[mythtv-users] Record multiple channels from one multiplex (again...)

[Nick Morrott]

On 07/03/07, Michael T. Dean <mtdean at thirdcontact.com> wrote:
> On 03/07/2007 12:53 PM, Michael T. Dean wrote:
> > On 03/07/2007 12:40 PM, Udo van den Heuvel wrote:
> >
> >> While looking at
> >> http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/index.php/Record_multiple_channels_from_one_multiplex
> >> and at http://svn.mythtv.org/trac/ticket/1772 it looks like no progress
> >> is being made although a certain number of MythTV users even want to pay
> >> cash for the ability to record multiple channels from one multiplex.
> >>
> >> What *is* the current status?
> >> Did I miss something?
> >>
> >>
> > My understanding:
> >
> >  - Users want it and are willing to pay (an insignificant amount) for it
> >  - Developers who could actually code it would rather spend $X to get
> > new capture cards for themselves rather than spend Y hours to code
> > it--and end up with the same functionality in the end
> >
>
> Sorry, Mike, but I can't ignore thatlie.  Actually, having an extra
> capture card gives /more/ functionality.  Whereas someone who's relying
> on one card to record can only record two shows on the same multiplex,
> someone who has two cards can /always/ record two shows--regardless of
> where they're broadcast.  :)

That POV depends on a user's local DVB transmissions. Multiplexes can
be awarded to individual broadcasters which a user may prefer, and can
contain only-free or only-encrypted groups of channels.

A user with a single DVB card in a locality with one or two
multiplexes containing the majority/all of their total free-to-air
channels may benefit hugely with this functionality by being able to
record 1,2,3,4... programmes carried on separate channels on a single
multiplex. If this user purchased another card with the current level
of functionality, they can record 2 programmes simultaneously.

A user in another locality with several multiplexes (the UK has 6 for
example) who records from many of them regularly would not see the
same boost in functionality. My DVB recordings are mostly concentrated
over 2 key multplexes (BBC, ITV) but I have recorded from all 6, and
regularly record from 3 (I have 4 DVB cards on my network).

I am encouraged by the fact that a smallish project such as this has
new and existing users who are willing to stump up money (even if it
is not a commercially realistic amount) for a particular and
potentially very useful feature - it shows passion for the project if
nothing else. As I understand things, it can be done with some not
insignificant re-engineering, so I'm hoping that in the future as the
project grows and more competent developers get involved, it may get
implemented. Anything that shows ingenuity and saves resouces at the
same time gets my vote.

I'd much rather the (IMO) annoying duplicate MythWeb search results
listings get sorted first, but hey!

Nick
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