[mythtv-users] Question about mythfilldatabase?

[David Yoder]

Michael T. Dean wrote:
> On 10/22/2009 04:26 PM, David Yoder wrote:
>> Hi there. I only recently subscribed to the list, so please, please 
>> forgive me if this question has already been addressed.
>>
>> The short version of my question is: I'm using DataDirect and have 
>> the option selected to allow the server to schedule my next grab. I'm 
>> wondering if I can separate the grabbing process of mythfilldatabase 
>> from the mysql stuffing process? I.e., can I allow the server to 
>> dictate when I grab the data for server load purposes, while I can 
>> dictate when the data will be processed into the mysql server? Read 
>> on for details as to why.
>>
>> The long version: I noticed that the mythfilldatabase process takes 
>> an awful lot of cpu load on my meager machine. I have a separate 
>> frontend machine in another room which I use for viewing, but while 
>> mythfilldatabase is running, things jam up and I can't watch 
>> programs, live TV, etc. (I get a message that the backend seems to 
>> have gone away, and killing mythfilldatabase immediately fixes 
>> things.) I want to be a good user and let the DataDirect servers 
>> manage their load properly, but I also would like to schedule the 
>> load on my end to be low during times I might be watching TV (i.e. 
>> 4am would be a good time for things to run on my end). I know that 
>> mythfilldatabase has a --file option for XMLTV grabbers (I had to use 
>> it back in the day), so I'm wondering if I can somehow set things up 
>> to work with the DataDirect grabber so that everybody's happy? Thanks 
>> in advance for your help! 
>
> The closest you could get to this is
>
> a) Install xmltv
> b) Set up tv_grab_na_dd
> c) Write a script that uses tv_grab_na_dd to get the "raw" (DD--don't 
> have it convert to XMLTV format or it will take more processor time 
> /and/ will result in your getting less useful data for each program) 
> and save it somewhere (sorry, I forgot the argument that specifies 
> this, but it should be available in the --help output)
> d) Change the setting, "mythfilldatabase Program" (in General settings 
> of mythtv-setup in trunk or in mythfrontend settings for -fixes) to 
> specify the full path to the script you wrote (and ensure the user 
> running the backend has appropriate permissions to read and execute it 
> and the directories leading to it).  Then, mythbackend will run your 
> script instead of mythfilldatabase.
> e) Set up a cron job to run mythfilldatabase --dd-file <sourceid> 
> <offset> <lineupid> <xmlfile> (for each video source you've set up).
>
> Oh, and thanks for asking how to do it right rather than just setting 
> up a cron job and ignoring the provider-suggested time.
>
> Mike
Awesome, thanks for your help, Mike. I'll try that out and let you know.

--David