RAMDisk configuration for Timeshift (1 Viewer)

[mrspock]

MediaPortal Version: 1.1.3
MediaPortal Skin: Blue3 wide
Windows Version: W7SP1 pro 64b
CPU Type: Intel core 2, 2.40GHz
HDD: Western Digital 1Tb
Memory: 6Gb
Motherboard: Intel DG965WH
Video Card: Nvidia GeForce 6600
Video Card Driver: 8.17.11.9713
Sound Card: motherboard
Sound Card AC3:
Sound Card Driver: High Definition Audio 6.1.7600.16385
1. TV Card: Pinnacle Dual PCI DVBT
1. TV Card Type: DVB-T
1. TV Card Driver: 4.2.0.0
2. TV Card: Technisat Skystar 2
2. TV Card Type: DVB-S
2. TV Card Driver: 4.6.0
MPEG2 Video Codec: MS DTV-DVD Video Decoder
MPEG2 Audio Codec: ffdshow
h.264 Video Codec: MainConcept AVC
Satelite/CableTV Provider: 19.2ºE Astra, 28.2ºE Eurobird, 30ºW Hispasat, 13ºE Hot Bird
HTPC Case: Thermaltake Bach
Remote: imon 7.85.0222 (firm 0x30)
TV: Loewe
TV - HTPC Connection: S-video


Hi.

To increase the life of my HD (I had to change it every year) I would like to move the Timeshif to a RAMDisk. I had search the forum and wiki and found some information, but I am not sure how I can configure it (some times the information is contradictory, some times is not complete, some times is quite old).

I have 6Gb of RAM and I am planning to create a RAMDisk of 4Gb. I am using my PC just as an HTPC.

I've seen that Dataram RAMDisk could suit my needs (free, RAMDisk up to 4Gb, W7 64 bits compatible, easy to configure...).

My main concern is how to configure the MP Timeshift for me: MP single seat, one user, one dual tuner DVB-T card (I rarely use DVB-S so I can use HD for timeshifting sat TV).

So is this configuration right?:

• Minimum files: 20 (38 minutes to jump back)
• Maximum files: 62 (80 minutes break time)
• File size: 64Mb
• Total timeshift buffer: 3968Mb
• Free ramdisk: 128Mb

Or will I need this configuration to allow two timeshift buffers (for the two tuners)?:

• Minimum files: 10 (19 minutes to jump back)
• Maximum files: 31 (40 minutes break time)
• File size: 64Mb
• Total timeshift buffer: 1984 * 2 = 3968Mb
• Free ramdisk: 128Mb

So the question is: Does MP really need free space for two complete sets of files or is it enough space for one complete set plus one more file?

Additional questions:

• Is it better FAT32 or NTFS?
• Is better smaller filesizes (16, 32Mb) or bigger (128, 256Mb)?
• If two sets of buffers are needed... could I configure MP for using RAMDisk for one tunner and HD for the second (and using first configurarion)?
• Is 2Gb enough to run MP (and Windows)?

Also, I would like if some people using RAMDisks could post their configuration (indicating DVB cards and tuners, RAMDisk size, minimum & maximum files, file size...).


Thanks to everybody for reading this looong post and thanks for answering all my questions.

 

[seco]

I'm not answering to any of your questions but just warn that I never got working timeshifting to RAMDisk properly.

This is because TV-Server is not always respecting the timeshift file settings, and sometimes the buffer files get locked and cannot be removed by TV-Server, eventually filling your RAMDisk in a long run and causing space to run out. This will cause a "No audio/video detected" error in MP. I'm not sure if this is a case with 1.2.x versions of MP but just to give you heads up.

 

[MacGyver2k]

I'm using the Dataram RamDisk under W764 for Mediaporta 1.2.0 alpha, and it's working fine.
I'm on multiseat with 2 DVB-C Cards, but only one client.
My Ramdisk is 2GB, with a Filesize of 486MB and 3min/3max files.
1458MB for Files + 486MB for Overhead gives 1944MB Total Size.
That gives me about 14min in HD or 40min in SD as timeshift buffer, which is enough for me.

So what are the benefits of more files?

Is it better FAT32 or NTFS?

I'm using NTFS, but tried FAT32 before. Haven't noticed a difference, but if i remember correctly someone on the forum wrote ntfs would be better for file allocation or so.

And fyi: If you use the dataram ramdisk make sure you use the image load feature at startup. that ensures the ramdisk alsways uses the given drivelettee, without the loading feature windows assigns always the first free driveletter (which could result in differen drive letters if you are using removable drives/truecrypt volumes aswell).

 

[mrspock]

Thanks for your answers. It seems that RAMDisk usage is not good for all the systems... like the one by seco. Hope mine works...

Looking at MacGyver2k configuration, my first option should work. Everybody agree?

So what are the benefits of more files?

I've read somewhere that more files (smaller files) are better. The reason was that overhead will be smaller, allowing more buffer for the timeshift. In your case, you need 0.5Gb for the overhead, so 1.5Gb is for the buffer. With an overhead of 0.1Gb, you would have 1.9Gb for the buffer (10 more minutes).

It sounds logical... but I don't know if this is completely true. Any other opinions and configurations would be welcome.

Using the image load feature at start up is needed if you want to use NTFS, so it solves also the problem with drive letter. One more question: Dataram says that loading the image could took several minutes... Is it true for your 4Gb image?

 

[MacGyver2k]

Oh sound right with your explanation about the advantages, gonna give it a try.

I can't tell you how long the disc loading feature takes, it's running on my server which is located in the basement.
Can only connect with remotdesktop, and a lot time is taken to intialize my raid-controller.
so it could be anything from 0-2minutes i guess. btw i'm only using a 2gb image.

 

[mrspock]

Hi.

As nobody else has answered, I decided to try it. So I installed the 4Gb RAMDisk and configured Timeshif. I will report here the results.

One extrange think I have just noticed is the Timeshifting configuration and the way it calculates the HD space needed.
I don't know if I missunderstood something or the drive space needed provided is not correct.

The TV-Server configuration says the following:

• Minimum files: 20
• Maximum files: 62
• File size: 64 Mb
• Drive space needed: 1344 MByte

My calculation was:

• Minimum files: 20
• Maximum files: 62
• File size: 64 Mb
• Drive space needed: 4032 MByte

I think that the drive space needed should be maximum files * size + overhead: 62 files * 64Mb + 64MB = 4032.
But TVS config calculation is minimum files * size + overhead: 20 files * 64Mb + 64MB = 1344.

I think that the space needed should consider the maximum number of files that could be created, nor the minimum.

Am I wrong? Witch one is the correct? Is this calculation a bug in TVS config?
If I am wrong, could someone explain the reasons?

Thanks,