recording tv just stopped :( HELP!!! (2 Viewers)

[michael_t]

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<off-topic>
@michael_t
49 MB 450 k lines of TV Service log in 3.5 days, filled 90% with PowerScheduler... <sigh>
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We have a working and tested solution that writes PS logs to a separate file, but it was not included into 1.5 and 1.6 pre-release because of the fundamental discussion if PS must really log what it logs ... <sigh> . While we keep on discussing (btw: no new post since several weeks) we still have the worst of all solutions: we log everything in one big file, instead of logging PS stuff to a sepatate file which would make the TVService log much more readable.

Michael
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[robbo100]

for the benefit of this thread (this is a repeat post to one I have put on another similar thread:

I had another occurance of a recording not stopping tonight, and while looking at it, I realised that the EPG data shown for the recording had the finish time for the programme as exactly the same as the start time.

Could it be that this is an EPG problem rather than a specific problem with the TV Server? (I am using XMLTV plugin with Digiguide via dg2xml.exe).

Cheers

Robbo100

 

[mm1352000]

Yes, this is one possible cause... though I had assumed (like toplad) you had other scheduled recordings which were meant to be happening that no longer even attempted to start after the non-terminating recordings started.

[edit: when you say start = finish, you mean in the XMLTV file, right? Did you change anything in your configuration that would cause this to start happening (like forcing finish time to be specified - finish time is usually optional)?]

 

[robbo100]

Yes, this is one possible cause... though I had assumed (like toplad) you had other scheduled recordings which were meant to be happening that no longer even attempted to start after the non-terminating recordings started.

[edit: when you say start = finish, you mean in the XMLTV file, right? Did you change anything in your configuration that would cause this to start happening (like forcing finish time to be specified - finish time is usually optional)?]

I didn't change anything specifically within the recording, or the way I do recordings.

Attached are three screenshots from the Server PC client side.

File 1: Shows that the EPG is working normally
File 2: Shows a normal recording where the start and finish time are showing correctly
File 3: Shows a recording where the start and finish time are the same, and the recording shows 0:00 duration, however, with this recording I had to reboot the server to stop it from continuing for ever.

I hope this helps clarify.

Cheers

Robbo100

 

[mm1352000]

I hope this helps clarify.

It does and it doesn't.

Let me ask in a different way...

First, for that "The Kids Are All Right" recording: we can see that start and finish time are the same in the recording metadata... but I think that information is generated by TV Server. I guess it makes sense that TV Server wouldn't have set the finish time if the recording didn't actually get stopped. In other words, what I'm wanting to know is whether what you're seeing is a symptom or a cause of the problem. The way to do that is to check the EPG information for that program in the TV Server database and in the XMLTV file. Are you able to do that?

Second, can you confirm: if an unending recording is running, do other scheduled recordings start? I ask this because it is the scheduler's responsibility to start and stop recordings. I want to isolate the problem. Right now we can see that some recordings are not stopping; if recordings are also not starting then we can point our finger squarely at the scheduler.

mm

 

[robbo100]

Right,

I have some of the information (I think).

I have the problem happening as I speak, so here is the data I can get for you.

Here is the EPG data from my XML file for the programme:

<programme channel="104" channel2="2717" start="20131115210000 +0000" stop="20131115213000 +0000"><title>8 Out of 10 Cats</title><desc>Host Jimmy Carr continues the new series of the topical comedy panel show, joined by team captains Sean Lock and Jon Richardson, who discuss the topical events that set the great British public's chins wagging. Sean and Jon are joined in their quest to uncover the public's most popular talking points by celebrity guests Jo Brand, Nick Helm, Louis Walsh and Jordan from the Rizzle Kicks.</desc><category>Quiz Show</category><length units="minutes">30</length><sub-title /><video><quality>HDTV</quality></video><subtitles type="teletext" /><star-rating><value>4/5</value></star-rating><credits /></programme>

- note, the start and stop time are correct.

Attached are two screen shots, one of the EPG in the MP Client (showing a normal EPG layout for this programme with a start and stop time matching that of the XML file), the other showing the programme in the recordings section with an incorrect stop time (showing the same as the start time.




In terms of checking the actual TV Server Database, I will need some instructions to tell me how to do that.

Second, can you confirm: if an unending recording is running, do other scheduled recordings start? I ask this because it is the scheduler's responsibility to start and stop recordings. I want to isolate the problem. Right now we can see that some recordings are not stopping; if recordings are also not starting then we can point our finger squarely at the scheduler.

I will check this in the next hour or so (assuming this recording continues as expected), but will likely have to report back in the morning.

 

[robbo100]

OK, I have worked out how to view the database. Here are some screenshots of the DB contents. One showing the schedule database (looks correct), one showing the Program DB (looks normal) and the other showing the recordings DB (with incorrect stop time).

[DOUBLEPOST=1384553620][/DOUBLEPOST]Right - Final bit of data.

The recording I setup after the previous recording should have stopped (which it didn't as expected), did NOT start.

Screenshots attached of the EPG (showing that it is scheduled) and the recording view (showing that there is no recording).

 

[mm1352000]

Thanks robbo100, that's perfect.
I think at this point we can safely say that the finish time on the recording is a symptom.
If that recording is not going to stop at the correct time, the next test is to schedule a recording for a random program that is currently running. No matter what the result is, I'd be very keen to see the log files.

 

[robbo100]

And finally, some (very messy no doubt) TV Server logs for all the above events (and the last few days too - sorry).

 

[mm1352000]

Are you able to use the watchdog? I'm interested to see your system event logs just in case they give a clue.