Are there alternatives to sagetv?

[rdefino]

I'm big sagetv user, but my HD 300's are dying, just lost another. So I think it's time to look into a possible replacement.

The main item I want are:

Recording tv shows
play movies (ripped dvd's and blurays)
music
photos.

Basically what I've been doing with sage.

Are there any setups that can do all this?

thanks

[KryptoNyte]

<insert crickets noise here>

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by rdefino

I'm big sagetv user, but my HD 300's are dying, just lost another. So I think it's time to look into a possible replacement.

The main item I want are:

Recording tv shows
play movies (ripped dvd's and blurays)
music
photos.

Basically what I've been doing with sage.

Are there any setups that can do all this?

thanks

Yeah... it's called SageTV. Dying HD300's do not mean you need to change your entire setup. SageTV works just fine with PC clients. I've never owned a single HD300 in all the years I've had my Sage setup.

[rdefino]

Originally Posted by Skirge01

Yeah... it's called SageTV. Dying HD300's do not mean you need to change your entire setup. SageTV works just fine with PC clients. I've never owned a single HD300 in all the years I've had my Sage setup.

Yes I know that. But I do not want to build 4 pc's just for viewing on my other tv's. I've had them before and I found them to be a PITA. Constant patching and other issues. The HD300 work perfect but I have no spares and another just died.

So if anyone else has any better thoughts, please let me know.

Thanks

[mistergq]

I am not aware of any product that is close to SageTV or have extenders like Sage.

You could try NextPVR. They have an add on for LG and Samsung TVs. However, that is in the early stages and not stable.

The other option is Windows Media Center with Xboxes.

The final option is MythTV.

I am probably going to end up building computers and stick with SageTV for now.

[nyplayer]

SageTV with Plex and some Roku's. works fine for me. That gives me Netflix among other channels and some games.

PS I also have a slim client on my main viewing TV.

[rdefino]

Originally Posted by nyplayer

SageTV with Plex and some Roku's. works fine for me. That gives me Netflix among other channels and some games.

PS I also have a slim client on my main viewing TV.

Cool, now can you view the shows that sage records on the Roku's?

Thanks for the reply!

[nyplayer]

Originally Posted by rdefino

Cool, now can you view the shows that sage records on the Roku's?

Thanks for the reply!

Yes you can ... also the Roku has many options in viewing your media including Media Browswer 3 .. Plex etc.... There is a sagetv plex support look in Customizations forum. The only thing it doesn't do is comskip ... but I got used to not using it I really do not care.

[nyplayer]

I forgot to add that if your server has WMC you can use Mediabrowser3 and serverwmc to watch livetv on the Roku.

[tvmaster2]

SageTV is clearly the best - it's such a shame Google bought it, and has essentially done nothing with it....a real shame

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by tvmaster2

...Google bought it, and as essentially done nothing with it....a real shame

Google's done plenty with it (it's SageTV 8 now), just not for the general public.

[RonBoyd]

Originally Posted by stanger89

Google's done plenty with it (it's SageTV 8 now), just not for the general public.

Which for me, personally, is the same as "essentially done nothing with it."

[mikejaner]

Originally Posted by rdefino

Yes I know that. But I do not want to build 4 pc's just for viewing on my other tv's. I've had them before and I found them to be a PITA. Constant patching and other issues. The HD300 work perfect but I have no spares and another just died.

So if anyone else has any better thoughts, please let me know.

Thanks

I have played around with the idea of going to PC's like Skirge01 suggested, for when my HD300s die. Honestly, when you set up a PC client, I have not seen the burden of constant patching etc. A one time OS install, with drivers, and the patches for the OS at that time, is going to take at most a day worth of effort. The need to patch and have AV etc... is overrated when the PC is not going to do anything behind your firewall/router. It wont even need to talk to the internet at all. If you purchase an Intel NUC, or cheap $200 Dell Laptop, you just set it behind the TV and forget about it.
That being said. I have been using PLEX with the SageTV plugin as a client with Chromecast pretty successfully, but that's missing Guide etc...

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by RonBoyd

Which for me, personally, is the same as "essentially done nothing with it."

+1 kinda sorta

[SHS]

Originally Posted by mistergq

You could try NextPVR. They have an add on for LG and Samsung TVs. However, that is in the early stages and not stable.

Ekk I not a fan of NextPVR it ok and all but it UI need major over haul to get working well as good Media Center App like SageTV and I don't care how the Server for Client has to be setup.

Originally Posted by mistergq

The other option is Windows Media Center with Xboxes.

Good Luck with that HD-PVR/HD-PVR 2 and Colossus it not very well support no thanks to MS.

Originally Posted by mistergq

The final option is MythTV.

Just one problem here as you know there are no HD-PVR 2 and Colossus1/2 driver available to support it at lease for now .

[Skybolt]

Originally Posted by mistergq

... The other option is Windows Media Center with Xboxes. ...

I have been using this option for the past two years now without an issue. The CC support of 7MC is great. My cable co set all of there flags to CopyOnce So I didn't really have many choices if I wanted to stick with CC. I have no regrets on making the switch.

Good luck with your decision.

[bjkiller]

Same dilemma. Run with sagetv for 6 years, 7+ different clients. what next?
I understand,: for saved content its plex. For new movies is Netflix. Major issue with LiveTV (dvbs2 and dvbt) I plan to use tvheadend with plex????
I ordered firetv so I will try to even install xbmc.

[blade]

Originally Posted by rdefino

I'm big sagetv user, but my HD 300's are dying, just lost another. So I think it's time to look into a possible replacement.

Have you looked into what is causing them to die and whether or not they can be fixed? I had to replace the capacitors in my HD100 several years ago. I'm not familiar with the HD300 and potential problems, but could it be something as a simple as a wall wart or capacitor?

[mikejaner]

Originally Posted by SHS

Ekk I not a fan of NextPVR it ok and all but it UI need major over haul to get working well as good Media Center App like SageTV and I don't care how the Server for Client has to be setup.

Saw this today, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXNi3f8wUJg, and it led to this, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfyTsGqHYBI

I also watched this, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N6mVnXyLxQ&t=1m30s
Seeing NextPVR being used in other interfaces, makes it interesting as a possible alternative backend. Especially seeing it run on a Raspberry Pi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sFwLvdao_o

[nyplayer]

Originally Posted by mikejaner

Saw this today, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXNi3f8wUJg, and it led to this, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfyTsGqHYBI

I also watched this, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N6mVnXyLxQ&t=1m30s
Seeing NextPVR being used in other interfaces, makes it interesting as a possible alternative backend. Especially seeing it run on a Raspberry Pi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sFwLvdao_o

They have improved it a lot. I have it setup for OTA testing ... going to setup a Prime with it. I have to look at NEXPVR for regular use the prime was a snap to setup. Picture in Picture works great.