2nd SageTV Server

[gilded07]

Except for the occasional java heap memory messages, my socket 775 Q8400 is working fine. I have the max set to 1024 and still get them every so often, especially when I'm doing a lot of navigating in and out of menus on the screen.

Anyways, before I lose access to this forum, I'm thinking about building a newer SageTV server and shut down Win XP for good. I'll use win7 64, an SSD for boot, and probably the 1TB hdd I have in the server now with the recorded shows. And then at some point, after the new server (using the same license key) is upgraded to v7 and running (will use HDHR to test), convert over to it for my live server, take the Q8400 offline, and move my tuner cards over to the new server. Like the current server, the new one will be headless.

My rationale for this is I can run parallel until I'm certain the new server is ready and hopefully convert in a weekend afternoon. This is preferable to taking the current Q8400 server completely down, and starting anew with Win7, hoping that there are no glitches or problems that causes me or the family to miss recordings or lose access to SageTV for too long.

I'll re-purpose the Q8400 for the kids to use.

I have a software utility (deltacopy) that automatically backs up my SageTV program directory to a share on my NAS box each night but to date, I haven't done any imaging (its on my to-do list).

Questions:

1. Am I correct in that I can use the server license key in two servers at once?
2. Any pitfalls or issues in using Win7 64 for the server's OS?
3. Can anyone recommend an inexpensive CPU for a new SageTV server? Fry's electronics has an i5 760 for <$50 but not sure of its performance and I think it's socket is EOL'd too.
4. Would one of the i3 sandy bridges be enough? I believe they only have two cores...

[Skirge01]

I always go overboard with my hardware choices, so I won't touch those questions. However, I'll answer your first question:

1. Legally, no. You would be in violation of the EULA for the software. You are only allowed to run a single instance of your licensed software at any one time*.

* Umm... yeah, that's all I had to say. Yup.

[gilded07]

Originally Posted by Skirge01

I always go overboard with my hardware choices, so I won't touch those questions. However, I'll answer your first question:

1. Legally, no. You would be in violation of the EULA for the software. You are only allowed to run a single instance of your licensed software at any one time*.

* Umm... yeah, that's all I had to say. Yup.

thanks for the reply. I knew about the legal issue - was just curious about the technical aspect. If possible technically, I'd only have two servers up for a short period and then back to one. Got it.

[KeithAbbott]

You should be able to run a second server instance unlicensed for the 21 day free trial period. If you can get it running properly in three weeks time, you can then enter the license key into the new server and retire your old server.

[gilded07]

I do run comskip so I believe having an extra core is good but does SageTV v7 recognize and utilize 4 cores? In other words, are 4 cores better than 2 when it comes to SageTV?

[Fuzzy]

Sage does launch multiple threads within it's core java program, and some of it's functions (converting videos, transcoding for placeshifter/mvp use, etc) do launch completely separate processes. So yes, it will utilize multiple cores. However, non of those separate processes (all using sagetvtranscoder.exe) are in themselves multithreaded. non of the core sage functionality is likely to even peg a single core anyways, so it's kind of moot.

I, personally, would always run at least a 4 core at this point for a sage server, because I am always doing something else on it also (comskip, transcoding, etc).

[gilded07]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

Sage does launch multiple threads within it's core java program, and some of it's functions (converting videos, transcoding for placeshifter/mvp use, etc) do launch completely separate processes. So yes, it will utilize multiple cores. However, non of those separate processes (all using sagetvtranscoder.exe) are in themselves multithreaded. non of the core sage functionality is likely to even peg a single core anyways, so it's kind of moot.

I, personally, would always run at least a 4 core at this point for a sage server, because I am always doing something else on it also (comskip, transcoding, etc).

So with SageTV, any difference between a dual core CPU that can manage 4 threads (e.g. 3rd gen i3 SB) to a non HT'd CPU that has 4 cores and manages 4 threads?

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by gilded07

So with SageTV, any difference between a dual core CPU that can manage 4 threads (e.g. 3rd gen i3 SB) to a non HT'd CPU that has 4 cores and manages 4 threads?

If you are going to max out cores, then true quad core cpu's are faster than an equivalent 2 core hyperthreaded cpu. That said, I'm not sure where the current price break is on these things - I mean, there are 8 core cpu's on the market now, and I haven't had to shop for a CPU in a while.

[wayner]

Originally Posted by gilded07

Any pitfalls or issues in using Win7 64 for the server's OS?

You won't be able to use Firewire for changing channels but most people may not care about that issue. There may be some other issues, like if you have really old tuner cards (like a PVR-150) they may not have 64 bit drivers.

[gilded07]

Originally Posted by wayner

You won't be able to use Firewire for changing channels but most people may not care about that issue. There may be some other issues, like if you have really old tuner cards (like a PVR-150) they may not have 64 bit drivers.

Thanx - I hadn't considered that. However, for a completely different reason, I've ordered a Hauppauge HVR2250 from amazon.com to replace my PVR150 and PVR500 in hopes that my SD picture quality will improve.

Discussed here:

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59456

[wayner]

I still use at least one PVR-150 in my server and I don't have an issue with picture quality. But I use it connected to the S-video port of a SD cable box.

[gilded07]

Originally Posted by wayner

I still use at least one PVR-150 in my server and I don't have an issue with picture quality. But I use it connected to the S-video port of a SD cable box.

No cable boxes here; coax plugs straight into tuner cards.