SageTV hijacked MVP software

[cavalli]

I have a server with 3 PVR 250's, two MediaMVP's, SageTV v5.0.2. I only bought my SageTV software license to get my new server running. Since I haven't been sure which MVP software to buy (client? placeshifter? etc.), as well as saving some money short term, I used the MVP software from Hauppauge with which it was shipped. While it can only play the recorded SageTV videos, that's been all I need for now. Worked great for almost a month!

Here's the problem. My son pulled out the power cord and upon repowering, SageTV has hijacked my MVP, says it is "Trialware", I have 7 days, and plasters "Trial" all over the screen.

I -did- want to test the trial software, but not today. (Don't have things in their final positions, and don't know exactly what I am trialing.) Assume the 7 day key is off and running, and I can't undo that now.

However, I really WOULD like to have the MVP software back in place. The processes are running, so it seems. Am wondering what I can/should do at this point. I really don't want to buy the SageTV MVP software (yet) as it is simply not in the current budget. Hope that it hasn't stuck me with only that.

Thanks!

--David

[Para]

Have you tried to disable the media extender in the detailed setup?

[cavalli]

Originally Posted by Para

Have you tried to disable the media extender in the detailed setup?

I'm not sure what that means or where it is located. The closest I found was Customize >> "Enable MPEG4 timeshifting (requires hardware encoder) >> "No"

If this isn't it (and was already set to "No", same problem), let me know where I can set it.

FYI, it's taken over both my MVP's now. I have been able to telnet into them, and basically they look like minor Unix systems, but that's all I can figure out there. (It's a write-ONLY O/S so it seems.)

Thanks!

--David

[Para]

Detailed setup/advanced/media extender and placeshifter server.

You probably need to unplug the MVPs also. Don't know why that would have defaulted to ON. Or why it would have overridden the hauppauge service. Maybe Sage has worked on ways to avoid user error (just not the error you are looking to solve )

EDIT: the setting is in the SageTV server "Detailed setup/advanced/media extender and placeshifter server".
You may also be able to edit the sage.properties file when Sage is off (including the service) and set the following:

enable_media_extender_server=false

If that setting is not there, the name may have changed to include placeshifter in the later releases. Let me know if you can't get it turned off.

[cavalli]

Originally Posted by Para

Detailed setup/advanced/media extender and placeshifter server.

If that setting is not there, the name may have changed to include placeshifter in the later releases. Let me know if you can't get it turned off.

Only 8 entries in v5.0.2.90, none of them extender/placeshifter. Any other ideas appreciated.

The worst part is that I wanted to actually test it (at some time), but now the GAF is going straight to heck, given she can't watch TV now. Menus are unreadable and hard to navigate. *sigh* Knowing my luck, this will even waste the 7 day trial I wanted too.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by cavalli

Only 8 entries in v5.0.2.90, none of them extender/placeshifter. Any other ideas appreciated.

On the server, it is right where Para said it is -- for a picture, see p. 182 of the PDF manual, where it describes "Detailed Setup: Advanced Settings".

The worst part is that I wanted to actually test it (at some time), but now the GAF is going straight to heck, given she can't watch TV now. Menus are unreadable and hard to navigate. *sigh* Knowing my luck, this will even waste the 7 day trial I wanted too.

Your trial is certainly started now. If the UI problem is that you are not seeing the entire menu via the MVP's output, go to Detailed Setup -> Multimedia -> Overscan Settings & adjust it so that the UI is fully on the screen. (p. 170 in the manual, with a link to p. 133)

- Andy

[Para]

Sorry but maybe a little more info will help.
How are you set up?
Are you accessing the service on your server though the local user interface?
The listing of only 8 items in that advanced tab sounds like a client/extender/placeshifter interface.
When running as a service and using the user interface you should see 12 items in the advanced tab.
Are you set up to run SageTV as a service?

[lotus298]

Originally Posted by cavalli

Only 8 entries in v5.0.2.90, none of them extender/placeshifter.

Make sure you are using the latest STV. I was also confused when I looked for that option in my custom STV from version 4.x.

[cavalli]

Originally Posted by Opus4

On the server, it is right where Para said it is -- for a picture, see p. 182 of the PDF manual, where it describes "Detailed Setup: Advanced Settings".

My first two entries are "SageTV Server" and "Load at Windows Startup". Looks like it is between those two appear various placeshifter options, according to the manual. Unfortunately, ain't here. Wonder if it is because the Trial has already started?

Your trial is certainly started now. If the UI problem is that you are not seeing the entire menu via the MVP's output, go to Detailed Setup -> Multimedia -> Overscan Settings & adjust it so that the UI is fully on the screen. (p. 170 in the manual, with a link to p. 133)

Figures. *sigh* My luck too. And just getting hammered to get it working and will never really get to the trial part. Oh well. Can always clone up a reinstall if/when I really have to do that. Yuck. Such effort.

Originally Posted by Para

Sorry but maybe a little more info will help.
How are you set up?
Are you set up to run SageTV as a service?

SageTV running as a service. SageTV.exe running as the interface on the server. From SageTV's system information, using v5.0.2.90, java v1.5.0_06, STV SageTV3-1.xml. Not sure what else might be of help. Saw nothing of extender on the sysinfo page either.

Originally Posted by lotus298

Make sure you are using the latest STV. I was also confused when I looked for that option in my custom STV from version 4.x.

Now this one sounds like it has legs. I've inherited ToonGal's old configuration. Where can I find a 'virgin' STV file to start over here? I'd add comskip and encoder name STVi's to it to make sure this isn't the problem.

Update:
Closed SageTV.exe. Stopped SageTV service. Unplugged / replugged one MVP. Hauppauge interface restored. Started SageTV service. Unplugged / replugged other MVP. Hauppauge interface restored. Can solve short term issue, at least, so not held hostage by Sage, but annoying if/when MVP units lose power. [Also, kills my Trial time too, I bet if I don't use it, because the clock's already ticking.] Think it only even started because I had SageTV.exe running when the first MVP power rebooted.

Any additional help appreciated. Thanks, you three, for such quick responses.

[JUC]

Originally Posted by cavalli

Since I haven't been sure which MVP software to buy (client? placeshifter? etc.), as well as saving some money short term, I used the MVP software from Hauppauge with which it was shipped. Thanks!

--David

David, I'm not exactly sure what you meant by the above--but I do not believe you can use a client license for the MVP. You have to buy/use the extender license--which works for both the placeshifter and MVP....That is what you would be using during the trial period.

JUC

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by cavalli

From SageTV's system information, using v5.0.2.90, java v1.5.0_06, STV SageTV3-1.xml.

Now this one sounds like it has legs. I've inherited ToonGal's old configuration. Where can I find a 'virgin' STV file to start over here? I'd add comskip and encoder name STVi's to it to make sure this isn't the problem.

lotus298 got the issue correct -- Load the SageTV3.XML file as your STV. Your customized one (SageTV3-1.xml) must be based on an older version that doesn't have the extender options.

- Andy

[cavalli]

Originally Posted by JUC

David, I'm not exactly sure what you meant by the above--but I do not believe you can use a client license for the MVP. You have to buy/use the extender license--which works for both the placeshifter and MVP....That is what you would be using during the trial period.

Oh, I see. I was under the impression it worked with Matt's program using the SageTVClient license. That's what I saw working on ToonGal's system, but I bet that's because it was never v5. Cool. I really wish SageTV had a media section that worked like Hauppauge/Meedio, which just did a real-time listing of what is in the selected directories, instead of 'importing' them all. My video directory is every changing, and importing probably just makes a bigger wiz.bin file.

Originally Posted by Opus4

lotus298 got the issue correct -- Load the SageTV3.XML file as your STV. Your customized one (SageTV3-1.xml) must be based on an older version that doesn't have the extender options.

Andy, I absolutely agree w/ that being the problem. It made sense and would fit in with what I'm seeing as the problem. But it doesn't solve it. As I said in my last post, where can I find a new current version of it? Mine somehow got corrupted. I thought of just backing up the active configuration and reinstalling v5.0.2, but would rather just keep what I have and get a copy of the STV file.

Since you look like you are in charge of the dowload section too, maybe it is worth creating a .zip file that has copies of 'basic' versions of these things (.prop, wiz.bin, clean STVs), so they can be downloaded upon request.

Thanks gang!

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by cavalli

Andy, I absolutely agree w/ that being the problem. It made sense and would fit in with what I'm seeing as the problem. But it doesn't solve it. As I said in my last post, where can I find a new current version of it? Mine somehow got corrupted. I thought of just backing up the active configuration and reinstalling v5.0.2, but would rather just keep what I have and get a copy of the STV file.

Unless you edited the default SageTV3.xml file in Studio, it should still be sitting in your STVs directory. Importing into it just creates one with a "-1" added to it, like you said you are now using.

Since you look like you are in charge of the dowload section too, maybe it is worth creating a .zip file that has copies of 'basic' versions of these things (.prop, wiz.bin, clean STVs), so they can be downloaded upon request.

Basic properties and wiz.bin files have no meaning, since they are simple recreated when you delte the ones you are currently using.

But, you can find a copy of the v5 default STV in this post.

- Andy