16 replies to this topic

[Teslapolestar]

have been experiencing ongoing issues with timeshift on my Dreambox UHD 900 running OpenPLi. The problem seems to occur specifically with HEVC/4K channels, such as ESPN UHD. What I notice:
• During timeshift, two files are normally created (for example timeshift.* and .sc).
• However, as soon as I zap away from an HEVC/4K channel, an .ap file consistently remains in the /media/hdd/ folder.
• This does not happen with HD (H.264) channels; only with HEVC/4K.
• After watching an HEVC/4K channel, the stuttering and timeshift issues begin, even when switching to other channels later.

What I have tried so far:
• Increased the delete speed in the recording settings,
• Adjusted the delete options (e.g., set to “everywhere”),
• Using an SSD as storage (which works perfectly otherwise),
• Tested various settings related to timeshift and recordings.

It seems that the Dreambox does not properly clean up the .ap files after stopping timeshift or zapping from HEVC/4K channels, which eventually affects the overall stability of the system.

Is this a known issue for others? Are there any updates, patches, or known solutions that specifically address the leftover .ap files with HEVC/4K channels? Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

[WanWizard]

We couldn't possibly comment on what the dreambox does or doesn't do, we don't make images for it.

 

The only issue with timeshift I am aware of is the zap delay when the timeshift files from the previous channels are deleted ( which on SATA connected storage is not much of a problem, but on USB connected storage, it is ).

[Teslapolestar]

We couldn't possibly comment on what the dreambox does or doesn't do, we don't make images for it.

 

The only issue with timeshift I am aware of is the zap delay when the timeshift files from the previous channels are deleted ( which on SATA connected storage is not much of a problem, but on USB connected storage, it is ).

Thank you for your response. I'm sorry to hear you're not in good health—hope you're doing better soon.

I have both a VU+ and a Dreambox, and I accidentally confused the two. The issue actually concerns my VU+ box, which is running OpenPLi. When I set the timeshift delay to 5 seconds and switch to 4K channels, the picture eventually starts to stutter.

I have a feeling this may be caused by leftover AP files. Could you please explain what might be causing this? Also, do you happen to have an updated timeshift.py file? I'm not sure what the file is normally called, but perhaps I could try replacing or modifying it to see if that resolves the issue.

I look forward to your response.

[littlesat]

Looks like bandwidth issues…. What timeshift.py file?

Edited by littlesat, 5 May 2025 - 08:33.

[Teslapolestar]

am looking for the file that we might be able to modify to resolve the issue, and I have read that it could be related to a timeshift file.

[WanWizard]

Left over files, from any type, will not have any effect on performance, unless you have a million of them in a single folder.

 

Chances are the problem is caused by the very high bandwidth of the 4K channel, in combination with the very low and slow throughput of a USB storage device.

[Teslapolestar]

I got a ssd so thats not the problem
I’ve noticed that something goes wrong whenever I deal with 4K or HEVC content, although sometimes it also happens randomly without a clear reason. To me, it seems there’s an underlying issue that might be fixable. I’ve read on this forum that the problem could be related to the timeshift file, and that it may help to modify this file—while ensuring that the AP file gets deleted as part of the process.

[WanWizard]

The problem is not the device, the problem is the connection.

USB on most STB's, even the ones that are supposed to be USB3, are notoriously slow in throughput. I get faster throughput to my NAS via wireless than I get to a USB memory stick plugged into the box.

 

The existence of other files in the timeshift directory, no matter what and where they came from, are of no relevance. Unless, like I wrote, there are a lot, but that would only have an impact on searches, not on writes.

[Teslapolestar]

Maybe I’m misunderstanding you, but I have a built-in SSD (Samsung 870 EVO). That’s not USB, right?

But aside from that… do you have any kind of solution or something I can try?

[WanWizard]

Maybe I’m misunderstanding you, but I have a built-in SSD (Samsung 870 EVO). That’s not USB, right?

 
No, which is why I wrote
 

which on SATA connected storage is not much of a problem, but on USB connected storage, it is

 

But you never replied to that, so I had to assume (wrong, in this case).

 

The way timeshift works is that it starts a recording, and immediate playback of that recording, so you're never watching live TV (apart from the first x seconds after a zap).

 

If you notice issues, and you reverse back say 30seconds, do you notice exactly the same issues at exactly the same moment (which would suggest recording is the problem) or not (which would suggest playback is the problem).

 

If you can reliably reproduce the issue, restart in debug mode (in the restart menu), reproduce the problem, restart in standard mode again, get the debuglog file out of /home/root, zip it, and attach it to youre reply here (using the "More Reply Options" button).

[Teslapolestar]

Sorry, I didn’t see that earlier… otherwise I would have immediately mentioned that I installed a Samsung SSD. This is how the problem occurs:

Timeshift is now set to 2 seconds. I’m watching TV, mainly on AVC channels 1920 x 1080i 25. I noticed that when I zap to a channel like 4K HEVC 3840 x 2160p50 or HEVC 1920 x 1080p50, shortly after (or immediately) the stuttering problem starts. These are small hiccups, and it’s especially noticeable during football matches.

If I then turn off the timeshift function (set to 5 seconds), zap once and zap back, the stuttering stops.

I haven’t tried rewinding yet. What I did try is, for example, changing the swap speed to 100 Mb / wipe option set to background everywhere. At the moment I even have it completely turned off to see if that helps.

I now have the box in debug mode and am trying to reproduce the issue.

[Teslapolestar]

I made a typo.. it has to be like this

Sorry, I didn’t see that earlier… otherwise I would have immediately mentioned that I installed a Samsung SSD. This is how the problem occurs:

Timeshift is now set to 5 seconds. I’m watching TV, mainly on AVC channels 1920 x 1080i 25. I noticed that when I zap to a channel like 4K HEVC 3840 x 2160p50 or HEVC 1920 x 1080p50, shortly after (or immediately) the stuttering problem starts. These are small hiccups, and it’s especially noticeable during football matches.

If I then turn off the timeshift function), zap once and zap back, the stuttering stops.

I haven’t tried rewinding yet. What I did try is, for example, changing the swap speed to 100 Mb / wipe option set to background everywhere. At the moment I even have it completely turned off to see if that helps.

I now have the box in debug mode and am trying to reproduce the issue.

[littlesat]

And what if you disable permanent timeshift (why should you enable it anyway?). Couldn’t it be an issue with the HDMI cable?

Edited by littlesat, 5 May 2025 - 22:07.

[Teslapolestar]

I want to be able to pause and rewind. At the moment, I have disabled background removal, and so far I haven't been able to reproduce the issue. This might be the solution! I'll keep an eye on it.

[littlesat]

Just to check if it is really timeshift related or something else....

 

Are you also sure the timeshift is recorded onto that SSD... maybe it could also go incidentally to a different location (flash or something else).

Edited by littlesat, 6 May 2025 - 16:32.

[Teslapolestar]

Yes 100% sure

[Teslapolestar]

And the problem came back unfornately