UltraXMLTV runs manually, freezes when GBPVR calls it

[nappysolo]

FYI - Some other people are starting to see this behavior. See this thread:
http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?t=37878

I will try the "separate job" suggestion and see if I get better results.

[nappysolo]

Ok, here are some tests that I ran:

I made a little .bat file that just runs ultraxmltv_enhancer.exe. This is version 1.2.0.127, which I believe is the latest.

I ran this .bat file as a scheduled task using the "at" command, which runs it as SYSTEM. Ultraxmltv_enhancer.exe hung and I had to kill it with Task Manager.

I ran it again using "at", this time specifying /interactive. It worked.

I tried the same test using the previous version of ultraxmltv_enhancer.exe that I have (1.2.0.86). This version runs OK without specifying /interactive.

So it seems that this latest version requires access to an interactive session for some reason.

As a final test, I changed the properties of the GBPVRRecordingService service to "allow service to interact with desktop". Then I did an UpdateEPG using Ultraxmltv_enhancer v1.2.0.127. After the success with using /interactive above, I expected this to work, and it did.

For now, I will go with setting the service to interact with desktop, but it would be interesting to know what changed in the latest version that now requires a user interface.

[zehd]

Ok, here are some tests that I ran:

I made a little .bat file that just runs ultraxmltv_enhancer.exe. This is version 1.2.0.127, which I believe is the latest.

I ran this .bat file as a scheduled task using the "at" command, which runs it as SYSTEM. Ultraxmltv_enhancer.exe hung and I had to kill it with Task Manager.

I ran it again using "at", this time specifying /interactive. It worked.

I tried the same test using the previous version of ultraxmltv_enhancer.exe that I have (1.2.0.86). This version runs OK without specifying /interactive.

So it seems that this latest version requires access to an interactive session for some reason.

As a final test, I changed the properties of the GBPVRRecordingService service to "allow service to interact with desktop". Then I did an UpdateEPG using Ultraxmltv_enhancer v1.2.0.127. After the success with using /interactive above, I expected this to work, and it did.

For now, I will go with setting the service to interact with desktop, but it would be interesting to know what changed in the latest version that now requires a user interface.

Thank you for you tests.... A couple of versions ago I was tracking an error that I thought was related to Desktop sessions... and It actually wasn't. I still don't believe I have added or done anything to now require Desktop sessions, but I wouldn't be surprised. Just about all my software requires it, including ZProcess. I will see if I can find the issue, but if it now requires Desktop sessions, then I guess it will have to be that way...

[sub]

Does ultraxmltv_enhancer.exe download stuff from the net, or just work over an existing xml file?

[LewE]

I too have experienced probelms that seem similar. I got to this conclusion form the perspective of noticing that the recording-dump.xml file was not being created during the automatic EPG update. In case you are interested here is the linki to where it was discussed in the Support forum:

http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php...post298885

Since I have the same situation, with UltraXMLTV_Enhancer (boy, I wish that name were a lot shorter because of all the times I have had to type it these past days ) hanging during the nightly run and then staying in memory.

[LewE]

I will see if I can find the issue, but if it now requires Desktop sessions, then I guess it will have to be that way...

If you want a guinea pig to try out any new version of UltraXMLTV_Enhancer - possibly one that has logic to do even more detailed logging- I would be glad to help.

[zehd]

Does ultraxmltv_enhancer.exe download stuff from the net, or just work over an existing xml file?

IN it's default form, it just processes the xmltv, comparing dates to then mark a show new or not.

But to get season and episode identifiers, or perhaps further detailed Descriptions, It will go online to grab two xmls per show from theTVdb.com and/or an optional html from epguides.com. I parse the data and I'm getting about 20,000 records of North Amercian shows, in about 10-30 minutes..

There is logic in place to prevent downloading more than necessary. And theTVDB.com just recently forced me to change some other things, including getting a license, so they can monitor how many hits my app tries for...

I haven't been bothered by their police as I follow much the convention they wish for, and avoid a tonne of reduncancy...

In a basic UpdateEPG.bat, there is a downloader that will save a file to C:\EPG\xmltv.xml

Ultra's in and out path is the same, and so it will take the file process it into a temp file, and only when it finsihed does it rename the temp into the orginal input filename...

If Ultra freezes during the UpdateEPG.bat, that will hold up GB-PVR from updating it's EPG...

[zehd]

I too have experienced probelms that seem similar. I got to this conclusion form the perspective of noticing that the recording-dump.xml file was not being created during the automatic EPG update. In case you are interested here is the linki to where it was discussed in the Support forum:

http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php...post298885

Since I have the same situation, with UltraXMLTV_Enhancer (boy, I wish that name were a lot shorter because of all the times I have had to type it these past days ) hanging during the nightly run and then staying in memory.

OK for the record, Enhancer won't be calling a recording-dump.xml

The Manager, which is something that I hope we're not dealing with, as it is bound to give support issues, did call GB-PVR to save a recording-dump.xml

[SIZE="4"]If you're not specifically using the manager, then just call it Ultra...[/SIZE]

[zehd]

I too have experienced probelms that seem similar.

What I need from you is: (please zip and attach)

UpdateEPG.bat from GB_PVR folder
UltraXMLTV_RegSettings.txt from Ultra's folder

This should tell me what downloader you're using, where the xmltv file is saved, how the file is loaded into Ultra and what settings you are using in Ultra.

I will use those very same settings and run it on my dev machine and even on my own PVR. (That's putting my money where my mouth is)

Also, I'd like a full Original XMLTV file (zipped of course)

Or optionally, tell me the specifics of your schedules account with downloading and I can download my own copy of an xmltv file

[LewE]

What I need from you is: (please zip and attach)

UpdateEPG.bat from GB_PVR folder

I've updated both the UpdateEPG abnd PostUpdate bat files. I rem'ed out the line calling UltraXMLTV_Enhancer today to allow the automatic update to run successfully.

UltraXMLTV_RegSettings.txt from Ultra's folder

This is attached.

Also, I'd like a full Original XMLTV file (zipped of course)

That file is 14.8MB and zipped is 1.5MB and is apparently too big to upload. I will PM you about this.

Or optionally, tell me the specifics of your schedules account with downloading and I can download my own copy of an xmltv file

I will PM you about this.