Started on: 2006-12-30
last update: 2006-12-30
Summary:
Improve TV scheduling and conflict resolution, looking at the way vista manages the process.
Area:
TV scheduling and conflict resolution
Description:
Just come back from a couple of weeks trail running with Vista RTM. I can safely say it won't be going back to it again!! MP kicks its inflexible, drm riddled, cut the end of programmes off (its last nail), in so many ways!!
The only thing I miss from the Vista experience is the way the interface works for recording TV. It is really easy and intuative and I think MP could benefit from having a look at it.
Heres a brief description of the process.
Firstly you go to a screen called scheduled recordings
Here you first see a chronological list of programmes that are to be recorded (date view). In this view all repeat recording are placed in their chronological place (The news in the example below).
e.g.
Today
12:00 - 12:30 BBC1 - The News
14:30 - 14:45 ITV - A Kids Programmes
Tomorrow
12:00 - 12:30 BBC1 - The News
21:00 - 23:00 BBC1 - The Life of Brian
1/1
12:00 - 12:30 BBC1 - The News
21:00 - 21:30 BBC1 - Growing Out of Trouble
etc...
or you can select the series view, which seperates all of the repeat recordings you have scheduled.
e.g.
1. The News
Each of the programmes has a recording icon (shows record once, many or if there is a conflict)
Clicking on any of the programmes takes you to a programmes details screen. This gives details of the programme. From here you have a resolve confict button on the left. This shows a screen with a kind of mini tv guide that you can see what is conflicting with what and easily select what not to record. If you deselect a programme it remains in the schedule with a conflict icon until you delete it (easy to change your mind again if you want to)
Adding a recording is also very nice. This can all be done via the guide as you would expect. But if you click to add a new recording you are given the option of search or guide. The search option the gives you the ability to do a full text search of the epg data using title, keywords etc. This makes sitting down with a magazine tv guide and finding a programme a breeze. Type the name and you get a list of matching programmes, select one and if there is a conflict you will see there and then what is is and be able to resolve it.
I probably haven't described that well enough, but I'm sure a lot of people have already seen this area of Vista....but hopefully those that haven't will get the idea.
Returning to MP this is the only part that I have found MP not doing the job as well or better.
I will grab some screenshots later if people would like them (MP is currently recording on XP)
Thanks for listening and making a top notch bit of software.
Shagster
p.s. If anyone has the last 15 mins of 'Perfect Parents' I would be most gratefull. (from the bit near the end where the Nun knocks on their front door).
We sat down and watched 102 mins of it, were completely gripped and just when it was getting to the conculsion.........
last update: 2006-12-30
Summary:
Improve TV scheduling and conflict resolution, looking at the way vista manages the process.
Area:
TV scheduling and conflict resolution
Description:
Just come back from a couple of weeks trail running with Vista RTM. I can safely say it won't be going back to it again!! MP kicks its inflexible, drm riddled, cut the end of programmes off (its last nail), in so many ways!!
The only thing I miss from the Vista experience is the way the interface works for recording TV. It is really easy and intuative and I think MP could benefit from having a look at it.
Heres a brief description of the process.
Firstly you go to a screen called scheduled recordings
Here you first see a chronological list of programmes that are to be recorded (date view). In this view all repeat recording are placed in their chronological place (The news in the example below).
e.g.
Today
12:00 - 12:30 BBC1 - The News
14:30 - 14:45 ITV - A Kids Programmes
Tomorrow
12:00 - 12:30 BBC1 - The News
21:00 - 23:00 BBC1 - The Life of Brian
1/1
12:00 - 12:30 BBC1 - The News
21:00 - 21:30 BBC1 - Growing Out of Trouble
etc...
or you can select the series view, which seperates all of the repeat recordings you have scheduled.
e.g.
1. The News
Each of the programmes has a recording icon (shows record once, many or if there is a conflict)
Clicking on any of the programmes takes you to a programmes details screen. This gives details of the programme. From here you have a resolve confict button on the left. This shows a screen with a kind of mini tv guide that you can see what is conflicting with what and easily select what not to record. If you deselect a programme it remains in the schedule with a conflict icon until you delete it (easy to change your mind again if you want to)
Adding a recording is also very nice. This can all be done via the guide as you would expect. But if you click to add a new recording you are given the option of search or guide. The search option the gives you the ability to do a full text search of the epg data using title, keywords etc. This makes sitting down with a magazine tv guide and finding a programme a breeze. Type the name and you get a list of matching programmes, select one and if there is a conflict you will see there and then what is is and be able to resolve it.
I probably haven't described that well enough, but I'm sure a lot of people have already seen this area of Vista....but hopefully those that haven't will get the idea.
Returning to MP this is the only part that I have found MP not doing the job as well or better.
I will grab some screenshots later if people would like them (MP is currently recording on XP)
Thanks for listening and making a top notch bit of software.
Shagster
p.s. If anyone has the last 15 mins of 'Perfect Parents' I would be most gratefull. (from the bit near the end where the Nun knocks on their front door).
We sat down and watched 102 mins of it, were completely gripped and just when it was getting to the conculsion.........
Canada
