Switching between channels cuts recording and does not use the two tunners.

[acetone]

OK that flag to prefer different tuners did fix the issue of padding when switching channels on different frequencies. But it stops the mutlirecord of shows that are on the same frequency. Which i guess isn't a big deal, only when i want to record two shows at the same time and have a show recording before hand. I guess we can't have the best of both worlds. So tonight I will try setting up all the tvnz stations on one tunner and the rest on the other and see what that results in. From what you guys have said I think that will be the best option.

[hasso]

setting up all the tvnz stations on one tunner and the rest on the other.

Yes, I did this as well and it works fine.. although (unless things have changed, correct me if I'm wrong) I think Live TV needs a totally free tuner (it does not use multirecord). So if you only have the 500 with two tuners you could run into instances where it comes back with 'tuner unavailable' when attempting to watch live TV because one tuner could be in use for a recording and the other does not have the channel enabled.

As mentioned by OrakelJos you do need to have <PreferAlternatingCaptureSources>true</PreferAlternatingCaptureSources>, but if you want to use multirecord and have pre and post padding honoured in all cases, then you need to enable all tvnz on one tuner and all canwest(tv3 c4 etc) on the other as mentioned by stustunz.

[acetone]

I don't use livetv so that is not an issue. Maybe I will see if I can setup different tuners but have them disabled so depending on what im wanting to do(livetv/multi record/padding honored) I can choose which tuner setup to pick.

[Etacovda]

Only if they are of the same frequency/mux though. Different mux needs different tuner.

we only have two muxes for our freeview here, hence the suggestion to use the two tuners as full stream recorders (ie constantly recording everything on both muxes).