Power Outage Problem

[n.ramkarran]

We get frequent power outages here in Guyana. I have an auto-starting generator, a UPS on the PCH and a UPS on the storage that supplies content.

There is a network switch between the content and the PCH that loses power when we have a power outage.

So when there is a power outage the PCH loses the network for about 1 minute or less until the generator kicks in. It continues to play (presumably from a cache) but during that time I cannot stop or pause play (there is no response to key presses on the remote).

Additionally, if the generator kicks in quickly enough there is no real problem as content continues to play as normal.

However, if the generator doesn't kick in quickly enough the PCH stops (when the cache is exhausted I assume) and it goes back to the display of the folder contents.

Here is where the real problem lies: I select and play the same file that had been playing before; or any other file for that matter.

When I try to play a file again I see a faint image of the last image of the video that had been playing with the usual "buffering" screen overlaid, then I get an error "Unable to play". That image then goes through various changes, including a very blurred image, before it quits back to the folder display.

The same thing happens no matter what file I try to play (although it shows the same image that was the last image of the video that was playing).

The only way to get it working again is by rebooting the PCH. I have 2 PCHs and they both demonstrate the same behaviour over multiple firmware updates.

I assume that this is a fairly unusual problem, and it is more of an annoyance than a problem. I can live with it, it is no major hardship to just do a reboot. But it does seem like something that should be corrected simply because any bug should be fixed as long as it is possible.

[dc11ab]

Tried clearing the cache?
Settings -> Maintenance -> press File Mode button -> press Enter button

IF it works, at least you don't need to wait for reboot.

[n.ramkarran]

(07-21-2009 08:22 PM)dc11ab Wrote:  Tried clearing the cache?
Settings -> Maintenance -> press File Mode button -> press Enter button

IF it works, at least you don't need to wait for reboot.

It took a while for the situation I described to occur again. When it did, I tried the solution you suggested, but it didn't work.

I had to do a full reboot. I will try to take a picture of the screen when it occurs again and post it here.

[roidy]

Ok forgive me if I misunderstand something or if this is just a stupid idea but if the PCH is connected to a UPS and the media is connected to a UPS why not just connect the network switch to one of the UPS`s as well?

[n.ramkarran]

(08-07-2009 07:03 PM)roidy Wrote:  Ok forgive me if I misunderstand something or if this is just a stupid idea but if the PCH is connected to a UPS and the media is connected to a UPS why not just connect the network switch to one of the UPS`s as well?

I forgive you But it isn't a stupid question. I have a very distributed wiring system. The server that powers my PCHs is in one room and the switch through which they all connect is in another room in a wall panel.

I can attach it to a UPS, but I would have to get another one and then put a shelf near the wall panel to hold it. I could do it (with a bit of cash expenditure) but I would prefer if I didn't have to spend any more money.

[dc11ab]

I didn't quite get all the wall panel and shelfs-stuff, but a low cost option would be to simply draw an extension power cord from the UPS to the switch. Not too hard to hide away?