Information on SAGE 3.0 Release? (mostly complaints from before info was released)

[r00st3r]

OK, here we go...

Announcement after CES have not been forthcoming. The only thing I have seen was the release of 3.OH on linux and the media extender (which we have not seen details on release or even the specs.) Release 2.2.2 seems to have major issues (see the threads under beta release). I have since installed MCE 2005 since my post about studio being released got a half ass answer from Dan.
I have to say it's really nice to have a product that works out of the box. It has a weather module add in, Caller ID, an online\offline that gets images and cast info from IMDB, all without having to change settings in an stv file or installing java applets. The most important is the WAF. This was huge for her.

Well, I think it realy sux that they haven't said anything about 3.0 for windows and the specs on the extender. Freys end users seem to be Frey-ing. But I am doing what I think is best for me.

How do you feel about Freys recent actions and about how they are treating their loyal end user base that have stood by them since inception, defended them against the compitition,and most importantly helped in the development by giving feedback to the owners and programmers???

[SHS]

Good lucky with MCE 2005 and all it DRM carp.
Give them time after it take few's day for them to get in the gove of time.

[r00st3r]

Good lucky with MCE 2005 and all it DRM carp.
Give them time after it take few's day for them to get in the gove of time.

WTF???

Could someone please translate?

[SHS]

I ref to CES show do how hour they spent there a lot before and after 3 main days of it, It seem that most don't think about getting there, unpacking, setup booth, repacking, booth tear down, check out hotel, going home, etc, etc which all take time.

[nielm]

I have to say it's really nice to have a product that works out of the box. It has a weather module add in, Caller ID, an online\offline that gets images and cast info from IMDB, all without having to change settings in an stv file or installing java applets. The most important is the WAF. This was huge for her.

I have to ask, If MCE is so good for you, why are you still here?!

[jptaz]

ROOST3R,

Does MCE 2005 Media Extender work on regular PCs? I.E. I currently have 2 Client PCs (Windows XP Pro) using SageTVClient and then my main system with 4 PVR 250s and soon a PVR 500.

I also have 2 MediaMVPs and since they do not have extender software for them I am pretty much stuck with SageTV.

But I still have faith they will get things working. Since the OSD SDK was released I now have the following:

- Full MediaMVP support (Not available on any other commercial product)
- XCard Beta Support (Still needs work, but considering how poor the support for PVR is on TVedia I will wait for XCard support to be completed and GBPVR is not very good for DVD playback)

I think MCE 2005 is great for a single installation, but for my money the MCE Extenders are very pricey for Standard Def TVs - especially since the 2 MediaMVPs cost less than half 1 MCE Extender.

John

[r00st3r]

Because I still have Sage. I don't have just one PC. I still would like to see it's continued development since I did pay for it. I'm not just going to throw $$ away... Just a bit put off by Frey's latest actions (or lack there of). I was wondering how everyone else was feeling about it too. It stings a little after having invested so much time to the product and the forum.

Any information on what was announced at CES, what the plans are for 3.0 for windows, what the spec are for the extender, hell, even if they say it's all for OEM's only would be something.....

Just wanted to ask how everyone else was on the current direction...

[r00st3r]

Thanks JPtaz.

I wasn't here to promote MCE or defend it, just telling you what I did with it and what was avail. The main purpose of this thread was to get the input of the forum users and If I am alone in feeling that Frey's focus is getting less and less about end users and more about the OEM's...

and if you are using SAGE client, doesn't that involve having a PC for each one?
IMO a PC to use as a client is would cost more than an extender, wouldn't it?

[mlbdude]

The problem with the extenders (for both systems) is that they are limited in what they can play and slow. If you want 100% functionality of the server you really need a PC. At least with the extenders that are out now.

[jptaz]

Well,

The Media Extender is a MediaMVP. So the specs are just what is available on Hauppauges website. What is unclear is if they are now planning on integrating support for the MediaMVP right into SageTV as opposed being a seperate pluggin that requires a SageTVClient version for each MediaMVP.

John

[mlbdude]

I would bet it will work the same way (if not even using the same plug-in). However, based on the $99 price I would also bet the license/software is included in the package.

[jptaz]

R00ST3R,

I do not need a seperate PC to run each MediaMVP. I have 2 that are controlled from my main SageTV System. The MedaiMVP only cost me $75 each so I could have 4 Standard TV sets controlled by one PC for the Price of one Media Center Extender which are great if you want HDTV or want digital audio out.

John

[jptaz]

I did not mean to attack the MCE 2005. I was just pointing out that it would not work for me because I have 2 Med MVPs as well as two PC based Clients none of which are supported under MCE 2005.

John

[heffe2001]

One small problem with MCE2k5 I believe is the ability to have only 2 tuners + 1 HD. I have 5 tuners set up at home now, and sometimes even then have conflicts (although usually it's a premium channel that's causing the problems, only have 2 cable boxes currently, and until I can figure out how to make the DCT2000 plugin control 2 boxes on the same machine correctly, that's all I'm going to have).

On a wired 100 mbit network, you can have around 8-9 MCE extenders, but how are that many extenders going to fight for 2 tuners??

One big benefit on the MCE side tho is the ability to use HD, and to use DVB, both of which Frey has been silent on (limited DVB support though, user created though).

[littlerm]

I switched to MCE2005 a couple of months ago for HDTV support, and it was great. That is, until the guide information got corrupted or confused, which totally renders its PVR abilities useless. I had no problems for a couple of weeks, then it would start recording "Serendipity" for my Seinfeld Favorite (in Sage terms), and other similar side effects. Sometimes it would say there were no scheduled episodes at all for my some of my Favorites, but when I would go search there would be plenty of episodes to record, and they were in my list of Scheduled Programs just the day before. I tried reinstalling, wiping the database, etc. and nothing helped, the problem would always rear its ugly head after 1-2 weeks. The final straw came last night when it scheduled some show on MTV titled "Hotlanta" for my daughter's Favorite of Scooby-Doo. Only 5 out of my 23 Favorites were working correctly at that point. I am using DirecTV, so cable users may not have these problems with MCE2005. Now I am back with Sage, trying to decide if I should go the HD DirecTivo route or use Sage + some HDTV card other than the ATI piece of crap. If only Sage supported the Fusion or MyHD card... Also in my time away from Sage it appears the newer versions have terrible stuttering with my NVidia card (but works fine on my ATI) which used to work perfectly. Sometimes I just feel like giving up!

[Opus4]

SHS's point was that they were gone for most of last week to be at CES, CES has just finished recently, and they are probably still just getting back to the office, unpacking, and trying to catch up with everything from last week. I'm hoping there will be a few more answers on where things are headed later this week, but I don't really know the timeline for making any announcements.

There was some info regarding the linux box in those CES pics that glbrown posted (and other threads), along with a little about the extender/MVP and a pic of the updated OSD. Other info available is that the Linux support is an addition to the Windows product, not a replacement, and that v3 will be a free upgrade (as usual so far) for current customers. I would guess that with the MVP having "official' support coming, it will be able to be integrated a little more closely than the current plugin, but that is just my guess.

- Andy

[mayamaniac]

Originally Posted by r00st3r

I wasn't here to promote MCE or defend it, just telling you what I did with it and what was avail. The main purpose of this thread was to get the input of the forum users and If I am alone in feeling that Frey's focus is getting less and less about end users and more about the OEM's...

Its been just a few days since the SageTV 3.0 announcement at CES, so just calm down. If they dont give us more details in a few months, then you can start bitching and whining all you want.

[sixdoubleo]

I think it's time for a reality check. Unlike the members of this forum, the lives of the Frey team do not revolve around this piece of PVR software.

Chill out dudes, it's gonna be OK... I'm sure nobody is abandoning anybody.

[GbrNole]

Originally Posted by sixdoubleo

I think it's time for a reality check. Unlike the members of this forum, the lives of the Frey team do not revolve around this piece of PVR software.

huh? it's their income!!!!!

[sixdoubleo]

Originally Posted by GbrNole

huh? it's their income!!!!!

Exactly, my man. Which is why we as users should not be taking SageTV more seriously than the people who's livelihoods depend on it.

I'm sure official word on features, intentions and direction are forthcoming.

Then again, I was happy with Sage 1.4