Production Firmware requires beta software??

[Remo]

I wasn't sure where to post this as it concerns both SageTV (beta vs official release) and the HD200. Hopefully this is the right place.

Yesterday I checked for firmware updates for my HD200 (SETTINGS/SYSTEM UPDATES/CHECK FOR UPDATES). It says 20100909 is available so I updated.

This evening, after experiencing a playback problem I hadn't seen before, I checked the forums and see a footnote regarding this firmware: "It is recommended that this version of the STP-HD200 firmware be used with SageTV v7.0 or later."

As far as I can see 7.0 is still beta, the current official release is 6.6, which I have. So my HD200 updated to firmware that requires beta software?!? And with no warning that that was the case.

So, questions:

1. What problems can I expect with my HD200 with the 20100909 firmware and SageTV 6.6?

2. How stable is the 7.0 beta, should I upgrade?

3. 7.0 has a price tag of $39 for an upgrade, does this apply to the beta or can I just download and install the beta (assuming it's stable enough).

4. If the beta's not stable enough, and I'll experience problems using the HD200 with 6.6, can I downgrade my HD200 firmware to avoid any conflicts?

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by Remo

I wasn't sure where to post this as it concerns both SageTV (beta vs official release) and the HD200. Hopefully this is the right place.

Yesterday I checked for firmware updates for my HD200 (SETTINGS/SYSTEM UPDATES/CHECK FOR UPDATES). It says 20100909 is available so I updated.

This evening, after experiencing a playback problem I hadn't seen before, I checked the forums and see a footnote regarding this firmware: "It is recommended that this version of the STP-HD200 firmware be used with SageTV v7.0 or later."

As far as I can see 7.0 is still beta, the current official release is 6.6, which I have. So my HD200 updated to firmware that requires beta software?!? And with no warning that that was the case.

So, questions:

1. What problems can I expect with my HD200 with the 20100909 firmware and SageTV 6.6?

2. How stable is the 7.0 beta, should I upgrade?

3. 7.0 has a price tag of $39 for an upgrade, does this apply to the beta or can I just download and install the beta (assuming it's stable enough).

4. If the beta's not stable enough, and I'll experience problems using the HD200 with 6.6, can I downgrade my HD200 firmware to avoid any conflicts?

I believe what that note is intending to relay is that if using SageTV v7, this firmware or higher is recommended - not that it would cause problems on 6.6.

As for 7.0's stability, I'd say, judging from reports here, that it is at least as stable as, if not more stable, than v6.6 was.

The $39 price tag gets you an upgrade license for v7 (to upgrade from any previous version license). You can download the Beta and install it, and it will run in 'trial' mode for 21 days (i believe), but after that, would require this upgrade key. If you purchased your v6 license this year (actually, I think after December 1st, 2009), then you won't need a v7 upgrade license, as your recently purchased key is good for v7 as well.

[spacecadet]

Originally Posted by Remo

"It is recommended that this version of the STP-HD200 firmware be used with SageTV v7.0 or later."

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

I believe what that note is intending to relay is that if using SageTV v7, this firmware or higher is recommended - not that it would cause problems on 6.6.

Not to pick nits, but that's not how I read the footnote. I think the OP's interpretation is correct. I read this as:

"If you use this STP-HD200 firmware, then we'd like you to run SageTV 7.0 or later"

It doesn't explicitly state if it will/won't work with v6, and it certainly implies that running the firmware with v6 is not the desired configuration.

[Fuzzy]

I didn't say it was worded correctly, or clearly - just what the intention was (the newer firmwares ARE required for 7.0 or later, but work fine with earlier versions as well).

[spacecadet]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

I didn't say it was worded correctly, or clearly - just what the intention was (the newer firmwares ARE required for 7.0 or later, but work fine with earlier versions as well).

I don't doubt that the newer firmware is required for v7.0. But what info leads you to make the claim that the OP will not experience any issues on an earlier version of SageTV?

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...5&postcount=49

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by spacecadet

I don't doubt that the newer firmware is required for v7.0. But what info leads you to make the claim that the OP will not experience any issues on an earlier version of SageTV?

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...5&postcount=49

Look at the post just above it.

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...1&postcount=48
Same code revision. SageTV server 6.6.2 or above recommended.

Gerry

[Opus4]

"Recommended" and "required" are two different words meaning different things. I think v6.5 is required for the HD200 & v6.6 is required for the HD300. But, v7 is recommended for use with the latest firmware versions.

- Andy

[BobPhoenix]

Originally Posted by spacecadet

Not to pick nits, but that's not how I read the footnote. I think the OP's interpretation is correct. I read this as:

"If you use this STP-HD200 firmware, then we'd like you to run SageTV 7.0 or later"

It doesn't explicitly state if it will/won't work with v6, and it certainly implies that running the firmware with v6 is not the desired configuration.

Well from a V6.6 user I can state that "I've" not had any problems with the new firmware on my servers that are still 6.6. I have a mix right now and see no problems between the servers.

[spacecadet]

Originally Posted by Opus4

"Recommended" and "required" are two different words meaning different things. I think v6.5 is required for the HD200 & v6.6 is required for the HD300. But, v7 is recommended for use with the latest firmware versions.

- Andy

Thanks Andy for the clarification.

[Remo]

Originally Posted by Opus4

"Recommended" and "required" are two different words meaning different things. I think v6.5 is required for the HD200 & v6.6 is required for the HD300. But, v7 is recommended for use with the latest firmware versions.

- Andy

Thanks for the clarification. You're correct of course, different meanings. I have to assume however that V7 is recommended for a reason, i.e. you may experience problems with 6.6.

Another user advised he's using the newest firmware with 6.6 without problems so perhaps the glitch I experienced (no sound in playback, fixed by rebooting the HD200) had nothing to do with the firmware update. I did also notice however that when browsing the Music library the icons for each album were sometimes missing or refreshing very slowly.

What kind of issues with 6.6 resulted in the V7 recommendation?

Finally, it seems a bit snarky to be recommending beta software be used with production firmware. I don't have an issue using beta software but not in "mission critical" circumstances. And not missing an episode of Sanctuary or Stargate Universe is considered "mission critical".

[Opus4]

I was told there are no known issues using either extender with v6.6; however, v7 has enough fixes, improvements, and feature additions for me to recommend it over v6.

Also, it is now near ready to be released. As was stated in the release notes, this is the release version unless a critical error is found.

- Andy

[paulbeers]

I would also assume that most of the testing of the new firmwares for the extenders is being done with v7 since that is what the development team is working on and the go-forward platform. I would imagine that also plays a part in the recommendation of v7 being used.

Andy you can feel free to set me straight if I am wrong.

[Remo]

Originally Posted by Opus4

I was told there are no known issues using either extender with v6.6; however, v7 has enough fixes, improvements, and feature additions for me to recommend it over v6.

Also, it is now near ready to be released. As was stated in the release notes, this is the release version unless a critical error is found.

- Andy

Thank You. I'll look at 7.0 then. It's time to rebuild that machine anyway so I can build the new machine with 7 and make sure everything's working before switching it over to prod.

[GKusnick]

Originally Posted by Remo

Finally, it seems a bit snarky to be recommending beta software be used with production firmware.

For what it's worth, I think Fuzzy has the correct reading on this. "Use this firmware with V7" means "with V7, use this firmware." It does not mean "with this firmware, use V7".