First Sage server build - installation questions

[sumrtym]

Ok, after waiting far too long to undertake this, I've finally got the server assembled. Specs if needed to answer the questions at end of post.

To install SageTV, I found the guide at Missing Remote from 2010 http://www.missingremote.com/guide/i...ng-sagetv-v7-0.

Questions:
1. Is Version 7 Update 11 (newest) 64-bit java safe to use on the install for Sage? Or should I be looking for Java 6 Update 38 64 bit? Or another...

2. See question 3 maybe before answering question 2. Would you still follow the Missing Remote install guide? Or would you change codecs? Are some of the WMC steps unnecessary? I'm running Windows 8 and have WMC installed but don't really plan on using it (never have run it on this new machine..was free, so installed it).

3. Using an i3 3225, I wondered about installing MPC-HC, LAV, madvr and calling it using Fuzzy's plugin for external players to play DVD / blu-ray rips in mkv format, as well as DVD / BD inserted into the disc drive. I'm not sure how many or which features I should turn on with madvr using the 3225 and HD4000 graphics (certainly not jinc or anti-ringing), but thought it may be a bit better than default in Sage. All recorded .ts files and flac music played natively in Sage. Thoughts?

4. Do you set up a Harmony One remote as a WMC remote or an HD300 (or HD200, I can't remember which one is in the library)? And how hard would it be then to control MPC-HC if I'm calling it to play BD and DVD? I assume EventGhost would be needed at that point? Never set that one up either...

Planning on running Gemstone with BMT for fanart / banners, etc.

Server:
i3 3225
16 GB Corsair DDR3 1600 (overkill, but got a deal)
128 GB SSD (OS / SAGE / Fanart)
WD Red 2TB (PVR)
WD Red 3TB (movies / archived tv / music)
Colossus (Time Warner STB)
USB-Uirt
HDHomerun Dual (OTA)
Asus blu-ray writer
Win 8 64-bit w/ WMC installed (never launched)

Waiting on Time Warner to show up in 9-10 hours to help troubleshoot a poor component output on the STB hooked at the moment directly to the TV. Since it's Time Warner, HDMI is not an option.

[BobPhoenix]

SageTV is a 32bit application and needs a 32bit java install to work. I believe it works with either I have mine on 6u26 myself and haven't felt the need to upgrade java. I don't think I can give you a good answer for your other questions.

[Fuzzy]

There is no need to install a 64-bit java. it won't be used by sage. sage requires a 32bit java environment to run. Some people have had problems with different java versions, but i've always just run whatever I've got and it just works. You can likely just stick with the version that gets installed with sage if you want, it won't really matter unless there are other programs you have that require a newer version.

[sumrtym]

Originally Posted by BobPhoenix

SageTV is a 32bit application and needs a 32bit java install to work.

Ah, I thought that might be the case but wasn't sure. Thanks!

Looking forward to anyone else chiming in as wekk. I THINK I have my cable issues resolved so ready to proceed. Of course, this is Time Warner. I've yet to have a STB from them that I didn't have SOME problem.

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by sumrtym

3. Using an i3 3225, I wondered about installing MPC-HC, LAV, madvr and calling it using Fuzzy's plugin for external players to play DVD / blu-ray rips in mkv format, as well as DVD / BD inserted into the disc drive. I'm not sure how many or which features I should turn on with madvr using the 3225 and HD4000 graphics (certainly not jinc or anti-ringing), but thought it may be a bit better than default in Sage. All recorded .ts files and flac music played natively in Sage. Thoughts?

My external player plugin is for BluRay and DVD rips (either whole folder, or ISO). It won't be used for MKV files. I personally, would avoid the guide on missing remote. Start without installing any extra codecs and go from there. I then install a latest ffdshow codec to use for audio (I like being able to tweak the audio, so everything passes through ffdshow).

For video, I think the most universally accepted 'best codec' around here seems to be the ArcSoft video decoder from TMT5. There are ways to install it without purchasing TMT5 (though I much prefer to purchase TMT5, as it is a VERY good bluray player, supports everyting including 3D, and the reason I wrote the external plugin).

[MattHelm]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

My external player plugin is for BluRay and DVD rips (either whole folder, or ISO). It won't be used for MKV files....

Is there a way to get it to work on .MKVs? (just asking)

[Fuzzy]

I suppose there is, but then it would be forced to launch the external program for every MKV. And I'm not understanding why you would want to. the MKV's should play perfectly fine in sage - the only reason to launch the external program for playback would be for features not in the core sage, like BluRay menus, and 3D - neither of which would be in the MKV file.

[Slugger]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

There is no need to install a 64-bit java. it won't be used by sage. sage requires a 32bit java environment to run. Some people have had problems with different java versions, but i've always just run whatever I've got and it just works. You can likely just stick with the version that gets installed with sage if you want, it won't really matter unless there are other programs you have that require a newer version.

Originally Posted by sumrtym

Ah, I thought that might be the case but wasn't sure. Thanks!

Looking forward to anyone else chiming in as wekk. I THINK I have my cable issues resolved so ready to proceed. Of course, this is Time Warner. I've yet to have a STB from them that I didn't have SOME problem.

I believe Sage ships with Java 1.4.x, which is fine for the core, but almost any plugin in the Sage 7 plugin repository will require at least Java 5.

[BobPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Slugger

I believe Sage ships with Java 1.4.x, which is fine for the core, but almost any plugin in the Sage 7 plugin repository will require at least Java 5.

That use to be the version. Not sure when it was upgraded but it is now 6u10 in all of the V7 installs I've done where I didn't have Java installed already. I always have to go back and install a latter version to keep my servers on the same Java version - currently at 6u26 as it was the last version I downloaded.

[sumrtym]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

I suppose there is, but then it would be forced to launch the external program for every MKV. And I'm not understanding why you would want to.

My thought was the quality using MPC-HC with LAV and basic levels of madvr (whatever the system can handle without dropped frames) for DVD / BD rips / discs in drive may be at quite a bit higher quality than playback in SageTV with any other setup / codec. That's just my thought however without testing, but I wanted to try to keep numbers of codecs installed to as few as possible as it seems some can cause problems with others on the same machine, thus why I'm trying to decide what to do before installation.

[Fuzzy]

I'd argue that with BluRay, the pixel count is too high for that processor to really do much processing with anyways, and frankly, there's not much improvement possible over the already great quality. For DVD, the decoding and post-processing is so easy because of the low processor count, it can pretty much all be done in ffdshow if you take the time to configure it.

[sflamm]

I have mine on 6u26 myself and haven't felt the need to upgrade java

java7 is definitely much faster and works fine.

[BobPhoenix]

Originally Posted by sflamm

java7 is definitely much faster and works fine.

Good to know. I'll try it on my client box first. Or are you saying it needs to be on the server also?

[sflamm]

Client and Server java installs are independent from one another.
I incrementally installed starting with my clients and ending with my server.
All is well (and faster).

[BobPhoenix]

Originally Posted by sflamm

Client and Server java installs are independent from one another.
I incrementally installed starting with my clients and ending with my server.
All is well (and faster).

Yep knew that and didn't think you meant it would matter just checking. I don't update java if I find one that works I stick with it. I've had to roll back when I was always updating to the latest version. But if it improves speed an update is worth trying.

[sumrtym]

First glitch. When configuring SageTV with the two HDHomerun tuners. I had got past to where I should do a channel scan on the first and got the error -12 null error. Now, when I rerun sagetv and get to selecting tuners (none yet set up as I removed it to rerun and try again), when selecting Digital TV Tuner for the first, I get an ERROR (-3, 0x80070005): There was a problem accessing the filesystem for capture. Rebooting doesn't help.

Additional info...clicking the error and then trying to select Digital TV Tuner again works after the first error. So did selecting Digital broadcast and channel scan...except it detects no channels (the HDHomerun setup detects 25). If you hit preview a channel from the "should" be there list, I see signal strength, no picture, and part of the time get the Error msg again.

Tried deleting the Sage properties file and backup. Got to channel scan with no errors and then ERROR (-12): There was a null object requested to playback. This is the same way the problem kicked off to start with. Running the service tied to to an administrator account. HDHomerun Setup has been set and SageTV is shown as the main application.

[sumrtym]

Ok, I'm an idiot. I set UNC shares for the two drives but didn't have other than read permission on them. Got the HDHomerun set up now. Appears to be working fine.

Except...previewing the colossus was freezing (but I could at least see a picture..even if slightly...static). After setting it up, I am getting No Signal trying to tune any of it's channels through the TWC box. This is with the newest driver from Hauppauge installed.

EDIT: Installed the WinTV and Showbiz app and WinTV is also jerky as all get out. No sound either. Same for Showbiz.

[sumrtym]

Swapped the Colossus card out for a different one. Loaded Sagetv, same thing...no signal. Loaded the included Arcsoft software, not even choppy video (great, this one is WORSE). Then I realized I was an idiot since I was in such a hurry to see if this one worked and slapping it in the machine soon as I got home....I forgot to turn on the STB. Turned it on and WHOOSH, we have video and sound!!!!! So, turns out the first card was just bad (I'm not sure I find that inspiring going forward with the Colossus.....).

I hope the problems are mostly behind me now....the gf is about rdy to kill me for missing her shows last night plus commandeering her laptop as I worked on the system trying to troubleshoot.