[hokeycokey]

I have just put two channels on to record, via the scheduler. Channel 3 from 9pm to 10.30 with a two minute early start and 5 minute buffer at the end, together with BBC2 from 10pm to 10.30.

Whilst these are recording we have tried to watch several channels and get the message "This channel is restricted by recording".

What does this mean?

I thought that it was possible to record two channels and watch one all at the same time.

Its odd because not all channels are restricted. The immediate ones that are are Channel 5, BBC4, Sky 3, History Channel and most things above this.

All the music channels also have the same problem.

Has anyone any ideas please - my husband is threatening to send it back as useless!

Have I misunderstood something??

[Max Demian]

The channels are grouped together in "multiplexes", each of which carries several TV and radio channels. There are 6 multiplexes, and the Humax has two tuners, so it can only be tuned into two multiplexes at the same time.

If you record two channels from different multiplexes, you can only view (live) a channel from one of those two multiplexes.

If you record from two channels from the same multiplex, you can watch any channel as the recordings are done using only one tuner.

OK?

P.S. You can watch any previously recorded programme while recording two channels at the same time.

[hokeycokey]

How do I know which channels are on the same multiplex??

Doesn't this defeat the object of the exercise of being able to record two and watch one??

[Max Demian]

Originally Posted by hokeycokey

How do I know which channels are on the same multiplex??

Check here: UK DTT Channel List

Doesn't this defeat the object of the exercise of being able to record two and watch one??

No, because you can watch one that you have already recorded.

[hokeycokey]

Thank for your help - I'll make a note of the channel multiplexes for future info.

I thought that the record two watch one meant watch one live but obviously not!

You learn something every day.

thanks again!

[jakehake]

he could always send it back and buy a PVR with a triple tuner instead



if the two recorded programmes are on the same multiplex then you can watch anything else as one tuner is free


I'm more amazed at what setup your husband must have had previously that now watching/recording 3 channels concurrently is suddenly an issue

[jfgv40]

Originally Posted by hokeycokey

How do I know which channels are on the same multiplex??

Doesn't this defeat the object of the exercise of being able to record two and watch one??

The EPG "Greys out" channels which you can't watch when recording with both tuners on different multiplexes.

[hokeycokey]

My husband had no idea what we had, only what I told him!!! As I said I obviously misunderstood the record two watch one sentence!

[Monday Solder]

Originally Posted by hokeycokey

Thank for your help - I'll make a note of the channel multiplexes for future info.

I thought that the record two watch one meant watch one live but obviously not!

You learn something every day.

thanks again!

The simple answer to this problem is to buy a second, cheap, Freeview box. Sainsbury's has a Mogen one - I have one and it is very good - for about £19.

MS

[nwhitfield]

Whenever I'm frustrated by the ability to watch what I want when dual recording, I simply take a deep breath and remind myself what it was like when all I had was a video recorder.

Even allowing a choice, as the Humax and Topfield boxes do, is beyond many of the twin tuner systems on the market, some of which will only record one thing at a time, or record two but force you to watch one of them.

Nigel.

[Max Demian]

Originally Posted by nwhitfield

Whenever I'm frustrated by the ability to watch what I want when dual recording, I simply take a deep breath and remind myself what it was like when all I had was a video recorder.

You only had one VCR? I regarded two as essential, so I could record one channel while playing back a recording, or record two and watch a third live.

[nwhitfield]

Well, if actually, there were two, and there's still a Revox A77 for capturing soundtracks. ;-)

Nigel.

[youngbaz]

Apart from the fact that it's very often possible in practice to record two programmes and watch a third Freeview digital live at the same time (because your three programmes might be on no more than two multiplexes - or should it be multipleces?) ...

There have been several times when the channel is restricted message comes up, but the third programme we want to watch live is also on analogue anyway .. so, just press the AV/TV button on the TV remote and the TV is now back as a tuner/receiver rather than a monitor for the Humax tuner and you can watch whatever analogue transmission you want while the Hummy records its two Freeview digital channels. Now don't tell me that watching in analogue again is such a hardship!

Barry