{"id":570704,"date":"2010-05-19T14:05:00","date_gmt":"2010-05-19T18:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11976697.post-6975579161175946740"},"modified":"2010-05-19T16:34:06","modified_gmt":"2010-05-19T20:34:06","slug":"sagetv-7-arrives-tomorrow-%e2%80%93-new-ui-plugin-manager-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/570704","title":{"rendered":"SageTV 7 Arrives Tomorrow \u2013 New UI, Plugin Manager, and More"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>GeekTonic has big news about popular Home Theater PC software, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sagetv.com\/\" >SageTV<\/a>.&nbsp; The next version of SageTV \u2013 SageTV7 should be available as a public beta sometime tomorrow!<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"EPG\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/static.flickr.com\/4035\/4621050583_4d81417253.jpg\" \/><br \/>\nSince CES, we <a href=\"http:\/\/www.geektonic.com\/2010\/01\/sagetv-working-on-version-7-update-with.html\" >knew a new SageTV version was coming<\/a> and that it would include a new UI.&nbsp; I have had the opportunity to preview this new version and thought I\u2019d run through the more significant new features, changes and improvements.<\/p>\n<p><i>More Info after the Jump&#8230;<\/i><br \/>\n<i><\/i><br \/>\n<a name='more'><\/a><i>&nbsp;<\/i> <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>New User Interface (UI)<\/b>&nbsp; &#8211; See below for a couple of screen-shots as well as more description on this.<\/li>\n<li><b>Online Plugin Manager<\/b> \u2013 This is really a big improvement over the past method of importing plugins, changing settings files etc.&nbsp; Think of this as a simple way of viewing what plugins are available, what plugins you have installed, which plugins have updates available etc \u2013 all from the UI.&nbsp; This takes what was a fairly onerous process of installing and setting up a plugin and makes it simple.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Plugin Manager\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/static.flickr.com\/4059\/4621660286_ef26867646.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>XBMC Skin (xml) import support<\/b> \u2013 Do you covet one of the beautiful XBMC skins?&nbsp; SageTV 7 has created a way to automatically import those skins into SageTV 7 and use them as your UI.&nbsp; It\u2019s not an entirely automatic process and requires some modification, but it makes importing &amp; using the XBMC skins possible without much coding.&nbsp; The first imported skins should arrive in the near future.<\/li>\n<li><b>Live TV seamless transition between shows<\/b> \u2013 If you\u2019re a SageTV user already you know about this one.&nbsp; In the past say you were watching a sporting event and it ran past the scheduled end time.&nbsp; SageTV used to pause playback for a few seconds while it transitioned into the next show causing an annoying irritant to users.&nbsp; That problem is gone now and you\u2019ll have seamless transitions.<\/li>\n<li><b>BDMV (Blu-ray) folder playback<\/b> \u2013 Blu-ray playback already exists with SageTV 6, but SageTV 7 adds Windows playback improvements (decoders required to be installed)<\/li>\n<li><b>Support for playback of ISO DVD and Blu-ray files<\/b> on all platforms that support non-ISO playback (requires Virtual Clone Drive (free) to be installed for Windows) <\/li>\n<li><b>Windows Placeshifter uses DirectX 3D rendering<\/b> instead of OpenGL <\/li>\n<li><b>SageTV recordings now have their full metadata embedded<\/b> into the video file instead of requiring a separate file to hold that metadata <\/li>\n<li><b>Increased stability of Hauppauge HD-PVR<\/b> &#8211; Enhancements to workaround Hauppauge HDPVR instabilities on Windows <\/li>\n<li><b>DirectShow demux filter for handling MKV, MP4 and FLV media types<\/b> <\/li>\n<li><b>New &#8216;Effects&#8217; rendering system<\/b> with support for <b>more advanced and easier to use animations<\/b> (layers are no longer needed) <\/li>\n<li><b>Background image loading system<\/b> allows for <b>faster loading of thumbnails and other image resources<\/b> w\/out interfering with UI responsiveness <\/li>\n<li><b>New Pan\/Zoom style slideshow transition effects<\/b> <\/li>\n<li><b>Automatic conversion of Favorite recordings<\/b> <\/li>\n<li><b>Removed the need for formatting disks with 64k clusters<\/b> in order to get optimal disk performance on Windows <\/li>\n<li><b>Significant performance increases for HD200 <\/b>\u2013 you will notice this especially when navigating the UI.&nbsp; And this allows for more animations in the UI as well.&nbsp; <span style=\"color: red;\">NOTE: It was pointed out to me by a HD100 user of SageTV 7 that improvements were made that enhance the HD100 performance as well.&nbsp; He stated that the HD100 is now as fast as the HD200 was with SageTV 6!<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Support for DVB radio channels<\/b> <\/li>\n<li><b>Windows 7 compatibility <\/b>\u2013 SageTV worked with Windows 7 already, but now installation on Windows 7 is more seamless.<\/li>\n<li>Lots of <b>new API calls and Widget options in the SageTV Studio<\/b> <\/li>\n<li>Various <b>other optimizations and bug fixes&nbsp; &#8211; <\/b>the complete change log will be included in the official announcement tomorrow.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n<b>New User Interface<\/b> \u2013 Probably on the most-requested list for SageTV developers is a re-write of the user interface.&nbsp; The SageTV user interface that comes installed in SageTV by default has made many changes over the years, but cosmetically it\u2019s looked and worked about the same.&nbsp; The SageTV team has made some significant changes in the UI that they hope will please those that liked the old UI the way it was as well as those looking for a more attractive appearance.&nbsp; <br \/>\nFor comparison, below is the old, default SageTV6 UI:<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Old SageTV 6 Main Menu\" border=\"0\" height=\"208\" src=\"http:\/\/static.flickr.com\/4019\/4621640327_7a79648bb8.jpg\" title=\"Old SageTV 6 Main Menu\" width=\"363\" \/><br \/>\nObviously pretty plain and that\u2019s one reason many SageTV users flocked to the 3rd Party UI, SageMC.<br \/>\nThe screenshot below shows the main menu in it\u2019s pure form.&nbsp; Included are new animations, improvements to the extender (HD200) firmware to allow for these animations.&nbsp; I\u2019ll be posting a demo video to show the UI in action later this week as it\u2019s difficult to get the feel for it all with static photos.&nbsp; Note that this UI is skinnable and background images can easily be changed.&nbsp; The screen-shots I\u2019m including here are from the current, beta version.<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96395704@N00\/4621045995\/\" title=\"Main Menu TV\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Main Menu TV\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/static.flickr.com\/4043\/4621045995_edb2b9a984.jpg\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nYou can either press select with your remote control to initiate a given function (such as TV) or as you move your cursor (remote control) right, a sub-menu slides open showing additional settings.<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96395704@N00\/4621656002\/\" title=\"Main Menu TV Submenu\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Main Menu TV Submenu\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/static.flickr.com\/4048\/4621656002_984d462e8e.jpg\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nThe entire UI works in a similar, unified way.&nbsp; You\u2019ll find the menu items and submenu items better organized and easier to navigate compared to the old, UI.&nbsp; More on the UI later.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"EPG Program Details\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/static.flickr.com\/4056\/4621658332_a8d71ffeb2.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<h4>Many Important Changes \u201cUnder-the-hood\u201d<\/h4>\n<p>Many will focus on the new UI, transitions and effects and think that\u2019s the biggest change here \u2013 and it is from a purely look &amp; appearance perspective.&nbsp; But for me it\u2019s also the more subtle, under-the-hood changes that make this version a huge leap forward.&nbsp; The new plugin manager makes installing and updating add-ons incredibly easy \u2013 I can\u2019t stress enough how much of an improvement this is to those that use SageTV.&nbsp; The changes the SageTV team has made the learning curve so much easier.<br \/>\nOther non-UI items that are on the list of things I\u2019m really appreciating here include the improved HD-PVR performance, improved HD200 performance (it handles navigation very fast), no more \u201cpause\u201d between shows when watching LiveTV like I used to experience when watching sports, improved Blu-ray functionality, the embedded metadata in the recorded TV file \u2013 those sorts of things will be appreciated by those familiar with SageTV 6.<br \/>\nThe other thing you might not notice at first with SageTV7 is the coordination and support that went on behind the scenes between SageTV developers and the third-party add-on developers.&nbsp; There are three or four significant projects underway that will offer even more functionality and UI choices for SageTV users.&nbsp; Projects underway include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Project Ortus<\/b> \u2013 A combination UI system and feature-set add-on being developed by a team of developers for SageTV. <\/li>\n<li><b>Project Phoenix<\/b> \u2013 Yet another combination UI system and feature-set add-on being developed by a team of developers for SageTV.&nbsp; This one includes developers of the well-loved SageMC add-on. <\/li>\n<li><b>SageTV MyMovies<\/b> \u2013 Ever heard of MyMovies?&nbsp; This add-on will be another port of MyMovies and looks to be very exciting. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Each of the projects mentioned above have plans to make it to public beta sometime later this year or early next year depending on their progress.&nbsp; I hope to provide previews of each of these add-ons in the near future on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.geektonic.com\/\" >GeekTonic<\/a>.<br \/>\nAnother important thing to note \u2013 the version you will see tomorrow will still be in beta albeit public beta.&nbsp; This means there will be more changes before it\u2019s completely finished \u2013 we know from past experience that SageTV improves and updates on a very frequent schedule.&nbsp; There will be more good things to come for SageTV users\u2026<br \/>\nI noticed that there isn\u2019t a new Mac client so far so this new SageTV 7 version is only for Windows and Linux users thus far.<\/p>\n<h4>Upgrade Policy<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>All windows SageTV6 and SageTV6 upgrade licenses purchased on or after 12\/1\/2009 will be valid for SageTV 7. <\/li>\n<li>All prior linux and mac and client and placeshifter and extender licenses will be valid for SageTV7&nbsp; <\/li>\n<li>The trial is reset on the SageTV7 beta. Upgrade licenses on windows are $39.95, and any prior <b>Windows Version<\/b> of SageTV license qualifies for an upgrade license. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>So everyone who would like to try out SageTV7 on Windows should get the opportunity with the 21-day trial.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Main Menu Search Submenu\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/static.flickr.com\/4023\/4621657184_88e180996d.jpg\" \/><br \/>\nIf you want to be first in line to download the new public beta, <a href=\"http:\/\/forums.sagetv.com\/forums\/showthread.php?t=11809&amp;page=5\" >subscribe to this thread in the SageTV forums<\/a> and you\u2019ll get an e-mail.&nbsp; Of course I\u2019ll have a post up here at GeekTonic letting you know it\u2019s available as well.&nbsp; I also plan to have a couple of more detailed walk-through\u2019s of the new features and UI for those that are curious so stay tuned!<\/p>\n<p><i>Thanks to the guys at SageTV for the special preview for GeekTonic<\/i><\/p>\n<div class=\"blogger-post-footer\"><img width='1' height='1' src='https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/tracker\/11976697-6975579161175946740?l=www.geektonic.com' alt='' \/><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/feedads.g.doubleclick.net\/~a\/owuIOg858yO_bMfgM720VI7AtKU\/0\/da\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/feedads.g.doubleclick.net\/~a\/owuIOg858yO_bMfgM720VI7AtKU\/0\/di\" border=\"0\" ismap=\"true\"><\/img><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/feedads.g.doubleclick.net\/~a\/owuIOg858yO_bMfgM720VI7AtKU\/1\/da\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/feedads.g.doubleclick.net\/~a\/owuIOg858yO_bMfgM720VI7AtKU\/1\/di\" border=\"0\" ismap=\"true\"><\/img><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"feedflare\">\n<a href=\"http:\/\/feeds.feedburner.com\/~ff\/Brentevans?a=w8wov97Ruqk:5IzSsC0E2lw:yIl2AUoC8zA\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/feeds.feedburner.com\/~ff\/Brentevans?d=yIl2AUoC8zA\" border=\"0\"><\/img><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/feeds.feedburner.com\/~ff\/Brentevans?a=w8wov97Ruqk:5IzSsC0E2lw:F7zBnMyn0Lo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/feeds.feedburner.com\/~ff\/Brentevans?i=w8wov97Ruqk:5IzSsC0E2lw:F7zBnMyn0Lo\" border=\"0\"><\/img><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/feeds.feedburner.com\/~ff\/Brentevans?a=w8wov97Ruqk:5IzSsC0E2lw:V_sGLiPBpWU\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/feeds.feedburner.com\/~ff\/Brentevans?i=w8wov97Ruqk:5IzSsC0E2lw:V_sGLiPBpWU\" border=\"0\"><\/img><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/feeds.feedburner.com\/~ff\/Brentevans?a=w8wov97Ruqk:5IzSsC0E2lw:qj6IDK7rITs\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/feeds.feedburner.com\/~ff\/Brentevans?d=qj6IDK7rITs\" border=\"0\"><\/img><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/feeds.feedburner.com\/~ff\/Brentevans?a=w8wov97Ruqk:5IzSsC0E2lw:gIN9vFwOqvQ\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/feeds.feedburner.com\/~ff\/Brentevans?i=w8wov97Ruqk:5IzSsC0E2lw:gIN9vFwOqvQ\" border=\"0\"><\/img><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/feeds.feedburner.com\/~ff\/Brentevans?a=w8wov97Ruqk:5IzSsC0E2lw:d35CHgcQbKY\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/feeds.feedburner.com\/~ff\/Brentevans?i=w8wov97Ruqk:5IzSsC0E2lw:d35CHgcQbKY\" border=\"0\"><\/img><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/feeds.feedburner.com\/~r\/Brentevans\/~4\/w8wov97Ruqk\" height=\"1\" width=\"1\"\/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>GeekTonic has big news about popular Home Theater PC software, SageTV.&nbsp; The next version of SageTV \u2013 SageTV7 should be available as a public beta sometime tomorrow! Since CES, we knew a new SageTV version was coming and that it would include a new UI.&nbsp; I have had the opportunity to preview this new version [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5408,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-570704","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/570704","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5408"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=570704"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/570704\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=570704"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=570704"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=570704"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}