david.rabine

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====== Backend ======

===== Intro =====

Latest version is 12.04

Rebuild of the new machine with the dual tuner.  The dual tuner card still hangs every few weeks.  I think I'm going to tweak this a little so that it:

  * Reboots daily
  * Only does commercial flagging in the middle of the night

===== Install =====

==== Base ====

  - Did an Update, but that apparently "wiped" the drive anyway...
    * Chose the primary backend
    * Enabled ALL services:  SAMBA, NFS, SSH, Mythtv
  - Update the packages to the latest and reboot
  - Install some programs I cannot live without:
    - jed:  <code> sudo apt-get install jed </code>

==== Configuration ====

  - Modify your network settings like this: <code>
sudo nano /etc/network/interfaces
</code>
  - set our IP address to what you want: <code>
# The primary network interface                                                 
auto eth0                                                                       
iface eth0 inet static                                                          
        address xx.xx.xx.xx
        netmask 255.255.255.0                                                   
        network xx.xx.xx.xx     # this one is the same as gateway I think                                                  
        broadcast xx.xx.xx.255                                               
        gateway xx.xx.xx.1                                                   
        # dns-* options are implemented by the resolvconf package, if installed 
        dns-nameservers xx.xx.xx.xx                            
        dns-search some.domain.com
</code>
  - Restart the networking:  <code>
sudo /etc/init.d/networking restart
</code>

==== HVR-2250 Drivers ====

I did a **grep** of **dmesg** looking for the 7164 card, and sure enough the support is there, but it can't find the firmware that the kernel was compiled with.  I did a quick google and found the link to where the firmware file was.  Here is what I did and how I installed the driver:
  - Look in the log for what was missing:  <code>
[    6.508493] saa7164_downloadfirmware() no first image
[    6.508515] saa7164_downloadfirmware() Waiting for firmware upload (NXP7164-2010-03-10.1.fw)
[    7.756686] saa7164_downloadfirmware() Upload failed. (file not found?)
</code>
  - After doing a google search for that firmware, I found the link to here [[http://www.kernellabs.com/blog/?p=1443]], which led to a direct place to get the firmware:  <code>
cd ~/Downloads
wget http://www.steventoth.net/linux/hvr22xx/firmwares/4019072/NXP7164-2010-03-10.1.fw
</code>
  - Copy this firmware into the Ubuntu folder: <code>
sudo cp ~/Downloads/NXP7164-2010-03-10.1.fw /lib/firmware/
</code>
  - Restart the module:  <code>
sudo rmmod saa7164
sudo modprobe saa7164
</code>
  - And there was much rejoicing! <code>
[ 1037.124209] Histogram named irq intervals (ms, count, last_update_jiffy)
[ 1037.124220] Total: 0
[ 1037.124224] Histogram named deferred intervals (ms, count, last_update_jiffy)
[ 1037.124230] Total: 0
[ 1037.124233] Histogram named irq to deferred intervals (ms, count, last_update_jiffy)
[ 1037.124239] Total: 0
[ 1037.124242] Histogram named encoder/vbi read() intervals (ms, count, last_update_jiffy)
[ 1037.124248] Total: 0
[ 1037.124252] Histogram named encoder/vbi poll() intervals (ms, count, last_update_jiffy)
[ 1037.124257] Total: 0
[ 1037.124261] Histogram named encoder/vbi read() intervals (ms, count, last_update_jiffy)
[ 1037.124267] Total: 0
[ 1037.124270] Histogram named encoder/vbi poll() intervals (ms, count, last_update_jiffy)
[ 1037.124276] Total: 0
[ 1037.124299] saa7164 0000:01:00.0: PCI INT A disabled
[ 1042.954006] saa7164 driver loaded
[ 1042.954176] saa7164 0000:01:00.0: PCI INT A -> GSI 16 (level, low) -> IRQ 16
[ 1042.956572] CORE saa7164[0]: subsystem: 0070:8851, board: Hauppauge WinTV-HVR2250 [card=7,autodetected]
[ 1042.956586] saa7164[0]/0: found at 0000:01:00.0, rev: 129, irq: 16, latency: 0, mmio: 0xfd400000
[ 1042.956601] saa7164 0000:01:00.0: setting latency timer to 64
[ 1043.116024] saa7164_downloadfirmware() no first image
[ 1043.116041] saa7164_downloadfirmware() Waiting for firmware upload (NXP7164-2010-03-10.1.fw)
[ 1043.144214] saa7164_downloadfirmware() firmware read 4019072 bytes.
[ 1043.144222] saa7164_downloadfirmware() firmware loaded.
[ 1043.144226] Firmware file header part 1:
[ 1043.144235]  .FirmwareSize = 0x0
[ 1043.144239]  .BSLSize = 0x0
[ 1043.144243]  .Reserved = 0x3d538
[ 1043.144247]  .Version = 0x3
[ 1043.144251] saa7164_downloadfirmware() SecBootLoader.FileSize = 4019072
[ 1043.144263] saa7164_downloadfirmware() FirmwareSize = 0x1fd6
[ 1043.144268] saa7164_downloadfirmware() BSLSize = 0x0
[ 1043.144272] saa7164_downloadfirmware() Reserved = 0x0
[ 1043.144277] saa7164_downloadfirmware() Version = 0x1661c00
[ 1050.004040] saa7164_downloadimage() Image downloaded, booting...
[ 1050.108032] saa7164_downloadimage() Image booted successfully.
[ 1050.108063] starting firmware download(2)
[ 1052.232025] saa7164_downloadimage() Image downloaded, booting...
[ 1054.104036] saa7164_downloadimage() Image booted successfully.
[ 1054.104067] firmware download complete.
[ 1054.152527] tveeprom 14-0000: Hauppauge model 88061, rev C4F2, serial# 7079441
[ 1054.152537] tveeprom 14-0000: MAC address is 00:0d:fe:6c:06:11
[ 1054.152544] tveeprom 14-0000: tuner model is NXP 18271C2_716x (idx 152, type 4)
[ 1054.152552] tveeprom 14-0000: TV standards NTSC(M) ATSC/DVB Digital (eeprom 0x88)
[ 1054.152559] tveeprom 14-0000: audio processor is SAA7164 (idx 43)
[ 1054.152565] tveeprom 14-0000: decoder processor is SAA7164 (idx 40)
[ 1054.152571] tveeprom 14-0000: has radio, has IR receiver, has no IR transmitter
[ 1054.152577] saa7164[0]: Hauppauge eeprom: model=88061
[ 1054.515587] tda18271 15-0060: creating new instance
[ 1054.520221] TDA18271HD/C2 detected @ 15-0060
[ 1054.771027] DVB: registering new adapter (saa7164)
[ 1054.771042] DVB: registering adapter 0 frontend 0 (Samsung S5H1411 QAM/8VSB Frontend)...
[ 1055.066157] tda18271 16-0060: creating new instance
[ 1055.070573] TDA18271HD/C2 detected @ 16-0060
[ 1055.320827] tda18271: performing RF tracking filter calibration
[ 1057.669998] tda18271: RF tracking filter calibration complete
[ 1057.672579] DVB: registering new adapter (saa7164)
[ 1057.672593] DVB: registering adapter 1 frontend 0 (Samsung S5H1411 QAM/8VSB Frontend)...
[ 1057.673899] saa7164[0]: registered device video0 [mpeg]
[ 1057.904351] saa7164[0]: registered device video1 [mpeg]
[ 1058.115641] saa7164[0]: registered device vbi0 [vbi]
[ 1058.115759] saa7164[0]: registered device vbi1 [vbi]
</code>

==== Backend Configuration ====

Run Settings -> MythTV Backend Setup

  * General
    * [Page 1] IP Address to xx.xx.xx.xx
    * [Page 1] Master backend IP address to same xx.xx.xx.xx
    * [Page 8] Job Que:  Start time 00:00 to Stop time 04:20 (Only flag commercials in the middle of the night)
    * [Last Page] Automatically run mythfilldatabase
  * Capture Cards
    * New Capture Card -> DVB 0
    * New Capture Care -> DVB 1
  * Video Source
    * New Video Source
      * Video Source name: Local ATSC
      * Username:
      * Password:
      * PRESS Retrieve lineups and pull up our zip code channels
  * Input Connections
    * Connect each tuner to the video source
      * Scan for channels Once
      * Set each to have a good default station, I'm using 67_1 for both
  * Exit
    * Run mythfilldatabase and that will take a while to get a fresh listing for 2 weeks

Now enable a few more things:

Run Settings -> Mythbuntu Control Centre
  * MythExport
    * Enable MythExport (so we can maybe export shows to iPod format for instance?)
  * Plugins
    * MythWeb
      * Enable Password Protection

===== Tweaks =====

==== Filename Symbolic Links ====

So that the samba share is actually useful, I will make a cron job that will every day build a list of links to the recorded shows.


  - Download the [[http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Mythname.pl|mythname.pl]] script.  I think I modified it, so just in case here is the version that runs on mythth now: {{:computers:server:mythname.pl.zip|}}
  - Place that perl script in **/usr/local/bin**
  - Make a directory / home for the symbolic links <code>
sudo mkdir /var/lib/mythtv/recordings/links/
</code>
  - Place the following script in **mythtv_cronjob_symlink_recordings** <code bash>
#!/bin/sh
find /var/lib/mythtv/recordings/links/ -type l -exec rm {} \;
cd /var/lib/mythtv/recordings/links/
for filename in /var/lib/mythtv/recordings/*.mpg
do
  # windows did not like the colons in the name, so changing to underscores and periods
  fname=`/usr/local/bin/mythname.pl --rep=. --subtitle $filename | tr : _ | tr ';.' .`.mpg
  ##### no need to echo for a cron job ##### echo "Linking $filename to $fname"
  ln -s $filename $fname > /dev/null 2>&1
done
exit 0
</code>
  - Copy that file into **/etc/cron.daily/** <code>
sudo cp mythtv_cronjob_symlink_recordings /etc/cron.daily/
</code>
  - Set the ownership and permissions <code>
sudo chown root:root /etc/cron.daily/mythtv_cronjob_symlink_recordings
sudo chmod 755 /etc/cron.daily/mythtv_cronjob_symlink_recordings
</code>
  - I added these lines to **/etc/samba/smbd.conf** trying to get the links to work <code>
follow symlinks = yes
unix extensions = no
wide links = yes
</code>

==== Backend Card Hang / Crash ====

Use an hourly cron job to check for this error.  If you see it, reboot!  Here is my **cron.hourly** script **mythtv_check_for_crashed_tuner**:

<code bash>
#!/bin/bash
#

SAA7164ERRORS=$(/bin/dmesg | /bin/grep saa7164_api_i2c_write | /usr/bin/wc -l)

if [ $SAA7164ERRORS -ne 0 ]; then
  MYDATE=$(/bin/date)
  echo $MYDATE : Rebooting Now Due to saa7164 card crash >> /home/mythbot/mythbot_reboot_log.txt
  /sbin/reboot
fi
</code>
====== Frontend ======

===== Basics =====

  - Installed Mythbuntu from CD making this computer just a "front end"
  - Enabled SSH
  - Left DHCP as I have my daemon giving out the proper IP based on MAC address


===== Configuration =====

  - Modified theme to the one I LIKE!
  - Modified ALSA mixer so that audio SPDIF is output 
    - Load up the mixer as root<code>
sudo alsamixer
</code>
    - Modify the line:  **Item: S/PDIF Output [Off]** with the 'M' key
    - Save your configuration with:  <code>
sudo alsactl store 0
</code>
  - Modified the Audio output to use S/PDIF:
    - Utilities / Setup -> Setup -> General -> Page 4  **NOTE**  Anything but default / stereo breaks the SPDIF output... don't touch this
      - Did set the audio outputs to 100% on both Master and PCM
      - <del>Speaker Configuration from **Stereo** to **5.1**</del>  NOTE:  This seems to BREAK my audio now?!  If I leave it stereo it works.
      - <del>Upmix:  **Best**</del>
      - <del>Audio Processing Capabilities:  Check both **Dolby Digital** AND **DTS**</del>
  - Set our VIDEO output to VDPAU:
    - Utilities / Setup -> TV Settings -> Playback -> Page 3/8
    - Current Video Playback Profile:VDPAU High Quality

==== Remote Control Configuration ====

I added the following lines to my **lirc** configuration:  **~/.lirc/mythtv**

<code>
### added by david rabine (dlr) 2009.12.28 ###

# I added the following - dlr 2008/10/18
# Skip forward (10 min default)
begin
    remote = Streamzap_PC_Remote
    prog = mythtv
    button = >>
    repeat = 0
    config = PgDown
    delay = 0
end

begin
    remote = Streamzap_PC_Remote
    prog = mythtv
    button = <<
    repeat = 0
    config = PgUp
    delay = 0
end

# Seek to previous commercial cut point
begin
    remote = Streamzap_PC_Remote
    prog = mythtv
    button = YELLOW
    repeat = 0
    config = Q
end

# Seek to next commercial cut point
begin
    remote = Streamzap_PC_Remote
    prog = mythtv
    button = BLUE
    repeat = 0
    config = Z
end
</code>

==== Media Library ====

=== Audio ===

  - Add in symbolic links to our libraries
  - Go to Listen to Music and it will scan for new files

=== Video ===

  - Add in symbolic links for all our shares / files
  - Go to Utilities / Setup -> Setup -> Media Settings -> Video Settings -> General Settings:  /var/lib/mythtv/video as Directories that hold videos

==== Media Types ====

=== mkv ===

I was having some issues with the internal player not hanging very well with high definition content, so I modified the video player setup to use **mplayer**

  - Surf in the mythtv setup to this menu structure:  Utilities / Setup -> Setup -> Media Settings -> Video Settings -> File Types
  - Change the extension to "mkv"
  - Enter the following command into the **Command:** line <code>

mplayer -cache=16384 -cache-min=10 -fs -zoom -quiet -nosub -vo vdpau -vc ffh264vdpau -heartbeat-cmd "xscreensaver-command -deactivate" %s
</code>
    * the **-vc** call makes a huge difference in CPU usage (from 50% to 2% doing a 1080p video) (I thought the **-vo** would do it on its own but it does not)
    * the **-heartbeat-cmd "xscreensaver-command -deactivate"** keeps the screen from blanking every 10 minutes or so
===== Trouble Shooting =====

  - The images were "tearing" with some High Definition content, found [[http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/VDPAU]] this page.  Not sure why disabling the composite output on the card fixes this, but it does.  <code>
sudo nvidia-xconfig --no-composite
</code>