[confirm] "No free card available" after idling for hours (1 Viewer)

K24A3

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    MediaPortal Version: 1.2.0 Beta
    MediaPortal Skin: Default
    Windows Version: XP Pro SP3 (Relatively fresh install, not many programs)
    CPU Type: Intel Core2Duo 2.4GHz
    HDD: 500GB
    Memory: 2GB
    Motherboard: Toshiba Notebook
    Video Card: Intel 965
    Video Card Driver: 4814
    Sound Card: Realtek onboard
    Sound Card AC3:
    Sound Card Driver:
    1. TV Card: Hauppauge Nova-TD USB (Dual Tuner, USB\VID_2040&PID_5200)
    1. TV Card Type: DVB-T
    1. TV Card Driver: 29094 (Latest)
    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: Default
    MPEG2 Audio Codec: Default
    h.264 Video Codec: Default
    Satelite/CableTV Provider: Free TV
    HTPC Case:
    Cooling:
    Power Supply:
    Remote: XBox 360
    TV: DVI Monitor
    TV - HTPC Connection:

    Everyday I get the error "No free card available" when trying to view a channel, but it only happens after hours of leaving MP idling (or letting it record scheduled programs). Sometimes one tuner is working perfectly fine, while the other is inaccessible. Sometimes it is both. There are no recordings active when it happens, so MP should be able to use at least one tuner to view Live TV.

    To resolve the problem, I need to Stop and Start the TV Service.

    If I sit and watch live TV, record, change channels, everything works fine.
    So I am guessing MP loses connection to the tuner(s) after it sits there idling.

    * I use no plugins and the default skin
    * I have Standby and Hibernation disabled, screensaver disabled
    * I have unticked "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" in Device Manager
    * I have tried deleting the SQL database and reinstalling MP
    * I have tried applying the XP DVB dll Patch/fix
    * I have tried updating the Hauppauge drivers

    Looking at the logs, I see lots of:
    'card: unable to connect to slave controller at:pC2'

    And I see this repeated a lot:

    2011-08-04 18:32:08.375000 [(12)]: Controller: card:1 type:DvbIP is disabled
    2011-08-04 18:32:08.375000 [(12)]: Controller: card:3 type:DvbT can tune to channel
    2011-08-04 18:32:08.375000 [(12)]: Controller: card:3 type:DvbT users: 4
    2011-08-04 18:32:08.375000 [(12)]: Controller: card:4 type:RadioWebStream is disabled
    2011-08-04 18:32:08.375000 [(12)]: Controller: card:2 type:DvbT can tune to channel
    2011-08-04 18:32:08.375000 [(12)]: Controller: card:2 type:DvbT users: 4
    2011-08-04 18:32:08.375000 [(12)]: Controller: found 2 card(s) for channel
    2011-08-04 18:32:08.375000 [(12)]: AdvancedCardAllocation.GetAvailableCardsForChannel took 3 msec
    2011-08-04 18:32:08.375000 [(12)]: Controller: card:3 type:DvbT is not available, tuned to different transponder
    2011-08-04 18:32:08.375000 [(12)]: Controller: card:2 type:DvbT is not available, tuned to different transponder
    2011-08-04 18:32:08.375000 [(12)]: Controller: found 0 free card(s)


    I let MP run for 24hours to get it to fail, the log zip file was over 400MB so I've removed a couple of large TSwriter logs and some BAK files. If you need those files, let me know.
     

    Vasilich

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    try to disable "DVB EPG when idle" and repeat your tests - in your logs you see "card:2 typevbT is not available, tuned to different transponder " so either other user watching TV on this card, or it is TVService doing smth with the card.
    When you will get this error again, go to "TVServer config - manual control" and check what it says about these cards - timeshifting, grabbing EPG or whatever reason why this card is already used...
     

    K24A3

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    Thanks Vasilich I'll try that.

    I often see the EPG grabbing in Manual Control, but I'm pretty sure both DVB tuners were in an idle state after the "No free card" error appeared. I'll double check it next time.

    I've disabled "EPG grabbing when idle" and enabled "EPG grabbing when timeshifting/recording".

    It's a Single seat setup so there is no other PC streaming anything. And I believe there was no timeshifting happening.
     

    K24A3

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    Ok now I am very confused...

    I just got home and opened MP, but it gave the "No free card available" error when attempted to view a channel.

    This time I checked the Manual Control without stopping the service and everything is Idle. No timeshifting, no EPG grabbing.

    Attached is a screenshot of the Card list in Manual Control. Does that look normal to you?
     

    Attachments

    • Idle.png
      Idle.png
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    elliottmc

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    Ok now I am very confused...

    I just got home and opened MP, but it gave the "No free card available" error when attempted to view a channel.

    This time I checked the Manual Control without stopping the service and everything is Idle. No timeshifting, no EPG grabbing.

    Attached is a screenshot of the Card list in Manual Control. Does that look normal to you?

    Normal, but these are not idle. They are showing as user 'scheduler' which means they are recording.

    Mark
     

    K24A3

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    Ok now I am very confused...

    I just got home and opened MP, but it gave the "No free card available" error when attempted to view a channel.

    This time I checked the Manual Control without stopping the service and everything is Idle. No timeshifting, no EPG grabbing.

    Attached is a screenshot of the Card list in Manual Control. Does that look normal to you?

    Normal, but these are not idle. They are showing as user 'scheduler' which means they are recording.

    Mark

    But there is nothing being recorded at all. There is zero Disk activity, and "Active Recordings" in MP tell me there are no active recordings. I checked the Disk space, I have 30GB free.

    I'm guessing there is a problem with the Scheduler, maybe it gets stuck after it records something?
     

    K24A3

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    I would try repairing your database.

    A forum search shows that you have already been told how to do this, but here is the link anyway.

    https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/...mediaportal-config-any-more-98690/#post768824

    Mark

    I'm currently using Microsoft SQL, that thread is for MySQL.
    But I have doubts it is SQL corruption since this problem has been happening for months with both SQL databases.
    I re-created the SQL Database last week (went from MySQL to MSSQL) and completely reinstalled MP, but it still happens.

    It looks like the schedulers are stuck on Channel 9. I can actually view the live channel 9 subchannels, but no other channel.
    Attached is a screenshot. Notice how the three channel 9 channels have a green tick, and the others are red.
     

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    • ch9ok.png
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    Vasilich

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    k24a3, in your logs constantly comes
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: Scheduler: Time to record ELEVEN 6:53 AM-8:00 AM Macgyver
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: Controller: find free card for channel ELEVEN
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: Controller: find card for channel ELEVEN
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: Controller: got 1 tuning details for ELEVEN
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: Controller: channel #1 DVBT:tv:Ten Sydney ELEVEN Freq:219500 ONID:4116 TSID:1538 SID:1576 PMT:0x107 FTA:True LCN:11 BandWidth:7
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: Controller: card:1 type:DvbIP is disabled
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: Controller: card:3 type:DvbT can tune to channel
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: Controller: card:3 type:DvbT users: 2
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: Controller: card:4 type:RadioWebStream is disabled
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: Controller: card:2 type:DvbT can tune to channel
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: Controller: card:2 type:DvbT users: 2
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: Controller: found 2 card(s) for channel
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: AdvancedCardAllocation.GetAvailableCardsForChannel took 3 msec
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: Controller: card:3 type:DvbT is not available, tuned to different transponder
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: Controller: card:2 type:DvbT is not available, tuned to different transponder
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: Controller: found 0 free card(s)
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: AdvancedCardAllocation.GetFreeCardsForChannel took 5 msec
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: scheduler: no free cards found for recording.
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: Controller: find card for channel ELEVEN
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: Controller: got 1 tuning details for ELEVEN
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: Controller: channel #1 DVBT:tv:Ten Sydney ELEVEN Freq:219500 ONID:4116 TSID:1538 SID:1576 PMT:0x107 FTA:True LCN:11 BandWidth:7
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: Controller: card:1 type:DvbIP is disabled
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: Controller: card:3 type:DvbT can tune to channel
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: Controller: card:3 type:DvbT users: 2
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: Controller: card:4 type:RadioWebStream is disabled
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: Controller: card:2 type:DvbT can tune to channel
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: Controller: card:2 type:DvbT users: 2
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: Controller: found 2 card(s) for channel
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: AdvancedCardAllocation.GetAvailableCardsForChannel took 3 msec
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.953125 [scheduler thread(17)]: scheduler: try max 2 of 2 AVAILABLE cards for recording
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.968750 [scheduler thread(17)]: Scheduler : card is not tuned to the same transponder and not recording, kicking all users. record on card:3 priority:3
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.968750 [scheduler thread(17)]: Scheduler : card is tuned to the same transponder but not free. record on card:3 priority:3, kicking user:scheduler334
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.968750 [scheduler thread(17)]: Scheduler : card is tuned to the same transponder but not free. record on card:3 priority:3, kicking user:scheduler335
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.968750 [TvClient-TvHome: HeartBeat transmitter thread(7)]: TCP connect took : 1
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.968750 [TvClient-TvHome: HeartBeat transmitter thread(7)]: RemoteControl - Connected
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.968750 [scheduler thread(17)]: Controller: epg stop
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.968750 [scheduler thread(17)]: Scheduler : record, first tune to channel
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.984375 [scheduler thread(17)]: card: Tune 3 to ELEVEN
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.984375 [scheduler thread(17)]: card: user: scheduler336:3:-1 tune DVBT:tv:Ten Sydney ELEVEN Freq:219500 ONID:4116 TSID:1538 SID:1576 PMT:0x107 FTA:True LCN:11 BandWidth:7
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.984375 [scheduler thread(17)]: card: to different transponder
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.984375 [scheduler thread(17)]: stop subchannel: 0 user: scheduler334
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.984375 [scheduler thread(17)]: user is scheduler: scheduler334
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.984375 [scheduler thread(17)]: scheduler: recording failed, lets try next available card.
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.984375 [scheduler thread(17)]: Scheduler : card is not tuned to the same transponder and not recording, kicking all users. record on card:2 priority:1
    2011-08-04 06:53:45.984375 [scheduler thread(17)]: Scheduler : card is tuned to the same transponder but not free. record on card:2 priority:1, kicking user:scheduler334
    2011-08-04 06:53:46.000000 [scheduler thread(17)]: Scheduler : card is tuned to the same transponder but not free. record on card:2 priority:1, kicking user:scheduler335
    2011-08-04 06:53:46.000000 [scheduler thread(17)]: Controller: epg stop
    2011-08-04 06:53:46.000000 [scheduler thread(17)]: Scheduler : record, first tune to channel
    2011-08-04 06:53:46.000000 [scheduler thread(17)]: card: Tune 2 to ELEVEN
    2011-08-04 06:53:46.000000 [scheduler thread(17)]: card: user: scheduler336:2:-1 tune DVBT:tv:Ten Sydney ELEVEN Freq:219500 ONID:4116 TSID:1538 SID:1576 PMT:0x107 FTA:True LCN:11 BandWidth:7
    2011-08-04 06:53:46.015625 [scheduler thread(17)]: card: to different transponder
    2011-08-04 06:53:46.015625 [scheduler thread(17)]: stop subchannel: 0 user: scheduler334
    2011-08-04 06:53:46.015625 [scheduler thread(17)]: user is scheduler: scheduler334
    2011-08-04 06:53:46.015625 [scheduler thread(17)]: scheduler: recording failed, lets try next available card.
    so there is definitely scheduled recording that tries to record but constantly failed because no free card available at time. Check please your scheduled recordings Schedules - MediaPortal Wiki
    Do you have any plugin that can cause schedules to be added without your interaction?

    another thing:
    2011-08-04 06:53:30.875000 [scheduler thread(17)]: card: unable to connect to slave controller at:pC2
    is your PC2 always reachable for TVServer?
     

    K24A3

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    Thanks Vasilich I think you are onto something. That program was scheduled to record this morning, but the last episode recorded was 8 days ago. I'll delete that schedule and see if that resolves the problem.

    I dont have any plugins at all, and the TV Server is on the same PC (PC2). It's a single seat setup.
     

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