SageMCTuner - anyone have this working with cablecard?

[mayamaniac]

So with SageDCT, I think windows 7 is still required, but WMC7 is not required to be running, is that correct? I'm currently running Win7 32bit because of the firewire channel changing driver (32bit only). With the Ceton, I won't need firewire channel changing anymore and can go with Win7 64bit to make use of more than 4GB of memory.

[kmp14]

Originally Posted by mayamaniac

So with SageDCT, I think windows 7 is still required, but WMC7 is not required to be running, is that correct? I'm currently running Win7 32bit because of the firewire channel changing driver (32bit only). With the Ceton, I won't need firewire channel changing anymore and can go with Win7 64bit to make use of more than 4GB of memory.

I don't have any of the WMC7 services running, and SageDCT works perfectly.

FYI - I am running Win7 32Bit with 4GB of RAM, and everything runs very well, and my system is very stable. Ceton runs fine, and I am often recording several shows at once.

If you DO decide you want to switch to 64Bit, get it all done and running before you even bother to install the Ceton. The reason I point this out is because if you get the Ceton installed and a cable card paired in 32Bit, you might have to get the cable card re-paired when you go to 64bit. Not 100% sure...but just in case. You don't want to have to call the cable company and request a re-paring if at all possible. At least for me, most of the customer service reps don't even know what a cable card is.

[GbrNole]

for those on comcast using sageDCT what channels can't you tune in sage?

i have a card on order and if i can tune most everything but the movie channels i'll be happy as pigs in muck!

[kmp14]

Originally Posted by GbrNole

for those on comcast using sageDCT what channels can't you tune in sage?

i have a card on order and if i can tune most everything but the movie channels i'll be happy as pigs in muck!

I am on Comcast in the Chicago area, and I can tune ALL channels except HBO (HBO is the only Movie channel I have)

[GbrNole]

awesome! my optimism is increasing - keeping my fingers crossed for when i get to play next week...

[aepitaz]

Originally Posted by GbrNole

awesome! my optimism is increasing - keeping my fingers crossed for when i get to play next week...

Finished my FIOS install with SageDCT and CETON and have all of my channels running with no problem. Very happy with the setup.

[heffe2001]

Just ordered a Ceton card, so I guess I need to put in an order for a cablecard from Charter when it comes in. Am I correct in that I have to specifically ask for a multistream card when I place the order, and anybody have any tips as to what to tell them I need it for (just say for a Tivo system or something of that sort?). I already upgraded my server machine to Win7 x64, so hopefully the ceton card will work well on that system.

[kmp14]

Originally Posted by heffe2001

Just ordered a Ceton card, so I guess I need to put in an order for a cablecard from Charter when it comes in. Am I correct in that I have to specifically ask for a multistream card when I place the order, and anybody have any tips as to what to tell them I need it for (just say for a Tivo system or something of that sort?). I already upgraded my server machine to Win7 x64, so hopefully the ceton card will work well on that system.

Yes, definitely ask for a Multistream Card, and I recommend saying it is for a TiVo. When I first called, I told them I needed a CableCard for a computer, and the customer service rep tried to transfer me to the Broadband Internet support dept!

I had better results when Comcast showed up with the card. The service tech actually knew what he was doing!

[Kirby]

Just re-read all 24 pages and didnt see any recent channel tuning times. How long does it take to tune channels now with SageDCT? Want to get an idea (compared to my Tivo Premiere).

[King of Bayonne]

Originally Posted by Kirby

Just re-read all 24 pages and didnt see any recent channel tuning times. How long does it take to tune channels now with SageDCT? Want to get an idea (compared to my Tivo Premiere).

I rarely use SageTV to watch live TV, but in a purely unscientific test, casual use SageTV 7.1.8 beta + SageDCT 1.4 + Ceton channel changes take the same amount of time as my Verizon-supplied FiOS HD set-top box (i.e. about 2 seconds on average).


KoB

[Kirby]

Oh I had no idea it was that fast! Amazing! Havent had any real tuning in my sage system since I got rid of firewire tuning and R5000 tuning so I was expecting it to be much longer.

[kmp14]

Originally Posted by King of Bayonne

I rarely use SageTV to watch live TV, but in a purely unscientific test, casual use SageTV 7.1.8 beta + SageDCT 1.4 + Ceton channel changes take the same amount of time as my Verizon-supplied FiOS HD set-top box (i.e. about 2 seconds on average).


KoB

I concur. A second or 2, not even long enough to really pay any attention to it.

[babgvant]

Originally Posted by Kirby

Oh I had no idea it was that fast! Amazing! Havent had any real tuning in my sage system since I got rid of firewire tuning and R5000 tuning so I was expecting it to be much longer.

1.4 is pretty close to the speed of the original release (video).

[macsupergeek]

Originally Posted by aepitaz

Finished my FIOS install with SageDCT and CETON and have all of my channels running with no problem. Very happy with the setup.

So does this include premium channels too like HBO, Starz, Showtime?

[kmp14]

Originally Posted by macsupergeek

So does this include premium channels too like HBO, Starz, Showtime?

Try a search:

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...ium#post477482

[macsupergeek]

Originally Posted by kmp14

Try a search:

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...ium#post477482

And there is no mention of FIOS in the posts. Maybe FIOS works, hence my question to the person who set this up and has it working on FIOS. Maybe even though they are premium channels in the world of FIOS with a cablecard you can access those premium channels.

[heffe2001]

Just ordered a M cable card from Charter, 49$ install fee, and I believe it was 2$ a month rental, but they talked me into adding an additional digital box, and it actually cut my bill by 35/month, lol. Apparently they are wanting to convert people off of regular cable (I'm just using direct cable to my HVR-2250's currently)...

If the Ceton setup works as well on my system as others, I'll probably be pulling the 2250's, I've had issues with them off and on missing parts of shows, or having to be reset frequently..

I told them I needed the cablecard for a Tivo system (and requested a multi-stream card), think I'll have any issues when I want him to put it in a PC? I guess I can stick it in there, and run the diagnostics to get the info he needs to pair it?

[kmp14]

Originally Posted by heffe2001

think I'll have any issues when I want him to put it in a PC? I guess I can stick it in there, and run the diagnostics to get the info he needs to pair it?

Just follow Ceton's instructions for getting the card working in WMC. Once you have it working there, you won't really need MCE for anything else (if you are going to use SageDCT).

The only real trick part as far as working with the installer is getting one that can properly communicate with the office. He will have to call in the details to activate the card. Hopefully he also gets someone at the Cable Co who knows how to activate a cable card.

Also - make sure to read the README that comes with SageDCT. This is critical. It has important info in it about what versions of Ceton software and firmware need to be installed for SageDCT to work correctly.

[thomaszoo]

Originally Posted by heffe2001

I told them I needed the cablecard for a Tivo system (and requested a multi-stream card), think I'll have any issues when I want him to put it in a PC? I guess I can stick it in there, and run the diagnostics to get the info he needs to pair it?

When I ordered mine from Comcast I told them it was for a "TIVO like device". When the tech arrived I explained it to him, he totally understood even though he had never done one in a PC. The Ceton configuration utility told him everything he needed to give to the office to activate the card (several long codes). He was very patient and stayed until the device activated and I was able to tune a channel.

Playback in WMC was very choppy, but as soon as I installed SageDCT everything worked just fine via my extenders. I am a very happy camper with the setup.

Wayne

[zoso]

I was fortunate enough to be able to pick up the cable card from my local comcast store and install it myself. Made installation and activation quick and easy.