2007-12-28, 12:02 AM
Having installed a Freeview Playback phase 2 PVR for an elderley relative, I was very impressed with the implementation of phase 2 that is now adopted by most UK broadcasters. In particular the way a pending recording changes it's start & end times 'on the fly'. A good example this evening - the news was extended because of the asassination of Benazir Bhutto, so any recordings pending would have started later, too.
Also split recordings - where a film has a half-hour break in the middle for the news, the PVR automatically records both parts (but not the news)
"Freeview Playback info:
Phase 1
----------
Accurate Recording of Events. If the footie overruns, and you've got a recording for Eastenders, it will delay the start of Eastenders until the broadcasters tell it to start and stop. Conversely if you were recording the footie, it will delay the end of your recording to ensure you dont miss the penalty shootout.
Phase 2
-----------
Series Link - Be able to set a single recording to record all programs within a series, eg record all episodes of 'House'. Split recordings - record both parts of a program that has a break in the middle.
Phase 3
-----------
Alternate Instance Recording - I've got recordings set for Eastenders and Corry at the same time on my twin tuner, but i also want to record DrWho. When i try to set a recording on DrWho, it say STOP, you can only record 2 things at a time, but .... DrWho is repeated tomorrow at 9.30, shall I record this one instead?
Warning - All these functions rely 100% on the broadcasters getting the info right. There will need to be someone watching the footie and correctly signal the end program flag in the stream. The BBC seem ok at this, except in Wales and Scotland where there are regional variations. ITV et al at getting better, but dont hold your breath for the shopping channels. When you miss your recordings, or the end of the champions league final is missing, its probably the fault of the broadcasters metadata not telling your PVR whne to start/stop."
Pob
Also split recordings - where a film has a half-hour break in the middle for the news, the PVR automatically records both parts (but not the news)
"Freeview Playback info:
Phase 1
----------
Accurate Recording of Events. If the footie overruns, and you've got a recording for Eastenders, it will delay the start of Eastenders until the broadcasters tell it to start and stop. Conversely if you were recording the footie, it will delay the end of your recording to ensure you dont miss the penalty shootout.
Phase 2
-----------
Series Link - Be able to set a single recording to record all programs within a series, eg record all episodes of 'House'. Split recordings - record both parts of a program that has a break in the middle.
Phase 3
-----------
Alternate Instance Recording - I've got recordings set for Eastenders and Corry at the same time on my twin tuner, but i also want to record DrWho. When i try to set a recording on DrWho, it say STOP, you can only record 2 things at a time, but .... DrWho is repeated tomorrow at 9.30, shall I record this one instead?
Warning - All these functions rely 100% on the broadcasters getting the info right. There will need to be someone watching the footie and correctly signal the end program flag in the stream. The BBC seem ok at this, except in Wales and Scotland where there are regional variations. ITV et al at getting better, but dont hold your breath for the shopping channels. When you miss your recordings, or the end of the champions league final is missing, its probably the fault of the broadcasters metadata not telling your PVR whne to start/stop."
Pob
