[drb]

I lost another Sage extender so I guess it's time to make the move to WMC. If there are better options please let me know. I was on DTV with [2] HD-PVR all on a 15TB server with [3] HD[?] 200 Sage extenders. I really loved this set-up and had it in various forms for many years.


Also now that I am going to WMC I am also switching to cable [TWC]. Since TWC flags their channels I guess SageTV is out. Is the Ceton Echo the only WMC extender? It seems to be an expensive way to steam recorded tv to my other TVs. I currently have a HDPrime but feel [3] tuners may not be enough tuners. Can I add a second? I know I would then require another cablecard. How about the Ceton 6 tuner, can I add that with the HDPrime or would that be asking for trouble?


Is there a way to store recorded TV on the server and then have individual PC running WMC access the files? I would prefer over buying a Echo for each tv. Is there another way that I am missing.


I assume there are other front ends that can be use instead of WMC, are they easy to use?


Thanks for any help.


Daren

 

[pittsoccer33]

Given that you will be on time warner, and you would like to have access to recordings across multiple televisions, you need to use wmc and extenders like the echo or Xbox 360. Don't rule out used discontinued extenders from linksys, d link, and hp. All of these are currently much cheaper than the sage extenders cost, even less used.


Like you said, this is because twc flags their channels copy once. That means only the pc that recorded it or an extender associated with it can play the recordings. As you said that rules out sage, xbmc, j river, etc.


You could stick a pc at every tv with each having access to your cablecard tuner, but they will not have access to each other's recordings.



If you've been happy using two hd-pvrs you could consider keeping them. That would give you some flexibility in wmc. I don't think its as ideal as a cablecard tuner but dvblink has some interesting plugins to get tv to multiple computers.

 

[drb]



Quote:
if you've been happy using two hd-pvrs you could consider keeping them. That would give you some flexibility in wmc.

directv with Ethernet tuning worked great, I would hate to go back to the blaster, besides I want to keep cost down so I want to not have any boxes from TWC.


I bought the HDPrime when it was $99 cause I knew I would eventually try the WMC route. I wish I got the 6 tuner Ceton. So can I mix the 6 tuner Ceton with the Prime for 9 tuners without headaches? I seen SilconDust was to release a new 6 tuner, am I better off waiting for that. My last resort would be to add another 3 tuner Prime, I assume that can be done with no problems, right?


Again Thanks

Daren

 

[blueiedgod]

Cheektovegas? Heard it means "close the the airport" in Polish, ha ha ha


Talk about local people!


I am using a mix of Linksys and XBOX for extenders. If you are not planning on using Win 8 for your WMC set up, then legacy extenders still work. You can pick them up on ebay for under $50 here and there. I have bought a few RROD XBOX360's and fixed them up (15 minutes job and $2 in parts) for extender use.


The pro's for XBOX: Quick boot. I used a 4 GB USB drive for storage (no hard drive) it took just about as long to boot from cold into WMC as it takes an average LCD TV to boot from power on to useable screen. It plays more formats than legacy extenders, and has faster remote response.


The Con's: Energy hog. You have a chance of not being able to quiet one down. I was able to quiet them all down using Arctic Silver 2 compound on the CPU and GPU.


Legacy extenders take forever to boot up from cold, but they only use 1/10th the power of XBOX, so we just leave them on, while XBOX is turned on and off, as needed (you can set it up to boot directly into WMC).


TWC here copyright protects EVERYTHING, premium and non-premium content. At least they did 4-5 years ago when we had them, before we went back to FiOS. So, WMC and extenders are your only reasonable solution.


You can use HomeRun Prime with other tunes, but why pay for a second cableCard, when Ceton ETH already has 6 tuners running off a single CableCARD?


We are using Ceton ETH for 6x Cable tuners, and 3x HomeRun Duals for 6x OTA tuner for our 6 TV household. Ceton driverw remove the 4 tuner "same kind" limit in WMC, if you go with 2x SDHRP's, you will need to purchase TunerSalad to remove the limit.


I have done a few installs in the area, so, don't be afraid to ask questions.

 

[drb]

Always good to hear from local people.

Quote:
You can use HomeRun Prime with other tunes, but why pay for a second cableCard, when Ceton ETH already has 6 tuners running off a single CableCARD?

Couple of reasons; #1 already have the SDHDPrime, and #2, I think only the Prime will allow me stream to smart tvs and other boxes [ie Roku]. This would eliminate some extender boxes.


I wish I would have gotten the Ceton cause I know 3 tuners won't be enough. Right now I can get the Ceton for $249 and then get $80 off a echo if I want to do that. I would like the echo, just not at 179$.


I may just play with the 3 tuners and decide later what to upgrade.

 

[drb]



Quote:
The pro's for XBOX: Quick boot. I used a 4 GB USB drive for storage (no hard drive) it took just about as long to boot from cold into WMC as it takes an average LCD TV to boot from power on to useable screen. It plays more formats than legacy extenders

I found I could get the Echo @ $50 off each [if you buy 2]. That option appeals to me cause I would prefer quieter less power hungry device. However, I think I read it would not play files [DVDs] set-up in TS_Video folders. Is this true? Is there a way around it? If not, would the x-box play dvds ripped in this manner?


Thanks

DRB

 

[pittsoccer33]

No extenders play video_ts natively.


There are some quasi hacks to do it, such as this http://mikinho.com/wmc/transcode/


it was actually written by a guy who went on to work for Ceton.

 

[blueiedgod]



Quote:
Originally Posted by drb  /t/1517115/force-from-sagetv-to-wmc-looking-for-help-or-hints#post_24344210


Always good to hear from local people.



Couple of reasons; #1 already have the SDHDPrime, and #2, I think only the Prime will allow me stream to smart tvs and other boxes [ie Roku]. This would eliminate some extender boxes.


I wish I would have gotten the Ceton cause I know 3 tuners won't be enough. Right now I can get the Ceton for $249 and then get $80 off a echo if I want to do that. I would like the echo, just not at 179$.


I may just play with the 3 tuners and decide later what to upgrade.

If you are thinking of the transcoding PRime, that will probably stream to Roku, but not the original Prime. Original Prime will stream to DLNA and DTCP TV's and consoles. I don't think Roku can read MPEG2 stream. I don't have one to check to be 100% certain.


But, here the biggest but of it all, you can only use DTCP-IP to stream copyright protected content, which is pretty much EVERYTHING TWC offers here. The only DTCP-IP device that I am aware of is PS3. I have yet to see a TV with built in DTCP-IP ability.


Besides, streaming from the tuner does not give you the guide, or ability to record, rewind, schedule, or anything else. So, you are just working a really really dumb cable box, equivalent to the free adapters cable companies give out. IT is not very user friendly, and if you have a wife and kids, you will be changing the channels for them all the time. I have not played with PS3, but DLNA built into LG TV was not very user friendly, not as easy as just use channel up and channel down button. You have to select the stream out of the list of available streams.


So, if you want the nice guide, and ability to record, rewind, time shift, and all that AND with TWC in WNY, your only choice is WMC with extenders.


Echo has been on sale for $99, XBOX Slim e has been on sale for $99, XBOX360 can be picked up for cheap on craigslist, legacy extenders can be picked up on ebay for cheap. I agree, $179 for Echo is a lot, but $99 is acceptable, IMHO.


I would build WMC machine first, get it working, meanwhile, keep an eye out for extenders, or more tuners. Switching tuners may or may not trigger play ready update. If you update playready, you will no longer be able to play content recorded with the previous key. So, that is something to keep in mind.


If all you want is cable TV without guide or DVR ability, then you will need to get a few PS3's. I have not been in the market for PS3, but I doubt they will be much cheaper than $50 used xBOX360 Phat, or legacy extender.

 

[blueiedgod]



Quote:
Originally Posted by drb  /t/1517115/force-from-sagetv-to-wmc-looking-for-help-or-hints#post_24346907


I found I could get the Echo @ $50 off each [if you buy 2]. That option appeals to me cause I would prefer quieter less power hungry device. However, I think I read it would not play files [DVDs] set-up in TS_Video folders. Is this true? Is there a way around it? If not, would the x-box play dvds ripped in this manner?


Thanks

DRB

I convert everything to XVID, since that's the format that Linksys supports the best. I keep raw files for the playback on HTPC.


Interestingly enough, Linksys does play VOB files without a hitch, but it won't play them in sequence, unless I choose "Play all" from the menu.