Windows Server Configuration

Channels DVR Server
#1

I am setting up a Windows Server for Channels DVR. And I have a couple of questions about the optimal hardware config.

Since there will potentially 4-5 recordings and 2 playback happening simultaneously, should I be concerned about the hard drive being a bottle neck? (My SageTV server has 3 recording drives and the system spreads the recordings based on bandwidth. )

If I have multiple recording directories across multiple drives, how does Channels DVR distribute the recording? (bandwidth, space, show, etc.)

What is a recommended configuration for Windows?

Thanks,
John

#2

Channels can only record to the primary drive/folder. Disk speed/bandwidth should not be an issue.

#3

What happens when the drive fills up?

Is there an option to move recordings to another location?

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#4

There is no option to move recordings but there is an Option to add a secondary storage source but you have to move recordings on your own. Since I use Windows I use Robocopy to move recordings I want to keep to a secondary location.

#5

@Edwin_Perez Mind is I ask what your configuration looks like?

#6

My main Server is ....
I have an I7 mini PC with a USB3 Dock with 2 8TB drives mirrored using Windows Storage Spaces. My secondary location uses an USB3 Enclosure that hosts 5 drives I have 5 4 TB drives in Storage Spaces using Parity.

Runing SageTV and EMBY also on it.

I moved Everything to Windows for fast recovery in the event the PC fails. I had a NAS fail on me and lost everything. Nas's are great but a hardware failure is often bye to data... unless you have a spare NAS around.

I can easily move the Drives to any Windows 10 PC and no data loss.

#7

I have an I5 3.2Ghz mini-pc with 120GB SSD for the "C" drive and 3 1TB drives and 8GB memory.

I plan on replacing the SSD and HDs with larger storage drives. I guess I can go with 2 4TB drives and just move recordings occasionally. (I use SyncBackFree for that.)

I have a Synology NAS with 12TB that serves as back-up for all the systems in the house.

Is there a link that describes what secondary storage?

#8

It is on the Web UI where you can add secondary storage ...

My Secondary Directory Is ChannelsArchive with sub directory of Movies and TV.

Screenshot 2021-03-13 132353

#9

Thanks! I appreciate the tips. :smiley:

#10

No Problem BTW I am NYPLAYER in Sage Forum :grinning: I know you from there.

Here is a sample of my RobCopy it checks to make sure nothing is recording or running Comskip before moving files.

goto start

:loop
timeout 300
:start
CD /d "%~dp0"
del "%~dp0dvr"
wget.exe "http://127.0.0.1:8089/dvr"

findstr /I /C:"Recording" "%~dp0dvr"
set recording=%ERRORLEVEL%
if %recording% EQU 0 goto loop
findstr /I /C:"Processing" "%~dp0dvr"
set recording=%ERRORLEVEL%
if %recording% EQU 0 goto loop

ROBOCOPY "R:\ChannelsDVR\TV\Charmed" "V:\ChannelsArchive\TV\Charmed" /move /COPY:DT /minage:0 /e /R:2 /W:2
ROBOCOPY "R:\ChannelsDVR\TV\Star Trek The Next Generation" "V:\ChannelsArchive\TV\Star Trek The Next Generation" /move /COPY:DT /minage:0 /e /R:2 /W:2
ROBOCOPY "R:\ChannelsDVR\TV\Star Trek Deep Space Nine" "V:\ChannelsArchive\TV\Star Trek Deep Space Nine" /move /COPY:DT /minage:0 /e /R:2 /W:2
ROBOCOPY "R:\ChannelsDVR\TV\Law & Order Criminal Intent" "V:\ChannelsArchive\TV\Law & Order Criminal Intent" /move /COPY:DT /minage:0 /e /R:2 /W:2
rem ROBOCOPY "R:\ChannelsDVR\Movies" "V:\ChannelsArchive\Movies" /move /COPY:DT /minage:0 /e /R:2 /W:2
goto loop
exit

#11

That is right. I remember you answered some questions I had last year.

If I can get my OTA antenna working, I am going to cut cable and switch. With TVDB support gone and most of the SageTV support leaving, I think it is time to find something that that is supported.

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