Live TV won't start Root element is missing

[rinnue]

My setup has run fine for months. This issue start about 2 weeks ago. Every day or so i get these issues now.

Live tv won't stream on any client even the one on the backend pc. I've picked through lots of settings and I'm puzzled. Rebooting the backend pc fixes the issue. Recorded tv or movies play fine.


My setup:

backend- Win10 pc on LAN

front end - KODI on NVIDIA shield tv


I also have KODI and NextPVR client installed on the backed machine for setup and troubleshooting.


If you search the log for "failed" or "root element is missing" you will find the errors.
For some reason I cannot a
upload the whole log.


2021-01-01 18:43:40.914 [DEBUG][90] Got request [192.168.0.146]: /services/service (channel.stream.start)
2021-01-01 18:43:40.914 [DEBUG][90] method=channel.stream.start
2021-01-01 18:43:40.914 [DEBUG][90] parameters:
2021-01-01 18:43:40.914 [DEBUG][90]   method: channel.stream.start
2021-01-01 18:43:40.914 [DEBUG][90]   channel_id: 7178
2021-01-01 18:43:40.914 [DEBUG][90]   sid: e2a481fc90944af0a1a7522ccc1d0d09
2021-01-01 18:43:40.914 [DEBUG][90]   client_ip: 192.168.0.146
2021-01-01 18:43:40.914 [DEBUG][90]   user_agent: Kodi/18.9 (Linux; Android 9.0; SHIELD Android TV Build/PPR1.180610.011) Android/9.0.0 Sys_CPU/armv8l App_Bitness/32 Version/18.9-(18.9.0)-Git:20201023-0655c2c718
2021-01-01 18:43:40.914 [DEBUG][90]   host_callback: 192.168.0.121:8866
2021-01-01 18:43:40.915 [DEBUG][90] StartStream(7178:FOX28)
2021-01-01 18:43:40.915 [DEBUG][90] looking for capture source (in reverse priority order)
2021-01-01 18:43:40.915 [DEBUG][90] checking: IPTV (http://...)
2021-01-01 18:43:40.915 [DEBUG][90] enabled and present
2021-01-01 18:43:40.915 [DEBUG][90] does not have channel
2021-01-01 18:43:40.915 [DEBUG][90] checking: IPTV (http://...)
2021-01-01 18:43:40.915 [DEBUG][90] enabled and present
2021-01-01 18:43:40.915 [DEBUG][90] does not have channel
2021-01-01 18:43:40.915 [DEBUG][90] checking: IPTV (http://...)
2021-01-01 18:43:40.915 [DEBUG][90] enabled and present
2021-01-01 18:43:40.915 [DEBUG][90] does not have channel
2021-01-01 18:43:40.915 [DEBUG][90] checking: IPTV (http://...)
2021-01-01 18:43:40.915 [DEBUG][90] enabled and present
2021-01-01 18:43:40.915 [DEBUG][90] does not have channel
2021-01-01 18:43:40.915 [DEBUG][90] checking: IPTV (http://...)
2021-01-01 18:43:40.915 [DEBUG][90] enabled and present
2021-01-01 18:43:40.915 [DEBUG][90] does not have channel
2021-01-01 18:43:40.915 [DEBUG][90] checking: IPTV (http://...)
2021-01-01 18:43:40.916 [DEBUG][90] enabled and present
2021-01-01 18:43:40.916 [DEBUG][90] has channel
2021-01-01 18:43:40.916 [DEBUG][90] live tv is possible
2021-01-01 18:43:40.916 [DEBUG][90] http://localhost:50520/stream/start?slip...FOX28-7.ts
2021-01-01 18:43:40.929 [DEBUG][90]
2021-01-01 18:43:40.934 [ERROR][90] Unexpected error on LocalRecorder.StartStream(): System.Xml.XmlException: Root element is missing.
  at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Throw(Exception e)
  at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ParseDocumentContent()
  at System.Xml.XmlLoader.Load(XmlDocument doc, XmlReader reader, Boolean preserveWhitespace)
  at System.Xml.XmlDocument.Load(XmlReader reader)
  at System.Xml.XmlDocument.LoadXml(String xml)
  at NShared.LocalRecorder.StartStream(ChannelMapping channelMapping, String target, String& reason)
2021-01-01 18:43:40.934 [ERROR][90] Unable to StartStream(): Root element is missing.
2021-01-01 18:43:40.934 [DEBUG][90] checking: IPTV (http://...)
2021-01-01 18:43:40.934 [DEBUG][90] enabled and present
2021-01-01 18:43:40.934 [DEBUG][90] has channel
2021-01-01 18:43:40.934 [DEBUG][90] live tv is possible
2021-01-01 18:43:40.934 [DEBUG][90] http://localhost:50398/stream/start?slip...FOX28-7.ts
2021-01-01 18:43:40.943 [DEBUG][90]
2021-01-01 18:43:40.943 [ERROR][90] Unexpected error on LocalRecorder.StartStream(): System.Xml.XmlException: Root element is missing.
  at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Throw(Exception e)
  at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ParseDocumentContent()
  at System.Xml.XmlLoader.Load(XmlDocument doc, XmlReader reader, Boolean preserveWhitespace)
  at System.Xml.XmlDocument.Load(XmlReader reader)
  at System.Xml.XmlDocument.LoadXml(String xml)
  at NShared.LocalRecorder.StartStream(ChannelMapping channelMapping, String target, String& reason)
2021-01-01 18:43:40.943 [ERROR][90] Unable to StartStream(): Root element is missing.
2021-01-01 18:43:40.943 [DEBUG][90] checking: IPTV (http://...)
2021-01-01 18:43:40.943 [DEBUG][90] enabled and present
2021-01-01 18:43:40.943 [DEBUG][90] has channel
2021-01-01 18:43:40.943 [DEBUG][90] live tv is possible
2021-01-01 18:43:40.943 [DEBUG][90] http://localhost:50403/stream/start?slip...FOX28-7.ts
2021-01-01 18:43:40.951 [DEBUG][90]
2021-01-01 18:43:40.951 [ERROR][90] Unexpected error on LocalRecorder.StartStream(): System.Xml.XmlException: Root element is missing.
  at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Throw(Exception e)
  at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ParseDocumentContent()
  at System.Xml.XmlLoader.Load(XmlDocument doc, XmlReader reader, Boolean preserveWhitespace)
  at System.Xml.XmlDocument.Load(XmlReader reader)
  at System.Xml.XmlDocument.LoadXml(String xml)
  at NShared.LocalRecorder.StartStream(ChannelMapping channelMapping, String target, String& reason)
2021-01-01 18:43:40.951 [ERROR][90] Unable to StartStream(): Root element is missing.
2021-01-01 18:43:40.951 [DEBUG][90] checking: IPTV (http://...)
2021-01-01 18:43:40.951 [DEBUG][90] enabled and present
2021-01-01 18:43:40.951 [DEBUG][90] has channel
2021-01-01 18:43:40.951 [DEBUG][90] live tv is possible
2021-01-01 18:43:40.951 [DEBUG][90] http://localhost:50562/stream/start?slip...FOX28-7.ts
2021-01-01 18:43:40.959 [DEBUG][90]
2021-01-01 18:43:40.959 [ERROR][90] Unexpected error on LocalRecorder.StartStream(): System.Xml.XmlException: Root element is missing.
  at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Throw(Exception e)
  at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ParseDocumentContent()
  at System.Xml.XmlLoader.Load(XmlDocument doc, XmlReader reader, Boolean preserveWhitespace)
  at System.Xml.XmlDocument.Load(XmlReader reader)
  at System.Xml.XmlDocument.LoadXml(String xml)
  at NShared.LocalRecorder.StartStream(ChannelMapping channelMapping, String target, String& reason)
2021-01-01 18:43:40.959 [ERROR][90] Unable to StartStream(): Root element is missing.
2021-01-01 18:43:40.959 [ERROR][90] Unable to start live stream for timeshift: Unable to find available capture device
(Root element is missing.)
2021-01-01 18:43:40.959 [DEBUG][90] <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<rsp stat="fail">
  <err code="11" msg="Failed to start stream: Unable to find available capture device
(Root element is missing.)" />
</rsp>

[mvallevand]

You need to send the zipped logs not snippets.

Martin

[rinnue]

I would be happy to. However, when i drag the file or navigate to the file to upload the post errors and never uploads the file.  I'm at over an hour now just trying to post this. Is there a trick to this?

[rinnue]

Awesome. Looks like the zip logs uploaded that time. Not sure what was different. I got the same odd errors and all. But it worked!

[mvallevand]

There are several examples like this where the driver disappears but you PC is not going to full sleep. Check your sleep setting to make sure devices are being kept awake too.

Code:

2021-01-01 12:54:15.976    [DEBUG][5]    Removing filter  Network Provider
2021-01-01 18:43:40.916    [INFO][4]    Got POST request: /stream/start?slipseconds=1200&target=LIVE%26C%3A%5CUsers%5CPublic%5CVideos%5Clive-FOX28-7.ts
2021-01-01 18:43:40.916    [DEBUG][4]    Starting Stream: LIVE&C:\Users\Public\Videos\live-FOX28-7.ts
2021-01-01 18:43:40.917    [DEBUG][4]    SlipSeconds: 1200
2021-01-01 18:43:40.917    [DEBUG][4]    Tuning:
<tuning>
  <type>ATSC</type>
  <locator>
    <physical_channel>27</physical_channel>
  </locator>
  <service_id>3</service_id>
  <tsid>2269</tsid>
  <service_type>1</service_type>
  <provider>ATSC</provider>
</tuning>

2021-01-01 18:43:40.917    [DEBUG][4]    StartStream(): LIVE&C:\Users\Public\Videos\live-FOX28-7.ts
2021-01-01 18:43:40.923    [DEBUG][4]    FindFilterByName failed to locate filter: Microsoft Network Provider
2021-01-01 18:43:40.927    [DEBUG][4]    FindFilterByName failed to locate filter: Microsoft ATSC Network Provider

[BrettB]

My setup has run fine for months. This issue start about 2 weeks ago. Every day or so i get these issues now.

Live tv won't stream on any client even the one on the backend pc. I've picked through lots of settings and I'm puzzled. Rebooting the backend pc fixes the issue. Recorded tv or movies play fine.

When you say "Recorded tv or movies play fine." do you mean that after your begin having problems, you are still able to make new recordings and then play them OK? Or do you mean that shows which were previously successfully recorded still play fine? That is a very important distinction!

If you mean the former, then it is important to keep in mind that behind the scenes NPVR works somewhat differently for Live TV vs. recording. Generally, the selection of which tuner to use is reversed with recordings using the first available tuner from the top of the list and Live TV using the last available tuner from the bottom of the list. Additionally, Live TV puts the temporary files it needs in the Live TV Buffer Directory specified in the NPVR Settings | General page which recordings will go to the Recording Directory.

What tuner sources do you have? Your zipped logs seem to indicate that you have had a Hauppauge WinTV 885 ATSC at some point. But in the log snipit you provided it is only showing IPTV sources that it is trying. And the first 4 of the IPTV tuners don't have the requested channel available. The last 4 seem to have it available, but when NPVR tries to use those to get the channel, it's getting that "root element is missing" error. Is the Fox28 channel really available from half of your IPTV tuners and not the other half? And is that where it should be coming from (vs. the missing Hauppauge WinTV 855)?

Your NRecord.log files have rolled over more than 4 times since the NPVR server was started, so we can't see the startup and tuner detection then. It might be helpful if you could restart the server, do a Live TV test, and then capture and upload the zipped logs. Even if it works, those will provide helpful information about which tuner is being used when it works successfully.

[rinnue]

There are several examples like this where the driver disappears but you PC is not going to full sleep.  Check your sleep setting to make sure devices are being kept awake too.

Code:

2021-01-01 12:54:15.976    [DEBUG][5]    Removing filter  Network Provider
2021-01-01 18:43:40.916    [INFO][4]    Got POST request: /stream/start?slipseconds=1200&target=LIVE%26C%3A%5CUsers%5CPublic%5CVideos%5Clive-FOX28-7.ts
2021-01-01 18:43:40.916    [DEBUG][4]    Starting Stream: LIVE&C:\Users\Public\Videos\live-FOX28-7.ts
2021-01-01 18:43:40.917    [DEBUG][4]    SlipSeconds: 1200
2021-01-01 18:43:40.917    [DEBUG][4]    Tuning:
<tuning>
  <type>ATSC</type>
  <locator>
    <physical_channel>27</physical_channel>
  </locator>
  <service_id>3</service_id>
  <tsid>2269</tsid>
  <service_type>1</service_type>
  <provider>ATSC</provider>
</tuning>

2021-01-01 18:43:40.917    [DEBUG][4]    StartStream(): LIVE&C:\Users\Public\Videos\live-FOX28-7.ts
2021-01-01 18:43:40.923    [DEBUG][4]    FindFilterByName failed to locate filter: Microsoft Network Provider
2021-01-01 18:43:40.927    [DEBUG][4]    FindFilterByName failed to locate filter: Microsoft ATSC Network Provider

The power settings were set up to never sleep. Windows might be doing something unexpected though. I see there is another power setting choice in Win 10 called Ultimate Performance. So, I just changed this from High Performance to Ultimate.

[rinnue]

My setup has run fine for months. This issue start about 2 weeks ago. Every day or so i get these issues now.

Live tv won't stream on any client even the one on the backend pc. I've picked through lots of settings and I'm puzzled. Rebooting the backend pc fixes the issue. Recorded tv or movies play fine.

When you say "Recorded tv or movies play fine." do you mean that after your begin having problems, you are still able to make new recordings and then play them OK? Or do you mean that shows which were previously successfully recorded still play fine? That is a very important distinction!

If you mean the former, then it is important to keep in mind that behind the scenes NPVR works somewhat differently for Live TV vs. recording. Generally, the selection of which tuner to use is reversed with recordings using the first available tuner from the top of the list and Live TV using the last available tuner from the bottom of the list. Additionally, Live TV puts the temporary files it needs in the Live TV Buffer Directory specified in the NPVR Settings | General page which recordings will go to the Recording Directory.

What tuner sources do you have? Your zipped logs seem to indicate that you have had a Hauppauge WinTV 885 ATSC at some point. But in the log snipit you provided it is only showing IPTV sources that it is trying. And the first 4 of the IPTV tuners don't have the requested channel available. The last 4 seem to have it available, but when NPVR tries to use those to get the channel, it's getting that "root element is missing" error. Is the Fox28 channel really available from half of your IPTV tuners and not the other half? And is that where it should be coming from (vs. the missing Hauppauge WinTV 855)?

Your NRecord.log files have rolled over more than 4 times since the NPVR server was started, so we can't see the startup and tuner detection then. It might be helpful if you could restart the server, do a Live TV test, and then capture and upload the zipped logs. Even if it works, those will provide helpful information about which tuner is being used when it works successfully.

This is very interesting. I was seeing what you point out here in the log but I didn't know what to make of it. Something is really messed up.

Once the problem begins i can watch previously recorded tv. Scheduled recordings will fail.
I have a Hauppauge Quad TV PCIe tuner. Ihave no IPTV set up it is all ATSC.
I'll reboot the server and post a new log in a bit.
Also, a reboot always fixes the issue. After the reboot it may run fine for a day or two.

[BrettB]

Once the problem begins i can watch previously recorded tv. Scheduled recordings will fail.
I have a Hauppauge Quad TV PCIe tuner. Ihave no IPTV set up it is all ATSC.
I'll reboot the server and post a new log in a bit.
Also, a reboot always fixes the issue. After the reboot it may run fine for a day or two.

OK. I think that every new NextPVR setup includes an "IPTV" tuner by default. I'm not sure exactly why. I think that the "checking: IPTV (http://...)" log messages are a bug and it is using the tuner name from that first tuner rather than the tuner name for actual tuner it's trying at that point.

So it looks like the driver for your Hauppauge Quad TV tuner is dying for some reason. You could try checking the Windows event logs to see if they give any details on why it's dying. You might also check the Hauppauge website to see if you've got the latest drivers installed already.

One other thing you might want to do (this wouldn't affect your problem at all, but would help to reduce clutter in your logs and status screens) would be to disable the unused tuners (the IPTV one and the QAM versions of of the 4 Hauppauge devices) that way NPVR won't keep checking to see if they can be used. To do that go to the Settings | Devices web page. Then press the Ctrl key. That will cause the priority change arrows to get replaced with "Disable" and "Delete". Click the "Disable" for the tuners you aren't using.

[mvallevand]

I saw the error on 3 tuners (one wasn't logged) and on live tv and recordings (there were no recordings after a long break) Check for PCI sleep settings.

Martin