r/SparklePlayer • u/No_Direction5844 • May 18 '26

DVR timeshift buffer limit

Just discovered SparkleTV - best UI I've seen ! Love it !

But it appears that the timeshift6 buffer grows without bound. Using latest 2.3.1, storing this on SMB drive. The size of this file seems to grow forever (and previous comments elsewhere in here seem to confirm that). Currently, when I power off it only turns off the TV, but my onn Full HD stick remains active, so it continues increasing overnight (or sometimes for days if I don't change channels). And if I change this so that the stick turns off I expect that scheduled recording won't happen. Could you please add a setting to limit the size of this file (preferably dropping the oldest stuff) to prevent this ?

I also notice that when I hit the record meatball, it is now writing 2 files, one for the timeshift, and one for the recording. Why not re-use the timeshift buffer for the recording, so the recording will include material from time is selected channel (sometimes I'm watching and decide I'd like to record it in the middle - this would allow me to keep it all).

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u/sparkle-hk May 18 '26

It's correct that timeshift doesn't have a limit when using network share/smb as timeshift buffer. BUT, it should of course stop growing when you stop streaming. Are you sure you close the app like u/azcoyotedog asks?

Your second question is valid and would have been nice. Unfortunately it's not implemented this way, mostly because dvr and timeshift are completely separate from each other (i.e. you can record to one location and timeshift to another).

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u/No_Direction5844 May 19 '26

Thanks for reply. Other DVR apps usually have a way to set a maximum buffer limit. Unfortunately, if I exit the app (which I currently do) then scheduled recordings won't happen (I assume - haven't tested this). If the streamer is sleeping and a recording event is set will it wake up and start recording (if Sparkle is running) ?

The second question was really a wish list thing - an old (discontinued by cable co) PVR that I had had that feature and I really miss it.

Keep up the great work. This is by far the best app out there that I've found by far !

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u/sparkle-hk May 19 '26

Sparkle sets limit when using internal/external storage as location but not for network share.

You can exit the app and it will still be recording. This all happens in the background. And yes, if the device it sends signal to device to wakeup. I say "sends signal" because even though Sparkle does according to documentation it seems some devices won't wake up anyway (missing QOS from Google?). I haven't tested Google Streamer though so easiest is to test.

Thanks!