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Andriano C · 16-10-2001, 11:16

Can someone explain this PDC on VCR's and how do u know when a programme is in PDC?

sidewinder · 16-10-2001, 13:38

Programme Delivery Control consists of a signal encoded into the Teletext signal which tells a VCR when to start and stop recording, so if a programme starts late, in theory the video should wait for the programme. I personally don't use it as I have missed quite a few programmes due to double signals( video coming on and straight off again). I think at present that only BBC1,2 and Ch4 transmit these signals (maybe someone can confirm).

MarkBeer · 16-10-2001, 13:40

PDC - Programme Delivery Control

Basicly it is where each programme transmits a different signal.

So that when it comes to your VCR recording, even if the programme started earlier, or finished later, the recording will contiue. This is very useful for when there is a late change in the schedules.

For example say you had a programme on at 9pm and there is a live sport event before this programme, becuase of extra time all following programmes are running 30mins late. If you had PDC, you would still get the entrie recording of the programme, as the recording wouldn't start until it got the signal of when the programme started transmitting.

Hope that makes sense!

Cheers,
Mark

MarkBeer · 16-10-2001, 13:44

BBC One, BBC Two, Channel 4, Channel 5 and all ITV regions except London uses PDC fully,

The ITV London region does uses PDC but due to technical problems it is not 100% reliable (i.e. don't use it on this channel!).

At present no digital satellite channels uses PDC. As for digital terrestrial channels and cable tv - I have no idea.

Orbitalzone · 16-10-2001, 20:42

Channel 4 and Five were using PDC on Sky digital... although I can't confirm they are now.. .(I used to have a video that displayed 'PDC' when it received a PDC data stream.. and CH4 / 5 did via Sky. BBC certainly don't.

kwilliams · 17-10-2001, 10:14

No Mark - not all ITV regions except London broadcast PDC.
Neither HTV West , HTV Wales or S4C use it.

Orbitalzone · 18-10-2001, 21:58

I think the problems with ITV is that each region does have PDC, and this works for programmes made in that region.. however, many programmes on ITV come from other ITV regions and it seems that the PDC signals do not reliably come through the network. Down South, Meridian uses PDC and on Meridian made programmes PDC works fine... but on a Carlton made prgramme PDC fails it seems... I suspect it's down to how the networks retransmit programming to other regions.

16-10-2001, 11:16	#1
Andriano C Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 134	Pdc Can someone explain this PDC on VCR's and how do u know when a programme is in PDC?

16-10-2001, 13:38	#2
sidewinder Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Luton Posts: 234	Programme Delivery Control consists of a signal encoded into the Teletext signal which tells a VCR when to start and stop recording, so if a programme starts late, in theory the video should wait for the programme. I personally don't use it as I have missed quite a few programmes due to double signals( video coming on and straight off again). I think at present that only BBC1,2 and Ch4 transmit these signals (maybe someone can confirm).

16-10-2001, 13:40	#3
MarkBeer Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 538	PDC - Programme Delivery Control Basicly it is where each programme transmits a different signal. So that when it comes to your VCR recording, even if the programme started earlier, or finished later, the recording will contiue. This is very useful for when there is a late change in the schedules. For example say you had a programme on at 9pm and there is a live sport event before this programme, becuase of extra time all following programmes are running 30mins late. If you had PDC, you would still get the entrie recording of the programme, as the recording wouldn't start until it got the signal of when the programme started transmitting. Hope that makes sense! Cheers, Mark

16-10-2001, 13:44	#4
MarkBeer Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 538	BBC One, BBC Two, Channel 4, Channel 5 and all ITV regions except London uses PDC fully, The ITV London region does uses PDC but due to technical problems it is not 100% reliable (i.e. don't use it on this channel!). At present no digital satellite channels uses PDC. As for digital terrestrial channels and cable tv - I have no idea.

16-10-2001, 20:42	#5
Orbitalzone Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sussex Posts: 12,173	Channel 4 and Five were using PDC on Sky digital... although I can't confirm they are now.. .(I used to have a video that displayed 'PDC' when it received a PDC data stream.. and CH4 / 5 did via Sky. BBC certainly don't.

17-10-2001, 10:14	#6
kwilliams Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Cardiff, UK Posts: 743	No Mark - not all ITV regions except London broadcast PDC. Neither HTV West , HTV Wales or S4C use it.

18-10-2001, 21:58	#7
Orbitalzone Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sussex Posts: 12,173	I think the problems with ITV is that each region does have PDC, and this works for programmes made in that region.. however, many programmes on ITV come from other ITV regions and it seems that the PDC signals do not reliably come through the network. Down South, Meridian uses PDC and on Meridian made programmes PDC works fine... but on a Carlton made prgramme PDC fails it seems... I suspect it's down to how the networks retransmit programming to other regions.

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