The latest SageTV beta version (v6.3.2) was released last week. Notable features included within this build:

• 125 new online services (check it out above)
• Hauppauge HVR-950, ElGato EyeTV Hybrid, and HDHomeRun support for Mac
• Various bug fixes & performance optimizations
• Enhancements included in beta v6.3.1

Remember, this is a beta where the kinks get worked out. So, there will likely be some bumps. (via SageTV forums)

Brent enjoys sharing his reflections on tech, gadgets, software and media. Check out more at Brent Evans Geek Tonic.

I’ve been a Beyond TV & Beyond Media (both Home Theater PC software products) user for the past three years. So when I saw that Rakesh Agrawal, the founder and CEO of Snapstream would be in Kansas City to talk about his company’s latest project, Snapstream Enterprise I jumped at the chance to meet with Agrawal to hear about what Snapstream is working on and learn more about Agrawal and the company.

Rakesh was generous enough to sit down with me and answer several questions I had for him. Over lunch, we talked about Snapstream’s history, the change in their industry, Snapstream’s new Enterprise product, the effect of Microsoft Vista on Snapstream, Integration of DVD & Music playback with Beyond TV and many other topics.

I asked Rakesh how he initially became interested in the Software PVR market. He explained that the idea took hold when traveling on business. “We needed a way to stream our shows to the hotel room from our home. That grew into a concept that became Snapstream Personal Video Station.” Personal Video Station was even showcased in Bill Gates keynote address at the Windows XP Launch which is ironic since Windows eventually added their own PVR program to their Windows Operating System. Version 3 of Personal video System was launched in May 2003 and in November of 2005 the latest version of Beyond TV BTV4 (note there has been many free upgrades since 2005) was released.

Our conversation moved on to how the Software PVR business has changed since Agrawal started Snapstream back in 2000. Snapstream moved on from “Personal Video Station” to Beyond TV and then Beyond Media (Snapstream’s HTPC media front-end software) These two products were developed separately and continue to act as stand-alone products today.

Learn more about Snapstream’s new Enterprise initiative and the future of BTV at Brent Evans Geek Tonic.

A periodic roundup of relevant news… from our other blogs:

• The Motorola CableCARD Q&A: Connected Home 2 Go
• DivX Thrives, DVD Continues To Die: Davis Freeberg’s Digital Connection
• Netflix Watch Now Download Hack Surveillance: Brent Evans Geek Tonic
• FiOS TV Gets HD: Connected Home 2 Go
• Sage 6.3.1 Beta Released, HD Extender Support: Brent Evanas Geek Tonic
• Femtocell Trials Begin: Connected Home 2 Go

After months of semi-public beta testing, Microsoft’s Windows Home Server is finally arriving in retail. HP’s MediaSmart Server is up first and the companies are offering live informational webcasts - including one today at 4PM EST:

In addition to a live demonstration, consumer technology industry experts such as Rob Enderle/The Enderle Group, Rick Doherty/Envisioneering, Paul Thurrott/SuperSite for Windows, and Ed Bott/ZDNet will discuss how the explosion in media consumption is driving the need for this type of solution. Representatives from HP and Microsoft will also be on-hand to respond directly to audience questions related to either the HP MediaSmart Server or the new Windows Home Server software.

NewTeeVee wonders if Home Server will become the digital hub Microsoft intends, and I also have questions. Is the mainstream ready for network-attached storage and does Microsoft provide the plug and play simplicity needed to make it fly? And don’t forget consumer friendly Apple waiting in the wings - they’ve got ZFS and Time Machine backups need a home…

Missing Remote’s Daniel Schoerner has written a nice, comprehensive review of Beyond TV 4.7. He covers all BTV features with a focus on the new functionality, appreciating iTunes Integration and the lesser-publicized Firefly Mobile feature - allowing you to use your iPhone or smart phone as a remote control. Overall, it’s a great overview and Missing Remote has high praise for Snapstream’s Beyond TV.

I agree with Missing Remote that the new features in this latest version of Beyond TV are great. Additional integrated and easy-to-use functionality - that’s been the cornerstone of BTV from the beginning.

However, Daniel didn’t address the lack of integrated DVD, music and photo functionality that many of Snapstream’s competitors offer. Yes, Snapstream sells the separate Beyond Media software. But it appears to have been abandoned by Snapstream and by the plugin developers that make home theater software competitive. Bottom line: If you want an easy-to-use and fairly easy-to-setup home theater PVR program that provides Tivo-like features, Beyond TV is one of the best. If you want a complete HTPC experience though, you’ll need more than just Beyond TV. And I don’t say that lightly, as an owner of both Beyond TV and Beyond Media.

Brent enjoys sharing his reflections on tech, gadgets, software and media. Check out more at Brent Evans Geek Tonic.

Todd (a regular commenter) encouraged me to share the news now, rather than hold off until I test the Live CD at home in a few days. So… Hot on the heels of the Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon 7.10 Linux release, Mythbunto 7.10 has launched. Like Ubuntu itself, the first non-beta Mythbuntu distro attempts to provide a more consumer friendly experience by saving you the time and effort of installing the MythTV package on your own. While MythTV’s free guide data is still a thing of the past, Schedules Direct has recently reduced the rate to just $20/year.

(Image swiped from TV Squad. Thanks, Brad!)

Nielsen, TiVo and Snapstream Media. One of those three is well known for tracking television viewership, but the other two: TiVo and Snapstream Media (makers of the Beyond TV PC DVR software) are not as well known in this realm, but offer a more transparent and relatively useful snapshot of what Television Viewers like you and I are watching. Would you agree that Heroes and The Office are hit shows - at least better than Dancing with the Stars or 60 Minutes? Well you’d likely agree more with TiVo and Beyond TV users.

Since the early 1940’s the television and advertising industries have relied on Nielsen Media Research to measure the popularity and success of television programming. Nielsen continues to be the leading provider of this information and their list of the top TV shows by demographic are consistently highlighted in the media and watched closely by Advertisers and the Television Networks. While I’m still interested in what Nielsen is reporting as the top shows, I’m left wanting more.

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