SageTV 7 beta starts on Thursday May 20, 2010!

[kingwr]

I have only ever purchased a single client license (like $29). But I wonder why the upgrade bias against Windows users? Why are Mac and Linux upgrades free, while Windows upgrades are $40? I don't mind paying, but I don't like paying for everybody else just because I run Windows?!?

As far as the screen shots, I am not too concerned about the stock UI. My complaints were regarding the UI capabilities of SageTV. Sounds like the capabilities in Sage 7 are much stronger, which means there will be some kicka$$ new custom skins out there in the not too distant future.

Now if only there was a HD Netflix plug-in that worked on the HD200. That would be great!

[paulbeers]

Who else is calling in sick to work tomorrow?!?!? hehehe.

[Brent]

Originally Posted by kingwr

I have only ever purchased a single client license (like $29). But I wonder why the upgrade bias against Windows users? Why are Mac and Linux upgrades free, while Windows upgrades are $40? I don't mind paying, but I don't like paying for everybody else just because I run Windows?!?

I don't think there is a difference. Did I misstate something on this?
PS: there isn't a Mac upgrade available - at least not thus far.

[QueOnda]

Originally Posted by bcjenkins

Maybe, but the CTO runs Linux at home.

Originally Posted by Narflex

I sure do.....and you know what....I run version 7 as well. Anything else I typed just felt cruel...so I'll stop here.

So, does that mean the flavor of V7 on a stick is still coming????

[jpaddock3000]

Originally Posted by Brent

Yes, Hulu Desktop is for computer HTPC clients only. (and is in v6)

Hulu, Netflix & other online videos are available to extender through the PlayOn UPnP plugin

Are you at least able to browse the PlayOn server? Having the need to pre-program channels is a big pain and setting up to watch a video is much slower than just opening the video via a game console. It would be great if we could just browse PlayOn like we can on the Wii, PS3, 360, etc.

Thanks

[DMT]

SageTV 7 ...fantastic news

All the upgraded features look great especially those related to performance enhancements for the HD200 and HD-PVR. I am looking forward to:

• New User Interface
• Live TV seamless transition between shows
• Removed the need for formatting disks with 64K clusters

The SageTV team has done it again. Can hardly wait for the beta release tomorrow - hope there is a WHS version!

[paulbeers]

I am really impressed with the new GUI. Is it the best Home Theater GUI I have seen, not at first glance but it is huge improvement over what we currently have (current on is functional, but pretty much the same one we have had since 2.0).

For those who don't like the new GUI, that is fine! As stated in Brent's blog, you can import XMBC and there are two new GUI's currently in development to be released sometime this year or next. Hopefully, you can be happy with one of those three offerings.

My last comment is on the upgrade fee. Perfect. I am more than happy to drop $40 on it. There are ton of improvements on this and I haven't paid a software fee on my original Sage license 6.0 came out (what was that like 3 years ago?!?!). Further, the increased speed to the HD200's and the HD100's make it sound like we are basically getting upgraded extenders without paying for it (yeah yeah, still no HDMI 1.3 or blah blah).

I am ready with credit card in hand. Thanks again to the Sage Team!

[David G]

Originally Posted by Brent

What are you using currently - the default STV or something else? I'm sure the powers that be are open to constructive suggestions. What exactly don't you like and how would you prefer it to look?

The UI is actually pretty good imo, but there is no question that UI is something of a personal preference thing. The more feedback on the things you like, things you don't like etc - the more chance you'll see something you like down the road whether its from SageTV or a 3rd party developer

Certainly - I don't have the time right now but I could certainly point out what's wrong with the new UI (or the current one). I'll try to do that soon.

I use the standard UI, but that's irrelevant. As I said above, I think Sage really needs to come up with something that's simple and usable out of the box. Not after installing umpteen skins, plugins or extensions.

Also, I would disagree that a UI is a "personal preference thing" (beside background color) - there are enormous common threads to user friendly UI, simplicity being one of them.

[reggie14]

Wow! I wasn't expecting a new feature list that long. I kind of figured we would get a few of those things, but not all of them. I know there's been a lot of talk about it, but I wasn't expecting the online plugin manager or significant performance increases. No wonder we had such a long wait for this beta.

On the UI side of things, I'm not sure how I feel yet. I need to see some more screenshots. I agree with David G that my main concerns with the v6 UI is that it is busy and confusing. Users are presented with lots and lots of options on each screen. But, it looks like there's been improvements in that regard, based on some of the screenshots on the SHS page. It's hard to based on the available screenshots, but I'm a little concerned it could have gone too far the other way. It kind of looks like all the options have gotten pulled off the music and video screens. I'd really like to see some more screenshots of the recordings, music, and imported video screens.

I'm disappointed that it doesn't look like the upcoming/recent recordings screen from SageMC wasn't pulled into the new interface. That's something I use a lot. I know this gets to be a little controversial, but I also really like having the next and last recordings show up on the home screen. I think there's a decent chance someone will make an add-on for that though.

I suspect I'll end up using Ortus or Phoenix to replace the new UI. It sounds like Brent thinks we'll get news about those projects pretty soon, though it kind of sounds like both projects have a ways to go. Will SageMC still work with v7, or will we have to switch to the stock UI until the new projects are ready?

Out of curiosity, will the v7 upgrade code supersede the v6 upgrade code? Or, if I ever rebuild my server will I have to enter 3 keys?

[ohpleaseno]

Originally Posted by bastafidli

The music setup in your screenshot is very similar to my current setup, one column list of artists with albums on right. The list of songs on the far right is nice bonus. Can't wait to get my hands on it to see how is the actual navigation.

I'm glad I have a reason to actually use the Music section now. The current setup is pretty unusable.

[MeInMaui]

Originally Posted by reggie14

Out of curiosity, will the v7 upgrade code supersede the v6 upgrade code? Or, if I ever rebuild my server will I have to enter 3 keys?

According to Brent's writeup regarding the upgrade policy, any version of SageTV qualifies for the upgrade, so you should just need your original key and the V7 upgrade key. (If I'm reading it correctly)

Aloha,
Mike

[stlbearboy]

One of the reasons I use SageMC is the custom menu items and the ability to password protect them (I have a movies menu item that is password protected and a kidmovies menu item that is open to all). Is that feature built in on V7 or do I need to install SageMC on top of version 7?

[mayamaniac]

Can't wait to play with it tomorrow. Thanks Brent for the write up.

[Taddeusz]

When has the upgrade purchase requirement classically started? I want to purchase an upgrade but I also would like to be able to use the beta for more than 21 days.

[panteragstk]

Awesome. Something new for the wife to learn. I like the new gui. As for those complaining. Why? The UI is and always has been customizable to you liking. You guys can't possibly say you don't like something you have only gotten a glimpse of. That and the fact that 2 new ui's are being developed and the fact that the XBMC skins will work should be a good indicator that if you don't like something, you can change it until you do.

So please, instead of pointing out all of the things you think may be wrong why don't we instead thank the dev team for giving us what we have been asking for?

I'll start. You guys rock and I'm glad I found sagetv and the forum. My dream of the ultimate HTPC would not be possible without you guys

[jpaddock3000]

Originally Posted by Taddeusz

When has the upgrade purchase requirement classically started? I want to purchase an upgrade but I also would like to be able to use the beta for more than 21 days.

That is a great question. It seems pretty odd to require an upgrade fee for a beta version. I would think you only need to pay for the upgrade once they have a final version released, but that is just my $.02.

[stlbearboy]

Originally Posted by jpaddock3000

That is a great question. It seems pretty odd to require an upgrade fee for a beta version. I would think you only need to pay for the upgrade once they have a final version released, but that is just my $.02.

I assume you are talking about installing the beta on a new server and not your current server? Can't you use the same license on two servers? The systems would need to be totally seperate.

[jpaddock3000]

Originally Posted by stlbearboy

I assume you are talking about installing the beta on a new server and not your current server? Can't you use the same license on two servers? The systems would need to be totally seperate.

I do plan on doing some initial testing on a different system, but why wouldn't I be able to put SageTV 7 on my current system?

[Straykat]

XMBC skinning really stood out for me. The ability to change / refine the look as I add functionality, capabilty to grow is essential. Hopefully that flexibility translates to the extenders as well.

[panteragstk]

Originally Posted by jpaddock3000

That is a great question. It seems pretty odd to require an upgrade fee for a beta version. I would think you only need to pay for the upgrade once they have a final version released, but that is just my $.02.

I thought they were talking about the upgrade fee coming when it isn't in beta anymore. I could be wrong though...