Greetings from a noob

[Gunserotti]

noob (plural noobs)
(Internet slang, pejorative) A newb or newbie; refers to the idea that someone is new to a game, concept, or idea; implying a lack of experience. Also, in some areas the word noob can mean someone is obsessed with things.  [quotations ▼]

How's that by way of introduction. I am completely new to the SageTV concept and the SageTV HD300. I do however own a PCH A200 so I have some experience with media streamers. I just purchased a SageTV HD300 and my goal is to use it in extender mode.


I have the following hardware:

1. HP EX490 WHS with an upgraded CPU (e6500) and 4gb ram
2. The HD300 is currently in transit

I have read the wiki and Damian's blog on how to setup the SMM plugin. In anticipation of the arrival of my HD300 I have installed: 1) SageTV 7 software and 2) the SMM plugin on my HP WHS (using Damian's guide). I also installed 3) the My Movies Collection Management Software (MMCM) on my HP WHS. So all three programs (SageTV 7, SMM, and MMCM) are installed on my HP WHS.

But here is where I get confused. I don't understand the relationship between MMCM and SMM? For example, after I install MCMM do I need to make any setting changes for it to work with SMM? If so, is there a guide to configuring MMCM to work with SMM? Or does MCMM just sit in the system tray and all "setting" are controlled by the SMM plugin?

I think I'll stop here. I have many more questions but this is a start. Thanks

[PLUCKYHD]

First you need to add your movies to the collection manager. Since you have WHS i would recommend installing the WHS version of collection manager on your WHS and then install the collection manager as a client to manage the collection an another laptop/pc in your house. The collection manager is used to add you folders/movies and configure monitoring so on and so fourth.

SMM ties in that it reads the MyMovies database created and used by the collection manager.

[wrems]

Sounds like you're in good shape. Now the time consuming part kicks in. Like Plucky said, you have to add your movies to the collection manager. Make sure you set up your import paths in Sage and the folder monitoring paths as UNC paths and they have to be exactly the same. MM should automatically find most of your titles, then you'll probably have to go back and refine it manually a bit.

Good luck!

[matt91]

Make sure you set up your import paths in Sage and the folder monitoring paths as UNC paths and they have to be exactly the same.

They don't have to be UNC paths, they just have to match whatever sages uses. I have mine setup as mapped drives in Sage and My Movies, and it works fine.

[Gunserotti]

Since you have WHS i would recommend installing the WHS version of collection manager

When I browse the "My Movies" site>>collection management software. This is the file I installed:

My Movies 3.19 Pre Release 3 can be used as client for My Movies for Windows Home Server 1.6.1.4 Pre Release.

I installed the file by RDP'ing into my WHS. When the program is installed I can manage my movies without problem and the SMM plugin seems to recognize this (i.e. The SMM plugin uses the information from MMCM). So I'm not sure why I need to install the MMCM program as a client from another computer? Isn't this sufficient?

I'm prolly missing something here. I'm smarter on paper....

Sounds like you're in good shape
Thanks....but I think I could stand to lose a few pounds :)

[PLUCKYHD]

YOu shouldn't have had to rdp into WHS to install it. The whs version installs in from the WHS dashboard or whatever they call that thing(console).

you want the collection manager on a client pc to edit wrong data the whs version doesn't allow this. but if you put the normal version on the whs it does.

[gplasky]

I installed the file by RDP'ing into my WHS. When the program is installed I can manage my movies without problem and the SMM plugin seems to recognize this (i.e. The SMM plugin uses the information from MMCM). So I'm not sure why I need to install the MMCM program as a client from another computer? Isn't this sufficient?


YOu shouldn't have had to rdp into WHS to install it. The whs version installs in from the WHS dashboard or whatever they call that thing(console).

you want the collection manager on a client pc to edit wrong data the whs version doesn't allow this. but if you put the normal version on the whs it does.

You have installed it incorrectly. It's an add-in so you need to copy the .msi to the add-in folder and install it thru the WHS console.

And because you actually installed it you'll need to uninstall the My Movies component and all the SQL install thru the Control panel. Delete the directories those programs created if they're still there. Reboot and then install it as an add-in. ANd be patient and wait for the messages to be returned that everything including SQL has been installed.

And then on another PC install the Collection Managemnt software from a different download so you can manage the My Movies.

Gerry

[wrems]

They don't have to be UNC paths, they just have to match whatever sages uses. I have mine setup as mapped drives in Sage and My Movies, and it works fine.

hmm.... I thought they did. Regardless, UNC paths are easier imo. Definitely nice to know that it's not a requirement.:)

[Gunserotti]

You have installed it incorrectly. It's an add-in so you need to copy the .msi to the add-in folder and install it thru the WHS console.

And because you actually installed it you'll need to uninstall the My Movies component and all the SQL install thru the Control panel. Delete the directories those programs created if they're still there. Reboot and then install it as an add-in. ANd be patient and wait for the messages to be returned that everything including SQL has been installed.

And then on another PC install the Collection Managemnt software from a different download so you can manage the My Movies.

Gerry

OK thanks...I will take your advice...if only because I like your icon so much :)

It's just that "currently" everything "appears" to be working properly (i.e The SageTV program and SMM plugin seem to be working fine with my videos correctly being populated by the SMM plugin). However, I get the sense that for this to work properly with my forthcoming HD300 I better perform the setup in the manner you described.

[Gunserotti]

Update: In case this changes anything I cant find the installers: *.msi file for the collection management program?

According to the website:
There is only one installer available, which covers both X86 and X64 installations, as well as Server, Client or Standalone environments.

This is a *.exe file.

I guess you were talking about installing the "My Movies" WHS version which is a *.msi file! I guess this "full" version is more complete than just the isolated MM collection management software.

[gplasky]

Correct. If you are running Sage on your WHS then you need my Movie for WHS. The Collection Manager install goes on a different PC. Are you running Sage on your WHS?

Gerry

[SomeWhatLost]

They don't have to be UNC paths, they just have to match whatever sages uses. I have mine setup as mapped drives in Sage and My Movies, and it works fine.

but UNC, at least for me, always work so much better...
mapped drives don't always work too well if you are not currently 'logged in' and a severer generally just sits there without anyone being 'logged in'

note: I am not saying mapped drives wont work... just if you are starting from scratch why not just do UNC? they always seem to just work better

[Gunserotti]

Gplasky,

Did as you suggested and aside from some initial difficulty fully uninstalling MY Movies (MM), I now appear to have everything re-installed correctly.

Specfically I re-installed SageTV 7 and "My Movies for WHS" via the console. I had previously installed the SMM plugin. When I RDP into my WHS the SMM plugin is still present and "working."

My only concern now, is that the WIKI states the dbase should be located:

For WHS it's at: \\server\Shares\My Movies\FileStorage

However the database that has been produced is located at: \\server\My Movies\FileStorage (in other words it is outside the Shares directory). In fact it is located at the root of the D: drive

Otherwise I think I'm closer to understanding how all this works. Lucky for me, being a Mac user that I have a dual boot laptop with MS Vista on the other partition, as such I was able to install MMCM (client) and thus I will be able to periodically manage the MM database. I also note that there is a MMCM app for the IPad which also might confer the same functionality.

[gplasky]

The wiki is slightly off. It's actually D:\My Movie\Filestorage (It's also shared as MyMoviesFileStorage$)
There is another directory for My Movies located at:
D:\shares\Software\My Movies or
\\Server\Software\My Movies
Which is where database backups, audio CD encoders and Media Center metadata connector resides.

Sounds like you got a handle on this.

Gerry

[Brent94Z]

You didn't mention if you have all your movies input into Collection Management or how large your collection is. If you have a large collection and don't have all the movies input yet, you'll find a $20 barcode scanner from eBay to be well worth the money :D

[PLUCKYHD]

You didn't mention if you have all your movies input into Collection Management or how large your collection is. If you have a large collection and don't have all the movies input yet, you'll find a $20 barcode scanner from eBay to be well worth the money :D

Of your iphone if you have one ;)

[Brent94Z]

Of your iphone if you have one ;)

Yes, that works too :D But, I've played with the these "barcode scanners" on both the iPhone and Android devices and, at least for me, it is quicker to just type the damn thing in by the time you mess with trying to get the right angle and waiting for it to focus correctly :D With a real barcode scanner, I could put movies in the database damn near as fast as I could pick them up... try doing that with your iPhone gizmo. :p LOL

[Gunserotti]

Besides reading the manual any hints for setting up the HD300 for the first time? It arrives tomorrow.

I think I have everything setup on the server side. I'm hoping for great things. If you find an A200 on eBay tomorrow night it means everything went well.

:corn:

[SomeWhatLost]

nothing to it really...
it will step you through the things it needs setting up the first time... all simple yes/no/english/etc type questions...

then it will dump you into the 'stand alone' menu, from there you go over to the system icon and then to update, in the update menu type beta (2283 I think on the remote # pad? I would have to look) to get the latest & greatest Firmware...
note pretty much everything you have done up to this point really only effects stand alone mode... well, firmware update effects everything, since its firmware... but other than that its all stand alone...
then when that is done go back to the main stand alone menu and click on the server icon, your SagetTV server should be already listed there, select it, and click the 'auto connect at startup' check box...

once the hdx00 connects to the server you will have to do all the same yes/no/english/etc type questions again... this time they really matter... this time they are for extender mode...:):goodjob:

[Gunserotti]

WOW!!!! That's all I can say coming from an A200.

Thanks to all that helped with my setup. It appears to be working great.

The SMM plugin is totally wicked! I'm in love with genre view. So many features I haven't tried yet.

I guess now I should watch a movie and make sure the thing actually works.

[SomeWhatLost]

why? how is it different? better? worse?
more info would be nice... mostly just curious...

[Gunserotti]

why? how is it different? better? worse?
more info would be nice... mostly just curious...

For my file needs, which are bd folder and DVD video_ts rips, both the a200 and the hd300 play them well. The hd300 is much more elegant wrt playback control (ie pause rewind ff etc...) than the a200, which has well described issues. The bdlite menu on the hd300 is several magnitudes better than the a200, which doesn't consistently work well with bd folder rips. I also had a networking problem with the a200, which actually led me to purchase the hd300, which thus far has worked perfectly. In terms of ui the a200 Has several weaknesses, which they recognize and have attempted to improve with the addition of their new jukebox. However it has a long way to go before it is fully functional and attractive. I think with all the new boxes out with emphasis on nice and elegant ui's that pch is going to be in trouble if they don't keep up. I was actually going to purchase a boxxee box, but the release had too many problems. This is where the hd300 excels...the ui is outstanding in extender mode! I have the diamond ui installed and still can't believe how great and fast it is! One of the features I love is having a movie playing in the background while browsing through the interface. I look forward to installing other ui's to change the look periodically. I also browsed the online content today and was quite pleased to see how functional it is. As far as I can tell the major drawback is that the initial learning curve is quite steep...I don't think the majority of the population are going to get this to run in extender mode right away...it requires effort to setup. Overall Im very pleased and with time and knowledge, future mod installs should get easier. I'm going to sell my a200 and get another hd300.