Private/Public Encoders - Suggestion

[sshapiro63]

Hey Folks,

I was thinking that being able to add restrictions on encoder access for SageClients would be a nice option. Perhaps a pool of Public Encoders could be used for viewing/recording by any clients but other encoders could be restricted to the local system or a specific client/list of clients.

For example, my SageTV system has 4 encoders installed. This system hooks directly into my tv set. I would like to dedicate a decoder for use only by the local system so that I can always watch tv without impacting any clients. I would like to make the 3 remaining encoders available for client use for viewing, or client and local system use for recording.

Can this be done now?

Thanks,

Steve

[dkardatzke]

I don't believe this can even be an option with the Client/Server version of SageTV because the clients aren't doing any recording so therefore you can't specify dedicated encoders to a specific client.

The only way you could do this, is by installing 4 separate clients and specifying an encoder for each one across the network.

What's your concern that raised the question? As the Client exists today, each client could essentially be watching the same show at differents points in the show at the same time.

[Lester Jacobs]

Originally posted by dkardatzke
...What's your concern that raised the question? As the Client exists today, each client could essentially be watching the same show at differents points in the show at the same time.

I don't know if this was Steve's concern, but here's mine. Suppose I have 3 encoders and two clients. I can see a problematic scenario:

I can have three simutaneous people watching TV at the same time (the two clients plus the main SageTV server). Now suppose I have a favorite that begins recording and further suppose that none of the three people want to watch the favorite but instead each person wants to watch a unique channel. This is obviously impossible since one encoder is dedicated to recording leaving me only two encoders and three people for the duration of the recording. As I understand the client behaviour currently, any one of the clients or the main server can hijack the encoder that's currently recording since SageTV will graciously ask them if they want to change the channel and stop the recording. I'd like to be able to restrict clients from being able to stop recordings.

Here's what I'd like to prevent clients from doing:
1) Hijacking encoders in order to watch a different channel when all encoders are otherwise engaged recording favorites and/or manual recordings.
2)Hijacking the encoder currently being used for watching "live" tv on the main SageTV server in order to watch a different channel on the client.

Cheers
Lester

[sshapiro63]

I think setting limits on encoder access is really needed. I don't want clients preventing my main system, which is running SageTV, from viewing/recording anything. I essentially want to make sure that the user of the SageTV box on the local display has the ability to view/record at any time. Clients should have access to a subset of resources if I want to put limits in place. I don't want a 15 year old kid on his pc in his bedroom taking an encoder away from me when I am sitting at the main tv in the house or expecting a recording to occur.

Maybe certain encoders can be limited to use by requests coming from certain IP addresses or computer names?

Steve

[Narflex]

I understand what you guys are looking for. Don't worry, it's on the list of planned features. Later we'll allow you to setup different logins for different clients with different permission/priorities, etc.

[sshapiro63]

Is there anything you guys have not thought of yet? Hmm, how do you answer that question,,,