watch a program from just before it's scheduled start time

[wannabepvr]

Usually when I watch a program I am focused on what I want to watch. Often I select that but can't watch it - because I am say 5 minutes early. So I have to back out and then select to watch the preceding program.

Could it work that you can select to watch a program (or at least select to watch than channel) a few minutes before the exact scheduled time?

Cheers!

[Mucaro]

Wannabepvr, are you watching live-tv (selecting watch from the TV guide) or making recordings to watch later? If you are making recordings, you can increase the pre-padding minutes (I have mine set to 3 mins) before clicking on the record button.

[wannabepvr]

This is live TV from the guide

An example the other day was that I wanted to watch the 6:00 new program. So I selected it. But because the time was only 5:58 I didn't get the 'watch' option.

So I had to exit. Select the previous program (the bold and the beautiful - or some other such trash) and select to watch that while I waited. Muted of course!!

[Babnik]

I do thid all the time...what would be good, is a way to 'watch' a future program. What I mean is, say it's 5:00, and at 5:15 there is something you want to watch. If you could choose watch, BUT then go to another channel, at 5:15 (or a set pre padded amout of time before), channel changes automatically to that channel. Obviously this would only happen if the tuner was not being used for recording. I've missed many shows, because I'm a little early, change channel (I have no patience), and miss the start of my show by a few minutes because I forget not only do I not have patience, but my memory is shot!)

[stefan]

So, today we have learned to always schedule for recording what we want to watch

Sub has said that he isn't too keen on implementing this sort of feature, since he personally doesn't see the benefits, but that he might consider it if someone proposes a reasonable way to make it work in setups with multiple MVPs

[bigyoda1281]

I do not know if this is possible or even if it is exactly what you are looking for but Digital STB's have a feature where if you select a program to early it asks you if you want a reminder. Then a minute before the start of the show it displays this on the screen (regardless of which channel you are on) and asks you if you want to watch (selecting yes moves you to that channel)....maybe something like this might be helpful if sub thinks it wouldnt be too hard to implement.

[stefan]

A summary of the multiple client setup problem:
http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?t=14932
http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?t=22183

[wannabepvr]

Some more thought on this wish....

If you select a program at a time in the future you do not get the 'watch' option. Obvious enough.

Perhaps if you are within a short period of this program starting, instead of 'watch' an button could be added like. 'Watch this channel'
which means you could start watching the channel 5 or 10 minutes prior to the start of the program.