Question about channel priority

[Sparhawk6]

I would prefer to record all my shows in HD, but I only have one HD tuner right now.

What I want to happen is this: If I set a favorite recording for two channels, the HD channel and the SD channel, Sage will record the HD broadcast first, and then if there is a conflict on the HD channel and that program loses the conflict to another favorite recording, Sage will record the SD broadcast instead.

Is there anyway that I can make Sage do this? It's sort of a "channel priority."

[kevine]

Originally Posted by Sparhawk6

I would prefer to record all my shows in HD, but I only have one HD tuner right now.

What I want to happen is this: If I set a favorite recording for two channels, the HD channel and the SD channel, Sage will record the HD broadcast first, and then if there is a conflict on the HD channel and that program loses the conflict to another favorite recording, Sage will record the SD broadcast instead.

Is there anyway that I can make Sage do this? It's sort of a "channel priority."

If you have an setup the recording on a HD channel, that will have priority. If an airing is available on a non-HD channel on another tuner it will still record it. Hope this helps. No need for 2 favorites.

[troycheek]

SageTV appears to prefer to record HD shows on digital tuners and SD shows on analog tuners, dropping back to the other tuners if there are more shows of a certain type than tuners for that type available. I've seen SageTV record SD shows on QAM channels with a digital tuner when all the analog tuners were taken. I'm sure it will work the other way for you.

I'd set a single Favorite at "any channel" and let SageTV handle it as best it can. Also, check to make sure the EPG flags the HD so SageTV knows it's HD. If an HD show fails to capture, check to see if SageTV found a later airing it's waiting for.

[Sparhawk6]

Just wanted to bump this topic because despite everyone's suggestion to "just let SageTV" handle it, I've had problems. Sometimes Sage will record the SD version and not the HD version even though the HD tuner is not occupied - or sometimes it will record an SD version of a show over the HD version because the HD tuner has recided to record a show that is farther down the favorites priority. Obviously I don't want either of those things to happen.

Is there nothing I can do other than asking Sage to record both versions every time? I do NOT want to do that.

[Djc208]

Check the properties file and make sure the HD tuner is set up as the priority. Otherwise my setup will usually try and record the HD show first. But again, if the show isn't tagged as HD then Sage has no reason to prefer it other than it may be on the preferred tuner.

The other thing to look at is the adjacent recordings. If the HD tuner recorded program A on channel A from 8 to 9 and program B on channel B is set up from 9 to 10 with a 1 minute padding then Sage will record B from the SD tuner since the HD one was technically busy at 8:59. At 9pm it can then go to the other favorite or another show on the HD tuner.
Similarly if show A and B are on the same channel with 1 minute padding then Sage can delete that padding and continue recording on the HD tuner. Where show C (with a higher priority and the same padding) on a different channel will be SD since the HD tuner is technically busy with show A when show C is scheduled to start.

Confused yet? Simple point is that this kind of thing can easily make it seem like Sage has no logic in it's recordings for one show when in reality some little issue like favorite padding is tripping the recording logic. Of course sometimes I'm not sure there is any logic involved either.

[Sparhawk6]

Where is that setting in the properties file (for tuner priority)? Thanks for the reply.

[Djc208]

Originally Posted by Sparhawk6

Where is that setting in the properties file (for tuner priority)? Thanks for the reply.

Look here: http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...tuner+priority

[Slipshod]

I just turn off the SD version of channels that are simulcast in HD, and limit favorites to the HD versions of channels that aren't. Kind of a pain, but it's been very reliable for me.