Zgemma H2S - yes H2S - questions

Johnboy1951

Hi, I have acquired a used H.2S device for my 'playtime'. Free is always good

It had iPabTV installed which of course was not only completely out of date but had a boatfull of dodgy addons installed which no longer worked also.

To get me started I eventually managed to install OpenPLi 7.3 on the device. That at least has allowed me to see the Zgemma does work, but honestly not a lot else, as Enigma is a stranger to me.

What I would like to do is install the most suitable image for my initial test purposes, and need advice on which to choose.

I would like to use the Zgemma as a Sat>IP server for the two DVB-S tuners built in, and maybe add a couple of DVB-T tuners using USB tuner sticks also (AF9015). I want to investigate its use to feed a backend server for my distributed TV.

I did notice that Sat>IP client software was present, but that is not presently of interest. It did find my existing Sat>IP tuners.

Anyway, if I could be given basic advice regarding the selection of the E2 version and a few pointers how to easily find the sections of interest I would appreciate that.

Thanks.

swoofer

To make the H2S work like a charm hop over to techkings and look at Grogbuild, I did it for a freind and they are delighted. And there is good support.

corsav6

swoofer wrote: »

To make the H2S work like a charm hop over to techkings and look at Grogbuild, I did it for a freind and they are delighted. And there is good support.

I read this thread this morning and decided to update my H2S. I had Wooshbuild with openatv 6.3 and it worked well but sometimes it would freeze.
Put on Grogbuild and the speed difference is really noticeable. Epg open instantly, menus too with no loading circle.
I'll test for a few days but so far this is the best image I've tried.

Johnboy1951

The big question for me ......

is there a plugin available for a Sat>IP Server (no interest in client).

Thanks.

Today I got 2 x DVB-S and 2 x DVB-T tuners working, so am quite happy the hardware will do what I need ...... next is the firmware and software.

Johnboy1951

I tried Grogbuild last night but failed to get it working.
Apparently OpenPli mounts the external drive at /media/usb and not at /media/hdd as expected.
At least that is how it appeared to me, but as I am completely new to things Enigma (this is my first ever time trying it) it is probably more likely I made some error.
That is the besides the minor complication of me trying to understand what is to be done from the instructions, which are for Windows users.

Anyway, back on OpenPLi this morning, and going to see how long it will take me to break it

Gerry Wicklow

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

I tried Grogbuild last night but failed to get it working.
Apparently OpenPli mounts the external drive at /media/usb and not at /media/hdd as expected.
At least that is how it appeared to me, but as I am completely new to things Enigma (this is my first ever time trying it) it is probably more likely I made some error.
That is the besides the minor complication of me trying to understand what is to be done from the instructions, which are for Windows users.

Anyway, back on OpenPLi this morning, and going to see how long it will take me to break it

Tell the truth, you're having the time of your life :D:D

Johnboy1951

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

Tell the truth, you're having the time of your life :D:D

That I cannot deny

Can you tell - is there any image for this device which might have Tvheadend Server plugin available?

I got minisatip to run on OpenPLi but would need to learn how to configure it for my needs if I am to use it.

It would take much less effort on my part if I could use TVH.

Gerry Wicklow

Couldn't see anything suitable on openVix. (not that I'd know anyway)

Johnboy1951

I've been doing a little testing on this box, and am quite surprised at the temp of the CPU.

While streaming 3 SD channels and 1 HD channel the CPU is showing as
90 C (2 x DVB-T; 2 x DVB-S)

This seems rather very high to me ...... but no sign of degradation of the received channels. Maybe the CPU does not have thermal throttling!
CPU BCM7362A0 752 MHz

I suspect it could do with a heatsink.

Johnboy1951

I failed to find any E2 image with a Tvheadend server plugin available.
I was rather surprised TBH.
The TVH client is quite common.

So last night I took the alternate track and having set up a favourites bouquet I exported the .m3u8 file and used that in TVH server on a different device, and have all favourites available through Kodi on my PC.

This method is not as easily managed as TVH server would be on the Zgemma, but it does get all the channels mapped in the TVH server and so available to all.

The Zgemma needs to be put into standby for this to operate correctly, else there is always one tuner used, as apparently it cannot be switched on without some channel being displayed.

It is a manageable work-around, but only that.
The system would be better integrated if the tuners themselves could be exported using TVH server as Sat>IP tuners.

Thanks all for the assistance.

I have a feew more details to sort out but have a working scheme.

I also received a second Zgemma (whose CPU also runs very hot) so now have four sat tuners across the two boxes available should I want them.

I guess this is the end of my quest ........ unless someone comes across a TVH server plugin for any of the E2 operating systems.
If yes I would immediately change to using that.

Johnboy1951

I finally got the result I was seeking, using minisatip on OpenATV.

The tuners from the Zgemma are exported and can be managed by TVH-server on another device which manages all tuner allocations, EPG, recording, timeshif etc etc.

I have had 5 different channels playing on client devices from the two tuners in the Zgemma. There were no problems at all.

So my intent is to run this image on the Zgemmas with the GUI killed as I will not be using the HDMI output. I would probably leave it running except there appears to be no way to not have some channel playing if it is turned on.

Anyway, all is looking good.
I just have to sort out a few small details - like how best to launch minisatip after the OpenATV GUI has been killed.

That is it ....... end of this story.
All is well that ends well (and if it doesn't I will post back).

niallb

That's great info.
I was just about to pitch in when I saw your latest post.

I used tvheadend a lot years ago and have a box full of old old PCI satellite and analog tuners to prove it! While I could always get it working, it felt painful to manage and retune in early versions.

I got a zgemma H2S about 5 years ago, though never got usb connected dvb-t working without freezing. Must try a more recent openatv, but I'll try what you're running first! I have a spark triplex combo running enigma since. It's slower than the zgemma, but works fine on an older build with dvb-t as well as dvb-s.

I just use the enigma2 service directly for feeding TV around the house. I've used KODI on raspberry pi or PC to receive it, but my favourite is dreamplayer on Android TV. You can add a bouquet from the tuner as a live channel, and the picons for channels appear on the Android TV home screen.
All you need is the IP address of the zgemma box. The client downloads channel list and EPG. Clients are also available for iOS and firetv and even some old LG TVs could read the streams if you converted the m3u list.

My aim with our TVs is to have the same interface and no need to switch source with a different remote to watch TV instead of Netflix! This way the TV is permanently left on the same HDMI input and life is mostly simple and manageable with one remote.

Dreamplayer also has a tvheadend version though, so I could change my backend without anyone else noticing!

Thanks for posting.

niallb

You should be able to turn off the local playback by visiting the IP of the box in a browser and looking at what's playing in WebIF.

Flick the green switch at the top right from green to red.

Johnboy1951

niallb wrote: »

You should be able to turn off the local playback by visiting the IP of the box in a browser and looking at what's playing in WebIF.

Flick the green switch at the top right from green to red.

Yes thanks, that can be done ....... but does it ensure that it stays off if turned off and on again?

It seemed not here.

In any case as I will only be using the box as a Sat>IP server there is no need to have the GUI on at all.

I am more interested in the best means of ensuring the minisatip is started after the GUI has been stopped.

Suggestions welcome.

Gerry Wicklow

Cant speak for SAT>IP but normally if using WEBIF you can stream any channel(s) by hitting the TV icon beside the channel name with the box remaining in standby. However hitting the actual channel name 'zaps' the box to that channel and can trigger the box to come on. If you disable HDMI CEC this should not be an issue. The box may come on to try display that channel but will not start the TV. If you later change channel again, it will treat the command like a record signal and switch over if there isn't another free tuner. The difference in power consumption between standby and fully on is milliwatts.

Johnboy1951

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

Cant speak for SAT>IP but normally if using WEBIF you can stream any channel(s) by hitting the TV icon beside the channel name with the box remaining in standby. However hitting the actual channel name 'zaps' the box to that channel and can trigger the box to come on. If you disable HDMI CEC this should not be an issue. The box may come on to try display that channel but will not start the TV. If you later change channel again, it will treat the command like a record signal and switch over if there isn't another free tuner. The difference in power consumption between standby and fully on is milliwatts.

Yes, all that seems to be what happens (except I have not tested CEC) ....... but in the set up I am testing there is no display connected to the Zgemma, and the tuners are made available to a Tvheadend-server backend on the LAN, which administers all the usual stuff.

So my intention would be to start up the Zgemma in a 'level' (init 4? 5?) where it does not grab the tuners, or else fire it up completely and then drop back down.
Either option immediately followed by launching minisatip to make the tuners available to the TVH backend.

How best to do that is what I need to sort out now.

Gerry Wicklow

I'm guessing but it seems to treat streams the same as a record timer. So even if the box is ON, a stream request should override the screen output giving you access to all tuners as needed.

Johnboy1951

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

I'm guessing but it seems to treat streams the same as a record timer. So even if the box is ON, a stream request should override the screen output giving you access to all tuners as needed.

What happens is that E2 grabs a tuner and locks on to a mux frequency, so only that mux would be available to TVH, unless E2 relinquishes the tuner.
Standby would allow the two tuners to be available to TVH for use on any mux it decides is required.

Gerry Wicklow

Just tried a quick test on my H7 using WEBIF and was able to stream terrestrial and two different satellites at the same time. I.E all three tuners. When I switched on the TV it said 'no free tuner.'

Johnboy1951

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

Just tried a quick test on my H7 using WEBIF and was able to stream terrestrial and two different satellites at the same time. I.E all three tuners. When I switched on the TV it said 'no free tuner.'

yes, that is what I will avoid by not allowing the usused E2 to lock onto one of the two available tuners.

Johnboy1951

I believe I have finished this - eventually.

Running OpenATV I went into settings - Customise and set the device to start up in Standby mode.
In /etc/init.d/rc.local I added the following to the end of the file

sleep 10
/usr/bin/minisatip

The attached tuners are then made available on the LAN and usable by my TVH server backend.

It took me a long time for something so simple, but am glad I did it.

niallb

Hi @JohnBoy1951.

I've been digging away on my openatv install to set up exactly what you're talking about.
I've put a new version of tvheadend on a server in the attic and installed mysatip.

The ideal way to stop enigma2 starting is to change the default runlevel from 3 to 5. It's set to respawn in runlevel 3, but is not started otherwise.

If you edit the file /etc/inittab
find the line that reads id:3:initdefault and change it as below

# The default runlevel.
id:5:initdefault:

Then head over and take a look at the /etc/init.d directory.
We need to make some links so that mysatip gets started in runlevel 5 and stopped in runlevel 3.

ln -s /etc/init.d/minisatip /etc/rc5.d/S91minisatip
ln -s /etc/init.d/minisatip /etc/rc3.d/K09minisatip

I see you suggest just starting the service with minisatip.
This may work for your setup, though I couldn't detect the tuners from tvheadend when I did this (yet!).
If you need to add any parameters to the service to get it to work as you'd like,
create a new file /etc/default/minisatip with a variable like this for the extra options:

MINISATIP_OPTS='-y 554 -R /usr/share/minisatip/html'

Put everything you need on the one line and restart - it will come up running just the mysatip service.
You can make it back into an enigma2 box again by connecting in and changing just the runevel default back to '3' . You don't need to make any other changes.
You can temporarily change it by connecting using ssh and typing telinit 3.
minisatip will stop and enigma2 will take over again.

Johnboy1951

@niallb

I had previously used the command

/usr/bin/minisatip  -f -D /usr/bin/share/minisatip/html

to start minisatip, but found it unnecessary in my setup.
Hence the change.

I am limited in my testing recently because the signal from the 'test' sat dish is gone bad so must get it attended to (maybe new year).

I am unsure (knowing little about E2) what the differences might be in starting in level 3 as opposed to using the 'standby' option in OpenATV, but suspect there might be some as E2 appears to first launch and then go into standby.

I am not concerned about the delay that would introduce as it should happen very rarely that the box is restarted.
I 'suspect' it is helpful to other parts of the installed system, but have no certain knowledge of it.

Essentially I made only the two changes ....

1. In WebGUI set the box to start in standby
2. Put the minisatip command in the rc.local file

No other changes were needed here that I am aware of.

minisatip should function while E2 is launched (from what I have read) and make available the unused tuners to the LAN.

Thanks for posting your solution

niallb

Thanks a million for your input.
I was happy enough with how things were working, but now I've switched to minisatip and tvheadend
everything is much snappier and I don't have a tuner tied up by the box in the kitchen anymore.

I've been a unix admin for decades, and work with embedded systems too,
so setting things up in such a way that they launch with a service running is second nature.
Doing it by runlevel was extra handy since when I was fiddling with it I could just type in 'telinit 5' for the minisatip system
and go back to normal behaviour with 'telinit 3' when others were around who might actually want to watch the telly.
"It'll be back in a few days" wasn't going to cut it.

The best bit is that the client we were using to watch the channels has a version for tvheadend as well as enigma2 so the interface is exacty the same,
just a different colored icon and much faster channel changes.

I did not find the minisatip tuners automatically detected by my tvheadend install,
but added the IP of the box to the configuration of the startup script and up they came.

# /etc/default/tvheadend # last line
TVH_ARGS="-d --satip_xml http://[i]IP.OF.MYSATIP.BOX[/i]:8080/desc.xml"

They're not on the same machine, so maybe that has something to do with it.

Johnboy1951

Thanks for the feedback.
I just muddle through trying to pick up on the way how things should work.

Strange that TVH did not immediately 'see' the minisatip tuners.
No doubt there are lots of differences in our setups which might account for such behaviour.
My TVH server is on a cheap (€25) Android box running CoreElec with the client devices using Kodi +TVH client plugin.
Regardless client device used, Kodi is installed so all devices give similar user experience.

All good for the present it seems.

Johnboy1951

Update:

The device has no problem serving 6 different channels with no buffering or other problems. This is better than I expected TBH.

What I have found though is that depending on how those channels are disconnected (shut down Kodi) seems to affect the availability of the tuners.
The Zgemma or minisatip seems to lose them.
A reboot of the Zgemma makes them available again.

I have not had time to figure out what actually happens ...... if it happens only in unusual circumstances I probaly won't even bother.

Anyway here is a pic of the six channels being received on my PC

Muahahaha

Is the Zgemma box capable of showing a 7 day epg for satellite or is it just now & next? Also is it possible just to have one epg for both terrestrial and satellite.

bassy

hi trying to get zgemma h2s working on my wifi,i put the wifi usb dongle in but nothing happening as in not seemingly been found.
does anyone know if i need a specfic driver ?.

swoofer

yes, do you have name of usb dongle and then you look under drivers.

muahahahaha, you not read read very much of this thread go back to beginning and the answer is yes yes

bassy

swoofer wrote: »

yes, do you have name of usb dongle and then you look under drivers.

muahahahaha, you not read read very much of this thread go back to beginning and the answer is yes yes

muahahahaha are you ok pet.

swoofer

ooops you have to say image you are using , have you name of usb dongle and then i can tell you name of driver but then again ..im only telling you this as I got 4 different wi fi dongles working in the h2s

bassy

swoofer wrote: »

have you name of usb dongle and then i can tell you name of driver but then again ..

ok m8 gimme 2 mins,but theres no name on the dongle.
unless i plug it in pc and try get details that way.

swoofer

where did you buy it was it ebay?

bassy

swoofer wrote: »

where did you buy it was it ebay?

came with another sat box i bought,am using it right now on pc.

says ralink manufactuer

swoofer

ok go to plugins green download, then drivers scrool through and look for network usb -rt3070 and that should work but if it doesn't i would go to techkings. I dont use the H2S anymore.

bassy

swoofer wrote: »

ok go to plugins green download, then drivers scrool through and look for network usb -rt3070 and that should work but if it doesn't i would go to techkings. I dont use the H2S anymore.

ok will have a go now m8.

bassy

i installled network usb -rt3070 but do not see it in the remove from plug ins

Johnboy1951

bassy wrote: »

ok m8 gimme 2 mins,but theres no name on the dongle.
unless i plug it in pc and try get details that way.

If using OpenATV you can run a terminal in its GUI on a PC and check with

dmesg

the information the Zgemma gets from the dongle.

For instance this is what I get for mine

root@zgemmah2s:~# dmesg | grep -i rtl                                                                                         
[   12.161000] usb 1-2.2: dvb_usb_v2: found a 'Realtek RTL2832U reference design' in warm state                               
[   12.226000] dvbdev: DVB: registering new adapter (Realtek RTL2832U reference design)                                       
[   12.313000] rtl2832 7-0010: Realtek RTL2832 successfully attached                                                          
[   12.313000] usb 1-2.2: DVB: registering adapter 1 frontend 0 (Realtek RTL2832 (DVB-T))...                                  
[   12.443000] input: Realtek RTL2832U reference design as /devices/platform/ehci-brcm.0/usb1/1-2/1-2.2/rc/rc1/input5         
[   12.444000] rc rc1: Realtek RTL2832U reference design as /devices/platform/ehci-brcm.0/usb1/1-2/1-2.2/rc/rc1               
[   12.473000] usb 1-2.2: dvb_usb_v2: 'Realtek RTL2832U reference design' successfully initialized and connected              
[   12.474000] usbcore: registered new interface driver dvb_usb_rtl28xxu

As can be seen it uses the dvb_usb_rtl28xxu driver (last line).

bassy

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

If using OpenATV you can run a terminal in its GUI on a PC and check with

dmesg

the information the Zgemma gets from the dongle.

For instance this is what I get for mine

root@zgemmah2s:~# dmesg | grep -i rtl                                                                                         
[   12.161000] usb 1-2.2: dvb_usb_v2: found a 'Realtek RTL2832U reference design' in warm state                               
[   12.226000] dvbdev: DVB: registering new adapter (Realtek RTL2832U reference design)                                       
[   12.313000] rtl2832 7-0010: Realtek RTL2832 successfully attached                                                          
[   12.313000] usb 1-2.2: DVB: registering adapter 1 frontend 0 (Realtek RTL2832 (DVB-T))...                                  
[   12.443000] input: Realtek RTL2832U reference design as /devices/platform/ehci-brcm.0/usb1/1-2/1-2.2/rc/rc1/input5         
[   12.444000] rc rc1: Realtek RTL2832U reference design as /devices/platform/ehci-brcm.0/usb1/1-2/1-2.2/rc/rc1               
[   12.473000] usb 1-2.2: dvb_usb_v2: 'Realtek RTL2832U reference design' successfully initialized and connected              
[   12.474000] usbcore: registered new interface driver dvb_usb_rtl28xxu

As can be seen it uses the dvb_usb_rtl28xxu driver (last line).

using openatv here,so not sure if i can do what your saying?.

Johnboy1951

Muahahaha wrote: »

Is the Zgemma box capable of showing a 7 day epg for satellite or is it just now & next? Also is it possible just to have one epg for both terrestrial and satellite.

I do not use the Zgemma HDMI output at all, only minisatip to my Tvheadend server, and it manages EPG, Recording, and allocation of tuners as required.

There are plugins for the Zgemms which I have not used that can get 7 day EPG.
From what little I saw while messing about with the device, most likely the best way to manage integration of channels would be to select the channels you want, put them into the Favourites bouquet and rearrange them to whatever order you prefer.

Maybe someone with experience of using E2 has a much better suggestion ..... I only use the hardware as a Sat>IP device to provide tuners for my backend server.

Johnboy1951

bassy wrote: »

using openatv here,so not sure if i can do what your saying?.

Yes, that is what I am using

OpenATV 6.4.20201102 (2020-10-26)

Put the IP address of the Zgemma into a browser in the PC and under 'Extras' on the left you can select 'Terminal'.
For log in use 'root' and then use 'dmesg'.

It looks something like this

zgemmah2s login: root                                                                                                         
root@zgemmah2s:~# dmesg                                                                                                       
[    0.000000] Measuring MIPS counter frequency...                                                                            
[    0.000000] Detected MIPS clock frequency: 751 MHz (375.765 MHz counter)                                                   
[    0.000000] clocksource: wktmr: mask: 0xffffffffffffffff max_cycles: 0x63a1e71a3, max_idle_ns: 440795203123 ns             
[    0.000000] sched_clock: 32 bits at 1kHz, resolution 1000000ns, wraps every 2147483647500000ns                             
[    0.000000] ....

Check the output to see your dongle listed.

bassy

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Yes, that is what I am using

OpenATV 6.4.20201102 (2020-10-26)

Put the IP address of the Zgemma into a browser in the PC and under 'Extras' on the left you can select 'Terminal'.
For log in use 'root' and then use 'dmesg'.

ok will give it a go and report back.

bassy

done what you said but my box is connected via ethernet,as i cannot get the usb wifi dongle to connect box to the internet.

bassy

and this is not going to give the wifi dongle details when it does not have box connected to the net.

Johnboy1951

bassy wrote: »

done what you said but my box is connected via ethernet,as i cannot get the usb wifi dongle to connect box to the internet.

bassy wrote: »

and this is not going to give the wifi dongle details when it does not have box connected to the net.

I am unsure what you mean ....

So, let me say you do not need any internet connection to check the dongle.

You do need to have the Zgemma and the PC to be connected to the same LAN for my suggestion above to work.
All my devices are connected via ethernet cable to the LAN.
I do not use WIFI for TV as I find it unsuitable.

bassy

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

I am unsure what you mean ....

So, let me say you do not need any internet connection to check the dongle.

You do need to have the Zgemma and the PC to be connected to the same LAN for my suggestion above to work.
All my devices are connected via ethernet cable to the LAN.
I do not use WIFI for TV as I find it unsuitable.

Yes pc and box are connected to router via ethernet cable.
You saying to have the usb dongle plugged in as well.

Johnboy1951

bassy wrote: »

Yes pc and box are connected to router via ethernet cable.
You saying to have the usb dongle plugged in as well.

You plug the USB dongle into the Zgemma and use WebIF via the browser in the PC, and from there the Terminal as described.

bassy

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

You plug the USB dongle into the Zgemma and use WebIF via the browser in the PC, and from there the Terminal as described.

Well when I just plug in the usb dongle webif will not open up as the usb dongle is not connecting to my wifi

swoofer

You must do a hard reboot with the e wi fi dongle connected and when you go to network it should show up a wlan and lan, the one in use will be highlighted, select the wi fi and it should ask select network or search. how far are you from router. and i used the usb slot in the front. I have h2s in attic and if I get a bit of time today I'll have a go but as I said in post 2 i use grog build from techkings. That build comes with a sky skin, epg, autobouquet maker etc. It made the h2s work properly.

ps if you could say or link where you got dongle i could have a closer look and raise a q on techkings.

and can you say image name and version.

Johnboy1951

bassy wrote: »

Yes pc and box are connected to router via ethernet cable.
You saying to have the usb dongle plugged in as well.

bassy wrote: »

Well when I just plug in the usb dongle webif will not open up as the usb dongle is not connecting to my wifi

If the devices are connected via ethernet cable then you can of course use webif ........ long before the dongle is plugged in.

bassy

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

If the devices are connected via ethernet cable then you can of course use webif ........ long before the dongle is plugged in.

Webif with the ethernet only gives details about wired connection.
The box is not finding the usb wifi dongle as you need a driver to install the dongle for it to be recognized.