Using Multi-Record

[pcostanza]

Other than using the TS Mux option, what else must be done to record multiple channels? I can't get it to work. However, I have a PVR500 so digital channels go to the 2250 first then other recordings go directly to the 500. Probably just me not fully understanding how this is suppose to work.

[sub]

You need to have the 'enable multi-recording' setting ticked in the config app, and you need to schedule a recording for a channel that is on the same frequency as another recording. If it doesnt seem to work for you, try scheduling two recordings on channels that arent available via your 500, then zip and attach the pvrx2.exe.log and I'll tell you what is happening.

[pcostanza]

Thanks. I could get 3 to say they were recording and no more but they are all zero files. Also, I can't get one to stop showing it's recording. Says it's still recording tho it doesn't show it in the Recordings tab.
Log attached.

[sub]

2008-11-01 21:01:49.366 VERBOSE [1] new recording requires: 29,0,0
2008-11-01 21:01:49.369 VERBOSE [1] existing recording is on: 36,0,0

It looks like youre trying to record channels that are on different frequencies. This will usually be the case with ATSC, where they only really have the bandwidth for one high def channel per frequency (sometime they do have an extra channel or two of low def material on the same frequency). Its much more common with QAM and DVB to have a pile of channels on the same frequency. I could record 14 or so channels here in DVB world with two tuners.

[pcostanza]

Understood. I'm good anyway as I have other tuners on another system to catch everything I want.
I've not had any luck with QAM here and get no info from my cable company. I'm not alone with this problem.
I appreciate the quick replies.

[johnsonx42]

This will usually be the case with ATSC, where they only really have the bandwidth for one high def channel per frequency (sometime they do have an extra channel or two of low def material on the same frequency).

I was wondering about that myself when I read about the multi-record function. I first wondered if it would even work with ATSC (apparently it will), and second I wondered if there will ever be a time when I'd want to record from two sub-channels on the same ATSC frequency (probably exceedingly rare, given that the sub-channels are usually either an SD version of the primary HD channel, or some garbage like a weather channel feed or 24-hour infomercials).

The question though is whether there's any downside to leaving Multi-Record checked on?

Also, does it work for live TV too? ie, say the tuner is recording a show on HD channel 7.1, would it let me watch the weather feed on channel 7.3? (not that I would really want to, it's just a contrived example)

[sub]

I was wondering about that myself when I read about the multi-record function. I first wondered if it would even work with ATSC (apparently it will), and second I wondered if there will ever be a time when I'd want to record from two sub-channels on the same ATSC frequency (probably exceedingly rare, given that the sub-channels are usually either an SD version of the primary HD channel, or some garbage like a weather channel feed or 24-hour infomercials).

Yeah, I wouldnt bother with ATSC. This feature was definitely not aimed at ATSC users. On the other hand, QAM and DVB users are likely to get a lot of use from it.

The question though is whether there's any downside to leaving Multi-Record checked on?

It does complicate the logic of scheduling. If you're using ATSC, I'd probably disable it (especially since its new and we dont know what bugs lurk).

Also, does it work for live TV too? ie, say the tuner is recording a show on HD channel 7.1, would it let me watch the weather feed on channel 7.3? (not that I would really want to, it's just a contrived example)

It wouldnt be possible with live preview mode. It would be possible for timeshift mode, but I ran out of time to implement support for this in 1.3.7, so it'll make an appearance later.

[johnsonx42]

Yeah, I wouldnt bother with ATSC. This feature was definitely not aimed at ATSC users. On the other hand, QAM and DVB users are likely to get a lot of use from it.

Us USA folks do seem to get the short shaft of options in directly receiving HDTV with our computers. ATSC offers precious few channels, most cable companies don't even want to admit the existence of ClearQAM (and offer very few channels again), and there don't seem to be any satellite options at all. CableCARD would have solved a lot of this, but those are off-limits to DIY'ers.

It does complicate the logic of scheduling. If you're using ATSC, I'd probably disable it (especially since its new and we dont know what bugs lurk).

I'll turn it off then, no point in inviting trouble for the .001% chance it might get used.

It wouldnt be possible with live preview mode. It would be possible for timeshift mode, but I ran out of time to implement support for this in 1.3.7, so it'll make an appearance later.

That would be a really cool feature, even if it does me no good.

[pcostanza]

About 6 months back as I was testing the OCUR cable card tuners for MS, I called my cable company (Cox) and they told me they do not have to carry QAM and very likely will not after the digital change in February. However, I'm not able to get QAM all the time and just a very few channels. Even Media Center with TVPack doesn't find those channels. I'm told they switch them for bandwidth though that doesn't sound right to me.

[johnsonx42]

...they told me they do not have to carry QAM and very likely will not after the digital change in February.

Irritating and bizarre isn't it? You'd think the digital change would require them to carry more ClearQAM. My local cable company (Cox, Comcast, I forget which one it is now) pretends there's no such thing as ClearQAM. The person I called acted like I was from Mars, I might as well have been calling about a Quadra-Quartz Ramastat (a cookie for anyone who knows that reference).