Multi-tuner Setups

Overview

New to v3.5 of DigiTV is the ability to simultaneously record one/several channels at the same time, while either watching the same/another channel or viewing a previously recorded program (or even one which is currently being made!). We call this new system iTuner or Intelligent Tuner System.

Due to the way in which the digital terrestrial television system works, the specific number of channels which can be recorded/viewed simultaneously will depend upon how many DigiTV tuners you have installed on your PC and what they are currently being used for. The reason for this is due to the fact that digital terrestrial channels are not all transmitted on a single frequency, but instead are broadcast in groups called Multiplexes.

Based upon the fact that a tuner can only be set to receive one specific frequency at a time, and also because each multiplex is transmitted on a different frequency, if you have one tuner installed you will only be able to pick up data from one multiplex at a time. If you want to simultaneously receive data from additional multiplexes then you require additional tuners.

Adding additonal tuners is a simple matter of inserting/plugging in your DigiTV devices and then making sure that their drivers are fully installed. Please refer to the relevant 'Getting Started' page for the devices you have as this will help you to install the DigiTV drivers if you haven't already.

Once you have your DigiTV devices attached and installed, the DigiTV software will automatically detect and make use of them. You can even hotplug/disconnect uDigiTV Master/Slave USB units while the DigiTV software is running and the system will automatically adjust itself.

Tip: You can use our new 'Devices Attached' settings page to make sure DigiTV has detected all of your installed tuners. Also you can use this screen to confirm that DigiTV has successfully added/removed tuners from it's detected list if you hotplug DigiTV USB devices.

DigiTV v3.5 (and later) automatically uses your tuners in the most efficient way possible allowing you the greatest flexibility at all times. It automatically uses your additional idle tuners to carry out scheduled recordings in the background if you are currently viewing a channel on a different multiplex, and will only use the tuner you are currently viewing if no other tuners are idle. Likewise, if a tuner is already tuned to a channel multiplex which can provide the TV channel a scheduled recording requires, it will use this tuner rather than task another idle tuner to do the job.

How do I record multiple channels at the same time

DigiTV v3.5 has been designed so that making use of our new multi-tuner capabilities is as transparent as possible. You can therefore set scheduled recordings using our built in 'Electronic Programme Guide' system in exactly the same way you have been used to, but with the added benefit that you can schedule multiple simultaneous recordings if you wish. You can schedule as many simultaneous recordings as you wish from as many different multiplexes as you have tuners for before DigiTV will warn you of a clash.

You can also launch multiple One Touch Recordings (OTR) by simply changing to each channel you wish to record in turn and then hit the 'R' key on the keyboard, or Rec button on the remote. One example would be if you want to launch OTR recordings on BBC1 and BBC2, then all you would need to do is change channel to BBC1, hit 'R', then change to BBC2 and hit 'R' again.

Changing Channels while Recording Multiple Programs

When recordings are taking place you will only be able to change to those channels which are currently available given the current state of your attached tuners. If you have an idle tuner (i.e. one which isn't currently needed to carry out a recording) then all channels will be available. If you have no idle tuners then you will only be able to change to other channels which are available on the multiplexes which your DigiTV devices are currently tuned to. To change channels simply use the remote control/keyboard/mouse in the same way you are used to. The channel change will be carried out if you can receive the requested channel given the current status of your DigiTV devices. If not, no channel change will occur and you will remain on the same channel. To see which channels are currently available you can use the Windows Menu TV/Radio/Digital Text drop down lists as the currently available channels will appear in standard black type. Channels which aren't currently accessible will appear greyed out.

Stopping Recordings

If you are only recording one channel, then pressing the ‘S’ key on the keyboard or the 'STOP' button on the remote will cause this to stop. If multiple recordings are in progress, pressing 'STOP' (remote) or S (keyboard) will result in a list of recording activities. Use the keyboard, mouse or remote to select the appropriate recording to terminate.

Alternatively you can use the mouse or on screen display activity monitoring systems to stop/switch tasks. Please read on for more details.

Monitoring DigiTV's Current Activities

To make it easier to see what DigiTV is currently doing we have implemented several activity monitoring/control facilities within our DigiTV interface.

1) The first has been specifically designed to be used when you are operating DigiTV at a distance using the remote control. Full details about this control system can be found in our 'At-a-distance - Activity Control' section.

2) Another is accessible by clicking on the Activity option in the Windows menu at the top of the DigiTV window. An example of what this looks like is below.



This menu will show you the current status of your tuners as well as list out any recordings which are currently being made.

To switch to a recording instance, simply click on the appropriate virtual tuner and then click on 'Switch To...' in the sub menu which appears.

To stop a recording simply click on the appropriate virtual tuner and then click on the 'Stop Recording' option in the sub menu which appears.

You can also quickly access the Activity windows menu option by right clicking on the DigiTV video area and going to the appropriate section of the context menu.

3) The last status/control system we have implemented is designed to appear when DigiTV is in the system tray.

When DigiTV is in the system tray, simply pass your mouse over the DigiTV system tray icon to bring up the DigiTV Status window. This window shows you the current status of your tuners as well as list out any recordings which are currently being made. To activate DigiTV showing a specific recording/tuner instance, simply double click on the appropriate physical/virtual tuner in the list. To stop a specific recording simply right click on the appropriate virtual tuner and then click on the 'Stop Recording' option in the context menu which appears.

Lastly to start/stop a specific tuner network serving, simply right click on the appropriate physical tuner and select the Start/Stop Network Server option appropriately.

If you would prefer it, DigiTV can be set to only show the status window when you right click on the system tray icon. Also, you can select whether or not DigiTV shows the status screen automatically when you close DigiTV. Further details about these options can be found in the 'Display - General' settings page.