[mythtv-users] Enabling multirec borks usability a bit.

[mugginz]

On Fri, 23 Apr 2010 09:57:59 am Glen Hawksworth wrote:
> > mugginz <feed.mugginz at internode.on.net> wrote:
> > 
> > On Fri, 23 Apr 2010 05:15:35 am Michael T. Dean wrote:
> > > On 04/22/2010 03:10 PM, mugginz wrote:
> > > > On Thu, 22 Apr 2010 09:33:06 am Michael T. Dean wrote:
> > > >> I will say, however, that almost everything that people in this
> > 
> > thread
> > 
> > > >> have asked for is possible with today's MythTV if they just take
> > 
> > the
> > 
> > > >> time to learn how to configure their systems properly--even the
> > > >> automatically switch inputs when I ask for a channel and the
> > 
> > current
> > 
> > > >> input is locked to the wrong mux (and even through browse mode).
> > 
> > I'm
> > 
> > > >> sure, though, it's far more fun to just say that things don't work
> > 
> > and
> > 
> > > >> assume it's because of some limitation of MythTV or some mean
> > 
> > developers
> > 
> > > >> refusing to write code to solve such a "simple problem."  (But,
> > 
> > hey,
> > 
> > > >> let's throw in some more settings, because obviously we don't have
> > > >> enough--ignore the fact that no one in this thread seems to know
> > 
> > how to
> > 
> > > >> use the ones we have.)
> > > >> 
> > > >> Until someone has some code for review, there's no use continuing
> > 
> > the
> > 
> > > >> discussion.
> > > > 
> > > > You keep suggesting that your work around which provides the "proper
> > > > configuration" will provide people what they're after but it still
> > > > doesn't work.
> > > 
> > > No, I'm saying that "Browse all channels" does what you want when
> > > configured properly.
> > 
> > Given that the previous instructions doesn't provide the required
> > functionality, what would be the correct procedure to enable the desired
> > 
> > behavior for "browse all channels"?
> > 
> > > > Even with "borwse all channels" enabled in either case doesn't do
> > 
> > what
> > 
> > > > you say it will do.  This is with 0.23.  And further, even with 0.21
> > 
> > and
> > 
> > > > 0.22 and outlined below by others.
> > > 
> > > When configured properly.  If it doesn't, then fix "Browse all
> > 
> > channels."
> > 
> > > You all keep saying that "Browse all channels" does nothing useful.
> > > That wasn't the case when it was added, so...
> > > 
> > > Mike
> > 
> > Fixing "Browse all channels" would go some ways but there's also the
> > problem
> > of inefficient tuner allocation that could be fixed while I'm in there.
> > It may
> > turn out that the prudent path to take is to indeed fix "Browse all
> > channels"
> > and then look at any broader issues.
> > _______________________________________________
> > mythtv-users mailing list
> > mythtv-users at mythtv.org
> > http://mythtv.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mythtv-users
> 
> Just to reiterate...
> The strategy of adding tuners in the following fashion:
> 
> Tuner #1 = Card #1
> Tuner #2 = Card #1
> Tuner #3 = Card #2
> Tuner #4 = Card #2
> Tuner #5 = Card #3
> Tuner #6 = Card #3
> Tuner #7 = Card #4
> Tuner #8 = Card #4
> Tuner #9 = Card #1
> Tuner #10 = Card #2
> Tuner #11 = Card #3
> Tuner #12 = Card #4
> 
> ...and then using  "Avoid conflicts between LiveTV and recordings" means
> that when Myth wants to make a recording it starts with tuner #1. If Tuner
> #1 is being used and the next recording is on the same mux, it uses
> tuner#2. If the next recording is on a different mux is uses tuner #3
> which is on card #2. When you want to use live TV it starts at Tuner #12
> and works backwards. So recording starts at card #1 and works up to card
> #4 and liveTV starts at card #4 and works back to card #1. This means that
> you have a better chance of not getting a card locked on a mux when you
> want to watch liveTV and hence you will be able to channel surf to your
> hearts content.
> 
> The challenge comes in setting it up. If you already have your tuners set
> up with multiple virtual tuners the easiest way to achieve the above
> functionality is to go into the backend setup and increase the virtual
> tuner number for each card by one.
> 
> If you wish to delete your tuner cards and set them up from scratch
> problems can arise...
> 
> If you enter the backend setup, delete all tuners and then set them up
> again straight away without exiting first, you screw up the tuner numbers.
> EG. previous set up you had tuners #1 - #8; after deleting all and setting
> them up again you now have tuners starting from #9
> 
> What you need to do to properly start from scratch is delete all tuners and
> then exit from the backend setup. When you do this the database updates
> and removes all records of tuners.


Went into backend setup and removed all tuners
Exited backend setup.
mythfilldatabase was run.


> Then you go back into the backend setup and set up all your cards with 2
> virtual tuners; and then you exit again. Now if you open a frontend and
> look in the information centre you will see twice as many tuners as you
> have cards and they will start from #1.


Went into frontend setup and reviewed the number of tuners.
I had twice as many tuners as physical tuners.


> Then you go back into backend setup yet again and increase the virtual
> tuner numbers by one; and then, yes you guessed it, you exit again. Now
> when you go into the front end you will see three times as many tuners as
> you have cards.

Exited front end.
Went into backend setup
Increased each tuners "Max Tuners" from 2 to 3.
Then exited backend setup.
mythfilldatabse was run


> If you have followed the above you will now have tuners configured in a
> similar way to the outline I presented at the beginning of my message.


Went into frontend
Now have three times as many tuners as physical tuners. (There are 3 physical 
tuners)
 
> To see if you have configured the channels correctly start watching liveTV
> and then go to the switch input menu. You should be able to see holes in
> the list where you expect them. For the example list above when you start
> watching liveTV you should be using tuner#12 on card #4 so in the switch
> input list you will see... Input #1 (Card #1)
> Input #2 (Card #1)
> Input #3 (Card #2)
> Input #4 (Card #2)
> Input #5 (Card #3)
> Input #6 (Card #3)
> Input #9 (Card #1)
> Input #10 (Card #2)
> Input #11 (Card #3)


Start watching LiveTV.
Go to switch input menu
See the following options available.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Therefore I must be using 9 to view LiveTV



> ...if you switch to input #1 and look at this list again you will now
> see... Input #3 (Card #2)
> Input #4 (Card #2)
> Input #5 (Card #3)
> Input #6 (Card #3)
> Input #7 (Card #4)
> Input #8 (Card #4)
> Input #10 (Card #2)
> Input #11 (Card #3)
> Input #12 (Card #4)

I switched to input 1 and now have

2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

As options from the switch input menu.
 
> Alternatively you could start recordings simultaneously on many different
> muxs and then all your cards will be locked to a mux. Then you can go to
> liveTV and switch through your inputs and see which inputs are set to each
> mux.


Went back and switched to input 1 (just to be sure I'm doing things correctly)

Browsed to channel 7 with up arrow
Pressed enter to switch to channel 7
Pressed 'R' to begin recording
Browsed to channel 9 with up arrow
Pressed enter to switch to channel 9
Pressed 'R' to begin recording
Browsed to channel 10 with up arrow
Pressed enter to switch to it but wont do the switch
It simply dumps me back to channel 9
(this is with Browse all channels off)

Went to switch input menu and the following were options.
3
4
5
6
7
8

I might add that "Browse all channels was enabled as well.  Disabling that was 
even more brain damaged.)


> If the input numbers match with how you believe you have set up your tuners
> then you have successfully configured the system to give you the best
> chance of finding a free card for liveTV.
> 
> I hope this helps rather than creating more confusion,
> Glen
> _______________________________________________


It helps clarify that there's a bug in the  "Avoid conflicts between LiveTV and 
recordings" functionality if the above configuration procedure is supposed to 
work as advertised.

Thanks for the info though.