SageTV acquired by Google

[gabrielcab]

The sage wiki is out , anyone can point to a step by step guide of how to configure sage to look EPG data from other sources?

edit.
And where can i download the original HD300 firmaware, the latest official and the latest beta?

[gabrielcab]

I don't know much, but my extenders have just double their value and i think they cost now around $250.00 - $300.00. but i wouldn't sell them for less than $600.00 each

[wbarber69]

As I see it we either need some answers as to the future of sagetv or we need to go on the offensive and take over development

[Slugger]

Originally Posted by sleonard

Maybe we need to setup an alternative repository and let everyone here know about it in case they decide to shut down the forums as well. Also, how about an XMLTV plugin for a seemless transition just in case.

It's better to be prepared and end up not needing them than scrambling to figure out how to get guide data an hour before your favorite show is starting.

S

I'm guessing some people have probably already whipped up some proof of concept ideas to ensure that EPG data is readily available in case of the doom's day scenario.

[calypsocowboy]

It's not the EPG I'm worried about, it's the licenses. I only have the server and a single extender, that is not enough to go forward.

Unless I look into XBMC for playing the content but I can't schedule through it.

-Josh

[evilpenguin]

Don't the HD200/300 come with licences attached to the hardware so you don't need to install one?

[ldavis]

Originally Posted by Slugger

I'm guessing some people have probably already whipped up some proof of concept ideas to ensure that EPG data is readily available in case of the doom's day scenario.

Let me third or forth that motion. Could someone who knows how to get and import XMLTV data give us a simple how to (at least concept). Fortunately for me, I only use OTA and most of my local channels supply that data directly. However, FOX and CBS are two that do not and it would be difficult to get along without them.

I think it is way to early to look at alternative systems as a longtime Sage user but until Sage gives us something definitive about the EPG data. I think it is prudent to have a method in place just in case. I have no intention of jumping ship as I am happy with the current function of SageTV, but this seems like a reasonable step to ensure continued and uninterrupted service.

[Fountainhead]

Originally Posted by autoboy

Congrats SageTV. It's the dream of every entrepreneur to build a company that is eventually acquired or goes public.

Yeah. Let's face it. No way we can blame the dudes from Sage for selling out. If I'd worked year after year trying to keep a product like this viable and then some giant company offered me satchels of money that would allow me to retire to the beach and drink booze all day while chicks waved their boobies in my face, I wouldn't think twice. See ya.

Originally Posted by autoboy

As a DVR system it's pretty fully complete and as long as we can find EPG data, we're all set for the next 5 years at least.

That's really the key for me, along with my hardware not going belly up. The other key is the continued existence of a forum like this where info can be shared for such things as setting up alternatives to the current EPG data should it cease to function at some point.

Originally Posted by autoboy

I have a lot of hope for a GoogleTV / SageTV partnership.

We part ways here. I don't have any hope that whatever comes from this will be anything a all like what we have today. I suppose it's possible that true awesomeness will result and deliver us something beyond what we could even hope for today. But more likely it'll be some consumer box/service that'll be aimed at the masses, but be a disappointment to those who remember SageTV.

[nyplayer]

Originally Posted by ldavis

Let me third or forth that motion. Could someone who knows how to get and import XMLTV data give us a simple how to (at least concept). Fortunately for me, I only use OTA and most of my local channels supply that data directly. However, FOX and CBS are two that do not and it would be difficult to get along without them.

I think it is way to early to look at alternative systems as a longtime Sage user but until Sage gives us something definitive about the EPG data. I think it is prudent to have a method in place just in case. I have no intention of jumping ship as I am happy with the current function of SageTV, but this seems like a reasonable step to ensure continued and uninterrupted service.

On my test machine I used MC2XML to create the xml file and XMLTV Importer for SageTV Easy to setup and works.

[sic0048]

Originally Posted by polen

You should hook them up and apply the latest beta firmware before that goes down.

Great idea. I would have never thought about that!

[sic0048]

Originally Posted by IVB

.... And really, what other options have the Sage TCPServer equivalent where you can use an external control program to monitor it.

There isn't any that I am aware of (although I haven't really looked either). Certainly WMC doesn't allow the control that Sage does. That is why the WMC driver never really worked and development pretty much died on it.

[matterofrecord]

Maybe Sergey Brin, Larry Page & Eric Schmidt are all massive sagetv fans , regular users, secret forum posters and just want to make sagetv even better. ( I wonder what their forum names are. )

Perhaps they just wanted the best media center to give away free (and thus make people like google even more like they did with picassa).

Perhaps they are being cunning and will make the commercial skipping even better so that no one will ever watch tv ads again which will drive advertisers away from tv towards the internet?

However the "grown up" in me has to ask
"how are google going to benefit/make money from sagetv?"
They are smart people and they bought sagetv for a reason.

I just wish they would tell me what that reason is. The not knowing is eating at me from the inside.

[gabrielcab]

I tried to be positive and optimistic about Sage and google, but the reality is that SageTV as we know it is dead for sure. Sage is an enemy for copyright lobbyist and more to GoogleTV. GoogleTV is such a failure, that even a small company like Sage would make googletv looks useless. With Sage out of the equation, MCE with all the limitation there is no other obstacle to let googletv shine as there is no obstacle in its path. Maybe Sage developers where blackmailed and forced to sell?

[Zippster]

Just want to make sure I'm covered for EPG and my HD100 doesnt quit due to license auth issues.

[flavius]

Not that is any consolation, but at least we know now why support for Mac was dropped, they were running out of money.-

[stanger89]

You know I had a thought after reading the CQC comments and the earlier refernce to Android@Home. I think maybe we're all thinking too small so far. I mean the the most common theory is that Google wanted a DVR for GoogleTV, but if you really think about that, surely Google has enough smart people to deliver the simple DVR necessary for a "mass market" system. Placeshifting, again, I don't see a problem for Google to come up with that on their own.

What's Sage's strength? It's the multi-platform, whole-house system. And we all know Google dreams big, I mean Google only wants to organize the worlds data....

What if, just if, the plan for Sage is far, far bigger. What I'm thinking is:

GoogleTV + Android@Home + SageTV

Just think about it, a home automation system with SageTV's backend (DVR and media serving), GoogleTV as a frontend (built into boxes and TVs), placeshifting to android devices. Complete "organization", integration and control of all the media and all the connected devices in your home.

Now that sounds like something ambitious enough to warrant Google purchasing a whole company and not just devoting an internal team or two.

[bastafidli]

That is obviously just a speculation. The same as maybe they have internally worked on port to Android to wow Google :-).

[Brent]

Originally Posted by flavius

Not that is any consolation, but at least we know now why support for Mac was dropped, they were running out of money.-

Sorry, that's just BS. They were not running out of or losing money.

Ever heard of "the offer you couldn't refuse?" It was very likely something along those lines - with dollar signs attached. imo Mac support was dropped because it wasn't a big enough audience which meant not worth the time investment given the number of purchases for Mac. As far as I know they hadn't completely decided to end Mac releases.

[Brent]

I like the way Stanger89 thinks. And it would explain some of the cryptic responses I've been getting from some people. That being said.. er typed, I still have to keep my pessimist hat on for now until I see or at the very least hear more concrete info from those definitely in the know. Man, that would be awesome - I just don't want to get my hopes up.

[lovemyram4x4]

Well I guess I just wasted a lot time trying to set up a Ceton tunered SageTV server on my my server since I can't buy any licenses of it or the clients I was going to use. Though didn't really care much for the stock UI and guide I was still looking forward to have a server/client system working.