DVBViewer Recorder: Network encoder

[Whitey]

Originally Posted by bjkiller

Do I need uncheck 'disable video/audo' when I use NDSCAM with dvbviewer?

Yes and good luck!

Whitey

[SyrA]

SyrA,

Are you running DVB Viewer 'and' the network encoder locally from the WHS box?

Yes i am....thought it would be better for performance and stabillity.
Recording over network feel like another source for "issues"

PS: Sorry for the late answer..

[Whitey]

Did you encouter any problems with installing any of the software? I'm just setting up a WHS server now.

Thanks

Whitey

[SyrA]

No, it pretty straight forward....

Dont use the diskpool for recordings, it wont work !
Format rec disks using 64k cluster. (Because you have the opportunity to )

Im very pleased with WHS as its based on Windows 2003. The specific WHS features wasnt a major selling point for me. But i've learned to adore the backup function since i have 4 computers in my house. And i never had or would have setup a major backupsystem for my home. (Lots of work and expensive if you want it to be stable)

Duplication function of folders also feels good for my pictures (and sagetv backups)

[bjkiller]

Originally Posted by Mark SS

The native DVB-T support works very well so I'll leave the Cinergy cards configured as they are. In fact the native DVB-S support has been working perfectly with the TT-3200 card and Dragon CAM but using DVBViewer and a softcam looks like I'll be able to access SkyHD (DVB-S2) and use multiple cards with one subscription card.

I have 3 cards (2x DVS-S2 and 1xDVB-S), i installed multi tuner version of recorder.

DvbViewer + NDSCAM native take like few seconds for change channel.

I created 3 recorders that listening on ports 9090, 9091, 9092.

With SageTV and DVBViewer recorder it's takes likes 40 or mote seconds to get 1st channel via SageTV!
From another SageTV client i unable to tune, like after 40 sec, everything stuck.

What I do wrong?

When I will finish SD channels, we have also 3 HD channels (h.264) that I can see with DvbViewer with PDVD codec.

[StephaneM]

Originally Posted by bjkiller

DvbViewer + NDSCAM native take like few seconds for change channel.

Channel change duration in DVBViewer will not be the same in SageTV. You'll have a channel change delay that is a little longer than the delay to tune the first time in DVBViewer.

With SageTV and DVBViewer recorder it's takes likes 40 or mote seconds to get 1st channel via SageTV!

Within the live trace viewer, how long does it takes to get a GET FILE SIZE that is not = 0? SageTV will only start playing the file when this call returns anything that is not zero.

From another SageTV client i unable to tune, like after 40 sec, everything stuck.

And what happens when you are not using LiveTV, but instead record a show and play it when the recording is done?

Also, try to use Transport Stream format if this is not already the case.

Regards,
Stéphane.

[Whitey]

Originally Posted by bjkiller

I have 3 cards (2x DVS-S2 and 1xDVB-S), i installed multi tuner version of recorder.

DvbViewer + NDSCAM native take like few seconds for change channel.

I created 3 recorders that listening on ports 9090, 9091, 9092.

With SageTV and DVBViewer recorder it's takes likes 40 or mote seconds to get 1st channel via SageTV!
From another SageTV client i unable to tune, like after 40 sec, everything stuck.

What I do wrong?

When I will finish SD channels, we have also 3 HD channels (h.264) that I can see with DvbViewer with PDVD codec.

Simular to what I'm getting too. You might find that on the client that seems to lock up if you leave it long enough the channel will eventually appear. Make sure DVBViewer is set to record in .ts and tick all the options (audio, subs etc.) I think the problem is sagetv not the plugin since a file is produced quickly but sage just doesn't display it.

H.264 channels record and view no problem (apart from the above)

Are you able to record/view more than one channel with one card using NDSCam? What version are you using?

Whitey

[bjkiller]

Originally Posted by StephaneM

Channel change duration in DVBViewer will not be the same in SageTV. You'll have a channel change delay that is a little longer than the delay to tune the first time in DVBViewer.

Within the live trace viewer, how long does it takes to get a GET FILE SIZE that is not = 0? SageTV will only start playing the file when this call returns anything that is not zero.

And what happens when you are not using LiveTV, but instead record a show and play it when the recording is done?

Also, try to use Transport Stream format if this is not already the case.

Regards,
Stéphane.

I will check it now, Please tell me what number should be in 'Restart Delay' ?

[bjkiller]

Originally Posted by Whitey

Are you able to record/view more than one channel with one card using NDSCam? What version are you using?

Whitey

I do not know yet. Mark SS more advanced in this. i just started today.
I have latest registered DVBViewer and NDSCAM 0.6.

[bjkiller]

It's started to run faster - i copied to last recorder channel configuration in xml file, may be this was a problem.

With SageTV Server Screen the movies was appears just 1 sec after it's start appearing on DVBViewer, after like 6 sec of tunning.
When I choice different channel on different client (HD Extender), it's tune different recoder (i see in DVBViewer Recorder screen-log) when it's start to show, it's stuck previus showing client (SageTV Server Screen)

ps: I run DvbViewer with NDSCAM plugin.

Any advice?

[StephaneM]

Originally Posted by bjkiller

With SageTV Server Screen the movies was appears just 1 sec after it's start appearing on DVBViewer, after like 6 sec of tunning.
When I choice different channel on different client (HD Extender), it's tune different recoder (i see in DVBViewer Recorder screen-log) when it's start to show, it's stuck previus showing client (SageTV Server Screen)

I'm not sure I understand...

1) it seems that your delay issue is gone? (The "restart delay" should be a little longer that your usual tuning delay, so if you usually can tune in 7 sec, use a "restart delay" of 15 sec => if DVBViewer notice that the recording file size is less than 200 KB after 15 sec, it will stop the current recording, and start a new one)

2) when you start a second recording (on the HDExtender) it stop the first recording (on the SageTV server)? If this is the case, it's because DVBViewer choose to re-use the already used tuner because the other tuners wasn't able to tune the requested channel. So you have to make sure that you selected the right channels for your recorders.

In DVBViewer you have channel type (Satellite / Terrestrial) and channel group (A / B / C). When you scan for channels, you are able to assign a channel group.

You can also specify what channel group is able to tune each of your tuners (A and/or B and/or C).

Also you must be sure that your CAM or SoftCAM is able to decrypt two channels at once on different tuners (it is usually the case with SoftCAM, but it is not the case with hardware CAM). To verify this :

* In DVBViewer start a recording for one encrypted channels (with a Timer Or by viewing the channel and pressing the record button)
* Then try to view another encrypted channels on a different transponder.

If you are able to view the other channel and you verify that the previous recording wasn't stopped, then two encrypted channels can be decrypted at the same time.

Regards,
Stéphane.

[bjkiller]

Originally Posted by StephaneM

1) it seems that your delay issue is gone? (The "restart delay" should be a little longer that your usual tuning delay, so if you usually can tune in 7 sec, use a "restart delay" of 15 sec => if DVBViewer notice that the recording file size is less than 200 KB after 15 sec, it will stop the current recording, and start a new one)

thanks for advice, why you do not calculate it's statisticly?

Originally Posted by StephaneM

2) when you start a second recording (on the HDExtender) it stop the first recording (on the SageTV server)? If this is the case, it's because DVBViewer choose to re-use the already used tuner because the other tuners wasn't able to tune the requested channel. So you have to make sure that you selected the right channels for your recorders.
In DVBViewer you have channel type (Satellite / Terrestrial) and channel group (A / B / C). When you scan for channels, you are able to assign a channel group.

You can also specify what channel group is able to tune each of your tuners (A and/or B and/or C).

I use DVBViewer and NDSCAM 0.0.6.

I have 3 cards (2xS2 and 1xS), all card connected to same LNB via splitter.
there declared 2 groups group A is for 1xDVB-S card, and group A,B,C for 2xDVB-S2 cards. becouse there 3 channels more in HDTV. that only tunable on DVB-S2 cards.

Originally Posted by StephaneM

Also you must be sure that your CAM or SoftCAM is able to decrypt two channels at once on different tuners (it is usually the case with SoftCAM, but it is not the case with hardware CAM). To verify this :

* In DVBViewer start a recording for one encrypted channels (with a Timer Or by viewing the channel and pressing the record button)
* Then try to view another encrypted channels on a different transponder.

If you are able to view the other channel and you verify that the previous recording wasn't stopped, then two encrypted channels can be decrypted at the same time.

I did this test:
1) run DVBViewer
2) Tune to 1st channel - the movie was play OK
3) press red button to record
4) Tune to 2nd channel - the movie was skip frames heavy
5) press again red button to record
6) Tune to 3rd channel - the movie was skip frames heavy
7) press again red button to record

I go to DvbViewer/Recording Statistics and see all 3 channels on recording, but the time was start of first one 9:01 end 9:02, 2nd 9:02 end 9:03, and 3rd 9:03 end 9:04. I checked properties on each of recording channels - all tuned on different tuners.

at this time CPU like 95% on my dual core server. In case when I see HDTV on remote HD extender, the cpu load on server is 20%.

When i go to play recording (in Recording Show tab) - i clicked and can see few seconds of each recording, and after DVBViewer disappears (I beliave crashed).

updated: I did it's 2nd time.


I do not undestand what the number written in "Normal" column.
I started recording free channels on tunner #1, it's go fine.
After i start to tune on tunner #3, it's increase looks like in good speed
After i start to tune on tunner #2, (different transporder?) the numbers on tunner #2 stopped to incease so fast as before.
and finnaly cpu load comes to 99% and i did screenshot and killed the dvbviewer.


Update2: I disabled all DVB-S/2 cards and left only one at DVBViewer, I removed 2 from 3 recorders from DVBViewerRecoder, and removed them from SageTV.
I tune to one channel from HD Extender, it's show me it, when i tune to 2nd one on same HD Extender, i get error(-9) "All encoders are in use by client using "Live" TV.

Please advice.

[StephaneM]

Originally Posted by bjkiller

thanks for advice, why you do not calculate it's statisticly?

Because I can't (specifically I have no way to compute the average time needed for tuning a channel)

I have 3 cards (2xS2 and 1xS), all card connected to same LNB via splitter.

I'm not sure but I guess this is your problem. To me if you want reliable multi tuner support you need at least 3 LNB (or twins LNB). Ideally you should have a LNB with 3 independent outputs.

I'm not a Satellite specialist, however you should be very careful with your splitter, LNB are not passive devices : a DVB-S card do power the LNB and set polarization etc... on the LNB. So has you have 3 DVB card, only one should send power to the LNB, and if your LNB doesn't have multiple heads, you are restricted to channels using the same polarity.

I started recording free channels on tunner #1, it's go fine.
After i start to tune on tunner #3, it's increase looks like in good speed
After i start to tune on tunner #2, (different transporder?) the numbers on tunner #2 stopped to incease so fast as before.
and finnaly cpu load comes to 99% and i did screenshot and killed the dvbviewer.

It seems to me that your setup is not right: either your channels are not using the same polarity, either the use of the splitter create some strange things (when a DVB-S card tune it sends something on the antenna cable, and it is definitely received by the other DVB-S cards...)

I disabled all DVB-S/2 cards and left only one at DVBViewer, I removed 2 from 3 recorders from DVBViewerRecoder, and removed them from SageTV. I tune to one channel from HD Extender, it's show me it, when i tune to 2nd one on same HD Extender, i get error(-9) "All encoders are in use by client using "Live" TV.

It seems logical to me: you only have one recorder now, so when you are using it, it cannot be reused to tune to another channel (even in the same transponder, whereas DVBViewer will be able to do it).

Anyway my advice would be to enable only the DVB-S2 tuner. Then eventually upgrade you current setup with more LNB (with independant outputs)

Regards,
Stéphane.

[bjkiller]

Originally Posted by StephaneM

Because I can't (specifically I have no way to compute the average time needed for tuning a channel)

I'm not sure but I guess this is your problem. To me if you want reliable multi tuner support you need at least 3 LNB (or twins LNB). Ideally you should have a LNB with 3 independent outputs.

I'm not a Satellite specialist, however you should be very careful with your splitter, LNB are not passive devices : a DVB-S card do power the LNB and set polarization etc... on the LNB. So has you have 3 DVB card, only one should send power to the LNB, and if your LNB doesn't have multiple heads, you are restricted to channels using the same polarity.



It seems to me that your setup is not right: either your channels are not using the same polarity, either the use of the splitter create some strange things (when a DVB-S card tune it sends something on the antenna cable, and it is definitely received by the other DVB-S cards...)



It seems logical to me: you only have one recorder now, so when you are using it, it cannot be reused to tune to another channel (even in the same transponder, whereas DVBViewer will be able to do it).

Anyway my advice would be to enable only the DVB-S2 tuner. Then eventually upgrade you current setup with more LNB (with independant outputs)

Regards,
Stéphane.

The polarity is not a problem, all polarity is same. I have also 4 more SAT BOX at home connected to same RG 6 cable, and able to tune to any channel without any problem.

[StephaneM]

Originally Posted by bjkiller

The polarity is not a problem, all polarity is same. I have also 4 more SAT BOX at home connected to same RG 6 cable, and able to tune to any channel without any problem.

So, I don't know (though I'm still conviced that only one of your equipment should power the LNB). You will have to request help on DVBViewer forums for this.

If DVBViewer can handle your multiple card setup correctly, then DVBViewer recorder will also work.

The first step would be to verify that your DVB-S card works correctly one at a time. In DVBViewer keep only one card active and tune the channels. Then reenable all cards, and try to record two or three non encrytped channels. With these tests you'll be able to verify:

* That all cards are working correctly the way they are connected to the LNB
* That all is working as it should with non encrypted channels
* That this is the SoftCAM that is probably having issues decrypting two channels at once)

Regards,
Stéphane.

[bjkiller]

Originally Posted by StephaneM

With these tests you'll be able to verify:

* That all cards are working correctly the way they are connected to the LNB
* That all is working as it should with non encrypted channels
* That this is the SoftCAM that is probably having issues decrypting two channels at once)

Stéphane, thank you for the prompt answer.

The cards are fine, i recording unencrypted things without any problem.

The problem how DVBViewer woking with softcam.

Could you please advice - can i run like 4-5 copies of dvbviewer from different directories to have different softcam that can be different configured? and all of this controlled by your DVBviewer Recoder?

thanks.

[StephaneM]

Originally Posted by bjkiller

The problem how DVBViewer woking with softcam.

First, you have to enable audio & video in DVBViewer Recorder for all your recorders, otherwise the softCAM will not work.

Could you please advice - can i run like 4-5 copies of dvbviewer from different directories to have different softcam that can be different configured? and all of this controlled by your DVBviewer Recoder?

No you cannot do this. DVBViewer Recorder can only control one instance.

Enable DVBViewer debug logging with DVBViewer Recorder and take a look at the DVBViewer debug log (C:\Documents And Settings\All Users\Application Data\CMUV\DVBViewer) to collect some information about what is wrong.

Regards,
Stéphane.

[bjkiller]

Originally Posted by StephaneM

First, you have to enable audio & video in DVBViewer Recorder for all your recorders, otherwise the softCAM will not work.

I success for 1 channel at time but with h.264

20% load CPU on SageTV server
How to configure different md-api plugins for different dvb cards?
i have 3 NDS smart cards, 3 card readers, i want to run 3 NDSCAM copies for each of cards - DVBViewer not support such configuration?

Originally Posted by StephaneM

Enable DVBViewer debug logging with DVBViewer Recorder and take a look at the DVBViewer debug log (C:\Documents And Settings\All Users\Application Data\CMUV\DVBViewer) to collect some information about what is wrong.

[StephaneM]

Originally Posted by bjkiller

How to configure different md-api plugins for different dvb cards? i have 3 NDS smart cards, 3 card readers, i want to run 3 NDSCAM copies for each of cards - DVBViewer not support such configuration?

I don't know the only report so far was MarK SS : he was able to record two channels at the same time, though on the same transponder and on the same DVB-S card.

There is too many things on your logs for me to know what is really going on. I only noticed that you are using TT card, and DVBViewer is trying to load the CI module for this card. If you don't use the CI+CAM on the TT cards, you should disable them to see if it can help.

At this point, I would try to reproduce what Mark SS has done so far:

* Keep only one card active in DVBViewer
* Keep the three network recorders in SageTV
* Start a recording for an encrypted channels on SageTV
* Wait 2 min and start another recording in SageTV for a channel in the same transponder as the one currently recorded (it will works because DVBViewer is able to record two channels at once with only one tuner provided they are on the same transponder)

Wait for the recordings to be completed and check that they are both Ok. If this is the case this will tell us that the NDSCAM plugin is able to decrypt two channels at once. Though this may only works because channels are on the same transponder. If this doesn't work then, your setup is somehow different from the setup of Mark SS and there is still hope you can achieve this (you can try tro reproduce what Mark SS has done by only using DVBViewer with only one DVB-S card active, that is start LiveTV in DVBViewer, record, switch to another channel on the same transponder, record. Wait 10 min, and stop both recording and verify they are ok).

Otherwise, you may try on the DVBViewer forums. If you do, try to formulate your question like this : you do have a valid subscribtion card for satellite, unfortunately there is no CAM available and I'm forced to use NDSCAM. It works reliabily when recording one channel. However it doesn't seem to work on multiple DVB-Card. Is this a limitation of the plugin architecture or should it work with multiple DVB-Card?

Regards,
Stéphane.

[gravis12]

Hi,
My struggle continues. I have realized that when changing channels in stv the information is not transferred to dvb-viewer. If i select a channel in stv and then manually set the channel i dvb-viewer, the channel can successfully be viewed from stv. I have doublechecked the channelmapping and all is correct. What can be wrong? I also noticed that some channels gives me an error when trying to watch them (stv can not find a tuner that can tune the channel)?
/Thomas