Contributor
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72 Messages
High channel numbers and live buffering
When I start to watch a DVR recording on my X1 box, the live channel that I was previously watching keeps on buffering. When I exit the recording, I can rewind back through the buffer to catch what I missed.
However, I notice that at least one of the high numbered (1000+) channels doesn't do this. Today I was watching the Pac-12 network on channel 1329. It doesn't have a lower channel number in HD like most other networks, so this was my only choice. I noticed something odd right away because instead of quickly switching to the channel, I got the three "wait" dots for several seconds before the channel appeared. After watching for a while (the buffer was working fine while I was watching live) I started watching a DVR recording. A few minutes later I exited the recording, and again got the three "wait" dots for a while before the channel 1329 popped up again. At this point the buffer was reset.
Anyone know what's going on here? I tried several other 1000+ numbered channels and they all saved the buffer just fine after switching back and forth to a DVR recording. I also tried this particular channel again later in the day and had the same problem (complete with the "wait" dots). So far I can't duplicate the problem on another channel.
Rustyben
Expert
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24.6K Messages
6 years ago
it is how digital cable 'works'. numbered 3 digit channels are all carried in 'channels' of programming that use a tuner while some higher channels are IPTV which don't 'have' a tuner it is just a stream. if no tuner in use no stream available. workaround is to hit record and then watch the different recording returning to the recording of the IPTV channel.
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tony_w
Contributor
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72 Messages
6 years ago
Hmmm, interesting. So when I'm watching something like channel 1007 (the local ABC affiliate), the buffer works because that's just a "mirror" of channel 187 so I'm watching via tuner even though I'm on the 1000+ channel. But a channel like 1329 (Pac-12) which doesn't have a lower channel mirror, then I'm just streaming and there's no buffer. Sound about right?
And yeah, I know I could just record it. I do that sometimes for shows I'm watching live. But sports is so ingrained in my head to watch live that I usually don't think to record it. 🙂
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Rustyben
Expert
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24.6K Messages
6 years ago
all digital channels are 'virtual'. how they get to you can vary. if the channel is only in the 4 digit area it is likely it is only iptv. since example you gave appears on other virtual channels, then you are looking at 'one' feed but two virtual channel numbers. Comcast set up the 4 digit channels originally to use the different virtual channels numbers to 'sort' types of channels (like news/sports) into neighborhoods of number ranges. they have expanded on that by adding some channel programming as IPTV only.
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