2 questions about implementing a server...

[hedly]

So I am thinking about implementing a server, but I have some questions questions.

1) I will be using my existing hauppauge tuners with sage server. Since they will be in a closet somewhere, how to I change the channel on the client under the tv? I think I need to get an IR blaster.
1a) Any recommendations or examples?
1b) Will the hauppauge remote work with an IR blaster?

2) If I decide to use a full computer with a Sage client under the TV instead of a HD200 or similar, what would happen if I put another tuner in there? I.e. when I decide to record something, which tuner is selected first the server tuner(s) or the tuner in the sage client?

3) Has any one used Windows7 MCE with Sage being the server? I am particularly interested in how Win7MCE would handle the TV shows recorded by Sage Server (music, videos, and photos are a given). For instance, I could merely share the folder where Sage records the shows.
3a) Would Win7MCE group them kind of like how Sage does?
3b) Does Win7MCE read the properties files of the show so you can read the info and figure out the air date, etc?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[GKusnick]

Originally Posted by hedly

So I am thinking about implementing a server...

If you're already running Sage, then you already have a server, so I think what you're saying is that you're thinking of moving your existing server into a closet and putting a client next to the TV.

Originally Posted by hedly

1) I will be using my existing hauppauge tuners with sage server. Since they will be in a closet somewhere, how to I change the channel on the client under the tv?

You don't. The server has complete control over channel changing. The client just asks the server to serve a particular program, and the server worries about how to tune it. If you already have a working setup, then you don't need to do anything different as far as channel changing goes when you move it into a closet and/or add another client. (Of course if there are STBs in your current setup, you'll need to move those into the closet too.)

Originally Posted by hedly

2) If I decide to use a full computer with a Sage client under the TV instead of a HD200 or similar, what would happen if I put another tuner in there? I.e. when I decide to record something, which tuner is selected first the server tuner(s) or the tuner in the sage client?

Nothing at all will happen with any tuners installed in the client PC unless you configure it as a network encoder running a second full copy of SageTV Media Center. SageTV Client does not have the ability to control locally installed tuners or act as a network encoder.

Ideally, though, you wouldn't install any tuners on the client. You'd install them all on the server in the closet and move all your STBs in there. That's really the simplest setup.

If you do decide for whatever reason that a network encoder is the right way to go, then its tuners just become part of the server's tuner pool to be used as the server sees fit (subject to encoder_merit settings of course). If the network encoder also happens to be used as a client, that's irrelevant to the tuner logic and Sage makes no special effort to reserve those tuners for that client.

[hedly]

Greg,
Thanks for your reply. Just to clarify, I am thinking about getting a second Sage license and then making one of the two machines the server. But I may go with one of the Sage set top boxes. (yes, I will have to upgrade the current one to Sage v7)

My issue with question 1 was if I decided to use a full fledged computer under the TV with Sage running as a client, what do I use to manipulate the interface? right now the tuners are the infrared interface for the hauppauge remote. Once the server is in the closet with the tuners I no longer have an infrared receiver. That's why I was asking about recommendations/examples.

Your answer to question 2 took a moment to comprehend and then the ol cobwebs cleared out and I realized what you were talking about with the tuners on the network. NICE!!!

Thanks again for your assistance. Hopefully someone will chime in with answers to question 3.

[GKusnick]

Originally Posted by hedly

My issue with question 1 was if I decided to use a full fledged computer under the TV with Sage running as a client, what do I use to manipulate the interface? right now the tuners are the infrared interface for the hauppauge remote. Once the server is in the closet with the tuners I no longer have an infrared receiver. That's why I was asking about recommendations/examples.

Sorry, I was confused by your talk of an IR blaster, which is the opposite of an IR receiver. (A blaster is what the server uses to change channels on your STB.) Sage supports several different remotes and IR receivers under Detailed Setup > Commands > Remote Control Configuration. The only one I have personal experience is the USB-UIRT, which can learn IR commands from any remote.

[darcilicious]

Originally Posted by hedly

3) Has any one used Windows7 MCE with Sage being the server? I am particularly interested in how Win7MCE would handle the TV shows recorded by Sage Server (music, videos, and photos are a given). For instance, I could merely share the folder where Sage records the shows.
3a) Would Win7MCE group them kind of like how Sage does?
3b) Does Win7MCE read the properties files of the show so you can read the info and figure out the air date, etc?

Actually there are file locking issues with Windows Media Center 7 when it's pointed at the SageTV recording directory. Because of the way Windows 7 / WMP / Media Center try to incorporate media folders into the W7 Library folders, newly created recording files will get locked by W7 and SageTV will not be able to record to that file until W7 releases it. It doesn't happen all the time -- I think it depends on how often W7 scan its Library folders but it will happen more often than you like

In answer to both a and b: I don't believe so but it's been 6+ months since I looked at SageTV recorded files via WMC. I can take another quick peek tonight if no one else responds before then.

So the only work-around I was able to come up with was to assign .ts files (I have an HD-PVR) to WMC as the default "player" and then double-click on the video file via Windows Explorer.

It's just way better to fork over the $30 (I think it is) for a regular Windows SageTV client.

[darcilicious]

Just to follow-up: If you add the SageTV recording directory to WMC7's Recorded TV "library", none of the SageTV items show up (at least none of my .ts files do). And like I posted before you really don't want to do that at any rate due to file locking issues.

If you have the SageTV recording directory (and/or in my case another folder of .ts files that SageTV reads in as imported videos due to a kabashed wiz.bin at some point ) added to WMC7's Videos directory, the files show up but no metadata, just the file names and thumbnail (depending on the view).

See: http://www.flickr.com/photos/4639338...1179/lightbox/

[hedly]

Darcilicous,
Thanks for that extensive answer. I was just trying to save a few bucks on a computer that is not used that often. I will have to look into those .ts files. Yeah, I really don't want the files locked. If I don't implement sage on that PC, maybe I will only use WMC to watch movies and listen to music.

Greg, thanks for the further answer on remotes and the UBS-UIRT. I will definitely look into it.

Cheers,