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How reliable is your Freesat PVR at recording when using the Auto option?


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Old 26-06-2011, 18:04
NewWorldMan
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The only time I to have a problem is with Channel 4 and More 4.
Ditto.. And E4.

Other than that I find it almost 100% reliable.
When I have problems with other channels it's usually just the beginning that I miss a few seconds of and usually not enough to spoil it, unlike when the ending is cut off. Ending is almost always covered.
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Old 26-06-2011, 19:03
Z3man
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ok here's the recordings i have set up for monday 27th june, they are all set as single recordings.


channel............. start time...............programme name

126.....................00.30....................stand up for the week
122.....................00.55....................star trek first contact
126.....................01.15....................the chariot race
115.....................03.40....................emmerdale omnibus
124.....................03.50....................spaced
115.....................06.10....................heartbeat
122.....................07.35....................wildfire
102.....................08.25....................show me show
122.....................08.30....................one tree hill
119.....................09.25....................the jeremy kyle show
115.....................09.45....................ironside
119.....................10.30....................this morning
124.....................12.30....................deal or no deal
105.....................13.15....................home and away
105.....................13.45....................neighbours
123.....................15.00....................hollyoaks
115.....................15.00....................dr quinn medicine woman

hope i haven't done too many, i will report back tomorrow evening with my results.

feel free to join in the more the merrier.

please report back with accurate results, even if it just a few seconds missing off the opening titles of a programme.


thanks
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Old 26-06-2011, 19:41
nexstar
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Ok, all good to go here and will report back the results.

I'm just trying to work out how to explain the recording of Jeremy Kyle in the interest of science .
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Old 26-06-2011, 20:01
adgloride
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channel 4 and E4 have also given me problems missing the endings off. The Humax is recordinng to time but the programs usually overrun. I have even emailed C4 about it and they said they can't get all programs running to time. With me it was always the secret millionnaire overrunning. I fixed this by putting 5 minutes on the end of the recording.
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Old 26-06-2011, 20:18
grahamlthompson
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On Foxsat-hdr

All set except CH5 neighbours and home and away is already set as series and 124 deal and no deal which identifies a clash with Ironside ITV 3 +1 10:45-11:45 which does not clash. Looks like like a bug/problem with ITV3 Ironside which is set in the previous hour. Both Ironsides share the same prog crid but different series crid. Looking into it
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Old 26-06-2011, 20:29
Z3man
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channel 4 and E4 have also given me problems missing the endings off. The Humax is recordinng to time but the programs usually overrun. I have even emailed C4 about it and they said they can't get all programs running to time. With me it was always the secret millionnaire overrunning. I fixed this by putting 5 minutes on the end of the recording.
a lot of people seem to be having problems with the channel 4 group channels, i will be expecting a few incomplete recordings tomorrow when i check my library.
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Old 27-06-2011, 09:45
grahamlthompson
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So far all overnight recordings made with 100% success. Jeremy Kyle started OK and ongoing.

I was able to schedule deal or no deal with no clash this morning, not a clue why though.
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Old 27-06-2011, 10:27
2Bdecided
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Saw this too late to try your test Z3man, but my experience is that BBC TV channels are 100% correct (except once recently it went very wrong in the 10:35pm slot), ITV can lose start or end of programme regularly, CH4 no idea, CH5 milkshake: utterly hopeless timing.

Freesat STBs use the EITpf (Event Information Table present/following) data to trigger accurate recording: when the programme you want becomes the "present" programme, it starts to record. When the next programme because the "present" programme, it stops recording.

The BBC changes the EITpf at the exact moment they show the BBC One logo (for example) before the programme starts. You can see this transition by pressing info, and it's also obvious in the recordings (which always start and end with the BBC One logo).

Most of the other channels change the EITpf at the time indicated in the EPG for the programme. This is entirely independent of the actual programme playout, which is why the so called "accurate record" feature can lose the start or end of the programme.

As I watch mostly BBC programmes, I use accurate record all the time. The odd time I record something from another channel, I often get caught out.

I did watch my Humax box getting very confused on Friday night - it sat there waiting for "My Family" to start - something which had been cancelled to make space for Wimbledon. I think it should have been on early evening - the Humax was still waiting for it when I went to bed. I think it was repeated on Sunday, but my STB didn't pick that up automatically. Still, there's always iPlayer!

Cheers,
David.
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Old 27-06-2011, 10:35
Jepson
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a lot of people seem to be having problems with the channel 4 group channels, i will be expecting a few incomplete recordings tomorrow when i check my library.
When the last series of Grand Designs was on the recording stopped about a minute too soon every single time.

Fortunately Kevin McKenzie always give a rather extended verbal summing up at the end and although he's interesting in the rest of the programme I can't honestly say I mind missing the last 30 seconds of it.
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Old 27-06-2011, 11:12
grahamlthompson
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First failure 119 This Morning failed to record. I was out at the time so not sure if

It's finger trouble on my part

or

A real failure - most likely event id's changed.
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Old 27-06-2011, 12:26
gomezz
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I did watch my Humax box getting very confused on Friday night - it sat there waiting for "My Family" to start - something which had been cancelled to make space for Wimbledon. I think it should have been on early evening - the Humax was still waiting for it when I went to bed.
That is not it getting confused but what is supposed to happen when a programme may be running late. I do not know how long it waits for though before it gives up. It will be in the Accutate Recording spec no doubt.
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Old 27-06-2011, 12:34
grahamlthompson
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That is not it getting confused but what is supposed to happen when a programme may be running late. I do not know how long it waits for though before it gives up. It will be in the Accutate Recording spec no doubt.
From observation not knowledge the foxsat-hdr waits till the scheduled end of the programme that has failed to start recording. At this time it usually generates a failed recording entry in the media list and updates the schedule to the next event for a series event, assuming the next one is in the epg.
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Old 27-06-2011, 16:12
grahamlthompson
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FOXSAT-HDR V1.00.15 No padding all recorded using Accurate Recording. 119 on my box is ITV1-HD Granada (1920 x 1080), others may have ITV-HD London.

channel............. start time...............programme name

CH4 HD - 126.....................00.30....................stand up for the week

Scheduled and actual 00:30-01:15

Recording started early before programme content, terminated in ads after completion
PASS

E4 - 122.....................00.55....................star trek first contact

Scheduled and actual 00:55-02:50

Recording started early before programme content, terminated in ads after completion
PASS

CH4 HD - 126.....................01.15....................the chariot race

Scheduled and actual 01:15-02:55

Recording started early before programme content, terminated in ads after completion
PASS


ITV3 - 115.....................03.40....................emmerdale omnibus

Scheduled 03:40-06:00 actual 03:42-06:00

Recording started at start of opening music, terminated in ads after completion
PASS


More4 - 124.....................03.50....................spaced

Scheduled and actual 03:50-04:20

Recording started early before programme content, terminated in channel close down message
PASS


ITV3 - 115.....................06.10....................heartbeat


Scheduled 06:10-07:00 actual 06:09-07:00

Recording started at start of opening music, terminated in ads after completion
PASS



E4 - 122.....................07.35....................wildfire

Scheduled and actual 07:35-08:30

Recording started early (before previous programme ended), terminated during end credits
PASS

BBC2 ENGLAND - 102.....................08.25....................show me show me

Scheduled 08:25-08:55 actual 08:28-08:53

Recording started about 15 seconds before programme content, terminated about 30 seconds after programme finish
PASS


E4 - 122.....................08.30....................one tree hill

Scheduled and actual 08:30-09:25


Recording started in Wildfire end credits, terminated in end credits
PASS



ITV1 HD (Granada) - 119.....................09.25....................the jeremy kyle show


Scheduled 09:25-10:30 actual 09:26-10:32

Recording started a fraction late getting last words of opening announcement "Todays Show", terminated in ads after completion
PASS - no actual content lost




ITV3 - 115.....................09.45....................ironside

Scheduled 09:45-10:45 actual 09:44-10:47

Recording started a fraction late opening titles already playing (perhaps a second late), terminated in ads after completion
PASS - no actual content lost



ITV1 HD (Granada) 119.....................10.30....................this morning

Failed to record. It's likely down to ITV changing the event id's.

http://myhumax.org/forum/topic/is-it...lures#post-880

Confirmed failed due to multiple event ID changes. V1.00.13 users may well find Jeremy Kyle also failed.

TOTAL FAIL



More 4 - 124.....................12.30....................deal or no deal

I was able to schedule this morning without yesterdays clash, no idea why

Scheduled and actual 12:30-13:00

Recording started early before programme content, terminated early missed the end

FAIL - missed end Not great for a game show.




Channel 5 - 105.....................13.15....................home and away (existing Series recording)


Scheduled and actual 13:15-13:45

Recording started late missing beginning before programme content, terminated in ads afer completion of programme

PARTIAL FAIL - missed a tiny bit of content at the beginning


Channel 5 - 105.....................13.45....................neighbours (existing series recording)


Scheduled and actual 13:45-14:15

Recording started early in ads just after Home and Away stopped, terminated in ads afer completion of programme

PASS


E4+1 - 123.....................15.00....................hollyoaks

Scheduled and actual 15:00-15:30

Recording started early in ads, terminated in ads afer completion of programme

PASS


ITV3 - 115.....................15.00....................dr quinn medicine woman

Scheduled 15:00-16:00 actual 15:04-16:03
Programme had started so missed some content at the beginning, stopped in ads after completion.

PARTIAL FAIL - missed some content at the beginning

Note the channels where scheduled and actual differ. These appear to be the only ones that properly use AR, although ITV3 screwed up with the last recording.
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Old 27-06-2011, 16:56
fedman
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Here are the results of the Surrey jury.

Setup all programes last night as per list with no problems or conflicts.

All recorded starts, and end credits except.

1) 'Deal or no Deal' 124 More4. Recording lasted 59 mins, lost end of the programe probably a couple of minutes or so. Not good!

2) 'Home and Away' 105 Ch5. Recording lasted 29 mins, Chopped start of programme, again not good.

Look forward to seeing other peoples results.
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Old 27-06-2011, 17:27
youddiph
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Just to add my two pence worth
C5 are known to reuse series links between showings with freesat.

If you set a series link for the afternoon home and away or neighbours, it inevitably switches to the evening repeat showing the next day, or even better records all four showings.

C5 believe it is acceptable as people may forget to record the first showing and need to catch the evening showing! (been there with their customers services!)

The problem with the evening showing is that C5 always start the auto record too late, and even end it too early
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Old 27-06-2011, 17:30
fedman
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Sorry forgot to give details this end.
FOXSAT HDR V1.00.15.
2 LNB i/ps.
ITV region Meridian.
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Old 27-06-2011, 18:26
youddiph
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Just to add my two pence worth
C5 are known to reuse series links between showings with freesat.

If you set a series link for the afternoon home and away or neighbours, it inevitably switches to the evening repeat showing the next day, or even better records all four showings.

C5 believe it is acceptable as people may forget to record the first showing and need to catch the evening showing! (been there with their customers services!)

The problem with the evening showing is that C5 always start the auto record too late, and even end it too early
Oh and Home and Away C5 chopped off two minutes at the start!

What would be helpful is if people stated their region too. As there are different versions of BBC, C4, ITV etc on freesat
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Old 27-06-2011, 18:27
nexstar
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You may need to insert the word 'operator' between 'PVR' and 'at' in the thread title .

First the results and then the explanation:

channel............. start time...............programme name

- 60 / + 60 126.....................00.30....................stand up for the week
- 60 / + 90 122.....................00.55....................star trek first contact
- 60 / +120 126.....................01.15....................the chariot race
0 / + 50 115.....................03.40....................emmerdale omnibus
- 30 / +150 124.....................03.50....................spaced
0 / + 50 115.....................06.10....................heartbeat
-150 / 0 122.....................07.35....................wildfire
XXX / XXX 102.....................08.25....................show me show
XXX / XXX 122.....................08.30....................one tree hill
0 / +300 119.....................09.25....................the jeremy kyle show
0 / ? 115.....................09.45....................ironside
0 / +180 119.....................10.30....................this morning
-120 / -120 124.....................12.30....................deal or no deal
+120 / +300 105.....................13.15....................home and away
- 60 / +300 105.....................13.45....................neighbours
-120 / 0 123.....................15.00....................hollyoaks
+ 20 / + 60 115.....................15.00....................dr quinn medicine woman

Humax HDR firmware version V1.00.15.

The numbers are seconds before the program start and then seconds after the credits finished. So,

negative in the first column and positive in the second is good.

Two shows didn't record which, like Graham, I thought must be operator trouble but I'm a bit

surprised that even I messed up two of them. I didn't check them in the schedule unfortunately so

can't be certain what the problem was.

Ironside didn't have a stop result as my son (bless him!) couldn't believe I was really recording

Ironside and so stopped it. Having watched Ironside the first time around, I was getting all

nostalgic when I did play it.

This Morning was split into two recordings because of the news bulletin.

I think, apart from the operator issues, my results are pretty similar to Graham's.

As punishment, I might do a repeat of a similar list just to test the Show Me Show / One Tree Hill

combo when they are on again together.

.....and just how do you get a fixed font to tidy up the nonsense above?!! I can't seem to find a font option.
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Old 27-06-2011, 18:49
Z3man
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hi all and thanks for your input.

there is no need for me to list all my results because they are exactly the same as grahams except for "This Morning" which recorded successfully, it was in two parts because of the news. when playing back once the first part finished a box came up asking if i wanted to go straight to the second part, which i thought was very good.

i am very happy with the results we have found because it proves that echostar have got the software right this time and my box is not faulty, any failures i have are down to the broadcasters which is what this thread now proves as far as i am concerned.

the only thing i cant explain is how fedman got the beginning of Dr Quinn Medicine Woman.



thanks
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Old 27-06-2011, 19:00
Jepson
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... and just how do you get a fixed font to tidy up the nonsense above?!! I can't seem to find a font option.
Use the 'code' keyword.

Code:
           channel............. start time...............programme name

- 60 / + 60 126.....................00.30....................stand up for the week
- 60 / + 90 122.....................00.55....................star trek first contact
- 60 / +120 126.....................01.15....................the chariot race
   0 / + 50 115.....................03.40....................emmerdale omnibus
- 30 / +150 124.....................03.50....................spaced
   0 / + 50 115.....................06.10....................heartbeat
-150 /   0  122.....................07.35....................wildfire
 XXX /  XXX 102.....................08.25....................show me show
 XXX /  XXX 122.....................08.30....................one tree hill
   0 / +300 119.....................09.25....................the jeremy kyle show
   0 /  ?   115.....................09.45....................ironside
   0 / +180 119.....................10.30....................this morning
-120 / -120 124.....................12.30....................deal or no deal
+120 / +300 105.....................13.15....................home and away
- 60 / +300 105.....................13.45....................neighbours
-120 /    0 123.....................15.00....................hollyoaks 
+ 20 / + 60 115.....................15.00....................dr quinn medicine woman
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Old 27-06-2011, 19:03
Z3man
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The main problem lies with the broadcasters not with the recorders.
correct.
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Old 27-06-2011, 19:06
Z3man
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Saw this too late to try your test Z3man, but my experience is that BBC TV channels are 100% correct (except once recently it went very wrong in the 10:35pm slot), ITV can lose start or end of programme regularly, CH4 no idea, CH5 milkshake: utterly hopeless timing.

Freesat STBs use the EITpf (Event Information Table present/following) data to trigger accurate recording: when the programme you want becomes the "present" programme, it starts to record. When the next programme because the "present" programme, it stops recording.

The BBC changes the EITpf at the exact moment they show the BBC One logo (for example) before the programme starts. You can see this transition by pressing info, and it's also obvious in the recordings (which always start and end with the BBC One logo).

Most of the other channels change the EITpf at the time indicated in the EPG for the programme. This is entirely independent of the actual programme playout, which is why the so called "accurate record" feature can lose the start or end of the programme.

As I watch mostly BBC programmes, I use accurate record all the time. The odd time I record something from another channel, I often get caught out.

I did watch my Humax box getting very confused on Friday night - it sat there waiting for "My Family" to start - something which had been cancelled to make space for Wimbledon. I think it should have been on early evening - the Humax was still waiting for it when I went to bed. I think it was repeated on Sunday, but my STB didn't pick that up automatically. Still, there's always iPlayer!

Cheers,
David.
thanks for this info it helps explain things.
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Old 27-06-2011, 19:33
fedman
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hi all and thanks for your input.

there is no need for me to list all my results because they are exactly the same as grahams except for "This Morning" which recorded successfully, it was in two parts because of the news. when playing back once the first part finished a box came up asking if i wanted to go straight to the second part, which i thought was very good.

i am very happy with the results we have found because it proves that echostar have got the software right this time and my box is not faulty, any failures i have are down to the broadcasters which is what this thread now proves as far as i am concerned.

the only thing i cant explain is how fedman got the beginning of Dr Quinn Medicine Woman.



thanks
Hello Z3man,
I have just rechecked my recording of 'DR Quinn'.
The opening shot is of the sky panning down to a wagon + horses. Ater more years than I care to remember working in broadcast TV,. I took this to be the opening shot. Opening titles appeared approx 2 mins later. Sorry if this caused confusion.
Regards
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Old 27-06-2011, 20:14
Z3man
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Hello Z3man,
I have just rechecked my recording of 'DR Quinn'.
The opening shot is of the sky panning down to a wagon + horses. Ater more years than I care to remember working in broadcast TV,. I took this to be the opening shot. Opening titles appeared approx 2 mins later. Sorry if this caused confusion.
Regards
no problem, it looks like we all pretty much got the same results then, except for grahams This Morning and one or two little hiccups from nexstar.

what i did find strange was that the failures were during the daytime, for some reason i thought they would be more likely during the night when broadcasters might be less bothered.
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Old 27-06-2011, 20:44
nexstar
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Use the 'code' keyword.
Ah, thanks for that. I've missed my window of opportunity to edit it now but at least I'll know next time .

@Z3man My region is Meridian btw. Yes, I think the results, thought not definitive, give a strong indication that it is the broadcast signal which is most likely to cause errors (apart from the user, of course!). Any further observations after the recent Echostar firmware upgrade would be welcome in the Echostar thread whilst I try to come up with a plausible excuse for trialling yet another pvr .
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