Plex Scanner and BMT Agent for SageTV

[nyplayer]

Originally Posted by PiX64

can u give me some more info on what happened here?

From the log it looks like everything went fine.

I just created another section and added that one folder containing the Criminal Intent Shows it worked fine.

[PiX64]

Originally Posted by nyplayer

I just created another section and added that one folder containing the Criminal Intent Shows it worked fine.

very VERY strange indeed.

Here is what I need please. I need you to run this again from scratch. new section, and let it complete 100%. then send me the logs for both scanner, agent, AND plex media server.

something is afoot here and IDK what it is yet.

[SkierHiker]

My laptop client PC just died and I'm looking for an extender replacement so for the last few nights I've been looking around and Plex with the Roku looks like the best alternative. I need something that my wife can manage which means simple to use. I followed the instructions for installing Plex and I have some questions if you don't mind.

I installed Plex on my Recordings File Server which is a Dell server (dual Xeon 3.0 Ghz processors) running Windows Server 2008. My recordings are from my HDPVR in a mix of mpg (non-HD) and H.264 (HD). The H.264 recording audio is AC3. The actual File Format from Sage is:

MPG - MPEG2-PS[MPEG2-Video 4:3 480i@29.97fps, MP2/384Kbps@48kHz Stereo]
H.264 - MPEG2-TS[H.264 16:9 1080i@29.97fps, Dolby Digital/384Kbps@48kHz 5.1]

I tested the playback on my office computer and the mpg recordings played back ok but there were some visible artifacts and not as smooth as Sage. But the H.264 recordings kept pausing every 3 seconds to load content. I checked the performance of my server and it never got over 55% CPU and memory usage was low. Performance on my office computer was less than 50% CPU with plenty of memory to spare. I have a gigabit network and that barely registered anything.

I haven't bought a Roku yet and just want to know if my H.264 recordings will play back smoothly on that box or do I need to re-encode them to mp4? Also, would re-encoding my mpg files to mp4 help with their playback?

If I have to re-encode is there a way to automatically re-encode after the HDPVR finishes a recording?

I have some other questions regarding how Plex integrates the Sage recording data but I'll save that for another post.

Great job by the way. I first looked at HDnnn extenders but was turned off with the scalping that's going on with the few remaining ones. I peeked at NextPVR and that may have potential but they likewise are losing their extender base. I was intrigued with the Boxee Box you started looking into but ended up here since it looks like the most active dev work.

[PiX64]

Originally Posted by SkierHiker

My laptop client PC just died and I'm looking for an extender replacement so for the last few nights I've been looking around and Plex with the Roku looks like the best alternative. I need something that my wife can manage which means simple to use. I followed the instructions for installing Plex and I have some questions if you don't mind.

I installed Plex on my Recordings File Server which is a Dell server (dual Xeon 3.0 Ghz processors) running Windows Server 2008. My recordings are from my HDPVR in a mix of mpg (non-HD) and H.264 (HD). The H.264 recording audio is AC3. The actual File Format from Sage is:

MPG - MPEG2-PS[MPEG2-Video 4:3 480i@29.97fps, MP2/384Kbps@48kHz Stereo]
H.264 - MPEG2-TS[H.264 16:9 1080i@29.97fps, Dolby Digital/384Kbps@48kHz 5.1]

I tested the playback on my office computer and the mpg recordings played back ok but there were some visible artifacts and not as smooth as Sage. But the H.264 recordings kept pausing every 3 seconds to load content. I checked the performance of my server and it never got over 55% CPU and memory usage was low. Performance on my office computer was less than 50% CPU with plenty of memory to spare. I have a gigabit network and that barely registered anything.

I haven't bought a Roku yet and just want to know if my H.264 recordings will play back smoothly on that box or do I need to re-encode them to mp4? Also, would re-encoding my mpg files to mp4 help with their playback?

the newest firmare of roku should playback h.264 mkv over http. to be safe I personally reencode everything to mp4. I do this mainly because the quality is great and it makes load times and seeking a non issue

If I have to re-encode is there a way to automatically re-encode after the HDPVR finishes a recording?

Yes - I currently use the sagetv built in transcoder, but have also used DVRMSTOOLBOX and MCEBuddy with great succes. Let me know what you want to do exactly and I can get you more info on it.

I have some other questions regarding how Plex integrates the Sage recording data but I'll save that for another post.

Ask away or feel free to pm me. I will gladly give you my personal email and we can take it from there... either way is great. email is probably a bit faster as i don't visit the forums EVERY day anymore

Great job by the way. I first looked at HDnnn extenders but was turned off with the scalping that's going on with the few remaining ones. I peeked at NextPVR and that may have potential but they likewise are losing their extender base. I was intrigued with the Boxee Box you started looking into but ended up here since it looks like the most active dev work.

[/QUOTE]

thanks.

I am very pleased with how well this has come together. Brian was a HUGE help in the beginning coding 100% of the BMTAgent, which sure i have modified quite a bit, but the nuts and bolts are mostly all him!

its a good clean solution and most of all doesn't limit the user to a specific extender. anything that can talk to plex can access sagetv recordings. PlexConnect brings it to ATV3 without jailbreaking, samsung tvs/bds/etc. the list goes on.

And lets not forget that if you are a plexpass you can easily sync your shows to your device and take them offline!

sorry for my delayed repsonse on this btw. :-/

[reggie14]

I've just gotten into using Plex, mostly with my Android devices, and so far I really like it.

I'm interested in trying this out, but it looks like an update is coming that will fix some of the quirks with the current version. I know asking this breaks the golden rule, but any idea when we'll see update?

[PiX64]

Originally Posted by reggie14

I've just gotten into using Plex, mostly with my Android devices, and so far I really like it.

I'm interested in trying this out, but it looks like an update is coming that will fix some of the quirks with the current version. I know asking this breaks the golden rule, but any idea when we'll see update?

Send me a pm and I'll get u the new version ASAP... Provided you'll test for me ;-)

Btw - talk about dedication to support I'm at a bulls pre season game right now :-). Awesome or do I have a problem :-D

[SkierHiker]

After spending the weekend playing around with all this and trying to decide what to do here are my findings:

1. I have Plex Server running on my SageTV file server and been using the Media Manager on my home office computer.

2. I discovered that there is a Plex Player Advanced Setting under the Plex/Web tab that allows you to set the Local and Remote Quality settings. This was a huge find as it keeps the Plex Server from transcoding my HDPVR 1080i recordings and allows for smooth playback. I'm hoping this setting is on the Roku.

3. My HDPVR recordings are in AC3 format. I'm not sure if this is from the HDPVR or the TV source. Since Plex uses AAC format, there is some transcoding from the server but not very much thanks to #2 above.

4. I did not have my recordings named with the season/episode so using the SageTV BMT Agent was a Godsend. I have changed that setting in SageTV Detail Setup/Customize.

5. Some artwork came over from Sage but not all so I'm going to investigate this further. I remember seeing some discussions about this. One notable TV show that did not bring over any show artwork was Castle. I'll look into that one first. And ideas?

6. None of my Watched statuses came over. Not sure if this feature is implemented in the current SageTV BMT Agent. If this feature is suppose to work, it is possible that playing around with NextPVR may have reset the statuses. I may blow everything away and start again from scratch. Thoughts?

7. I ordered a Roku 3 from Amazon and it will be arriving on Wednesday. I'll report on it when I get it up and running.

[PiX64]

Originally Posted by SkierHiker

After spending the weekend playing around with all this and trying to decide what to do here are my findings:

1. I have Plex Server running on my SageTV file server and been using the Media Manager on my home office computer.

2. I discovered that there is a Plex Player Advanced Setting under the Plex/Web tab that allows you to set the Local and Remote Quality settings. This was a huge find as it keeps the Plex Server from transcoding my HDPVR 1080i recordings and allows for smooth playback. I'm hoping this setting is on the Roku.

There is also a setting on the PMS side to create index files for media during scanning. This will allo for "trick streams" or similiar functionality to phoenix ui where you press the up arrow on the remote and get thumbnails of the show as timeslots..

3. My HDPVR recordings are in AC3 format. I'm not sure if this is from the HDPVR or the TV source. Since Plex uses AAC format, there is some transcoding from the server but not very much thanks to #2 above.

Plex will play AC3... its the client you are using that may be deictating AAC only and hence forcing plex server to transcode the media file..

4. I did not have my recordings named with the season/episode so using the SageTV BMT Agent was a Godsend. I have changed that setting in SageTV Detail Setup/Customize.

AWESOME!

5. Some artwork came over from Sage but not all so I'm going to investigate this further. I remember seeing some discussions about this. One notable TV show that did not bring over any show artwork was Castle. I'll look into that one first. And ideas?

Much of this should be fixed in the new code i sent you via email. However, keep in mind that if there is NO fanart for the media item in BMT, then sagex will also not return any artwork. I have a request out to Sean on providing some additional functionality that will care for this server side (sage) rather than js code to deal with it... He is gladly going to try and fit this into his crazy busy schedule.

Thanks Sean!

6. None of my Watched statuses came over. Not sure if this feature is implemented in the current SageTV BMT Agent. If this feature is suppose to work, it is possible that playing around with NextPVR may have reset the statuses. I may blow everything away and start again from scratch. Thoughts?

Fixed in new code

7. I ordered a Roku 3 from Amazon and it will be arriving on Wednesday. I'll report on it when I get it up and running.

You will like it :-)

amazon has the roku 3 for 84.99 with free shippping via amazon prime!

[mdnttoker]

Originally Posted by PiX64

Send me a pm and I'll get u the new version ASAP... Provided you'll test for me ;-)

Btw - talk about dedication to support I'm at a bulls pre season game right now :-). Awesome or do I have a problem :-D

LOL...you have a problem

Although, they've been in control of most every game this pre-season, and if you were at the Milwaukee game last night, they manhandled them

Can't wait for the Heat game, when hopefully everyone is healthy!

[cyberlewis]

Hi PiX64,

I am in eager anticipation of the major update to the scanner that you mentioned in post 801 (Sep 13). Specifically, I am interested in the series level duration fix, the syncing of watched status, and the ability to perform a refresh within Plex.

Do you still plan to make this update. If you need any assistance with testing, I am more than happy to assist.

Thanks,
Brian

[PiX64]

Originally Posted by cyberlewis

Hi PiX64,

I am in eager anticipation of the major update to the scanner that you mentioned in post 801 (Sep 13). Specifically, I am interested in the series level duration fix, the syncing of watched status, and the ability to perform a refresh within Plex.

Do you still plan to make this update. If you need any assistance with testing, I am more than happy to assist.

Thanks,
Brian

I do still have plans to release, I have just been swamped with work, 2.5 yr old, baby on the way, the list goes on.

Buy yeah send me a PM with your personal email and Ill get you the latest code. Its mostly ready and head and shoulders above the old code. I could probably actually release it now, but there are a few kinks id like to iron out first.

ill get you the code to test as soon as you send me a pm with email

[PiX64]

Casting to chromecast via plex and watching sage recordings.....YES it works!

[LehighBri]

Originally Posted by PiX64

I do still have plans to release, I have just been swamped with work, 2.5 yr old, baby on the way, the list goes on.

Buy yeah send me a PM with your personal email and Ill get you the latest code. Its mostly ready and head and shoulders above the old code. I could probably actually release it now, but there are a few kinks id like to iron out first.

ill get you the code to test as soon as you send me a pm with email

I'm back and can help pickup things too. Perhaps check things I. Back to the google code site so things are in sync?

[PiX64]

Originally Posted by LehighBri

I'm back and can help pickup things too. Perhaps check things I. Back to the google code site so things are in sync?

Awesome! Thanks Brian. I'll make time tonight to put latest code on google and try and remember what's outstanding.

[PiX64]

sent you an email brian.

for everyone else here is the latest code with a few bugs still in it that I haven't had a chance to work out. NO show stoppers, and HUGE improvements over the last release.

https://code.google.com/p/sagetv-for...&ts=1386729408

Brian - I am still going to be working on this, but am super busy with new baby on the way, taking paternity leave, finishin work before that happens, etc. I am not always on the forums, but am always available via gmail, which you have...

[PiX64]

Please post all issues in this thread as usual. or PM them to me

[ChaOConnor]

Awesome, thank you!

[brewston]

Just setting this up. When I add a new 'TV Shows' section I can see 'SageTV Scanner' under the Scanner Section but I don't see BMT under Agent - Did something change (or did I mess up a step ) ?

Thanks

[brewston]

Needed to restart Plex and now it's there

[PiX64]

yeah sorry about that.

I've posted the steps so many times that I just got lazy :-) sorry