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SageTV takes on EyeTV2, Slingbox

updated 05:15 pm EST, Mon December 18, 2006

SageTV takes on EyeTV2


SageTV today released the Mac version of SageTV Placeshifter, a portable media extender that allows Mac users to access live or recorded TV, music, and photos from SageTV Media Center software installed on a Windows or Linux system. The updated version of the software is designed to eliminate the need for subscriptions to monthly PVR services as well as purchases of new Windows XP MCE PCs or a Windows XP MCE operating system to obtain PVR/media center capabilities. "Now family members can access their home TV and personal digital media library on any Mac or Windows machine in the home or even away, whether at the office, a hotel, the airport or a Wi-Fi cafe, with the same SageTV Media Center interface," said SageTV. The media extender is already shipping for $110, and includes a wireless remote control as well as an Ethernet cable.


by MacNN Staff

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 industry, digital music/video

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  1. stainless

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: May 2005

    0
    12/18, 05:53pm | report spam | Reply |

    Alternatives please...

    What alternatives does a Macintosh user have? Anyone, anyone?

  1. acraft

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: May 2005

    0
    12/18, 06:05pm | report spam | Reply |

    nice try

    The reason Apple is making the iTV is that it is difficult to get digital video--stored on your mac--onto your TV set. And it is assumed that any video assets you have in iTunes will be automagically availble to your iTV.

    SageTV requires a Windows or Linux server running the SageTV software. Then you must also buy and install the SageTV Placeshifter for Mac software. And there is no mention that it will play iTunes video assets--such as movies or TV shows purchased from the iTMS--at all.

    This is not a comparable item to the iTV. Nice try.

  1. Gepard

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Sep 2000

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    12/19, 08:01am | report spam | Reply |

    hnothing to do with iTV

    This device has nothing to do with iTV. It is just an extender to their Windows version of the Media Center.

    Alternatives? There are some, such as a Network DVD players like Avel Link from iodata or Buffalo LinkTheather that don't work on Intel Macs properly anymore. There are some other media centers that were based on the same Syabas software which worked on a Mac.

    Honestly, there are NONE od them that would work seamlessly on a Mac without tweaking or using a PC or Parallels. Even though it works, it still will not play any video or songs bought from iTunes Store.

    Wait, there is one. It is a Mac mini, that has almost everything and can play almost everything. But it's a computer. That is why the above mentioned iTV (or whatever name will be) is so important for Apple and their users.

  1. dynsight

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: May 2005

    0
    12/19, 09:11am | report spam | Reply |

    Mac Mini it is

    Mac mini is a very nice addition set up with:

    Tuner and Eye-TV (about $125) Network connection to movies (thanks to Handbrake), music and photos on a server...

    The mac mini is a good quality DVD player Svideo Out ($10 for cable) Optical sound out (5.1!) with $20 adaptor

    Front row is nice control tool, and even cooler with spoken commands. No keyboard needed IF you control it with Chicken of the VNC from laptop or workstation.

    Thus, one gets a pricey, although not ridiculously so, media center.

    Just back up your stuff!

  1. GORDYmac

    Mac Elite

    Joined: Dec 1999

    0
    12/19, 10:48am | report spam | Reply |

    2nd Time MacNN...

    Once again, this device has NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ITV PRODUCT! This is the second time you have done this guys. Do you even know what iTV is supposed to do?

    Do you guys even read the dribble you receive?

  1. richdean

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Sep 2002

    0
    12/19, 01:09pm | report spam | Reply |

    elgato not that great

    The problem with elgato's stuff in the US is that it doesn't work with digital cale or satellite TV, only analog cable.

    ElGato's stuff won't change channels on any external boxes. Windows PCI cards have been able to do this via serial or IR for more than 5 years.

    Pretty much the only reason I have a PC is to run BeyondTV.

  1. ophiochos

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 2006

    0
    12/21, 07:51pm | report spam | Reply |

    EyeTV or iTV?

    what's this got to do with EyeTV? elgato are not mentioned and I don't see a direct overlap at all. EyeTV lets you use your mac as a TV/recorder. This allows iTV-like functions. I don't see much of a connection. As for Elgato not letting you control externals... what externals? Unless you're streaming out from the Mac. very confusing.

  1. sjk

    Forum Regular

    Joined: Feb 2002

    0
    12/22, 03:28am | report spam | Reply |

    no iTS content support

    Re: And there is no mention that it will play iTunes video assets--such as movies or TV shows purchased from the iTMS--at all.

    I don't see how it could since the SageTV product line apparently doesn't support H.264 and definitely not Apple's FairPlay.

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