TVplugin - avoiding RTSP in multiseat mode (test plz).

[gibman]

Hi all!

It is now possible to avoid the rtsp protocol when using a multiseat client.
(if u are only using singleseat then plz skip this thread entirely).

This could potentially fix a lot of problems.
Problems like ...
slow channel change speed.
seek problems.
tsreader deadlocks.

open "mediaportal.xml" and insert this new "usertsp" tag.

<section name="tvservice">
<entry name="usertsp">no</entry>

optionally insert "recordingpath" and "timeshiftingpath" tags.
<entry name="recordingpath">I:\DVB-Capture</entry>
<entry name="timeshiftingpath">I:\DVB-Timeshifting</entry>

If these paths are defined then they will be used instead of the equivalent UNC path.
One problem is that those folders will only work if all cards on the server is timeshifting to the same folder.
The same goes for recording folders.
If you only want to use UNC path, then omit the 2 XML keys, or use empty strings in name="".
To use these paths, please map a network drive on each client.
In this example it's drive letter I.

While watching TV try and look in the "tvsetup - streaming server section" on the tvserver - it should have no clients listed.
This means that no RTSP is in use.

RTSP is normally used when watching live TV and recordings.
So plz test both.

Also look in mediaportal.log for;

"2008-03-16 20:53:45.670452 [Info.][MPMain]: tvhome:startplay:\\server\G\DVB-Timeshifting\live2-0.ts.tsbuffer - using rtsp mode:False"

...and...

2008-03-16 20:53:12.670452 [Info.][MPMain]: TvRecorded Play:\\server\G\DVB-Capture\Mickeys klubhus-Playhouse Disney\Mickeys klubhus--2008-03-16-17_10_7.ts - using rtsp mode:False

yeah that's right Im watching cartoons

unrar the contents of the attached RAR file and put the files into;
C:\Program Files\Team MediaPortal\MediaPortal\Plugins\Windows
backup and overwrite your existing files.

Remember to share the root drive of the timeshifting and recording folder(s) on your server.
The client is using an unc path to access the TS files now or a simple mapped network share.
unc Like ; \\server\G\DVB-Capture
or mapped network drive I:\DVB-Capture

ex. where G is the drive that is shared on the server.
No need to map the drive on the client if only using unc.

So plz test it and report back your findings.
also test multiple multiseat clients showing the same channel.
do some extra pause and seekings.

simply reporting back channel change differences using rtsp and not using rtsp would be nice.
The logs say it all
Alternatively u could attach the mp logs. one for each scenario.
serverside logs are not important.

Also I recommend simple filesharing mode in XP instead of ntfs security...

EDIT;
Uploaded new version that works with user defined paths instead of UNC paths.
Plz read the documentation above for new information regarding setup.

EDIT; It's in SVN now. (File removed from thread).
Although it is not supported by the team.
Don't post issues about this and that not working in random threads on the forum.
We do not want to hunt for bugs that are caused by this "feature".
So make sure you turn the feature OFF before submitting log files and bug reports.
Otherwise it wont even be considered.

It is ok to post in this thread of course about issues on this feature.

regards
/gibman

[heppa]

I have no proof, and didn't test completely, but I have the feeling, that channel change on client is by far faster... at least it seems smoother and by far more stable... Before I had a lot of problems, that TS would hang after channel change sometimes... Thanks a lot for this nice "improvement"

[iosub]

Hi..

I'm using build 17991 Tvserver and the pacht

Works better, seek finaly works..
channel change slower on diferent card (when moving one type of card to other like DVB-S to DVB-T )
channel change faster on same card

There is only one problem I think, In order this new method to work I have to set the recording and timeshiting folder on SetupTV.exe also to UNC.. and I think that is slower this aproach that "d:\" because now tvservice has to go to networking stack to create the file, etc etc.. Local access to resources like "d:\" is faster..

Is this right Gibman?

Iosu
================================================== ======

HI,,

Gibman, you give and idea and I have test another way to do the same (not use RTSP server) and have map the drive and channel change from one tvcard to another is faster, also I haven't apply your patch

Steps:
1.- Rename the DriveLetter to r: " ATTENTION I can do this because I have a separed Drive for recordings if you have recording in your system partition DON'T do this!
2.- Change the recording and timeshifting path on SetupTV to r:\recordings and r:\timeshifting
3.- share the root of the recording Drive
4.- Reboot
5.- On cliente map the server share to R:

That is all, now I'm not using RTSP client / server

I know this is a "dirty" workaroung but with is aproach no need of a Patch and also channel change from Card to Card is faster.

Hope this helps!

[gibman]

When U share the drive on the server it is important that u share it with a name that is the same as the drive letter.

ex. sharing drive letter G.
Sharename "G", not "G movie drive on server" or similar.

I am not running unc paths on the setupTV.exe.
This might be needed if u have done sharings on the server with descriptive names as mentioned above.

Regarding the performance of unc versus mapped drives.
No idea.
But it's easy to change the code to allow non-unc access also (like a mapped network drive).

/gibman

[gibman]

I've Uploaded new version that works with user defined paths instead of UNC paths.

Plz read the documentation above for new information regarding setup.

/gibman

[heppa]

btw: I wanted to add that one should close the section tag...

meaning that you either add

<section name="tvservice">
<entry name="usertsp">no</entry>
</section>

or, when using paths:

<section name="tvservice">
<entry name="usertsp">no</entry>
<entry name="recordingpath">I:\Recordings</entry>
<entry name="timeshiftingpath">I:\Timeshift</entry>
</section>

GL

[hkjensen]

Great

Now I can watch TV again on clients, with rtsp I get an error
TSReaderPlayer:GetInterfaces() failed

Will do some more testing

Henrik

[iosub]

HI..

I'm using the last version of your patch with Build 18032 of TVserver
I have map a drive "R:" and is working GREAT!!

The only thing I have seen slower that using RTSP is when I change from DVB-S to DVB-T
With RTSP 1-2 sec
With the Patch 5 sec
strange....

Iosu

[tompa]

Hi!

Cant make it run...!?

1) added files in .rar to C:\Program\Team MediaPortal\MediaPortal\Plugins\Windows on client.
2) shared my driver for timeshift folder (it´s a partition on one HD). Can be reached from client.
3) added tag in mediaportal.xml on client.

tested;

<section name="tvservice">
<entry name="usertsp">no</entry>
</section>

and

<section name="tvservice">
<entry name="usertsp">no</entry>
<entry name="hostname">name</entry>
<entry name="

etc.

</section>

What am I doing wrong/missing?
Is there any requirements on SVN?

/tompa

[gibman]

@hkjensen; that interface error is actually a known problem regarding one of the rtsp libraries. I'm not sure - but check if latest SVN doesnt correct this ?

@tompa; instead of using an UNC path, why not simply create a mapped network drive on the client as I described in the initial post.
Then configure mp.xml accordingly like;

<section name="tvservice">
<entry name="usertsp">no</entry>
<entry name="recordingpath">I:\DVB-Capture</entry>
<entry name="timeshiftingpath">I:\DVB-Timeshifting</entry>

driveletter "I" is actually drive G on my server in this case :I
Hope u can see the idea.

the main idea behind this patch is to give an idea on which issues belong to rtsp and rtsp performance in general.

/gibman