UNC paths vs. mapped drives

[pratt733]

I know this has been discussed before, but a forum search returns conflicting information about each method.

Currently, I'm using mapped drives and everything's been fine for years. My two clients and server are mapped to the necessary recording/media drives the same exact way. I'd like to use Sage as a service and since I'm about to set up a media server to serve DVDs and music, I'll have to use UNC paths to access that machine.

My question is this: I have read that UNC paths will force the files to be streamed through the server to the clients and mapped drives allow the clients to read the files directly from the network. If this is true, I will not be using sage as a service.

Can anyone confirm or deny?

[lovingHDTV]

Originally Posted by pratt733

I know this has been discussed before, but a forum search returns conflicting information about each method.

Currently, I'm using mapped drives and everything's been fine for years. My two clients and server are mapped to the necessary recording/media drives the same exact way. I'd like to use Sage as a service and since I'm about to set up a media server to serve DVDs and music, I'll have to use UNC paths to access that machine.

My question is this: I have read that UNC paths will force the files to be streamed through the server to the clients and mapped drives allow the clients to read the files directly from the network. If this is true, I will not be using sage as a service.

Can anyone confirm or deny?

Last I read that is incorrect. Both mapped and UNC paths stream the files directly from the file to the playback client. No sure which thread it was in though.

[pratt733]

So if that's the case, I shouldn't notice any difference in performance (either on the client or the server) using either method. That's my primary concern.

[Opus4]

As long as the client can read the file using the path it was imported from/recorded to, it will read & play it directly; otherwise, it will stream through the server.

Make sure the switch to UNC paths is done before the switch to service mode, or else the service won't even be able to see that the fles aren't in their old locations & can't switch them to their UNC paths. You could add the UNC paths for imports and recordings that are slightly different from the mapped drive letter paths, shut down SageTV, move the files to the new UNC path dirs, restart SageTV, then remove the mapped letter paths as import/recording dirs once you've made sure that the files are seen in their new locations.

- Andy

[pratt733]

That's perfect! Thanks so much for your help - don't know what I'd do without this forum!

[Opus4]

Oh -- and always make backups of wiz.bin before doing such changes...

- Andy

[pratt733]

Definitely will - I've read the whole FAQ on that topic!

On another note, do you happen to know what would prevent my machine from going into S3 (standby) automatically? When I force it, the machine complies and stays there until I wake it. Windows will only automatically turn off the monitor and hard disks. I use DirMon/SA and HIP (for the MCE blasters) - does that have something to do with it?

[camus]

Making sure "Regularly Rescan Import Directories" is set to "No" worked for me.

[dvd_maniac]

As long as the client can read the file using the path it was imported from/recorded to, it will read & play it directly; otherwise, it will stream through the server.

If this is the case then I should be able to setup SageTV on Win2003 server using a domain network and the permissions should be enforced as to what video imports will play depending on who is logged into a client and what permissions they have?

I had this working but only when using an external media player. When using Sageclient to play then the permissions would not be enforced.

I have never used service mode, would that make any difference? If so, I might go back to the domain setup.

[FidgetyRat]

Originally Posted by pratt733

On another note, do you happen to know what would prevent my machine from going into S3 (standby) automatically?

I had a problem on one of my clients where XP refused to complete the sleep procedure due to the "Generic USB Hub" (my onboard hub) preventing it from entering sleep. There were some driver issues; Unfortunately it IS a generic hub and HAS no better drivers ha. Stupid windows.

Do you get any error messages?

[stevech]

Originally Posted by FidgetyRat

There were some driver issues; Unfortunately it IS a generic hub and HAS no better drivers ha. Stupid windows.

Wouldn't it be nice if Microsoft had to eat their own dog food?