SageTV HD Extender Update

[Opus4]

Here is an update about the HD extender from SageTV:

We're sorry we've sold out of our current SageTV HD Extender (the STX-HD100). We really appreciate the great support we've had for the SageTV HD Extender and are working on a next generation SageTV set-top we hope to have ready for sale in December. Please stay tuned for more news about it.

Thanks

The SageTV Team

I have no further details to release at this point. I, or someone else at SageTV, will post more information when there is more to say publicly. (Please don't ask for more details via PM.)

Update from another post in this topic:

Originally Posted by Opus4

As people have noticed, the new STP-HD200 SageTV HD Theater is in the SageTV store... the first post of this topic said December & it is Dec. 1, so I think the estimated availability was hit exactly.

I'll have to see about getting the PDF manual available for download later today.

BTW, in case the info page isn't clear (I haven't studied the page): it can work in stand-alone mode to play media it finds on your local network or on a local USB storage device connected to the HD200, without connecting to SageTV server. Or, it can work in the way everyone is familiar with, where it acts as an extender connected to a SageTV server.

The PDF manual can be downloaded here:
SageTV_HD200_Manual.pdf (Right click & choose "Save Target As...")

- Andy

[reggie14]

The thread isn't locked, so I'm going to assume it's fair to start the wild speculation. If not, then by all means, Andy, delete this post.

First of all, I want to thank Andy and SageTV guys for giving us this little teaser. Second of all, I must say I stand corrected. Several people on the forums have suggested this delay was caused by a revision to the HD100, or a new replacement. I've been saying there was no way that was going to happen after just 3 production runs.

So, we're all wondering what's going to be in this thing. The old extender didn't really seem to have any hardware problems, just a few limitations. I think the commonly discussed limitations were 1) no wireless connectivity option, 2) no optical drive and 3) no Netflix Watch Now support (and possibly no support for DRM at all). I can't think of any other big feature requests for the HD100 except, perhaps, useful USB ports.

Of course, while I'd love to see Netflix support, I think it would probably be a waste to include an optical drive, and mostly unnecessary (although useful) to include wifi (presumably 802.11n). I think this might be transitioning to new completely new hardware, rather than revising the HD100 design. Maybe they're working on supporting the Popcorn Hour/NMT device, so we wouldn't have to worry as much about supply issues (this is what I'm hoping for). Or, maybe they're just switching manufacturers but keeping the same basic features. I guess we'll find out sometime in the coming weeks.

[Deacon Crusher]

I'm thinking/betting/hoping the big improvement is rock solid support for full bit rate 1080p blu ray rip playback.

This is the one remaining unreliable feature with the extender.

Of course I now have 3 of them so will be a bit bummed if the new one comes out and solves that problem, but such is life.

[autoboy]

Perhaps support of HD audio? I would love to see a DVD in there but chances are very slim considering SageTVs stance on DRM. And it would likely increase the cost significantly for the licensing. Besides, DVD is not very forward looking. I would go for a smaller form factor. There is a lot of unused space in the current extender. Also, a new remote that has some control over the TV and volume and is actually comfortable to use.

To be completely honest though, besides not being able to playback every ripped Blu-ray, I think the current box is awesome. I would be perfectly happy with a redesign for cost reduction only. Imagine a $100 extender.

[clip]

How about a game system emulator? Or would that be the HD360?

[Opus4]

I suppose this shouldn't surprise me, but it just occurred to me that the downside of making any type of comment before we are ready to specify the details of the updated extender is that rampant speculation could cause some people to expect things that end up not being in the product. If you come to believe the new units will wash and fold your laundry for you, you will end up being disappointed.

I won't say not to speculate at all, but I hope readers of this topic will understand that what people post here may or may not have anything to do with any SageTV product.

- Andy

[ben_95sl1]

thanks, now I can stop waiting for it and make do with my client.

"working on a next generation SageTV set-top"

Next generation are the words that would cause speculation....revision/update would mean minor changes like new remote, or color or size, but hardware is essentially the same.

Next generation brings about thoughts of xbox-> xbox 360, ps2 -> ps3, star trek, etc.

Ben

[wayner]

Wireless would be nice! When these things are available I will need several of them and one part of my house is not wired and it would be tricky to run ethernet cabling to this area. Right now I am still using XP MCE with V1 extenders and I can use a wireless G network for that. If I want to put a Sage extender in that room then I am currently looking at playing around with a N wireless bridge, which also means a new router/WAP or paying $1500 to have the cabling done.

[skyeclad]

What would make me happy would be if a new generation Sage Extender closed the gap between the capabilities of a full PC-based client and the current Extender. I really believe that this is the really best course of development for the Extender.

So, for me that would include:

USB Wireless Keyboard Support
Internet Browser
DRM Support for streaming sources(Netflix, Hulu, Pandora, etc)
Blu-Ray Rip Menu Support
Improved Blu-Ray/1080P H.264 Performance
HD Audio Decode - Analog Out

If these are added, I'm getting in line now and it starts behind me.

[lobosrul]

Just one thing that I REALLY REALLY want, full mkv support! IE switching audio tracks, and srt subs! Anything other than that would be gravy for me. I hope theres an update for the existing extender though.

[OldPCGUY]

Thanks for the update. At least we have some clue as to what is going on now.

[dravenone]

I would expect the new extender to be evolutionary and not revolutionary. Look at the ipods, you don't mess much with a popular product. Updated processor and video, possibly additional file extension support and one maybe two new tricks but not too much more. That's my expectation, if Sage goes beyond, then even better!!

[popechild]

Originally Posted by Opus4

If you come to believe the new units will wash and fold your laundry for you, you will end up being disappointed.

What?!?!

[OldPCGUY]

Originally Posted by wayner

Wireless would be nice! When these things are available I will need several of them and one part of my house is not wired and it would be tricky to run ethernet cabling to this area. Right now I am still using XP MCE with V1 extenders and I can use a wireless G network for that. If I want to put a Sage extender in that room then I am currently looking at playing around with a N wireless bridge, which also means a new router/WAP or paying $1500 to have the cabling done.

Make sure you can get a refund and test your link by playing back from a network drive through the wireless link. If that link is point to point and does not have to support other PCs and Clients then you have a good chance.

I had to have wired connections between my HTPC to Wireless router and
Between my Wireless Access Point and my client PC.

Cabling is never as cheap as you think even if you do it yourself.

[RedCoat999]

Originally Posted by wayner

Wireless would be nice! When these things are available I will need several of them and one part of my house is not wired and it would be tricky to run ethernet cabling to this area.

I use ethernet through the electric wiring system (netgear one I think). Works like a charm. As long as you have a power socket in the wall you can plug a socket in and get ethernet.

[taylormadearmy]

Originally Posted by lobosrul

Just one thing that I REALLY REALLY want, full mkv support! IE switching audio tracks, and srt subs! Anything other than that would be gravy for me. I hope theres an update for the existing extender though.

Is that not something the existing hardware should be capable of anyhow?

T

[lobosrul]

Originally Posted by taylormadearmy

Is that not something the existing hardware should be capable of anyhow?

T

I don't know for sure. I would think it can, but if so, why doesn't it already??

[Brent]

Originally Posted by lobosrul

I don't know for sure. I would think it can, but if so, why doesn't it already??

I thought the HD100 already did this.

[Rob]

Originally Posted by Deacon Crusher

I'm thinking/betting/hoping the big improvement is rock solid support for full bit rate 1080p blu ray rip playback.

This is the one remaining unreliable feature with the extender.

Of course I now have 3 of them so will be a bit bummed if the new one comes out and solves that problem, but such is life.

Very bummed since the current extender was advertised as 1080P.

Originally Posted by lobosrul

Just one thing that I REALLY REALLY want, full mkv support! IE switching audio tracks, and srt subs! Anything other than that would be gravy for me. I hope theres an update for the existing extender though.

I hope the development work on the current extender does not take a back seat to the new one yet.

[wayner]

Originally Posted by RedCoat999

I use ethernet through the electric wiring system (netgear one I think). Works like a charm. As long as you have a power socket in the wall you can plug a socket in and get ethernet.

That's a good idea - I will look into that. I used to use Phoneline ethernet which worked pretty well but it only went up to 10Mbps and this protocol seems to have been abandoned.

The only reason to use wireless N is that I do have a wireless network in my house so eventually I will be upgrading to N. Therefore it isn't like the additional money spent is only for my SageTV extenders - it has broader implications for my overall network infrastructure.