[mythtv-users] How to record a TV serial (was Re: mythtv-users Digest, Vol 111, Issue 46)

[blind Pete]

On Thu, 21 Jun 2012, Michael T. Dean wrote:
> On 06/20/2012 05:07 PM, Stephan Seitz wrote:
> > On Wed, Jun 20, 2012 at 09:37:14AM -0400, Michael T. Dean wrote:
> >> On 06/19/2012 09:27 AM, Simon Waldman wrote:
> >>> From: "Michael T. Dean"
> >>>> Timeslot rules are designed for something else, entirely, and should
> >>>> almost never be used by anyone. This is especially true since the case
> >>>> for which they were designed generally no longer exists.
> >>> I'm curious - what was that use case?
> >> Basically, it was designed for a show whose listings information was 
> >> useless for scheduling because the new episodes were generally shows 
> >> without any identifying information (no subtitle or description and a 
> >> "generic" programid)--making them look exactly like the rerun 
> >> episodes, and making them impossible to do duplicate matching on. 
> >> I.e. it's a workaround for broken guide data.

After following the link from two post earlier, it is apparent that 
following The Daily Show would have been a challenge, but just because 
the guide data does not do what you want does not mean that it is 
broken.  

In the TDS example they would not publish the guest list two weeks in 
advance because they would not know in advance.  I'm certain that they 
plan ahead and actively negotiate well in advance, but sometimes 
Hollywood size actors throw a Hollywood sized hissy fit, or get sick, 
or have real work show up, or just get caught in traffic.  Then TDS 
will have to drag out the emergency guest (and pretend that he was 
always their guest of choice).  If they are nice, the broadcaster 
will update the EPG to reflect reality - even if it is after the start 
of the show.  

> > That is funny because this is exactly my problem. Worse, the start and 
> > end times differ about +/-1 minute as well. So don’t tell me this case 
> > doesn’t exist anymore.
> > I wouldn’t trust blindly the EPG information. The EPG title for the 
> > UEFA football match last Monday was changed from „UEFA <something>” to 
> > „Italien - Irland”, so Mythtv refused to record (no match). So I know 
> > of more problems recording with EPG information as only rule set.
> 
> The Daily Show case doesn't exist, anymore. For that show, on US TV, the 
> timeslot rule was appropriate back when the episodes didn't have 
> appropriate programids. Now that we get programids for it, we don't even 
> need the timeslot rules (basically, now TMS seems to be providing the 
> smarts that the timeslot rules used to provide--knowing that "this 
> showing is the new episode every day, even though we don't know who/what 
> is on it").

Some people are not in the US, and watch shows that are even more 
obscure than TDS.  

> The timeslot rule was not designed to fix the issue you're seeing, 
> because of the sliding times. So, we're back to custom/power recording 
> rules being the best bet. Similarly with changing titles, you'd need 
> custom/power recording rules.
> 
> I'm the first to admit that listings data still has issues, but the 
> issues with your data can't be solved with a timeslot rule.
> 
> Mike

Recording a timed slot (I need a better name for this) would go a long 
way to covering the messy, unpredictable and undocumented reality of 
live TV.  


-- 
blind Pete  
Sig goes here...  
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