What?!? Discontinued??

[broderp]

So I'm gone from the form and the SageTV website for a while, happily using SageTV and I come back to check on an update or even news on when there will be a new release, and I get a funny feeling reading thru some general posts...

Then I check Wikipedia, and I read that SageTV has been discontinued......

Can someone link me to a post or ANYthing that describes what this means to all us users (Me since v4) and any future updates, bug fixes etc... What about or licence and upgrades? When Google comes out with SAGETV V8 on thier stuff, will we all be starting over or do we get any type of loyalty for being with SAGE before the switch?

This is sad news.

[reggie14]

Google apparently bought SageTV primarily to provide Google Fiber TV's DVR platform. It's already been confirmed that Google Fiber TV is basically running a newer version of SageTV.

Don't expect any updates to SageTV v7.1. There have been a few STV updates to fix small things, but nothing that modifies the "core" software on the server or firmware on extenders. SageTV as a company, since it no longer exists, is not selling extenders or software licenses. On the bright side, there's no particular reason to think guide data is going to end anytime soon.

Personally, I think its unlikely that we'll see a new version of SageTV outside of Google Fiber TV. However, Jeff suggested that was a possibility, by responding with a comment something like "Stay tuned" to a question regarding a new retail version of Sage.

[pjpjpjpj]

Lucky for you, broderp, the EPG data has been extended indefinitely (Narflex has said we'll get warning before it ends). Originally they promised it through the end of the year (in the original "we were bought" post) so you would have been coming here on 1/1/2013 wondering why your EPG data stopped. On that note, if you look around, you'll see there have been plugins written to replace the EPG with other sources, if it ends someday.

As reggie said, the software isn't being continued or developed, though they have issued STV fixes when things break (most commonly, youtube). There is still work being done on some things, as they issued a new STV release with completely-redone weather screen with animated radar, multiple cities, etc., since the buy-out.

Quite a few great plugins have been published since Google bought Sage, so despite the fact that the software itself will no longer be developed, the dev support community is alive and well. However, most active work these days seems to be for "outside" device use (i.e., apps for iOS and Android to access Sage), and for the replacement STVs (Phoenix, Gemstone, etc.). I just posted the other day asking if anyone was working on anything for the stock STV and it's been wholly ignored, so I'm guessing that's a "no". If you aren't using one of the replacement STVs, you can use ADM to customize the stock UI (I seem to recall that being release since the announcement but I could be wrong).

There are active threads here (in several subforums) about ways to keep Sage going when the extenders die. Seems like the most popular option is Plex. Basically you use an external app to set your recordings and navigate Sage itself (though you could log onto your server if it's not headless), and then watch via other devices or software. This really isn't anything new, there are just new devices and apps to do it and people are working on making the options better and smoother in case someday it's the only way.

Narflex was kind enough to create a resale subforum here (very last topic on the main forum page) for extenders and software licenses. You can find stuff being resold there for less than eBay, sorta a "keep it in the family" discount. As all electronics eventually die, the only way to keep things going via an extender system to is buy backup equipment.

Just two weeks ago, Narflex posted (in the "announcements" thread) that a batch of HD300s was found and was being sold. They took pre-orders and sold them all out within the day. So unless they find another batch, you're out of luck there.

And as reggie indicated, the new software for Google Fiber TV (rolling out in Kansas City as a test market, if you haven't heard) is actually listed in the "information" screen as "SageTV v8". They aren't hiding that fact.

[broderp]

I guess since I have a very basic system, I don't have too much to worry about until I decide to go hi-def. I still use 3 Hauppage (sp?) anolog tuners with time warner cable to record my shows. So as long as the software is stable, my cards are working and I can get a pluggin for the EPG, I should be good. Still wish that SAGETV was not going away. I feel almost betrayed to be honest! I made a commitment to myself and the makers of SageTV. I've looked forward to new updates, and especially new version releases!

I suppose SageTV got to big for thier own good, saw the $$$ Google was offerning and sold out on us. It's always about money in the end isnt it?

Wonder how much the new Google systems will go for, what features it will have and what limitations......and how long before I can get my hands on a review to compare!

Wonder how much longer before teh forum goes away, and all this support...............

[rnadeau]

Sage tv is still alive and well thanks to the developers of gemstone and Pheonix 2. As long as there are die hard sagetv users out there , we will always have someone to turn to. There are still alot of sagetv fans that have searched for a suitable replacement and found nothing that compares . Stick around, the plugin developers aren't done with sage and as long as they aren't done, neither am I and now that I am writing this I want to thank all the developers that are keeping sagetv alive. Great thanks goes to all you guys!

[pjpjpjpj]

Well, broderp, you also missed the boatload of gripe threads with people airing their grievances about Sage "selling out" and others pointing out that they didn't owe us anything. I don't know if you realized but Google actually hired the Sage guys, they didn't just buy the company. So it wasn't a straight money sale, it was the opportunity for Jeff and the gang to take their talents to "the big show" if you will. Anyway, I don't want this thread to turn into another of those threads, there were so many that the mods spent countless hours merging them into two or three. I'm sure you can still find them if you go a few pages back.

I hope I did a decent job summarizing all that has gone on. The key takeaway is you have a stable system, the software still works, and even if they kill the EPG data someday, you can go forward with a plugin to replace it. The devs will continue to make Sage better as if new releases were being produced (see the aforementioned Gemstone, Phoenix, etc.). Your main concern will be when your cable drops analog and you have to get several digital tuners with cable boxes - but that would be a problem even if Sage were still going.

By the way, you can google (ha ha) info about the google fiber/Sage v8 deal rolling out in KC. Sage user "Brent" lives there and is signed up, anxiously awaiting his install to give us the lowdown.

[Skybolt]

Originally Posted by broderp

I guess since I have a very basic system, I don't have too much to worry about until I decide to go hi-def. ... Wonder how much longer before teh forum goes away, and all this support...............

Welcome to the bigger discussion
Wait until you find out that there isn't much out there that will get you into HD. And no I am not trying to start those threads up again either ... Just commenting on the painfully obvious.

[pjpjpjpj]

Originally Posted by Skybolt

Welcome to the bigger discussion
Wait until you find out that there isn't much out there that will get you into HD.

HD Pay TV, you mean. It's easy to get into HD OTA.
(well, okay, you might need to pony up for used extenders if you don't have the horsepower for clients that can handle it)

[Skybolt]

Originally Posted by pjpjpjpj

HD Pay TV, you mean. It's easy to get into HD OTA.
(well, okay, you might need to pony up for used extenders if you don't have the horsepower for clients that can handle it)

Dam, I always fall for this ... Nope. My interpretation of HD is tunning into any channel in the lineup and watching it in full HD, 1080i at a min w/SS. So, for me, it also means being able to record Newsroom/Dexter etc. and get at least that (my version of full HD). So for me it means CC, as sucky as that may be (DRM).

I am too far out from the city to get all of the locals via OTA, and besides, are't all the shows available through Hulu+

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by Skybolt

Dam, I always fall for this ... Nope. My interpretation of HD is tunning into any channel in the lineup and watching it in full HD, 1080i at a min w/SS. So, for me, it also means being able to record Newsroom/Dexter etc. and get at least that (my version of full HD). So for me it means CC, as sucky as that may be (DRM).

And another one you fall into every time: HD-PVR's work perfectly for a number of us and do everything you just mentioned as a requirement. Sorry, Skybolt, I couldn't resist. All in good fun.

[wayner]

I have been running a system with two HD-PVRs for almost five years with very few problems other than have the power supplies for both units fail due to capacitor plague.

[Skybolt]

Originally Posted by Skirge01

And another one you fall into every time: HD-PVR's work perfectly for a number of us and do everything you just mentioned as a requirement. Sorry, Skybolt, I couldn't resist. All in good fun.

Ah - but I specifically mentioned CC on this one

It's all good