SageTV Basic Software Questions

[SnyperBob]

OK, well my other thread was geared more towards hardware questions.

Well I finally started looking at the software and once again I'm confused as what to buy. I know I could just email them, but I figured my questions will most likely pop up for someone else when they start looking into this.

Here's their options for software on SageTV's online store:

• SageTV Media Center
• SageTV Placeshifter
• SageTV Client
• SageTV MVP Client
• SageTV Recorder

Placeshifter is the software that just allows me to stream videos from the 'server' to another computer? How does this work? Can I use one Placeshifter license on two different laptops? ie...I can only actually view on one laptop at a time, but it's possible to use two laptops with one license? Or do I need a Placeshifter license for every darn machine? Also, how well does Placeshifter work if you connect to it away from your house? What kind of Inet connection are you running to get your results (cable modem, dsl, other)?

How would you compare Slingbox to Placeshifter in regards to streaming thru the net to a remote location? I've used Slingbox and it's freakin' amazing. It was a friend's tho.

What is the difference between Client and Placeshifter? Is the client for local LAN connected machines or something? And the Placeshifter can stream thru the Inet to another computer? Client says that one license per machine is required. But Placeshifter doesn't say that in the description.

SageTV MVP Client is mandatory if you're using a Hauppauge MVP? I would need this if I buy an MVP from somewhere other than SageTV's store? newegg.com

SageTV Recorder I'm not interested in.


OK, here's my scenario, let me know if this sounds right:
Initially I'm going to pick up a Hauppauge 1600 ONLY. I will record on to my server and just watch/playback the videos on the server, or another computer.

So, based on that, I would want to buy SageTV Media Center for Windows with Placeshifter combo? That would allow me to watch the videos on my server locally, or my laptop in another room of the house?

I'm not going to pick up a media extender until they get them back in stock. I think it's just cheaper to buy their combos. And wait for the HD Extender to become avail. again

 

[SnyperBob]

OK, I found this on the SageTV forums explaining the differences between Client and Placeshifter. I guess if I'm using Placeshifter, I wouldn't need the ability to view DVDs, because most likely the PC I'm using Placeshifter on already has it's own DVD player . Overall, I think I like Placeshifter better, since it stores the licenses/allowable connections on the server. Booyah:

SageTV Client:

• Can only be used on a local network.
• Can play DVDs, using DVD-capable video decoder.
• Can customize which decoders and renderers are used.
• License is registered on the PC where the Client is installed. Each license can be used on a single system.
• Runs on the PC where it is installed and being used. A plugin would run as part of the client's process on the client PC.

SageTV Placeshifter:

• Can be used on a local network or a remote location, connecting to the SageTV server via the internet.
• Can transcode media for playback at a remote location.
• Can not play DVDs.
• Uses its built-in settings for decoder and renderer.
• License is registered on the server. Placeshifter connections can be initiated from multiple locations. The number of Placeshifter/Extender licenses registered on the server determines the number of simultaneous Placeshifter and Media Extender connections allowed.
• The UI runs on the remote PC, but the actual SageTV process is part of the server application on the server PC. A plugin would run as part of the server's process on the server PC.

 

[bfisher]

I'll give it a shot:

* SageTV Media Center - core software. This is your server software, controls recording and streams to other machines.
* SageTV Placeshifter - remote software (could be run locally) for a PC
* SageTV Client - local software to run on a PC on your network. Used to stream from the MC.
* SageTV MVP Client - Made by Hauppauge. SD client, connects via SVideo or Composite. Streams videos form the MC.
* SageTV Recorder - Not positive but I believe it allows another PC to record and is coordinated by the MC.

You are missing the HD Extender. Like the MVP Client but supports both HD and SD. Supports all connections (Composite, SVideo, Component, HDMI). Streams videos from the MC.

So in your scenario, sounds like you need a Media Center and a Client or Placeshifter (probably the Placeshifter).

I have not used the Placeshifter remotely yet. I have plans to try it - just never got to it...

 

[smee]

You don't need to worry about SageTV Recorder. My understanding is that it is older software that is no longer maintained. It allows for scheduled recording of programs, but that's about it. I think the way it's presented on their web site is confusing.

SageTV Media Center is the main thing you need. I ordered mine for the second machine during the few days they had the HD extender in stock in February. I saved a few bucks by ordering them together as a package.

The big difference (as far as the end user is concerned) between Client and Placeshifter is the ability to play DVDs. This does not mean watching DVDs from the Sage machine on the Client or Placeshifter (neither can do that unless they are ripped to the hard drive). It means watching DVDs in a drive on the machine running Client or Placeshifter. If you have the Client running, you can put a DVD in the drive of the machine the client is running on and watch it through the Sage interface - without needing to run another program. Placeshifter does not allow this.

Placeshifter is also set up to be easier to use over the internet. It is able to transcode video files to be more efficient if you have a slower connection. It does not transcode by default on a LAN.

Both Client and Placeshifter give the end user essentially the same interface although they function differently underneath.

I believe that both Client and Placeshifter licenses work with the extenders, but I'm not absolutely sure. I do know that Placeshifter licenses work fine. I do not have any MVP-specific licenses on my machine. My Sage 6.x machine has two Placeshifter licenses. This allows other PCs, my MVP, and my HD extender to all access Sage on that machine - but only two at a time.

I have been unable to get Placeshifter to work over the internet, but it is not because of Sage (as far as I know). I am having trouble exposing the ports required and I haven't had time to figure out if it's my ISP, router, or WHS firewall.

The WHS version of Sage that I am running comes with one Placeshifter license automatically. This is because the WHS version is intended to run headless (no monitor or keyboard on that machine). It works very well that way, by the way. The second license I have came with the HD extender (included in price). I also use a Placeshifter license to connect from my main PC if I need to configure something (which can also be done from extenders, but I don't have an extender in the same room as that PC).

I use a client license to access a different Sage machine running an older version of Sage. This is done from my main machine primarily to set up recordings. My setup is described in your hardware thread: SageTV Basic Hardware Questions.

 

[CollinR]

SageTV Media Center, Core application and integrated client for local use. (often reffered to as server)
SageTV Client, Same client from the server used only on Windows machines on the same LAN as the server.
Placeshifter, Software client for use across the internet.


Placeshifter licenses are also good for MVP and HD100 extenders.

If you buy the combo I suggested in the other thread you can:

Wife watch on the server
while
you watch on laptop at starbucks

or

Wife watch on server
while
You watch on MVP

You would not be able to both use MVP and placeshifter at the same time.

 

[SnyperBob]

Thanks guys, I ended up going with the Media Server/1600 bundle, along with a Placeshifter license. It's a little more than I would have spent if I bought a 1600 elsewhere, but I figured it will be faster/easier just to buy everything from them.

I'll wait until they get more HD extenders in and buy the Extender/License bundle.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[felixrosbergen]

Hi guys,

I got SageTV installed and found 2 issues:
- Using placeshiter i can connect, but placeshifter tell me i'm on a 15 day trial eventhough i put the license in.
- I ripped a DVD using DVDshrink (no compression), it's listed in SageTV but when i go to play it it says there no device or program suitable to play it. What do i need to make sagetv play ripping DVD's?

Waiting on my PVR500 to come in, without it SageTV is abit of lame duck.

 

[CollinR]

Hi guys,

I got SageTV installed and found 2 issues:
- Using placeshiter i can connect, but placeshifter tell me i'm on a 15 day trial eventhough i put the license in.
- I ripped a DVD using DVDshrink (no compression), it's listed in SageTV but when i go to play it it says there no device or program suitable to play it. What do i need to make sagetv play ripping DVD's?

Waiting on my PVR500 to come in, without it SageTV is abit of lame duck.

1. Reboot the server, sometimes you may need to reregister the license and then reboot.

2. You need a DVD software decoder, there are tons out there. If you have an Nvidia MX4400 are better (no need to go past 8600GTS) display adapter get the Purevideo decoder ($20 on their site also in some bundles at PCalchemy).

 

[bfisher]

Just to add to Collin's post - if you have an MVP or HD Extender, it will play the ripped DVDs without needed any decoders. It's only if you are playing DVDs on the PC itself.

 

[felixrosbergen]

And just to add:

When using placeshiftter you need the decoder on the machines where the DVD is actually being displayed. I put a DVD decoder on the server, it plays fine on the server but when viewed through placeshifter (over local LAN) it still needed a decoder.

 

[SnyperBob]

Hi guys,

I got SageTV installed and found 2 issues:
- Using placeshiter i can connect, but placeshifter tell me i'm on a 15 day trial eventhough i put the license in.

Check out this thread. I had the exact same problem. Seems like there's a lot more ppl out there that don't read the directions like me. lol...

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29926

 

[felixrosbergen]

Same here...instructions are for loosers..but i suppose i could have read them when i had a problem and before i posted here ..

The few things i will read instructions to before testing/operating:
- Any HV switches....don't want to fry myself or the house..
- pretty much anything that's hardwired i guess...

Anything that has plugin connection i pretty much hook up as i think it should be and power it up..if no smoke then it's all good...

 

[SnyperBob]

Haha, yeah I agree man. That's what I like about SageTV. Besides that Placeshifter license issue, it's so easy to use that the wife loves it. Can't ask for anything more than that!