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Here's a suggestion for IceTV improvement:

There is variability in the amount of padding required to record programs and this variability appears (to me) to be network related. For example, SBS sticks pretty close to the advertised times and is a good behaviour. The nine network is a notorious serial offender for its failure to start and end programs on time, except of course for the news and the start of say, the cricket. So it's a conscious programming decision to NOT stay on time. Rotten b@#$^s.

The result of the variability between networks is that my default 10 minute, globally set, post-padding for SBS is way too much time. But 10 minutes is rarely enough for both nine and seven. The ABC is generally fine at about 7 minutes, Ten is usually OK at 10 minutes. I have not done a study on the network naughtiness so my figures are anecdotes. Other opinions would be handy.

So my suggestion to the programmers at IceTV would be to allow variable pre and post padding, ideally for all recordings, but perhaps (in a trial of the concept) for each network. Waddya tink?  :)

Cheers all.

PS. How about a political party for the next senate election - The "Keep TV Programs On Time" party. Almost certain to get elected, heh-heh.

 Thanks Guru.

I'll give that a try. If you don't hear from me, you'll know I have learned a new trick, thereby being an exception to the old rule - you can't teach an old dog new tricks.

Cheers.  ;)

As listed by you:
1. record padding options - I presume these options will enable an over-ride of the pesky MCE default of "5 minutes after - when possible" which does not seem to work properly anyway. Any chance of modifying padding at the front also?
2. detection of last minute schedule changes. I presume this means the scheduling will be more in line with the program data actually sent with the digital stream rather than the supposed schedule to which the commercial channels especially take great delight in ignoring. (Except for the 6pm news and the start of a football match. Bah.)
3. channel mapping. I presume this means greater specificity in channel selection for series recordings. For example, Q&A is broadcast on both ABC1 and ABC News24 but a request for series recording should pick up only one of these broadcats/channels.
4. Accessibility over Media Center Extenders. I don't know what this means.

The first three would be monumentous improvements. I have one more but I don't think it is specific to MCE.
5. When searching for a title, say "MotoGP", there are many instances presented. By choosing any one and requesting a series recording, many instances are then scheduled for recording. This includes Qualifying, 125cc, Moto2 and Main Race as well as broadcasts both on One and Ten. I only want to record Qualifying and Main Race on One but have not been able to achieve that. Perhaps I'm just dumb. The same problem of multiple and unwanted recordings often applies to programs that are broadcast or re-broadcast on ABC1 and ABC2 and ABC News24.

Good luck guys.