Dual recording goes live today

Ranicand · 18-03-2009 3:58pm #1

Thats right software update today dual recording but no series link.

cuppa · 18-03-2009 4:14pm

mine went down about half an hour ago ,D20,pluged it in and out nothing happned,still blank screen.
Jst says loss of signal.

paulm17781 · 18-03-2009 4:24pm

Ranicand wrote: »

Thats right software update today dual recording but no series link.

You sure? Have you checked on your own box? What was the software version?

Alun · 18-03-2009 4:34pm

Just looked at mine and it's been upgraded to 3.7.0.3 from 3.5.0.2.

Time to play and see what's changed .....

jaykay74 · 18-03-2009 4:39pm

Just testing it now. having to go into standby is a bit retarded. Why doesn't it just let me watch one of the channels I'm recording :rolleyes:

Also I've noticed that the menus are loading faster and scrolling through the programs I've recorded on the player is a lot faster too. It used to be painful to go page by page and program by program.

Alun · 18-03-2009 4:42pm

Yes, a bit useless alright ...

paulm17781 · 18-03-2009 4:44pm

jaykay74 wrote: »

Just testing it now. having to go into standby is a bit retarded. Why doesn't it just let me watch one of the channels I'm recording :rolleyes:

That's so f* stupid. I can't believe how UPC manage to constantly get the simple things wrong.

Alun · 18-03-2009 4:47pm

I don't get it ... why can't I now set two scheduled recordings on different channels at the same time? Surely that's no different to recording something while I have a scheduled recording already active for another channel (even if I do have to go into standby for some strange reason?).

An almost totally useless feature if you ask me.

Irishdudedave · 18-03-2009 4:56pm

Just forced an update on my box and sure enough dual recording is now available. Also in the recording menu there is now an option to "protect Recording"...why this is now available I dont know.

jaykay74 · 18-03-2009 5:11pm

When I select 2 programs to record simultaneously from the menu where you can see the current program and the next (when you press ok from channel) dual recording works fine. When I try to use the guide though which is the only way to record programs that are on in a few hours time it won't allow to select 2 programs on at the same time. Am i doing something wrong

If the guide can't be used to record then this new feature is useless...

dunworth1 · 18-03-2009 5:12pm

also in digital video recorder settings a new option

automatic disk space management

anyone know what this is for

Alun · 18-03-2009 5:14pm

Irishdudedave wrote: »

Also in the recording menu there is now an option to "protect Recording"...why this is now available I dont know.

Over on the Dutch UPC/Chello forums, they say that a "disk management" function was introduced in the new upgrade. I.e. when the disk is full, the oldest recordings will be deleted (automatically I assume, don't know if it prompts you or not) except for ones that you've protected.

Alun · 18-03-2009 5:25pm

BTW the disk space free percentage now updates immediately you delete something in your recordings list. Whoopee :rolleyes:

kev9652 · 18-03-2009 5:45pm

how do you force an update

thanks

dunworth1 · 18-03-2009 5:50pm

i just unplugged my box for about 30 seconds and plugged it back in and it updated itself

kev9652 · 18-03-2009 5:53pm

dunworth1 wrote: »

i just unplugged my box for about 30 seconds and plugged it back in and it updated itself

thanks for the help

paulm17781 · 18-03-2009 5:54pm

Wow, no sign of series link (most important imo) and an update that prevents you from watching TV. This is disappointing.

dunworth1 · 18-03-2009 5:55pm

kev9652 wrote: »

thanks for the help

no problem

Moriarty · 18-03-2009 6:53pm

Sounds like it could be hardware limiting the software instead of stupidly designed software wrt having to go in to standby for dual recording. Perhaps dual-record was never intended functionality for this hardware and someone decided that a bodge job was worth it?

/shrugs

Someone, somewhere, screwed up in UPC at some point

A function that could have been very useful, relegated to marginally useful.

C+ must try harder, constant underachiever.

Kensington · 18-03-2009 7:15pm

It's things like this that keep losing UPC customers. Why does someone not try and bring their DVR up to sky+ spec? Sky+ has been around for many years, with features like dual record, series link, ability to watch a third program while recording two other programs, as standard. How do UPC seriously think they can compete without these features? No way would I consider dumping my sky+ box for UPC...

Rosser · 18-03-2009 7:30pm

It's a load of ball* for sure. The Phillips HD box they use in Holland has a triple tuner so maybe if it ever gets here there might be some hope for us

Alun · 18-03-2009 7:33pm

Rosser wrote: »

The Phillips HD box they use in Holland has a triple tuner so maybe if it ever gets here there might be some hope for us

That's the HD box though. They have the Thomson box there as well for non-HD use, and appear to have very similar problems with it as well by all accounts.

AL_otto_pain · 18-03-2009 8:20pm

Moriarty wrote: »

. Perhaps dual-record was never intended functionality for this hardware and someone decided that a bodge job was worth it?

I remember seeing in the specifications on Thompson own site that dual recording is supported and even in Built editing so looks like software problem.

belmulletman · 18-03-2009 9:04pm

Nice to see the Dual recording option, but looks like the Series Link will be put on the long finger again, I mean why release this S/W update without the Series link (especially given that it's a version ahead of what our European counterparts have, and they have Series Link)

God dam UPC, get the fraking thumb out and do something right for a change!

Appleblossom42 · 18-03-2009 9:20pm

Really disappointing! You can't watch the box and record two programmes at the same time. In order to record two programmes simultaneously it has to be switched to stand by? Absolutely crazy. Resorted to viewing in analogue:eek: Unless anyone knows otherwise. So when analogue is switched off we'll be looking at a blank screen? Makes no sense at all!!

belmulletman · 18-03-2009 9:23pm

jaykay74 wrote: »

When I select 2 programs to record simultaneously from the menu where you can see the current program and the next (when you press ok from channel) dual recording works fine. When I try to use the guide though which is the only way to record programs that are on in a few hours time it won't allow to select 2 programs on at the same time. Am i doing something wrong If the guide can't be used to record then this new feature is useless...

I'm finding the same... what's the point of this update if you can't schedule the 2 recordings at once? For example, I'm trying to record Jonathan Ross on Friday and Bill Bailey on at the same time, but it won't let me, telling me i can't set 2 at once... stupid UPC!

Irishdudedave · 18-03-2009 9:34pm

Appleblossom42 wrote: »

Really disappointing! You can't watch the box and record two programmes at the same time. In order to record two programmes simultaneously it has to be switched to stand by? Absolutely crazy. Resorted to viewing in analogue:eek: Unless anyone knows otherwise. So when analogue is switched off we'll be looking at a blank screen? Makes no sense at all!!

I have this scenario already as I live in Cork (Analogue was switched off here a while back)... now when i record two programs I get a choice of the bog standard 4 channels! Wow what a choice!

patrickmooney · 18-03-2009 10:58pm

Todays upgrade deleted all scheduled recordings I'd set for today. Was wondering why nothing had recorded. Not sure of the impact of protect recording as I can delete a protected programme. Might be related to the auto delete feature.

Bodan · 18-03-2009 11:33pm

My DVR feels a lot more responsive since the upgrade. Moving through the menus it feels kinda snappy. The new update also fixed an old problem for me and reclaimed my lost space (long story).

I know this is going against the grain, but i think the update is awesome !

dodzy · 19-03-2009 8:26am

Appleblossom42 wrote: »

.......... Resorted to viewing in analogue:eek: Unless anyone knows otherwise. .......... Makes no sense at all!!

Sweet Jesus; progress ? I think not :mad:

paulm17781 · 19-03-2009 12:24pm

I sent UPC a mail to say how incredibly disappointing this is and ask if this is really it or if there is more coming. Hopefully there is more as this is the biggest let down possible.

Moriarty · 19-03-2009 12:28pm

Wouldn't the biggest let down possible be no dual recording at all and the interface horribly broken? :P

paulm17781 · 19-03-2009 1:15pm

Moriarty wrote: »

Wouldn't the biggest let down possible be no dual recording at all and the interface horribly broken? :P

No, that would be typical of UPCs inconsistent standards. Building up hopes with promises of series link, dual recording and some other stuff I don't remember and then giving us this useless "feature" is a let down.

d8player · 19-03-2009 2:37pm

belmulletman wrote: »

I'm finding the same... what's the point of this update if you can't schedule the 2 recordings at once? For example, I'm trying to record Jonathan Ross on Friday and Bill Bailey on at the same time, but it won't let me, telling me i can't set 2 at once... stupid UPC!

Can you not set the recordings, leave the box in standby and let it record away? Is it demanding you set the box in standby when you set the dual recordings?

paulm17781 · 19-03-2009 4:31pm

d8player wrote: »

Can you not set the recordings, leave the box in standby and let it record away? Is it demanding you set the box in standby when you set the dual recordings?

I don't think either. You have to have one recording set and press record (at the moment) you want to record the second one. It's the kind of feature that would only be useful if you had a recording set and as you were on your way out, you noticed something you wanted to see about to start so you press record then. I'd say it's the kind of thing people will use twice a year.

Well done UPC, you've outshone your previous bad standards with this one.

d8player · 19-03-2009 5:03pm

paulm17781 wrote: »

I don't think either. You have to have one recording set and press record (at the moment) you want to record the second one. It's the kind of feature that would only be useful if you had a recording set and as you were on your way out, you noticed something you wanted to see about to start so you press record then. I'd say it's the kind of thing people will use twice a year.

Well done UPC, you've outshone your previous bad standards with this one.

This is pretty comical. I found the DVR to be a fantastic innovation compared with VCR tapes and most of all I loved the ease of use. The system as described here is no addition at all.

GerardKeating · 19-03-2009 5:16pm

d8player wrote: »

Can you not set the recordings, leave the box in standby and let it record away? Is it demanding you set the box in standby when you set the dual recordings?

So say you want to set it to record two programs at 8pm in three days time, so you cannot watch TV for the next few days as the box is in standby mode???

jaykay74 · 19-03-2009 7:07pm

GerardKeating wrote: »

So say you want to set it to record two programs at 8pm in three days time, so you cannot watch TV for the next few days as the box is in standby mode???

no its worse

as far as I can make out you can't set it to record 2 programs on at the same time via the guide but ONLY through the quick guide you get where you can see the current program and the next. You get this menu when you press ok on any particular channel. When you try to set a 2nd recording at the same time through the guide it warns you that this isn't possible. This is as far as I can figure out.

Appleblossom42 · 19-03-2009 7:59pm

jaykay74 wrote: »

no its worse

as far as I can make out you can't set it to record 2 programs on at the same time via the guide but ONLY through the quick guide you get where you can see the current program and the next. You get this menu when you press ok on any particular channel. When you try to set a 2nd recording at the same time through the guide it warns you that this isn't possible. This is as far as I can figure out.

Yep, that's it exactly. Downright frustrating!!

BendiBus · 19-03-2009 10:36pm

My DVR got it's upgrade sometime overnight. And it wiped my planned recordings. Including something I had set to record early this evening :mad:

paulm17781 · 20-03-2009 12:21am

d8player wrote: »

This is pretty comical. I found the DVR to be a fantastic innovation compared with VCR tapes and most of all I loved the ease of use. The system as described here is no addition at all.

That's it. The DVR is far better than a VCR, no doubt. However I could have bought one which wasn't UPC branded or used a PC to do the same task. By modern standards, it was nothing special. Sky+ has some features which really makes it worthwhile and UPC aren't even bothered trying to compete. What we have is very half assed compared to what sky have been offering for 6 years now.

Moriarty · 20-03-2009 3:36pm

You can schedule dual recordings through the guide, I've just tested it and it works fine. It doesn't force you to immediately go into standby or anything else.

I didn't check how it will handle a dual recording that's about to begin when you're watching tv (I left the dvr in standby after I finished watching tv, which was when I had scheduled the dual-recording for), but at least some of the stuff in this thread isn't correct.

Alun · 20-03-2009 3:41pm

Moriarty wrote: »

You can schedule dual recordings through the guide, I've just tested it and it works fine. It doesn't force you to immediately go into standby or anything else.

How? If I try that it gives me a warning that they overlap and only gives me two options, to keep the first one, or to cancel that one and keep the second one.

Appleblossom42 · 20-03-2009 6:21pm

Alun wrote: »

How? If I try that it gives me a warning that they overlap and only gives me two options, to keep the first one, or to cancel that one and keep the second one.

+ 1
I've tried to set recordings in advance and it definitely doesn't work, will only work in the now and next guide.

To Moriarty, are you sure you're not mistaken? If you really have found a way of getting it to record hours in advance please enlighten the rest of us.

jaykay74 · 20-03-2009 6:34pm

Moriarty wrote: »

You can schedule dual recordings through the guide, I've just tested it and it works fine. It doesn't force you to immediately go into standby or anything else.

I didn't check how it will handle a dual recording that's about to begin when you're watching tv (I left the dvr in standby after I finished watching tv, which was when I had scheduled the dual-recording for), but at least some of the stuff in this thread isn't correct.

You must have got the only working copy of the software :pac::pac:

Maybe you are doing something different to the rest of us as you ar ethe only to report that dual recording through the guide works. Can you take us through a step by step for dummies.

My experience is :

1) Press Guide
2) Select program and press record.
3) Select 2nd program on different channel which overlaps timewise with the 1st program.

The result is that I get a warning that the memo overlaps with the 1st recording and to please select one of the 2 to record (or something along those lines)

MAJJ · 20-03-2009 10:05pm

+1 I have the new s/w and I get the overlap issue too

paulm17781 · 21-03-2009 12:02pm

I was just using now & next and the box went to number 5 and back to info tv. They haven't even fixed the bugs! :mad:

dunworth1 · 21-03-2009 12:33pm

paulm17781 wrote: »

I was just using now & next and the box went to number 5 and back to info tv. They haven't even fixed the bugs! :mad:

that hasn't happened to me since the update

Alun · 22-03-2009 6:45pm

dunworth1 wrote: »

that hasn't happened to me since the update

I continue to have that problem intermittently even after the update. Very annoying.

BendiBus · 22-03-2009 7:23pm

I've just noticed quite by accident that the DVR has allowed me to schedule 3 back-to-back recordings without complaint despite the fact that I have the system set to record -5/+10 minutes before/after each recording. Previously I would have been warned about overlap.

Is this a new feature?

quenching · 23-03-2009 7:55am

Update deleted all my scheduled recordings also!! F***ing UPC!!

Dual recording goes live today

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