On 24/01/2008, Martin Deutsch <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > On Jan 24, 2008 10:31 AM, Brian Butterworth <[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > wrote: > [...] > > > > *I* know I can do this, I just wanted to know why the BBC was > providing > > > > poisoned information. Why should people who have paid for Windows > Vista > > > > Ultimate Edition have a poor service on purpose? > > > > > > Why should the BBC optimise its schedule services for the benefit of > one > > > particular manufacturer of DTT viewing software? As Martin describes, > > > there are standard ways of accurately timing recordings from DTT, and > if > > > Microsoft doesn't choose to make them available to users of its > > > software, I don't think it's reasonable to blame the BBC or any other > > > broadcaster for this. > > > > > > The BBC should not CHANGE the schedule, and I am not saying it should. > > > > I am saying that if the BBC knows that a programme is scheduled at > 2202-2232 > > then it should deliver that data correctly to the EPG providers. > > > > Somewhere inside the TVC is a computer system that has some code in it, > or > > is operated by a person, who programmes in the automatic play out of a > > pre-recorded programme for a time slot which is translated into the > > published EPG for a slightly different time. > > > > And I am sure everyone knows how I feel about the BBC dictating > restricted > > standards to the public. > > > The person and the system with the precise schedule are sitting little > bit up the road in the Broadcast Centre, but that's a moot point.
But it does confirm the rest... The BBC - and all the other broadcasters - don't publish the exact > start times of programmes anywhere. As I mentioned, the way your > Freeview box knows that Newsnight has started at 2232 is because at > 2232, a flag goes up somewhere saying "oh, hey, you know that > programme that we said was on at 2230? It's starting in a few seconds, > so if you want to record it, now would be a good time to start." It's > how things worked in the damp string days of analogue with PDC, and > it's how it continues to work with DVB Event Information Tables. "broadcasters - don't publish the exact start times of programmes anywhere", which is not quite "Accuracy, impartiality ... a willingness to acknowledge mistakes when we make them: meeting all these expectations simultaneously ... but it is what the BBC has to do." That's Mark Thompson, speaking whilst us Backstage people where having an Unfesitval round the corner... http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2007/aug/24/television.edinburghtvfestival2007 Your beef seems to be with the fact that your media player of choice > is using a listings guide that's based on the same information that's > provided to the newspapers for their listings pages, rather than a > service with live-updating cues, such as the one provided over the air > with DTT. That seems quite like trying to have it both ways. In summary: blame Microsoft, not the BBC. > (Or at least, if you're going to blame the BBC, you may as well also > direct some ire at Red Bee Media, their listings subsiduary BDS, ITV > Network Centre, Channel 4, Sky, etc, etc.) I'm not trying to BLAME anyone here, I'm trying to find out where the EPG information gets nobbled and make an attempt to get some to "acknowledge mistakes" and provide "accuracy" in the data. If I can get a signed letter from someone at the BBC saying that it's Microsoft's fault, then I can go an staple it to the "Memorandum of Understanding" and get MS to sort it out. As far as I can tell with the Media Center, the DVB-T reception (or DVB-S as an alternative) is too abstracted from the PVR functions. It took quite a lot of effort to get them to recognise the damn radio stations! - martin > - > Sent via the backstage.bbc.co.uk discussion group. To unsubscribe, please > visit http://backstage.bbc.co.uk/archives/2005/01/mailing_list.html. > Unofficial > list archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > -- Please email me back if you need any more help. Brian Butterworth http://www.ukfree.tv
