HDHomeRun (HDHR) Prime + SageDCT

[doncote0]

Originally Posted by phelme

Hello,

The logs from 20111031-02:00:13 show that the stream was stopped because the HDHomeRun PRIME received an ICMP rejection from the PC because the port it was attempting to stream to was closed. This would normally indicate that the application told the HDHomeRun to start streaming before the application started listening for the stream.

Silicondust Support

I would also make sure that all of the SageDCT and Silicondust executables ("hdhomerun service" executable) were allowed in both directions (inbound and outbound) through the Windows Firewall.

If an outbound instruction is given (which would be accepted by the firewall), and it starts up an external process, the resulting output may be blocked by the default Windows firewall setup. The firewall could identify any inbound process as hostile if it returns communication by a different thread.

[phelme]

Originally Posted by doncote0

I would also make sure that all of the SageDCT and Silicondust executables ("hdhomerun service" executable) were allowed in both directions (inbound and outbound) through the Windows Firewall.

If an outbound instruction is given (which would be accepted by the firewall), and it starts up an external process, the resulting output may be blocked by the default Windows firewall setup. The firewall could identify any inbound process as hostile if it returns communication by a different thread.

I'm currently using Comodo firewall and all ports are open between the Prime and SageTV server. But I appreciate the concern.

Based on info from SD, I'm now logging ICMP events. It appears to be a timing issue problem between the Prime and SageDCT when there are back-to-back recordings; one stream is being torn down and a new one being created within milliseconds of each other. What causes the failure is the PC is generating an ICMP "Destination port unreachable" (Code 3) packet in response to the Prime opening the recording stream, because the port isn't yet ready for listening (we're assuming). The Prime's logic is to bail here because it can't reach the port to stream to. Comodo says the ICMP is generated by the OS and that makes sense as it is handling the network operation.

One can see how this can get worse when all three tuners are going: three files have to be closed and flushed, ports closed down and reopened, the Prime tuned to 3 new channels, new files created etc. There's a lot going and so I can see how the system might not be ready with all new listening ports in the space of a second.

Now the question is, how can this be fixed?

[doncote0]

Originally Posted by phelme

Now the question is, how can this be fixed?

I'll leave that to the geniuses (or genii) at Silicondust. Sounds like they may have to reverse the order of the prime communication. Another option would be to end recording and then wait like 10 seconds (maybe user configurable) to close the port. The close command would include a check for a data stream and close if none or do nothing if data stream exists.

To reset the prime when it has this problem, you might be able to open HDHomerun Prime setup utility and click apply (you may have to change the log level to make apply an option, I do not remember). You will get a message that it will interupt recordings on ALL HDHR's (including the primes), but it should allow all HDHR's to continue/start recording correctly.

[mikejaner]

Originally Posted by doncote0

Not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file...

Hmmm...

Are you running something old like XP or 2000?
It definitely works on 7, and probably Vista and 2008

[Edit Vista and above]
http://commandwindows.com/vista-tips.htm

[phelme]

Originally Posted by doncote0

I'll leave that to the geniuses at Silicondust. Sounds like they may have to reverse the order of the prime communication. Another option would be to end recording and then wait like 10 seconds (maybe user configurable) to close the port. The close command would include a check for a data stream and close if none or do nothing if data stream exists.

FYI. I'm trying a new test build from Andy that tries to address this by re-jiggering the sequence of calls and we'll see how that goes. Thanks Andy!!!

I'm still not convinced this couldn't be handled differently on SD's end. SD has set themselves up for a very tight time condition here. Logically what they are doing makes sense, but the opportunity for connection failure isn't beyond question. There are W7MC users complaining of similar recording starting problems too that may or not be related to this.

[babgvant]

Originally Posted by phelme

FYI. I'm trying a new test build from Andy that tries to address this by re-jiggering the sequence of calls and we'll see how that goes.

Just put up a new build of 2.1 which includes the ability to add more time (in milliseconds, default is 0) to work around the race condition. It also adds the ability to use PBDA based DCT recording instead of the UPnP/RTP method. The main benefit from this is that it will create mpg files that don't have the strange/multiple programs found in the native TS files but tuning is a bit slower.

[LehighBri]

Just installed 2.1. When I check the new "Use PBDA Capture (Windows 7 Only", I get an error on click of Save that says "Error: Input string was not in a correct format." I did not mess with the default options... just checked the PBDA check box. Thoughts?

[Gustovier]

Originally Posted by phelme

FYI. I'm trying a new test build from Andy that tries to address this by re-jiggering the sequence of calls and we'll see how that goes. Thanks Andy!!!

I'm still not convinced this couldn't be handled differently on SD's end. SD has set themselves up for a very tight time condition here. Logically what they are doing makes sense, but the opportunity for connection failure isn't beyond question. There are W7MC users complaining of similar recording starting problems too that may or not be related to this.

What time are you setting to help solve the race condition. I see the exact same behavior on my end as well. ? Anybody else can chime in to if u have a value that should work?

What's truly the effect of increasing this time as well, just so we understand what's happening?

[babgvant]

Originally Posted by LehighBri

Just installed 2.1. When I check the new "Use PBDA Capture (Windows 7 Only", I get an error on click of Save that says "Error: Input string was not in a correct format." I did not mess with the default options... just checked the PBDA check box. Thoughts?

Bug. Put a "0" in the RTP Delay box or DL again.

[babgvant]

Originally Posted by Gustovier

What time are you setting to help solve the race condition. I see the exact same behavior on my end as well. ? Anybody else can chime in to if u have a value that should work?

What's truly the effect of increasing this time as well, just so we understand what's happening?

Ideally you will not need to change this setting at all. I reordered the RTP setup sequence which should fix it, but added the ability to add some extra padding just in case.

[LehighBri]

Originally Posted by babgvant

Bug. Put a "0" in the RTP Delay box or DL again.

Great thanks, that works. I also installed the AVIVO codecs. Now to get PBDA to work, do I stop the service, check the PBDA checkbox, start the service, start Sage and record a show? If so, I do that, but it's still outputting to a .ts file. Should I expect it to output to a .mpg file? And it wasn't working for me so I'm back to using it without PBDA checked.

Before I send you any log files, I just want to confirm the exact steps needed to get PBDA working such that it outputs to a .mpg file.

Thanks!

[babgvant]

Originally Posted by LehighBri

If so, I do that, but it's still outputting to a .ts file. Should I expect it to output to a .mpg file?

oops

change

encode_digital_tv_as_program_stream=false

to

encode_digital_tv_as_program_stream=true

that said, it's just a cosmetic thing

[kevine]

every once an a while, I get no sound when changing channels. I have not found this to be in recordings yet but I just installed it yesterday. Anyone else experience it?

Also, I have not experienced any failures in the last 24 hours for about 10 recordings. I will let you know on that too.

Thanks.

2.0 SageDCT
Latest beta HDHR. 20111025?

[LehighBri]

When I check the PBDA checkbox, restart sagedct 2.1 as well as Sage, and start a new recording, I do see the respective .mpg file get created, but it never gets bigger than 0 bytes. See attached for the log. Thoughts?

[Gustovier]

With the new SageDCT 2.1, things have so far been smooth, with no halts (not using PBDA). The true test is over the course of a couple of days, I'm not touching any configs or the server in a meantime.

[babgvant]

Originally Posted by LehighBri

When I check the PBDA checkbox, restart sagedct 2.1 as well as Sage, and start a new recording, I do see the respective .mpg file get created, but it never gets bigger than 0 bytes. See attached for the log. Thoughts?

I added more logging to see what's going on. DL 2.1.2.

[ChaOConnor]

Andy, is the PBDA support to eventually allow for this to work with JRiver? Just wondering what it would take to move to JRiver as an example. I know you've been working with those guys, seems like the best/most viable alternative to Sage right now.

I don't know if this is said enough, but thank you for your hard work, it is greatly appreciated!

[babgvant]

Originally Posted by ChaOConnor

Andy, is the PBDA support to eventually allow for this to work with JRiver?

They are unrelated.

I am trying to get them to add better TV support and an external tuner model so 3rd parties can have more options with it.

[Gustovier]

Originally Posted by ChaOConnor

Andy, is the PBDA support to eventually allow for this to work with JRiver? Just wondering what it would take to move to JRiver as an example. I know you've been working with those guys, seems like the best/most viable alternative to Sage right now.

I don't know if this is said enough, but thank you for your hard work, it is greatly appreciated!

Yeah J. River looks to be like the best thing there. But it's still not good enough, YET. They are actively developing for it which is very good. I hope it continues to make progress. Andy is right they need to make the liveTv/dvr portion of the app better

[sundansx]

Originally Posted by doncote0

Not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file...

Hmmm...

better to use:
ping /n <use this to increase delay> localhost

should provide similar timings across all systems.