HD300s for Sale Announcement From Andy

[Mark57]

Originally Posted by Opus4

BTW: I've tested an HD300, HD200, and spare remote; they all work, but the extenders obviously need firmware updates. . . .

Andy

And that needed firmware is still updatable on these new units the same way we always did? (I don't like to assume)

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by Mark57

And that needed firmware is still updatable on these new units the same way we always did? (I don't like to assume)

Yes, the firmware is still available as it was before. And, even if that didn't work, the extender FAQs cover how to do it another way.

Andy

[KryptoNyte]

Originally Posted by Opus4

BTW: I've tested an HD300, HD200, and spare remote; they all work, but the extenders obviously need firmware updates.

Someone asked me recently what the biggest difference I thought there was between the HD200 and HD300. I have to say that regardless of any technical differences, the biggest thing I noticed right away is that the UI responsiveness is much faster on the HD300.

Andy

The biggest thing for some is that the HD200 does not decode DTS audio, it can only pass it to the next device. If you have media with DTS audio, your device will need to capable of decoding it, whether that be your TV or your Receiver.

Or you will need to convert all your media with DTS audio to AC3.

I was also a little surprised that the purchase of the first HD300 unit was nearly 150% of the original price on these devices. Supply and demand I suppose. Happy to see them available once again anyways.

[uberpixel]

Originally Posted by Opus4

Yes, I realize that the price is higher than it was previously, but that is for a few reasons. Among which: First, they are being sold at what seems to be the market price, or lower, than what people receive when they sell their used extenders. Then, the last time some new ones were sold at a lower price, they sold out so fast that many who wanted to buy were not able to do so, while several buyers made their own profit by turning around and selling their new extenders on ebay for a much higher amount. Finally, when Google contracts someone to sell excess inventory, they don't just give the stuff away; in short, that means that I'm receiving less markup per unit than in previous sales.

Andy

Andy,

Thanks for the response. I understand fair market value (supply/demand), but that assumes there is a business involved that is operating under a traditional capitalist model.

I guess it's just unclear to me who we are doing business with. Unless Google jacked the liquidation prices way over the production cost, I assume there is substantial profit on each unit. Are the profits from these sales going to help fund future SageTV development? Do you stand to personally profit from these sales? I'm fine with that to a point since this is obviously going be a pain in the butt to manage especially when you have to deal with critical people like me...

-uberpixel

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by uberpixel

I guess it's just unclear to me who we are doing business with.

it is a fair question to wonder who you are dealing with: You are buying them from me/my company: Andrew Visscher Studios, LLC -- that's what you will be seeing on the invoices. I bought the remaining stock from Google and you would be purchasing from me. Google knows what the things are worth and are not just giving them to me. I'm trying to sell them in a fair way that reflects their value and spreads them around to more people. History: Prior to the Google purchase of SageTV, my company was contracted to SageTV since 2004 (wow, time does fly!), then was contracted to do work for Google. Future: With the open sourcing of SageTV coming up, my work with Google will be ending, but I plan to stay active in the SageTV community in one way or another. I think Google's decision to do this sale through my company recognizes that. I hope that helps.

Andy

[jt4242]

I would rather have a new and complete unit for the price than a used one from eBay for the same price or more.

Actually I'm happy to have an HD300 finally! Not knowing if it would even last is what kept me from buying on eBay for years.

[BobbyDing]

Hi Andy,
I ordered and received your response for an HD200. If there are no more HD200's available when you reach my order, will I have the option of upgrading my order to an HD300? or will I need to place a new order at that time?

Thanks!!

Bobby

[Brent94Z]

Originally Posted by Opus4

Yes, I sent an acknowledgement of receipt, so I have your order. Maybe check your spam folder(s)... I found a few orders there, so it wouldn't surprise me if my reply went there for some people.

Andy

Thank you, Andy!

[skiingwiz]

Originally Posted by Opus4

but I plan to stay active in the SageTV community in one way or another.

I'm glad to hear that! More good news from this thread.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by BobbyDing

Hi Andy,
I ordered and received your response for an HD200. If there are no more HD200's available when you reach my order, will I have the option of upgrading my order to an HD300? or will I need to place a new order at that time?

In short: yes. Long answer: Hmmm... I marked you down for an HD200, but I must have missed that when I confirmed receipt of your order -- I've been asking if HD200 requestors want an HD300 instead if those are out by the time their order gets processed.

And just to keep people informed: I have a little programming work to do on Monday, then I will begin sending out PayPal invoices for single orders & getting ready to ship them. Currently, HD200s will have to be sold one per person & are all accounted for. Spare remotes might be limited to only 1 for some people. (Remember: extenders come with a remote, so ordering another is really for a spare.) And since this comes up in some emails: there are enough HD300's to fill all orders so far, so it isn't too late to order.

Andy

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by Opus4

Yes, the firmware is still available as it was before. And, even if that didn't work, the extender FAQs cover how to do it another way.

Andy

is the firmware something that can be updated AFTER the open-source takeover to reflect changes in SageTV's software direction?

[uberpixel]

Originally Posted by Opus4

it is a fair question to wonder who you are dealing with: You are buying them from me/my company: Andrew Visscher Studios, LLC

Andy,

Thank you for the additional details. I now have a better understanding of where my money is going and the conditions under which you acquired these units. I appreciate that you've organized the sale and all that you've done to help build and foster this community.

-uberpixel

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by tvmaster2

is the firmware something that can be updated AFTER the open-source takeover to reflect changes in SageTV's software direction?

That might not be possible - due to some licensed bits of software in the firmware. In any case, all the firmware does is render the UI that is generated on the server, and play back the media, with the capabilities that are limited by the hardware itself. Not sure updated firmware will be required over what is actually in existence now.

[tmiranda]

Originally Posted by Opus4

it is a fair question to wonder who you are dealing with: You are buying them from me/my company: Andrew Visscher Studios, LLC -- that's what you will be seeing on the invoices. I bought the remaining stock from Google and you would be purchasing from me. Google knows what the things are worth and are not just giving them to me. I'm trying to sell them in a fair way that reflects their value and spreads them around to more people. History: Prior to the Google purchase of SageTV, my company was contracted to SageTV since 2004 (wow, time does fly!), then was contracted to do work for Google. Future: With the open sourcing of SageTV coming up, my work with Google will be ending, but I plan to stay active in the SageTV community in one way or another. I think Google's decision to do this sale through my company recognizes that. I hope that helps.

Andy

Thanks for that info Andy. Nothing against Google, but I'd rather be sending you my money then them. Lord knows you've worked really hard for Sage/Google over the years.

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

That might not be possible - due to some licensed bits of software in the firmware. In any case, all the firmware does is render the UI that is generated on the server, and play back the media, with the capabilities that are limited by the hardware itself. Not sure updated firmware will be required over what is actually in existence now.

from another angle then....nothing the open source community do to Sage in the future will negate how/if the media extenders continue to work in the future? Andy?

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by Opus4

History: Prior to the Google purchase of SageTV, my company was contracted to SageTV since 2004 (wow, time does fly!), then was contracted to do work for Google. Future: With the open sourcing of SageTV coming up, my work with Google will be ending, but I plan to stay active in the SageTV community in one way or another.[

Maybe I'm the only one who's curious, but what are your plans for work once you're no longer working with Google? If you can't talk about it for whatever reason, I understand.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by Skirge01

Maybe I'm the only one who's curious, but what are your plans for work once you're no longer working with Google?

Don't know/haven't decided yet.

Andy

[mechling-burgh]

I think you should work on an open source tivo box based on sage as a turn key solution and extenders that would work with your boxes and sage open sourced software.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by tvmaster2

from another angle then....nothing the open source community do to Sage in the future will negate how/if the media extenders continue to work in the future? Andy?

If you haven't done so already, you really should take a glance at some of the open source discussion, such as this one that should answer any concerns about future extender compatibility. I wouldn't have taken on the work of selling the remaining extenders if I thought there was a good chance they wouldn't work with SageTV in the future.

However, if you consider the question "nothing the open source community do to Sage in the future will negate how/if the media extenders continue to work in the future?"... then I'm sure if someone tried, they could make a version that didn't work with extenders, but I would encourage you not to use such a version. I know I wouldn't.

Andy

[tvmaster2]

well put. thanks