4 tuners installed but no overlapping when recording back to back shows

[jollster101]

Hi all

I have a quick query as my VMC isn't running quite as I would have thought having added a second Dual Hybrid S2 tuner.

I have installed the second card and has been picked up with no problems. I have run the MCE Tuner Config and set the priorities to what I believe are correct. From there I rebooted and then tested by opening Live TV, press record, change channel, press record, change channel, press record and the same for the final tuner. This worked a treat and all four tuners recorded with no issues. Now since then, I have been able to record multiple channels.

I use ICETV and this is set to pad for 3 minutes prior and 30 minutes after the programs start and end. This also works fine apart from when I record back to back programs. For example, my missus will record Law & Order followed by Medium on Ten (don't ask me why but its a chick thing to watch this stuff). The first program records ok and then stops immediately at 9.30pm with no post padding time. The new recording starts immediately with no pre padding time. This leads to me believe it is using the same tuner.

I would have thought that what would happen is that one tuner would record Law & Order and continue to record for 30 minutes after. A spare tuner would then start recording Medium 3 minutes before it was due to start and would record for 30 minutes afterwards. This however isn't happening as described.

Could this be due to the fact that VMC, despite having multiple tuners, cannot record the same channel back to back using different tuners? Has anyone been able to record back to back shows, pad out as required, get all the padding whilst using separate tuners?

[logifuse]

Hmm,

I only really use hard padding (advanced record), so I never really notice if it's doing the right thing with soft padding.

I also noticed that the MCE Tuner Config doesn't necessarily set the priorities correctly, so maybe that has something to do with it? I manually set my 4 as 0123 & 3210 (live & record) with the 0's getting the corresponding 0xffffffff preferred setting.

Justin

[scotto74]

Originally Posted by jollster101

This leads to me believe it is using the same tuner.

To confirm which tuner(s) are being used, go to Recorded TV --> Series --> History.

In there it will tell you which one was used (assuming you have given each tuner a name that you differentiate between).

[jollster101]

Originally Posted by logifuse

Hmm,

I only really use hard padding (advanced record), so I never really notice if it's doing the right thing with soft padding.

I also noticed that the MCE Tuner Config doesn't necessarily set the priorities correctly, so maybe that has something to do with it? I manually set my 4 as 0123 & 3210 (live & record) with the 0's getting the corresponding 0xffffffff preferred setting.

Justin

Advanced Recording will be an issue as its my missus that just uses the guide and hits the red button. To try and "advise" her how to go about another method will cause the cat and the pigeons to have an almighty bun fight I reckon.

One question though, where is the Reg key that points me in the right direction for what you mentioned?

Ta

[logifuse]

See attached - the string of characters will be different for the 4 tuners.

[kieran45]

Originally Posted by jollster101

Could this be due to the fact that VMC, despite having multiple tuners, cannot record the same channel back to back using different tuners? Has anyone been able to record back to back shows, pad out as required, get all the padding whilst using separate tuners?

VMC can definately record the same channel back to back using different tuners. I have no problem doing this on mine, but like Logifuse, I use the advanced record settings to do the padding at the end. I have no experience with IceTV, but suspect that the issues you are having could be down to the IceTV software.

[vbap]

+1 for Advanced Recording settings (ie hard padding).

Since the shows are being/should be recorded as Series, you can edit the series advanced settings yourself, if you are concerned about the amount of fur and feathers flying about...

[TheRob]

Originally Posted by kieran45

VMC can definately record the same channel back to back using different tuners. I have no problem doing this on mine, but like Logifuse, I use the advanced record settings to do the padding at the end. I have no experience with IceTV, but suspect that the issues you are having could be down to the IceTV software.

I don't think it's the IceTV software. This is only used to populate the guide. I think it's the way Vista handles back-to-back recordings where there's no hard padding. Unless you force hard padding (via the advance options) VMC seems to just assume you'll want these shows recorded using and single tuner.

[jollster101]

Originally Posted by TheRob

I don't think it's the IceTV software. This is only used to populate the guide. I think it's the way Vista handles back-to-back recordings where there's no hard padding. Unless you force hard padding (via the advance options) VMC seems to just assume you'll want these shows recorded using and single tuner.

That is certainly what I see being exhibited now. The padding worked fine for the second program being recorded.

Now I suppose the only thing to do is to test the advanced recording option.

If I set the advanced recording option, and also set it to record the series of say Medium, Law and Order and whatever crap she watches, how accurate is VMC in being able to tell that a series has finished?

Just wondering as there are often repeats of CSI: Miami, CSI etc. Will it only look at programs at the specific time on the specific day or will it widen its search and record other showings?

Never used the Advanced Recording so not sure how it works fully. (To be honest I never record anything, its always the missus and she only ever uses the Guide and hits the red button).

[dgaust]

There are a lot of ways you can deal with it.

1. In advanced record select "Record Series"
2. Select end padding - 15mins (possibly longer for channel 10)
3. You can also select which airings to record from 'All', 'All - once per day', 'First' (no repeats). This is dependant on how accurate the EPG data is at flagging repeats.
4. You can select which channel to record from between 'Any' or 'X - only' (whatever the channel is you're creating the recording from).
5. Select the time 'Any Time' or 'Around xx:xx' (which is within 90 minutes of xx:xx'

[TheRob]

Originally Posted by jollster101

Just wondering as there are often repeats of CSI: Miami, CSI etc. Will it only look at programs at the specific time on the specific day or will it widen its search and record other showings?

By default series recordings are set to only record first run episodes. So anything marked as a repeat shouldn't get recorded unless you've gone into the Advanced Options and specifically told it to.

Also by default I think it only looks on the same channel, but does look at any time on any day. Once again, you can change this in the Advanced Options.