Windows 7 questions

[metropole]

I have been using SageTV for many years. During recent years on my HTPC #2 using Win XP (not MC version).

I'm in the process of building HTPC #3. So, I will use Win 7. Not sure yet, what version I really need. It seems Professional should be more than good enough. Currently, I'm leaning towards 32 bit as I don't see any advantage of 64 bit and I might be safer with some legacy stuff (drivers,..).
Is this the wrong path?

But more importantly, I need to understand Win 7 MC better. It supports watching TV. But does it support recording as well?

[Fuzzy]

Win7 32-bit OR 64-bit work great for sage. That said, at this point in the game, is there a particular reason you are building a new HTPC, instead of just going with the cheaper HD-200? Don't get me wrong, the PC DOES have advantages (I still use PC playback), but for MOST, the HD-200 is perfectly fine.

[metropole]

I'm also using for BD playback, liking the idea of HDMI bit-streaming. Also, it is my music server. I will use something like the HD-200 for additional rooms. Although, I would prefer a HD-200 with a BD drive.

BTW. does the cablebox firewire recording still work on Win 7?

[davephan]

Maybe you could clarify that a bit. Are building your 3rd SageTV server, or a SageTV client? I think a headless server and HD-200s at each TV is the best way to go.

I recently built up my 4th SageTV server. I started with an Althon XP 2100, then an older Althlon XP 1800 when the first system board went bad. The Althon XP 1800 was too weak to playback compressed video into an MVP, so I replaced it with a E6850 dual core 3.0 gig, then replaced the 3rd computer with my 4th system, which is an i-7 950 3.06 gig quad. The system board I run now has 10 SATA, 2 IDE drives, plus faster comskip processing. So, you might be replacing your SageTV server frequently like I have, or building a client.

I was going to use Windows 7 64-bit for my recent build, however, I heard several people having problems with Windows 7. For some, Windows 7 works fine, 32 and 64 bit, although Windows 7 is not officially supported by SageTV. I heard firewire doesn't work with Windows 7 64-bit. I decided to build the 4th SageTV computer with Windows XP Pro and 3 gig RAM. SageTV works very well with XP, and it might be safer to run with XP for another year. I will probably rebuild the same hardware in about a year or two with Windows 7 when the Microsoft XP support is dropped.

Dave

[Fuzzy]

A headless server with HD-200's all around is certainyl the EASIEST way to go, but it does give up some features. Personally, I like the control I get with using a PC client. Add to that the ability to play games on the bigscreen, plus full blu-ray support, is what's keeping me from an HD-200. If these things are important to you, then PC playbacjk is the way to go. If all you really want is to watch videos, recorded tv, and music, then the HD-200 is just as good (if not better, in a lot of cases).

[brandypuff]

I've been using Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit for several months now without any problems.