Sky+ and starting times

hawthorn

Hi All

I have an earlier thread about whether to buy Sky+ or a DVD HD recorder. I have come across a few DVD HD machines that have a thing called Guideplus. anyone familiar with that? Is it the same as the Sky EPG, ie can you just press a button and set it to record, or will I still have to use autoview on Sky?

You see i was leaning towards Sky+ as I felt even with a very good HD DVD recorder i would still have to input start times, and set autoview on Sky. A bit like atill having the old VCR! But does Guideplus solve that?

Now if I do go for Sky+ has anyone had a problem if a programme starts late, or early? TV3 are notorious for starting early. You could faithfully set your VCR for 7.28 in the evenings and youd get the start of Coronation St. But on autoview I used to miss the first minute or 2 because of this so I ended up taping it from analogue where i set video for 7.28

Ive rang TV3 a few times and just once, a girl stated that it was done to "catch viewers before they go to a different channel (eg ITV !!) at 7.30". Can you believe this? All other people I dealt with denied this!

But doesnt this make Sky+ useless in this situation?

Regards

KC

watty

A HD/DVD PVR will work on TV3 etc via Aerial, or from a Sky box on FTA/FTV channels without a sub. Without a Sky+ sub, the SkY+ does not record. it does not record "Other channels" (i.e. UTV, BBC3, BBC4, ITV2 etc).

However its automatic recording is superior to any other solution. It uses times on the EPG.

andyeire

Sky + can add 5 mins to either side of the start time you can decide the amount of time i have 3 mins on mine and cant remember the last time i missed the start of a programme Sky + will also record a programme even if it has been delayed for sn extrs programme if the broadcaster updates the epg BBC usually do it but RTE and the likes dont

Sparky

yeah i do notice rte dont update their data.
There has been many a time ive recorded a late night film, only for it to just end.

Dub13

andyeire wrote:

Sky + can add 5 mins to either side of the start time you can decide the amount of time i have 3 mins on mine and cant remember the last time i missed the start of a programme

How to you add time to the start/end of your recording...?I am starting to miss a few mins of program's and would like to add a few mins on.

Our man in Havana

Press Services>>>>5 Sky+ setup>>>>>and adjust the time in there, it will be set to auto at present.

god's toy

Living TV and TV3 + RTE to a point was starting just outside the EPG times, I was so mad missing the start or (like on Top Gear two weeks ago) the end of the programs. By simply putting 5 Min's onto each end of the record times it has fixed the problem recommended to everyone who records more than any 'live' viewing like me.

Gwynston

However, a disadvantage to adding time at the start and end of recordings is when you are recording something from say 8:30 to 9:00 on one channel and something from 9:00 to 9:30 on another channel. Using the extra time buffer will make these recordings overlap, which will require use of both tuners at the same time, which is a problem if you're also simultaneously watching something else!

At least if you're watching, you'll see the popup message saying that a conflict exists and asking you if it's OK to switch channels to honour the recording. BUT, if you happen not to be watching TV, and the Sky+ box happens to be tuned in to something else, there's no interaction to this popup, so it does it the channel swicth automatically, but only after a minute or so. Hence you STILL end up missing recording the start of that programme TV3 commenced early [again].

Note to self: switch Sky+ box to standby when not in use.... :rolleyes:

andyeire

I think if you are not watching it the Sky box will use both tuners to record the padding at the start / finish of the programmes to be recorded no matter wether it was in standby or not

watty

There is small Daemon that peers out through top card slot to see if you are watching. Occasionally he phones home with reports.

Gwynston

Andyeire, I was wondering how the Sky+ box knew if I was watching TV or not, but thankfully Watty, in his infinite wisdom, has explained it all to me....

Although, since I believe the Pace boxes are actually assembled in Galway, I reckon it's probably actually a wee leprechaun peeping out at me. They've been very scarce round here for a while now, so I think Pace must be abducting them all.... :eek:

andyeire

andyeire wrote:

I think if you are not watching it the Sky box will use both tuners to record the padding at the start / finish of the programmes to be recorded no matter wether it was in standby or not

Maybe i should have said when the programme clash screen comes up ie there are two recordings happening and you are tuned to a different channel if you do not make a selection the box will favor the recordings.
But maybe my own leprechaun living in my Sky+ box would be nicer.Although i am sure Sky would find a way of charging extra for this service

Sparky

watty wrote:

There is small Daemon that peers out through top card slot to see if you are watching. Occasionally he phones home with reports.

thats a good way of putting it, but daemon wont be phoning home without a phone