Whats the point in setting timers for programs on TV when they are all starting early.


I set a load of programes to record daily, and before STMO and Optimal butt in yes that does include the soaps.

Sky + HD all programes set to record with series link and come on 1 min early etc.

But why are programs like the soaps actually starting before thier alloted time scale, thought the problem might have been with the time settings, but they all checked out ok.

Mr Skrunts wrote on 12. Nov 2009 at 19:35:

Whats the point in setting timers for programs on TV when they are all starting early. I set a load of programes to record daily, and before STMO and Optimal butt in yes that does include the soaps. Sky + HD all programes set to record with series link and come on 1 min early etc. But why are programs like the soaps actually starting before thier alloted time scale, thought the problem might have been with the time settings, but they all checked out ok.

Try going out sometime saddo. ::)

wrote on 12. Nov 2009 at 19:37:

Mr Skrunts wrote on 12. Nov 2009 at 19:35: Whats the point in setting timers for programs on TV when they are all starting early. I set a load of programes to record daily, and before STMO and Optimal butt in yes that does include the soaps. Sky + HD all programes set to record with series link and come on 1 min early etc. But why are programs like the soaps actually starting before thier alloted time scale, thought the problem might have been with the time settings, but they all checked out ok. Try going out sometime saddo. ::)

Foxtrot Alpha.   ::) ;D ;D :y

Mr Skrunts wrote on 12. Nov 2009 at 19:50:

wrote on 12. Nov 2009 at 19:37: Mr Skrunts wrote on 12. Nov 2009 at 19:35: Whats the point in setting timers for programs on TV when they are all starting early. I set a load of programes to record daily, and before STMO and Optimal butt in yes that does include the soaps. Sky + HD all programes set to record with series link and come on 1 min early etc. But why are programs like the soaps actually starting before thier alloted time scale, thought the problem might have been with the time settings, but they all checked out ok. Try going out sometime saddo. ::) Foxtrot Alpha.   ::) ;D ;D :y

I believe that should be Foxtrot Oscar ......Skruntie... ;D ;D ;)

You are quite correct it is Foxtrot Oscar :y

Mr Skrunts wrote on 12. Nov 2009 at 19:35:

But why are programs like the soaps actually starting before thier alloted time scale, thought the problem might have been with the time settings, but they all checked out ok.

Soaps don't last for the allotted 30mins/1 hour, and there can be numerous reasons for an early/late start.

You're obviously not talking about Sky as that corrects itself on the fly, so I'll assume you are talking digital/terrestial TV.
In which case, a feature called VideoPlus will correct any timing errors for you (it's been around a good 15 years, so your hardware should support it by default).

wrote on 12. Nov 2009 at 21:05:

Mr Skrunts wrote on 12. Nov 2009 at 19:35: But why are programs like the soaps actually starting before thier alloted time scale, thought the problem might have been with the time settings, but they all checked out ok. Soaps don't last for the allotted 30mins/1 hour, and there can be numerous reasons for an early/late start. You're obviously not talking about Sky as that corrects itself on the fly, so I'll assume you are talking digital/terrestial TV. In which case, a feature called VideoPlus will correct any timing errors for you (it's been around a good 15 years, so your hardware should support it by default).

Sky seems to have a nasty habit of missin gbeginning/end of progs.


PDC - beware than BBC and ITV use different versions, and not all PDC recorders cope with both.  Do they do any system for freeview (not checked as I always use MCE)?

Opti wrote on 12. Nov 2009 at 20:53:

Mr Skrunts wrote on 12. Nov 2009 at 19:50: wrote on 12. Nov 2009 at 19:37: Mr Skrunts wrote on 12. Nov 2009 at 19:35: Whats the point in setting timers for programs on TV when they are all starting early. I set a load of programes to record daily, and before STMO and Optimal butt in yes that does include the soaps. Sky + HD all programes set to record with series link and come on 1 min early etc. But why are programs like the soaps actually starting before thier alloted time scale, thought the problem might have been with the time settings, but they all checked out ok. Try going out sometime saddo. ::) Foxtrot Alpha.   ::) ;D ;D :y I believe that should be Foxtrot Oscar ......Skruntie... ;D ;D ;)

I didn't want to ridicule him....again. ;D

wrote on 12. Nov 2009 at 21:20:

Opti wrote on 12. Nov 2009 at 20:53: Mr Skrunts wrote on 12. Nov 2009 at 19:50: wrote on 12. Nov 2009 at 19:37: Mr Skrunts wrote on 12. Nov 2009 at 19:35: Whats the point in setting timers for programs on TV when they are all starting early. I set a load of programes to record daily, and before STMO and Optimal butt in yes that does include the soaps. Sky + HD all programes set to record with series link and come on 1 min early etc. But why are programs like the soaps actually starting before thier alloted time scale, thought the problem might have been with the time settings, but they all checked out ok. Try going out sometime saddo. ::) Foxtrot Alpha.   ::) ;D ;D :y I believe that should be Foxtrot Oscar ......Skruntie... ;D ;D ;) I didn't want to ridicule him....again. ;D

STO, you know full well I do it on purpose.  ;D ;D

TheBoy wrote on 12. Nov 2009 at 21:09:

wrote on 12. Nov 2009 at 21:05: Mr Skrunts wrote on 12. Nov 2009 at 19:35: But why are programs like the soaps actually starting before thier alloted time scale, thought the problem might have been with the time settings, but they all checked out ok. Soaps don't last for the allotted 30mins/1 hour, and there can be numerous reasons for an early/late start. You're obviously not talking about Sky as that corrects itself on the fly, so I'll assume you are talking digital/terrestial TV. In which case, a feature called VideoPlus will correct any timing errors for you (it's been around a good 15 years, so your hardware should support it by default). Sky seems to have a nasty habit of missin gbeginning/end of progs.  PDC - beware than BBC and ITV use different versions, and not all PDC recorders cope with both.  Do they do any system for freeview (not checked as I always use MCE)?

KW my point is actually about the program start, but I was basing it arround my Sky HD box, which often is set to record 2 things at once and hasnt had the roof aeriel plugged back in in case I just want to bypass the box tuners and watch TV normally.  This sometimes leaves me in a postion of ending a recording when a message pops up and making a point of ending a program that is just ending (even if I am watching and recording it)  Then when I do turn over I find the prog that should start a 7.30 is past the start and underwat and it still may only be 7.28



Take buses/trains for example, if the timetable says it leaves a stop at 7.30 then it is not allowed to go any earlier in case a passenger misses the journey.  Even if the train arrives 10 mins before its due time it just has to wait till it's depature time.

So why not the same for a program, thay seem to priorotise the adverts for between the shows, if not enough inbetween the programs then they just start them early.   :(

Our Freeview PVRs have over run and early start padding, the Freesat HD PVR uses the Freesat EPG and can cope with a nearly 1/4 hour early start.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCQ4oBcuTBY

;)

Kevin

Our VHS Betamax has a facility to put in a few extra minutes at the start of a programme. We normally add a few mins at the end too in case it overuns. Easy.

The whole point of EPGs and PDCs is to allow the broadcaster to move a programme and the recorder should follow.  With most broadcasters using automation to schedule and play to air, there should not be any need to move start times.  In real life though, things like newsflashes and equipment breakdowns mean they would rather run late and drop a filler-item later.  That way less viewers are hacked-off with missing the end of their programme.

Having said that, The One Show on BBC always starts a few minutes before they say it will and I can't dream up any justification for that.

I was involved in installing the playout system that ITV used in the London area in the nineties and realised then that it would never run to time unless humans were locked out of the area!  At that time I seriously considered having a big red button in Presentation just to put Joe Blogg's vcr into record/pause but even the thirty seconds notice of going to air was difficult to guarantee.

I've given up trying to record anything on C4 using PDC - my recorder switches on a minute early and switches off again as the program begins.  BBC 1 and 2 work fine (except for missing the beginning of Merlin week after week - it always starts early!), Anglia ITV doesn't have PDC and we can't get Channel 5.   

Using the Sky box, we generally get good results, but some digital channels definitely start programs early.  I've been trying to record Breaking Bad on Five USA, but I've missed the beginning both times so far.  Thank goodness for the +1 service. :)

Actually, I said "we get good results" - I mean "I".  Mrs. J can only watch terrestrial channels in real-time if left alone.  Can't even play a DVD without help. :) :) :)  Mind you, she doesn't watch the rubbish I watch.

Allthough sky adds a minute on, I just missed the start of east enders so went to the recording and that had missed the start as well.

MCE can be set to start any time before and finish after with a few reg hacks ::)