Thursday, April 28, 2011

New SageTV Beta 7.1.7 Bug Fix Edition

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Another new SageTV public beta arrived today with a handful of bug fixes and some small updated features as well.

Updates in this one (7.1.7) include:

  • Fixed bug where information on which files are being progressively deleted did not retain itself properly after deletion of one of the files in the queue was done. This only manifested itself as a problem if SageTV was restarted while the queue was in that state.
  • Fixed a few erroneous system messages
  • Fixed bug when watching live TV and a show comes on that requires the parental control code; if the code is entered incorrectly it just repeatedly prompts you for the code.
  • Regression fix on the extender for breaking smooth ff/rew on extenders. (rew didn't work properly and ff would end up using the wrong timestamps for the seek when it stopped)
  • Fixed bug where very large images (test case was a 100Megapixel image) in a slideshow could cause memory errors on the server in some cases.
  • Bug fix for HDHR in Australia
  • Fixed GUIDs for DTS and DTS-MA audio formats.
  • Miscellaneous Linux Updates
  • New feature for Music Browser: can sort Album view by album title or album artist; can sort Folder view by filename or file date.
  • New feature Video Browser: can sort Folder view by filename or file date; can sort videos by title, title+date, date, or duration; can sort DVDs/BDs by title, title+date, or date.

There are many additional updates detailed at the SageTV Forums

Since I didn’t mention the last few beta versions here at GeekTonic I should note a few of the more important ones:

  • Channel Logos are now provided by SageTV and display on the guide and other menus
  • Guide data enhancements:
    • Season & Episode numbers
    • Improved detection of ‘unique’ airings
    • 2+levels of categories
    • additional flags for shows including Live, Dolby5.1, Letterbox, etc.
    • Images for movies in the guide data – basically fanart
    • Added support for Anysee E7 and E30 series tuners
    • Added support for DigitalNow Quad DVB-T

 

There were many more enhancements over the past few months so check all of them out at the SageTV forums

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Chevy Volt, The Tech Lovers Car

These days those with the best technology are the ones who win right?  Well if you’re a tech lover like I am you’re going to love this guest post by Evil Attorney (a fellow HTPC/SageTV enthusiast).image1
This past Saturday morning I decided to accompany my wife and toddler on their weekly grocery store run, which of course meant taking the Volt.  As we parked and got out of the car, a man sprang out of the car next to me, “Excuse me, I know it’s early on a Saturday but I just had to ask you how you like your car.” I replied with standard answer I’ve used with the dozens of others that have approached me with the same question, “I love it.  It’s silent, it accelerates quickly, and I have only burned about 3 gallons of gas over the last 1,900 miles.”  The man shook his head in disbelief and the discussion turned toward other Volt related talk.
Growing up, the electric car represented the holy grail of technology and progress.  If you read Popular Mechanics back then, it seemed that affordable, practical electric cars were always just a few years away.  But as time passed, the dream of electric cars never truly materialized.  That is, until last year when both Chevy and Nissan began selling their 2011 takes on the electric vehicle. 
I was lucky enough to acquire a Volt shortly after the November release, thanks to a helpful tip on the GM-Volt forums.  As a fellow geek and technophile, I would like to share my experiences and impressions of the car so far.

What is the Volt?

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Read on for the detailed article

Spring Summer TV Premiere Guide

As you have likely already figured out, I didn’t put together the usual TV Premiere listings for the Spring 2011 TV season.  That is a very time intensive project – especially to do it right and keep up with the multitude of TV Network changes.  And I just didn’t have the time this Spring.  But I’m happy to point you in the direction of a pretty good alternative prepared by Josh at MissingRemote.com

Inspired from our friend Brent over at Geek Tonic, I have put together a 2011 Spring/Summer TV Guide Listing. The spreadsheet shows all new tv shows, all finales, mini series, made for TV movies, anything that might peak your viewing interests.

I might still do a Summer 2011 guide for all TV networks but this is an excellent place to find out when the big shows premiere and finales are coming up.

Check out the complete Spring Summer 2011 TV Listings at MissingRemote.  Josh has been updating it with additions and changes so it’s being done the right way.

In the meantime, I’ve decided to continue the weekly TV premiere/finale guides – hope you enjoy!

Monday, April 25, 2011

TV Premieres, Finales & Specials This Week 04/25/2011

Time for this week’s complete listing of premieres, finales and specials for the week.  This week brings a few notable premieres.

The Voice

The Voice premieres on NBC Tuesday with judges Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine & Blake Shelton

NOTE: All Times are Listed for EST – TV schedules subject to change

 

Tuesday, April 26

Glee (8pm on Fox) Not a premiere or a finale, but an extended version of Glee has it’s Lady Gaga night

The Voice (9pm on NBC) New Music Contest/Reality series.  Carson Daly hosts the most hyped new show of the season.  The Voice seems to be targeting the American Idol crowd but this contest show has a twist.  Four celebrity artists each will form teams of singers that they will coach and mentor throughout the competition – choosing them without seeing the singers. Individuals will be eliminated until each celebrity only has one team member left who will compete in a live finale.

Marcel’s Quantum Kitchen (10pm on SyFy) Season 1 finale

Top Shot (10pm on History) Season 2 finale

 

Wednesday, April 27

South Park (10pm on Comedy Central) Season 15 premiere

Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files (10pm on SyFy) Season 2 finale

Thursday, April 28

The Office (9pm on NBC) An extended episode of The Office for Michael Scott’s (Steve Carell) final episode as a regular

Son of a Gun (11pm on MTV) New reality series with Cory Gunz

Royal Wedding (BBC America) Stay up extra late to witness the royal wedding.  Or you could just watch the recaps on Friday.  OR if you’re like me just ignore it…

Friday, April 29

Ghost Adventures (9pm on Travel) Season 4 premiere

Say Yes to the Dress: Big Bliss (10pm on TLC) Season 2 premiere

Sunday, May 1

America’s Next Great Restaurant (8pm on NBC) Season 1 finale

Undercover Boss (9pm on CBS) Season 2 finale

Law & Order: Criminal Intent (9pm on USA) Season 10 premiere

In Plain Sight (10pm on USA) Season 4 premiere

Monday, May 2

Taboo (9pm on National Geographic) Seasoon premiere

Relapse (9pm on A&E) Season 1 finale

Paranormal State (10:30pm on A&E) Season 2 finale

 

If you follow GeekTonic for the TV Premieres and news, you’ll want to click here if you would like to get a regular e-mail for GeekTonic TV Premieres & News