What happens when recordings overlap or are scheduled back-to-back?
Sometimes two or more recordings may be scheduled at the same time, or one recording may be due to start as another one ends. The T4•R will try to record as much as possible, but what happens depends on whether you use automatic or manual padding, and how many recordings it can make at once.
For more information about these settings, see: What’s the difference between automatic and manual padding?.
Automatic padding
By default, the T4•R uses broadcaster signals to determine when programmes actually start and end. This helps recordings start and stop at the right time when broadcaster signalling is correct.
For back-to-back recordings on the same channel, the T4•R will move from one recording to the next, so you shouldn’t miss anything between programmes.
For recordings on different channels, the T4•R can record up to two programmes at the same time. If it is already recording two programmes and another recording needs to start, it may need to stop an earlier recording at its scheduled end time and start the new recording at its scheduled start time. This means you could miss some content if the first programme runs late or the next programme starts early.
Manual padding
When you set manual padding, the T4•R manages back-to-back and overlapping recordings to maximise coverage while working within its two-tuner limit.
Back-to-back recordings on the same channel
To capture the main programme content, the T4•R adjusts padding between back-to-back recordings on the same channel:
- The first recording in a sequence gets start padding only.
- Any middle recordings get no padding.
- The last recording gets end padding only.
If programmes don’t start or end exactly on time, you may find the beginning or end of a programme included in the adjacent recording.
Recordings on different channels
For recordings on different channels, the T4•R applies padding where it can.
If the T4•R is already recording two programmes and new recordings need to start, it may need to omit end padding from earlier recordings and start padding from new recordings. This ensures the scheduled programme content is prioritised.