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<blockquote data-quote="pgitta" data-source="post: 477205" data-attributes="member: 92341"><p>[QUOTEI think that getting MP up and running is a lot more problematic if you life outside europe.</p><p>Especially if you are located in the US.]</p></blockquote><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>I think there is much truth to this. I did finally get a working setup going, but sadly, I am forced to revert to my old SageTV setup due to technical problems and some lost features I became very accustomed to.</p><p></p><p>Please do not in any way take this as a slam on MP. Man, it has so many things I love about it more than the other packages out there. Nothing would make me happier than to stick with it, and perhaps the new Infinity project will be different, but for now, even though I plan to leave it installed, it won't be the primary DVR in use.</p><p></p><p>I will outline a few points in the hope that they may be useful in future releases. (As I have primarily used sageTV and Media Portal, many comparisons will be between those two.)</p><p></p><p>Things I liked:</p><p></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Price <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /><br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Smooth FF/RW. SageTV and their users insisted it couldn't be done like TiVo because of encoder issues, etc. "Crapola". your application, other than HD files, did it just fine and I loved it.<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">MP had a CD player. Duh. SageTV "Media Center" has no way to play a CD. I suppose they don't consider it media.<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">GUI. Absolutely gorgeous compared to SageTV. I will miss it very much.<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Much better results with displaying video with included encoders. Sage's shipped codecs stink. Neccesitate the purchase of NVidia PureVideo decoders at added expense. (note: Curiously, NVidia decoders don't work well with MP at all!) Doesn't matter though, because you don't need them.<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">All the cool plugins. Especially used last.fm plugin a lot.<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Music jukebox destroys Sage's clunky, almost unuseable interface. And it scanned my library in seconds unlike whatever Sage was doing for 20 minutes. I was able to listen right away.<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Fewer "hangs" in the user interface. Very quick response between menu changes.<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">SQL database I can access and manipulate compared to SageTV proprietary "wiz.bin" file. That thing is annoying.<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">A support community that helps, rather than attacks. SageTV forum full of Sage "groupies" who cannot tolerate this sort of honest criticism. Do not attempt to point out flaws at that site. You will regret it.<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Third party plugins generally work much better than SageTV "STV" imports, many of which are prematurely posted and in defective or unfinished states.</li> </ul><p></p><p>Now, in fairness, as they say, "Even a broken clock is right twice a day". And actually, SageTV is right much more than twice a day, and even an great app like MP could stand to learn a few tricks from them:</p><p></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Major setup components (guide, settop box support, remote, etc) are included in the package. I think it is a big mistake to tell users to find a third party application and install it if they want to control their DVR with a remote.<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Settings changes require leaving the program in MP. Very inconvienient.<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">MP Client is simply unreliable, at least for me anyway, and very slow to browse files or start playing. Some high definition content "black screens" and locks up where SageTV client reproduces it perfectly. No amount of codec or hardware jostling made me able to dependably watch TV remotely. (I tried on four different hardware setups) I don't know if this may be releated to the above mentioned lack of U.S. NTSC support, maybe?<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Not being able to tune a channel that is being either recorded or watched is crazy. I don't want a "No cards found..." message when I try to tune a channel someone else is watching. Why can't I watch the same thing? 1000 people can tune to the same channel without issue in SageTV even though that channel is using the one source. Why in the world should I have to get out of that screen and watch the "recorded" file to work around it? Big peeve for me.<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">SageTV has far, far, advanced recording options like Favorites, Wishlists, etc. This is such a huge part of a DVR that I am at a loss why MP devoted so little to it. For the record, "For The Record", IMO, is not a good option. It adds more complexity to the system, (more programs, services to worry about, takes over the GUI, and generally removes as much as it adds.) FTR people, please understand me. I used your add-on and it works, and I don't want make as if I didn't find it useful. I am only saying you should never have had to develop it in the first place. I know...harsh. But honest.<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">SageTV saves in .mpg format. Not the end of the world, but I like that.<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">SageTV has many built-in features I like, such as being able to play one, or "all" the recordings in a group consecutively, convert recordings on the fly, delete one or "all" recordings in a group.<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">I can customize the look of many menus from within the program to make it look the way I want.<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The "ComSkip" segments show on the video timeline, and I have the option to enable or disable comskip reading on a per program basis (in case the comskip results are poor for that program)<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">SageTV has a Placeshifter module enabling viewing from anywhere in the world. Not often used, but handy when you just <em>have</em> to watch that episode of Green Acres at postage stamp size.<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">SageTV IMDB plug-in way more informative than MP IMDB info.<br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">SageTV utilizes MUCH more of the information provided in the XMLTV file. (Original air date, etc) Also Sage offers data on the file itself. (Size, type, when encoded, etc)<br /> </li> </ul><p>So there you have it. just what I can think of at the moment. This is not a "Goodbye Media Portal" post. On the contrary, I intend to follow closely the release of the new application, and sincerely wish I was skilled enough as a programmer to assist in making the product more U.S.er friendly" I've done some programming, but I don't believe I am anywhere near the level required for your needs.</p><p></p><p>I can however indicate what I believe American users might desire. (You know, the regular stuff. Our version will need to be bigger, more arrogant...maybe red white and blue color scheme, etc, etc...<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p>Best of luck with Infinity. I hope some more American programmers will volunteer and stick to it in the future. </p><p></p><p>I'll be watching.</p><p>[/QUOTE]</p>
[QUOTE="pgitta, post: 477205, member: 92341"] [QUOTEI think that getting MP up and running is a lot more problematic if you life outside europe. Especially if you are located in the US.][/QUOTE] I think there is much truth to this. I did finally get a working setup going, but sadly, I am forced to revert to my old SageTV setup due to technical problems and some lost features I became very accustomed to. Please do not in any way take this as a slam on MP. Man, it has so many things I love about it more than the other packages out there. Nothing would make me happier than to stick with it, and perhaps the new Infinity project will be different, but for now, even though I plan to leave it installed, it won't be the primary DVR in use. I will outline a few points in the hope that they may be useful in future releases. (As I have primarily used sageTV and Media Portal, many comparisons will be between those two.) Things I liked: [LIST] [*]Price :) [*]Smooth FF/RW. SageTV and their users insisted it couldn't be done like TiVo because of encoder issues, etc. "Crapola". your application, other than HD files, did it just fine and I loved it. [*]MP had a CD player. Duh. SageTV "Media Center" has no way to play a CD. I suppose they don't consider it media. [*]GUI. Absolutely gorgeous compared to SageTV. I will miss it very much. [*]Much better results with displaying video with included encoders. Sage's shipped codecs stink. Neccesitate the purchase of NVidia PureVideo decoders at added expense. (note: Curiously, NVidia decoders don't work well with MP at all!) Doesn't matter though, because you don't need them. [*]All the cool plugins. Especially used last.fm plugin a lot. [*]Music jukebox destroys Sage's clunky, almost unuseable interface. And it scanned my library in seconds unlike whatever Sage was doing for 20 minutes. I was able to listen right away. [*]Fewer "hangs" in the user interface. Very quick response between menu changes. [*]SQL database I can access and manipulate compared to SageTV proprietary "wiz.bin" file. That thing is annoying. [*]A support community that helps, rather than attacks. SageTV forum full of Sage "groupies" who cannot tolerate this sort of honest criticism. Do not attempt to point out flaws at that site. You will regret it. [*]Third party plugins generally work much better than SageTV "STV" imports, many of which are prematurely posted and in defective or unfinished states. [/LIST] Now, in fairness, as they say, "Even a broken clock is right twice a day". And actually, SageTV is right much more than twice a day, and even an great app like MP could stand to learn a few tricks from them: [LIST] [*]Major setup components (guide, settop box support, remote, etc) are included in the package. I think it is a big mistake to tell users to find a third party application and install it if they want to control their DVR with a remote. [*]Settings changes require leaving the program in MP. Very inconvienient. [*]MP Client is simply unreliable, at least for me anyway, and very slow to browse files or start playing. Some high definition content "black screens" and locks up where SageTV client reproduces it perfectly. No amount of codec or hardware jostling made me able to dependably watch TV remotely. (I tried on four different hardware setups) I don't know if this may be releated to the above mentioned lack of U.S. NTSC support, maybe? [*]Not being able to tune a channel that is being either recorded or watched is crazy. I don't want a "No cards found..." message when I try to tune a channel someone else is watching. Why can't I watch the same thing? 1000 people can tune to the same channel without issue in SageTV even though that channel is using the one source. Why in the world should I have to get out of that screen and watch the "recorded" file to work around it? Big peeve for me. [*]SageTV has far, far, advanced recording options like Favorites, Wishlists, etc. This is such a huge part of a DVR that I am at a loss why MP devoted so little to it. For the record, "For The Record", IMO, is not a good option. It adds more complexity to the system, (more programs, services to worry about, takes over the GUI, and generally removes as much as it adds.) FTR people, please understand me. I used your add-on and it works, and I don't want make as if I didn't find it useful. I am only saying you should never have had to develop it in the first place. I know...harsh. But honest. [*]SageTV saves in .mpg format. Not the end of the world, but I like that. [*]SageTV has many built-in features I like, such as being able to play one, or "all" the recordings in a group consecutively, convert recordings on the fly, delete one or "all" recordings in a group. [*]I can customize the look of many menus from within the program to make it look the way I want. [*]The "ComSkip" segments show on the video timeline, and I have the option to enable or disable comskip reading on a per program basis (in case the comskip results are poor for that program) [*]SageTV has a Placeshifter module enabling viewing from anywhere in the world. Not often used, but handy when you just [I]have[/I] to watch that episode of Green Acres at postage stamp size. [*]SageTV IMDB plug-in way more informative than MP IMDB info. [*]SageTV utilizes MUCH more of the information provided in the XMLTV file. (Original air date, etc) Also Sage offers data on the file itself. (Size, type, when encoded, etc) [/LIST] So there you have it. just what I can think of at the moment. This is not a "Goodbye Media Portal" post. On the contrary, I intend to follow closely the release of the new application, and sincerely wish I was skilled enough as a programmer to assist in making the product more U.S.er friendly" I've done some programming, but I don't believe I am anywhere near the level required for your needs. I can however indicate what I believe American users might desire. (You know, the regular stuff. Our version will need to be bigger, more arrogant...maybe red white and blue color scheme, etc, etc...:) Best of luck with Infinity. I hope some more American programmers will volunteer and stick to it in the future. I'll be watching. [/QUOTE]
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