I can convert my client o server, right?

[vorius]

I just got a SageTV MEdia Extender for a second TV, and now want to convert my existing SageTV Client to a Server so the extender can connect to it.

Is this a simple conversion on my existing client or do I need to reinstall from scratch or ... ?

Does my existing license cover server usage?

[KeithAbbott]

Are you sure that your existing SageTV Client isn't already a server? I wouldn't think that a client would be able to do anything standalone without the server somewhere, either in the same box or in a different box.

[vorius]

Not sure... I think when I installed it it gave me the option to install it as a server but I chose client. I just hope I dont have to uninstall and reinstall to get to that option again. Hoping there is a way just to turn the server mode on

[KeithAbbott]

I think you may be talking about whether SageTV runs as a service or not, which is a little bit different than a SageTV server. SageTV should run as a server, regardless of whether it is running as a service on the computer or not. That said, if you can run the SageTVServiceControl.exe program (Start - All Programs - SageTV - SageTVServiceControl.exe), you'll see whether it is setup to run as a service or not. I would recommend running SageTV as a service, especially if you are using extenders. When SageTV is running as a service, even if you do not have SageTV in use on the main computer, the service is still running (in the background, and obviously only if the computer is powered on) and can serve up content and be controlled by the extenders.

[vorius]

Yes I definitely have it running as a service.

So does this mean I should be all set to just point my extender to this box's IP and it will work fine? I am pretty sure though there were some options I never checked when I installed my SageTV client, like placeshifter. I dont need that right?

[KeithAbbott]

No, you don't need placeshifter. I don't have placeshifter configured, either.

Assuming you are talking about an HD300, you shouldn't even have to tell it the servers IP address, it should be able to find it by itself via a network broadcast. I have multiple HDx00s, and two SageTV servers (primary and test), and the extenders all automagically find the two servers.

[vorius]

Thanks for the info- I just finished hooking it up (had to run a cat5 wire to the place the tv is) and am going to fire it up right now!

[vorius]

OK- I got it up and running!

It didnt find my server right away and the thing I had to do was go to my existing HTPC and under Advanced there is option to enable server mode. And that's it! The extender found the server automatically and I am watching on my 2nd TV as if was at my HTPC!

Such a breeze to setup! I was really expecting problems.

Just one issue I have I am not sure how to resolve - before I connected to the server I had setup my extender's options for overscan and aspect ratio, but then once I connected to my SageTV server it seems to have reverted to default settings again which do not work with this TV - the settings seem to be for a widescreen TV and this is a normal aspect ratio TV. Now I am not sure how to adjust it because I am afraid that if I go to options menu now once connected that I am adjusting the options on MY HTPC itself - is that true?

[KeithAbbott]

Originally Posted by vorius

Just one issue I have I am not sure how to resolve - before I connected to the server I had setup my extender's options for overscan and aspect ratio, but then once I connected to my SageTV server it seems to have reverted to default settings again which do not work with this TV - the settings seem to be for a widescreen TV and this is a normal aspect ratio TV. Now I am not sure how to adjust it because I am afraid that if I go to options menu now once connected that I am adjusting the options on MY HTPC itself - is that true?

I believe SageTV keeps track of those settings individually for each extender. So if you make the adjustments while you are using that extender, it should not impact the settings that you have previously set on your HTPC.

Of course, you could use this as an excuse to upgrade the TV to widescreen. I hear there might be a few deals out there tomorrow...

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by KeithAbbott

Of course, you could use this as an excuse to upgrade the TV to widescreen. I hear there might be a few deals out there tomorrow...

This one looks particularly good.... http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Panasoni...7422&cp=1&lp=1