PS3 Media Server Tutorial/FAQ

[otmanix]

Spanish Howto: http://otmanix.de/english/2010/01/18/ps3-media-server-traduccion-al-espanol/

[otmanix]

Java Runtime Environment (JRE) or management of memory for JRE is causing trouble in some systems:
- high memory usage
- settings aren't saved after pressing the save button
- Java 6 update 18 is reported very often to cause problems

You may change memory usage in pms.bat (Windows) or pms.sh (UX - Linux, ...).
Open file named before with text editor and change value for memory "-Xmx768M"(standard is 768M = 768 Megabyte), save file and start PMS by using the file.

Also have a look at hanging java-processes (javaw.exe). Maybe you have to kill not responding java-processes or restart your OS.
Also have a look at the value for transcode buffer. If it's very high (e.g. 600MB) you only have 168MB left for PMS itself and database. You may have to increase the -Xmx value. This is also valid if you use plugins like PS3radio which loads a lot of radio stations in web.conf. Enabling itunes in PMS may also cause this problem.
If you use Java 6 update 18 you should try a different version, e.g. Java 6 update 16.

The -Xmx argument defines the max memory size that the heap can reach for the JVM. You must know your program well and see how it performs under load and set this parameter accordingly. A low value can cause OutOfMemoryExceptions or a very poor performance if your program's heap memory is reaching the maximum heap size. If your program is running in dedicated server you can set this parameter higher because it wont affect other programs.
The -Xms argument sets the initial heap memory size for the JVM. This means that when you start your program the JVM will allocate this amount of memory instantly. This is useful if your program will consume a large amount of heap memory right from the start. This avoids the JVM to be constantly increasing the heap and can gain some performance there. If you don't know if this parameter is going to help you, don't use it.

[otmanix]

here are some interesting links:
- optimized portal for watching youtube hd videos directly with ps3 browser: http://www.ps3youtube.com
- creating a rss-feed-file in order to stream web videos via web.conf: http://ps3mediaserver.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5643

[meskibob]

Q: Where are the PMS config, log, database files etc. located?

A: The actual locations are listed in the first lines of output on the Traces tab in the GUI and the debug.log.
Most files are, by default, in the application working directory (usually the application install directory - OSX see * below), but there are a couple external locations as well:

Profile Directory
Windows

• %PROGRAMDATA%\PMS (Vista, 7)
• %APPDATA%\PMS (XP)
Note that the ProgramData and AppData folders are hidden. Open Windows Explorer and either paste the above path into the address bar or show hidden folders to browse it.

Linux &c.

• ~/.config/PMS

OSX

• ~/Library/Application Support/PMS
Note that in OSX Lion the users "Library" folder is invisible. Use the "Go to Folder" command (CMD + SHIFT + G in Finder) and paste the path to browse it.

Temp Directory

• System temp directory\ps3mediaserver

Specific default locations:

• The "PMS.conf" and "WEB.conf" files are located in the Profile directory listed above.
• The .bat/.sh files are located in the application working directory.
• The logback.xml file is located in the application working directory.
• Renderer config files, plugins, and database files are located in subdirectories of the application working directory.
• Logfiles are typically found in the application working directory or the Temp directory listed above.

Resetting PMS back to default:

• To reset the program settings, delete the PMS.conf file
• To reset the list of web streams, replace the WEB.conf file with the default WEB.conf located at https://github.com/ps3mediaserver/ps3me ... s/WEB.conf
• To reset a renderer, replace the specific renderer's conf file with the default conf located at https://github.com/ps3mediaserver/ps3me ... /renderers
• To reset the .bat or .sh files, replace the file with the default file located at https://github.com/ps3mediaserver/ps3me ... -resources

* Note: The Application Working Directory on OSX is at

/Applications/PS3 Media Server.app/Contents/Resources/Java
Note that in OSX the "PS3 Media Server.app" folder is invisible. Use the "Go to Folder" command (CMD + SHIFT + G in Finder) and paste the path to browse

[meskibob]

Problem: I cannot see PMS from my DLNA client!

Solution: This can be caused by a variety of factors, but the potential causes can be broken up into two groups: "Before UDP Broadcast" and "After UDP Broadcast".
The line in the trace or debug.log that separates these two groups (this signifies the UDP broadcast) is:

Code: Select all

The server should now appear on your renderer


Note1: for the suggestions below, Windows, Apple and several OEM manufacturers install and enable default protection programs (e.g. Windows Defender or Peer Guardian).
Make sure that the settings for ALL antivirus, firewall, malware and protection programs are checked.

Note2: direct connections are a special case, check the additional details at the bottom of this post.

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Before UDP Broadcast
These can typically be spotted through errors or notes in the trace or debug.log before the line above.

PMS cannot bind to the IP-address or port on the network interface:
Some other program is already using that port ("Address already in use").

• Check with "netstat -a" through the command line, and change the port in the PMS settings if needed
• If you are using a Mac with EyeTV, some background processes from EyeTV's EyeConnect software may be causing the in-use error. To solve it, quit all processes and launch PMS first, and then EyeTV.

A software firewall is blocking javaw.exe (and wrapper.exe if running as a Windows service) from binding to the port

• Open the firewall settings and make sure the .exe's are allowed or the specific port is open

You forced the wrong IP address in the PMS settings

• Clear the setting or force the correct IP address (the IP address of the server)
Note: you should only have to the force IP if you've assigned multiple IPs to a single NIC

You opened multiple instances of PMS or a javaw.exe process got hung up:

• Close all open instances of PMS and then kill any* remaining javaw.exe processes. Alternatively, restart your computer to get rid of unwanted processes.
Note: You may have other programs using javaw.exe, so exercise due diligence in killing the tasks.

PMS is bound to the wrong network interface:
You have multiple NICs enabled, and PMS automatically selected a NIC different than the one desired (e.g. on Mac OS X the program Parallels creates a virtual network interface "vnic1", or on Windows it somehow selected the "localhost" adapter).

• Force the correct network interface under "Network settings".

You forced the wrong network interface under "Network settings".

• Either force the correct network interface or clear the setting.

You do not have the proper access or permissions for the PMS install folder:
You need to make sure there are full read/write permissions on the PMS install folder

• Check the base filesystem permissions
• On Windows Vista/7, reinstall with "Run as Administrator" on the installer
• Check if any filesystem protection programs are blocking access (some antivirus/malware programs have this feature)

PMS is taking time to register a component or setting:
This isn't really an "error", in that large collections of files (eg a large iTunes database) can take some time for PMS to go through. You need to either

• Wait for PMS to do its thing, after which it should properly broadcast and show up on your device, or
• Disable the engine/setting

After UDP Broadcast
At this point everything should be fine within PMS, so you need to look externally.

Your software firewall or other software is blocking the traffic between PMS and your device:

• A software firewall is somehow blocking the connection apart from the specific items listed above (e.g. blocking inbound local connections).
• Add the device's IP to your firewall's "Trusted List" or allow all local traffic.
• Temporarily disable all firewalls to confirm, and then check your firewall's help documentation.
• If you are using Hamachi VPN, try disabling its drivers or uninstalling the software.
• If you are using Avast Anti-virus, check the expert settings for a module called Auto Sandbox. Make sure that "javaw.exe" is excluded from the Auto Sandbox.

Your router is blocking the traffic:

• Your router may just need to be rebooted. This is probably not the issue if you've never been able to connect PMS to your client device.
• Check the router's firewall to see if the traffic is being blocked. For some routers it helps to disable the SPI Firewall.
• If using a wireless connection, check if Wireless Isolation is enabled on your router, and if so disable it.
• Check your router's settings to see if there are any settings to toggle for UDP traffic or multicast/IGMP traffic (e.g. IGMP Proxy on Verizon FIOS routers [source 1, source 2]).
Notes:

1. Most UPnP settings on routers are to allow the devices on the LAN to dynamically configure the port forwarding and other router settings with minimal user interaction. This shouldn't need to be enabled for the actual UPnP/DLNA traffic in the LAN, and in some cases it actually causes issues when enabled on bad routers.
2. Port forwarding isn't required for standard use of PMS. It is only needed if you're trying to stream web-content.
3. Some routers are crap and either a) don't have the proper settings or b) just mishandle traffic regardless of the settings. This can even vary within the same router for wired vs wireless traffic.
• See if a different DLNA program (WMP, TVersity, Wild, etc) works using the same router/settings.
• If you've checked everything else, give the forum or Google a search and see if other people are having UPnP/DLNA issues with the same router.

The host file on your Linux box needs to be corrected:

• Add the server's FQDN to the server's host file (/etc/hosts).
• How to determine your current hostname/domainname.
  

Windows is set to a Public network location instead of Home:

• Choose a network location (Windows 7 and Server 2008)
• Choose a network location (Vista)

Your server and device are on different subnets:

• Per the DLNA protocol (which uses UDP broadcast packets), the server and device must be on the same subnet. The easiest way to check is if you can ping the device from the server (successful ping = on same subnet). This issue should only really happen if you have multiple routers or managed switches in your network (in which case you'll need to bridge your routers together). If you only have a single router/switch, then you incorrectly set a manual IP address on at least one of your devices leading to a subnet mismatch

Your server or device is configured to use an invalid IP address:

• Some IP addresses are reserved (eg x.x.x.255) and should not be used by any device on the LAN. You should only see this issue if you are manually assigning IP addresses at some point (on the device, at router level, etc).

Your device is not set up to access any DLNA servers:

• On the PS3, make sure that "Settings > Network Settings > Media Server Connection" is enabled.
• See your device's manual.

Note: this only covers PMS showing up on your device, nothing regarding playback or file browsing.

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In addition, you can run into issues (both Before and After UDP Broadcast) when trying to use a direct connection (no router or switch, just the computer with PMS and the device)
Examples:

• PMS can't bind to the IP/Port because both devices need to be turned on for the connection to exist (before PMS is started)
• You didn't use a crossover cable (only needed if BOTH devices are NOT gigabit)
• You have a mismatch in the IP settings
• The device has two (or more) NICs and is using the wrong one (eg PS3 still using the wifi NIC)

This thread/post covers almost everything needed to correctly set up a direct connection.

[chocolateboy]

Problem: There are multiple versions of PMS available. Which version should I use?

Solution:

The official stable version of PMS is 1.81.0. This is recommended for most users.

Instructions for downloading the latest snapshot builds can be found here.

If you're looking for a specific fix or want to experiment with a new feature, try a snapshot build; otherwise, use the official stable version of PMS.

[chocolateboy]

Question: How do I get web video feeds/streams to work?

Answer:

Use the PMSEncoder plugin (make sure you're using the latest version of PMS). See the relevant sections of the documentation for upgrade instructions, tips and troubleshooting help.

If the Web folder doesn't appear on your renderer, see here. For help with particular feeds/streams/sites, see here.

To discuss or report issues, read the last few pages of this thread to make sure your question hasn't already been asked, and post away if you have a problem (please follow the instructions for reporting an issue if you want a reply).

[chocolateboy]

Problem: PMS doesn't reflect newly added/removed/renamed files/folders

Solution:

To refresh a directory listing, navigate back out of the folder then back into it. New folders will appear at the bottom of the folder list (e.g. after the #--TRANSCODE--# folder, if enabled), and new files will appear at the bottom of the file list. Removed files and folders won't be listed.

Added files/folders will be sorted correctly when PMS is restarted.

Note: these instructions apply to the PS3 and may not apply to other renderers.

[meskibob]

Problem: Some MKV files are returning "Data corrupted" or other playback errors while other MKV files work fine.

Potential Solution:The compression header was enabled by the file creator (issue with a setting in the newer MKVToolnix program set).
http://ps3mediaserver.org/forum/viewtop ... 163#p38163

[chocolateboy]

Problem: I have a problem with PMS. Do I need to upgrade anything?

Solution:

If PMS works for you, carry on using whatever version of PMS/Java you like.

If it doesn't work, please make sure you're using the latest version of PMS and the latest version of Java before reporting issues.