Beyond Media no longer being sold.

[sean_snider]

Well, I'm not going to argue either way whether its good or bad. . . but. . .

Once 4.9 is out with HD stuff supported my question is what's next?
If there is no extended media functionality (which I'm very sorry to hear that's true), what else can BeyondTV provide?

In fact I think its weird that you can record shows, but you can't play dvds? What's the point?

The total media side has soo much promise and soo much room for growth. . .
There are lots of little things i'm sure that will be useful in a PVR, but most of them are already covered. . .

In fact I just found myself yesterday, sorta po'd that I couldn't watch abc, nbc, cbs.com streams in Media Center or anything else without having to use a mouse and open up a browser, and same is true for dvds. . .

I'm really bummed. . .

I think this means i may have to go to sage. . .

[Nick Burns]

Originally Posted by sean_snider

Once 4.9 is out with HD stuff supported my question is what's next?

There are already threads devoted to this topic, but here are a couple to name a few:
CC Support
PiP Support
Constant improvement to commercial detection

[cfaslave]

I see BeyondTV as the true software-based Tivo replacement and not a Media Center competitor in the HTPC front-end world at least. Its all TV/PVR and the focus is on those core features and the stability of those features. It is what it is.

As Nick mentioned, SS has stated that future improvements might be: ease of use, stability, possibly PIP, CC (a big one and one they know how to do obviously given the Enterprise product) and streaming. Not sure what else is out there beyond that.

[ZetaVu]

Actually I'd be happy if they started making stuff like CC and the CC search available to us, and stuff like marking commercial cuts on the fly, etc. PIP is nice, video background, there's lot they could do I suppose. Question is will the consumer version get it?

[RiderFan]

Originally Posted by sean_snider

I think this means i may have to go to sage. . .

I tried Sage a few weeks ago [again], and the stock interface is BUT UGLY. I also ran into a HD-PVR conflict issue that prevents your music being played. Also, I think of myself as tech savy, and I was unable to get the Sage MC to work, try as I might.

BTV is definitely the hands down winner for me.

[cncb]

Originally Posted by RiderFan

Also, I think of myself as tech savy, and I was unable to get the Sage MC to work, try as I might.

Really? All it takes is downloading 2 files and unzipping them.

I don't see how SS's consumer business won't be dead now. People savvy enough looking to use their PC as a PVR I think will look elsewhere when they find out music, DVD, etc. is totally missing. Otherwise, they would just use a Tivo. There was always a lingering possibility that this stuff would be added until now...

[ZetaVu]

Well I sort of agree, new users who pick btv over Sage will do so because it is easier to install, tech savvy users will either buy Sagetv for more features or go with a free app like Media Portal. Existing users will stick around out of comfort or until the feature gap gets unbearable. Honestly, SS should start donating to Media Portal and other freeware projects (Meedios, etc) since those projects keep many of us here.

Either way, SS will need some feature plans to improve the consumer PVR product if they want to keep that stream lively. In my opinion the consumer community is essential to their enterprise line, so we're gonna need some bones here from time to time.

[Rich A]

Originally Posted by cfaslave

Rich,
I think that was my fault - not yours. Sorry to drum up the hornets nest again.

Snapstream has made it very clear (as early as over a year ago) that TV/PVR is their focus. There has been no question about this since then. That being said, I'm always looking to be sure they haven't changed their mind and I think the questions I asked above were all relevant to BeyondTV and SS's direction for that software. Didn't mean for my comment to bring up the bad stuff so sorry

And I agree the BMedia forum should remain available as there are still a few who will find it useful. I have a bunch of posts in there that I still refer to from time to time.

Not a problem. I guess it's just a sensitive subject for some of us. I certainly understand (and support) any effort to open source it or what-ever, BUT as I said, this has already been discussed to death.

I WOULD however propose if anyone wants to continue to discuss alternatives or have suggestions that they put their comments in the Beyond Media forum.

[papatech]

I use Beyond Media primarily for the DVD Library plug-in. (Thank you very much for making that plug-in).

Weather, DVD Player, other features are a far secondary use. I can appreciate what's going on in discontinuing this product.

Since BeyondMedia is going the way of the dinosaur, can anyone point me to another DVD Library software they've used or are using that compares? I can google my answer but I'd appreciate first hand knowledge of a software's use rather than trial and error a 1/2 dozen other products. Thanks for this info.

[rleddington]

It's probably a good thing Beyond Media is not going to be sold anymore. I've had nothing but problems with it. Compared to BTV, it is just horrible. I wish I could get my money back and use it to buy a better DVD player. I'd also like to know what DVD player software everyone is using out there and wether they would recommend it.

[papatech]

I didn't experience problems with BeyondMedia DVD Player.. I just didn't use it because of lack of features... it was simple enough to show the kids how to use but I prefer PowerDVD.. I also use AVS DVD Player since they have a free version for personal use.

I use PowerDVD with Daemon Tools to mount ISO images.. That combination works fine for Beyond Media DVD Library plugin.

[Mistergq]

Originally Posted by RiderFan

I tried Sage a few weeks ago [again], and the stock interface is BUT UGLY. I also ran into a HD-PVR conflict issue that prevents your music being played. Also, I think of myself as tech savy, and I was unable to get the Sage MC to work, try as I might.

BTV is definitely the hands down winner for me.

I took a 3 day weekend and catching up on forum reading. I got to this and was surprised. I don't want to turn this in to a sage tech support forum, but I don't understand this. If you want to PM me, I can walk you through it once I get home from my weekend trip. Add SageMC is not difficult at all.

As the standard UI being ugly, there is a personal taste issue. There are people that love BTV UI, and hate STV standard UI and STV MC UI. There are people that hate BTV UI, STV MC UI, but love STV standard UI. There is no right answer. I actually like STV MC UI better than BTV. Like I said, its a taste issue, there is no right or wrong answer.

While I was 99% sure I would never switch back, I, like Zeta am disappointed with SS decision. While the enterprise client is the bread and butter of the company, it seems like SS does not reward loyal users like Zeta with a complete HTPC solution. And before users post beating a dead horse, look at my signature. SS developed BM, then promised integration, and then discontinued development plans, kept saying not this year or not in the near future. Now there is no hope.

Oh well, each company needs to do what they believe is in their financial interests.

[Khris]

I can't say that this decision surprises me........AT ALL, but it does surprise me that it took this long to happen.

It's also rather disturbing, that SS continued to sell such a horrible product for so long without any kind of updates, or even a price reduction.

[opilion]

Originally Posted by rakeshagrawal

Brent, the short answer to all of your questions is "No".

No plans to add Beyond Media-like functionality to Beyond TV.

No plans to take Beyond Media in the direction of open source or shared source software (it would require too much to work to do and then to maintain on an on-going basis-- open/shared source projects do no manage themselves).

And no plans to extend the Beyond TV menu'ing system to enable the kind of launcher that you describe.

We're just focused on the TV side of things and not on any kind of "general media center" functionality.

Rakesh,

Why not rename "Beyond TV" to "Just TV"? This seems like a poor marketing decision. Having the best technology doesn't necessarily cut it if you don't have the basic feature-set of competing products. The fact is that HTPC users want to do more with their systems - otherwise they would just buy a TIVO and be done with it.

If Snapstream has no plans to incorporate more basic HTPC features within BTV, then how about seamless integration with Media Center? I would love to be able to install BTV as a replacement TV engine for MCE.

Anything along these lines in the plans?

op

[ZetaVu]

I have no interest in MCE, I'd rather seamless integration into a free app like Media Portal or Meedios. Even then, I doubt they will put out any effort. Its eitehr we do the work ourselves or switch to a complete package.