Is a minimal website programming interface in the pipeline, somewhere?

[jimbobuk]

With SageTV making the transition into a network based program I was wondering if there were any plans to get some form of internet server support... either interfacing with an external apache install or directly supporting a basic logon process that would then let me at work log onto my machine at home and look at what was being recorded, and be able to set programs recording etc... this would be a really really useful feature for me... and its a really kind of neat USP...

[bodgadle]

lol,

just replied to your previous suggestion with exactly the same suggestion as this one :)

yep, defo gets my vote this one.

[jimbobuk]

defo!??

This really would be cool but its a heck of a lot of work :) it'd just be nice to know something like it was on the horizon somewhere... even if its a helluva long way away... same goes for the EPG.. tho perhaps slightly less so....

[dkardatzke]

It's definitely on the horizon, Jeff and I will be discussing at what point on the horizon it will occur in the near future.

[justme]

It's definitely on the horizon
Cool, SageTV definitely needs this feature. This is one of the main things that SnapStream can currentlty say they have you beat on.:( I want everyone using Sage instead.:)

[dkardatzke]

I understand this is a "Cool" feature but is it really a deal-breaker? I'd like to understand what level of functionality you guys are looking for.

Do you just need something that allows you to see your recording schedule and add recordings? Do you have to be able to view more than a day's worth of Guide data? What if you used Zap2it.com to look up listings but were then able to tell your SageTV unit to record based on someting like time and show id?

Feedback is appreciated.
Dan

[grot]

That would be awesome, and a reasonably easy hack - just run your own pages that call the zap2it pages for the user and insert your own buttons. I believe that's how the titantv interfaces work as well.

[Hocky]

What I would like to see is an interface for an Ipaq. Not really a full blown EPG (though it would be nice) but just a way to schedule something for recording. So, you are watching normal TV and see something you would like to watch, but you might not be home from work. You pick up your ipac and schedule it to be recorded! If you get the web interface done, it would most likely work on the ipac or any other pocket PC with a network adapter.

[bodgadle]

Originally posted by dkardatzke
I understand this is a "Cool" feature but is it really a deal-breaker? I'd like to understand what level of functionality you guys are looking for.

Do you just need something that allows you to see your recording schedule and add recordings? Do you have to be able to view more than a day's worth of Guide data? What if you used Zap2it.com to look up listings but were then able to tell your SageTV unit to record based on someting like time and show id?

Feedback is appreciated.
Dan

Not really a "deal-breaker" since most of us are registered users anyway, but would give SageTV a massive thumbs up here.

Not looking for a full-blown website inside sageTV, just something we can go on and view the epg and set schedules in. doesnt have to be fancy, just that if, say we are at work and someone says that a cool program is on that nite, we can just www in and set it to record that program. Or perhaps we find out that one of our fave progs has been postponed tonite, we could go in and alter it.

oh just had a look at zap2it, probably great if you are in the US, but kinda leaves the rest of us high and dry :)

Thanks for listening guys :)

[jimbobuk]

yeah i was thinking that zapit would only cater for the US unfortunately...

Simple webbased EPG functionality and management would be great... Firstly the ability to record programs is a given... the ability to cancel intelligent recordings too... I still get the situation where i am losing some of my shows.. I've started to move must see stuff to the library.. for fear of losing it... so that 'd be enough i guess...

I guess getting an EPG interface working online could be an issue... you would definately one some good authentification.... and to be able to perhaps configure what functionality you would want to expose to the web incase it got tampered with... so y ou could be sure that no one could stop something you wanted to be recorded from being recorded.. or from removing things from your favourites...

Would some form of a java applet even work!?? then becoming a mini-client to the sage server that can only get guide info out...

Maybe even a primitive version could use an email address or something .. and you email your server to get listings... replying telling it what to do with that listing.. I dunno...

[justme]

Originally posted by dkardatzke
I understand this is a "Cool" feature but is it really a deal-breaker?

Definitely not a deal breaker for me, I like alot of people in this thread already own SageTV.

What I'm after is access to the EPG(one day ok, more better) to schedule recordings and change channels if no recording is taking place. ie My PocketPC(with WIFI) becomes a simple remote for SageTV. I would also like the ability to play(on the host computer, not PPC) any recording in the EPG/Library where ever.

A web client would be the easiest way to implement most people desires. It would be less secure than a local client, I guess. In my particular case a PPC client would solve all my personal desires, but I realize that a web client is what most people need. A web client would work great on my system(just a little roundabout), so I think this should be the first priority.

PS:Please try and keep Zap2it or TitanTv websites out of this solution. They are part of they reason I bought your software.

[rsesler]

For features
Simple viewing and setting recordings with access to an EPG.
I agree with the Snapstream reference. It is the one thing that keeps me going back to Snapstream in my evaluation (although I feel I will end up using both for the curiousity factor).

But for my ongoing requirement I think web access for setting and viewing recordings is in the category of "killer App".

[shodge]

Sounds like I may be a bit late with my opnion, but I think you heard it before.

WEB access IS needed. I really don't care at what level, (i.e. simple record this channel at this time for this long, or full EPG). I travel and it would be great to set things up remotely.

I can see that not everyone needs this, so I would propose another add on - SAGETVWEB.

Another approach would be to create a activeX component and let the community design the WEB server as they see fit. This may fit in with the future UI editor edition as another user supported add on system. I would perfer this as it opens up the software to more creativity and allows Jeff to concentrate on new hardware support (HDTV & etc...).

Its worth money to me.

-Stan

[pbarrette]

Hi all,

I'd suggest that it's not necessarily web access that is needed, but perhaps a full command-line interface. I, personally, don't run a web server at home, but I do use telnet to access my home computers from remote locations.

A fully functional command-line interface would allow people like me to remotely perform my Sage functions, and it would allow all of the pro-web people to build and completely customize their own web interfaces for whatever web server they happen to be using. This could be web integrated even better if the interface had a switch which would allow diretly dumping the output as HTML.

pb

[Sailn]

How about just a non-video version of the client. Then you could remote login, vpn, etc and do some type of recording control. The issue of security and internet access and connectivity then becomes an os problem and sage doesn't reinvent the wheel. As I see it, in my world, a single sage client should be able to run in the following states:

1) with or without video streaming
2) with or without connection the server (for local playback of video files)
3) with a selectable connection mode to the server (highspeed connection, slow wireless, internet, lan, smoke signals (which sould control 1)

[PGPfan]

Personally,

I've always thought that you could make some additional money by doing a web interface (or a part of it) like this:

You are sufing the net at your favorite sites which have 'banner' ads. However these ads are for upcoming TV shows. If one looks interesting, just click it and then Sage would schedule it to be recorded.

This seems like a win-win all the way around. The networks are happy because they see a return on their ad placement, the website owners are happy with more ad revenue, Sage adds a convienient new feature that nobody else has.

What do you think?


-PGPfan

[bodgadle]

Originally posted by Sailn
How about just a non-video version of the client. Then you could remote login, vpn, etc and do some type of recording control. The issue of security and internet access and connectivity then becomes an os problem and sage doesn't reinvent the wheel. As I see it, in my world, a single sage client should be able to run in the following states:

1) with or without video streaming
2) with or without connection the server (for local playback of video files)
3) with a selectable connection mode to the server (highspeed connection, slow wireless, internet, lan, smoke signals (which sould control 1)

I dont think that this is really the best solution. The whole point is that we want to access our epg & scheduling data remotley, so you could be anywhere and you certainly dont want to be downloading sage client or taking that around with you.

Hence the web interface :) Taht way just leave your pc with sage on and access it from wherever you want. Obviously its up to you to secure it :)

[ChrisDev]

Yes this is a deal breaker for me! (Hi everyone - newbie registered just to post this!)

I'm considering using Showshifter too and this has a web plugin available (http://www.iwg.nl/webshifter/). It's a very, very popular feature. Being able to schedule and alter recordings from anywhere in the world is a really key feature for me, and it's one I'm looking for on my HTPC.

PS. Starting an mp3 playing when you're at work and the wife/gf is at home really annoys them apparently! ;-)

[Sailn]

Originally posted by bodgadle
I dont think that this is really the best solution. The whole point is that we want to access our epg & scheduling data remotley, so you could be anywhere and you certainly dont want to be downloading sage client or taking that around with you.

Hence the web interface :) Taht way just leave your pc with sage on and access it from wherever you want. Obviously its up to you to secure it :)

Well I guess it depends on how you plan on using it. As I said, "in my world".
BTW, what is wrong with taking the client with you? The whole reason I wanted a remote access via the client is that I do take the client with me. The client resides on a laptop which travels with me. When at home, it runs as a client on my network.

If all you want is a command line interface, then that should be quite easy. BTW, if you did a non-video version of sage, couldn't you just connect via remote desktop and do everything that way?

[bodgadle]

Originally posted by Sailn
Well I guess it depends on how you plan on using it. As I said, "in my world".
BTW, what is wrong with taking the client with you? The whole reason I wanted a remote access via the client is that I do take the client with me. The client resides on a laptop which travels with me. When at home, it runs as a client on my network.

If all you want is a command line interface, then that should be quite easy. BTW, if you did a non-video version of sage, couldn't you just connect via remote desktop and do everything that way?

Ah but you're assuming everyone either

a) carries a laptop around with them :)

b) Is running on a windows machine capable of remote desktop connections

It would be much better with a web interface or a command line interface which you could write a web wrapper for since then you're totally platform independant on how you connect to it, and no ned to worry about the sage client on your laptop or finding a windows machine capable of remote desktop connections which again would cause problems with firewalls if you're at the office and forgot to set something to record!

[Sailn]

Originally posted by bodgadle
Ah but you're assuming everyone either

a) carries a laptop around with them :)

b) Is running on a windows machine capable of remote desktop connections

It would be much better with a web interface or a command line interface which you could write a web wrapper for since then you're totally platform independant on how you connect to it, and no ned to worry about the sage client on your laptop or finding a windows machine capable of remote desktop connections which again would cause problems with firewalls if you're at the office and forgot to set something to record!

No argument. :)

However, from a mainstream product standpoint, Joe Neck-bone isn't going to write anaything.

If the goal is to be able to record shows that have a sudden or unexpected time change, how quickly do you think the epg will get the change notice? Perhaps Jeff knows. The reason I ask is that the EPG update time within sage is adjustable, and I guess you could have it update every hour or so and be pretty sure you would catch the program changes assuming that the EPG service is on the ball.

BTW, I don't think you need a windows machine to remote desktop. As I recall you can also do it from a macintosh, anyway thats not the point. As sage is a java app. it should be portable to almost any platform which supports java, and if you connect via vpn you will have all the funtionality remotely (sans video) that you would at home. Besides, the development side is easy and basicly done. All that really needs to be done is allow the sage client to run without video.

In truth, both solutions will work and have merit. I think mine is easier to do now, however your solution (command line interface) may already exist in the upcomming sage studio. If the UI is going to be skinable and customizable, then a CLI is the way to go.:nod:

[Narflex]

What are people expecting in terms of connectivity?

1.Do they expect us to host a website they can access which then communicates with their SageTV system; thereby working with any SageTV system, regardless of whether or not its behind a firewall.

OR

2. Do you all just want a webserver that runs on the SageTV computer which is then accessible from anywhere via a web browser (as long as that PC is accessible from anywhere, i.e. you need a static IP or some kind of dynamic lookup IP lookup).

[bodgadle]

Hi Jeff,

Personally i'm looking for number 2, not looking to use a 3rd party website, just want to be able to access my sage on my own computer from anywhere in the world. Be it a windows machine or a pda, anything with a web browser :)

Either sage can implement a simple webserver or as someone else suggested let us be able to write our own webpages in php/asp/.net or whatever we want to be able to pass parameters into sage to retrieve and set schedule information.

[ChrisDev]

I hate to sound like an AOL user, but...me too! Option 2. Add the ability to access the box running Sage over a broadband link via a browser, so that I can use _any_ computer connected to the net. BTW, password protection and the ability to run on a port other than 80 would be nice too!

[shodge]

I already have a web server, so #2 is exactly what I need. (with the ability to specify the HTTP port so I can make it exist with other WEB server on my net....


-Stan

[rsesler]

Option 1 for me.
- Ryan

[trevorst]

I can live with either but option 2 would suit me best.

[fidget]

#1 could be done via integrating with Titan TV, but I would also prefer #2.

[Sailn]

Narflex, given the choice between 1 and 2 I would go for 2. No need for you to host a site. However, might there also be a way to allow the client to run with a lower speed connection (ala no video) and the remote desktop in?

[ron.smythe]

Narflex, sorray about this but I would like to be able to secure the webserver using https aswell.

[pbarrette]

Hi Narflex,

Honestly, I think the best option would be complete command-line support using STDIO calls with the ability to output in HTML format if desired. So it's almost like Option #2, but people can choose whether they wish to implement a web server on top of that functionality or not.

Personally, I use telnet or SSH to connect to my home system. This allows me to secure my system in the manner I choose, yet still have complete control over my home system.

An integrated web server sounds good when you read it in the forums, but there are at least a few problems with the implementation:
1) Doesn't help those who do not wish to (or cannot) use a web server at home.
2) Eats away at those precious CPU cycles for the true "Set top box" fans like myself.
3) Do you really want to be responsible for contstant web server security patches?

If you had total command-line control, it would only be a matter of days before someone posted a link to a complete web interface. If third party web support scares you, you could always create your own CGI's and interface pages and distribute those.

On the other hand, if you just created web support, then what happens when one user is already using Apache, another using IIS4, yet another already using IIS5, still another using... It goes on forever.

Shodge already noted this fact and, in anticipation of problems, requested a variable port number. But your work site, or the internet cafe you happen to be in, may not allow access to non-standard ports.

With a command-line driven interface, it would be a simple drop-in for anyone who can manage to set up their own web server. All of the security issues would be handled by the user's web server of choice, and those lone telnet users (me) would be happy too.

pb

[videogeek]

I am using Tivo Web Project (http://tivo.lightn.org/) with my Tivo

I can use Tivo Web to browse the channel guide, perform searches, schedule and delete recordings, rename recordings, etc. from any Web browser

I believe this is what people are looking for ;)

[Narflex]

Cool.

I think we're all on the same wavelength here. :)

I would much rather NOT integate a webserver into SageTV. I would much rather each person have the flexibility to set this up themselves.

I added a schedule export feature to 1.4.7. That'll allow you setup a webserver and then view the "Recording Schedule" for SageTV with it. SageTV just dumps the schedule information to a text file whenever the schedule changes.

[pbarrette]

Hi Narflex,

What about command-line based control functions?

pb

[Narflex]

What kind of command line based control functions are you looking for?

[bodgadle]

ideally if it's all going to be command driven as opposed to a built-in web interface then something like

-getchannelistings(channel, [day]) to get all listings for a channel for a given day (optional). This would return a list of programs uniqley identified.

-getchannels(). get a list of channels to use with above

-setrecord(guid) from the first call we would have got a guid for a program, so we just pass it in with this param and it's set to record

-cancelrecord(guid) - as above but cancels a previously set recording

-getschedule([channel],[date]) - retrieve shcedule information for a given channel and date (both optional)

What do you think?

[padre]

I think exporting the schedule is a great first step, but I'd love to have the ability to configure the schedule via Web server interface remotely (just like Narflex spelled out in Option 2). I travel a ton (part of the reason I built the PVR), and generally I have access to the Internet when I'm out of state or the country.

With the right firewall/access control list, I'd envision connecting via web to my SageTV (or Webserver), see the current scheduled recordings, as well as the guide, and make changes.

[justme]

Speaking as someone who doesn't understand web programming. I too think the schedule export was a great first step. But as bodgadle requests, we now need some way to change SageTV's behavior from afar. We have the tools to find out SageTV's most important behavior now thanks to Narflex, but we still lack the tools to effect changes in that behavour. A commandline interface would probably be the most universally understood way of doing this.

I realize that I would be dependant on the code of others, and that is fine with me. The people at this forum are one of SageTV's greatest strengths. Besides if someone did try to distribute malicous code I'm sure another member would catch it quickly.
Just my 2 cents.

[HawkeyeLonewolf]

Originally posted by dkardatzke
I understand this is a "Cool" feature but is it really a deal-breaker? I'd like to understand what level of functionality you guys are looking for.

Do you just need something that allows you to see your recording schedule and add recordings? Do you have to be able to view more than a day's worth of Guide data? What if you used Zap2it.com to look up listings but were then able to tell your SageTV unit to record based on someting like time and show id?

Feedback is appreciated.
Dan

Jumping in late on this thread as I'm just now evaluating SageTV for purchase -- but yes, it is a deal breaker.

Many times we're out and forgot to record something -- a one off. Being able to dart into the library or use a cell phone with net access to set this up is pretty important.

[mlbdude]

IR is working so well for me now that it automatically records everything I would want. I have had great success using SageClient via MS Remote Desktop as well. Website would be nice but I wonder what kind of problems that would create with licencing of the guide data?

[HawkeyeLonewolf]

My thoughts would be something along the lines of...

Either a brute force web page hosted on Personal Web Server or IIS that takes a time/channel and adds it to the record queue. If SageTV had an API or could poll and read a script file, then this would work. The app-page could write a special file to a special directory and SageTV would poll for this file and import the information.

OR

A central website where you login, pick a show and it stores it for SageTV to "check" every so often -- user can set the polling time. So long as you add the show within the polling window, you should be ok.

OR

You can open a port in your firewall and the site can send a message to your machine. This is less effective with dynamic IPs, etc.

[shodge]

I guess I am in favor of letting Jeff do what he does best - adding features, new card support and etc. The wave of future direction seems to be to let the user community deal with user interface issues. In that light, I would support a "official" programmers interface SDK to SageTV. This could take the form of a active X component with the type of calls outlined by 'bodgadle'. With this supported extension, the user community can design WEB servers, WEB pages and GUI to thier hearts content and post them [maybe to a new form]. This provides most of us with a eventual solution [a great one, since many WEB programmers will be designing them] and should not slow Jeff down too much in the long run.... A real good model of this can be seen in the X-10 controller software called HOMESEER. Good core software and great user community support.

-Stan

[mlbdude]

I doubt Jeff could do anything to allow us to expose the guide data. I would be surprised if there were not licensing issues.

I also agree this is a "fluff" feature that should take a seat to the more important PVR base features.

[HawkeyeLonewolf]

Originally posted by mlbdude
I doubt Jeff could do anything to allow us to expose the guide data. I would be surprised if there were not licensing issues.

I also agree this is a "fluff" feature that should take a seat to the more important PVR base features.

Not sure who you're agreeing with... It's quite important to many.

[justme]

I doubt Jeff could do anything to allow us to expose the guide data. I would be surprised if there were not licensing issues

That's easily gotten around by XMLTV. Sage has already done it once by alowing that plugin. I have already found scripts to turn sorted and grep"ped" XMLTV xml files to html. This puts the issue of guide data out of play.

As for this particular feature...I would love to have it(mainly for PocketPC TVGuide, remote control). Still as Shodge pointed out all Jeff has to do is provide us users with the neccessary access. In other words we need a method to find out exactly what Sage is doing. And also a way to then alter that behavior on a level below the current GUI*. It's obvious that's the way Sage is heading. The only question is "How much access will we get?" I quess we'll have to what til Sage2 to find out. But has Jeff ever really let us down, where ever humanly possible.:)



*Girder could be one possible meduim for this constant two way feedback to take place. I have to admit that ActiveX is way over my head, but if Shodge can see how to make it work then I'm sure it would.

[HawkeyeLonewolf]

Originally posted by EncoderHouse
Would it keep you from buying it?

That's why it's called a "deal breaker"

[jptaz]

Honestly Snapstream has close to the best solution.

Login to a central so server that I do not need more than basic access too as
my work firewall prevents access to anything but port 80.

The polling architecture works well. Half hour polling time or greater.
A welcome addition to the Snapstream approachwould be to push
the scheduled recordings to the server ( favorites and manual recordings )
so that they would be available for conflict management on the central server.

In an ideal world this is what I would like.

I have been considering getting Snapstream just for occasional remote recordings.

Now if the fastest way for this to happen is for Jeff to create an interface for third
party developers to be able to create their own solutions that would work, but
for less tech savvy users a more turn key solution will eventually need to be developed.

For the most part SageTV and SageTVClient are very user friendly and once the studio version
is available the GUI will be really nice. I now do all my TV watching using SageTVClient on my
Media player PC. It is easy enough that my Fiancee can use it.

Oh yeah and this is not a deal breaker for me since I have purchased SageTV and SageTVClient wihtout it and I will most likely purchase another client relatively soon.

John

[KJake]

I did a quick webpage using the export feature (http://www.kjake.net/record.asp). I would love to be able to add programs to the list too. If the showid was exported too, it would be really cool because I could hyperlink the show to the Zap2It description.

[Narflex]

Cool. :)

[justme]

Very Very Cool.:)

Kjake: If you want descriptions you could use XMLTV to get the info. I found a perl script at this (http://www.goddamn.co.uk/tobyink/?id=204) site that converts XMLTV xml to html. You can sort and "grep" the file first so that only the shows you are interested in are used to build the html. I have so far only been using tv_grep maually, but some one who knows Perl better could parse the recordings export file to automate the grep process.
I have to admit that the perl script link I provided is way over my head but maybe it could inspire some more experienced people.

There is also another script at this (http://elina.htlw16.ac.at/~hoerandl/xmltv.html) site. In some ways simpler yet more elegant. The problem I have with this script is that it never builds the guide to the right time zone. It is always 4 hours off. Also part of the generated html looks german, but thats easy to fix.

Hope these tools inspire someone more skilled than me. It seems like we almost have all the parts to kludge our own website. All that's lacking is a little more two way comuncation with Sage.;) Hint Jeff (Cough) ;)

PS:Kjake would you mind posting your method to convert the export to html. I would really appreciate it. I hope it's a perl script.

[KJake]

Yikes! I never got an email that someone replied to this...well it's not exactly what you were hoping for but here's the code:

Perl dumps the data into a MsSQL table....

use DBI;
use Data::Dumper;
$dbh = DBI->connect("DBI:ODBC:webstuff", "me", "passwd") or die("Couldn't connect to database! Reason: $DBI::strerr");
open (FILE, "<c:\\schedule") or die("$!");
$dbh->do("truncate table schedule") or die("can't truncate");
while (<FILE>)
{
if (! /Encoder/)
{
$_ =~ s/\'//;
($encoder, $start, $stop, $duration, $chan_name, $chan_num, $title, $junk, $junk2) = split(/\t/);
$dbh->do("insert into schedule(title,chan_name,chan_num,start,stop,duration) values('$title'\,'$chan_name'\,$chan_num\,'$start'\,'$stop'\,'$duration')") or die("can't insert");
}
}
close FILE;


ASP formats it on the fly...

<%
set conn=Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
conn.Open "webstuff" 'database name
set rs=Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Recordset")
rs.open "select title, chan_name, chan_num, start, duration from schedule",conn
%><% do until rs.EOF %>

<%
for each x in rs.Fields
if x.name="chan_num" then%>
<td align=right>
<%Response.Write(x.value)%>
</td>
<%elseif x.name="start" then%>
<td width=100 align=right>
<%Response.Write(x.value)%>
</td>
<%elseif x.name="duration" then%>
<td align=right>
<%Response.Write(x.value)%>
</td>
<%else%>
<td><%Response.Write(x.value)%></td>
<%end if
next
%>

[justme]

That's cool, I appreciate the reply and the code.:)

[KJake]

Here's quick and dirty non-tested perl just to write the table that I produce on my page.

print "

<table border=0>
<caption> Current TV Recording Schedule (can change at any time) </caption>
<tr><th align=left>Title
<th>Channel
<th>(Num)
<th>Date/Time
<th>Duration
<tr>
";

open (FILE, "<c:\\schedule") or die("$!");

while (<FILE>)
{
if (! /Encoder/)
{
$_ =~ s/\'//;
($encoder, $start, $stop, $duration, $chan_name, $chan_num, $title, $junk, $junk2) = split(/\t/);
print "
<td>$title</td>
<td>$channel</td>
<td align=right>$chan_num</td>
<td width=100 align=right>$start</td>
<td align=right>$duration</td>
";
}
}
close FILE;
print "
</tr>
</table>";

[casperse]

Hi All

I travel alot and the possibility of scheduling a recording buy a webserver or HTML interface is crusial for me!

More and more feat. in software can be controlled by the net or on the move with a 3G mobilephone or GPRS etc...
All this is done through normal webpages and with a Opera browser for a Nokia phones its easy to use :D

I really like SageTV but I think ill have to give the new release of BeyondTv a go and see if this solves my problems regarding the use of remote recording schedules.

So yes in my case it could be a deal breaker :jump:
Cheers

[mlbdude]

Hi All

I travel alot and the possibility of scheduling a recording buy a webserver or HTML interface is crusial for me!

More and more feat. in software can be controlled by the net or on the move with a 3G mobilephone or GPRS etc...
All this is done through normal webpages and with a Opera browser for a Nokia phones its easy to use :D

I really like SageTV but I think ill have to give the new release of BeyondTv a go and see if this solves my problems regarding the use of remote recording schedules.

So yes in my case it could be a deal breaker :jump:
Cheers
Sage is currently targetting the use in front of his PC\TV. BTV may be the right choice for you right now.

[nielm]

... A web-interface for Sage may appear as a third-party add on some time after 2.1 is released...

I will say no more than that!

[Steve2112]

Just install VNC on your computer for free & call it day. Connect remotely to your PC from anywhere via Java. pcAnywhere will do the same thing, but cost you money.

Anyone using this method to add shows when at work?

[nielm]

yep (once I set up an ssh port-tunnel), but with 128kbps uplink speed, the UI is painfully slow! :)

[remmy925]

I am falling in love with using my PC as a HTPC. Although this feature may not yet be something I must have, I can see where it could be a major decision in which PVR product to buy. I would all day and watch what little TV I can at home. If a web interface were enabled, I could set my scheduled records up from work! That would be perfect for my needs. I am also toying with the idea of building a Mini-ITX box just to be my HTPC. Would be nice to use a web interface to make changes to that box from my PC in another room. Would be alot easier than using Remote Desktop or walking into the other room. I'm lazy and easy remote administration would be wonderful!

[jgw]

I'd like to see something in the style of MythTV's MythWeb. A simple, web-based EPD interface that allows you to browse programming for the next two weeks and arbitrarily schedule recordings.

MythWeb is awesome and I never really knew the power and usefulness of it until I actually used it. It was especially handy when I was at work and forgot to schedule recording of the presidential debates. I can see the same usefulness for sports events, etc.

It's not a "deal breaker" for me, but if I were able to get MythTV running more stable on my machine, I'd quickly jump ship because of its web interface.

[RedCoat999]

i am using Ultr@VNC program with 128-bit encryption (all free of course) and the free no-ip program to keep track of my ip address.

Just install VNC on your computer for free & call it day. Connect remotely to your PC from anywhere via Java. pcAnywhere will do the same thing, but cost you money.

Anyone using this method to add shows when at work?

[Crashless]

I'll see your Ultr@VNC and no-ip DUC and raise you PalmVNC for my Treo 600.

I can access Sage from anywhere in the SprintPCS coverage area and it's just like I'm in front of my TV! It's awesome and surprisingly usable. It only has to refresh a 160x160 pixel area, and uses server-side scaling so the experience is actually pretty nice.

Plus, it gets a HUGE WOW factor from friends:

Friend: "Yeah, this show is supposed to be great! But I totally forgot to set my TiVo."
-I pull out my phone-
Friend: "Calling your roomate?"
Me: "No, I'm controling my SageTV."


HAHAHAHA. I love it. :nod:

[insomniac]

geek :P

[Crashless]

Harsh dude. Harsh. :thumbdown

[jptaz]

I think it was a complement...At least that is how I take it when some calls me a geek. Because they are the same people asking me for a DVD of a show they missed :)

[Crashless]

I know, I hate how sarcasm doesn't come across on the net. I always forget that. :rolleyes2

If anyone wants help setting this kinda thing up, let me know. It's actually a lot easier than it sounds.

[insomniac]

yep..it was absolutely a joke and a compliment. Electronic gadgets are fun. Geeks are associaited with electronic gadgets and technology.

anyone on this forum would fall into my "geek" criteria.

Now if you want to hear about the geek in me:

If you want to get a real device, I suggest you look into the Motorola MPX.
WIFI,bluetooth,RIM,Windows Mobile OS, camera, PDA, Media player, 1 gig sdram expansion bay, double hinged(like one of my ex-girlfriends)....the list goes on.

Now were talking connectivity!

Lets slap a sage client on that mofo!

I.

I think it was a complement...At least that is how I take it when some calls me a geek. Because they are the same people asking me for a DVD of a show they missed :)

[insomniac]

guess i should provide a link...

http://www.motorola.com/motoinfo/product/details/0,,48,00.html

[Crashless]

I'm a total geek. I got the Treo600 on launch day by bombarding CS reps until I got one that would sell it to me.
It's taking every shred of self-control to hold off buying a new phone this year. The MPx is definilty the best in my opinion, if only it supported EDGE.
I re-read my response, and it did come off a little snappy. Sorry about that, I was just pissed about the Mac I have to work on every day. It wouldn't boot, and I had just spent 2.5 hrs flashing pram, nvram, and trying not to ram the case through the window.

I hate macs....

[insomniac]

a mac can put any intelligent person in a bad mood :)

I'm a total geek. I got the Treo600 on launch day by bombarding CS reps until I got one that would sell it to me.
It's taking every shred of self-control to hold off buying a new phone this year. The MPx is definilty the best in my opinion, if only it supported EDGE.
I re-read my response, and it did come off a little snappy. Sorry about that, I was just pissed about the Mac I have to work on every day. It wouldn't boot, and I had just spent 2.5 hrs flashing pram, nvram, and trying not to ram the case through the window.

I hate macs....

[Crashless]

Well since I spent so much time typing it, I guess I'll post a copy of the PM I sent mightyt:

OK, hmm, where to start...

http://www.ultravnc.com

Download the vnc app, and install the server. If you have a second computer, it makes testing easier, install the client app on that and see if you can connect within your own network. Usually typing the server computer's name in the connect box from the client will work from within your own network. Otherwise, try it's internal IP address.

Then, go to your firewall, and open port 5900 for both protocols and point it to your server's internal IP.

Now go to:
http://www.no-ip.com/

And sign up for a free account, pick a domain, and install the software. I don't think you have to open any ports for this program, but it has been a while, so I may be wrong. If this doesn't work, let me know, I'll check my setup.

Now, try to connect to your server using it's outside domain name. put:
yourdomain.no-ip.org:5900

in the connect box on the ultravnc client. If this works, you're almost there.

Now, like I posted, I use a Palm OS, so I can only vouch for PalmVNC's capablities. But a quick google search found:

http://www.cs.utah.edu/~midgley/wince/vnc.html

Looks pretty good. Give that a try. But I'm sure there are others.

Now, once you have all that working, you can start thinking about more security. I'm thinking about buying a VPN router, they're only like $70. This would make a secure tunnel through the internet to your computer and make it like you're on your home network. I haven't done this yet, so I can only be of little help, but if you need to bounce questions off me, go ahead.

Security wise, make sure you set a password for the ultravnc server. A little more security is gained by requiring a windows logon, but I still would refrain from sending personal info through the vnc client until you get a vpn working.


For palm users go to:

http://palmvnc2.free.fr/

Any questions? :coffee:

[RedCoat999]

Crashless,
FYI, I too am using the Ultr@VNC too as the server and viewer program. There is a plugin for securing the data stream with 128 bit key available from that website.

[Crashless]

Yeah, I've seen that, but unfortunately I don't think it works with PalmVNC, or the PocketPC version. I believe it's limited to ultr@vnc clients only.

You're right though, I forgot about that plugin entirely. For people that don't need to use thin client software, it's a great solution.

I hope I'm wrong though. It would be great to have another layer of security.

[flagg0204]

I know this is an old thread but some of the comments in here got me thinking. First off, I was under the impression the the EPG data in sage (zap2it) WAS stored in XML format, is this not the case? If not there goes my idea of using perl scripts :) Second, I like the idea of a command line interface with sage. With that as building blocks it would be easy to make WAP based pages , as well as allowing people to build addons, skins, extensions, etc to the web interface.


Rather than implemting a full on web server, in sage (which would require IIS, eeeew) why not just make the building blocks available and then allow the community to develop the web portion. Its open ended, allows for many different implementations/ideas (as far as web interaction is concerned) and would help us Linux geeks get our CLI fix :)

[nielm]

First off, I was under the impression the the EPG data in sage (zap2it) WAS stored in XML formatNope... Sage uses a hidden binary format in wiz.bin.
However the same EPG data is available from zap2it using XMLTV, so depending on what you want to do, you might still be able to do your perl stuff...

(which would require IIS, eeeew)
There are other webservers in the world :)

[flagg0204]

Of course there are other webservers, i just figured because it was a windows environment IIS would be used. I know apache can run on windows but not sure joe average user would want to set it up.

[salsbst]

You don't need a full fledged web server system (be it IIS, Apache or IBM WebSphere) to run software that listens to HTTP requests. Both Java and .NET make it a matter of 100 lines of code or so to run a custom HTTP server in your own app. HTTP is a really, really simple protocol.

[rkn555]

I just have my sageTV box running all the time.(winXP PRO)
Im using broadband cable, my ip address hasnt changed in a year.
I do check it often ,.... go to
Http://whatismyip.com
for a quick reference check.
If you use a Cable/DSL Router. go into your router settings and "Port Forwarding" or something similar that may be listed in your particular router.
and put number 3389 in the "Start" and also 3389 in the "End" and then list your ip address (your internal/private) by running In a Dos/command Window ... ipconfig
and put that number into the "server " ip address(or something similar as to your router.
then in windows xp enable remote desktop.
go into your System panel , then click on the Remote tab.
then click Allow Users to Remotely connect to this computer.

then when you are away from your pc, using another winxp machine.
in Start-Programs-Accessories-communications-Remote desktop connection.
then in the "connect to box" or "Computer" type in the ip address that your cable/dsl connection is.
then in the log in box, use your login name for that machine and then the password that you use to log-in to that machine.
now you are using "that computer" do anything you want to sage (except watch. becasue the decoders cant operate properly)

if you dont use a router , then dont pay any attention to the Router Settings instructions above.

and if you dont use a password normally in your windows log-on.
You then MUST create a password in Control Panel-Users.
Remote Desktop sharing will not work if you do not have a password protected user.

Hope this helps someone.
Works great for me

[nielm]

For those in this thread who have not yet noticed...
Webserver for SageTV 2.1 (http://forums.sage.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=8426)

[kamran]

I would like to watch a live tv at my work over the internet. Is it possible? I tried to use the sageclient and everytime I open the client and put my SAGETV server's ip address it connects and shows me the menu for few seconds then it drops the connect by saying lost connection trying to reestablish. please help me out.

kamran

[stanger89]

I would like to watch a live tv at my work over the internet. Is it possible?
If you've got an 8Mbps (out) internet connection it should be possible.

[kamran]

but cant i use low quality live video setup on my server in order to get live streaming of my sagetv over the internet?. I have 3 MBITS download and 500k upload speed at home. There must be a way to get live streaming using sagetv client, I have done streaming over the internet be4 using different software like ivista.com's software but not with sagetv client

Kamran

[stanger89]

I'm not sure there's a quality setting for <500kbps. There may be with the Plextor ConvertX, but that low with a 250 (or similar) would probably be unwatchable.

[kamran]

I think i can use simplecam software to stream the sagetv live over the internet and if i want to change the channel i can change it with the sagetv webserver plugin, i will try it out. I have down it be4 and have seen tv over the internet with 30 f/s. i will check the following out
http://www.download.com/SimpleCam/3000-2348_4-10286440.html?tag=lst-3-3
SimpleCam is an easy to use Webcam software product. It is designed for people who want to stream live video from their computers without paying a fortune or signing up for a service. If you own a USB camera or similar you may have noticed that Webcam software that allows live streaming directly from your computer is hard to find. It is also very difficult to set up commercial software because many of the features aren't useful to the average user or are very confusing.

[kamran]

Here is how we can stream live tv over the internet

How to stream live TV using Windows Media Encoder
http://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=225049

[nielm]

its unlikely that you will ever get this to work:
Sage recordings use several megabits/second bandwidth... (2Gigabytes/hr = 4megabits/sec) Most home ISPs only give a few 100 kilobits/sec uplink, so you will not be able to view TV via the Sage client...