I use VBox with the Plex EPG (based on location, not XMLTV data), which works well. However, I have recently purchased and added a second VBox tuner, and although Plex picks it up, I cannot get it to function.
Plex appears to default to the original VBox, which is fine, however, when both of those tuners are locked, for example when recording TV shows, it then attempts to use the additional VBox. However, every time I attempt to tune into a channel, I receive the message ‘Could not tune channel. Please check your tuner or antenna’.
I have tested the second VBox via VLC and all streams are OK. My only thought is that perhaps there is an issue with the Plex EPG, not utilising the additional tuners available on the second VBox?
Only issue with tuning on VBox I have with the development team at the moment relates to the xmltv channel identifiers (having spaces and extended characters)
Could you get me debug server logs of the failure - is it possible to go through setup afresh for both DVRs and then test a channel on each DVR ?
Please restart the server before doing any test and have debug server logging enabled before the restart. That way will make sure we get fresh logs and hopefully cover the complete setup and tuning on both dvr’s
I would be happy to provide server logs, but unfortunately due to encountering numerous issues with Live TV in Plex, I have decided that it is more trouble than it is worth and I have now ditched the VBox units and reverted to my good old-fashioned DVR.
Thanks for the assistance. Apologies I can’t be of any more help.
With the hosted Plex Web app https://app.plex.tv/desktop and latest Plex Media Server - current release being :
1.25.7.5604-980a13e02 Beta Release
1.25.6.5577-c8bd13540 Public Release
A number of issues affecting vbox DVRs have been addressed and resolved
Vbox have also made updates to their firmware
If you have time to revisit this using the above, I would be happy to look into any further issues that remain
I have reconnected both my VBox units and this is the state of play…
PMS & VBox’s are both up-to-date.
I can connect a single VBox using the Plex EPG, download guide data, and things function just fine. However, if I attempt to connect a second VBox, this is where the problems occur - I receive an error of “Could not tune channel. Please check your tuner or antenna.”.
I cannot tune to any channels using either box. I have checked and this is not an issue with either VBox - both serve streams just fine if I manually connect using VLC.
Happy to work through this with someone if they can spare the time?
I have downloaded the logs and can provide these if needed. Presumably only the ‘Plex Tuner Service’ logs are required?
No - The Plex Media Server log files as well but is is always recommended that you upload the whole logs zip obtained from the Troubleshooting Plex Web server setting web page
FYI - The Plex Tuner Service logs relate to usb and pcie tuners and some old HD Homerun DVRs eg the Dual
OK - I need full logs zip together with vbox IP addresses to start an investigation
Please start with a fresh restart of the server and reproduce the issue and get screenshots and logs
Unfortunately, my circumstances have changed and I have now resorted to using just one VBox and have sold the other.
The DVR functionality in Plex, although useful, still has a long way to go when compared to traditional dedicated DVR units such as Humax.
Hopefully improvements will be made in the future, although from what I can see online the Live TV/DVR functionality has dropped way down in the priority list of features for Plex.
Whilst I don’t disagree that DVR related problems continue to be looked into, it would be nice to see the UI become more fluent and enjoyable to use, akin to that of a traditional DVR.
A lot of the issues I have mainly surround the operation of the Plex guide.
For example, here in the UK SD channels are broadcast on channel numbers <100, and HD channels are broadcast on channels >100. Navigating to HD channels in the Plex guide is only possible by scrolling through all the SD channels one by one, which is frustrating.
On a traditional DVR, it is possible to scroll down an entire page using the channel up/channel down buttons on the remote control. It is also possible to skip 24hrs ahead and back using the skip buttons, and channels can be changed by simply entering the channel numbers. In my opinion, features like these would really make Live TV on Plex more enjoyable to use.
I’m still quite new to the forums, so if there is any way that I can request these features/improvement please do let me know!
