SageTV Client usage

[Mpegger]

Quick question: Is it possible/permissible to use one Client key on two different computers, but not at the same time?

My main PC doubles as my HTPC, but I also have a laptop that I use when away from my main PC that I would also like to use the Client on, but I just can't justify the expense of a 2nd key for occasional usage, especially since I wouldn't be using SageTV Client on both at the same time.

[robogeek]

Short answer is no, it's not permissible according to the EULA. Sure, it's possible, but you'll probably be forced to shutdown the client on the HTPC and restart SageTV on your SageTV server before starting the SageTV Client on the laptop for it to work...then you'd have to shutdown the client on the laptop and restart SageTV again before restarting the client on the HTPC. You might want to consider the cheaper Placeshifter for your laptop...try it before you buy it though, just to be sure it works on your laptop. And unlike the SageTV Client, Placeshifter is portable to any PC you want and the server will allow however many Placeshifter connections you have a license for no matter where the connection comes from.

See this thread for recent discussion:

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53375

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by robogeek

You might want to consider the cheaper Placeshifter for your laptop...try it before you buy it though, just to be sure it works on your laptop. And unlike the SageTV Client, Placeshifter is portable to any PC you want and the server will allow however many Placeshifter connections you have a license for no matter where the connection comes from.

Placeshifter is the same price as client ($29.95). If you intend to use the laptop to watch tv from outside your network, the placeshifter is what you'd want. however, if it's only being used internally, on your LAN, client will perform MUCH better.

[Mpegger]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

Placeshifter is the same price as client ($29.95). If you intend to use the laptop to watch tv from outside your network, the placeshifter is what you'd want. however, if it's only being used internally, on your LAN, client will perform MUCH better.

This is exactly the reason why I would prefer the Client version and not the Placeshifter, because of performance issues. Even on my main PC (sporting a i7 930), Placeshifter runs like garbage; constantly dropping frames, and never a consistent FPS even though this system is more then capable of doing full 1080p x264 video without breaking a sweat purely in software, other then Placeshifter and its built in codecs of course (v6, I haven't tried v7 yet).

I would be more then happy to trade in my Placeshifter license for a Client license, but that isn't possible either. I already broke down and purchased a client license for my main HTPC because I just couldn't deal with the Placeshifter issues anymore. I just wish I could use the 1 license between the HTPC and laptop. Neither would be used concurrently as I'm the only user, so if I'm on the laptop, I wouldn't be on the main PC and vise-versa.

If Placeshifter would actually allow use of external codecs, there wouldn't be an issue (for me) and would have saved me having to purchase the Client version in the first place. My laptop has hardware video acceleration of MPEG2 and x264 video, and I can playback the recordings done straight from the directory in MPC-HC just fine. But since Placeshifter cannot use any external codecs, it's pretty much useless for me.

Sorry, this became more of a rant then anything else.

[Fuzzy]

It's not like placeshifter would end up being a wasted license. It's surprising how many times I've fired up placeshifter at work, or on the road, even if not to watch something, but just system management.

[OneOfMany]

Apologies if I am sounding a little forthright here, but I've spent more money on a mouse than I have for any of my Client licenses. With a total investment two years ago of around $200, I have been able to outfit a server, four clients and have a Placeshifter license for occasional remote use!

When I was ready to upgrade to v.7, I told my wife that I would need to plop down another $200 to get everything up to date, and imagine my surprise when I found out I only needed to upgrade my server license and that ALL MY CLIENT UPGRADES WERE FREE! I almost felt guilty installing them.

Apologies if I am sounding a bit harsh, but...