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General Discussion General discussion about SageTV and related companies, products, and technologies. |
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#1
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Thinking about buying, have a few questions
I'm currently looking into converting an old computer (Specs below) into a DVR, and right now the top two software packages I'm looking at are SageTV and MyhTV.
I have a few questions about SageTV before I decide, though, so here they are: -Does SageTV just go over top of Windows XP? -Can I still run various programs while SageTV is running? Such as Winamp (Shoutcast video) or VLC (Video player with all codecs embedded inside it) -Does this package work with TVs that don't have an S-Video cable? Only composite? -What happens when I'm watching through a normal TV, but a certain show uses HDTV, and I'm using the package listed above? (Such as Smallville, they always broadcast in HDTV) -Do I just hook up my cable line to this card, then another (Like a composite 'external device (Like dvd or vcr) to TV' connector) to my TV? -Does the capture card included work in other DVR software, shall I ever feel the need to switch? -What exactly is included, software wise, with this package? - I was looking at this , and saw something that worried me: Quote:
Sorry for so many questions, but I like being informed before buying something I'm going to use a lot ![]() Specs: - 2.0ghz Celeron - 768mb ram - 120gb |
#2
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I'm sure other people will chime in who may have more experience, but I'll at least take a shot at this.
- Yes, it just runs as an application on top of Windows. - Yes, you can run other applications while Sage is running, you can minimize it just like any other application so that you can use winamp, vlc, etc. You can also run SageTV as a Windows Service. - I believe if your TV doesn't have an S-Video connector, you could use a S-Video to Composite adapter. I've gotten a couple of them for free over the years with various video cards, but they are also available cheap online. (Some places as cheap as two dollars) - I know the capture card in that package is a Standard Definition-only capture card, so it won't capture HD signals. Someone else will have to chime in with the details of HD broadcast / SD capture card. - Yes, you just hook up your cable line to the input on the card and the output of the card to an input on your TV, just like you would a VCR. If you have a set-top cable box or satellite interface that does the channel changing, that will have to sit in between and you'll have to setup the IR Blaster included in the package so that Sage can change channels on the set-top box. - The capture card included in the package (Hauppage PVR-150) is quite widely supported by other software (BeyondTV, MythTV, etc) - The package mentioned includes the standard SageTV Version 4 software. It may also include Hauppage's very basic WinTV software which is occasionally useful for testing, but little else. I'm not certain. - The referenced "14 days" of guide data just means that Sage only downloads guide data for the upcomding two weeks. This simply means you can't go look and see what's going to be showing next month, for instance. I hope you end up going with Sage, I've been quite happy with it! |
#3
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For an SDTV though, you might want to consider a MediaMVP (SageTV Extender) as well, it will provide better output quality than you're likely to get with a video card: http://store.sagetv.com/Merchant2/me...tegory_Code=SB Quote:
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#4
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Thanks for the quick answers
![]() -Am I understanding this correctly? If a show is in HDTV, the package linked above can NOT record it AT ALL!? And the same for the HDTV card, if a show ISN'T HDTV, it CAN'T record it AT ALL? Please tell me I'm wrong, because if I'm right... That just doesn't make any sense, a lot of shows are broadcasting in HDTV now, while a lot aren't - I'd have to constantly swap the two cards (Assuming I even bought two) -So the hardware/software package includes all software by SageTV, in other words, the top software package? (Client, server, etc.)? |
#5
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However the HD cards do not work well (if at all) for SD. Quote:
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If you wish to setup additional PCs, you would need a copy of SageClient (which provides UI/Playback, and access to the server, but not server/recording function) for each additional PC. To put it another way (and I hope not confuse the issue), SageTV provides both client and server functionality, however it's not a true client, it's only a "pseudo-client", it's tied to the server PC. SageClient provides client functionality and requires a server somewhere on the network to run, and SageRecorder is a legacy program that's of little/no use anymore. There is no backend-only (server/recorder) program. Last edited by stanger89; 04-17-2006 at 03:54 PM. |
#6
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If you've only got OTA (Over The Air, aka broadcast) then I'd definitely consider getting an "HDTV" card, because, HD or not, pretty much everything is broadcast in digital, and as long as it's digital an ATSC (the more accurate name probably) card can receive it. Of course there's always the option of getting both an NTSC (SD) and an ATSC (HD) card and using both. On and one more thing.... I've been hearing good things about the new nVidia PureVideo DualTV card lately, you might want to consider it vs the PVR-150: http://www.nvidia.com/page/dualtvmce.html It offers two tuners (two simultaneous recordings), reportedly better PQ and/or smaller recordings than the Hauppauge cards, and is supported by SageTV and MCE (and probably the rest of the Windows PVR apps in the future). Last edited by stanger89; 04-17-2006 at 04:01 PM. |
#7
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Maoukiji,
SageTV can be setup in a simple way or complicated way, it depends on what you want it to do. So maybe describe what you want to achieve and maybe people here can help buy the right components to make that happen. SageTV needs to make a Video demo of what SageTV is all about, from basic info about the software to hardware and how it is setup. Eversince 4.0 was released, I see a lot of new users here asking all the basic questions. I know if they search the forum they can find all the answers, but that requires endless amount of reading. A video demo would be a nice intro to SageTV for new users like Maoukiji. But this is still the best user-to-user support forum. Most other forums, you would get "RTFM!" or "Use Search Noob!" kinda of replies.
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Mayamaniac - SageTV 7.1.9 Server. Win7 32bit in VMWare Fusion. HDHR (FiOS Coax). HDHR Prime 3 Tuners (FiOS Cable Card). Gemstone theme. - SageTV HD300 - HDMI 1080p Samsung 75" LED. |
#8
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Although not related to cards... I would have to say that this Sage forum is easily the most helpful in getting you up and running.
The users and moderators here are so much better than the MythTV forums... you will get quick responses and helpful hints that allow you to spend more time enjoying your setup than you will working on it (and by "working on it" I really mean "trying to figure out something that EVERYONE knows and won't tell you because apparently you SHOULD know it"). |
#9
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Thanks again for the replies everyone...
And what I want is basically this: I currently am using Cox Digital Cable, I have no idea if its HD or not but I do know that certain shows ARE broadcasted in HD, but since my TV can't use HD - it ... doesn't use it. What does this mean? What exactly prevents me or lets me view HD programming? Why wouldn't a capture card do the same thing my TV does? Man am I confused Oh yeah, and as for the GeForce card - way out of my league in terms of price... I only want to spend ~$250 (Thats with a $100 hard drive) total Last edited by Maoukiji; 04-17-2006 at 04:36 PM. |
#10
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Looks like you are on a budget, then I suggest you start with a simple setup. You can buy that SageTV Media Center In-a-Box package and that should get you started.
For HDTV, you will not only need a an HD capture card, but also an HDTV set to watch it. You can't watch HD shows on a non-HD TV set. Also, you can only record shows off the air (OTA), you can't record HD shows from the cable box. With SageTV, you can always upgrade later. So just start with the basic for now. I would suggest getting a SageTV Media Extender if you want to get a SageTV client.
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Mayamaniac - SageTV 7.1.9 Server. Win7 32bit in VMWare Fusion. HDHR (FiOS Coax). HDHR Prime 3 Tuners (FiOS Cable Card). Gemstone theme. - SageTV HD300 - HDMI 1080p Samsung 75" LED. |
#11
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Lack of an HDTV prevents you from view HD programming (as HD). Quote:
Without an HD display, even if you tune HD broadcasts, they won't be displayed as HD, they'll be converted back down to SD. Quote:
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#12
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Okay one last time (I'm sorry I'm so stupid
![]() Unless I have my cable hooked through a cable box that processes HD shows (Such as Smallville), the TV Tuner will see it as OTA? So even though WB puts 'Broadcasted in HD where available' on Smallville, as long as I can view it on a non-HD (Pre-HD even) TV, it will record correctly? I only need to worry about channels that are PURE HD, like 'Science Channel HDTV'? Also, with my service I get 50-60 extra channels, but they're all over 100 so my current TV can't handle it without a special cable box... Will I be able to view these channels with my SageTV setup? Is it just a matter of decrypting digital TV, or is there some sort of lock so that you're forced to buy their hardware? |
#13
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The tuner works exactly like your SDTV, anything you can view on your SDTV, you can record on the tuner. Any channels you can tune with your SDTV directly, you can tune with the tuner. Any channels you need the box to view, you will need the box to record. Quote:
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#14
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Thanks, I'm pretty sure I have it, but uh... SDTV = ?
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#15
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#16
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Also, I think you've got it, but just to make sure it's clear.... if you want to be able to record ALL the channels you get from your cable company, your setup will look like this:
CABLE FROM THE WALL >>>> Cable Box >>>> Input on Capture Card You'll then stick the IR blaster that comes with the package to your cable box so that Sage can channel the channel on your cable box when it needs to go record something on a different channel. The output end would look like this: Output from your video card >>>>> your TV. |
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