Videoplus / PDC problem

[murfitUK]

I've got a hard drive recorder with the GuidePlus programme guide and to tape a programme I just need to press one button. So simple even I can operate it! Its a Sony HXH-250R (something like that anyway).

Problems started when the clocks went back a couple of weekends ago. All programmes start to record at the correct time (or a few minutes later if the progs is running late) but stop recording after anything from 20 seconds to 50 seconds.

Yesterday and Monday I chose at random for both days 10 programmes on BBC1, BBC2, Ch4 and Ch5 to record (ITV Central doesn't use PDC).

Out of those 20 programmes only 3 taped in entirety. The other 17 all started to tape but cut off after 20 secs, 23 secs, 47 secs etc.

If I switch off PDC everything tapes OK but obviously I miss the end of the show if it's running late.

I've returned the recorder to factory settings and run the auto-setup again, but still the problem persists.

Everything was OK til the clocks went back.

I'm in Stoke-on-Trent so I think we get the Sutton Coldfield transmitter or the Fenton relay or something.

Anyone else having probs? Any suggestions?

[Matth]

Gave up using PDC on BBC1 (London) ages ago, maybe it's trechical problems, maybe it's just poor pickup of PDC, but cutoffs and mistimes (most typically, recording the preamble and then cutting out when the program actually starts) are all too common.

Went back to the old way of adding 5 - BBC also seem to be pretty poor at staying on time, and still have a couple of minutes of programme plugs even if they are already late.