switching to Linux version SageTV

[crusader]

Hi,

I have recently purchased SageTV, ran it on my PC with the aim to get a server eventually and run it there. I did not care about OS differences because I assumed that since SageTV is Java app -- it should not matter. Now the time has come, I am about to place an order for my server hardware... I planned to use this configuration:
- Intel Atom 330 (or similar), 2 Gb memory, etc... average-power low-consumption server designed to run quietly 24/7 somewhere in the closet
- CentOS
- Nextcom R5000-HD with Dish

To my surprise I found that SageTV for Linux is a separate product. And also there seems to be various limitations in existence... :-\

Now I am not sure what to do... Can you help me with following questions?

1. Can I upgrade/downgrade my SageTV for Windows (+extender) license to Linux license or I have to buy a new one?

2. Does R5000 work with Linux SageTV?

3. What about HDHomerun?

4. How do you use comskip? (it seems it doesn't work on Linux, ditto ShowAnalyzer)

5. What about SageMC? I found few posts that claim that most of SageMC works under Linux -- precisely what is not working?

6. Probably rhetoric question -- If most of features above aren't working on Linux -- what is the point of having SageTV for Linux? Should I use Windows HomeServer instead or better go with Win7? (I am not sure if it is good as server OS)

7. what other limitations/pitfalls one might encounter with SageTV on Linux?

Thank you.
Michael.

[stanger89]

1) You have to buy a new license.

2) I don't believe there's a Linux version of the R5000 app, nor drivers.

3) That should be fine.

4) You have to resort to some sort emulation trickery to get comskip to run under linux AFAIK.

[voidstar]

I tried to do the same thing: I have SageTV Media Center for Windows and wanted to move the recording part on a server. So I ended up paying for the Linux version. I figured I could just connect my HDHomerun to the linux side then connect to it from my windows machine with my existing SageTV Media Center for Windows... nope...

After some effort I got the linux version working with HDhomerun but was shocked to discover I had by buy Placeshifter (Someone told me this is not true but I was unable to get it to work). Luckily I was able to test out Placeshifter first. It is not the same quality as the Media Center version so I gave up on the whole idea.

[GKusnick]

6. Officially, the Linux version is targeted for system integrators to build turnkey systems around it. That's why it's called "Linux OEM Edition". Although end users can buy it if they want, it's not really meant for them.

[crusader]

I see... Apologies, for I am illiterate :-) ... What kind of systems these integrator could build using Linux Sage? I.e. what hardware they are using to get content? and from where?

[stuckless]

Originally Posted by crusader

I see... Apologies, for I am illiterate :-) ... What kind of systems these integrator could build using Linux Sage? I.e. what hardware they are using to get content? and from where?

I'm not aware of any systems integrators... But if there are any, they are probably using the HD-PVR or any of the hauppauge internal or external tuners. (i've used about 3 different ones now, and they all work).

5. I haven't found anything in sagemc that doesn't work

6. I think the intention here is that a system integrator or STB manufacturer could use something like sagetv as a starting point to build a STB. (dish, bell, tivo, and many other STB run linux, but they must provider their own hardware drivers). I run it mainly because I'd rather maintain a linux server than a windows server... my time is limited.

7. If you can use your hardware on linux, then it will probably work with sage. But, if you are not linux person, or if the thought of rebuilding kernel modules makes you ill, then stay away from linux (mainly because many hardware vendors don't provide linux drivers, so you'll have rebuild open source versions yourself.)

[loonsailor]

3. Works great.

4. comskip works fine (I haven't tried showAnalyzer), but you need to install under wine. Not very difficult, and it runs at full speed.

6. I run under linux because I prefer maintaining a linux server. When I need to do anything other than sage, or even related to sage (e.g. setting up a cron script to backup sage files, access remotely via ssh if necessary, etc.) I much prefer to do that on linux. Also, since I built my box expressly for sage, I got to avoid sending a check to Redmond.

7. Everything works fine for me and my hardware (HdHomeRun, HD-pvr, STBs tuned with firewire). Thinking hypothetically into the future, if sage ever supports the new cablecard-based tuners, they may not be able to do so under linux because of DRM issues. Also, there is some hardware not supportd under linux - not sure about the R500.

BTW, unrelated to the linux / windows question, you may find an atom-powered box underpowered if you're doing comskip and/or transcoding, though I think it would be fine if all you're doing is recording and playing video. Why not go for something with a bit more capability? I use an AMD x4 905e, which is fine and still pretty low power.

[crusader]

Originally Posted by loonsailor

STBs tuned with firewire

What is this? Does it work with smth like Dish/Comcast?

you may find an atom-powered box underpowered if you're doing comskip and/or transcoding

I plan getting Atom 330 or similar, why do you think it is not good enough? I do not mind if comskip completes one hour after recording is finished... Nor do I plan using transcoding often.

I use an AMD x4 905e, which is fine and still pretty low power

Hmm... I'll have to look at the specs.

[RocKKer]

I don't have an r5000, but here is an answer from Nextcom about Linux support:

Hi,
We don't support any Linux solutions, its all via third-party efforts. From the feedback we've got its a pretty good solution. Please see:
http://www.nextcomwireless.com/R5000/mythtv.htm
Apparently the CoreAVC package is no longer needed since H.264 support is built-in.