Just in case- Alternatives to SageTV

[vikingisson]

Originally Posted by ChePazzo

The other day, I installed the Linux version on a laptop with firewire because I wanted to test out the connection with a new cablebox and I had to enter the auth code that I got back with v4 and it worked no problem. Same auth code I use for my main server in the basement. No need to call anyone.

So does that mean activation is an internal hash and will never require a server on the outside? Or does it mean that eventually once everyone has had to reinstall sage for one reason or another they find themselves unable to activate? We will always have a way to EPG if willing to work at it but activation is the unknown.

Until I hear something from google I have to assume that the sage app will eventually die and that google tv will never integrate the features I want. Can't play local files? Already GTV is pointless.

Speaking of the linux version and the stated "OEM" status.. I have not seen a single product built on it other than what we build ourselves. At minimum it could have been a great alternative as an extender but that was the weakest function of the linux version. Server would have worked but I've never seen one outside of the basement.

[tmiranda]

Originally Posted by vikingisson

So does that mean activation is an internal hash and will never require a server on the outside? Or does it mean that eventually once everyone has had to reinstall sage for one reason or another they find themselves unable to activate? We will always have a way to EPG if willing to work at it but activation is the unknown.

It means the activation server is still up and running. We'll only have to call support if they turn off the activation server.

[vikingisson]

Originally Posted by tmiranda

It means the activation server is still up and running. We'll only have to call support if they turn off the activation server.

When that happens who do we call? Did you say support? Where, SageTV or Google? One is already closed and the other has no support. When it officialy dies it is dead.

I have an issue where google server dings my personal email server every hour 24/7 for a year now and I can't make it stop. Support is non existent for a simple thing like that. They could easily move activation to their own servers but I have little hope in that and even less that I could call them and ask to activate my product. No, you'll have to buy something 'new and improved'

[tmiranda]

Originally Posted by vikingisson

When that happens who do we call? Did you say support? Where, SageTV or Google? One is already closed and the other has no support. When it officialy dies it is dead.

I have an issue where google server dings my personal email server every hour 24/7 for a year now and I can't make it stop. Support is non existent for a simple thing like that. They could easily move activation to their own servers but I have little hope in that and even less that I could call them and ask to activate my product. No, you'll have to buy something 'new and improved'

I don't like the situation either, but there is nothing we can do but wait. I use my linux system for development and testing so it's not critical if the activation server goes away. If you're using linux as your main Sage server the situation is a lot different. Hopefully Google will "do no harm" and make some statement indicting how long they will support the activation server.

It will be interesting to see how or if they accomodate previous Sage users.

[ChePazzo]

Originally Posted by vikingisson

So does that mean activation is an internal hash and will never require a server on the outside? Or does it mean that eventually once everyone has had to reinstall sage for one reason or another they find themselves unable to activate?

I could always install on a fresh box with the ethernet unplugged and see what happens . . . .

[drewg]

Originally Posted by ChePazzo

I could always install on a fresh box with the ethernet unplugged and see what happens . . . .

You could always just remember the mac address of the box you registered it on.. Heck, just run "/sbin/ifconfig -a", print it out, and put it in your safe deposit box, along with a thumb drive / cdrom backup of the sagetv server/key file

Drew

[wayner]

A safety deposit box? That is so Amish!

Why not your Dropbox?

[drewg]

Originally Posted by wayner

A safety deposit box? That is so Amish!

Why not your Dropbox?

Well, I was thinking about tell him to carve it on a stone tablet

[Laurion]

Since first discovering and purchasing Sagetv(v1.4) I've been using a single computer model. Probably because that's what was possible at the time, and partly because I was following the model previously set by college roommates with their TiVo. But now that I've bought a house and no longer live in apartments, I'd like to switch to a client-server model. Of course, had I decided to do this 6+ months ago it wouldn't have been an issue.

Now that Frey has been bought by Google, what are my options? It doesn't seem possible to buy additional licenses, which is a shame. What I really want to do is continue to use my underpowered windows system in the entertainment center, but add a more powerful Linux server. So,

1) is there a way to get a Linux license, buy one from Google, or from someone else who no longer wants/needs theirs?
2) am I stuck with what I have and try to supplement with a very expensive extender from eBay?
3) do I abandon sage altogether because I won't be able to do what I want to do?

I really don't want to give up on sage (very high WAF!), but if I have to in order to achieve my goals, what options do people suggest? MythTV? XBMC with tvheadend? Another open or closed product altogether (which may not be an option with a Linux server)? If anyone has been in a similar circumstance, or made a transition away from Sage (and happens to still be reading these forums?), what are your experiences and recommendations?

[jchiso]

From a strict cost perspective, you'd be better off running Sage on you rWindows server and buying an ebay HD200 or HD300 than building a new, more powerful Linux server and building PC-based clients running some other software, such as XBMC, which won't give you live TV ...

[Laurion]

I really have to set up a new server either way, given that the current machine is really underpowered (1.6 Atom), and the system can barely support the one tv that it is hooked up to. So the question isn't really about the cost, it's about what avenues actually exist for moving forward.

[jchiso]

Originally Posted by Laurion

I really have to set up a new server either way, given that the current machine is really underpowered (1.6 Atom), and the system can barely support the one tv that it is hooked up to...

That's why I suggested going the ebay route for HD200s or HD300s. That way you get a hardware playback device without the need for a software key and you can use an "underpowered" server for encoding ...

[mistergq]

The question you have to ask yourself Laurion is do you want to build a high power windows server, which may last a couple years to decade using Cablecards/HD PVR/HD Homeruns, etc, and buy HD200 or 300s off of ebay? Or do you want to move to MythTV, but a new server, buy multiple clients, and go that route?

Those are your two main options. The problem with Sage is you have to go into it that there is no future for it. So you have to ask yourself that where it is at that point with the development community, is that good enough. There are plenty still using BTV because they consider the PVR the best option out there. I have mine set up with MyMovies, all the turners I have, and everything is going strong. I don't see myself making a move is STV is officially dead until hardware starts dying. Until then, I am going to keep going. That is unsettling because I don't know the life expectancy of HD200s I have, but I am okay with that...because I can't find an option that comes close to my current setup.

[zoltran]

Can you use a Windows licence key for Linux?

And what are HD200's going for on EBay? There's none there now.. just curious.
And have you ever seen anyone selling their Sage SW Licence on Ebay?

[KeithAbbott]

Originally Posted by zoltran

Can you use a Windows licence key for Linux?

No.

Originally Posted by zoltran

And what are HD200's going for on EBay? There's none there now.. just curious.

Currently, there is one HD200 listed on eBay, the bid is at $200, with two days remaining before bidding is closed. Looking at recently completed listings, they range in price between $125 and $230.

Originally Posted by zoltran

And have you ever seen anyone selling their Sage SW Licence on Ebay?

Selling the Sage SW license would violate the terms of the EULA. I have seen several people include software license key(s) at no additional charge with purchase of one or more extenders. Even doing that violates the terms of the EULA, but seems to get past any issues that eBay enforces.

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by Laurion

What I really want to do is continue to use my underpowered windows system in the entertainment center, but add a more powerful Linux server.

Why can't you upgrade to a better Windows machine, using your existing SageTV Windows license? That's what I have done, and it works just fine.

[Ken C]

Seriously thinking of going to Satellite when the Sage EPG goes away. Has anyone looked at Directv's 5 tuner HR34 DVR ? Wondering if it can record 5 HD shows simultaneously, or some mix of HD and SD.

[graywolf]

Originally Posted by Ken C

Seriously thinking of going to Satellite when the Sage EPG goes away. Has anyone looked at Directv's 5 tuner HR34 DVR ? Wondering if it can record 5 HD shows simultaneously, or some mix of HD and SD.

Why not use Slugger's EPG plugin?
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57265
Currently available

[Ken C]

Originally Posted by graywolf

Why not use Slugger's EPG plugin?
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57265
Currently available

Just trying to simplify things. No idea how long the HD300 will last. No way I'm going back to an HTPC next to the TV.

Now, if there were a source for extenders ...

[pizzachef]

I am totally bummed about SageTV going dark and ceasing to sell product.

My buddy loves my setup but waited too long to copy it, now he is out of luck, except for a few sales on eBay which right now are going for crazy prices.

Is there another extender box that streams Video_ts. I know appletv and roku do not.