Testing the waters - some questions for an Aussie User

[znelbok]

Hi Everyone.

I am looking into SageTV as a replacement for my Topfield 5000 and I have a couple of questions.

Basically, I want the following

Record to hard drive on server (or transfer to after recording completed)
Accessible to multiple TV's (via media player of some sort)
Automatic recording of programs based on a favourites list.
Pause at one location and resume at another.
Play videos and other video files from server (media centre functionality)

There are two options I am looking at

BeyondWiz S1 (or P1 cant remember the exact name) in the server rack with H2's at each TV
This will allow me to record to hard drive and then use the H2's to watch at any TV.
The H2 is also a media centre to allow me to watch my movies and downloaded TV series.

SageTV server on PC with HD200's at each TV.
A two tuner DVBt card for recording (maybe two of them)

I also have three XBMC installs at the moment.

Are there any pro/cons for SageTV when compared to BeyondWiz.

Why would I use SageTV over BeyondWiz?

What tuners cards are recommended for Sage in Aus?

Thanks from a newbie

Mick

[maninblack_30]

Mick, where in Oz are you?

[znelbok]

Wollongong area

Mick

[maninblack_30]

Oh well, there goes that idea!
I was going to suggest you drop by my place and I could show you Sage and a HD-200.

Cheers,
Fraser

[cheekymonkey]

Mick, we've previously exchanged emails, my setup has only slightly changed removing the Dvico and replacing it with another Hauppauge HVR-2200's bringing the total to 3.
I also now have 2 x HD200's and can confirm Sage remembers where the file was last watched to, be it on the server or any of the HD200's. I quite often start watching a recording (or downloaded show) in the family area and then move to the bedroom

We still have the problem with non-unique id's in our EPG for some shows ie "News" I dont know how the Beyonwiz handles it. Does it use the FTA EPG or does it require ICE guide?

The main thing I like is being able to integrate comskip, live tv is so painfull now.

Some other handy addins I've loaded are the web interface, and also YAC to give me callerid

Sage also has a built in option to transcode to another format, not that I use it, but your options are ipod,iphone,DVD,MPEG4,MPEG4 HDTV, AppleTV, PSP or Razr

ash

[Fuzzy]

Just a note to prevent some confusion, Sage records the shows watched to point when the playback is stopped. So, if you start a show from teh beginning, get 5 minutes in and decide to move, you can stop it, go to the other one, play the same show, and it will start at 5 minutes. However, if you start a show from the beginning, and pause it at 5 minutes, when you go to your other location, it will start at the beginning.

[banit7]

Fraser,

I was wondering which model HVR2200's you have? And which driver do you use?

I recently bought a HVR2200 MCE OEM to use with SageTV. But I'm having problems picking up SBS. The other channels are fine with SageTV. And the antenna's fine as I can pick SBS on my Topfield and a DVICO Fusion Lite.

I've tried various versions of the drivers but they haven't helped.

I'm starting to think I've either got a dud card or maybe the MCE OEM version is not correct.

Regards

Ben.

[maninblack_30]

Sorry for the delay Ben,
I'm using driver version 7.6.1.27118, I have no problems with SBS, I do have a few recordings on ABC1 that fail sometimes.
My cards are both OEM's too.

Fraser

[cychou]

Originally Posted by znelbok

Hi Everyone.

I am looking into SageTV as a replacement for my Topfield 5000 and I have a couple of questions.

Basically, I want the following

Record to hard drive on server (or transfer to after recording completed)
Accessible to multiple TV's (via media player of some sort)
Automatic recording of programs based on a favourites list.
Pause at one location and resume at another.
Play videos and other video files from server (media centre functionality)

There are two options I am looking at

BeyondWiz S1 (or P1 cant remember the exact name) in the server rack with H2's at each TV
This will allow me to record to hard drive and then use the H2's to watch at any TV.
The H2 is also a media centre to allow me to watch my movies and downloaded TV series.

SageTV server on PC with HD200's at each TV.
A two tuner DVBt card for recording (maybe two of them)

I also have three XBMC installs at the moment.

Are there any pro/cons for SageTV when compared to BeyondWiz.

Why would I use SageTV over BeyondWiz?

What tuners cards are recommended for Sage in Aus?

Thanks from a newbie

Mick

Sage can do all you are asking and more! Sage is basically a PC/software based DVR/PVR, there it is more flexible and future-proof in term of functionality. However you do have to deal with the complexity/hassle of a computer and related software. In your case (a headless Sage Server with multiple HD200s), this work should be minimum. Because most of the troubles in Sage is software playback related.

Don't know the pricing of BeyonWiz in Aus. I would only imagine Sage will cost less given you need multiple playback devices.

You need to source EPG yourself in Australia. FTA EPG is useless for Sage's purpose. I use OzTivo, and it is reasonable for my usage and free. IceTV is the best in term of quality, but it is a paid service, which incurs a annual fee for your overall cost.

[maninblack_30]

Mick,
I had a toppy too, then went to Sage, it beats the Toppy hands down, if you have some computer savvy, you will cope with it fine, once it's up and running the maintenance is really zero, the hardest part for me is treating it like a PVR and not tinkering once it's working!



Fraser

[Samir74]

Hi cychou, I hope you can help - I use SAGE TV and have been using the FTA EPG which seemed ok but now I want to get away from it and use OZTIVO... can you please provide me instructions on how to set this up using sage...

I have been looking for step by step instructions but I cannot seem to find any... any help would be much appreciated.. thanks in advance...

Sam.

[cychou]

See here!