Media Extender + MVP license?

[neilbradley]

Okay, I'm confused about the Media Extender stuff.

It' not clear if it takes over my SageTV machine. Does it, or does it act like any other SageTV client? I currently have two licensed copies of SageTV client, I have SageTV 4.1 running on my server in the garage, and then to get it on my TV upstairs without another copy of SageTV client and having to run a PC, I need to buy the Media Extender and MVP license. Right?

Also, can SageTV's Media Extender play back imported DVDs that are on my hard drive?

Thanks! Just need to know so I know what to purchase.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by neilbradley

It' not clear if it takes over my SageTV machine. Does it, or does it act like any other SageTV client?

No, it doesn't take over the server. You don't see any MVP-related window on the server. The UI & playback runs directly on the MVP, but is gets all of its data from the server, like any other client. It doesn't use much cpu on the server, unless you play non-mpeg2 videos which have to be transcoded on the server.

I currently have two licensed copies of SageTV client, I have SageTV 4.1 running on my server in the garage, and then to get it on my TV upstairs without another copy of SageTV client and having to run a PC, I need to buy the Media Extender and MVP license. Right?

Yes, you would need the extneder (an MVP) + an MVP license. The MVP license is an extender license that can be used for the MVP or Placeshifter & it is registered on the server.

Also, can SageTV's Media Extender play back imported DVDs that are on my hard drive?

It doesn't play it as a DVD, but it can play VOB files via transcoding in the latest betas, but I don't use that so I'll leave details to others.

- Andy

[neilbradley]

Excellent - thank you! Any idea when the Media Extenders will be available again?

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by neilbradley

Excellent - thank you! Any idea when the Media Extenders will be available again?

I don't know, but you could try emailing the SageTV store contact. You could see if the Hauppauge store still has them if you want one right away, but you would still need an MVP license on top of that.

- Andy

[cavalli]

Originally Posted by Opus4

Yes, you would need the extneder (an MVP) + an MVP license. The MVP license is an extender license that can be used for the MVP or Placeshifter & it is registered on the server.

I own a dedicated SageTV server, running v5 as a service, two MVP's and two computers. From what I understand, there are two types of client licenses, client and MVP, but I don't understand the differences between them.

What I'd like (and think fair) is to buy the total licenses that can simultaneously watch TV. Do I need to buy a dedicated MVP license for v5 or can I buy a SageTVClient one and have all 4 available to use at a given time? If I need an MVP licence, does it just work with the same SageTVClient program, or is there a different interface?

All these licenses are so confusing, after I actually know which to buy I'm sure there are more configuration questions.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by cavalli

I own a dedicated SageTV server, running v5 as a service, two MVP's and two computers. From what I understand, there are two types of client licenses, client and MVP, but I don't understand the differences between them.

There is a discussion going on about licenses here.

The client license is for SageTVClient & is entered on the client PC. It can only be used on a single PC, just like the server license is for a single PC.

A media extender license is entered on the server & is used for the MVP or Placeshifter. You can have as many simultaneous extender connections to the server as your have media extender licenses. The last 2 sections of the v5 PDF manual mention how to register an extender license.

- Andy

[briands]

So if you are willing to give up some features on your PC installations, you could use Placeshifter instead of Client...
Since you already have the MVPs and you know you will need at least 1 MVP/Placeshifter license, try placeshifter out before you buy your client licenses. If it does everything you want, you will not need any client licenses.
The shortcoming that I am aware of is local DVD playback. (a DVD in the drive on the placeshifter "Client" will not function through sage.

How does placeshifter handle remote control? Will a USBUIRT work?

[zinkpig]

Originally Posted by Opus4

There is a discussion going on about licenses here.

The client license is for SageTVClient & is entered on the client PC. It can only be used on a single PC, just like the server license is for a single PC.

A media extender license is entered on the server & is used for the MVP or Placeshifter. You can have as many simultaneous extender connections to the server as your have media extender licenses. The last 2 sections of the v5 PDF manual mention how to register an extender license.

- Andy

so if i understand this right, If i have 1 extender license I can watch TV either with an MVP or via place shifter (just not simultaneously) ? if so thats a great option. I would rarely end up using the two at the same time. Also can I can have MVPs around the house and watch on any one of them at a time using just 1 license?