The Bottom Line
Pros
- Easy way to integrate a Television and/or home theater system with a PC network.
- Abundant audio and video outputs.
- Can access high-definition recordings or live TV from HD-tuner equipped PCs.
- Extensive setup and operation options.
- Easy-to-use remote control.
Cons
- Cannot pass copy-protected DVD signals over a PC network.
- Low res video files (such as You Tube videos) look worse on TV than they do on a PC monitor.
- No RF output for older Televisions.
- No built-in wireless networking capability.
- One more set-top box to add clutter your home theater setup.
Description
- Video Formats Supported: Resolutions up to 1080p, AVI, VOB, WMV9/VC-1. Non-copy protected DVDs can be viewed over a network.
- Audio Formats Supported: Mpeg 2, MP3, AAC, WMA, Vorbis (stereo only), AC3 aka Dolby Digital, FLAC, DTS (pass-through).
- Video Outputs: 1HDMI, 1 Component, 1 Composite, 1 S-Video.
- Audio Outputs: Left/Right audio output and optical S/PDIF (Digital Optical output)
- PC-HDTV Tuner required for viewing HD programming broadcasts on a network.
- TV Requirements: HDMI, Component, Composite or S-Video inputs, Stereo input jacks, Digital Optical or HDMI audio input.
- Network Requirement #1: One 10/100 RJ-45 port on a Router, Hub or Switch network with DHCP server on network.
- Network Requirement #2: Direct connect from SageTV Media Extender to PC/Router running DHCP server via cross over LAN cable.
- Accessories Included: SageTV HD Media Extender, Remote control with batteries, 1.5 meter A/V cable, 1.5 meter Ethernet cable.
- Downloadable User Manual. SageTV Software installation required on a network-enabled PC.
Guide Review - SageTV STX-HD100 HD Media Extender - Product Review
If you have a PC, install SageTV version 6 software, a router, and a high-speed internet connection, the STX-HD100 will enable to you to access just about any audio, video, or still image files stored or access live from the internet, on a PC and listen, or view them on your home theater system and television. This includes iTunes, to stored photos, to You Tube and Google videos, and live SD and HDTV signals received by your PC's NTSC or HDTV tuner. You can also playback videos stored on your PC and un-encrypted DVDs from your PC DVD drive.
However, although the STX-HD100/SageTV ver6 combination has a lot of capability, watching things like You Tube or Google videos on HDTV leaves a lot to be desired. The compression artifacts make some videos totally unwatchable on a 32 or 37-inch screen. On the other hand, as internet video quality improves, this could be a more viable option in the future for Sage.
I found listening to music and viewing still photos a much more satisfying experience. Being able to view hi-res digital photos stored on my PC in 1080p HD was great. In addition, being able to directly access audio files that were stored on my PC, rather than having to copy the files to CD or Flash Drive first was very convenient.
I found downloading the SageTV ver 6 software and integrating it with the STX-HD100 cumbersome at first, but with trial and error, I got the STX-HD100, PC, and SageTV software communicating over my network.
It helps to have some PC and Networking knowledge when using the SageTV Media Extender and Software. However, if you are little adventurous, the SageTV STX-HD100 HD Media Extender is worth checking out.
