Suggesting features for the next version of SageTV

[aperry]

Sad, because features and improvements to existing features often seem to be put aside in favor of new "gee whiz" features. I agree that the placeshifter and MVP support were great things to add, but I find it sad that Sage's media player seems to not be up to the high standard that the rest of the product, especially TV/PVR stuff, shows.

Also, I am saddened by the lack of support for some formats of video, like Quicktime and MP4, and problems with playback of TS files and them sometimes not having sound (while these same files playback perfectly in other players in Windows).

Don't get me wrong, I love Sage, and will continue to use it, because even with these quirks, it is still probably the best out there, but it is frustrating that there have been so many people asking for improvements in the music player and for support of additional video formats, and have been asking for this since I started with Sage over a year ago. I just wish that we could see some movement in those areas.

[briands]

Originally Posted by GKusnick

Why sad? Without new customers, they go out of business. That would be sad.

If you have not noticed, Sage does not seem to have the marketing $$$ of M$. Their best marketing is to satisfy existing customers so that they promote the product. That is the only way they will grow.

[rickgillyon]

Originally Posted by aperry

Sad, because features and improvements to existing features often seem to be put aside in favor of new "gee whiz" features.

I think it's easy to forget that, at it's core, this is a TV product. So items like MVP and Placeshifter are serving the core functionality (as well as generating extra income from existing users). Music players, imported video, pah, I don't expect Sage to do as well as specialised products, so I just fire up PowerDVD or MediaMonkey. Not a problem. I'd prefer Sage to spend the time on TV-related features, like HD, DVB etc. Requirements differ...

[aperry]

Originally Posted by rickgillyon

Music players, imported video, pah, I don't expect Sage to do as well as specialised products, so I just fire up PowerDVD or MediaMonkey.

Nevertheless, SageTV markets this as "SageTV Media Center". Those words "Media Center" have a certain connotation, in other words it is more than just saying "hey, we play back and record TV stuff really well"...

Regarding just firing up an alternative program, I don't really think that is an acceptable answer. My WAF and especially MILAF (mother-in-law) would go WAAAAYYY down if she had to use different programs to do different things. They want everything to run in the same interface they are accustomed to with Sage. Now if something was called in the background from Sage, like that guy did with the WinAmp plug-in, that would be fine too, because as far as they are concerned, Sage is playing back the music (nevermind the 23 separate steps I had to go through to enable it...) j/k

The number one rule in my house (and the MIL house) is that everything be controllable via the remote control. The number two rule is that whatever you are running has to have a "10 ft. GUI" (like Sage) to interface with.

[blade]

I agree the "Media Center" part of Sage could be improved, but to me it's not all that bad. Probably because I don't use it all that much. Improving the media center part of Sage isn't the #1 concern of all Sage users. I was glad to see them develop transcoding and extender support, but what I'm really anxious to see is an affordable HD extender.

[rickgillyon]

Originally Posted by aperry

Regarding just firing up an alternative program, I don't really think that is an acceptable answer. My WAF and especially MILAF (mother-in-law) would go WAAAAYYY down if she had to use different programs to do different things.

My wife doesn't use Sage and wouldn't thank me for it. TV and VCR only, she even complains if I give her recordings on DVD...

I use Sage and have a widescreen monitor, mouse and keyboard on my desk, so remote and large interface doesn't come into it. Horses for courses, I guess. Maybe in 5 years the missus will show an interest...

[aperry]

My wife and mother-in-law both originally got their "start" with PVR technology quite a long time ago. We were both set up with Dish Network at the time, and each had their Dishplayer that was based on the WebTV interface. I still to this day miss that interface, and am thinking that one day when I get motivated, I'd like to look into getting Sage to look like that. So, in all reality, they are PVR veterans, and never have used anything with the Tivo name either ...

They both rave about Sage's name-based recording, and have grown to really like Sage.

I have to admit that the only reason that they are even PVR-savvy is me. Otherwise, they'd probably still be using VCR's to record their programs... I have dragged them kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

Seriously though, even though they are "veterans", they like to stick with something once they get it. So, as I say above, media playback within Sage (even if it is actually something else doing the playback in the background) is critical to "pass their test".

[Jesse]

Hi,

My one big request is an HD/AC-3 capable extender that can playback both HD recordings made with sage and ripped dvd's. This would really make sage the MCE killer. I am beginning to wonder if the lack of an HD extender is a political/DRM thing, kind of like no official comskip.

Jesse

[dblaine2]

Originally Posted by blade

I agree the "Media Center" part of Sage could be improved, but to me it's not all that bad. Probably because I don't use it all that much. Improving the media center part of Sage isn't the #1 concern of all Sage users. I was glad to see them develop transcoding and extender support, but what I'm really anxious to see is an affordable HD extender.

Yes! since Sage moved from simple PVR to "Media Center" they really need to improve those features but like blade I don't use them all that much. It would just be nice to have.

I agree with the HD extender bit

[raulinigo]

Here is another vote for FM tuner support.

[lotusvball]

Originally Posted by raulinigo

Here is another vote for FM tuner support.

I'll 200 that!!! (MEDIA center?)

[src666]

A way to have a one-way link between two servers.

Example: I want to set up a server for the adults in the house, and one for the kids. I want the adult server to be able to "see" the shows on the kid's server, but the kid's server can't see the adult server's shows.

The goal is to specify that the clients in the kid's rooms will only show content from the kid's server, while the rest of clients in the house can see all shows. That way the kids can watch their shows anywhere in the house, but the "grown up" stuff can't play in their rooms.

This is a nice solution to parental control, since you can set up all the tuning and content restrictions you want on the kid's server, without impacting the adults choices/usability.

[aperry]

Originally Posted by raulinigo

Here is another vote for FM tuner support.

While nice, that's definitely nowhere near the top of my list.

What is becoming evident here is how different folks have different desires...

[farscapesg1]

Originally Posted by src666

A way to have a one-way link between two servers.

Example: I want to set up a server for the adults in the house, and one for the kids. I want the adult server to be able to "see" the shows on the kid's server, but the kid's server can't see the adult server's shows.

The goal is to specify that the clients in the kid's rooms will only show content from the kid's server, while the rest of clients in the house can see all shows. That way the kids can watch their shows anywhere in the house, but the "grown up" stuff can't play in their rooms.

This is a nice solution to parental control, since you can set up all the tuning and content restrictions you want on the kid's server, without impacting the adults choices/usability.

While not ideal, couldn't you set the "adult" server to look at the other server as import directories? I know in the SageTV client you can specify what server you want to connect to by inputting an IP address. That way the client sytsems for the kids would view the kids server, while the adults would see the other one. The adult server would have access to all the records on the kids server, but the kids server would not have the adult recordings as imports.

[pschweig]

At least one of these is already mentioned in this thread

1. Multi user interface. So I can "log on" to sagetv and see only the shows recorded for my profile. And my flatmate can do the same

2. Ability to cancel recording of a favourite on a particular night - but without removing the favourite

[rickgillyon]

Originally Posted by pschweig

Ability to cancel recording of a favourite on a particular night - but without removing the favourite

If you just set it watched in the schedule, that works (IIRC).

[src666]

Originally Posted by farscapesg1

While not ideal, couldn't you set the "adult" server to look at the other server as import directories? I know in the SageTV client you can specify what server you want to connect to by inputting an IP address. That way the client sytsems for the kids would view the kids server, while the adults would see the other one. The adult server would have access to all the records on the kids server, but the kids server would not have the adult recordings as imports.

That's my fallback option, but it makes it much harder for the kids to find what they want to watch outside of their rooms. Navigation becomes a nightmare, especially for the 5 year old.

[briands]

My wife uttered unthinkable words...

Can we put the CD changer back in the living room? This thing sucks at playing music

PLEASE improve the Music functionality!!!

[sharker]

Isn't the best use of the Placeshifter to be able to access music remotely? I mean, I can get away with listening to my music collection at work, but watching a few shows probably wouldn't sell.

I think they need to get the music playback working if they are going to really take the market. I still can't recommend Sage to others until they get the music right.

[rickgillyon]

Originally Posted by sharker

Isn't the best use of the Placeshifter to be able to access music remotely?

I can't believe that anyone would buy it for that. What you need for that is an MP3 player...

What would you recommend to others?