Using the Hauppauge MediaMVP with SageTV v4.1 & later

[Opus4]

There seems to be some question regarding how to use the Hauppauge MediaMVP with SageTV v4.1's built-in support for it as a SageTV Media Extender. Some answers:


v4.1 includes built-in support for using the MVP as an extender. This means that you do not have to install any software other than SageTV to use your MVP; it is there when you install v4.1. (The MVP connects to SageTV, not SageTV Client.)


Please see the v4.1 manual, which you will find in your SageTV directory or you can download it from the Downloads page (http://www.sage.tv/download.html). Instructions for setting up SageTV and the MVP can be found in Appendix M, starting on p. 248. Essentially: enable the Media Extender Server in Detailed Setup -> Advanced, and plug your MVP into your TV, your nework, and a power socket (probably in that order).

That section of the manual also lists what media can be played.


If you already own an MVP, you can simply purchase an MVP Client license. If you don't own an MVP, you can order an MVP + license bundle, if you wish. Each MVP concurrently in use requires a license.


You can use any STV on the MVP, just like on a PC installation of SageTV. What you see on your TV would be the same interface as if you had the TV connected to a PC running SageTV.


For those of you who like smooth FF/REW... you can do that on the MVP. :)


A post containing info about configuring the built-in Windows firewall to open the ports needed for the MVP can be found here.

I hope that helps. :)

Troubleshooting tips:

For some problems with an nForce chipset mb network controller, you can:If you go into the properties for the nForce networking controller, you can change the "checksum offload" in the Advanced Tab, from enable to disable.

That'll fix the problem. Works on my main MSI K7N2 and also the ASUS K8N-E deluxe :jump:


Update: See the v4.1.4 beta for PAL & static IP address support.


- Andy

[Lucas]

Andy,

Quick answers needed to questions relevant to European (PAL) users.
Are the European versions of the MVP supported?

Is it possible to order an MVP bundle with a SCART equipped MVP?

Thanks

[Opus4]

No, PAL is not yet supported for the MVP and SageTV does not sell a SCART version.

Edit: PAL is now supported; see the first post, above.

- Andy

[dertb]

What real benifits do i get from upgrading. Do i get AVI support, DVIX support? I understand that the MVP does not have AC3 support and can live with out playing dvds. I already have mutliple stv's running on my MVP's. I already have mpeg'S running on the MVP. I already have MP3's working. As for the speed it is totaly accepitable. What is the bottem line do we get the support for other files? I really can not see paying for the extra licsenses unless I get some thing I dont already have.

[Opus4]

What real benifits do i get from upgrading. Do i get AVI support, DVIX support?Not right now, but there may be such support in the future.

I already have mutliple stv's running on my MVP's. I already have mpeg'S running on the MVP. I already have MP3's working. As for the speed it is totaly accepitable.All I can say is that you should give it a try... you may think that slower menus & slower FF/REW response isn't bothersome, but once you give the built-in support a try, you may not want to go back. SageTV is essentially running on the MVP, not just displaying screens that were created by SageTV running on the PC that the MVP is connected to.

- Andy

[nigelhoward]

No, PAL is not yet supported for the MVP and SageTV does not sell a SCART version.

- Andy

In which ways is the European Hauppauge MVP different to the USA version that makes the EU one as yet unsupported?

N.

[Opus4]

In which ways is the European Hauppauge MVP different to the USA version that makes the EU one as yet unsupported?As I posted above: the lack of PAL support at the moment.

- Andy

[nigelhoward]

Sorry, I read your post but worded my question poorly. If I have an MVP that supports Secam/PAL what is it about the software that makes it unsupported.

Is it that the Sage software sets the picture format to NTSC at the server end?

Thanks,

N.

[Alfiegerner]

No, PAL is not yet supported for the MVP and SageTV does not sell a SCART version.

- Andy

Can you confirm or clarify this for us? I was planning to get a PAL MVP with a scart as advertised here (http://www.hauppauge.co.uk/pages/products/data_mediamvp.html), not from the Sage Online Shop but from elsewhere.

So if I was to get a PAL supported MVP would the sage software work?

[Opus4]

:confused: :confused:

I guess I'll try confirming what I posted twice above: PAL is not yet supported for the MVP, so it lacks PAL support at the moment. Finally: sorry, but I don't know when SageTV might support PAL for the MVP.

- Andy

[Alfiegerner]

Sorry for the confusion. I think there may be a misunderstanding here. Bear with me just a minute:

Are you saying that the MVP unit does not currently support PAL, irrespective of whether Sage software does or not?

This is how I interpreted your previous post and this:
PAL is not yet supported for the MVP, so it lacks PAL support at the moment That's why I posted that link from Hauppauge UK (http://www.hauppauge.co.uk/pages/products/data_mediamvp.html) describing the European MVP which specifically does support PAL. This unit is designed for PAL land with a scart output.

Or are you saying you that even though there are MVP units that support PAL, that the Sage Software MVP support does not extend to PAL units?

Me's confused too. :confused: :confused: Sorry if I'm being dense about this ...

[Opus4]

I couldn't figure out what I was missing... I mean this one:Or are you saying you that even though there are MVP units that support PAL, that the Sage Software MVP support does not extend to PAL units?Obviously, there is a PAL version of the MVP, but this discussion is about SageTV's new built-in support for the MVP, which does not yet extend to the PAL version. For now, you could look into Matt's MVP plugin.

- Andy

[redman]

So will the offer to transfer a license from a client to a MVP one, still be offered to those that use PAL? Or should I ditch my client license now, and hope a PAL version comes out?

[Opus4]

You'll have to contact SageTV w/that question.

- Andy

[Alfiegerner]

Phew! Thanks Andy, I knew we'd get there in the end. Okay here's to hoping we have a PAL MVP Sage release soon. :D

[mayamaniac]

How is this MVP native support for SageTV 4.13 different from Matt's plugin? You said the native support runs on the MVP, how is it doing it faster than Matt's version?

And about the licensing, I already own an MVP and 2 Client licenses, do I need to purchase a separate MVP license or can I use the existing client licenses I already own? Basically, are there any differences between regular client licenses versus MVP licenses?

EDIT: nevermind, just read the 4.1 accouncement and it answered the licensing questions. This could be costly for people with mulitple MVPs, now they have to pay for individual licenses for each MVP. I suggest SageTV offer a volume license discount, such as 3 licenses for $70 or 5 for $100.

[Opus4]

How is this MVP native support for SageTV 4.13 different from Matt's plugin? You said the native support runs on the MVP, how is it doing it faster than Matt's version?Because using the plugin, everything (except video decoding) was drawn on the PC & copied to the MVP... the MVP draws things iteself now. In addition to what I said in the first post of this thread:

cpu requirements

other formats in testing

Impressed with MVP!

Uses hardware UI rendering

- Andy

[Opus4]

Okay here's to hoping we have a PAL MVP Sage release soon.For all of you asking about PAL on an MVP, be sure not to miss the v4.1.4 beta for PAL (and static IP address) support. Please post your results in that thread & file bug reports for any problems. :)

- Andy

[Alfiegerner]

WoW that was quick! I'll have to wait until after Xmas for my MVP to arrive now but I'll let you know how I get on with the PAL support.

[Alfiegerner]

Okay I couldn't hold out any longer. :jump:

Yesterday I grabbed myself a PAL MVP and got it all loaded up last night. Totally chuffed with the result: for about 45GBP I have a Sage TV Client with much better picture quality than I've been able to get using the s-video out on an nvidia FX5600. :thumb:

My only gripe would be that the UI can be a little slow particularly in the TV Guide section... That maybe just something in my setup though. Would a large channel count and EPG slow down the MVP? I might experiment wth fewer channels tonight.

All in all though, top notch work Sage :goodjob:

[mayamaniac]

Just got it setup. At first it didn't work, just got stuck at the Loading Applications screen. Then I noticed I had a USB ethernet adapter connected to the server along with the Gigabit NIC. So I yanked out the USB ethernet, which wasn't being used anyway, and the MVP loaded the SageTV interface. So I'm not sure what the 2nd ethernet adapter was doing to SageTV, but I guess SageTV didn't like it. I didn't have to disable the "checksum offloading" either.

Overall, very little problems with the MVP extender for the 2 hours I played with it. Picture quality is better and brighter than Matt's plugin, which is always a bit dark for whatever reason. The FF/RW works differently than normal SageTV, but no big deal. I'm sure its configurable. Menu response is a bit better than matt's plugin, but its not instant either. And no fadings when switching menus. These are tiny quirks with the MVP extender. Overall its working really well for me.

The word TRIAL floats around the screen is not as annoying as people make it sound. I think it's a bit too much making them pop up everywhere, having it just sit in the corner would've been just fine. But it doesn't bother me. Now I'm waiting for my MVP license. :)

[Alfiegerner]

I've got a question about the mvp .property file. Is there somewhere I can see what things are set in there and what the possibilities are?

Also, it possible to make fast forward and rewind skip like normal Sage TV rather than the smooth scrolling? If it is, what would I need to change in which .property file.

[Opus4]

I've got a question about the mvp .property file. Is there somewhere I can see what things are set in there and what the possibilities are?The properties file for each MVP is in the clients subdirectory, under the SageTV dir. I believe it just saves the properties that have been changed from what is in sage.properties.

Also, it possible to make fast forward and rewind skip like normal Sage TV rather than the smooth scrolling? If it is, what would I need to change in which .property file.See this question; just change your options in Detailed Setup while using the MVP.

- Andy

[Alfiegerner]

Thanks Opus4, just what I was looking for.

[dex1]

This post should be in several different threads on the forum because it seems people have a problem with paying for the client licenses. As far as paying $30 for an MVP client license, or for any of the client licenses, it is a bargain!

If we had to put a CPU/OS/Graphics card and drive next to each TV it would cost a heck of a lot more, take up a bunch of space and have poorer output quality.

The lifetime subscription to TiVo is what? $200 more than a Sage client?

We already have an MVP so yes we could use the clunky UI from that, but for $30 we will get all the functionality of Sage now and in the future!

People don't think twice about paying $200 for a graphics card or $140 for a 300gb drive to store all this stuff but then balk at the one thing that ties it all seamlessly together?

Plus, as I understand the license, it is a concurrent license. So even if you have 5 MVPs but only use 2 at any one time then you only need two client licenses. For everything that Sage brings to our lives don't you think it's worth paying them something??

Also, these are LIFETIME licenses and Sage just keeps getting better and better. We bought a server, 2 clients and a Sage Recorder license way back at V2.x and use it every day (well, except for the Sage recorder license). Whereas I have to pay every year to renew my virus scanner.

The license structure is great the way it is. The only changes I would be thrilled to see would be the capability to buy a license pack of X number of concurrent clients no matter which device they were running on. Oh, and I would like to see the ability to turn off one client and have another client be able to use the license without having to reboot the server so I could move from my main computer to a little used one in the garage more easily.

As someone suggested, a 5 pack of universal Sage concurrent clients for $100 would be great, so maybe you don't use two of those right away, but in a year when that 4th license will let you have full Sage capability on your PDA screen while on vacation in the mountains it will be money well spent. Or when a friend comes to stay for a week and they can just use one of the available licenses while they are there. You get the idea.

Anyway, my .03 is that $30 is a small price to pay for the usage we will get out of that license over the next xx years... long after we have had to pay a lot more to replace the hardware it's running on.

[Steerpike]

Is there any chance that CC support (Closed Caption support) is going to be available in the Media Extender?

[dagar]

Probably about the same time as the PVR500/150 is supported :jump:

Bad, bad Dagar with naughty sarcasm :rofl:

[ke6guj]

Probably about the same time as the PVR500/150 is supported :jump:

Bad, bad Dagar with naughty sarcasm :rofl:

Well, in another post, SHS posted thisHauppauge is also writing CC support directly into it's drivers for the 150/500 series to

[dagar]

awesome news :D guess I better STF some more http://www.linuxbench.org/Posting.html


Update:

Ah, this thread :D
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?p=144124&postcount=21

[steingra]

Is there a graphic that explains what each button on the MediaMVP remote control is used for, when used with the SageTV software. Most of them are obvious, but not all of them.

Thanks

[Opus4]

It should be the same as what is shown in the SageTV manual, in one of the appendices.

- Andy

[Deacon Crusher]

Just started trying to get this to work.

Using 4.11

If I turn on the two mediamvp services my mvp gets connected immediately.

If I turn them off and turn on the sage stuff, my media mvp gets an address from dhcp server and then just looks for a server, gives up and repeats.

While reading threads I see some odd things. My setup doesn't have a clients directory, should it? What should create that?

Followed the appendix m instructions to the letter. Placeshifting client is also turned on and tests okay, but haven't actually tried a remote client.

Do I need to install a test license or some such?

Thanks

[MrApollinax]

What router are you using? The DGL series routers from D-Link have had a problem interoperating with the SageTV MediaMVP implementation. A new mvp.bin with a workaround for this issue will probably be released with the next beta or be posted to this forum when it is ready.

[Deacon Crusher]

Actually, I have a linksys.

Seems like I've resolved the problem. Not sure what did it.

Turned off windows firewall and although there was an exception in it for the sage client service that may have helped. Also, disabled some vmware nics. Also, reset the gateway IP in the sage.properties (it was wrong.) Also, reset the advanced properties (turned them (server and media extender) off and back on. Then one more reboot. And had left the mediamvp unplugged for over an hour while doing those changes and eating dinner. Now it's working, but due to shotgun approach to troubleshooting not sure which one did it.

What ports should be left open in a personal firewall to let mediaextender and the placeshifting client get in?

Also, I didn't appear to have any overscan when using the happuage client, but now with the sage client (which is awesome by the way) I do have some overscan. How do I adjust that?

Thanks

[Opus4]

What ports should be left open in a personal firewall to let mediaextender and the placeshifting client get in?For now, that info is in this FAQ entry.

- Andy

[Deacon Crusher]

thanks, that's just what I needed. Sorry didn't find it with a search.

Now how about the overscan issue? I already bought an extender license as this works to well to live without <g> but I'm loosing the left side of the screen (maybe .25 inches.)

Again, when using mediamvp normal drivers I had no overscan issue.

Thanks

[Opus4]

If you mean video playback, I don't believe there is any video overscan control. If you mean the UI, see Detailed Setup -> Multimedia -> Overscan Settings to adjust the positioning/size of the UI.

- Andy

[Deacon Crusher]

hmmm, problem was definately happening in the gui and thought it was happening with video also. I'll test some more tonight.

Thanks

[johnnyspo]

Hello all.

I just connected my MVP last night (running 4.1.12 - not yet updated to .14). Added the MVP license to Sage. MVP connected fine to the server, but I get some red text splattered on the screen saying this is a 7 day trial. I try to play imported videos, and I get a black screen and the word "Trail" bouncing around the screen like a screensaver.

Any ideas?

[Opus4]

Make sure you have exited SageTV completely before running the program to add the extender license on the server.

- Andy

[MonkeyJoe]

When I go to the Detailed Setup -> Advanced menu, I don't see the "Media Extender Server" option in that list. I've already entered in a license for my MediaMVP. I've gone back to the standard STV, I've enabled and disabled the SageTV server, I've stopped and restarted the service. This is all to no avail. I have had no trouble using my client on my laptop to connect to the server. Just like the picture in the manual, there is no "Media Extender Server" option available. Is there something obvious I'm missing here?

**Update** I just needed to install newest beta, and voila, it works like a charm. **Update**


Joe

[johnnyspo]

Make sure you have exited SageTV completely before running the program to add the extender license on the server.

- Andy


That's the ticket! Thanks Andy.

--John

[kavel]

Yesterday, I bought a media extender license to get my two MediaMVPs to work with SageTV 4.1 (I have been using Matt's extender before, but wanted to give the built-in support a try). These two MVPs are in two different rooms, connected to two different TVs that we never use at the same time. Therefore, I went ahead and bought a single license, thinking there would be a way to have both my MVPs working (non-concurrently) with a single license as advertised. However, there is no way to signal the SageTV server that you're not using one of the MVPs (using in my universe means actually watching something through it, not just having it plugged in) short of pulling the power plug off the MVP (at least none that I could find). Shouldn't hitting the green button on an MVP and putting it in "stand-by" let the other one to be used? In my case, doing this gets the other MVP to run in the trial mode. Please tell me there is a way to get this arrangement to work... Otherwise, I will have to go back to Matt's MVP client, and end-up with a useless license key that I paid good money for :bang:

Kavel

[Opus4]

The power-off button on the remote should turn the MVP off and release the license for use by another extender.

What SageTV version are you using? You can see the version number on the System Information screen. You should try the latest beta (v4.1.14) if you aren't running it already.

- Andy

[kavel]

Thank you very much for the tip. With the newest beta, it works like a charm. I'm a happy camper now :D The boot-up time is slightly annoying, but I can live with that...

Kavel

[Opus4]

The boot-up time is slightly annoying, but I can live with that...But, with this latest version, the bootup time should only occur when you are turning the MVP on for the first time, after unplugging it. After that, you just use the power button on the remote to turn it off & on, and it should wake much faster because the power off is no longer a complete shutdown. My MVP now wakes up before the TV turns completely on.

- Andy

[roxy99]

Can I cut to the chase and ask some possibly dumb questions:

Does the Haupauge MVP essentially act as a Sage Client thereby not needing a second PC to run Sage off of 2 TV's?

I have 1 RPTV hooked up to my PC running Sage. All I have to do now is enable the server mode on that PC and hook up my MVP via LAN to my second TV and I have 2 TVs running Sage? Does my main TV (the RPTV) hooked up to the server continue to function both as client and server to the MVP?

Where do I install the MVP Client license?

Please excuse the newbie type questions, I realize that the answer is burried somewhere in the forum.

[Opus4]

I realize that the answer is burried somewhere in the forum.Actually, it is buried in the PDF manual on your hard drive. ;) BTW: you can now access the manual via Setup -> Help -> View the Manual. See Appendix M, starting on p. 255 for v5.02.

It tells how to enter the license & should mention that it acts as a full client w/no 2nd PC needed. Your server continues to work as it always has.

- Andy

[roxy99]

Actually, it is buried in the PDF manual on your hard drive. ;) BTW: you can now access the manual via Setup -> Help -> View the Manual. See Appendix M, starting on p. 255 for v5.02.

It tells how to enter the license & should mention that it acts as a full client w/no 2nd PC needed. Your server continues to work as it always has.

- Andy

Dohh :eek: Need new glasses:cool: Ony thing is I am on Version 4.1 still.
Thanks for the hand holding Andy

Edit: Okay upgrade to 5.0.2. Now just waiting for my Haupauge Extender and PVR 500 capture card to arrive. I will post my results.

[garyellis]

OK...I just bought and installed my MVP (decided on the wired version - because my TV doesn't move, why do I need wireless... :D )....Anyway. it was a very easy install and works just fine. However, I quickly realized I had a problem with movies using AC3. Then I proceeded to the forums to look for a solution.. I saw lots of questions, but couldn't find a solution. Is the only current option to convert my movies from AC3? or is there another solution or anything else?..I really don't want to convert the movies, especially if MVP will have AC3 support one day.

As always.... Thanks,

Gary

[tidewater_boy]

I'm new to SageTV after five years with GBPVR. Downloaded trial STV version then purchased toward the end of a successful trial period. Successfully activated the program on my PC, but MediaMVP continues to show "trial period expired" despite resetting, power down and other quick fixes. Please help.

Otherwise I like the program very much. It's a nice, clean install compared with GBPVR, though I would like to see an internet (Shoutcast) plugin.

[sainswor99]

I'm new to SageTV after five years with GBPVR. Downloaded trial STV version then purchased toward the end of a successful trial period. Successfully activated the program on my PC, but MediaMVP continues to show "trial period expired" despite resetting, power down and other quick fixes. Please help.

Otherwise I like the program very much. It's a nice, clean install compared with GBPVR, though I would like to see an internet (Shoutcast) plugin.

Silly question, but did you purchase a MediaMVP or Placeshifter license?

[BobPhoenix]

Silly question, but did you purchase a MediaMVP or Placeshifter license?Aren't they one in the same thing? It is for me anyway.

[ke6guj]

Aren't they one in the same thing? It is for me anyway.

Yes, the extender and placeshifter licenses are the same thing. I think they may be sold separately for tracking purposes.


I think sains is asking if tidewater bought a extender/placeshifter license with his SageTV purchase.

tidewater, did you purchase an extender or placeshifter license along with your SageTV purchase (if you bought the mvp from Sage, they should ahve included an extender license). If so, you need to register the license on the server to get rid of the trial message. If not, you need to purchase either http://store.sagetv.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SOS&Product_Code=STVPCL&Category_Code=SS or http://store.sagetv.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SOS&Product_Code=STVCM&Category_Code=SS and register the license on the server.

[tidewater_boy]

tidewater, did you purchase an extender or placeshifter license along with your SageTV purchase (if you bought the mvp from Sage, they should ahve included an extender license). If so, you need to register the license on the server to get rid of the trial message. If not, you need to purchase either http://store.sagetv.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SOS&Product_Code=STVPCL&Category_Code=SS or http://store.sagetv.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SOS&Product_Code=STVCM&Category_Code=SS and register the license on the server.

That did the job. Chalk this up to newbie confusion. I didn't realize a second license was needed. Many thanks for your quick and effective input!!

[ke6guj]

glad to see you got it working.

Now, with that mvp/extender license you bought, be aware that it is very flexable. You only need a license for an active mvp/extender connection. You can have multiple MVPs share 1 license by turning off any unused MVPs and only turning on the MVP that you want to actually use at the time. And if you had all your MVPs turned off, the license will be available for a placeshifter connection over the internet.

[wbarber69]

I've followed the instructions to the letter, but I don't think sage is creating the clients folder as necessary like its supposed to what can I do to help it along

[gplasky]

It's not going to create the clients folder until the MVP can connect. You need to troubleshoot your network issue. Do you have DHCP running to deliver an IP address to the MVP? Is it on the same subnetwork?

Gerry

[wbarber69]

It wasn't the network I had this problem before and had fixed it in the long long ago but recently I scrubbed the whole thing and started over, and had forgotten what I fixed all it took was tracking down an old old backup of a properties file and about an hour of looking for something that I could remember from so long ago it has been repaired by replacing settings in the properties files

miniserver/automvp=true
miniserver/clients=MVP/00\:0*\:2*\:0*\:9*\:0*\:ed/192.168.*.21*
miniserver/delay_between_connections=15000
miniserver/forced_server_ip=192.168.*.209
miniserver/gateway=192.168.*.1

of course the "*'s" are for my networks security