SageTV For WHS

[Clift]

I am thinking about moving my server to WHS.

I already have a SageTV license and I use the "built in" client to watch recordings sometimes in the office from the server. Now I understand the WHS version does not allow this, for various reasons... My question is this: Since this is a functionality that you lose by moving to SageTV for WHS, does that version come with a client license gratis? See where I am going with this? If it did, I could use the other PC in the office to watch my recorded shows since the server will no longer be able to act as a client. Is this possible or am I dreaming? Am I gonna have to fork over $30 for a client license?

[jm987]

The WHS version of Sagetv comes with a client license built in. As well, before I used the HD100's I used it for my main tv in the house. All that was required was some codecs and Hardware acceleration turned on. Worked well enough but not as well as the HD100's

JM

[jm9843]

Originally Posted by jm987

The WHS version of Sagetv comes with a client license built in.

Almost. The WHS version (this is a bit misleading - it's really just a regular SageTV Media Center license) comes with a placeshifter/extender license built in. Client licenses you still have to pay for and register on the server.

Also, I agree that a WHS can be used for local playback but it usually is not because many OEM solutions don't have a video-out, or there is an issue with Windows 2k3 drivers. For instance, I haven't been able to install drivers for my built in audio which would obviously preclude playback. Finally, if you don't need to run the UI on the server, there is no reason or need to install Java for Sage's purposes.

[Clift]

The Placeshifter license is the same as my SageTV Media Center License? Or, how to I access that? I did a quick browse of the manual but nothing seemed obvious to me.

[jm9843]

Originally Posted by Clift

The Placeshifter license is the same as my SageTV Media Center License? Or, how to I access that? I did a quick browse of the manual but nothing seemed obvious to me.

When you install the WHS version of STV and register with your regular STV Media Center License, you get a "free" Placeshifter/Extender license. This is becasue it is expected that users will configure their server through a Placeshifter or Extender and not directly through the UI on the server. This is automatic and so you aren't issued a license key for it.

Btw, I think I mispoke earlier. You actually register any additional Placeshifter/Extender licenses on the WHS if need be. This can be done on the STV tab in the WHS console. So, for example, if you want to have two laptops running simultaneous sessions of Placeshifter connected to your WHS STV server, you'd need to purchase 1 (one) additional Placeshifter/Extender license. The HD200 with the latest firmware and STV release does not require the use of a Placeshifter/Extender license to connect. So, out of the box, you could have any number of HD200's connected to your WHS server in addition to a laptop or desktop running a Placeshifter session at no additional cost.

The full STV Client is only registered at one client PC at a time, there is nothing entered on the server. So if you were wanting to decommission an old PC acting as a STV Client, you'd want to uninstall STV Client from the old PC, install STV Client to the new PC, and then restart the STV service on the WHS.

Clear as mud?