recoding freezes using Multicas

[happyhammer]

Having failed to be able to record HD over the LAN, i now have a usb HDD attached to an elite. i have Multicas running as a cccam client to uk nds system but get repetitive freezes when recording HD content. the freezes seem to occur when one of the SDecoderServer processes spikes apove 40% CPU usage. I can record FTA HD no problem, i can watch NDS with multicas no problem, i can record NDS SD content with Multicas no problem.

Am i doing something wrong?

heres some process info:

recording FTA uk bbc hd to usb drive has no problems

PID USER STATUS RSS PPID %CPU %MEM COMMAND
992 root S < 8552 991 32.2 8.5 SDecoderServer
993 root S < 8552 991 12.1 8.5 SDecoderServer
957 root S < 17M 1 11.9 18.2 CRTVCore
1019 root S < 17M 969 6.5 18.2 CRTVCore
955 root S < 760 1 4.5 0.7 ir_control
17957 root R N 452 17942 3.8 0.4 top
783 root SW< 0 5 2.9 0.0 usb-storage
958 root S < 704 1 1.7 0.7 CRTVSetup
979 root S < 15M 1 1.3 15.7 DStar
60 root DW 0 1 1.2 0.0 kswapd0
1112 root SW 0 5 1.2 0.0 pdflush
18398 root S N 4596 14234 1.0 4.5 emu_module
19045 root R 120 19043 0.6 0.1 wc
950 root S < 8552 1 0.3 8.5 SDecoderServer
18400 root S N 4596 18399 0.3 4.5 emu_module
923 root S N 816 921 0.3 0.8 JIPC_Server
19043 root S 560 1021 0.3 0.5 sh
1012 root S < 17M 969 0.1 18.2 CRTVCore
970 root S < 17M 969 0.1 18.2 CRTVCore



================================= ======
this snapshot was taken when a freeze occurred when recording uk nds hd channel, using Multicas


PID USER STATUS RSS PPID %CPU %MEM COMMAND
992 root S < 8940 991 59.6 8.8 SDecoderServer
993 root S < 8940 991 15.2 8.8 SDecoderServer
957 root S < 16M 1 12.8 17.1 CRTVCore
1019 root S < 16M 969 8.2 17.1 CRTVCore
955 root S < 788 1 6.2 0.7 ir_control
783 root SW< 0 5 3.5 0.0 usb-storage
19165 root R N 468 17942 3.2 0.4 top
60 root DW 0 1 3.1 0.0 kswapd0
979 root S < 15M 1 1.9 16.1 DStar
59 root SW 0 5 1.9 0.0 pdflush
958 root S < 704 1 1.8 0.7 CRTVSetup
18398 root S N 4596 14234 0.7 4.5 emu_module
19322 root S 560 1021 0.5 0.5 sh
972 root S N 1256 971 0.3 1.2 file_control
956 root S N 1256 1 0.3 1.2 file_control
919 root S N 852 1 0.3 0.8 JIPC_Server
1015 root S < 16M 969 0.2 17.1 CRTVCore
1016 root S < 16M 969 0.2 17.1 CRTVCore
950 root S < 8940 1 0.2 8.8 SDecoderServer


================================= ==============
just watching a uk nds hd channel using multicas

PID USER STATUS RSS PPID %CPU %MEM COMMAND
957 root S < 16M 1 12.4 17.1 CRTVCore
993 root S < 7884 991 8.5 7.8 SDecoderServer
1019 root S < 16M 969 6.3 17.1 CRTVCore
955 root S < 788 1 4.4 0.7 ir_control
19165 root R N 468 17942 3.7 0.4 top
992 root S < 7884 991 2.2 7.8 SDecoderServer
958 root S < 704 1 1.2 0.7 CRTVSetup
18398 root S N 4596 14234 1.1 4.5 emu_module
979 root S < 15M 1 0.9 16.2 DStar
972 root S N 1256 971 0.5 1.2 file_control
783 root SW< 0 5 0.5 0.0 usb-storage
1017 root S < 16M 969 0.3 17.1 CRTVCore
956 root S N 1256 1 0.3 1.2 file_control
919 root S N 852 1 0.3 0.8 JIPC_Server
871 root S N 268 1 0.3 0.2 telnetd
1012 root S < 16M 969 0.1 17.1 CRTVCore
1015 root S < 16M 969 0.1 17.1 CRTVCore
1018 root S < 16M 969 0.1 17.1 CRTVCore
18178 root S < 16M 969 0.1 17.1 CRTVCore

[buyukbang]

What is you HDD dormat type ? ext 3 is slow for azbox, ext 2 is about x2 faster according to my experiences.

[happyhammer]

its ext2, it was formatted by the AZBox.

I'm using a couple of 2.5" usb hard drive adapters to test, one for an old laptop IDE hard drive, another for an old laptop SATA hard drive. Same result for either one i tried.

AZBox[~]$ mount
/proc on /proc type proc (rw,nodiratime)
/dev/mtdblock5 on /DISK1 type jffs2 (ro,noatime)
devpts on /dev/pts type devpts (rw)
tmpfs on /tmp type tmpfs (rw)
sysfs on /sys type sysfs (rw)
/dev/hda1 on /MMP type ex** (ro,data=ordered)
/dev/hda2 on /PLUGINS type ex** (rw,data=ordered)
/dev/hda3 on /DISK2 type ex** (rw,data=ordered)
/dev/hda4 on /Download type ex** (rw,data=ordered)
/dev/sda1 on /DATA/usb1/sda1 type ext2 (rw,nogrpid)
192.168.1.201:/e/dreambox on /DATA/movie type nfs (rw,v3,rsize=32768,wsize=32768,ha rd,intr,nolock,proto=udp,addr=192 .168.1.201)
192.168.1.201:/e/dreambox on /DATA/picture type nfs (rw,v3,rsize=32768,wsize=32768,ha rd,intr,nolock,proto=udp,addr=192 .168.1.201)
192.168.1.201:/e/dreambox on /DATA/music type nfs (rw,v3,rsize=32768,wsize=32768,ha rd,intr,nolock,proto=udp,addr=192 .168.1.201)

[tx0]

I'm on ext 3 and it freezes too. Thats not a server problem since cccam 2.1.4 with dm800 works and records ok.

[happyhammer]

no, its not a server problem,my server is good and i can record SD content, no problem. Its the AZbox not being able to record HD content using an EMU as a cccam client to a server, either Multicas or Mgcamd clients suffer the same problem.

Maybe its only an elite model problem which has to use a USB HDD. Perhaps Premium users have hardware acceleartion/larger DOM and also the option of an internal HDD instead of an external USB drive. thats allows them to record HD??

Is there anyone with an Elite model been able to record UK NDS HD content using Muticas?

[hperez]

Maybe its only an elite model problem which has to use a USB HDD. Perhaps Premium users have hardware acceleartion/larger DOM and also the option of an internal HDD instead of an external USB drive. thats allows them to record HD??

I have a premium+ and I also have the same problem to record HD channels.

[aoryx]

same here
premium/ext2 both mgcamd and muticas

[happyhammer]

Strange, teh last two posts seem to indicate that no-one can record HD content using emu. Surely that cant be the case?

Is there any direct way to overclock the Elite model? i ask because HArdware accelarion ON cause my elite to lock up (it has DVB-S and DVB-T cards installed).

I just dont get why i cant use this as a PVR for encrpted HD, i really was sold a pup here.

[MrKappa]

I'd like to share my experience: I have Premium plus with internal 1Tb HDD and using Multicas I can record HD/SD programs. But I remember that using external HDD I have several freezes using timeshift or recording.
Ext2 is the best format because is faster.

[happyhammer]

Good news for us Elite users.

using latest KDG, i am able to record uk encrypted HD content using Multicas as cccam client to a USB attached drive. Just some pixellations now and then.

i also have priority manager active.

here's the output from the top command


1039 1038 root S < 46472 46.2 0 37.3 /MMP/usr/bin/SDecoderServer
1003 1 root S < 60416 60.1 0 10.7 /MMP/usr/bin/CRTVCore
1040 1038 root S < 46472 46.2 0 8.0 /MMP/usr/bin/SDecoderServer
1074 1041 root S < 60416 60.1 0 6.2 /MMP/usr/bin/CRTVCore
1001 1 root S < 3812 3.7 0 4.8 /MMP/usr/bin/ir_control -td210
775 5 root SW< 0 0.0 0 2.7 [usb-storage]
14296 3915 root R N 2352 2.3 0 2.4 top
60 1 root DW 0 0.0 0 1.9 [kswapd0]
1004 1 root S < 4160 4.1 0 1.6 /MMP/usr/bin/CRTVSetup
2445 1 root S < 8792 8.7 0 1.4 /EMU/OpenXCAS/MultiCAS/emu_module
1025 1 root S < 60172 59.8 0 1.2 /MMP/usr/bin/DStar
59 5 root SW 0 0.0 0 1.1 [pdflush]
1068 1041 root S < 60416 60.1 0 0.4 /MMP/usr/bin/CRTVCore
1091 1 root S 3032 3.0 0 0.4 /bin/sh /PLUGINS/PriorityManager/P
1042 1041 root S < 60416 60.1 0 0.3 /MMP/usr/bin/CRTVCore
2373 1041 root S < 60416 60.1 0 0.3 /MMP/usr/bin/CRTVCore
1069 1041 root S < 60416 60.1 0 0.3 /MMP/usr/bin/CRTVCore
1071 1041 root S < 60416 60.1 0 0.3 /MMP/usr/bin/CRTVCore
1072 1041 root S < 60416 60.1 0 0.3 /MMP/usr/bin/CRTVCore
2370 1041 root S < 60416 60.1 0 0.3 /MMP/usr/bin/CRTVCore
1002 1 root S N 12632 12.5 0 0.3 /MMP/usr/bin/file_control
2450 2449 root S < 8792 8.7 0 0.3 /EMU/OpenXCAS/MultiCAS/emu_module
965 1 root R N 3800 3.7 0 0.3 /MMP/usr/bin/JIPC_Server
1070 1041 root S < 60416 60.1 0 0.1 /MMP/usr/bin/CRTVCore
1073 1041 root S < 60416 60.1 0 0.1 /MMP/usr/bin/CRTVCore
1010 1009 root S N 12632 12.5 0 0.1 /MMP/usr/bin/file_control
1011 1009 root S N 12632 12.5 0 0.1 /MMP/usr/bin/file_control

[happyhammer]

OK, so now that recording is working with the KDG firmware. It would be useful to find out why and could these changes be applied to official versions that will come out later?


Since i used Priority Manager before, i dont think its the actual processes, the DOM speed or the swap file. I suspect its managing RAM, with the KDG getting rid of a lot of icons in the channel lists etc. here the feature i reckon thats solved the recording problem:

"New Skin Mpiero minimalist reduces memory consumption by 70% the same here the skin is reduced to a minimum by removing graphics imnecesarios this makes the navigation of the data is very very fast and smooth, we have taken this step because we think the speed is better than aesthetics."


Are there any other skins that are minimalistic?

[buyukbang]

I think sdparm helped your USB recording in a goodway. This is like hdparm that is used in PM that fastens DOM, but sdparm is used to change usb device parameters. It's integrated with the latest KGD firmware. Since your experience is very good with this, I'm planning to add sdparm in PM v1.8, so that it'll be available with all firmwares. Is it possible to test v1.8 for me with your usb hdd. I'll also test this but always a second view helps.


OK, so now that recording is working with the KDG firmware. It would be useful to find out why and could these changes be applied to official versions that will come out later?


Since i used Priority Manager before, i dont think its the actual processes, the DOM speed or the swap file. I suspect its managing RAM, with the KDG getting rid of a lot of icons in the channel lists etc. here the feature i reckon thats solved the recording problem:

"New Skin Mpiero minimalist reduces memory consumption by 70% the same here the skin is reduced to a minimum by removing graphics imnecesarios this makes the navigation of the data is very very fast and smooth, we have taken this step because we think the speed is better than aesthetics."


Are there any other skins that are minimalistic?

[happyhammer]

I think sdparm helped your USB recording in a goodway. This is like hdparm that is used in PM that fastens DOM, but sdparm is used to change usb device parameters. It's integrated with the latest KGD firmware. Since your experience is very good with this, I'm planning to add sdparm in PM v1.8, so that it'll be available with all firmwares. Is it possible to test v1.8 for me with your usb hdd. I'll also test this but always a second view helps.

i can test today, or it will be the weekend. i take it i would have to use an opensat version and get PM 1.8 that has a sdparm option, correct?

[buyukbang]

Yes, exactly. I'm far away from my azbox and I'll be back home lately, so may be we can work on these together on Sunday?

Before you swith your firmware back to official firmware we need to find your current usb pameters set by KGD (since we'll use them in official firmware). From following links -a, -e, -i, -l and -v parameters seems as giving outputs about the usb hdd.

http://sg.danny.cz/sg/sdparm.html
http://linux.die.net/man/8/sdparm
http://www.go2linux.org/man-sdparm-linux-command

But I'm not sure which one we need at the moment. I'll work on sdparm command with azbox and will see which parameters works with azbox, then inform you. I think we can even do test with original firmware + PM v1.7 activated + sdparm command with your current parameters. Then if we get successful results, I'll integrate this in v1.8 with an simple option in settings file.

An sdparm executable compiled for azbox exists in azbox related forums available for downloading. I checked one and it worked. So we can use it.


i can test today, or it will be the weekend. i take it i would have to use an opensat version and get PM 1.8 that has a sdparm option, correct?

[happyhammer]

installed sdparm on my KDG firmware load. attached is the command responses

[buyukbang]

As I promised, I tested recording to NFS mount today with PM v1.8. The result was perfect, no freezes, no glitches. I just activated NFS mount feature of Priority Manager and added below setting:

NFS[1]="mount -t nfs $REMOTE_IP:/download /DATA/hdb1/recordfile/ -o nolock,rsize=32768,wsize=32768"



NFS[1]="mount -t nfs $REMOTE_IP:/download /DATA/hdb1/recordfile/ -o nolock,rsize=32768,wsize=32768"
In this line I used "/DATA/hdb1/recordfile/" because I have an internal HDD and "/DATA/recordfile directory" is automatically mapped to "/DATA/hdb1/recordfile/" by the firmware while booting. So if there is no HDD, a flashdisk can help. In this situation below lines can be used:

If flashdisk inserted into usb1 port:



NFS[1]="mount -t nfs $REMOTE_IP:/download /DATA/usb1/sda1/recordfile/ -o nolock,rsize=32768,wsize=32768"

If flashdisk inserted into usb2 port:



NFS[1]="mount -t nfs $REMOTE_IP:/download /DATA/usb2/sda1/recordfile/ -o nolock,rsize=32768,wsize=32768"

When using Priority Manager, this is all needed for recording to NFS mounts.

[happyhammer]

Sorry, this does not work for me.

I installed latest 5020 firmware, PM1.8. It does not work recording to the USB attached drive let alone trying an NFS mount to a networked share.

So far, only KDG firmware can record HD content to local USB drive using Multicas as ccam client to a remote cccam server.

i am using an elite and the problem is the same as my first post.

[buyukbang]

Hmm, strange. Gorsky did same test with Elite (4890+PMv1.8) and managed to record to NAS drive over NFS, too. He wrote his report toAZboxHD . es forum.


Sorry, this does not work for me.

I installed latest 5020 firmware, PM1.8. It does not work recording to the USB attached drive let alone trying an NFS mount to a networked share.

So far, only KDG firmware can record HD content to local USB drive using Multicas as ccam client to a remote cccam server.

i am using an elite and the problem is the same as my first post.

[happyhammer]

i signed up to that forum and read gorski's post.

I dont think this is quite the same thing. There is no mention in the posts about whether he is recording SD or HD, FTA or encrypted, local card or CS, Muticas or which emu etc,

Recording SD content to a NAS via a small usb stick has been a workaround for some time.

also, i noticed his NFS mounts use rsize and wsize = 8192 whereas we are using 32768 which is supposed to help. I am using hanewin as the NFS server, maybe i will try a linux PC to see if there are differences.

[buyukbang]

Maybe this helps, this is my setup: I'm using hanewin (rsize and wsize = 32768) on windows 7, too. My PC and azbox is connected through wire to my modem/router. Using firmware 5020 with PM 1.8 with PRIORITY_MANAGEMENT, SWAPPER, UPGRADE_BUSYBOX, DOM_SPEED, NFS_MOUNT options activated.


i signed up to that forum and read gorski's post.

I dont think this is quite the same thing. There is no mention in the posts about whether he is recording SD or HD, FTA or encrypted, local card or CS, Muticas or which emu etc,

Recording SD content to a NAS via a small usb stick has been a workaround for some time.

also, i noticed his NFS mounts use rsize and wsize = 8192 whereas we are using 32768 which is supposed to help. I am using hanewin as the NFS server, maybe i will try a linux PC to see if there are differences.

[happyhammer]

My set up is much the same. As i say, i have only been able to get KDG firmware to record to USB HDD when using MultiCAS as cccam client to external server ,decoding NDS encryped content.

[spinmar]

I'm experiencing the same problem with the only difference that I'm using mgcamd instead of multicas.
My azbox is using mgcamd as newcamd client to external server (dreambox dm8000), decoding NDS encryped content, and I can't record on nfs server.
Does someone test mgcamd client to record encryped contents on an extenal nfs server?
It seems that only a small file is created on nfs server....
Any hints?
Thanks

[eme]

i sorted most of the freezing, bought a dm800. i could not put up with hd on az premium any longer.:banghead:

[happyhammer]

forget trying to record HD content to NFS server, the CPU can't handle it. When/If E2 comes out, maybe it will consume sufficiently less CPU/RAM power to allow NFS recording, but i would doubt it.

[spinmar]

But I'm not tallking to record hd content....
SD content is not working too....