Some GENERAL questions before moving over from MCE

[wordgasm]

Sorry for the long post and GENERAL QUESTIONS, but some posts seem conflicting on the listed items below

(Just want to be sure, this will be alot of work, changing over)

I've looked around for answers, but still have some general questions "Before the BIG MOVE" from MCE

(I already own Sage, Meedio, MainLobby, MCE, DVDProfiler, JRiver and probably whatever else! So If a combo is a better option, please chime in!)

Senerio:

1. A Sage "Server" in the mastercloset (with 1 ea WinTV 150MCE on dig cable box-SD (maybe someday FW), 1 ea ATI HDWonder (OTA), and 1 ea (maybe 2) Fusion lite(s) (OTA), that will also be the source for the masterbed tv (controlled by USB-UIRT, IR extender and Harmony remote.)

Server will also controll whole house audio playlists/Computer Music Media.

(intel 3.0 Northwood, 512mb)

2. A Sage client (Main HTPC) controlled by IMon (inside) and Harmony Remote. (No Tuners, plenty powerful machine for HD)

3. Two aditional Sage clients for:
1: low powered "Old Shuttle" in kitchen (No Tuners)
2: Notebook (No Tuners)

mostly for live TV, (the news, non critial viewing) and controlling whole house audio control. 1 Zone

Requirements:

More concerned about functionality over looks of GUI/Menu/interface
Use TheaterTek to view DVd's from Sage catalog
Need DVD cataloging WITH OFFLINE NUMBERED Cataloging (DVDProfiler?)
Viewing of VOB DVD's at all locations from server harddrives with DD (where supported) and local DVD disc play
Control of music and playlists in wma lossless format at clients (and WHA)
Live and recorded TV at all Sage/Client installation (HD where supported by machine with DD)
FM Radio (thru WinTV150 MCE)
Can you play different Music at each client from same server library?
Automatic commercial skip without re-encoding?

So does Sage 4.0 do all this for me? Do I need to use SageMC also to accomplish above? How about the Clients SageMC on those too?

To accomplish this senerio, Do I just need 1 copy of Sage 4 and 3 copies of Sage Client (using the hardware I already have listed above?)

Thanks for all input!

Jeff

[gplasky]

Short answer-yes-except for one.

Caveats-careful with FSE using both Sage and TT.
SageMC STV can use DVDProfiler DB info and also IMDB info for ripped DVDs.
Can view ripped DVDs from all your clients or use the DVD drives.
There is now a winamp plugin so you can play anything.
No access to the FM radio thru Sage-yet.
Play different music anywhere from 1 music library.
Use Showanalyzer and Dirmon for automatic commercial skip. No re-encoding.

You can use SageMC at all or mix different STVs.
1 Sage and 3 Sage clients.

Gerry

[salsbst]

Just be aware that if you record HD, you'll probably want all of the clients to be able to play back HD (even if at SD resolution). This issue is currently a thorn in my side.

[wordgasm]

Thanks Guys

While waiting for a response I reformatted my server, installed tuners and am setting up sage right now!

As long as the movies and cataloging on and offline work I can deal with the rest!

In a few will try sage client on m notebook

Thanks Again

Jeff

[wordgasm]

Originally Posted by salsbst

Just be aware that if you record HD, you'll probably want all of the clients to be able to play back HD (even if at SD resolution). This issue is currently a thorn in my side.

Well I'll have to think that one thru !

[wordgasm]

Originally Posted by gplasky

Short answer-yes-except for one.

Caveats-careful with FSE using both Sage and TT.

Any hints on this one, FSE and TT is very important to me! Well as far as HTPC's and a hobby goes )

Thanks

Jeff

[wordgasm]

Damn! at least internet radio would seal the deal, oh well can rdp in