Help! Server/Client Question

[acegolfer]

I just bought a new Dell PC (E6400 + 7900GS). For some strange reason, my 2 Fusion5L cards don't like the Dell PC. It works fine during recording but I get the BSOD only during shut down and rebooting. I intended to leave it on 24/7 until I came across the server/client idea.

My old slow PC (see spec below) handles the tuner cards (and GBPVR) very well. Here's what I intend:

1. Backend server: XP1800 with 2 F5L cards in the basement (no monitor)

2. Frontend client (file sharing): E6400 + 7900GS in the family room connected to 60" HDTV

The two are connected via 100 mbps LAN. Playing shared TV shows via LAN works like a charm using WMP.

Here's my question.

1. Can the client GBPVR control the server tuner cards as if I'm I'm at the server? Ex) Live TV, play recorded show, schedule recording, etc.

2. If I record to the server, can the client PC transcode the recorded file and save to the server? Which CPU does the job? Client or Server? I'm worried my server CPU is too slow for efficient transcoding.

3. Any tips on server/client environment?

4. I haven't really experimented fully yet, but it seems that the PC plays recorded shows (especially 1080i in VMR9) more smoothly when the tuners are sleeping (not recording anything). Can anyone experience this? If this is the case, then server/client environment will be perfect!

[sub]

1. Can the client GBPVR control the server tuner cards as if I'm I'm at the server? Ex) Live TV, play recorded show, schedule recording, etc.

Yes. Live tv is in timeshift mode, which isnt great with digital card because of slow channel change times, but other than that its just like a normal GB-PVR install.

2. If I record to the server, can the client PC transcode the recorded file and save to the server? Which CPU does the job? Client or Server? I'm worried my server CPU is too slow for efficient transcoding.

The transcoding is always done by the recording service, which runs on the server.

[acegolfer]

Thanks sub, I'll try it.

Live TV Channel changing is not an issue for me. I usually record 2 shows simultaneously and watch them. I rarely use Live TV.

If the transcoding is done by the server, I'm out of luck. It will take too long for an old pc to do the job. I'll seek other options.

[acegolfer]

I put the cards in my old PC. It's working fine. Now in the client, in the config, I set up the three directories as

\\server\hdtv
\\server\hdtv
\\server\gbpvr

These are all shared folders and no firewall is running on the server. Now when I run client GBPVR, I can see the TV guide. But when I try to record or watch TV, I get either

no such host is known
failed to communicate with the Recording Service

What am I doing wrong?

[acegolfer]

Oh, I forgot the logs

[agidius]

is your server computer named "server"??

[sub]

Looks like you forgot to set the server name:

12/11/2006 10:01:05 PM.484 VERBOSE [1] getValue() loading new key/value into cache: /settings/ClientRemoteServer
12/11/2006 10:01:05 PM.484 VERBOSE [1] getValue: /settings/ClientRemoteServer : hushpc

Hushpc is a machine in my lounge...

[acegolfer]

I tried but it was greyed out. I'll try again.

[acegolfer]

In the File Sharing option, the server is greyed out. But switching to Streaming allowed it. So now recording is working fine.

However, I faced another problem. When I try to either in TV guide
1. Watch Live TV (TS)
2. Record and watch the recording (not recorded)
I don't get anything and reverts back to the TV guide screen.
See the attached logs.

BTW, watching pre-recorded shows from "recordings" works like a charm, so network is not a concern.

I smell I'm getting really close.

[sub]

In the File Sharing option, the server is greyed out

OK, I've fixed this for the next release.

I think there is some bug relating to using dvr-ms for time shifting frrom the client, which I've got on my list to look into for the next release.