Improved channelzapping speed (1 Viewer)

[MrWorf]

Here's an idea...

If you're channelsurfing, there is a lag between the channelchange. Howabout having the TV server automatically use any free TV tuners to tune in the next channel (no timeshifting).

Here's an example (done with a system with atleast two tuners)

• I turn on the TV on channel 1
  • MP tunes in channel 1
  • MP uses the extra free tuner and tunes in channel 2
• I switch to the next channel (2)
  • MP immediately switches to the second tuner and starts timeshifting it
  • MP uses the previous tuner to tune in channel 3
• I switch to the next channel (3)
  • MP immediately switches to the first tuner and starts timeshifting it
  • MP uses the previous tuner to tune in channel 4

And so on... One could even extend it to keeping the previous channel tuned if there is enough available tuners.

Ofcourse, this "quick-surf" mode will only work when there is atleast one extra free tuner for each TV client. Meaning that if you have 2 TV clients and want this functionallity, you'd need 4 tuners (or more if you want to be able to record aswell).

Waddaya think? Would bet any other solution hands down

 

[shred444]

if you were at channel 3 and you wanted to go back down to channel 2, then you'd need a total of 3 tuners. one to watch, one for channel up, and one for channel down.

yikes.

im all about surfing using the guide

 

[MrWorf]

It would ofcourse only use this feature if additional tuners are available. It's a case of "well, they ain't doing anything so why not use 'em"

It would be nice to be able to switch to the next channel after maybe 15 minutes and instantly get the picture.

Thats the number 1 complaint I hear regarding all HTPC solutions, that they are perceived as very slow when changing channels.

 

[jawbroken]

One problem I see with this is it ruins the mental model people have from using a television set. On a normal television it takes the same time to change the channel whether you change the channel up, down or to a random channel. With this implemented a lot of people will have no idea why going up a channel is so much faster than going down a channel or switching to a random channel. Also, if you are recording something on your dual tuner system, suddenly channel surfing will become a lot slower, I think this is surprising behaviour.

Personally I prefer the Principle of Least Surprise, but it is just something to think about. I think time would be better spent improving the channel changing speed (at least to as fast as possible given certain hardware) rather than on tricks like this, but maybe people feel otherwise. I think the new TV server has improved channel changing speed anyway, from what I have read around. This may not be true for all people though.

 

[lulsam]

Personally I prefer the Principle of Least Surprise, but it is just something to think about. I think time would be better spent improving the channel changing speed (at least to as fast as possible given certain hardware) rather than on tricks like this, but maybe people feel otherwise

Have to agree with this statement. First squeeze the hardware, then trick if required. We don't know yet how far developers can go as this is still a beta development

Cheers

 

[shred444]

Have to agree with this statement. First squeeze the hardware, then trick if required. We don't know yet how far developers can go as this is still a beta development

agreed