Dual EPG, plus other questions

[wjones]

Hi All,

I am totally new to SageTV - and have some questions which will probably take me way over my head very quickly!

I have dedicated headless media server pc in the cellar - which I initially bought intending to install Linuxmce.. then finally gave up on and went the windows route.

I am currently using VMC with wired Linksys Media Centre extenders and an Xbox 360, but am getting p'd off with the limitations (EPG, no VOB playback on extenders etc).

I have been reading some of the posts here, and Sage looks like it may fill some of my requirements nicely, however I do have some questions.

1) I live in Switzerland, but receive UK Sky channels via Sky digibox(es) (connected via S-Video - and controlled with a Heenan USB control box (http://www.heenan.me.uk/control-sky-from-pc/))
This works ok, however, I also want to add the Swiss OTA via cable line up (all analog at the moment), with EPG. VMC does not like running 2 EPG's in parallel.

Q: Will Sage allow me to run a EPG for UK Sky for 1 Tuner card, and another EPG with a totally different lineup on a analog card?

2) VOB Playback, I have loads of DVD's which I would like to centralize, and be able to play back from any of the extenders I will rip them to VOB if necessary.
Q: Multi language is a big requirement for me - can I select audio streams and subtitles?

3) I have read on these forums about these DBV-S decoders with a CAM - which allows to receive Sky directly, bypassing the Digibox - this sounds fantastic!
To get the standard FTA Sky channels, so I need anything special? or can I just plug in and go? Any recommendations for a tuner card / cam?

4) HD Channels - While I have no real requirements in this area at the moment (Sky picture quality is 100x better than the Swiss ota stuff, so I feel like I have HD already with SD sky)
What can I get in HD for free? is anything broadcast via Sky? Again, what hardware would I need to buy to future proof my investment a little?

Thanks in advance for any help you guys can give!

Will

[jaminben]

1) Yes not a problem, I have two sources and thus two epg's.

2) I'm not sure about this, but I'm pretty sure languages & subtitles are selectable for DVD vob files. (Video_TS/Audio_TS folders)

3) For the standard FTA $ky or Freesat channels you dont need anything special. Just plug the cable in the PCI card directly. I use Nova DVB-S cards without issue, however they dont allow me to add cams so NO subscription channels can be seen.

4) No free HD channels from $ky but a few are available from Freesat, BBC HD, ITV HD & Luxe HD if you can call that a channel.

Proberly best to try the trial version of Sage and see if it meets your requirements.

[John@TunerUK]

I also tried linuxmce, but after months of tweaking, I could never get it to work for longer than 3 days without needing reboot. I looked at loads of Windows alternatives, and eventually chose sage. It's far superior

If there are different audio tracks on a dvd then yes, you can select your required track. And Just to test out subtitles, I'm currently watching 'Contact' with Arabic subtitles. Works perfectly

I use a Technotrend S2 sky card which comes with a common interface. Combined with an Oasis 2 CAM, that decodes my encrypted channels. But every few weeks you have to put it back into your sky box overnight to keep your encrypted channels working.

[wjones]

Thanks for the responses guys - very useful.

I have now ordered one of these : TERRATEC Cinergy S2 PCI HD - DVB-S & DVB-S2 HDTV receiver
It's not on the list of approved tuner cards for Sage.. but it was the only HD tuner they had in my local(ish) store.. and it supports a CAM.. so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

John, when you say Technotrend S2 Sky card.. I hope I don't have to buy a special "Sky card" do i? (sinking feeling returns..)
In any case, freesat will be fine for me.. The only show I watch is Top Gear!

[John@TunerUK]

Sorry, I should have said DVB-S card. I'm sure what you've ordered will be fine.
Oh, and Top Gear rules!

[alphonsus]

Your dual lineups. Where are you getting the data from - is it xmltv?

If so, how've you got it to use two xmltv data sources? The last time I tried using dual xmltv lineups, the xml importer bombed out every time.

[bunch92]

It works fine for me with xmltv and Stephane's XMLTV Importer.

In the "XMLTV Files and grabber" section, just create 2 sources.


For example :
Source 1
Source Name : French XML
XMLTV file : C:\xmltvnew\epgdataf.xml
Grabber : C:\xmltvnew\xmltv.exe
Arguments : tv_grab_fr --days 8 --output epgdataf.xml

Source 2
Source Name : UK XML
XMLTV file : C:\xmltvnew\epgdatauk.xml
Grabber : C:\xmltvnew\xmltv.exe
Arguments : tv_grab_uk_rt --days 8 --output epgdatauk.xml

[bunch92]

Originally Posted by wjones

2) VOB Playback, I have loads of DVD's which I would like to centralize, and be able to play back from any of the extenders I will rip them to VOB if necessary.
Q: Multi language is a big requirement for me - can I select audio streams and subtitles?

I have centralised VOBs on my HTPC and I can change audio between French/English. I have not tried the subtitles.

Originally Posted by wjones

4) HD Channels - While I have no real requirements in this area at the moment (Sky picture quality is 100x better than the Swiss ota stuff, so I feel like I have HD already with SD sky)
What can I get in HD for free? is anything broadcast via Sky? Again, what hardware would I need to buy to future proof my investment a little?
Will

There are 3 channels in HD on Sky Freesat (BBC HD, ITV HD and Luxe HD? ). The only one I watch is BBC HD.