Rule-based TvScheduler service

[dvdfreak]

I guess a simple manual repeating schedule does have its uses, as you demonstrate with your example.

And I did intend for the manual schedule to automatically pick up the program data if it's available yes, as long as I can figure out what program it is of course (if the manual timeslot does not totally include exactly one program, I'll keep the manual name).

And thanks for the thanks I'm going to try and get some more work done this week, should be able to upload a new test-version soon...

[THDBASED]

Also have the ability to name this recording as with the existing schedular I don't think this is possible, could be wrong though...

[dvdfreak]

Check the first post of this thread, I just uploaded a new beta version. I also added a few screenshots.

Changes since the previous release:

• Implemented caching for calculating upcoming programs -- this enormously speeds up repeated calls.
• It is now possible to (un)cancel specific upcoming recordings from a series-recording.
• Manual schedules are now supported.
• Added keep-until setting to recording schedules.
• TvScheduler.WindowsService will now delete old guide data every day (everything before yesterday).
• Added Settings panel, with e.g. global pre- and post-record settings.
• Added "Edit Schedule" item to popup in TV Guide.
• Added new and more icons, more GUI cleanup.
• Added icons to upcoming programs grids.
• Implemented preferred guide source and pre- and post-record settings.
• Added "IsCancelled" to UpcomingProgram and UpcomingGuideProgram.
• Bug fix: Fixed problem with datetime casting in SQL Express for OnDate rule.
• Bug fix: time in Upcoming Programs grid is now also displayed for midnight (00:00).
• Bug fix: XMLTV import was broken when two programmes with the same title were right after one another.
• Bug fix: XMLTV import timezone calculation was reversed, fixed now.

I look forward to your feedback!

[jake78]

I tried the global pre- and post record setting, but it won't affect newly added recordings... it still says 00:00 and it is unchecked.
The (un)cancel feature is great!

Have you looked into the TVE3 integration yet? Is the plugin model feasible?

So far, great job!

// Jacob

[marmite]

For my 2c's worth - this abstraction/replacement of the scheduler sounds very good indeed. I like the sound of it.
I've been using MP for about 18months, but am a die-hard Tivo user and run that in parallel, it is always my failover - and it's a reflection of its reliability/consistency/functionality - that I often revert to it for missed/broken recording when I have to.
A lot of the reason for that is, is it's much smarter scheduler, e.g. auto recording the next showing of an episode that it missed for whatever reason earlier, etc.
Of course MP has lots of other advantages and I want best of both world, and would like to retire Tivo eventually.


Anyway to the point, I would really would like to test the new scheduler and would not be unhappy with any/all teathing problems it had, would be happy to provide feedback etc. etc. *but* I haven't got the time (or patience perhaps) to test it in theory - for me I will have to wait until there is some kind of TVEngine3 integration before I begin testing it. I'm sure I'm not alone here..

[dvdfreak]

Originally Posted by jake78

I tried the global pre- and post record setting, but it won't affect newly added recordings... it still says 00:00 and it is unchecked.

That's actually correct. The schedules themselves stay in the unchecked state, since they use the defaults.

The only place you can "see" the pre- and post-recording times are in the UpcomingRecordings, but I don't think I display these in the user-interface. So with the naked eye you can't test this feature (yet).

Originally Posted by jake78

The (un)cancel feature is great!

Have you looked into the TVE3 integration yet? Is the plugin model feasible?

So far, great job!

// Jacob

Thanks!

I think TVE3 integration will be done through some sort of plugin at first. Stay tuned for that...

I'm hoping the version I just posted will prove to be stable enough. I'm going to add a feature to TvScheduler so it will actually keep track of what has been recorded for you, something I thought I'd leave out at first, but thinking things over again, it actually makes sense to have it manage the actual recordings as well as the schedules.

Once that is done, I think I'm close to being feature-complete, so then it's time to move on to integration with TVE3. And perhaps other software too, since TvScheduler is designed as a separate WCF service a lot is possible in that respect.

Originally Posted by marmite

Anyway to the point, I would really would like to test the new scheduler and would not be unhappy with any/all teathing problems it had, would be happy to provide feedback etc. etc. *but* I haven't got the time (or patience perhaps) to test it in theory - for me I will have to wait until there is some kind of TVEngine3 integration before I begin testing it. I'm sure I'm not alone here..

I can understand your point, but TvScheduler comes with a nice and (hopefully) easy-to-use management console so testing it is quite easy. And I would appreciate any feedback, even at this point before integration.

But some sort of integration is coming as well, just not yet...

[marmite]

I don't doubt that you have good testing harness, and I'm not knocking it I promise.
I'm just pointing out that I'm not good at testing virtual functionality and too lazy/busy too.
But - am not adverse at all to testing alpha/beta functionality, thereby stress testing in real situations. I accept that in doing so, I would loose stable usage of existing scheduler and accept work-in-progress on new funtionality.

Maybe I am alone, but I think if you could get some basic integration, it would get other testers testing.

I eagerly wait to try it out anyway.

[dvdfreak]

A little more patience then Integration will be one of the next steps...

[marmite]

BTW: I think this has a) been mentioned before and b) more of an integration issue, but -

IMO TVEngine3/MP/Scheduler - Should be able to co-operate in this situation:

Scenario: i) >=1 client is watching timeshifted/livetv.
ii) TVServer3/scheduler has recording item approaching (e.g. 1 minute away) It should also check _during_ this 1 minute window for new client conflicts.
iii) There are no free tuner cards available, will need to use a card that a client is currently using or miss recording.

Solution: i) Send a message to all clients informing them of "Recording X will interrupt your viewing"
ii) MP Client interprets message and prompts user:
a) to ignore ("OK I will be interrupted") (Ideally it would tune into recording automatically when starts)
b) to cancel X scheduled recording

iii) If any client responds with a) - then ensure that client is picked to be interrupted and signal others waiting that they need not be interrupted.
If any client responds with b) - perform remote cancel recording


I currently have single-tuner single-seat setup. The lack of this feature 'hits' me quite a lot, I'm watching TV - and it suddently stops - I wonder why - usually scheduled recording is the reason.
It would happen a lot less if I had 2 tuners, and I may get, but it occuring less would also mean more confusing when it does occur. (BTW I know there's option for livetv to take priority over schedule - I consider that worse option)

This solution could be incrementally implemented, if stage 1 was to only inform clients that scheuled item will interrupt that would be a big improvement IMO.

Anyway what do others think?

Originally Posted by dvdfreak

A little more patience then Integration will be one of the next steps...

I can wait to be honest, and I think its fantastic you've been working on this. You would have probably got too much feedback early on if you had some integration early on

[vuego]

Originally Posted by marmite

Scenario: i) >=1 client is watching timeshifted/livetv.
ii) TVServer3/scheduler has recording item approaching (e.g. 1 minute away) It should also check _during_ this 1 minute window for new client conflicts.
iii) There are no free tuner cards available, will need to use a card that a client is currently using or miss recording.

Solution: i) Send a message to all clients informing them of "Recording X will interrupt your viewing"
ii) MP Client interprets message and prompts user:
a) to ignore ("OK I will be interrupted") (Ideally it would tune into recording automatically when starts)
b) to cancel X scheduled recording

iii) If any client responds with a) - then ensure that client is picked to be interrupted and signal others waiting that they need not be interrupted.
If any client responds with b) - perform remote cancel recording

I think this is an absolutely necessary feature. The current implementation in MP is annoying and unpredictable.

Even more information could be provided to help the user decide what to do. Information about IF and WHEN a rerun of the upcoming recording will take place would spare the user from finding out by himself.
Message to clients could be something like: "Recording X will interrupt your viewing at <time>. Rescheduling is possible for <date> at <time>." and perhaps three buttons: Allow recording, Reschedule recording, Cancel recording. Or "Recording X will interrupt your viewing at <time>. No reruns found in the next <guide data days> days." Allow recording, Cancel recording.

I guess it's up to the MP client to display this message but perhaps the TvScheduler service could provide this information to the TV Plugin