TV Service 90+ % cpu and 200+ MB mem (1 Viewer)

[Dodgy Bob]

TV-Server Version:
MediaPortal Version: 1.0.0.0 SVN 21720
MediaPortal Skin: Blue3wide
Windows Version: Vista x86 Ultimate SP1
CPU Type: AMD 4850e 2.5Ghz
HDD:
Memory: 4GB
Motherboard: Gigabyte MA78G-DS3H
Video Card: ATI HD 3200
Video Card Driver: Catalyst Suite 9.2
Sound Card: Onboard Realtek HD
Sound Card AC3:
Sound Card Driver: 6.0.1.5532
1. TV Card: BlackGold 3540
1. TV Card Type: analog, DVB-T, DVB-S
1. TV Card Driver: 6.0.0.49
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: PowerDVD 8 Ultra
MPEG2 Audio Codec:
h.264 Video Codec: PowerDVD 8 Ultra
Satelite/CableTV Provider: None
HTPC Case:
Cooling: Stock
Power Supply:
Remote: Microsoft
TV: Samsung LE46A756
TV - HTPC Connection: HDMI

Hi,

Had this problem for some time now, thought it was about time to sort it!

Upon starting the TVService it works great, grabs EPG, shows TV, etc with low cpu (0-2%) and memory used. Over time however it starts to ramp up and generally the next morning (~8 hours) it'll be using 95-100% CPU and between 200 and 250MB memory. Trying to watch TV when it's like this ends with it saying "unable to start timeshift" or some other reason it won't start. The logs don't seem to show any errors. Stopping and starting the TVService usually sorts this (always reduces CPU and memory to "normal", usually allows watching TV again).

In the attached logs I stopped the TVService at about 7.25am then started it again. Hope you can help.

Cheers.

Bob.

 

[Paranoid Delusion]

Try disabling epg and see if that makes any difference.

There is nothing to suggest high cpu use in your logs and totally unable to duplicate.

The only thing that does concern me is, how many times have you installed drivers, card grabbing epg is showing as no.14.

This may well be where any possible high cpu use may be found.

 

[Dodgy Bob]

OK, will give it a go.

I've had to install a few driver updates over the last few months for the card as they kept releasing fixes. Looks like BlackGold have disappeared now so probably no more drivers.

 

[Paranoid Delusion]

Looks like BlackGold have disappeared

Yep looks like you are right, no website and no products available from the main retailers

 

[Dodgy Bob]

Was hoping to post here that disabling the EPG was the fix, unfortunately I'm going to have to wait a bit longer.

It was looking promising, after a day and night being disabled the service was at 10-12% CPU and 50GB memory. I was going to leave it for another night and then report, but my son rebooted the server last night. So will leave it for another 2 days before reporting back.

 

[Paranoid Delusion]

service was at 10-12% CPU

That still seems high to me, mine never goes above 2%, even when doing multiple recordings.

50GB memory

LOL, scarey memory use

 

[Dodgy Bob]

50GB memory

LOL, scarey memory use

I watched the service for a bit, it fluctuated between 7% and 17% CPU.

So there's something wrong with the TV Service then (possible as scheduled recording isn't working either)? What do you recommend? A complete uninstall/re-install of MP? Include a remove and re-add of the TV card?

 

[Paranoid Delusion]

Well cpu usage does seems high.

As your another ultimate user, have you taken advantage of the Windows Vista backup, works similar to Norton Ghost or similar OS image restore software.

What i did a while ago was re-install Vista (pain) +sp1 (severe pain) + all updates (Aarggh) that I could get my hands on, this took me at least 2-3 hrs work, never again, too used to XP and Norton Ghost, so did above and created a backup, now can restore a pretty much upto date image of only M$ software, which takes 10 minutes to restore from image file

Personally think you may have a foobared system, you should be able to run rings around my 4200+x2, cpu wise.

I am not blaming MP or any other software that may corrupt a system (drivers do a good job on there own, ask any M$ employee), but if may be something simple, even codecs can totally screw things, and between drivers and codecs are the major cause of bluescreens of death.

Did I get boring during this post, oh well, quiz night, so a couple of beers may have hit the waistline

 

[Hippo]

Hi!
I have such problems too.
Which EPG config do you have now to avoid this problems?

I have about 95% cpu power while recording and the recordings are broken (the ts is about 80MB, but should have 800MB)....

 

[Dodgy Bob]

I'm not using any EPG at the moment. I only ever used DVB-EPG which is now disabled.

I also have a problem with the scheduled recording. I have Family Guy set to record on BBC3 every night at 11 and 11.30. Even though (like last night) I tune to BBC3 and watch fine prior to the recording starting (watched it until around 10.30pm last night) and leave it tuned to the channel when I go to bed, the recording never works. The log shows that it failed to lock on to the channel due to no/bad signal. If I manually record it's fne.

When I checked this morning it was still tuned to BBC3 but the video signal was stuttering, audio was fine.

Like PD says, sounds like something isn't quite right. I think I'll wait until MP 1.0.1 and then do a complete re-install. Bit of a pain as I use the server for other stuff too. But I documented the build so should be about a day to rebuild. Will look into imaging it after doing the basic install as PD suggests (used to use Norton to do that in the past).

Thanks for all your help PD. I'll report back once I've done the re-install and see if that fixes it.

Bob.