Too many problems to deal with...

[billvan]

I have been using SageTV since v4 and have only had minor issues here and there. Version 5 ran with very few issues but version 6 has been nothing but problems. Every time I would notice a new problem I would go to the fourms, see that others have had the issue and occationally find a work-around, never a fix or solution. It's always, try this, try that... or someone just saying they have had the same problem. It's getting tiresum. Have the Sage programmers tried to do to much at once with v6? What's going on. Video, Audio, and Import issues, not to mention the problem with the Wiz.Bin file getting courrupted all the time. I have done complete clean installs even though I loose everything. Starting from scratch was a small price to pay, if it helped, but it didn't.

The Video import folders that I setup will not completetly import (no network, local folders). This is my biggest issue at the moment because there is no settings to change/tweak, it either works or it doesn't. I don't know why Sage does not use an actual database instead of the wiz.bin anyway. It more then likely would be faster and certainly would be more stable. Putting all you eggs (data) into a single file, come on.

Other than the import problem I thought I had Sage under control, how wrong I was. This morning I noticed that when Sage Media Center changes channels it will not tune the channel. I have to manually "Stop Playback" and then go back to the channel. This just started happening after installing the latest Beta yesterday. I installed the Beta to hopefully fix other issues, now I have even more. I have tried all of the decoders as well as, Overlay verses VMR9, DirectShow verses SageTV Player, I have been everywhere with the settings and although some clearly don't work for me nothing fixes the problem.

Does anyone know if Sage has a link to older versions. I can't keep having these problems and would just like to go back to v5. Maybe v6 will eventually become stable, I sure hope anyway since I bought 3 liscences.

It's seems that most of the users/customers of SageTV are beta testers, like it or not. This is not open source software, we pay for it.

Thanks,

Bill

[Menehune]

Forum search revealed:
Where can I download previous versions

[unkyjoe]

If you are looking for stability why in the heck would you load a beta version of any software.

Perhaps if you were to list your setup and your specific issue one of us here could help you.

Since moving from a PC client to the sage extenders my life for one has become much easier, there are so may variables with different video cards, drivers, etc that once I got the server stable I just found it easier especially with the WAF to just go with the extenders.

Post your specs and you problems and I am sure someone here can help you get your system stable.

1st hint, backup your settings, get rid of the beta version and use a stable version.

[billvan]

Originally Posted by unkyjoe

If you are looking for stability why in the heck would you load a beta version of any software.

I tried the Beta because there was problems with the version I was already using. I was hoping that the Sage Programmers where working on fixing these issues in the Beta.

Originally Posted by unkyjoe

1st hint, backup your settings, get rid of the beta version and use a stable version.

This is what I have been trying to do but I have yet to find a stable release since v6 came out. I never imagined that the problems would grow rather then be fixed. Can you point me to a release of v6 that is stable?

Thanks,

Bill

[billvan]

Originally Posted by Menehune

Forum search revealed:
Where can I download previous versions

Thank you Menehune.

[unkyjoe]

I am using Sage 6.3.5 and have found it to be very stable.

Now keep in mind, I have a dedicated server for sage, running sage as a service, and am using no PC's for clients, only extenders and this is where I have had some issues.

Are you using Sage as a dedicated server?
What is your configuration on the server, ie ram, mb, hd etc.
Are you using sage as a client and server?
What are the specs for your client?
Are you using any stv's or the default stv.

I found in my experience that running sage client and server on the same machine is less than ideal. Give me some idea of your setup and I would be more than happy to help you.

P.S Make sure you have the latest Java installed as well

[sandor]

what are your specifics?

i have been running v4 v5 and now v6 for a few years now, and apart from initial windows setup, and then problems that i know *i* created, SageTV has been very very stable.

Since installing a UPS about 3 months ago, the server has been running 24/7 hitting every recording without a reboot. i've updated the Sage software, but not windows, and have had no need to do anything.

now this is a 100% dedicated Sage box, server hooked up in the living room, and a couple of placeshifter/clients on laptops.

basically, i have found v6 to be immensely stable in recording of OTA ATSC

[billvan]

Originally Posted by unkyjoe

I am using Sage 6.3.5 and have found it to be very stable.

Now keep in mind, I have a dedicated server for sage, running sage as a service, and am using no PC's for clients, only extenders and this is where I have had some issues.

Are you using Sage as a dedicated server?
What is your configuration on the server, ie ram, mb, hd etc.
Are you using sage as a client and server?
What are the specs for your client?
Are you using any stv's or the default stv.

I found in my experience that running sage client and server on the same machine is less than ideal. Give me some idea of your setup and I would be more than happy to help you.

P.S Make sure you have the latest Java installed as well

Thanks for the reply. Here is the information on my server. Note that I also use this PC for email and browsing the internet. It is not deticated to SageTV.

AMD Athlon 64 3300+ 2.41GHz
1.37gb Ram
SiS 900-Based PCI Fast Ethernet
SiS 760 Display Adapter
Haupauge WinTV PVR PCI II
WinXP Home SP2
SageTV Media Center: v6.3.5.159
Using the Default STV with Comskip Playback STVi v1.5.0
Java Version: 1.4.2_13 (What SageTV installed) - EDIT:Updated to the latest Java 1.6.0
Set Recording Quality (Main & Default): Good

I was NOT running Sage as a service but have just switched to service mode. When I need to view either recorded shows or anything in the Media Library I now use PlaceShifter. I also use PlaceShifter on a PC in the other room as well as remotely from work.

160gb EIDE (Boot Drive)
500gb SATA - Television Shows imported into Media Center
320gb,320gb & 500gb Firewire Drives - More TV Shows imported into Media Center.
400gb & 500gb Firewire Drives - Movies that are imported into Media Center.
I also have 320gb(USB2) on my music drive that is not currently imported. I want to add this after I get things working correctly.

Please note that the above drives are connected to the SageTV machine directly and are not network drives/shares.

If you need additional information please let me know.

Thanks again for your assistance,

Bill

PS - That you know of, is there a limit to the number of imports that SageTV can handle? I still can not import all of my files. After about 3,100 TV shows and 600 Movies it will no longer import anything. I still have quit a bit to add, plus my music files (MP3).

Edit-
toricred,
I upgraded to the latest Java 1.6.0 (build 1.6.0_03-b05). Still will not add additional imports to the video library.
Thanks for your help. I need every bit of it.

[toricred]

At the very least, you should upgrade to Java 1.6 Update 3.

[mistergq]

Originally Posted by toricred

At the very least, you should upgrade to Java 1.6 Update 3.

I know I am a newbie here, but I concur as well. Its amazing how upgrading java, and suddenly things just work. An example is a computer that I was testing Placeshifter on was not working. Someone suggest check Java. The computer was using Java 1.4 or something, upgraded, and suddenly, it just worked.

[pknowles]

Defiantly upgrade to Java 1.6 update 3. I'm using Sage V6.2 and there are a few bugs I've found like menu's that don't update, but everything has been perfectly stable and I'm not using any extenders. In fact I haven't restarted the media PC in about 2 months.

[pknowles]

Actually V6.2 has been so good that I'm not installing to V6.3.

[billvan]

Originally Posted by mistergq

I know I am a newbie here, but I concur as well. Its amazing how upgrading java, and suddenly things just work. An example is a computer that I was testing Placeshifter on was not working. Someone suggest check Java. The computer was using Java 1.4 or something, upgraded, and suddenly, it just worked.

I certainly don't disagree with that. The only reason I didn't upgrade yet was because I just installed this version a day ago and it is released with Java v1.4. Since Sage released it with that I can only assume that it is the version they did testing with. I was just waiting for someone with more knowledge then I to tell me to upgrade.

Thanks,

Bill

[malbec]

FWIW, I have not experienced any of those problems and Sage has been more or less stable for me. Given the problems you are describing, if it were me, I would completely reinstall Windows.

[billvan]

Originally Posted by malbec

FWIW, I have not experienced any of those problems and Sage has been more or less stable for me. Given the problems you are describing, if it were me, I would completely reinstall Windows.

Since we all know that windows can be unstable itself, I am in the habit of doing a clean install about every year or so, or when I feel that it needs to be done. It was only about 4 months ago since this was done. Windows, and all my other applications seem to be doing fine. If we can't figure out the problems with SageTV I will certainly consider that but it would be a last resort since everyone knows what a pain that is.

Thanks for your suggestion.

Bill

[dblaine2]

When upgrading Java to 1.6.3... get rid of the older version of Java.

[unkyjoe]

I will chime in here again.

Seeing as you are not running a dedicated server back-end, and are also using the computer for other things, this could be your problem.

Run msconfig and make sure you dont have un-needed items running in the background.

Upgrade your Java to the current version.

I can speak from experience that Sage does not like anything else going on the PC that has the tuner cards in it, it has plenty to do without other programs trying to steal resources from it.

I would personally recommend you reload windows, apply your service packs and then do a clean install of Sage and Java 1.6.? whatever they are at. Then we can start ironing out the issues you are having. It can be tough I know but trust me once Sage gets what it needs it is pretty rock solid and I have tried them all.

Hope this helps