Suggesting features for the next version of SageTV

[Julianus]

I am openning to thread to suggest features for SageTV. Here is my recommendation.

1. Add DivX,MP4 conversion to the base SageTV. I know people wrote plugins for that, but it takes a lot of effort to make that one work, and BeyondTV has that very nicely integrated, and works without a hitch. More than that it works without slowing down recording or watching shows.
2. Add Commercial skip to base SageTV. Once again take a look BeyondTV.

Thes 2 features are so common, that everybody is asking imediatly. And for SageTV the answer, look this up here, spend a lot of time making it work.

Even if these to features are sold as add-ons it would be fine.

When I evaluated BeyondTV and SageTV, I choose SageTV for one reason only. That was Favorites. However the big minus was immediatly DivX compression and Commercial Skip.

I know a lot of us developers like to play around with things. We like the fact that SageTV is much more customizable than BeyondTV, but in the end these features are basic, and every PVR user will ask for it.

[gplasky]

No. 2
Install the commercial-skip plug in and use Dirmon2 and Showanalyzer. All are in the Customization thread.

Gerry

[briands]

Since you started another Feature request thread, and even mentioned favorites... I'll mention mine again here

New Favorite type...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At first, I thought this would be best for my daughters shows (Barney, Bear, Sesame Street, etc) but I think it would work for anything that is still airing new shows and also in syndication that you like to watch even multiple times.

Select the Min number to keep as well as the Max
First Runs would take priority for recording and Retention (until watched)
Unwatched reruns would be second priority
A watched show that is not currently recorded may be rerecorded to replace a recently watched recording.

To do this best, there might need to be a "watched on" date that could be used to give priority to the watched show that has been the longest since watching.

From here
and Here

[rickgillyon]

1. XviD/DivX Compression seconded!

2. Customisation of filenames (add channel no/name/date etc.)

3. Ability to add favourites by substring (i.e. I want to be able to add a favourite of a special type for (say) "billy bones", and Sage to then record any show with "billy bones" in the title or description. I've recently missed shows because they have been named slightly differently, e.g. "CSI:NY" vs "CSI: NY". Aaargh. It would be nice to just tell it to record all first runs containing "CSI", plus all programs featuring favourite bands, subjects etc.

[BBCritical]

1. Bettter music interface with the abliltiy to play folders of mp3s
2. Compressed video file format
3. Ability to set parental controls per client or mvp vs. globally from the server
4. The ability to delete a group of shows at one time

[mlbdude]

Originally Posted by rickgillyon

1. XviD/DivX Compression seconded!
3. Ability to add favourites by substring (i.e. I want to be able to add a favourite of a special type for (say) "billy bones", and Sage to then record any show with "billy bones" in the title or description. I've recently missed shows because they have been named slightly differently, e.g. "CSI:NY" vs "CSI: NY". Aaargh. It would be nice to just tell it to record all first runs containing "CSI", plus all programs featuring favourite bands, subjects etc.

Just create a keyword favorite of "billy bones" or "CSI" and that will do what you want.

I would not want official commercial skip added since it would be a crippled version like in BTV for legal reasons. It would be nice though if maybe the setup could be easier for new users.

[rickgillyon]

Originally Posted by mlbdude

Just create a keyword favorite of "billy bones" or "CSI" and that will do what you want.

How did I miss that? Stupidity I guess...

I'm going to get busy with my favourites tonight.

I knew I should have read the manual...

[lovingHDTV]

HD, digital audio media extender with touchscreen.

My dream extender so that I can get rid of my PC in my theater, and still control Sage without turning on the TV/PJ.

[bcjenkins]

Originally Posted by BBCritical

3. Ability to set parental controls per client or mvp vs. globally from the server

Yes! Also, I would like to be able to filter out channels on a client by client basis. Too many shows do not use the rating system.

B

[Opus4]

I see keyword favorites was covered already...

Originally Posted by BBCritical

4. The ability to delete a group of shows at one time

A form of this has been there for a while -- see p. 36 of the v4.1 manual for info on commands you can use on grouped shows, including Delete.

- Andy

[BobPhoenix]

Originally Posted by bcjenkins

Yes! Also, I would like to be able to filter out channels on a client by client basis. Too many shows do not use the rating system.

B

Think my plugin may do at least some of what you want. It uses the parental lock code as an access method to unlock the guide display and the Favorite Channel Lists setup screen. Download it here. Also I'm hoping to be uploading a new version that fixes a couple of bugs I found as well as some new features in the next day or so. Support thread is here.

BobP.

[jlindborg]

I'd like to 4th the video compression option for standing shows... very frustrating that this is so tough to do currently...

[jettman]

Originally Posted by jlindborg

I'd like to 4th the video compression option for standing shows... very frustrating that this is so tough to do currently...

I 5th this!

[Fluffdaddy]

yep
The ability to delete a group of shows at one time

[malbec]

1) Another vote for easier, integrated show compression
2) Another vote for a more enhanced music interface
3) Visualizations for the music over the MVP
4) Multi-user support
5) A more flexible, integrated Sage to iPod utility/feature
6) Sorry, I know it is not planned and sounds like a major pain in the derrier, but DVD navigation support over the MVP
7) A sports plug-in akin to the weather plug-in where I can pull an update on how all the games are progressing
8) Easier implementation of the Firefly Remote/functionality built into the standard setup
9) In the standard STV, when flipping through recordings, list the time for each show (ideally, adjusted for the commercials that have been detected)
10) Add the ability to look at the recording schedule for more than the next three days ... next seven days ... a number you can set based upon your own preference
11) The ability to cache some of the show you are watching over the MVP (mainly for wireless setups ... have not tried placeshifting, but would think that would be a good add there as well if does not already exist)
12) Built-in caller ID support
13) Some sort of built-in sleep timer, alert system...set a time for it to shut off automatically, a certain stock price is hit and a message pops up, so much time is left in a basketball, football, etc. game, the lead changes in particular game, some top news event occurs .... some sort of ability to enter this is what I am interested in and it stops the show you are watching to ask "Hey, do you want to check this out?" Yeah, I know, but what the heck.
14) Built-in support for Nielm's tray information thingy

[GTwannabe]

1. A better implemented media center (emphasis on music), automated DJ mode to create dynamic playlists by genre (for parties)

2. Integrated DVD burning (archive shows to DVD)

3. Better thought out controls on the input for things like Weather Area code. You can't even type the numbers right now... gotta go: ~!@#$%^&*()_+ABC123 on the remote or keyboard. Very frustrating.

4. Better handling of offline imported videos. Computers get turned off/rebooted.

5. Bulk archive/unarchive/delete/Don't Like

6. More aggressive buffering for wireless clients

7. Better polling of the server from clients when the server becomes unavailable (after reboot, network hiccup, etc)

8. Automated background conversion of MPEG2 files to DivX or other high compression scheme for long term archive

9. Client licenses that reside on the server

10. Web based recording scheduler

11. Password protected imported media folders

12. Ability to blacklist certain channels from Intelligent Recording without totally deleting them (Lifetime, Oxygen, UPN, etc :-D )

[BruenerXII]

Quote GTwannabe:
3. Better thought out controls on the input for things like Weather Area code. You can't even type the numbers right now... gotta go: ~!@#$%^&*()_+ABC123 on the remote or keyboard. Very frustrating.

I Agree.
I Think Predictive Text Input like we all have on our cell phones would be a great feature!

[rickgillyon]

Originally Posted by GTwannabe

5. Bulk archive/unarchive/delete/Don't Like

Can't you do some of this from the Malore variant of the Recordings screen? Group by category, show etc., then right-click on a show, gives you actions you can perform on all of them.

Also, you can do this from nielm's webserver - find shows, tick which you want, then set Watched/Don't Like etc.

Originally Posted by GTwannabe

8. Automated background conversion of MPEG2 files to DivX or other high compression scheme for long term archive

It's a real hack, but I've upped a stack of XP batch files which automate overnight conversion to DivX/XviD - look here. I'd much prefer this to be part of the core product rather than handled in my messy way though.

[lotusvball]

1. FM Tuner support
2. PIP
3. CD player
4. Music library updated


In order to be called a media center 1, 2, and 3 must be accomplished first. But Sage is still the best.

[jlowery7]

I haven't found this option yet, so if someone knows it exists, then enlighten me. But, I would like for there to be somesort of a live tv stop timer. My wife never remembers to hit stop playback, she just turns off the tv, so Sage just keeps on eatin up hd space. Thx.