Who will still be using SageTV in five years?

[briankeys]

Asking because my Dish contract is up in April and I find myself at a fork in the road. Do I throw a pair of Colossus cards in my Sage server and keep it going, or do I give up on it and go with a Dish or DirecTV whole house solution?

I have no personal experience of the latter but from what I read, it seems like they still have their limitations and I could do without the monthly DVR service fee.

On the flip side I'm still loving SageTV after what must be ten years. I know I can keep it running especially as long as the forum stays around, but what about the guide data? I think that's the only part that really worries me.

Soooo,

1. Will the forums be around for a while in one form or another?
2. Any thoughts on the sustainability of the guide data for a few years?
3. I'm I asking for trouble replacing my HVR1600s with Colossuses?

Any input would be appreciated. I should mention that my internet service is over satellite with a download quota so the whole online video experience is not an option for me.

Thanks!

[Dargason]

A colossus is $150. I have no idea what a whole house DVR fee costs, but maybe $20 per month? More?

So if a colossus delays the DVR fee even for only 8 months, you're money ahead. I'm pretty sure the forums and probably even the guide will still be around that long.

Just my two cents.

[mistergq]

I talked to a DirectTV sales guy at Sams Club the other day. He is boosting genie...the ease, and the amount of space. He told me 800 hours. Not sure if they were putting a 3 or 4 TB drive in it, or if he was just wrong. But I have over 800 hours of content right now and 3/4 full, and can expand if I want too. I also have DVD/Blurays as well, with pictures as a screen saver. The pictures are huge. He tried to close the deal and just did not understand my reluctance.

On the one hand, I get to relieve the need to worry about what is the next thing to stop working (which does not happen often, but something screws up every once and awhile). On the other hand, I have to give up something that I have to give up SageTV.

There were plenty of other issues. How much would my internet go up when I remove the bundle. I also wish the directtv boxes were wireless or used ethernet to connect. I don't have coax in every room and don't want them running the cable outside the house.

I don't know what to do. I wish we had clear answer from Google/Sage about whether there will be a public release. I wish there was a clear answer on this.

Right now I am holding out. If I switch to directtv, it will be in the summer to get the NFL package for free or at a discount. I may just renew the 2 year contract on FIOS and punt this decision for 2 years.

[SteveD]

I am currently running the genie with three clients. Its a good dvr solution, but it has no ability to playback ripped /or a very limited capibility for ripped content. No placeshifting, but the ability to stream content from Directv servers. My unit has a 1 tb drive and is 58% full since November.

Using plex on unraid for ripped content for playback on roku boxes
Windows mediacenter for family room ripped content and netflix
Unraid for storage 10TB
Sagetv for placeshifting 2TB

Sagetv still has its uses.

[tvmaster2]

I'll be using Sage until they pry the remote from my old, arthritic hands....

[briankeys]

I was leaning towards sticking it out with SageTV and even more so now, thank you. I know I can keep the software and hardware going for some time to come and I get the impression the forum isn't going anywhere soon. If anything does happen to the guide data, I'm sure a plan B will evolve pretty quickly.

Besides, I just discovered the SageTV Phoenix Android app and I'm going to donate right away, Something new to play with!

Main thing though is my wife and kids like SageTV and they know their way around it. I'd have to move in with the dogs if I tried to change it before it was completely broken.

Thanks!

[BobPhoenix]

Originally Posted by briankeys

Asking because my Dish contract is up in April and I find myself at a fork in the road. Do I throw a pair of Colossus cards in my Sage server and keep it going, or do I give up on it and go with a Dish or DirecTV whole house solution?

Not an option for me I have 40TB of recordings now that isn't possible with a whole house solution.

I have no personal experience of the latter but from what I read, it seems like they still have their limitations and I could do without the monthly DVR service fee.

Not sure they can play media off a computer but if they can't that would be a limitation. Don't want two boxes to do playback myself.

On the flip side I'm still loving SageTV after what must be ten years. I know I can keep it running especially as long as the forum stays around, but what about the guide data? I think that's the only part that really worries me.

Soooo,

1. Will the forums be around for a while in one form or another?

There was a SJQ script to download all the plugins available for SageTV V7 so those are safe - if you run it periodically anyway.

2. Any thoughts on the sustainability of the guide data for a few years?

Slugger has a EPG plugin that works with SchedulesDirect to get data. But Narflex has posted that the EPG will not be shutting down anytime soon anyway.

3. I'm I asking for trouble replacing my HVR1600s with Colossuses?

I've had better luck with version 1 HD-PVR myself but I know others have Colossi so it might work for you too. My Colossus is recording from HDMI but I don't believe Component/SPDIF would have the same problems I have.

Any input would be appreciated. I should mention that my internet service is over satellite with a download quota so the whole online video experience is not an option for me.

Thanks!