SQL Server

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Before you install ARGUS TV Scheduler, you will need to install database server software. Your options are, Microsoft SQL, or MySQL. We recommend Microsoft SQL Express.

If you have previously installed MediaPortal TV Server it will have installed MySQL. In this case there is no need to install other database server software.
Nevertheless keep in mind, that if you may encounter response speed issues, especially opening or performing complex Recording or Suggestion Plans in ARGUS TV, you may speed up the whole system by deciding to move to MS-SQL. Users of MediaPortal TV Server then have to re-setup their TV Server configuration (re-install using MS-SQL).
Mainly, for the use with ARGUS TV, the usage of MS-SQL is recommended.

ICN INFO.PNG MediaPortal installs MySQL with the following user name and password.
User: sa
Password: MediaPortal (case sensitive)


Warning: ARGUS TV 2.2.2 with MS-SQL 2014

ICN WARN.PNG Warning: ARGUS TV 2.2.2 is not compatible with MS-SDQL 2014 as such.We noticed that on MS-SQL 2012 install the ARGUS TV database is created with 2005 compatibility - which is not supported anymore under MS-SQL 2014.
  • If you want to get around this with the current MS-SQL 2014-installer, modify line 9 of "C:\Program Files (x86)\ARGUS TV\Scheduler\SqlServer\Create.sql" from "@new_cmptlevel=90" to "@new_cmptlevel=120" during setup when you get to the part about verifying connectivity to your SQL Server...
  • We recommend, to use ARGUS TV 2.3 version, instead. It won't claim this issue.


Installing Microsoft SQL Express

Installation is a fairly straight forward process. First download the installer that suits your needs, See ICN WEB INLINE.PNG here for available versions.

This guide uses SQL Express 2008 (because that's what the author had).

Run the installer, once it has started you will see this window.

MSSQL001.png

Select "New installation or add features to an existing installation"

Accept the terms and conditions (The second check box is optional) then click Next.

MSSQL002.png

Wait for the installer to do it's thing.

MSSQL004.png

Click Next.

MSSQL005.png

Click Next.

MSSQL006.png

Click Next.

MSSQL007.png

Click Next.

MSSQL008.png

Click Next again to begin the install.

MSSQL009.png

Wait for the installer to finish installing.

MSSQL010.png

Click Close.

MSSQL011.png

And you're done. It's that easy!

Installing MySQL

ICN EDIT GREEN.PNG This article would greatly benefit from your contribution. Please help us to extend this ARGUS TV Wiki article.
You may want to refer to "Contribute to our Wiki".


Switching Database Servers

ICN ATTN.PNG Attention:
The section "Switching Database Servers" is a DRAFT, the information contained may be completely inaccurate!

There is currently no easy way to switch between MSSQL and MySQL! What follows is a guide to help make the transition slightly easier.

ICN INFO.PNG Information:
Provided you don't do a complete uninstall (when asked by the uninstaller) you should be able to easily go back to the original database server.

What is stored in the SQL database

The main SQL database stores information for the ARGUS TV Scheduler, it includes:

  • EPG Data
  • Channel List
  • Schedules for Recordings, Suggestions & Alerts
  • Recording history
  •  ?

What isn't stored in the SQL database

Information for the ARGUS TV Recorder is stored in a separate database and will not be affected by the switch between database systems. Information includes:

  • Card list
  • Scanned Services

The location of the Recorder Database is C:\ProgramData\ARGUS TV\ARGUSTV.Recorder.sdf

Why Change?

There could be several possible reasons for switching. Some might be:

  • You are having database performance issues.
  • Another application requires a specific Server, and you don't want to run two
  •  ?

How to go about it

Once you've decided to make the switch, you should take some steps to make it a little easier.

  1. Export your Schedules. (You have to export Recordings, Suggestions & Alerts separately.) See ICN WIKI INLINE.PNGExporting Schedules
  2. Export your Recorded Programs ICN WIKI INLINE.PNGExporting Recordings
  3. If you acquire your EPG in an XML file, get a copy of the latest information. You can get the last imported XML from the folder "ProgramData\XMLTV\Imported".

If you grab your EPG from the DVB broadcast stream, you might find it useful to use a program such as EPGCollector to Grab an XML copy of the data.

Now that you have backed up what you can, it's time to make the move.



Removing databases

In the unlikely event that you need to remove your databases, these are the options to do it.

  • SQL Management Studio.
  • MySQL Workbench.
  • Drop database command.


ICN WARN.PNG Caution
Removing the database is not a necessary step for reinstall or upgrade, it will permanently remove all data, schedules and settings from ARGUS TV Scheduler. If you are unsure if you need to delete your database, don't.

Removing the database while ARGUS TV is installed will distroy the install, your only option will be to reinstall ARGUS TV all of your data, schedules and settings will be lost.

You have been warned

SQL Management Studio / MySQL Workbench

"SQL Management Studio" and "MySQL Workbench" allow you to manage your databases through a GUI rather than by command line. You will probably need to download these separately, they are not typically included with a standard SQL install.

As there should be plenty of guides to using these applications available, we will only provide a link. ICN WEB INLINE.PNG Google

MS SQL Drop Database

This is actually far easier than it first appears to a newbie. This assumes you have a default install of MS SQL Express, and will delete the ARGUS TV Database. These commands are not unique to ARGUS TV and will work for any MS-SQL database, just replace "ArgusTV" with the name of the target database.
Open a command prompt (windows key + R, type cmd), and type the command on each line and press enter. (the commands are shown in bold, do not begin the command with a space).

Start here

C:\Users\Andrew> sqlcmd -S .\sqlexpress -E
1> drop database ArgusTV
2> go
1> exit


ICN INFO.PNG Information:

The command above assumes you have a standard install of MS SQL Express, if not, you may have to alter the first line.
.\sqlexpress is the name of the SQL server running on your machine. You will need to change it to .\<your server name here>
You may be able to find it by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc, clicking the services tab, and scrolling down to the SQL Services. You should find a line that looks a little like this:

SQLAgent$SQLEXPRESS  |   |  SQL Server Agent (SQLEXPRESS)

MySQL Drop Database

ICN EDIT GREEN.PNG This article would greatly benefit from your contribution. Please help us to extend this ARGUS TV Wiki article.
You may want to refer to "Contribute to our Wiki".
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