A late adopter for HD with decisions to make

[stevech]

Thanks, folks. Glad to hear that infrared like UIRT can work. Anyone using the PIR-1 from the Girder/Promixis guys? Or is it a Girder-only product?

Sage has been running here for std def for years; quite stable (v6.6). I have a rigorous backup system on drives independent of the RAID1 pair used for the OS and for videos.
TimeWarner's DVR UI until a year or so ago was as said here for Comcast; clunky and primitive. But the current UI seems fine, though of course it has few of Sage's features like photo slide shows.

A great reservation I have going with TimeWarner's DVR is that there's no way to backup recordings - we have dozens saved forever in Sage, and backed up. These are favorite/holiday shows, cooking shows as reference, etc. And with TWC's DVR, we cannot expand storage capacity. But still, the barrier to entry with Sage SD is the cost of HD-PVR(s), HD300, plus rental of cable boxes. Assuming the IR or Firewire tuning can be reliable.

No interest in OTA recording. Also TWC copy protects most everything else.

[panteragstk]

Sounds like you have a decision to make. I have either time warner, u-verse, or a satellite company in my area. I'll never go back to cable, u-verse has issues with viewing multiple streams (only 2, really?) so satellite it is. DirecTV and dish both have great deals on programming and don't encrypt their hdmi signals on lots of their boxes. Directv has the ability to change channels via ethernet. I'm going to go with DirecTV when I finally decide to due to the fact that I like their programming as well as the hardware will function the way I want it to.

If you are dead set on staying with TWC, then you wither have to invest in HD-PVR/colossus/uirt, or use their stb. I guess it would be the same no matter who you were with (with the exception of comcast or fios not flagging their content so you could use cablecard).

Good luck.

[stevech]

With DirectTV's open HDMI out you mentioned - how would a video feed to to Sage? HD-PVR is component, not HDMI, right?

Is there a way for Sage to tune DirectTV via ethernet as you mentioned? A particular unit?

Another factor is I pay a bit more for Cable Modem if I don't take TimeWarner's cable TV. I don't want to go to DSL; I'm spoiled by the 20Mbps of cable modem.

No FIOS likely ever here - we're not in an ex-GTE area.

[stevech]

Is there a Sage plug-in or some such for Ethernet tuning of DirectTV?

[panteragstk]

Originally Posted by stevech

Is there a Sage plug-in or some such for Ethernet tuning of DirectTV?

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53462

With DirectTV's open HDMI out you mentioned - how would a video feed to to Sage? HD-PVR is component, not HDMI, right?

Is there a way for Sage to tune DirectTV via ethernet as you mentioned? A particular unit?

Another factor is I pay a bit more for Cable Modem if I don't take TimeWarner's cable TV. I don't want to go to DSL; I'm spoiled by the 20Mbps of cable modem.

No FIOS likely ever here - we're not in an ex-GTE area.

That is what makes this decision hard. I only had TWC internet as an option until 3 months ago when u-verse finally came to my area. HD-PVR is component only, but the colossus is HDMI and component.

GTE? That brings back memories. My mom worked for them for 15 years back in the day.

[SWKerr]

You may want to consider Win7 Media Center in your situation. It certainly has its weaknesses but it may work for you.

The HDHR Prime just came out for pre-order at $207. It will give you the ability to record 3 shows at once using a cable card. You could add a Xbox360 for $199 for playback. In addition you would have Netfilx, Hulu Plus and a DVD player.

I actually run SageTV and MCE on the same server and they co-exist just fine they just cant share tuners. You could actually have Sage driving the MPVs to the old analog sets and MCE for HD. At some point you could even go back to Sage if a good cable card solution becomes available. Anyone enjoy gaming?

[stevech]

re
HDHR Prime just came out for pre-order at $207.

That's very intriguing. Sounds like the 3-tuner one won't ship until mid-Summer or later?

I've asked a fellow in TimeWarner that's somewhat connected, if they will agree to provision a multi-stream cableCARD for the HDHR3 much as they do for TiVo (by law). It'll be interesting to see if I can get a decision out of them. Will cableCARDs intended for TiVo support a three-tuner product (i.e., is the decryption hardware based with two at most streams?)

Then there's the need for Sage to support it.

I don't want to go the XBox route. Not.

[davephan]

Originally Posted by stevech

With DirectTV's open HDMI out you mentioned - how would a video feed to to Sage? HD-PVR is component, not HDMI, right?

Is there a way for Sage to tune DirectTV via ethernet as you mentioned? A particular unit?

Another factor is I pay a bit more for Cable Modem if I don't take TimeWarner's cable TV. I don't want to go to DSL; I'm spoiled by the 20Mbps of cable modem.

No FIOS likely ever here - we're not in an ex-GTE area.

Comcast also charges much more for cable Internet service if you don't also have cable TV. One option that might be available is to keep the cable Internet and switch to the cheapest possible cable TV just for locals (even if you don't actually watch the low-end locals only cable TV). The cost might be just a bit more than you pay for the 'discounted' cable Internet. Then get DirecTV or Dish Network for the TV.

The total cost might be about the same and might be a better solution for you.


Dave

[stevech]

that's an idea - I'll price that out.

The issues with DirecTV is the ugly dish vs. Townhome/HOA architectural standards and, today by chance, a mailed ad from DirectTV. Lordy-me, the fine print in the "deal" is deceptive and worrysome...
$29.95 for free HD and 150 channels, with DVR.

(price good for only 1st year)
(2 year contract required. No mention of early termination fee policy or trial period where I can get out)
(Free HD required automated bill-pay to a bank)

somehow I feel it coming.

[davephan]

Originally Posted by stevech

that's an idea - I'll price that out.

The issues with DirecTV is the ugly dish vs. Townhome/HOA architectural standards and, today by chance, a mailed ad from DirectTV. Lordy-me, the fine print in the "deal" is deceptive and worrysome...
$29.95 for free HD and 150 channels, with DVR.

(price good for only 1st year)
(2 year contract required. No mention of early termination fee policy or trial period where I can get out)
(Free HD required automated bill-pay to a bank)

somehow I feel it coming.

I don't know why a small dish would be 'ugly'! You might be able to put it in a place on the house that is less visible from the street or paint it to match the house if the paint does not effect the reception. Another option might be to enclose it in a smoked black plastic box if that does not effect the reception. I know they do make 'fake' patio umbrellas that are really C-band satellite antennas. Maybe they make a 'fake' patio umbrella that could be used to conceal the small satellite antenna. I think a lot of these committees trying to establish 'standards' are over zealous, even dictating the wall colors inside your house!

When dealing with the satellite companies, be careful. Both DirecTV and Dish Network sometimes have questionable business practices. Don't get the 'free' DVR because it will probably be free for only 3 months, then will be overpriced after that. Be careful with the auto pay. It's better to have auto pay setup where you are making the the auto transfers rather than the satellite company extracting the money from your account.

I used to be a DirecTV customer. I was close to the end of the contract and a receiver went bad. I had to pay $20 for the new receiver and was told that the contract would not be extended for the 'change'. The contract was extended and they charged me an 'early termination' fee because they could withdraw funds. If you have the automatic payment setup so they control the transfer, remember to cancel the bank account when you cancel the service. Treat the bank account the same way as if the bank account security has been compromised.

Dish Network tried to lock my brother in law into a contract when they previously agreed not to have a contract. My brother in law did not sign the contract. A Dish Network representative signed the contract forging my brother in law's name. My brother in law cancelled the service after a short time and Dish Network was going to hold them to the contract terms. My brother in law had to threaten Dish Network to take the matter to the state attorney general because of the criminal activity. Dish Network backed down.

So be careful when you deal with the content providers and their contracts and 'deals'. Sometimes they don't act ethically or legally. Also make sure that you have a free trial period so you can make certain that their set top box will work with SageTV.


Dave

[panteragstk]

Yeah you have to be careful of that stuff. I can't stand contracts, but I don't have a choice based on the content I want. I've had bad experience with dish as well, but it wasn't as bad as forging a signature.

As for HOA standards. I can't stand HOA...

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by davephan

Comcast also charges much more for cable Internet service if you don't also have cable TV. One option that might be available is to keep the cable Internet and switch to the cheapest possible cable TV just for locals (even if you don't actually watch the low-end locals only cable TV). The cost might be just a bit more than you pay for the 'discounted' cable Internet. Then get DirecTV or Dish Network for the TV.

The total cost might be about the same and might be a better solution for you.


Dave

I use Cable Internet and Phone for my bundle, so I still get bundled rates. Then use Dish Network for TV. The Cable Phone is chaper than the telco was, PLUS I pay less on the internet.

[stevech]

I'm inclined to pass on DirecTV. Their ads and the stories here say I'd be mad as hell at them in no time for deceptions.

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by stevech

I'm inclined to pass on DirecTV. Their ads and the stories here say I'd be mad as hell at them in no time for deceptions.

They're really no different than any other content provider. It's a tough business to be good in. The margins are extremely tiny, and support costs are extreme. They are also basically slaves to the content producers. The only way they've ended up surviving is by cutting support services, which is what leads to the poor reviews/comments people leave. It really all comes down to the service you are actually paying for, and that' the television content. Pick the one that has the content you want, for a price you're willing to pay. If you watch a lot of football, DirectTV does have a distinct edge with Sunday Ticket. but there are other things they don't have in HD - and in some cases, don't carry at all - G4TV, BBC America, DIY, E!, History International, Lifetime Movie Network, Logo, National Geographic Wild, etc. To make the proper decision, you'll really need to sit down with the wife and decide what channels you MUST have, which one's you'd want in HD, and figure out how much it would cost to get what you want/need from either.

[davephan]

Originally Posted by stevech

I'm inclined to pass on DirecTV. Their ads and the stories here say I'd be mad as hell at them in no time for deceptions.

I would subscribe again to DirecTV or Dish Network if the cable TV jacks up the rate too much. I might also drop to cable TV locals only to get a cheaper rate on the cable Internet and just watch locals plus Hulu and Netflix.

Satellite has rain fade in the summer, which can be a pain. It very rarely has snow fade in the winter. Cable TV sometimes has outages too, but not related to the weather.

It all depends on what type of content you want to watch. I don't think the business end of cable, DirecTV, or Dish Network should be treated any different. Record your telephone calls with them so that when they promise something, you can hold them to it. If you cancel the service close the bank account or credit card if you had electronic transfers controlled by them. Treat them as if they were a criminal and deny them access to your accounts after the relationship is over.


Dave

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by davephan

Satellite has rain fade in the summer, which can be a pain. It very rarely has snow fade in the winter. Cable TV sometimes has outages too, but not related to the weather.

Keep in mind this is location dependent as well. You only get Rain fade in the summer if you live somewhere where it rains in the summer. The further south you live, the better sat signal will be, no matter what weather you are in. If you are in a particularly bad area, though, you can always upgrade to a larger dish as an option. I had a 36" dish for Voom when I lived in Bremerton, WA (Voom's only satellite - Rainbow1 - was located on the east coast at 61.5° Long, so i had something like an 10.46° elevation to the bird... that's a LOT of atmosphere to shoot through, and I never had a signal problem).

[stevech]

Rain rate influenced fade not an issue here in San Diego.

We know exactly which feeds we like/want - most of Discovery Group's stuff, NG, and so on. Based on the above and looking at satellite bundling, looks like cable TV is it.

Haven't convinced by self that upgrading my Sage SD system for decrypted HD makes sense.

[panteragstk]

Originally Posted by stevech

Rain rate influenced fade not an issue here in San Diego.

We know exactly which feeds we like/want - most of Discovery Group's stuff, NG, and so on. Based on the above and looking at satellite bundling, looks like cable TV is it.

Haven't convinced by self that upgrading my Sage SD system for decrypted HD makes sense.

What cable companies are in your area?

[stevech]

cable company monopoly is TimeWarner. They have many brands/models of set top boxes and DVRs. Reportedly in the midst of going to Motorola boxes (yuck to the max).
Sage cannot/does not support tuner controls for specific boxes. This is my main complaint. (atop Sage's lack of support for CableCARDS a la TiVo)
There should be a frequently updated list of widely used boxes and how-to-control-tuner via sage.

[Fuzzy]

USB-UIRT will control any STB, and is fully supported by sage.