Recommendation for Dual or Quad Tuner

[sirlou]

Hi folx, I've only been using NextPVR for a few months, since I had to switch to Win 10 and lost WMC. I use an old SiliconDust HDHomerRun Dual tuner. 

I like it overall but every now and again I get an unforced error, like last week where I had 4 records fail one night with the dreaded error:
[Failed: No errors, but no data delivered. This is usually because the device failed to lock a signal.]

Had that happen a couple times back when I first started using the app, it was suggested it had to do with my tuner, and sure enuf I needed to update the software. But that is not what caused the error this time and I checked the logs and cannot figure it out. I'm posting em in case anyone can help, but I think the writing is on the wall and I need a new tuner.

What is the most recommended tuner around these parts?

Lou

[mvallevand]

When was the failure?

Martin

[sirlou]

Sorry Martin, life took over and I did nto respond. I wish I had because now NextPVR has been failing to record a lot again and I've just found out that it has been failing to record shows since last week (Feb 16). Log files attached.

I have been making sure my HS Homerun software is up to date (no changes since Dec) and that my EPG is up to date. I have no idea why this keeps happening but it make me quite sad and I really miss the reliability of MS WMC. I am so annoyed they took it away. It seems no matter what I do I cannot keep NextPVR running well.

Once again any help appreciated, folx!

lou

[sirlou]

As an addendum, I just tried a quick manual recording and it worked fine. I have schedules something for later tonight and going to see what happens then as well.

This may harken back to an earlier concern I had that I have still not clarified, whether or not NextPVR requires a working internet connection to record. Because it could be that if my internet connection was spotty maybe theat is why the recordings did not work. Although given it was multiple recordings from 2/16 to 2/22 I kind of doubt my internet connection was spotty every single time. I use it all the time and did not notice terrible service or dropouts constantly over the last week.

[sirlou]

Scheduled two recordings tonight, both of them completed without a hitch. No idea why the others failed and why this keeps happening. Argh!

L

[mvallevand]

I had a look at your logs and you have a lot of failed recordings by rules. Could you send a link to your database? Also refrain from posting all over the forum on posts that have nothing to do with your problem. You may feel their "pain" but it gets in the way of solving their different problems.

Martin

[sirlou]

I had a look at your logs and you have a lot of failed recordings by rules.  Could you send a link to your database?

Martin

Sure! Um is this the file you are looking for?

https://starryknightpress.com/npvr.db3

Apologies for the other post. It seemed to be an issue similar to the one I keep having and he had hardware from the same company so I thought I would share my experiences. I will private message next time.

thanks,

Lou

[sirlou]

Also another quick update: I was able to answer the question about whether internet connection issues might be the root cause of all of the "failure to lock a signal" errors I keep getting. I believe it is a non-issue.

As you and Sub suggested in this thread (https://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?tid=64351) I unplugged my internet connection from the router and performed a recording, which went off without a hitch despite no internet connection on the recording machine.

So one question answered!

Lou

[mvallevand]

Thanks, his tuner is quite different from you legacy device so no comparison beyond the company name.

It looks like your HDHR is not getting a fixed IP from you router in the database it is 192.168.0.100 which matches the current logs but when if it renews tuning would break if it assigned another IP.

My suggestion would be to use the ATSC tuners with the BDA drivers since (I think) these can are not dependent on the IP address.

Your server is also not getting a fixed IP which is certainly goes to cause issues for networked use. Ideally you should use a router capable of providing a fact IP. Normally this is the case but perhaps you are powering down you router. Using a VPN might impact this too.

Martin

[sirlou]

A lot to unpack here, thanks so much for the help, Martin!

First, I attach an image of the tuners I have. So, you are suggesting I scan the ATSC tuners and then move those to the top of the list, correct? I can do that.

Second, apologies but what are "BDA drivers" you mention? And how do I use/enable them?

Third, I am not sure what a "fact IP" is, sorry. Maybe you can explain?

My router is a TP-Link TL-WRD3600 and I believe it is set up to use Dynamic IP addressing, which is chosen because my ISP uses a DHCP server and advised I use Dynamic IP addresses as they do not provide Static IP. I may be confused on what you mean tho, as I am not a networking expert.

I have it set up so that each device gets an IP address as it log onto the system, and that can change I guess if I reset the router which I sometimes do or when, for example, we use a work laptop which is then turned off at 5pm.

I am not sure I can assign a static ip address to a particular device, but i will check my router settings and see if that is possible.

Lastly, I don't use a VPN if that makes a difference.

I noticed when I had the NextPVR web interface open (the server) that the recordings yesterday went off without a hitch, the first time in over a week that it worked for me. Do you think if I leave the web interface open when recordsings are scheduled that may aid the issue of the IP address problem? Like praps the desktop app will see the server if it is presently open and active?

And again, I did not mean to offend and I'll try to limit myself to msging people and not posting on other people's issues. 

Lou

Thanks, his tuner is quite different from you legacy device so no comparison beyond the company name.

It looks like your HDHR  is not getting a fixed IP from you router in the database it is 192.168.0.100 which matches the current logs but when if it renews tuning would break if it assigned another IP.

My suggestion would be to use the ATSC tuners with the BDA drivers since (I think) these can are not dependent on the IP address.

Your server is also not getting a fixed IP  which is certainly goes to cause issues for networked use.  Ideally you should use a router capable of providing a fact IP.  Normally this is the case but perhaps you are powering down you router.  Using a VPN might impact this too.

Martin