SageTV HD Theater as Media Extender questions

[dinki]

Please excuse my ignorance if this information is posted elsewhere, but can someone answer a few of my questions about the SageTV HD Theater running as a media extender?

1) Can I use a custom STV? I want to run SageMC.
2) Is there a noticeable pause when switching files in live tv? I'm talking about when one program ends and another starts.
3) Is there a way to watch Netflix Watch Now movies similar to the way the PC clients can?
4) Can I watch a physical DVD in the SageTV server?
5) Does anyone know if the remote uses the same IR commands as the Hauppauge PVR150's remote? The reason I ask this is that remote uses the same codes as my TV and it has caused me lots of grief.

Thanks.

[doc]

1. Yes - install SageMC on the server, and when you boot up the HD200 select a different STV in setup - detailed setup - advanced, just like you would on a PC client.

2. Yes, just the same as on a PC client - doesn't bother me, but it bothers some

3. Don't know

4. Yes, add the DVD drive as an import folder, and run AnyDVD HD on the server. You can put in a dvd, refresh imported media, and watch it on the fly.

5. Don't know

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by dinki

3) Is there a way to watch Netflix Watch Now movies similar to the way the PC clients can?

I think there's a customization that does that via a loopback connection. Your server needs to be capable of playing it though (so probably won't work on WHS or Windows Server, if you're one of us who use those).

5) Does anyone know if the remote uses the same IR commands as the Hauppauge PVR150's remote? The reason I ask this is that remote uses the same codes as my TV and it has caused me lots of grief.

By default I think it will respond to them, but you can (I think) unlearn those, or learn almost any codes you want.

[reggie14]

Originally Posted by dinki

3) Is there a way to watch Netflix Watch Now movies similar to the way the PC clients can?

Not really. There's a hack, where you take an extra analog capture device, and hook it up to the TV-out on a computer (i.e., your server). What happens is, when you watch something on Netflix, it opens up on your server's display, which gets recorded by the capture card, and sent to your extender.

5) Does anyone know if the remote uses the same IR commands as the Hauppauge PVR150's remote? The reason I ask this is that remote uses the same codes as my TV and it has caused me lots of grief.

I'm pretty sure it does use the same commands, so you'll probably have the same problems.

Edit: I think the extenders understand a few different types of remote codes. For instance, I think you could get a Microsoft MCE remote and use that with the new extender firmware (though, I think that's still "experimental"). After getting that remote, you could probably unlink all the buttons on the old HD200 remote that were causing problems (maybe there's a way to disable all RC5 remote codes at once, but I'm not sure). I think the power buttons are problematic. You can't reprogram those, so hopefully that one isn't giving your TV problems.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by dinki

5) Does anyone know if the remote uses the same IR commands as the Hauppauge PVR150's remote? The reason I ask this is that remote uses the same codes as my TV and it has caused me lots of grief.

Some of your questions are covered in FAQs.

The SageTV remote does not use the exact same codes as the Hauppauge remote, though the extender, as stanger mentioned, will respond to the Hauppauge remote. Even though the codes are not the same as the Hauppauge remote, it is possible to run into issues where the TV isn't filtering for the correct IR codes and still ends up seeing the different Hauppauge & SageTV IR codes as being the same, thus causing more problems. You can, however, program the SageTV extender to respond to different codes, except for the power commands to turn the extender on/off.

- Andy

[dinki]

I'm hoping to replace my tv one of these days and the IR will be a nonissue. Right now I am using a USB-UIRT and my Logitech remote set as a Media Center PC so hopefully I'll be able to continue using that command set as learned commands.

Thanks for the advice and information. I've made my purchase.

[dinki]

Originally Posted by doc

4. Yes, add the DVD drive as an import folder, and run AnyDVD HD on the server. You can put in a dvd, refresh imported media, and watch it on the fly.

Is there a freeware software solution? Money is tight these days.