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05-01-2009, 8:39 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 97
Thanks: Gave 8, Got 19
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Channel Time Keeping Ability
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
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05-01-2009, 9:01 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Distinguished Member
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Ilkeston
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Re: Channel Time Keeping Ability
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.
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05-01-2009, 10:39 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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Veteran Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Washington,Tyne&wear
Posts: 7,106
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Re: Channel Time Keeping Ability
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
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06-01-2009, 12:03 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland
Posts: 1,699
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Re: Channel Time Keeping Ability
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
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06-01-2009, 9:16 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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Prominent Member
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire!
Posts: 4,999
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Re: Channel Time Keeping Ability
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
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06-01-2009, 9:23 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Veteran Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Washington,Tyne&wear
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Re: Channel Time Keeping Ability
On Xmas night Wallace and Gromit was a good 6 or 7 minutes late. There was no live sports that day.
Cheers
Bri
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07-01-2009, 2:02 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 594
Thanks: Gave 32, Got 8
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Re: Channel Time Keeping Ability
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...
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07-01-2009, 2:14 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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Veteran Member
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Herts, England
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Re: Channel Time Keeping Ability
BBC are the worst!
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07-01-2009, 3:00 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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Prominent Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Gateshead
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Re: Channel Time Keeping Ability
Film4 are consistantly good,i always start recording 3 mins before and leave 20 mins on the end.No problems with that approach.
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07-01-2009, 9:47 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Doncaster U.K
Posts: 2,189
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Re: Channel Time Keeping Ability
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.
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07-01-2009, 10:07 PM
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#11 (permalink)
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Veteran Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Washington,Tyne&wear
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Re: Channel Time Keeping Ability
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...
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My Dr Who was ok that day but I can't remember how much I added on the end.

Bri
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08-01-2009, 6:25 AM
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#12 (permalink)
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Conspicuous Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 9,952
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Re: Channel Time Keeping Ability
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
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I know the meaning of life, it doesn't help me a bit
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08-01-2009, 10:26 AM
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#13 (permalink)
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 36
Thanks: Gave 0, Got 2
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Re: Channel Time Keeping Ability
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...
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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.
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