The forum won't let me direct quote you easily with the easy to read format... your text is the dashed line.
--- This works with DTV satellite feed?
Not directly. DirecTV requires a set top box
--- Can I record DTV feed and PPV?
yes, through your set top box
***** set top box what is this..sorry?
--- So I take it I do not need the recording ability of my HDDVR (HR20), need either a H20 or D20 equivalent for each tv that views DTV? Can I use the 2 channels of my HDDVR or do I need 2 H20s to replace it.
Right, the HDDVR could be another source for you. Does it have 2 independent video outputs? If yes, then it can be 2 sources. You will need as many sources as you want to record.
****not sure, I will have to look.. I need independent outputs.. uderstanding how the server works now helps me understand how the setup is.
--- These DTV receivers will feed into a tuner card like the Hauppauge 1600?
Yes, or many others (I use 2 Avermedia M780s and Hauppauge 1800). If you use one of the pending HD encoders coming to the market - it would connect instead through the USB.
**** the new encoders USB..
--- All recordings from any TV takes place at the servers?
Correct. The server is your central source of all video.
--- DTV receivers are setup by the server?
--- Extenders are by each TV?
Yes
--- Extenders are Ethernet connection between extender and server. What does it plug into, network cards in the server? if so what type of cards?
Yes, via Cat5 ethernet. I created a separate video network that all my extenders and my video server are plugged into. Just like a normal PC network (use a Switch to connect everything)
****what speed?
--- Extender controls all channel programing in OTA and satellite?
Not quite. The Extender requests video from the server. The server controls the tuners (OTA or satellite) as needed to record whatever is needed (including "live" tv). If the extender asks for something "live", the server tunes in the channel, starts recording, and then the extender plays it.
--- Only one controller is needed for everything?
If you mean server - yes. 1 is fine.
*******not sure.. I believe I was saying OTA and sat
--- Am I noticing you do not have HD DTV, not that it is anything to brag about?
There has not been any HD recording options other than the 2 I mentioned above - OTA and QAM via Cable. I have OTA HD and the picture is outstanding. QAM is sometimes an issue for some people - it's all dependant upon what your cable provider allows.
There are several new HD encoding options coming. Once these are available - I will be upgrading my system to take advantage of it. I have 4 HD TVs, and 1 SD TV, so I want as much in HD as possible.
****your setup is impressive, so if I understand HD for SAT, encoding has not been available? QAM is for cable?
--- My upconverting Toshiba (not a good dvd, & not very old) just died last week. Can you use DVD player on a server to play movies. If I go blu-ray, you can feed that through the sage server somehow, like VHS, etc. I will wait to ask about music.
I use my server for all our DVDs - but I rip them to the hard disk and play it from there. I don't know about blu-ray for sure - I'm not using blu-ray right now. I suspect the HD Extender can handle it if you use the right tools to rip it and convert it - but I haven't done it myself. Of course, once the HD encoders are available, you can play via blu-ray player into the encoder (I don't know what limitations that has). It's on my list of to-dos... just haven't got that far yet.
****much usefull info, thanks.. The new HD extenders coming out.. these would eliminate the standard extender that is needed per-tv, are they by tv or server? Not sure if I said the clear.. the HD extender (link you provided) would eliminate the standard sage extender by the TV or do you need both.
Hope it helps.