SageTV Media Center Adds Support for Online Video, Global Broadcasts & More

INGLEWOOD, Calif., Dec. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- SageTV Media Center, a personal video recording (PVR) and media center software package for Windows and Linux PCs, this month adds a broad new feature set that includes bringing online video to the TV, support for the global DVB broadcasting standard, the ability to play unencrypted DVD libraries on the TV with SageTV Media Extender, and expanded file support that allows users to play virtually any video and music file format. The new Version 6.0 is available for download for both Windows and Linux PCs at http://www.sagetv.com .

SageTV software enables users to watch, pause and record TV programs on their Windows or Linux PCs without the need to pay for monthly PVR service or buy a new Windows XP MCE PC or Windows XP MCE operating system. It also provides a single interface for accessing PC-based photo, music and video files; can be used on any TV in the home with the addition of a SageTV media extender; and offers an optional SageTV Placeshifter license enabling users to access their home TV and entire media library on any Internet-connected PC or Mac in the home or away from home.

The company is also releasing SageTV Placeshifter for the Mac, enabling Mac users to access the full functionality of SageTV Media Center software installed on a separate Windows or Linux PC. With the Mac software, SageTV offers the only cross-platform Windows, Mac and Linux media center solution available today.

Upgrades in SageTV Media Center Version 6.0 include: -- Delivery of Google Video to the TV, allowing users to browse, search,

and play online video files from the Google site directly from the

SageTV interface. Videos can be played on the SageTV-equipped computer

or on any TV in the house equipped with a SageTV Media Extender. This

feature bridges the gap between online and offline video, allowing both

to be accessed from a single screen. -- Support for Digital Video Broadcast (DVB), the standard for cable,

satellite and terrestrial digital television broadcasting in Europe and

around the globe. Version 6.0 supports DVB-T and DVB-C, with CI/CAM

and DVB-S support planned for March 2007. SageTV also supports ATSC,

NTSC and PAL broadcast signals. -- Playback of unencrypted DVDs from the user's hard drive on the TV, with

the use of the SageTV Media Extender. This includes browsing and

playing of DVD libraries including content, menus, special features,

subtitles and audio tracks as well as 5.1 channel digital audio. -- Display of video thumbnails next to each video title and description,

enabling users to see the title frame of each video as they browse

their collection. Video thumbnails are now automatically displayed for

all video files except WMV9 files and DRM-protected content. -- Expanded video and music file support, extending SageTV to virtually

every media format. New music files supported include non-fair-play-

protected AAC (iTunes) files as well as WMA, FLAC and Ogg/Vorbis

formats, including playback with full tag parsing. New video files

supported include MOV (Quicktime), 3GP, MPEG4 and H.264 playback. -- Enhanced Electronic Program Guide (EPG) information, including the

addition of program listings from DVB and ATSC broadcast streams for

international users as well as non-broadcast listings such as TV

editorial and detailed series information for U.S. and Canadian

customers. These features enhance the integrated 14-day U.S., Canadian

and European program guides that are included on the SageTV interface,

allowing users to plan their TV viewing and recording without switching

to a separate online application. -- Video playlist capabilities, allowing users to assemble video files

into a specific sequence for continuous play. This is especially

useful for creating home video programming that can run during parties

or family celebrations. -- Improved media library navigation, including the ability to add the

genre and year tags to music files and support lossless rotation of

JPEG images as well as easier browsing and search of all video and

music files.

Other new features include improved aspect ratio correction; easier conversion of music and video files to play on Sony PlayStations, Apple iPods and cellphones; and the ability to compress HDTV recordings into MPEG4 files to conserve hard disk space without losing the surround sound.

Specifications, Pricing and Availability

Version 6.0 of SageTV Media Center for Windows and SageTV Media Center Linux OEM Edition sell for $79.95 at http://www.sagetv.com . The upgrade is free for Version 5.0 owners and $30 for users of Version 4.0 or earlier. The software is also available in a $99.95 bundle with SageTV Placeshifter, or as a $144.95 package combining SageTV Media Center software with a TV tuner card. The SageTV Media Extenders cost $109.95 (wired) and $159.95 (wireless). All products are available at http://www.sagetv.com . Minimum system requirements include an Intel Pentium 3 or AMD Athlon or faster processor with 256 MB of RAM, an Internet connection, and supported network and TV tuner cards. See http://www.sage.tv/requirements.html (Windows version) or http://www.sagetv.com/linuxOEMedition.html (Linux version) for a complete list.

Minimum system requirements include an Intel Pentium III 600 MHz or AMD Athlon 600 MHz computer with Microsoft Windows 98SE, 2000 SP3 or higher, ME or XP (Home, Pro or MCE), or most major Linux distributions, and 128MB RAM (256MB recommended). More information and specifications are available at http://www.sagetv.com .

About SageTV

SageTV, LLC (formerly Frey Technologies, LLC) is a pioneer in personal video recording and home media center technologies that combine television, music and related media into a complete, easy-to-use home media experience controlled from an existing PC. SageTV Media Center, the company's flagship product, is the first PVR solution that operates on both PCs and TVs, can be deployed on either Windows or Linux, and supports multiple tuners, networking and intelligent recording. The company was founded in 2002 and is based in Inglewood, CA. For more information, visit http://www.sagetv.com .