On Tue, 01 Feb 2011 09:20:28 +0000, Phil Cook v2 wrote:

>> Even worse is when they start one show over the credits of another.  If
>> I'm recording a programme, how am I supposed to get the whole thing if
>> you start EARLY?
> 
> Oh I complained to the BBC on that one - Watch a programme on BBC2 until
> the end turn over just as the credits roll and find the programme on
> BBC1 has already started:
> 
> "We do allow programme-makers some flexibility in running time, although
> all programmes are expected to run about one minute less than their slot
> time so that we can accommodate promotional trails and continuity
> announcements. If a programme is over-running slightly, it may be
> necessary to begin it a little early."

The thing that really gets to me is that if the provider (Comcast in my 
case) provides the time to my DVR and they host the programmes, how is it 
possible that the programmes cannot (a) start actually on time, and (b) 
the recording can't be jiggered to actually record *the entire programme* 
regardless of what time it actually starts?

I mean really - if I ask it to record The Simpsons (and the machine knows 
that's what I want), if the programme starts 15 minutes late because of a 
news bulletin, time change because of programming earlier in the day 
(Super Bowl, World Series, etc), the dumb thing should *know* that I 
don't care what's on between 7 PM and 7:30 PM if it isn't The Simpsons - 
so it shouldn't record based on time but based on *what I actually wanted 
to record*.  And if the programme starts 2 minutes early or runs 2 
minutes over, then it should record *to completion* and not stop just 
because the time it says it was scheduled for isn't the time it actually 
ran.

Jim

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On Tue, 01 Feb 2011 11:59:39 +0000, Stephen wrote:

>>>> That's because I'm right. ;-)
>>>>
>>>>
>>> You always are (so you say). ;-)
>>
>> I don't hear you debating it. ;-)
>>
>>
> That's right.
> (see you are always right.)

LOL

BTW, you were right about Mornington Crescent last night - well done. :-)

But I *really* want to know what that version of "We Will Rock You" was 
all about.  Were they *trying* to make us wish Jeremy was there, or were 
they trying to make us think he was?

Jim

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On 01/02/2011 5:16 PM, Jim Henderson wrote:
> On Tue, 01 Feb 2011 12:02:14 +0000, Stephen wrote:
>
>> How about, hitting her over the head with a cushion and tickling her
>> until she gets the point?
>> I find a bit of gentle violence never comes amiss.
>
> I could get Ken to do that, but she'd probably enjoy that, so probably
> not much of a deterrant. :-)

No it has to be you. The surprise makes it memorable.

-- 
Regards
     Stephen

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On 01/02/2011 5:20 PM, Jim Henderson wrote:
> BTW, you were right about Mornington Crescent last night - well done.:-)
>

I cannot accept any credit.

> But I*really*  want to know what that version of "We Will Rock You" was
> all about.  Were they*trying*  to make us wish Jeremy was there, or were
> they trying to make us think he was?

A generic Rock Star, I think.

-- 
Regards
     Stephen

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On Tue, 01 Feb 2011 20:08:06 +0000, Stephen wrote:

> On 01/02/2011 5:16 PM, Jim Henderson wrote:
>> On Tue, 01 Feb 2011 12:02:14 +0000, Stephen wrote:
>>
>>> How about, hitting her over the head with a cushion and tickling her
>>> until she gets the point?
>>> I find a bit of gentle violence never comes amiss.
>>
>> I could get Ken to do that, but she'd probably enjoy that, so probably
>> not much of a deterrant. :-)
> 
> No it has to be you. The surprise makes it memorable.

Hmmm, worth considering...

Jim

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On Tue, 01 Feb 2011 20:10:22 +0000, Stephen wrote:

> On 01/02/2011 5:20 PM, Jim Henderson wrote:
>> BTW, you were right about Mornington Crescent last night - well
>> done.:-)
>>
>>
> I cannot accept any credit.

But you should, you're the one who said it was a good round.

>> But I*really*  want to know what that version of "We Will Rock You" was
>> all about.  Were they*trying*  to make us wish Jeremy was there, or
>> were they trying to make us think he was?
> 
> A generic Rock Star, I think.

One that really can't sing. ;-)

Seriously, it was almost like Graham was singing Jeremy singing Queen.  
And that's saying something.

Jim

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And lo On Tue, 01 Feb 2011 17:19:40 -0000, Jim Henderson  
<nos### [at] nospamcom> did spake thusly:

> On Tue, 01 Feb 2011 09:20:28 +0000, Phil Cook v2 wrote:
>
>>> Even worse is when they start one show over the credits of another.  If
>>> I'm recording a programme, how am I supposed to get the whole thing if
>>> you start EARLY?
>>
>> Oh I complained to the BBC on that one - Watch a programme on BBC2 until
>> the end turn over just as the credits roll and find the programme on
>> BBC1 has already started:
>>
>> "We do allow programme-makers some flexibility in running time, although
>> all programmes are expected to run about one minute less than their slot
>> time so that we can accommodate promotional trails and continuity
>> announcements. If a programme is over-running slightly, it may be
>> necessary to begin it a little early."
>
> The thing that really gets to me is that if the provider (Comcast in my
> case) provides the time to my DVR and they host the programmes, how is it
> possible that the programmes cannot (a) start actually on time, and (b)
> the recording can't be jiggered to actually record *the entire programme*
> regardless of what time it actually starts?
>
> I mean really - if I ask it to record The Simpsons (and the machine knows
> that's what I want), if the programme starts 15 minutes late because of a
> news bulletin, time change because of programming earlier in the day
> (Super Bowl, World Series, etc), the dumb thing should *know* that I
> don't care what's on between 7 PM and 7:30 PM if it isn't The Simpsons -
> so it shouldn't record based on time but based on *what I actually wanted
> to record*.  And if the programme starts 2 minutes early or runs 2
> minutes over, then it should record *to completion* and not stop just
> because the time it says it was scheduled for isn't the time it actually
> ran.

The stupid thing is that is how my box works. Supposedly the broadcaster  
sends a start signal which when used in conjunction with the Electronic  
Programme Guide knows that I want to record the listed 7pm programme that  
is now starting at 7:15pm and records from 7:15-7:45. In this case it  
relies on both the guide being updated and the signal being sent. The most  
common complaint I have is that it starts on-time and cuts off early; not  
by much normally, just enough to annoy.

As you say I don't see why this is so hard to do exactly.

-- 
Phil Cook

--
I once tried to be apathetic, but I just couldn't be bothered
http://flipc.blogspot.com

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On Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:53:55 +0000, Phil Cook v2 wrote:

> The stupid thing is that is how my box works. Supposedly the broadcaster
> sends a start signal which when used in conjunction with the Electronic
> Programme Guide knows that I want to record the listed 7pm programme
> that is now starting at 7:15pm and records from 7:15-7:45. In this case
> it relies on both the guide being updated and the signal being sent. The
> most common complaint I have is that it starts on-time and cuts off
> early; not by much normally, just enough to annoy.
> 
> As you say I don't see why this is so hard to do exactly.

I don't either.

Last night, my DVR said it was scheduled to record "The Daily Show" from 
9:00 PM to 9:31 PM (which in and of itself was odd), but at 9:09 PM it 
hadn't started recording.  So we watched it live (no big deal, it was 
partially buffered so we were able to go back to the beginning).

At 9:30, it started recording, recorded exactly 1 minute, and then 
recorded the next show.

Of course, it decided that since it was starting to record on the channel 
we were actively watching, it just skipped 5 minutes or so of the 
interview while we were watching it, so it could record the last minute 
(which was mostly credits).

Stupid technology.

Jim

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And lo On Wed, 02 Feb 2011 18:33:41 -0000, Jim Henderson  
<nos### [at] nospamcom> did spake thusly:

> On Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:53:55 +0000, Phil Cook v2 wrote:
>
>> The stupid thing is that is how my box works. Supposedly the broadcaster
>> sends a start signal which when used in conjunction with the Electronic
>> Programme Guide knows that I want to record the listed 7pm programme
>> that is now starting at 7:15pm and records from 7:15-7:45. In this case
>> it relies on both the guide being updated and the signal being sent. The
>> most common complaint I have is that it starts on-time and cuts off
>> early; not by much normally, just enough to annoy.
>>
>> As you say I don't see why this is so hard to do exactly.
>
> I don't either.
>
> Last night, my DVR said it was scheduled to record "The Daily Show" from
> 9:00 PM to 9:31 PM (which in and of itself was odd), but at 9:09 PM it
> hadn't started recording.  So we watched it live (no big deal, it was
> partially buffered so we were able to go back to the beginning).
>
> At 9:30, it started recording, recorded exactly 1 minute, and then
> recorded the next show.
>
> Of course, it decided that since it was starting to record on the channel
> we were actively watching, it just skipped 5 minutes or so of the
> interview while we were watching it, so it could record the last minute
> (which was mostly credits).
>
> Stupid technology.

A similar thing happened with "Sherlock" on the BBC. Not just to me but to  
a large group with different model PVRs. It didn't start recording until  
20 minutes in. The BBc claimed it must have been the EPG at fault despite  
the fact that it happily showed the programme starting at the right time.

The other problem is "Series Link" set to record on programme and it asks  
if you want to record it from that point on. Did it for "FlashForward" -  
recorded the main episode then the repeat the next night then the next  
repeat on the other channel. Ended up with three copies. For "Malcolm in  
the Middle" it'll record some, but not others. Just strange.


-- 
Phil Cook

--
I once tried to be apathetic, but I just couldn't be bothered
http://flipc.blogspot.com

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On Thu, 03 Feb 2011 09:00:54 +0000, Phil Cook v2 wrote:

> A similar thing happened with "Sherlock" on the BBC. Not just to me but
> to a large group with different model PVRs. It didn't start recording
> until 20 minutes in. The BBc claimed it must have been the EPG at fault
> despite the fact that it happily showed the programme starting at the
> right time.

Ouch, that's a shame.  Hope you got to see it, because that was a very 
well done series, I thought.

Jim

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