Random failures to tune scrambled DVB-S channel (1 Viewer)

[blaudden]

Hi,

Problem:
TV Server fails to tune a scrambled DVB-S channel, notmally it takes three to 10 attempts before it suceeds.

How to repeat:
Stopped TV-Service
Started MP Test tool and ran the before actions.
Started "TV Server Configuration", it prompted to start up the TV-Service.
Selected "TV Channels -> Channels -> TV4" and then press "Preview".
The first three attempts shows how it fails to tune and finally the fourth attempt works.
This is the point where I ran tha after test action to collect the log files that have been attached.




Things tested:
I have increased all timeouts to 10 seconds and it didn't change anything. But from looking at the code in Tv Server I can see that it does not seem to honour the "General Settings -> Timeshifting -> Wait for unscrambled signal" setting. The code looks hardcoded to use 5000ms.

Tried to diff a sucessful and a failed tune. They are very different but it looks like some log messages have changed order. So maybe there is a small race between the subchannel thread and the main thread?

Any ideas what to check or try?

/ Magnus



TV-Server Version: TV Server 10. RC2
MediaPortal Version:
MediaPortal Skin:
Windows Version: XP SP3
CPU Type: Intel, Pentium 4, 2.60Ghz HT
HDD: various 500Gb+
Memory: 2GB
Motherboard:
Video Card:
Video Card Driver:
Sound Card:
Sound Card AC3:
Sound Card Driver:
1. TV Card: TwinhanDtv Sat-CI
1. TV Card Type: DVB-S
1. TV Card Driver: 1.2.3.8 WHQL
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:
MPEG2 Audio Codec:
h.264 Video Codec:
Satelite/CableTV Provider:
HTPC Case:
Cooling:
Power Supply:
Remote:
TV:
TV - HTPC Connection:

Using Conax CAM with Canal Digital card.

 

[GagReflex]

TV-Server Version: Latest SVN
MediaPortal Version: Latest SVN
MediaPortal Skin: Xface
Windows Version: XP Pro SP3
CPU Type: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300
HDD: 3 x Seagate 320G SATA
Memory: 1 GB DDR2
Motherboard: Gigabyte 965P-DS3
Video Card: Nvidia 7600GS passive cooled
Video Card Driver:
Sound Card:
Sound Card AC3:
Sound Card Driver:
1. TV Card: Dvico Fusion
1. TV Card Type: DVB-T
1. TV Card Driver:
2. TV Card: DNTV Live!
2. TV Card Type: DVB-T
2. TV Card Driver:
3. TV Card: TwinhanDTV Sat-CI
3. TV Card Type: DVB-S
3. TV Card Driver:
4. TV Card:
4. TV Card Type:
4. TV Card Driver:
MPEG2 Video Codec:
MPEG2 Audio Codec:
h.264 Video Codec:
Satelite/CableTV Provider: SelecTV
HTPC Case: Thermaltake 'Bach'
Cooling:
Power Supply:
Remote: Microsoft MCE
TV: Panasonic AE500 Projector
TV - HTPC Connection: DVI


Hmmm... this seems to be a common issue with those of us using the TwinhanDtv Sat-CI cards.. The problem seems to have got a whole lot worse since RC2. It's cam access related 'cause I can tune non scrambled channels without issue, but have the same problems as you tuning scrambled (I'm using an irdeto cam)

 

[blaudden]

Yes, that seems like a good conclusion. Tested to switch between a number of unscrambled channels and they work every time(the sad thing is that none of them are worth watching...).

So where could the problem be. The most interesting thing to note is of course the line thay says "Twinhan: CAM failed 0x8007001F", what is the reason for this error? Is that the indicator of this problem or may the descamble work anyway? Anyone who can decode the error code? How can it be avoided or does it just indicate that the PMT should be sent again? There are too many questions.

 

[blaudden]

Compiled my own version of TvService.exe with some added debug printouts and also a retry loop that will send the PMT to the CAM again when it fails. This works fine, it tunes every time. Would this be an acceptable solution?

When looking at the code I found one thing that looks a little weird. The 'OnGraphStart' function is called both before and after the graph is started. Think it should be 'OnGraphStarted' instead of the second call....

 

[GagReflex]

Sounds fantastic blaudden, the scrambled problems drive me crazy!!
It might be worth letting one of the devs know, perhaps Gemx, so the changes can be included?.. I'm sure the devs dont get time to read all these threads

 

[blaudden]

Yes, first of all it would be interesting to know if this would be a feasible way to "fix" this problem. Ii that case I can fine tune and submit a patch.

 

[tourettes]

few changes...

RunGraph() calls both OnGraphStart() & OnGraphStarted(). OnGraphStarted() is now ignoring the wait for PMT if the graph is running (OnGraphStart should have done that already).

Could you guys please test the attached DLL?

 

[GagReflex]

Thanks tourettes..
I'll test this asap. It'll probably be this weekend at the earliest..

Blaudden, have you had a chance to try out the new dll?

 

[blaudden]

Will also try it.

would it possible to see the patch, that would make it a lot easier to understand what it's supposed to fix?

 

[tourettes]

Will also try it.

would it possible to see the patch, that would make it a lot easier to understand what it's supposed to fix?

Here's the diff / patch.