Automatic channel scanning (client interface and console)

[Benoire]

Hi Dot-i!

Given the recent demise of the very useful Sky UK and custom grabber code from DJBlu for TVServer, it seems that many people are a bit disappointed that it will no longer be updated.

Perhaps to help capture that market for Recorder you might want to consider the ability for Recorder to automatically scan the satellite list at a defined time/days for changes in channels (new and moved), and then reorder using LCNs as required. If this could then be enabled through the client interface then you would have replicated the simple functionality of a set-top box with the power of Argus Recorder.

One way that I can see it working is that you do an initial scan, choose which channels/PIDs etc to ignore on subsequent scans (similar to the hide list but perhaps a little more descriptive) and then allow users to select whether to update HD/SD channels, hide SD if HD exists, re-order by LCN once scanned so new or moved channels appear in the correct place. This would mean that everytime a new channel is detected, moved or renamed Argus REcorder can pick it up automatically... This could add considerable user freindlyness to the whole system... Especially if you can make it work from say the MediaPortal client through the server config section (and eventually XBMC).

If this was coupled with all the different EPG/LCN grabbing options then Recorder would be a direct replacement to a Sky STB for example.

Thoughts?

Chris