Channel Time Keeping Ability

Grr Argh · 05-01-2009, 9:39 PM

Hey folks,

I've recently purchased PlayTV and it's the first time I've had a recorder for ages. Indeed it's only because of this that I've even started watching TV again.

As such I have absolutely no idea about which channels are reliable for time keeping purposes and which are not. As some of you know PlayTV sets recordings based on time alone. I really hope not to miss the beginning or end of programs but having the recording start 5 mins before and 5 mins after is already getting annoying in most cases.

So I put it to you AVForumites! Which channels keep to their schedules and which channels am I to be wary of?

P.S. I'm ofc only looking for info on freeview channels however comments on all channels are welcome if you think this would be useful information for anyone else

Starburst · 05-01-2009, 10:01 PM

Anything with live content can be iffy but BBC1 and ITV1 are the main culprits both of who are quite happy to manipulate the actual start/stop times to damage their rivals primetime schedules.

The bulk of the Freeview channels are using pre-recorded content running off servers sometimes with no one even monitoring them (always room to save a bit of cash in multichannel telly) so stick very close to their published schedules.

brian s · 05-01-2009, 11:39 PM

I only watch non logo channels such as BBC1, 2, ITV 1 and Channel 4. I find most to be bad. I'd say C4 have been the best recently.

Cheers
Bri

DVD-Man · 06-01-2009, 1:03 PM

Pre and post padding is a nightmare, you set it to 5 mins each side to ensure you get it all but tire of FFwding at the begining but lower the time and you've missed stuff.

I go for a 3min personally, MCE ffwd's really quick so it's all good.

Liam

PoochJD · 06-01-2009, 10:16 PM

Hi,

Whenever I set stuff to record from any channel, I usually allow for 2 minutes prior to the advertised starting time, and then 3-5 minutes for the advertised conclusion.

However, it also depends on what's showing before the programme I intend to record, and whether or not a repeat is showing, if the recording fails for some reason.

If you have shows that frequently get extended, e.g. sports events, live reality trash, or news, then you may want to allow far more, in case the channel's decide to extend the live show.

As an example, I'm currently recording the late-night repeats of "Hill Street Blues" on Channel 4. However, because they're being shown after Live Celebrity Butt Munch (which normally consists of 3 hours of crap footage of people asleep!), I allow an extra 45-60 minutes at the end of the advertised finishing time for "HSB", just in case!

Pooch

brian s · 06-01-2009, 10:23 PM

On Xmas night Wallace and Gromit was a good 6 or 7 minutes late. There was no live sports that day.

Cheers
Bri

dude1971 · 07-01-2009, 3:02 PM

I missed the end of Wallace and Gromit due to their poor time keeping, and a few people told me they missed the end of a few BBC shows that day.

p.s. And I've set mine to run over by 5 minutes...

mjn · 07-01-2009, 3:14 PM

BBC are the worst!

IAN P · 07-01-2009, 4:00 PM

Film4 are consistantly good,i always start recording 3 mins before and leave 20 mins on the end.No problems with that approach.

Joe Pineapples · 07-01-2009, 10:47 PM

When are we going to have one standard videoplus/pdc type thing, to accompany digital broadcasts, be it sky, freeview or virgin. I cant believe that with all the digital, widescreen, interactive tv, and higher definition technology, we are still at the mercy of this sort of thing.

brian s · 07-01-2009, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dude1971

I missed the end of Wallace and Gromit due to their poor time keeping, and a few people told me they missed the end of a few BBC shows that day.

p.s. And I've set mine to run over by 5 minutes...

My Dr Who was ok that day but I can't remember how much I added on the end.

Bri

JohnG · 08-01-2009, 7:25 AM

I always have 5 minutes padding at the end of all recordings but still managed to miss the end of Royal Family on BBC1 over Christmas

Timekeeping..... my arse

Alexes · 08-01-2009, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dude1971

I missed the end of Wallace and Gromit due to their poor time keeping, and a few people told me they missed the end of a few BBC shows that day.

p.s. And I've set mine to run over by 5 minutes...

My Sky+ picked up the end fine with the Auto setting. It's ITV who are the worst as they don't make use of the facility to update the schedule and so programs always stop recording at their scheduled finishing time. A couple of the GPs last year were a close run thing, and the post race stuff completely missed.