Multiple encoders to one repository

[Dotball]

Hello team,

I have a situation where I have multiple HTPC installations all recording to one NAS storage point.

Each will record and report it's own recoding without fault and, in the situation of multiple instances recording the same data, sort out a hierarchy where one of the recordings will receive a suffix in the same directory structure. This can be dealt with using manual process or a script.

The issue is if HTPC-A creates a valid recording HTPC-B does not see it in the shared data location, and vice versa. You can force it to play using Win Explorer but it would be more acceptable for the HTPC's to scan the directory occasionally and add the meta data and play from GUI.

My questions, in this case, are probably this.
1. Am I missing something in the setup and this is already achievable?
2. Is there some other way of sorting this out?
3. Can I please put in a request or bug report (whichever is more appropriate)?

I can, of course, add log files if needed but do not think they will help in this situation.

Thank you
Cheers,

[mvallevand]

First it would be to your benefit to simply your setup and have one server installation with multiple NextPVR clients and avoid the problem altogether.

You can use NextTool to import a directory for changes an import them. A similar request was here https://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?tid=64592 and you can find system monitor utilities with a web search. Personally, I would keep the base folder different because a new recording would trigger updates on multiple instances.

As an option Kodi Nexus allows you to connect to multiple backends and I think the recordings are merged.

Martin

[Dotball]

Thanks Martin,

Will look into some of the options you have given me there.

My issue with a centralised "TV server" is the variable requirements between the minister and myself.

Cheers,

[mvallevand]

Sorry but if you want to automatically import that doesn't make sense. One install can have many tuners.

Martin

[Dotball]

Mmmm, do not disagree, but that then puts them in the same physical location and THAT is where the issue is. They need to be in separate rooms, recording to the same data share and watchable from any of multiple devices (PC, laptop, phone, tablet, etc). AND it needs to be really simple to operate.

The NextTool you pointed me to will be a good starting point. Thank you

Cheers,

[mvallevand]

I am still missing something in your requirements. Your scenario is like most here who have multi-room setups. The phone and tablets are already connecting to your choice of server, the clients work the same over the network so simple to operate isn't a question plus since are already streaming from one share even network issues aren't in play. A single server allows you to move from room to room too even if your PC's and laptops don't move with you.

You would need to use nlite instead on NextPVR.exe but the look and feel is the same. Clients generally don't get updated as often as the server and you benefit from easier maintenance.

Since sub never introduced multi-user support there is a use case for hiding channels and recordings from children and having separate resume points but again your automated import largely negates that. It probably complicates things since you noted that the same shows are already being recorded twice and after import you won't be easily able to differentiate them. If client based resume is important Kodi can optionally give you that.

Martin

[gEd]

Just to add my 2 cents here (and regurgitate some of what Martin has said in my own way)

NextPVR works on the client - server model whereby you have multiple clients connecting to one server.

A nextpvr server stores the details of it's recordings in it's own local database and is unaware of whatever other recordings (or files) have been placed into it's recordings folder. They key point here is that it doesn't scan a recording folder for new recordings which is what I think you were expecting it to do. Hence Martins original suggestion that you would need to import server A recordings into server B database and vice versa which would involve a lot of hacking about.

To have 2 servers automatically "know" about each others recordings, they would need to share a common database on the shared drive but I don't believe this would work and would need a lot of development work to handle concurrent database access table for what is ultimately a very unusual use-case.

It's difficult to understand why someone would need 2 servers in the same home and my feeling is that you installed nextpvr on server 2 to "watch TV" when what you most likely should have done is (as Martin suggested) just installed a client only (such as nlite or kodi) which then connects to the central server in the same way that tablets, phones, media playback gizmos and (some) smart TVs also can.

One other small detail is that older version of NextPVR.exe *was* able to act as a client and connect to a server on a different machine but unfortunately this feature was lost with the re-development of the product some time ago.

[sub]

One other small detail is that older version of NextPVR.exe *was* able to act as a client and connect to a server on a different machine but unfortunately this feature was lost with the re-development of the product some time ago.

It was intentionally lost. It was terrible at it. NLite and other UIClients were the replacement.

[Dotball]

I think I may be explaining this in an overly complicated way, if I am I apologise.

I have two HTPS's each connected to their own viewing screen (in this case they are TV's in their own right) in two completely separate areas of the house. They are used for more than just TV viewing so do have Kodi installed.

We will call them Living Room and Lounge. They both record to one central storage location. There will be occasion where one person will record something using Living Room and then want to watch it on Lounge. The content is accessible from the central storage location but the NextPVR instance does not know it is available so does not offer it as an option.

Is there a better way to set up the two sets to achieve a cleaner outcome while still allowing the functionality?

The other issue of multiple recordings of the same show, on the same channel, at the same time, is secondary and should probably be left for a different discussion.

Thank you

[mvallevand]

Assuming you have the same tuners in both rooms (for sake of discussion let's say Living Room is the master server) on the Lounge install of Kodi use the IP of you Living Room HTPC instead of 127.0.0.1

Martin