V+ing Ch4 and E4

grabbi · 03-04-2007, 13:11

Its a disgrace on Ch4 and E4.

As far as I am concerned, an issue needs looking at.

I have recorded the Chili Peppers last night, and even though I have 1 minute padding each side, the Recording still managed to get the end of the last show, all the ads, and 1minute 53 of the actual Music Video.

It isn't the first time...

Simple Life Interns had the first 7 minutes of what SHOULD have been Simple Life, but instead it was end of the last program, ads, then missing 7 minutes off the end of the show... thus missing the end... thus taking away the actual point of watching!

It is possible that you can Sync up a VCR/DVD with Sky, then it knows when the program begins and ends, as long as you book the program in.

The Sky box will turn off once the program is finishd, even if it over runs, and your VCR/DVD finishes!

quadplay · 03-04-2007, 13:16

Unfortunately, this isn't something that can be solved on the V+HD box in software.

The V+ service is reliant on the accuracy of the schedules provided by the broadcasters, and if the broadcaster doesn't stick to its schedule, the V+HD box won't be able to record the programme.

The reason it's different on Sky is that the major broadcasters transmit the schedule data themselves, and can therefore update the schedules in real-time. This isn't currently possible on the Virgin Media system.

In short, complain to Channel 4!

Alien · 03-04-2007, 22:17

WTF? When I was enquiring about V+ the other day, I specifically raised this issue, about progs not starting at the same time as the EPG stated, & the guy said that you could tell it to start when the actual program started & even if it started later or earlier than the EPG said it would it would start recording at the correct time.

I wouldn't mind if it was possible to set the exact start & finish times, like with the old analogue system, as I'm usually way better at judging when something's going to start & end than either the EPG or officially listed [by the channels] times. I'm guessing that feature isn't available either, eh?

quadplay · 03-04-2007, 22:28

You can set manual recordings, to the minute, if you want (although the programme name won't be displayed in the list of recordings). You can also automatically add padding to all recordings, to reduce the liklihood of missing the end.

For what it's worth, I have my V+ settings to add 1 minute at the start and 3 minutes at the end of recordings, and find this catches the vast majority (probably around 98%) of programmes in full.

Alien · 03-04-2007, 22:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by quadplay

You can set manual recordings, to the minute, if you want (although the programme name won't be displayed in the list of recordings). You can also automatically add padding to all recordings, to reduce the liklihood of missing the end.

Oh, that's not so bad then. Is there any chance they could/will change/fix the name not being displayed? I'm thinking it shouldn't be too difficult to provide an option for when you do that to perhaps display the list of the 2 or 3 progs that closest match the time frame set [including before & after], & let the user just select 1 to use as the name.

Quote:

Originally Posted by quadplay

For what it's worth, I have my V+ settings to add 1 minute at the start and 3 minutes at the end of recordings, and find this catches the vast majority (probably around 98%) of programmes in full.

Must be a pain to have to fast forward through the extra minutes. I wouldn't mind for occasional 1-off stuff, but it would really bug me for regular stuff, so I'm glad about the manual setting function.

quadplay · 03-04-2007, 23:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alien

Oh, that's not so bad then. Is there any chance they could/will change/fix the name not being displayed? I'm thinking it shouldn't be too difficult to provide an option for when you do that to perhaps display the list of the 2 or 3 progs that closest match the time frame set [including before & after], & let the user just select 1 to use as the name.

It's more work than you'd think! I certainly doubt it's high on the priority list.

Quote:

Must be a pain to have to fast forward through the extra minutes. I wouldn't mind for occasional 1-off stuff, but it would really bug me for regular stuff, so I'm glad about the manual setting function.

I don't find it too much of a pain - but maybe I'm used to it, after using a TiVo since October 2000 which had the same listings issue.

Alien · 03-04-2007, 23:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by quadplay

It's more work than you'd think! I certainly doubt it's high on the priority list.

And yet they refuse to let us use 3rd party equipment. I've been told I'm too honest for my own good at times - this must be 1 of those times, as I know where I could get the 3rd party equipment, but I'm unwilling to risk breaking the VM Ts&Cs [even though it wouldn't enable me to get anything I'm not entitled to through my official STB].

If they allowed you to use 3rd party kit, they wouldn't have any extra outlay on their end, they'd just sell extra cards [not sure of the proper name, the kind that goes in the slot in the STB].

05-04-2007, 07:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by quadplay

...For what it's worth, I have my V+ settings to add 1 minute at the start and 3 minutes at the end of recordings, and find this catches the vast majority (probably around 98%) of programmes in full.

That's default isn't it? - That's same padding that i have and i haven't touched it