The Bottom Line
SageTV Media Center Version 6 is similar to Version 5, which I reviewed previously (Read the review here). The interface is quicker on Version 6, and some new features have been added, like DVB support and the ability to browse, search and watch online video from Google Video. This software is still a good alternative to subscription based DVRs like TiVo or Cable/Satellite DVRs for those with fast PCs. The interface is simple to use, with many options for watching and recording TV on your PC. An affordable way to watch, pause and record TV on your PC.
Pros
- Easy to install and use software application that turns your PC into a Media Center
- Pause and Rewind Live TV like a TiVo
- Includes a Program Guide to schedule recordings
- Works with many TV Tuner Cards
- Similar functionality to Windows Media Center O/S
Cons
- Picture quality suffers with slow processor and videocard
- Prepare to spend time tinkering with settings for best picture and sound
Description
- Record television in MPEG-2, MPEG-4 or DivX
- Pause, Rewind and Instant Replay Live TV like a TiVo
- Electronic Programming Guide provided by SageTV with up to two weeks of programming data
- DVB support
- Multiple Tuner Support, record two or more shows at the same time
- Works with any Antenna, Cable, or Satellite provider
- Personalized Intelligent Recording and Scheduling: SageTV records programs based on past viewing habits and interests
- Similar to Windows Media Center, music, photos, movies and TV shows accessible from one program
- Watch TV on your PC or, with a TV-Out Video Card, watch on a regular TV
- Placeshifter and Media Extender options
Guide Review - Review of SageTV Media Center V6 for Windows
What I like about SageTV Media Center V6:
The software is very easy to use and lets users Pause Live TV, Schedule Recordings and Browse TV listings with the Programming Guide. The interface is similar to Windows Media Center - with various menu screens for various functions, like watching live TV, listening to music, or viewing photos. The functionality is similar to the TiVo software. Users can record full seasons of shows, and a new feature of version 6 is an optional smart recording feature that will record shows that are similar to your past viewing habits automatically. The optional Placeshifter software is a nice way to view recordings when you are away from home over the internet, similar to a Slingbox. Just load the Placeshifter server software on your main Media Center PC and you can access your SageTV recordings from any computer over a high-speed Internet connection. The optional Media Extender lets you watch your recordings on any TV in the house. The Media Extender box works through your home network, and connects any TV in the house to your SageTV PC.
What I don't like about SageTV Media Center V6:
I like things to work right out of the box, but this is not the case with SageTV. I've found myself having to tinker a lot with the audio and video settings before being satisfied with the picture and sound quality. The 4 stars I give SageTV Media Center V6 is for consumers that have a fast PC: Pentium 4, 3.0 Ghz, 1GB of memory, and a newer video card. The picture quality suffers with a slow processor and an older video card.
SageTV Media Center V6 is not for everyone, but if you love TV and computers or are interested in having TV networked to different TVs in your house, then I highly recommend the SageTV Media Center V6. Others should stick with a standard Digital Video Recorder.
The software is very easy to use and lets users Pause Live TV, Schedule Recordings and Browse TV listings with the Programming Guide. The interface is similar to Windows Media Center - with various menu screens for various functions, like watching live TV, listening to music, or viewing photos. The functionality is similar to the TiVo software. Users can record full seasons of shows, and a new feature of version 6 is an optional smart recording feature that will record shows that are similar to your past viewing habits automatically. The optional Placeshifter software is a nice way to view recordings when you are away from home over the internet, similar to a Slingbox. Just load the Placeshifter server software on your main Media Center PC and you can access your SageTV recordings from any computer over a high-speed Internet connection. The optional Media Extender lets you watch your recordings on any TV in the house. The Media Extender box works through your home network, and connects any TV in the house to your SageTV PC.
What I don't like about SageTV Media Center V6:
I like things to work right out of the box, but this is not the case with SageTV. I've found myself having to tinker a lot with the audio and video settings before being satisfied with the picture and sound quality. The 4 stars I give SageTV Media Center V6 is for consumers that have a fast PC: Pentium 4, 3.0 Ghz, 1GB of memory, and a newer video card. The picture quality suffers with a slow processor and an older video card.
SageTV Media Center V6 is not for everyone, but if you love TV and computers or are interested in having TV networked to different TVs in your house, then I highly recommend the SageTV Media Center V6. Others should stick with a standard Digital Video Recorder.