EPG OTA update unreliable

[Bobins]

Hi again. Had to re-run my test as I've been away on business and the logs get over written daily.

I re-booted the system and immediately ran a manual EPG update. Whilst the EPG looked better this time, it was difficult to be certain as the other half has setup lots of manual recordings to compensate for the regular missing recurring recordings when the EPG fails to update.

Logs are attached

[sub]

Hi again. Had to re-run my test as I've been away on business and the logs get over written daily.

I re-booted the system and immediately ran a manual EPG update. Whilst the EPG looked better this time

If you can reproduce a case where it doesn't look ok, post the logs and I'll take a look.

[Bobins]

Hi Sub.

Sorry it's taken time to get back to you but the logs get over written so fast. Please find attached log of last nights update. BBC1 and Channel 5 are showing "No Show details" for today. NPVR interface was not running at the time so no log for that.

[paddym]

+1 For oddness in OTA EPG

I am new to nPVR but not to PC-based HTPCs.
So, if this is a config problem of my own doing I apologise in advance.
Whatever the case, respect is due to 'sub' for producing such a thing.

Running v3.3.8 + patches up to at least 12 Nov
Same general symptom as Bobins - partial filling of EPG.
Usually fixable by manual update - but not always.
If fixed it seems to degrade sometime afterward.

UK, Central region, Sutton Coldfeld TX.
1 antenna source + distribution amp.
TVs seem happy with the signals.
TV diagnostics report signal levels & quality is OK for all muxes
PC receivers tune OK and record fine when EPG is working.

3 systems with separate feeds from distribution amp.
All run Win7-64, different motherboards and lightly loaded CPUs.
A mix of receivers running with latest driivers.
2 of (PCTV-290e [DVBT2] + UB499[twin DVBT])
1 of (Astrometa DVB-T2)

All systems are running 24-7 while I try to establish a stable recording platform.
Problem has been seen on all three setups but not always at the same time.

The 'Configuration.OTAEPG' page makes me think the update is a once/day process.
So I have tried to spread the EPG update times out a bit (02.32 am, 02.42am ,06.19am).
[Sub - Would allowing OTA EPG updates more than once/day improve reliability ?]

I have attached logs that I hope include the misbehaviour (if Bobins logs do not provide enough clues).
Had to stop nPVR and recording service so that 7-zip could make an archive of the logs (probably normal?)
Upon restart of service and nPVR the EPG was still patchy.

Hints are welcome if there are other tests I could have/should have done.

Thanks in advance.

[Bobins]

Any thoughts Sub?

I'm going away in a couple of days and with the EPG being so unreliable I'm heading for some severe grief if NPVR doesn't record all the things the other half is programming to record :eek:

[sub]

Is it a strictly overnight problem with pulling in the EPG now, or can you reproduce it by click 'Update EPG'? If the latter, is their any chance I could remote into your machine to look at the problem, and try some patches? The lack of being able to reproduce it here has lead to me not making much progress on it.

I'm sure it's something minor, but I need a bit more info to determine what the problem is.

No worries if you'd rather not go down that path. We can always find another way.

[Bobins]

Hi Sub,

the problem occurs day or night and Manual update from the system screen has the same issue as the early morning auto-update. My only challenge with the remote access is the system is in regular use for recording and even I struggle to get free time to "fiddle" with it. (not my description of trying to sort the problem you understand )

What sort of UK time would you want access?

[sub]

Hi Sub,

the problem occurs day or night and Manual update from the system screen has the same issue as the early morning auto-update. My only challenge with the remote access is the system is in regular use for recording and even I struggle to get free time to "fiddle" with it. (not my description of trying to sort the problem you understand )

What sort of UK time would you want access?

I'm pretty flexible. To avoid primetime, I can either do it in your early evening, or overnight in the wee hours of the morning. I can either do Remote Desktop, TeamViewer or Logmein.

I'd probably need about an hour or so. (I'm out for the next couple of hours though)

[Bobins]

I'll sort out RDP access to the media server through the firewall and PM you the login so you can have access tomorrow if that's ok?

[sub]

Ok - that sounds good.