Which version of Windows 7?

[Merc1032]

Hey guys,

Just wondering which version of 7 I should pick up for my client/server box.

Does it need to be pro/ultimate? I dont really see any reason for it, unless sage will only run in "xp mode"?

Will the home edition be fine? No reason to shell out the $$ for ultimate if I dont have to.

Also 64 bit is the way to go, correct?

[Skirge01]

I don't think anyone has a reason to purchase the Ultimate version, except people with lots of spare cash to throw away. XP mode definitely is not required by Sage. Check out the Windows 7 features and get whichever one has the ones you want. As long as all your hardware has 64 bit drivers, I would defiitely steer you in that direction.

[jlawrence70]

I would agree with Skirge01. Get whatever version that has features that suits your needs. I run Win7 Pro x64 and have had fantastic success with it. I use a HDPVR and a HVR-1600 and both work pretty well. I would recommend installing the Native Recording Patch, whatever version of Win7 you go with.

[reggie14]

One thing to keep in mind is that the firewire set-top box drivers don't work with 64-bit Windows. Someone is allegedly working to write 64-bit drivers for them, but I'd be surprised if anything comes out of that effort.

[crobs808]

Number one rule when choosing a Microsoft OS: Always always always get the best thing Microsoft releases (i.e. Ultimate).

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by crobs808

Number one rule when choosing a Microsoft OS: Always always always get the best thing Microsoft releases (i.e. Ultimate).

Was that meant as a joke or do you work for MS or something? That statement really makes no sense otherwise. Why should I get Ultimate if I'll never use Bitlocker or utilize Windows in another language? Conversely, if I don't run anything that requires XP mode, don't run a domain at home, and already have WHS for backing up my PCs, what do I need Pro for? I guess if you're pulling in a 6 figure income and have tons of money to spare, wasting it on things you don't need is a part of the lifestyle. I don't fit that description, though.

[Tiki]

Any of the mainstream versions of Win7 should work fine with Sage (by that I mean Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate) in either the 32Bit or 64bit versions.

If you think you might want to use Firewire for changing channels or recording, you should probably stick with the 32-bit versions. 32-bits means you will be limited to about 3GB of usable RAM (you can install up to 4GB, but not all of it will be available). However, from my experience with Sage under both WinXP (32bit) and Win7 (64bit), there doesn't seem to be any noticeable benefit to having more than about 2GB of RAM. Of course that could change in the future, and if you are running other software besides Sage, you may benefit from more memory.

If you are upgrading an existing machine, be sure to check for driver support for all of your hardware. For example, some of the older Hauppauge cards have limited support under Windows 7 64bit (the driver crashes if you have 4GB or more installed in the machine).

As others have said, your best bet is to compare features to determine which version of Windows is right for you. For most people, Ultimate will be a waste of money.

Professional has one advantage over Home Premium that an average user might find useful: the Backup Utility can backup to another computer on the network or a network attached hard drive. Home Premium's backup function can only backup to locally attached drives. Of course, many people would suggest that you just use a separate backup program like Acronis TrueImage, so this could be a non-issue.

[Taddeusz]

Originally Posted by crobs808

Number one rule when choosing a Microsoft OS: Always always always get the best thing Microsoft releases (i.e. Ultimate).

Skirge pretty much said it all. But I'm calling troll here and just want to say that you're completely wrong. Why should anyone pay for features they're never going to use?

The only feature I needed over Home Premium was the ability to Remote Desktop into the computer. That feature is only available once you get to Professional. I don't need any of the other features. I got a great deal on Windows 7 Professional. Why should I have to pay $200 more for stuff I'm never ever in my life going to use? That would just be throwing my money away.

[Skirge01]

I've been thinking the same thing for a little while now, Taddeusz. Congratulations to the guy, though... he just become the sole member of my "ignore" list.

[Olias]

Just one final thing to think about. SageTV itself is not supported on Windows 7, unless they've updated their system requirements page in the last 20 seconds .
I know a LOT of folks are running it successfully, but I'm not sure how much help you will be able to get from Sage support if you run into a problem that can't be solved by asking on this wonderful forum.

[valnar]

Win7 32-bit will be more compatible than 64-bit. You have to check your hardware before you install.

[Taddeusz]

Originally Posted by valnar

Win7 32-bit will be more compatible than 64-bit. You have to check your hardware before you install.

Only for older hardware. Any newer hardware that is Windows 7 certified will have both 32-bit and 64-bit drivers. It is a requirement for certification.

[valnar]

Originally Posted by Taddeusz

Only for older hardware. Any newer hardware that is Windows 7 certified will have both 32-bit and 64-bit drivers. It is a requirement for certification.

I just said that.

And besides, most of us have old hardware if we have any analog. I sure do.

[ke6guj]

Originally Posted by Tiki

Professional has one advantage over Home Premium that an average user might find useful: the Backup Utility can backup to another computer on the network or a network attached hard drive. Home Premium's backup function can only backup to locally attached drives. Of course, many people would suggest that you just use a separate backup program like Acronis TrueImage, so this could be a non-issue.

its has another feature that is nice to have, so that you don't have to install any 3rd-party software, Taddeusz, covers it below.

Originally Posted by Taddeusz

The only feature I needed over Home Premium was the ability to Remote Desktop into the computer. That feature is only available once you get to Professional. I don't need any of the other features. I got a great deal on Windows 7 Professional. Why should I have to pay $200 more for stuff I'm never ever in my life going to use? That would just be throwing my money away.

Yup, its nice being able to RDP into the server and work on it without having to stand in front of the TV with a keyboard and mouse, trying to do some configuring of the server.

[Fuzzy]

I actually much prefer VNC to RDP for that stuff anyways. By default, RDP want's to lock the local client and run completely in the remote session. This, combined with the 'virtualized' video and audio drivers used by the remote session can complicate troubleshooting. VNC lets everything run as it is on the server, without mucking with things.

[ke6guj]

true, RDP does have its limitations, but I don't use it for A/V troubleshooting, more for configuration/installations. So, for me, I prefer not to have to install VNC to be able to remote into my server.

[KarylFStein]

I moved from VNC to RDP because I liked how it worked better. I don't remember why, though. I've just been buying the "pro" versions for a while. (I used to have MSDN access which first exposed me to RDP, but that's long gone.) I haven't had any video or audio issues over RDP, but I don't do much troubleshooting...

[Fuzzy]

well, for my actual remote desktop usage actually remoting into my computer from my phone or something) I still use RDP. It is much nicer for actually USING the computer as a COMPUTER, but for interfacing with the HTPC, it just isn't reall yup to the task.

FYI, if you have an android phone, especially a higher res one like the droid, Xtralogic makes a simply amazing (though not cheap) RDP client.

And For what it's worth, I don't run win pro.. i just used the RDP hack floating about to add support.. GASP!