Download R5000-HD SageTV version

The R5000-HD now incorporates built-in support for SageTV. The DVR application acts as a "network encoder" with an integrated server allowing SageTV to seamlessly integrate with the R5000-HD hardware. There are no external IR blasters, other devices or software required. The SageTV server is configured from a new "SageTV" Options menu item.

Once enabled, the server waits for a connection from SageTV. If configured properly a connection should take place after starting SageTV.

Sage version DVR software will display a status line at the bottom of the dialog. Once connected, a message will display the IP and port of the incoming connection. Other messages include a "Ping" from the Sage client (not to be confused with the SageTV client software. Network encoders are defined as "servers" so SageTV is always connecting as a client), record, stop and channel change commands.

Configuring SageTV The SageTV software must be properly configured to recognize the R5000-HD DVR. This is accomplished by editing the properties file; "sage.properties", usually found in the folder "c:\Program Files\SageTV\SageTV\". A series of entries are created for each network encoder that you want Sage to look for. The properties file is organized alphabetically and there probably will already be some mmc.. entries. Find the appropriate location to insert the mmc/encoders/... entries (right after the "mmc/enable_mpeg4_timeshifting=" entry is a common location). The red highlighted lines below are those of importance. The rest can be left blank or assigned a default value (Sage will assign or change the value if its relevant to proper operation, for example "last channel" and "provider id" will be changed or assigned).

Shown below are the property entries for setting up 2 encoders. The number immediately following mm/encoders/ should be unique for each decoder. The other single digit numbers that follow define the hardware inputs, in this case a single USB input. This is mainly for informational purposes. SageTV Source summary after successful connection with the R5000-HD.

Troubleshooting Tips   "Channel surfing" using the R5000-HD/SageTV combo can be slower than most users are accustomed. This is due the time it takes to stop the stream, send out the new IR channel commands, re-start the stream and waiting for the stream to buffer. SageTV may report a "no signal" condition when waiting for data to become available. This is usually normal. If a condition persists whereby no picture is displayed even after the R5000-HD is reporting that a file is being recorded and its size is growing there maybe a problem with SageTV playback starting properly. This can often be triggered when switching from HD to SD channels or visa-versa. We recommend changing the following entries in the SageTV properties file:

seeker/fast_mux_switch=false
videoframe/fast_file_switching=false

The first entry forces the recording graph (the DirectShow connections) to be rebuilt on channel changes. The second forces the playback graph to be rebuilt whenever a new file is selected. SageTV is buffering to disk, so the second entry is important since watching live TV is basically playing back a file as its being recorded.

Vista problems: Having trouble getting modifications to the properties file to take? Try turning off UAC. See this post for an explanation.

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