Scheduled Viewing

[chrisjx]

I think it would be cool to have a way to save "scheduled viewing". I know the programs I want to watch and I'd like the scheduler (much like the recording scheduler) to change channels based on what I program in.

It's like the recording schedule, except no recording.

Could also be useful to parents who might want to limit which programs the kids watch.

I'd like to set it up to switch to CSI every Monday night, Nova on Tuesdays, etc, etc.

Thoughts?

[reven]

what if say CSI hasnt finished yet and it switches to the other channel, and you miss the part where they tell who the killer was, that could be annoying.

[herbs]

I think a program is starting soon reminder would be a better idea with the option to change to that channel pop up box, instead of automatically changing channels this would solve the possible problem reven brought up.

[reven]

a booking system would be nice, i just doubt its high priority, one of those nice to have but can wait features.

[chrisjx]

Just a wish list item for the record...

Thanks for considering it.

[LilY0da]

Sub, any thoughts on that feature? a reminder popup would be awesome...

[A_Brass]

Yeah, I seem to remember my digital cable box (back before children when I could afford such things) would remind me when a program I wanted to watch would begin. It would ask if I wanted to switch or stay on the same channel.

This was before the PVR/DVR. I'm not really sure what good it would do me now. But a neat idea.

[sub]

Sub, any thoughts on that feature? a reminder popup would be awesome...

I'd thought about, but havnt ended up doing anything about it. Maybe in a future release.

It gets message around having multiple viewing devices (MVPs or clients).

[Torque]

The reminder function would be really nice for a show you 'might' want to watch. For example... Maybe I want to watch CSI, but it starts during the middle of "How tires are made" on the History channel. I get sucked in to "how tires are made" and would rather watch the rest, than watch CSI. Currently, I'd have to set to record CSI beforehand and then abruptly get kicked to the main menu while GB-PVR starts recording CSI. Then I have to go cancel CSI before I can continue watching "How tires are made" (BTW, I only have one tuning source, so this happens ALOT). If we had a reminder, we could then choose if we wanted to continue watching the current show or switch.

It could be implemented as another button to the Guide menus. So you'll have Quick Record, Record, and Remind. Remind will offer two choices, "Auto-Tune" and "Reminder Only". An additional column in the DB could indicate whether to record that show or just tune it in for the recorder service to use).

Reminder-Only will pop up a non-intrusive bar at the bottom of the screen with text that says some thing like "C.S.I. will start in [default pre padding time] minutes. Switch Channel Now? YES/NO" It should probably appear for the duration of pre-padding time.

Auto-tune will take care of switching the channel automatically. The same message will appear as in Reminder-Only, but after the duration, it will automatically tune in the channel. Example, you're watching some stupid show on TNT killing time till your show comes on ABC. The phone rings and you forget to switch channels and miss the initial reminder. GB-PVR will automatically tune in your show.

Just a quick search shows there is more and more interest in this...
http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?t=5039
http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?t=7371
http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?t=5867
http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?t=6924

Any chance this could be bumped up in priority?

[nutmonkey]

This would be a great feature and one I've realised over the past few weeks could be really useful. If you are familiar with the Sky program reminder, it pops up on screen 5 minutes before the program starts, auto channel changing isn’t necessary, but could be an option. Also, if it could be integrated into the Recording Status system tray icon to pop up a message if GB-PVR isn't running. It's so hard to remember to watch shows and when their on, what can I say, I’m a forgetful guy!

Cheers for the great program

Jim