noob license and software question

[jplatt10]

I'm looking into SageTV because I want a stable client system for 2-3 HTPCs but only for online content.

I have ATT-U-Verse which already has an IP based DVR, so I dont need SageTV for that.

All PCs running Vista 64bit and an always-on PC for the server.

I understand that I can use the Client for the HTPCs as long as I have a server license.

For the server end I just want the server, do I download STV Media Center? or STV Media Server (for Windows Home Server)? Then what license do I purchase? STV for Media Center for windows? I dont see a license for just the server.

thanks for your responses

[PiX64]

Well Sage Doesn't support HULU nateviley...There is an AMAZING plugin that allows Sage to connect to PlayON Media Server for its NEtlflix streaming, Hulu, etc. online content.

Although i strongly urge you to look into a complete sage system to replace your entire setup , you may want to look into just running a PlayON server, and using the HTPC's to connect to it.

[GKusnick]

Are you planning to install it on a WHS machine? If so, use the WHS version; otherwise use the regular (non-WHS) Media Center version. The same Media Center for Windows license works for either.

Either way, you'll still need a separate Client license for each PC client running the SageTV Client software. Or you could choose the (less configurable) Placeshifter client instead, and share a single Placeshifter license among several machines (with only one active at any given time).

[jplatt10]

Thanks for the reposnses, I kinda figured Media Center was bundled as the server, but i wasnt sure.

I already have PlayOn via XBMC, and I was looking at Playon Via Sage TV as a more stable system.

Its too bad I cant hook into ATT-U-verse directly via ethernet, instead of the round about way of using a USB-UIRT

The problem with Playon is it Upnp and finding good software for the HTPC that has Upnp. XBMC has some problems with CPU usage and there's no other software that I know of that will just act as a good Upnp Client

Do I really need the SageTV Server for my application or will the clients work for Internet media on thier own? (I know I need a server license, but do I need to run it?)

[GKusnick]

The clients don't do anything useful on their own (or not much). They need a running instance of the server software to connect to.