SS listings and price

[vaustein]

Based upon my experience with the Trial version of BTV, this is the best PVR solution in the world. However, I have some concerns about committing to a purchase. I'm interested in the perpetually-licensed version of the Trial feature set: vanilla BTV. I don't need additional plugins, a Firefly remote, BTV Link, etc. I need one BTV license for one HTPC.

In the past year, the retail price for a perpetually-licensed product key has risen from $50 to $70. At $70, I would like some assurance that BTV will continue to work even if SnapStream goes the way of so many software startups. In other words, BTV should be able to consume hosted Electronic Program Guides (EPGs) other than SS.net, e.g. Zap2It, SchedulesDirect, etc.

I understand the reasoning behind the price: $50 is for the client user experience while the additional $20 pays for lifetime (of SS Media) access to the SS.net EPG. By contrast, TiVo charges at least $150 for a hardware DVR and an annual subscription rate of $130. So, I'm not intending to be greedy. I just don't like buying perpetually-licensed software whose functionality is tied to the life of the publisher. Are there plans to add this feature?

[mayhem70]

Will BTV work without SS.net EPG, yea it will. There are some threads here for those who want to import in XMLTV listing instead.
But I think Snapstream has made it past the "startup stage" since I first started using it 4 years ago. It has an Enterprise line now so that in itself is a good sign of longevity of its EPG.

[Rich A]

Yup,

Guide updates was a concern of mine as well. But since I started with SS (5 yrs ago) they have implemented a way to use 3rd party guide information.

So I would not worry.

[vaustein]

Thanks! I found a link to the BTV XML Importer tool here: http://snapstream.helpserve.com/inde...articleid=1424

BTW, I'll start to agree that SnapStream has advanced beyond the startup stage once the enterprise sales channel matures. Let's give that a few more years.

[Fickey]

The absolute worst case scenario, unlikely in my opinion, would be needing a $20/year US subscription to Schedules Direct.

[Fonceur]

Originally Posted by vaustein

BTW, I'll start to agree that SnapStream has advanced beyond the startup stage once the enterprise sales channel matures. Let's give that a few more years.

Then again, it did happen at the expense of the consumers version...

[ZetaVu]

As long as you have the importer, you will be able to get guide data, even if it means thrid party strippers. I am more concerned about the entire cab;e/satellite industry getting upheaved to on demand downloads than I am losing guide data.