Why does MP use 2nd card for subchannel when one card is already tuned to channel? (1 Viewer)

[feizex]

Hi,

I want MP to select the tuner that is already tuned to channel instead of using a second card. But it does not seem to do this. At least not every time.

The scenario below shows that I was already recording channel 9 and then chose to record channel GEM which is a subchannel of that stream. MP decided to use the first available card. But I would rather it used the second card that was already tuned to that channel. That way I would still have a card free to record other programs.

Why did it not use the tuner that was already tuned to the channel instead of using the second card?

Thanks,
Feizex.

2011-10-30 08:16:41.286500 [scheduler thread(9)]: Scheduler: Time to record GEM 8:16 AM-8:25 AM The Ship That Died Of Shame (1955)
2011-10-30 08:16:41.286500 [scheduler thread(9)]: Controller: find free card for channel GEM
2011-10-30 08:16:41.286500 [scheduler thread(9)]: Controller: find card for channel GEM
2011-10-30 08:16:41.286500 [scheduler thread(9)]: Controller:   got 1 tuning details for GEM
2011-10-30 08:16:41.286500 [scheduler thread(9)]: Controller:   channel #1 DVBT:tv:Nine Network GEM Freq:191625 ONID:4114 TSID:1056 SID:1058 PMT:0x101 FTA:True LCN:90 BandWidth:7 
2011-10-30 08:16:41.286500 [scheduler thread(9)]: Controller:    card:3 type:DvbT can tune to channel
2011-10-30 08:16:41.286500 [scheduler thread(9)]: Controller:    card:3 type:DvbT users: 0
2011-10-30 08:16:41.286500 [scheduler thread(9)]: Controller:    card:4 type:DvbT is disabled
2011-10-30 08:16:41.302125 [scheduler thread(9)]: Controller:    card:7 type:DvbT can tune to channel
2011-10-30 08:16:41.302125 [scheduler thread(9)]: Controller:    card:7 type:DvbT users: 1
2011-10-30 08:16:41.302125 [scheduler thread(9)]: Controller:    card:1 type:DvbIP is disabled
2011-10-30 08:16:41.302125 [scheduler thread(9)]: Controller:    card:6 type:RadioWebStream is disabled
2011-10-30 08:16:41.317750 [scheduler thread(9)]: Controller:    card:8 type:Analog is disabled
2011-10-30 08:16:41.317750 [scheduler thread(9)]: Controller: found 2 card(s) for channel
2011-10-30 08:16:41.317750 [scheduler thread(9)]: AdvancedCardAllocation.GetAvailableCardsForChannel took 22 msec
2011-10-30 08:16:41.317750 [scheduler thread(9)]: Controller:    card:3 type:DvbT is available
2011-10-30 08:16:41.317750 [scheduler thread(9)]: Controller: found 2 free card(s)
2011-10-30 08:16:41.317750 [scheduler thread(9)]: AdvancedCardAllocation.GetFreeCardsForChannel took 23 msec
2011-10-30 08:16:41.317750 [scheduler thread(9)]: scheduler: try max 2 of 2 FREE cards for recording
2011-10-30 08:16:41.317750 [scheduler thread(9)]: Scheduler : record on recommended card:3 priority:11
2011-10-30 08:16:41.317750 [scheduler thread(9)]: Controller: epg stop
2011-10-30 08:16:41.317750 [scheduler thread(9)]: Scheduler : record, first tune to channel
2011-10-30 08:16:41.317750 [scheduler thread(9)]: card: Tune 3 to GEM

MediaPortal Version: MediaPortal v1.2.1
Windows Version: Windows XP (Service Pack 3)
3. TV Card: AverMedia A825 dual tuner (have to disable one because the drivers mix up and stop one tuner to start the other)
3. TV Card: WinFast DTV2000H

 

[mm1352000]

Re: Why does MP use 2nd card for subchannel when one card is already tuned to channel

Hi Feizex

At a guess, I would say it is because the tuner that was idle has a higher priority than the tuner that was already timeshifting/recording on that frequency. Can you confirm?

mm

 

[feizex]

Re: Why does MP use 2nd card for subchannel when one card is already tuned to channel

Thanks, yes I'd say you're right. When it chose the second tuner it was the first in the list sorted by priority.

I guess my question is more - what is the rationale for making the selection on the basis of priority alone?

To me it makes sense to select based on priority only when there is no tuner on that channel already.

If there is a tuner already on the channel then MP should use that. I can't think of a reason not to do that.

It is not hard to reproduce the scenario. Here's 4 steps:
1) Timeshift channel 7 (uses first tuner)
2) Record channel 9 (uses second tuner)
3) Stop timeshift (frees first tuner)
4) Record GEM (subchannel of 9 - uses first tuner instead of second)
After that you will have 2 tuners being used. With better logic it could have been one tuner and one tuner free to record something else.

Since this appears to be "as per design", I suggest MP tuner selection be made smarter by using cards that are already tuned to channel rather than hogging another card.

 

[mm1352000]

Re: Why does MP use 2nd card for subchannel when one card is already tuned to channel

Hi again

That does seem to be a logical suggestion in this scenario. I'm still relatively new to the team and to be honest I find it a little surprising that the scheduler doesn't already do what you're asking for. Almost makes me think there must be a reason for doing it the way it is done, but I can't think of any off the top of my head.

mm