Snapsteam guy considering switch to Sage, got some questions (and comments).

[InvisiblePin]

I'll start with my feedback as I'd like to give a little before I get. I have Snapsteam BTV4. It works well for what it does, but it doesn't support Media MVP and Media MVP Picture Quality is 10 times better than the S_Video Out of my video card. I've seen recorded TV on a friend's PC using the S-Video out of his video card it too sucked grapes compared to Media MVP. I do agree with others here that the picture of the Media MVP is dark, and this is using the Hauppauge software (and Sage trial, there is no difference) to run it. However, for me, the Media MVP closes the gap from recorded TV to live TV by about 90%. I've tried GB-PVR and other free software to use with the MVP, but nothing comes even close to what the trial of Sage that I'm using can do. I am very pleased with it, despite the fact that an untrained eye can tell that the picture is dark.

Now for my questions:

1) PC Power Saving Mode: When the PC goes into power saving mode, is Sage TV via Media MVP supposed to work, or do I have to wake up my pc by moving the mouse? I've had a bit of trouble with "Media Server Not Found", I'm not sure if this is the cause.

2) Resume Playback where I left off: Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. I think I've figured out that if I have a show selected and just push Play it resumes, but if I hit OK, and then Watch, it starts fresh. Is this right?

3) Can I watch a show and surf the guide in the lower portion of the screen without actually changing channels? With BTV I can set an option so that I can press channel up or down, and it will display the channel and description of the current show, but won't change the channel until I press OK.

4) I have a wireless Media MVP. What exactly (at a minimum) do I need to buy from Sage to use Media Extender. I'm under the impression I need Sage TV ($80) and Media Extender License ($30).

5) To compensate for dark picture, I've seen some discussion of changing recording options. These options don't seem available through the Media MVP interface. Do I have to set these options using the PC interface, or how else do I see these options.

Thanks,

Steve aka InvisiblePin (a chess reference).

[BobPhoenix]

Originally Posted by InvisiblePin

1) PC Power Saving Mode: When the PC goes into power saving mode, is Sage TV via Media MVP supposed to work, or do I have to wake up my pc by moving the mouse? I've had a bit of trouble with "Media Server Not Found", I'm not sure if this is the cause.

I don't believe the MVP will wake a sleeping server but don't know for sure because I leave my Server on 24/7.

2) Resume Playback where I left off: Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. I think I've figured out that if I have a show selected and just push Play it resumes, but if I hit OK, and then Watch, it starts fresh. Is this right?

I've seen this with LiveTV it will go to the current time but I've never noticed a problem like this with a previously recorded show - maybe I'm just not observant enough .

3) Can I watch a show and surf the guide in the lower portion of the screen without actually changing channels? With BTV I can set an option so that I can press channel up or down, and it will display the channel and description of the current show, but won't change the channel until I press OK.

Think you want the MiniGuide plugin for this.

4) I have a wireless Media MVP. What exactly (at a minimum) do I need to buy from Sage to use Media Extender. I'm under the impression I need Sage TV ($80) and Media Extender License ($30).

That should be all that you need if you only want to watch in upto 2 locations. One MVP and on the Server. Note you could add more MVP's without adding any more licences as long as you only try to use a single MVP at a time for your single licence.

5) To compensate for dark picture, I've seen some discussion of changing recording options. These options don't seem available through the Media MVP interface. Do I have to set these options using the PC interface, or how else do I see these options.

I believe what you want here is the color correction options in the Setup menu.

Hope this helps don't want to add confusion.

BobP.

[mayamaniac]

1. yeah, I dont think the MVP will wake SageTV out of standby, best to leave it on 24/7.

2. hitting Play or OK/Watch is the same thing. Play is just a shortcut to go directly to the Watch command. It should'nt affect the Watch status at all. The watch status sometime just freak out, I think its a small bug as it doesn't happen to often.

3. SageTV only display the full guide. With VMR9 on, it is transparent so you sorta still see the pictures behind it. Use the miniguide plugin like bobphoenix said.

4. Yep, $80 and $30, all you need. Also that $30 license will allow you to use the Placeshifter client when your MVP is not in use (powered off), which is a bonus.

5. The color correction in the Tuner Setup will change the color of the actual recording to make it brighter. If you don't want to do that, in case you want to burn the video into DVD or such, then its best to just increase the brightness on your TV to compensate for the MVP's darkness.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by InvisiblePin

3) Can I watch a show and surf the guide in the lower portion of the screen without actually changing channels? With BTV I can set an option so that I can press channel up or down, and it will display the channel and description of the current show, but won't change the channel until I press OK.

Use the Up/Down commands (arrow keys by default) not the channel up/down to navigate the guide.

[InvisiblePin]

I think running the whole operation though the Media MVP simply rules. No more occupying the PC when I want to use my PVR.

I changed a couple regestry entries dealing with the number and size of buffers and that has reduced my wireless stutter problem 99%.

The Sage/Media MVP solution is a winner for me. Praise the Lord! I've been screwing around with things since December. I tried different video cards/different tuner cards, and all the software setting I could think of. The Picture quaility was just awful until I got the media MVP. But the Media MVP could basically only play previously recorded shows. I always had problems trying to watch live TV. I have Snapstream, which is darn good. If it supported MVP I might have studk with them. But the Sage support of the MVP is just awesome. I think I'll have two MVP licenses soon.

Thanks again Sage for such a fine job supporting the Media MVP.

[nielm]

Originally Posted by InvisiblePin

2) Resume Playback where I left off: Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. I think I've figured out that if I have a show selected and just push Play it resumes, but if I hit OK, and then Watch, it starts fresh. Is this right?

If the show has been fully watched (shown in italics, and marked with a [W] icon), it will restart from the beginning. Otherwise, it will continue (This behaviour can be modified in the detailed setup: Reset watced status when playing watched shows -- or similar)