Questions about the Mac version....

[2002cbr600f4i]

Hey gang!

I've been using SageTV on Windows since Version 2 or 3 (can't rmember) and am running 6 these days. I'm getting pretty fed up with the Windows machine that I've been using for it. Stupid me "upgraded" it to Windows 7 64 bit, and that forced me to change from a Hauppauge Win PVR 250 card to the newer HD PVR USB unit. So far I've been less than thrilled with it.

Given the recent AppleTV annoucement, and the fact that EVERY other machine in my house is a Mac, I was wondering about switching over my sageTV setup to a Mac (say a newer Mini), and getting one of the NAS units that can act as a iTunes server. My thought being, use the mini + some USB capture device, and maybe have a script that routinely moves the videos over to the NAS so they get picked up by iTunes and can be hosted to AppleTV.

Questions I have though:

1) Can the Mac server still stream to Hauppauge Media MVP units? (ie, the MVPs get the full SageTV interface) ? I have a placeshifter license, and 2 MVP units that I use in the house (never at the same time.)

2) Can a mini handle this sort of duty?

3) What capture cards/devices work these days? It seems like the list on the Requirements page is REALLY old (neither of the Hauppauge SD USB units are in production anymore.)

4) Is there a way to set it up so things that I record get automatically added to the iTunes server? If so, I might forgo the NAS and just run the mini as the server, with a string of external USB enclosures stacked up (although after about 4 of those, I might as well just pay for the NAS unit!)

Any help is appreciated!

--Mike

[2002cbr600f4i]

Ok, couple others....

Can it drive an USB IR Blaster? I have one on my current unit.

I'm using Comcast Digital Cable, and have been hooking up to my current capture system through Component, but S-Video or even composite is fine for my needs (I don't need HD recording capability.)

What format does the Mac version record in by default? What options do you have?