

[babgvant]

Originally Posted by ghostlobster

Dunno! More reading release notes for me I guess!
Just out of curiousity, the main reason I set that parameter is because .mkv files looked washed out if it was not set to true. Is that normal?

it is normal for mkv to look bad when rendered with the sagetvplayer, you also lose HWA.

[JREkiwi]

6.5.1
Windows Updates
8. Added property mplayer/use_for_online_content (defaults to true) which will allow use of SageTVPlayer for all online videos even if always_use_dshow_player=true is set
9. Added property 'mplayer/use_for_mkv_playback' which defaults to true and tells SageTV to use 'SageTVPlayer' for all MKV playback on Windows

I suppose for your mkv files you could just set mplayer/use_for_mkv_playback=false

John

[ghostlobster]

I'm not 100% certain that the always_use_dshowplayer=true is the same as selecting SageTV Player for mpeg4 playback. Here's why:
When I don't set AUDSP=t, I do not get DD 5.1 audio on my .mkv files, and my video looks terrible. Then, if I set the mpeg4 to SageTV Player in my Detailed Setup, there is no change.
Once I make the change for AUDSP=t in the props file, my video looks great and I get true DD 5.1 audio with all my .mkv files.
So, on paper, perhaps setting the mpeg4 playback to SageTV Player is the same as setting that properties parameter, however, in practice, I'm seeing 2 distinct differerent things.

Edit:
Justr re-read and saw this:
9. Added property 'mplayer/use_for_mkv_playback' which defaults to true and tells SageTV to use 'SageTVPlayer' for all MKV playback on Windows
There's the magic bullet right there! OK, that's the parameter I want to go after.