What makes sagetv better than gbpvr?

[guytalbot]

I am trying to decide which software to use on my pvr and was wondering what the sage community says is the advantages of $80 software like sagetv over free options like gbpvr?

[chrisc16]

The number one thing that comes to my mind is: client-server architecture. I guess if you're planning on running everything on one PC that doesn't affect you.

[guytalbot]

No not particular interested in client server, so basically it seems there is now good reason to buy sagetv, at least as far as I can tell now.

[blade]

I've never used GBPVR, but I'm sure there are reasons to use Sage instead. Others here have tried it and chosen Sage.

All I can tell you is to download the trial version, read the manual and compare the two products.

[StephaneM]

Hello,

Originally Posted by guytalbot

I am trying to decide which software to use on my pvr and was wondering what the sage community says is the advantages of $80 software like sagetv over free options like gbpvr?

GBPVR is nice but never really worked for me, mais issues I encountered :

* LiveTV just stops on program boundaries (this is not by design)
* Somehow when it stops like this, it is not releasing properly my DVB-T tuner and as a result it locks the DVB-T tuner on one frequency only a reboot can fix it

At first I thinked it was my DVB-T tuner, I then changed the hardware : still the same result.

On the other hand, I don't have any problems with SageTV.

Other than that it is a fine free product (imho more user friendly than Media Portal), but I do think SageTV is more reliable and polished (for instance : try to navigate in the program guide in GBPVR where there are unavailable data, it's a little difficult).

So to resume : try them both and decide which of the two you like better.

What I personally like about SageTV :

* intelligent recordings (well I turn them off, but I review suggestions)
* nice custom skins
* nice web server plugin
* network encoder support
* placeshifter (though I don't use it but might come in a handy one day)

Regards,
Stéphane.

[Tomahawk51]

I was using GBPVR before coming here...one reason: MVP. It worked under GBPVR, but it was sooo much better in Sage.

The recording options are also much more mature, and conflicts are handled well.

[SprDtyF350]

I am presently using both Sage and GBPVR. Sage is much better in the TV department. Choosing first runs, channels, etc is more refined in Sage. Sage seems to be more reliable in the TV department also. Sage for me does not crash. Just keeps going, going, going, like the Bunny.

I use GBPVR on a different PC because the plugins are much nicer than Sage. Net Radio in GBPVR works really well. Song title, station, etc. are displayed. Easy to add stations. The weather plugin is my favorite. Can have multiple cities, moving maps, etc. Music works fine, and the Video plugin (My Videos) if I remember right is capable of all sorts of neat stuff like DVD conversion.

Sage is my primary PVR software. GBPVR could be if the TV portion was more robust.

Media Portal is not even close in my opinion. It looks nice but seems very unfinished beneath the surface.

MVP worked fine for me with GBPVR.

Like others have said. It depends on what parts are the most important to you. I have yet to find a single media center type program that does everything I would like proficiently. They all have strong, and weak points.

[mayamaniac]

never tried GBPVR but I'm sure the fact that its free is the main advantage. Other than that, when it comes to PVR features, nothing beats SageTV. Here are SageTV's strengths that other software lacks:

- Server/client model
- Full MVP Extender support, not only for Mpeg2, but Divx and Xvid transcoding.
- Full Placeshifting client
- Webserver plugin by nielm
- Studio, open interface editor for all to use.

As for other features, SageTV has them all including Intelligent recording and favorites manager. The music and pictures inteface is a bit lackluster, but I'm sure it will get better in the future.

[raulinigo]

Originally Posted by guytalbot

I am trying to decide which software to use on my pvr and was wondering what the sage community says is the advantages of $80 software like sagetv over free options like gbpvr?

Just in case you go with SageTV it is $70 at pcalchemy.com (was $65 until today's update to version 5).

I downloaded gbpvr once and installed it. I never really got it fully configured to try it out, but the whole configuration process seemed much more difficult than SageTV. I did try using the FM tuner, but it didn't work. I couldn't get it to change channels or set favorites. Just static.

I suppose if I hadn't been spoiled by the SageTV interface and ease of use/setup.... I would have been more inclined to mess around with GBPVR.

[roxy99]

Also GbPVR does not support software based mpeg2 capture cards.

[stevech]

First DVR here was my DIY PC with GPBVR since it was free.
The WAF was less than zero. In fact, it almost killed the whole DVR initiative here.

Dumped that right away before the hole was too deep.

Then I chose Sage because of the open UI that can be customized and the client-server flexibility. The WAF is pretty good (no TiVo point of reference here though).

[i0zjh02]

I'm just trying GB-PVR as I'm struggling to get my Hauppauge HVR-1300 working with SageTV 5.0.1. I have read all the related threads in SageTV re: creation of frequency files etc... But none seem to relate to the new ver 2 frq file format found in ver 5. I have struggled for almost a week now with almost no joy!! In GB-PVR the card is found and easily configured and I have it working in 5 mins !! I'm quite disappointed to be honest as I've already bought licenses for Sagetv and 2 clients. Why is it that free software like GB-PVR can supply support for DVB-T sources so much better than SageTV seems to be able to at the moment ? If anybody has got their HVR-1300 card working with SageTV 5.01 i'd certainly like to know how as I loved the software (when using my twin PVR-350's) and would like to continue with it if possible. [Edit: duplicate post discussed here.]

[blade]

Originally Posted by i0zjh02

I'm just trying GB-PVR as I'm struggling to get my Hauppauge HVR-1300 working with SageTV 5.0.1. I have read all the related threads in SageTV re: creation of frequency files etc... But none seem to relate to the new ver 2 frq file format found in ver 5. I have struggled for almost a week now with almost no joy!! In GB-PVR the card is found and easily configured and I have it working in 5 mins !! I'm quite disappointed to be honest as I've already bought licenses for Sagetv and 2 clients. Why is it that free software like GB-PVR can supply support for DVB-T sources so much better than SageTV seems to be able to at the moment ? If anybody has got their HVR-1300 card working with SageTV 5.01 i'd certainly like to know how as I loved the software (when using my twin PVR-350's) and would like to continue with it if possible. [Edit: duplicate post discussed here.]

DVB-T cards aren't currently supported in v5. They are supported in an older beta version and will be supported in future releases, but support wasn't included in the v5 release due to possible stability issues.

[DIBU]

for me:

pic quali
ir
mvp support
client-server (with smal server)
all in one
development (studio)

and more...

[jominor]

Originally Posted by i0zjh02

I'm just trying GB-PVR as I'm struggling to get my Hauppauge HVR-1300 working with SageTV 5.0.1. I have read all the related threads in SageTV re: creation of frequency files etc... But none seem to relate to the new ver 2 frq file format found in ver 5. I have struggled for almost a week now with almost no joy!! In GB-PVR the card is found and easily configured and I have it working in 5 mins !! I'm quite disappointed to be honest as I've already bought licenses for Sagetv and 2 clients. Why is it that free software like GB-PVR can supply support for DVB-T sources so much better than SageTV seems to be able to at the moment ? If anybody has got their HVR-1300 card working with SageTV 5.01 i'd certainly like to know how as I loved the software (when using my twin PVR-350's) and would like to continue with it if possible. [Edit: duplicate post discussed here.]

The price has nothing to with it. There is plenty of free and open source software that matches or surpases commerical software.

As someone who has been using Sage for over two years and has seen the specs on GB-PVR, I just don't find it that compelling.

Sage has excellent picture quality.
The intelligent recording is without peer.
The client/server architecture has me running Sage on even a wireless laptop.
Sage is simply inexpensive. If $70 is too much, I would say one cannot afford a DIY HTPC because they are not cheap. They are powerful and flexible.
Sage's support of Hauppage, specifically, USB2 tuners combined with USB2 drives make adding resources as simple as plugging in, on reboot required.
The forums are a great resource.
There are many good plugins.
Heck, free upgrades from 1.4 to 5. Guess how much Sage costs as the price is amortized over a few years and versions?
My wife, when I was testing Sage as *me*, when were we purchasing it.
Sage has proven rock solid. I have three tuners and 7x200g drives and it runs 24/7 without fail. It has been up 24/7 since Nov. when I last applied fixpacks.

Hard to beat...

[Bathman]

GBPVR is an excellent programme and I would say that one is not better than the other-they just have different strenghts and weaknesses.

I use GBPVR. Because is plays all my media formats. Tried playing OGG, OGM in sage?

But the real killer feature for me is that it can read the epg data from the DVB-T stream which for a UK user is outstanding. No more problems with XMLTV. In fact my PVR has no internet connection.

I also get the impression that the person who writes it - sub. Is superhuman. I have never know a product even a commercial product where you get such quick replies to you questions.

I would also add that I have never had any stability problems with GBPVR.

[blade]

Originally Posted by Bathman

I use GBPVR. Because is plays all my media formats. Tried playing OGG, OGM in sage?

Yes, I have played OGM files in Sage. There are quite a few threads explaining how to add playback of various types of files.

[jominor]

Originally Posted by Bathman

GBPVR is an excellent programme and I would say that one is not better than the other-they just have different strenghts and weaknesses.

I use GBPVR. Because is plays all my media formats. Tried playing OGG, OGM in sage?

But the real killer feature for me is that it can read the epg data from the DVB-T stream which for a UK user is outstanding. No more problems with XMLTV. In fact my PVR has no internet connection.

I also get the impression that the person who writes it - sub. Is superhuman. I have never know a product even a commercial product where you get such quick replies to you questions.

I would also add that I have never had any stability problems with GBPVR.

Well, first, I've never tried to play OGG files because I don't have any. Also, I would suspect that one would get quick replies if one has a small fraction of the user base.

I have an internet connection and try hardcore multi-tuner, client server requirements. Also, as I'm metioned, I have enough resources that if Sage wishes to find additional programming I may enjoy, I want that too. And in that capacity, Sage has performed admirably.

I'm not saying GB-PVR is bad. I've never used it. I'm saying that it is very compelling to me. Being able to sit in my living room and read, yet have a wireless laptop running Sage showing Sesame Street to my daughter is more compelling, to me, than a comparatively obscure music format. WMA, AAC, MP3, those are formats that would give me pause, perhaps.

[CadErik]

Originally Posted by guytalbot

I am trying to decide which software to use on my pvr and was wondering what the sage community says is the advantages of $80 software like sagetv over free options like gbpvr?

Just had a quick look... at least one thing that is making it better: it is running with .NET which makes integrating other programs much easier in plugins...

Erik.

[aperry]

Originally Posted by CadErik

Just had a quick look... at least one thing that is making it better: it is running with .NET which makes integrating other programs much easier in plugins...

According to this thread, .NET integration with SageTV is possible as well. I have not tried it, but it looks relatively straight-forward.