[mythtv] detecting client status on the backend.

[Stuart Auchterlonie]

Darnell Morgan wrote:
> Hello developers,
> 
> I have an issue that sometimes pops up with remote clients. I have a 
> single tuner backend/frontend with a remote xbox client and a remote 
> Apple powerbook client.
> 
> Lets say that a remote client is using the sole tuner to watch live tv. 
> And lets say that that client looses communication with the backend for 
> a reason (power is turned off by accident, system crash or lockup). From 
> the backend perspective, the sole tuner is still being used by the 
> remote client.
> 
> It will remain 'in use' forever, until a scheduled recording job comes 
> in that forces the backend to release the tuner so it can use it record 
> a job. If another client tries to access the sole tuner for live tv 
> viewing, it will be denied because the tuner is in use even though there 
> is nobody really using it.
> 
> I'm not for sure if the myth protocol is designed to handle this 
> situation.  If it is, can someone direct me with how to prevent this 
> from happening?  If not, how hard would it be to implement support for 
> active 'clients' on the backend within the protocol?  Such that if live 
> TV is in use and a client is not responding for some reasons then the 
> backend releases the tuner.
> 
> Any suggestions?

It's a known issue and we are working on a fix.

Stuart