LiveTV freeze when recording on other channel starts (1 Viewer)

doveman

Portal Pro
February 12, 2008
2,326
178
Home Country
United Kingdom United Kingdom
MediaPortal Version: v1.1.0 Final
MediaPortal Skin: StreamedMP
Windows Version: XP Pro SP3
CPU Type: Athlon II X4 630
HDD: 640GB WD SATA
Memory: 4GB DDR2 1066Mhz
Motherboard: Biostar TA790GXB3
Video Card: HD3300 IGP
Video Card Driver: 10.5
Sound Card: onboard Realtek AC97 (ALC662)
Sound Card AC3: no AC3
Sound Card Driver: 5.10.0.6101
1. TV Card: Hauppauge Nova-T 500
1. TV Card Type: DVB-T
1. TV Card Driver: 4.3.27240
2. TV Card:
2. TV Card Type:
2. TV Card Driver:
3. TV Card:
3. TV Card Type:
3. TV Card Driver:
4. TV Card:
4. TV Card Type:
4. TV Card Driver:
MPEG2 Video Codec: Cyberlink Video Decoder (PDVD9)
MPEG2 Audio Codec: ffdshow
h.264 Video Codec: ffdshowDXVA
Satelite/CableTV Provider:
HTPC Case: Custom
Cooling: Nexus 120mm Intake Fan, Stock CPU HSF
Power Supply: EZCool 450W
Remote: Nova-T 500
TV: Sony XBR800 36"
TV - HTPC Connection: DVI

I was watching "Dan Snow's Norman Walks" on BBC2, whilst it was recording (watching from the Live point) when it suddenly froze. Rewinding didn't help so I had to stop it and tune into BBC2 again to watch the rest of it.

It looks like the point where it froze coincided with the start of recording "Grand Designs" on More4.
 

elliottmc

Retired Team Member
  • Premium Supporter
  • August 7, 2005
    14,927
    6,061
    Cardiff, UK
    Home Country
    United Kingdom United Kingdom
    MediaPortal Version: v1.1.0 Final
    MediaPortal Skin: StreamedMP
    Windows Version: XP Pro SP3
    CPU Type: Athlon II X4 630
    HDD: 640GB WD SATA
    Memory: 4GB DDR2 1066Mhz
    Motherboard: Biostar TA790GXB3
    Video Card: HD3300 IGP
    Video Card Driver: 10.5
    Sound Card: onboard Realtek AC97 (ALC662)
    Sound Card AC3: no AC3
    Sound Card Driver: 5.10.0.6101
    1. TV Card: Hauppauge Nova-T 500
    1. TV Card Type: DVB-T
    1. TV Card Driver: 4.3.27240
    2. TV Card:
    2. TV Card Type:
    2. TV Card Driver:
    3. TV Card:
    3. TV Card Type:
    3. TV Card Driver:
    4. TV Card:
    4. TV Card Type:
    4. TV Card Driver:
    MPEG2 Video Codec: Cyberlink Video Decoder (PDVD9)
    MPEG2 Audio Codec: ffdshow
    h.264 Video Codec: ffdshowDXVA
    Satelite/CableTV Provider:
    HTPC Case: Custom
    Cooling: Nexus 120mm Intake Fan, Stock CPU HSF
    Power Supply: EZCool 450W
    Remote: Nova-T 500
    TV: Sony XBR800 36"
    TV - HTPC Connection: DVI

    I was watching "Dan Snow's Norman Walks" on BBC2, whilst it was recording (watching from the Live point) when it suddenly froze. Rewinding didn't help so I had to stop it and tune into BBC2 again to watch the rest of it.

    It looks like the point where it froze coincided with the start of recording "Grand Designs" on More4.

    It sounds to me as though you only have one tuner working.

    I have mentioned this before, but when you update to XP SP3, you need to re-apply the multiple tuner patch for XP. I am sure you said that you are aware of this, but you do seem to be having problems.

    To be honest, I never really saw the point of this patch in conjunction with the Nova-t 500. Since it is a dual tuner anyway, I'd assume that Hauppauge have this under control. However, you never know.

    My honest advice to you would be to ditch XP and upgrade to Windows 7. That doesn't mean no-one here will help you, but I don't think you are seeing a MediaPortal problem as such.

    Best wishes,

    Mark
     

    jameson_uk

    Retired Team Member
  • Premium Supporter
  • January 27, 2005
    7,258
    2,528
    Birmingham
    Home Country
    United Kingdom United Kingdom
    not quite awake yet but you have
    Code:
    2010-08-23 19:02:02.953125 [MPMain(1)]: GetConflictingSchedules: Schedule = Grand Designs on 11 23/08/2010 19:25:00 - 23/08/2010 20:30:00  ID=0
    2010-08-23 19:02:02.953125 [MPMain(1)]: GetConflictingSchedules: Cards.Count = 4
    2010-08-23 19:02:02.953125 [MPMain(1)]: AssignSchedulesToCard: schedule = Dan Snow's Norman Walks on 2 23/08/2010 19:00:00 - 23/08/2010 19:30:00  ID=141
    2010-08-23 19:02:02.968750 [MPMain(1)]: AssignSchedulesToCard: free on card 1, ID = 2
    2010-08-23 19:02:02.968750 [MPMain(1)]: AssignSchedulesToCard: schedule = Panorama on 1 23/08/2010 20:30:00 - 23/08/2010 21:00:00  ID=142
    2010-08-23 19:02:02.984375 [MPMain(1)]: AssignSchedulesToCard: card 1, ID = 2 has schedule = Dan Snow's Norman Walks on 2 23/08/2010 19:00:00 - 23/08/2010 19:30:00  ID=141
    2010-08-23 19:02:02.984375 [MPMain(1)]: AssignSchedulesToCard: free on card 1, ID = 2
    2010-08-23 19:02:02.984375 [MPMain(1)]: AssignSchedulesToCard: schedule = Real Crime: Murder of a Father on 7 23/08/2010 21:00:00 - 23/08/2010 22:00:00  ID=143
    2010-08-23 19:02:03.000000 [MPMain(1)]: AssignSchedulesToCard: card 1, ID = 2 has schedule = Dan Snow's Norman Walks on 2 23/08/2010 19:00:00 - 23/08/2010 19:30:00  ID=141
    2010-08-23 19:02:03.000000 [MPMain(1)]: AssignSchedulesToCard: card 1, ID = 2 has schedule = Panorama on 1 23/08/2010 20:30:00 - 23/08/2010 21:00:00  ID=142
    2010-08-23 19:02:03.015625 [MPMain(1)]: AssignSchedulesToCard: overlapping with Panorama on 1 23/08/2010 20:30:00 - 23/08/2010 21:00:00  ID=142 on card 1, ID = 2
    2010-08-23 19:02:03.031250 [MPMain(1)]: AssignSchedulesToCard: free on card 2, ID = 3
    2010-08-23 19:02:03.031250 [MPMain(1)]: AssignSchedulesToCard: schedule = Grand Designs on 11 23/08/2010 19:25:00 - 23/08/2010 20:30:00  ID=0
    2010-08-23 19:02:03.046875 [MPMain(1)]: AssignSchedulesToCard: card 1, ID = 2 has schedule = Dan Snow's Norman Walks on 2 23/08/2010 19:00:00 - 23/08/2010 19:30:00  ID=141
    2010-08-23 19:02:03.062500 [MPMain(1)]: AssignSchedulesToCard: overlapping with Dan Snow's Norman Walks on 2 23/08/2010 19:00:00 - 23/08/2010 19:30:00  ID=141 on card 1, ID = 2
    2010-08-23 19:02:03.078125 [MPMain(1)]: AssignSchedulesToCard: card 2, ID = 3 has schedule = Real Crime: Murder of a Father on 7 23/08/2010 21:00:00 - 23/08/2010 22:00:00  ID=143
    2010-08-23 19:02:03.078125 [MPMain(1)]: AssignSchedulesToCard: free on card 2, ID = 3

    So you have some overlapping recordings at this point (once you add pre/post record times) on different transponders.

    It looks like at 18:57 it starts trying to record Dan Snow's.... on card 3
    Code:
    2010-08-23 18:57:06.312500 [scheduler thread(21)]: card: StartRecording 3 D:\Record\Dan Snow's Norman Walks - BBC TWO - 2010-08-23.ts
    but for some reason MP thinks both tuners are already tuned to the same transponder
    Code:
    2010-08-23 18:57:02.125000 [scheduler thread(21)]: Controller:    card:2 type:DvbT is available priority:3 #users:1 same transponder:True
    2010-08-23 18:57:02.125000 [scheduler thread(21)]: Controller:    card:3 type:DvbT is available priority:2 #users:0 same transponder:True

    Then at 19:02 (was this when you tried to watch your recording? if so were you trying to watch it from live point?

    Code:
    2010-08-23 19:02:59.515625 [(20)]: Controller:    card:2 type:DvbT is available priority:3 #users:0 same transponder:True
    2010-08-23 19:02:59.515625 [(20)]: Controller:    card:3 type:DvbT is available priority:2 #users:1 same transponder:True

    I don't understand why both tuners are (or think they are) tuned to the same transponder anyway or why at 19:02 MP has tried to tune to BBC Two again? But at 19:02 MP has decided both tuners are available, both are already tuned to the right transponder and as you want to watch live TV it will therefore pick the one with the highest priority so tunes you on card 2. (with your recording running on card 3)

    So when More4 recording tried to start at 19:22 both cards were in use
    Code:
    2010-08-23 19:22:09.078125 [scheduler thread(21)]: Controller:    card:2 type:DvbT is tuned to different transponder
    2010-08-23 19:22:09.078125 [scheduler thread(21)]: Controller:    card:2 type:DvbT is available priority:-97 #users:1 same transponder:False
    2010-08-23 19:22:09.078125 [scheduler thread(21)]: Controller:    card:3 type:DvbT is tuned to different transponder

    So kicked the live TV session from card 2 (could not use the preferred recording card; card 3 as that was still recording your BBC Two program)

    I have no idea whether this is an issue with the card allocation (there are some bugs outstanding for this), an issue with your TV card, your config or quite possibly the conflict manager (which I am not sure is 100% reliable)
     

    doveman

    Portal Pro
    February 12, 2008
    2,326
    178
    Home Country
    United Kingdom United Kingdom
    Thanks for the detailed analysis.

    All I can add is that I was watching "Dan Snow's" live. I probably did miss the start and started watching at 19:02.

    I've had other occassions where I was watching something being recorded, but not live, and another recording has started and obviously then there is a conflict and I get a message that the timeshifting has to stop in order to allow the second recording.

    On this occassion, there was no such message the picture just froze, so even if MP thought there was a conflict it didn't respond as it should do. I don't believe there should have been a conflict though as I was watching the first recording live when the second recording started.
     

    elliottmc

    Retired Team Member
  • Premium Supporter
  • August 7, 2005
    14,927
    6,061
    Cardiff, UK
    Home Country
    United Kingdom United Kingdom
    I have several DVB-T cards, so I will look into the logic.

    I guess ideally if everything is being done on the same transponder, then it should only use a single card, or at the very least it should try to leave one card free if at all possible. However, there may be reasons why it uses two different tuners.

    Best wishes,

    Mark
     

    jameson_uk

    Retired Team Member
  • Premium Supporter
  • January 27, 2005
    7,258
    2,528
    Birmingham
    Home Country
    United Kingdom United Kingdom
    I have several DVB-T cards, so I will look into the logic.

    I guess ideally if everything is being done on the same transponder, then it should only use a single card, or at the very least it should try to leave one card free if at all possible. However, there may be reasons why it uses two different tuners.
    I have not tested recently but under 1.0.2 if I had a recording going on freeview transponder and tuned to a different channel on the same transponder then I am fairly sure that MP used the same tuner.

    My hunch here is the conflict manager which I have a feeling is a little dubious in it's logic sometimes.

    If I get chance I will try and replicate this myself but this could be something that is included in 0002850: Bugs in card allocation - MediaPortal Bugtracker ??
     

    doveman

    Portal Pro
    February 12, 2008
    2,326
    178
    Home Country
    United Kingdom United Kingdom
    Not sure if anyone's determined what the problem is yet, but I just had another experience of this bug so thought I'd post the logs in case they help.

    This time I was watching Merlin on BBC1, slightly behind the Live point, but I presume this should still only use one tuner to record, with the timeshifting not requiring a second tuner as it's just playing from the files.

    When another recording started (The Big Bang Theory on E4+1), the timeshifting froze and I had to stop it and resume watching Merlin from the Live point. I can't see that what I was doing required more than two tuners, so I don't believe it should have frozen like this.
     

    doveman

    Portal Pro
    February 12, 2008
    2,326
    178
    Home Country
    United Kingdom United Kingdom
    Actually, having looked at the logs it seems that MP was using two tuners just for Merlin, as it used one when the recording started and another when I started watching it timeshifted. I have to say I don't understand why it needs to use a second tuner for this and why it can't just play from the recorded files or simply just feed the signal from one tuner to both the recording process and the timeshifting process.

    I really hope something can be done about this as it just doesn't seem logical or necessary to use two tuners for one channel as it seems to be doing at the moment.
     

    riksmith

    Portal Pro
    April 18, 2009
    1,856
    322
    Home Country
    Netherlands Netherlands
    I really hope something can be done about this as it just doesn't seem logical or necessary to use two tuners for one channel as it seems to be doing at the moment.

    You are correct about both things. It is not logical and certainly not neccesary. So if it is not yet fixed in the mantis previously mentioned, it should be.
     

    Users who are viewing this thread

    Top Bottom