SOLVED: (mostly) SageTV is gone. So now what is the best option for server/client?

[dbocce3]

Let me begin by saying thank you to all of the help I have received from these forums. You have made my life much better.

 

Now,for my question. I want use my new WHS 2011 server to store and rip all of my movies/tv shows. Since SageTV is gone, I am not sure what the best way to serve the movies to my TV is. My requirements for the client are as follows:

1. Play MKV, ISO, and any other HD format I could rip a blu-ray into
2. Play all music and photos (should be easy)
3. Have a nice GUI like SageTV did so that my wife will not only LIKE using it, but will be ABLE to use it.
4. The client wouldn’t be more than $200 MAX to build/buy

My initial thought is to use XBMC to stream everything. I also heard that Media Portal is good.

 

Any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated! Feel free to ask questions.

 

John

[swoon]

The hard part is covering the $200 budget. You’ll get the flexibility you need out of a PC-based solution, the budget requirement is a problem though. If you could live with some limitations, you might want to look at something like the Boxee Box. There’s even a SageBoxee app in development for Boxee which might be helpful for your situation.

[autoboy]

XBMC doesn’t have an integrated DVR.  There’s a whole thread on this on the sageTV forums.  My understanding is that there isn’t much alternatives if you want it all integrated into a single system.

 

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56082

[Ganjagadget]

Unless I am missing something, sounds like Windows Media Center and Xbox 360’s would fit the bill. You just need to pick one of many transcoding options for WHS.

[dbocce3]

I should have been more clear. I do not need DVR functionality. What I meant by TV shows are shows ripped from discs or downloaded from torrents.

[dbocce3]

Could you point me in the direction of the WHS transcoding options?

[dbocce3]

Thanks for replying Aaron.

 

I was thinking of using a nettop or a Revo like device. I think those are about $200.

[dbocce3]

I was even thinking of using WDTV Plus and using the hack but the GUI doesn’t seem wife friendly.

[aazeez1975]

Wait for Google TV, now that Google bought Motorola Mobile and Sage, some nice integration coming soon.

 

 

[dbocce3]

Thanks but that could take at least a year.

 

Has anyone ever heard of Popbox? http://www.popbox.com/onlinestore/index.php

[swoon]

Our Media Player Comparison Guide may be helpful in your search.

[htpc_user]

I’m confused.  What do you mean by SageTV being gone?

[swoon]

After SageTV was acquired by Google, the store was taken down so licenses and HD300 can no longer be purchased.

[htpc_user]

I think I was under the impression that the OP already had SageTV and I couldn’t understand why it wouldn’t work.

[dbocce3]

[quote=htpc_user]

I’m confused.  What do you mean by SageTV being gone?

[/quote]

 

I mean it is no longer for sale.

[Author]

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