EPG Server

[nyplayer]

Is there a problem with the EPG server... I am unable to connect to add a new source?

[laurenglenn]

Originally Posted by nyplayer

Is there a problem with the EPG server... I am unable to connect to add a new source?

I'm having the same issue. It figures it would happen on the day I get cable installed.

[robogeek]

Originally Posted by nyplayer

Is there a problem with the EPG server... I am unable to connect to add a new source?

Do you have an XMLTV-based lineup for one of your sources? I had this problem after installing the Web Radio and TV Feed Encoder and setting up an XMLTV lineup for that encoder source. For some reason, SageTV won't let you setup new sources with the SageTV EPG server when XMLTV is being used for one of the sources. If this is your problem, I think you have to shut down SageTV, remove the epg/epg_import_plugin=xmltv.XMLTVImportPlugin line from the SageTV server properties file, restart SageTV, add and configure your new source, shutdown SageTV, add the epg_import_plugin line back to the properties file, and restart SageTV.

[spacecadet]

Originally Posted by nyplayer

Is there a problem with the EPG server... I am unable to connect to add a new source?

I think I am running into this as well. I get the following error when trying to add guide data to a new source:

"There was an error connecting to the SageTV Server. Please be sure your Internet connection is established and that you have entered the correct Zip/Postal Code"

My internet is fine (as I am posting this message!)
And my firewall settings should be okay too (haven't changed these recently).

Help!

[Opus4]

It is being looked into. Wait a while before trying again; someone from SageTV will post when it is working again, unless someone else notices & posts first...

- Andy

[Opus4]

I should have waited a couple minutes more before posting... it should work now (it did for me).

- Andy

[spacecadet]

Originally Posted by Opus4

I should have waited a couple minutes more before posting... it should work now (it did for me).

- Andy

Thanks. I was able to set up the guide and slowly (but surely) the guide data seems to be filling in.

Thanks for the quick response!

[nyplayer]

It appears that there is a problem with downloading the cable or satellite providers it just sits on that page and nothing happens.

[vanisher_sage]

Originally Posted by nyplayer

It appears that there is a problem with downloading the cable or satellite providers it just sits on that page and nothing happens.

I'm getting this, too. Ugh.

Hopefully it will clear up soon.

[vanisher_sage]

Originally Posted by Opus4

I should have waited a couple minutes more before posting... it should work now (it did for me).

- Andy

I'm still not getting a list of cable providers when trying to set up video sources. The screen is blank after entering the zip code. Is there an update to this issue?

[Opus4]

It still works for me, so the EPG server is working. Double check your firewall settings -- there's a FAQ for that or see the PDF manual for firewall port info.

- Andy

[ToonGal]

I'm a long-time SageTV user, and have had a stable configuration over the last 6 years or so, so I'm pretty sure that it's not something on the user end that is going on...

Originally Posted by Opus4

It still works for me, so the EPG server is working. Double check your firewall settings -- there's a FAQ for that or see the PDF manual for firewall port info.

To quote the website FAQ on ports:

Q: What ports do I need to open in my firewall for SageTV?

7760 - This port must be opened for SageTV to be able to download EPG data so that you can see show listings on the LiveTV Guide menu.

(taken from http://forums.sage.tv/forums/showthr...5&postcount=27)

That being said, I never forwarded this port before two days ago. Now that I have the EPG issue myself, I figured it couldn't hurt. Didn't cure what ails me...

Now here are my symptoms at a more detailed level. From my Sage.properties file, the following tags are all getting blanked out after running an update:

epg/channel_lineups/<number1>
epg/channel_lineups/<number2>
epg/service_levels/<number1>
epg/service_levels/<number2>

Eliminating the following tags and restarting SageTV usually clears up all EPG guide data problems as it repopulates:

epg_data_sources/<number1>/expanded_until=1243864209389
epg_data_sources/<number1>/last_run=1243777809388
epg_data_sources/<number1>/server_update_id=
epg_data_sources/<number2>/expanded_until=1243864209389
epg_data_sources/<number2>/last_run=1243777809388
epg_data_sources/<number2>/server_update_id=

Not today. As a matter of fact, my wiz.bin file which has ballooned to over 10 MB (as per my last backup) has compressed to just under 5 MB. My Guide Data is non-existant, as it has NO populated data for any channel. my epg_schedule is also empty, save the 3 manual recordings programmed the other day.

As a symptom, restarting SageTV server is curiously 'fast', as the EPG data side seems to be ignored quickly.

Anyway, since this didn't seem to clear up overnight, it's moved into the "defcon 1" level of issue, so I figured I'd post my current status to get the debugging started.

My next plan of attack is to remove / change / readd the data provider to see if I can get ANY zip code to load data, and post according results.

My zip code is 94947 if you want to take a crack at the problem, Andy...

Any help would be appreicated, as this does seem to be a wide-spread problem for a significant number of users. I'm still using SageTV v5.x but don't think that's likely to be an issue, since my problem started around the same time as others with similar issues...

More data posted as it comes in. Thanks in advance for any support!

[ToonGal]

Originally Posted by ToonGal

My next plan of attack is to remove / change / readd the data provider to see if I can get ANY zip code to load data, and post according results.

Wow!!! Big and immediate results (or lack thereof...):

Deleted my current tuner lineups for my 3 cards and two sources (one digital cable box). Reentered the tuner / zip information for my zip code and it never brought up a lineup. Entered the zip code for my parents who live locally, but in a different town/carrier area, and also nothing. Took a flier and entered a zip code of a past location... AND IT WORKED! Tried more, and they worked too...!

Now well established that this is an issue by locality. Other users who have this issue should publish their zips (or at least the first 3 chars of the 5 if worried about personal info), so the powers @ SageTV can start fixing the problem...

Here's the list of tested zip codes for where I've lived:
- 94947: CA - My zip code. Nothing.
- 94903: CA - Parent's zip code. Diff provider for them, but still no results.
- 85254: AZ - Childhood zip code. Works fine.
- 33713: FL - Lived there for a year. Works fine.
- 89014: NV - Lived near Vegas for 5. Works fine.

I don't know if the EPG failed populating in numerical order, but that was my first guess. That wasn't it. I tried to see if it was only CA that was affected. Nope.

Anyway, these are the other zip codes tried:
- 94555: CA - Works fine.
- 95122: CA - FAILS
- 95501: CA - Works fine.
- 96122: CA - FAILS
- 97122: OR - Works fine... *sigh*

If anything, it looks like this is isolated to the great CA Bay Area. Since I have no recourse on the Sage EPG Server side, a zip-by-zip test grid isn't a good use of time at this point. Figured this is a good start for those working on the problem.

For those researching the problem, please focus exclusively on zip codes. Thanks again in advance for any help that can be provided.

[nyplayer]

Originally Posted by Opus4

It still works for me, so the EPG server is working. Double check your firewall settings -- there's a FAQ for that or see the PDF manual for firewall port info.

- Andy

It finally worked for me this morning It wasn't a firewall setting there was obviously something wrong on the EPG server... I was able to finally add my source this morning without any changes to my system.

PS. Andy thanks for your continued support.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by vanisher_sage

I'm still not getting a list of cable providers when trying to set up video sources. The screen is blank after entering the zip code. Is there an update to this issue?

BTW: what is your zip code? Are you having the same issue posted by ToonGal? If so, this is different from the initial issue when this thread was opened where the server wasn't responding at all.

- Andy

[vanisher_sage]

Originally Posted by Opus4

BTW: what is your zip code? Are you having the same issue posted by ToonGal? If so, this is different from the initial issue when this thread was opened where the server wasn't responding at all.

- Andy

Andy,


I just tried to get the cable lineup again and still nothing. I think ToonGal is definitely on the right track here with her diagnosis. My experience mirrors hers almost to the dot. My zip is 94121, which is San Francisco. This appears to be an issue affecting SF Bay Area users? Did Comcast do something (just a shot in the dark)?

The only reason I wanted to reset the lineup is that the EPG guide was giving wrong programming info on a channel I frequently record from (The Travel Channel). I was hoping resetting the tuners would fix that. After I removed the cable source and tried to reestablish it, the screen to select cable companies didn't and still doesn't populate.

[Narflex]

Thanks for the info. This should be resolved in about 1-2 hours now. The unexpected shutdown of the EPG servers happened while they were in the middle of an update so there was partial information in the database. We kicked it again to force an update now and when that's complete it should be OK. (normally it would have cleared itself up w/in 24 hours, but its a Sunday and our feed doesn't get updates on Sunday; so it would have automatically repaired itself by tomorrow)

[vanisher_sage]

Originally Posted by Narflex

Thanks for the info. This should be resolved in about 1-2 hours now. The unexpected shutdown of the EPG servers happened while they were in the middle of an update so there was partial information in the database. We kicked it again to force an update now and when that's complete it should be OK. (normally it would have cleared itself up w/in 24 hours, but its a Sunday and our feed doesn't get updates on Sunday; so it would have automatically repaired itself by tomorrow)

Just wanted to drop a quick note to say that the problem still exists for me. It's been about five hours since Narflex's post.

[HawgGuy]

Same in West TX (9pm Central, 7pm Pacific). My hometown zip is not responding, whereas the neighboring town zip works. Something wonky or corrupt with the database.

[ToonGal]

First off, FYI to those in power to fix it, same problem still exists as of 7 PM PST. Would really appreicate anyone who can make my zip 94947 work. (Not JUST selfish, as this issue would likely fix all others too.) Everyone with issues should post their non-working zips too, as this might help those maintaining the server, and give more points to test post-fix.

Secondly, a concern, that might just be minor. This didn't just "not update" my EPG, and leave out just one day two weeks from now. It completely wiped out ALL EPG data in the wiz.bin, nulled the epg_schedule.log, corrupted the EPG data in the sage.prop file (i.e. channel lineups, omitted chans, dual sources, etc), and left SageTV in a completely (automatically) unrecoverable unusable state. Personally, I have backups and can restore all easily enough, once the EPG is fixed, but just want to make sure that is all that is in play. (I'll even document "how-to" for those who are in my situation and don't have an auto-recovery, once we're back on board.)

Originally Posted by Narflex

This should be resolved in about 1-2 hours now. The unexpected shutdown of the EPG servers happened while they were in the middle of an update so there was partial information in the database. We kicked it again to force an update now and when that's complete it should be OK. (normally it would have cleared itself up w/in 24 hours, but its a Sunday and our feed doesn't get updates on Sunday; so it would have automatically repaired itself by tomorrow)

Thanks for the quick update, Narflex!

Figured as much, especially as my zip is at the bottom of the totem pole, numerically. Strange to find that Oregon one after mine that worked, but maybe it's out of date data.

Maybe another forced kick in the pants to the SageTV Zap2It EPG feed?

Originally Posted by Opus4

BTW: what is your zip code? Are you having the same issue posted by ToonGal? If so, this is different from the initial issue when this thread was opened where the server wasn't responding at all.

Thanks Andy, as always, for being so on top of everything SageTV. Nice to know someone in the know who is so dedicated to the cause, and your selfless efforts are appreciated!

That being said, just so you know, I think this IS the same issue as the initial poster; I just gave a more techinical definition to the same problem. When I select my zip code (or any other disfunctional one), during the "add new source" section, it presents the menu "Please select your cable provider..." with a blank set of choices. I'm guessing my situation is the exact one described by the initial post, as to him it probably just appeared "frozen".

Anyway, thanks all for your continued support and counsel. Two days worth of missed TV is more than acceptible for the over 6 years of success.

PS. I'm going to China for 3 weeks in 2 weeks. Don't make me change my tone and send out the goons if we get too close to that deadline...! *tee hee*