I know most posts on this subject have been about missing recordings, but I'm having the opposite problem, in that it's recording more programmes than I've actually asked for.

For example 1:
On Thursday I timer recorded (as a one-off) Big Brother on C4 at 9pm. The following day my machine took it upon itself to record the repeat show shown Friday morning at 8am. I double checked my timer list to make sure I hadn't accidently set it as a Series Timer and I can confirm I didn't.

I've had this problem several times now where I've just Timer recorded one programme, but it's recorded following ones as well

Example 2
When I do set a Series timer for a programme, I often end up with 3 recordings of the same programme. For example if I record something from E4, it then records the same programme again on E4+1, and then any repeats on a Sunday for example.

Anyone else experienced anything similiar ?

Shredder,
I have experienced the problem in your "Example 2" just this week, I set the "Series record" for "brothers & sisters" checked next day and I had 4 recordings (the 2 on C4, the 3rd on E4 and the 3rd again on E4+1).
I don't think this is a problem with the recorder, but an issue with C4. This problem doesn't happen with BBC programs.

I think your first problem is also related to a C4 problem and not the recorder.
C4 must be sending the "wrong signals" with their Programs of the same name.
Page 51 of the Manual talks about recording split programs, it could be linked to that.

I'm sure one of the more technical may be able to confirm this.

Had a similar problem with the new episodes of Grand Designs on More4.
I set Series Record on a new episode that was to be broadcast on a Thursday night.
It recorded that OK but I found that the 860 was recording for some reason on the Saturday afternoon.
Turning the unit on I found that it was recording an old episode and looking at the Title List for the HDD it had recorded quite a few others.
I only wanted the new ones, so I cancelled series time and set up the timer recoding for the same time each Thursday instead.

I think the Series Record function needs some refinement.

Having said that I think that using SR on BBC programmes gives you more flexibility to chose what you what to record.