Congrats on the HD media extender and Sage Server system

[Kirby]

Originally Posted by PGPfan

Nope, the SageTV transcoder converts ANY format you are playing back into mpeg2 (with mpeg1 audio, IIRC) since that is the ONLY format that the MVP's can recognize and playback. What stanger is asking is if the new HD extender will playback any/all files WITHOUT trancoding - ie their "native" formats.

-PGPfan

I think he's also asking about native output. Say you switch to a 720P channel. Does it provide 720p to the set, or does it change to 1080i or whatever you have your extender set up for.

Lots of folks want native resolution pass through. If he isnt asking that, then I am

[PGPfan]

Originally Posted by JUC

I'll say it--not sure about the new logo though--its got a St. Patrick's day kind of feel going for it.

Yeah, I agree. Overall, I like the new logo (the old one was getting kind of dated looking) but I think the color should be different or at least other colors added.

For that matter, anybody know how the name "Sage" was chosen for our beloved software? Does it imply sage as in the spice? or a 'wise old sage?', or what?

-PGPfan

[mikesm]

Originally Posted by Lucas

+1.

Also can someone confirm if, visually at least, it is similar to the mediagate boxes?

Sorry, I have to correct my earlier post. It doesn't look like the MG-35 at all. I got confused with a device I saw earlier at CES and it isn't the MG-35.

What was being shown isn't in final packaging. It just had a power switch on the front, and no other controls. No dvd slot, and it's pretty light.

It looks a little bit like the HDHomeRun, except flatter profile and about the size of a small textbook.

I forgot to bring my camera - I had it out but it was early when I left for the airport and I forgot it. I'll see if one of my friends here doesn't have a cmera I can take some pictures with and post them after the show today.

I am pretty sure it can decode MPEG-4 in HD, but will ask again today.

thanks,
mike

[blade]

Originally Posted by Kirby

I think he's also asking about native output. Say you switch to a 720P channel. Does it provide 720p to the set, or does it change to 1080i or whatever you have your extender set up for.

Lots of folks want native resolution pass through. If he isnt asking that, then I am

I'm very curious as to how it handles 480i as well. There is still a lot of programming than is SD so it needs to do a good job on all types of content.

[Kirby]

Originally Posted by mikesm

I forgot to bring my camera - I had it out but it was early when I left for the airport and I forgot it. I'll see if one of my friends here doesn't have a cmera I can take some pictures with and post them after the show today.

you are at CES! There are digital cameras everywhere, steal one!!

I am pretty sure it can decode MPEG-4 in HD, but will ask again today.

I'll upload some H.264 captured content if they want to show it off

[lobosrul]

If this device really uses Sigma's latest and greatest, there should be no transcoding required for most formats incl h.264.

http://www.sigmadesigns.com/public/P...30_series.html

[Narflex]

Glad to hear you all like the HD extender and the new media server. They'll be out sometime in Q2 of '07.

Most of your discussions are pretty accurate so far on it. You're all pretty good guessers.

And it does play HDD based DVDs since that was asked a few times. And it can also do 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i output over component or DVI.

[Kirby]

Originally Posted by Narflex

And it can also do 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i output over component or DVI.

Care to comment if it will do native resolution pass through (optionally)? Leaving the TV/Display to switch modes, rather than forcing everything to 1 resolution.

Here's hoping for early Q2!!!

[Fluffdaddy]

Originally Posted by Narflex

They'll be out sometime in Q2 of '07.

.

Can you say.........Pre-orders?
Put me down for two

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by Kirby

Care to comment if it will do native resolution pass through (optionally)? Leaving the TV/Display to switch modes,

Or say, a Gennum VXP.

Originally Posted by Narflex

Glad to hear you all like the HD extender and the new media server. They'll be out sometime in Q2 of '07.

I'm probably good for one, two if it can replace my HTPC (see below).

Most of your discussions are pretty accurate so far on it. You're all pretty good guessers.

And it does play HDD based DVDs since that was asked a few times.

That's one thing down....

And it can also do 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i output over component or DVI.

Just to clarify, does/can/could it automatically switch to a "native" output format (ie if you play an SD recording, 480i, 720p->720p, 1080i->1080i) or do we have to choose one.

The next quesiton is, can it handle aspect ratio control for video in addition to UI? Ie can it alone compensate for non-square pixel displays (2.35:1 displays)?

[alijiwani]

it may have some competition from the new Apple TV. Think Sage can get its shows streamed to it?

[korben_dallas]

Originally Posted by Narflex

Glad to hear you all like the.. new media server.

Media server????

[hemicuda]

Originally Posted by Fluffdaddy

Can you say.........Pre-orders?
Put me down for two

I'll need one for sure; migrating to the HDTV scene soon as we get some $$$ put back.

[jquinlan]

Originally Posted by alijiwani

it may have some competition from the new Apple TV. Think Sage can get its shows streamed to it?

I thought I heard the Apple TV will have a hard drive, if so, they can not beat the price from SAGE. Apple probably will add thier DRM to the stream, iTunes store and everything, to keep the studios happy. I would hope this would not cause a problem but it could be a road block for anybody trying to use it for other things beside Apple content.

[PGPfan]

Originally Posted by korben_dallas

Media server????

It's a pre-configured hardware/software system that is in an Antec 'Aria' case from what I understand. It just means that a potential customer wont have to setup anythng.

-PGPfan

[alijiwani]

it does have a HD, a small one - 40GB, syncs with 1 Itunes computer but can accept streams of up to 5.

Price - no competition - 300.

However, since there are other uses for it, I am more inclined to buy one of those. If sage could make a server plugin for Itunes to make recordings available - then I could watch them via the Apple TV that way I'd even be willing to pay for the plug-in - the same fee we pay for the media extender license. Only fair I think.

Then again, maybe one of the gurus on this forum will figure out how to make a free plug-in that does the same thing? (I see profit opportunity for Sage here)

[Kirby]

Originally Posted by Fluffdaddy

Can you say.........Pre-orders?

Or rather, BETA testers??? I'll beta test it if need be!

[ybrew]

Uh, yeah, I'll be happy to beta test too!

Good for one now. Second one probably later this year.

[mayamaniac]

The iTV can only do 720p, but it has HDMI though, along with DVI and component. It cost $300.

[spike5884]

Originally Posted by Narflex

Glad to hear you all like the HD extender and the new media server. They'll be out sometime in Q2 of '07.

Most of your discussions are pretty accurate so far on it. You're all pretty good guessers.

And it does play HDD based DVDs since that was asked a few times. And it can also do 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i output over component or DVI.

Details! We need more details and some official press releases! Plus LOTS of pictures.

Oh and what about 1080p?