Record Reminder Helper Applications

[This is preliminary documentation and subject to change.]

Record reminder helper applications are run before and/or after a show is recorded. These applications typically implement functionality to control the recording device, such as starting and stopping a VCR or DVD-recorder.

The helper applications can be started automatically at the correct times if you store the location and filename of the record applications in the StartRecordApp and EndRecordApp values of the HKLM\Software\Microsoft\TV Services\Explorer\ registry key. Applications that handle the record reminder check for these values, and if found, run the specified helper applications. The helper application specified in StartRecordApp is run prior to the start of the show that is being recorded. The application listed in EndRecordApp is run after the show is concluded.

Typically, the application used to handle record reminders and start the helper applications is Tvwakeup.exe. In order for your helper applications to be compatible with Tvwakeup.exe, it should support the following command-line syntax.

<application> -f <function> -d <duration> -c <channel> -s <tuning_space> -t <title> -r <show_reference>

Where

<application>

Is the path and filename of the application specified in either StartRecordingApp or EndRecordingApp. If recording is starting this value is the application in StartRecordingApp, if recording is ending, this value is the application in EndRecordingApp.

<function>

Indicates whether recording is starting or ending. If recording is starting this value is "start", if recording is ending, this value is "end".

<duration>

Is the duration, in minutes, of the show being recorded. The call to the end recording application always specifies a duration of 0.

<channel>

Is the channel number.

<tuning_space>

Specifies the name of the tuning space. For example, "Cable"

<title>

Specifies the title of the show being recorded.

<show_reference>

The show reference as specified in the record reminder.

As an example of how the Broadcast Architecure client uses the helper applications, consider the case where Tvwakeup.exe is used to handle a record reminder. The helper applications specified in this example are StartRec.exe and EndRec.exe.

• Two minutes before the show begins, Tvwakeup.exe checks for the StartRecordingApp value, and if found, starts that application using command-line syntax such as the following:

  C:\Startrec.exe -f "start" -d 30 -c 6 -s "Cable" -t "InterNight
  -r "1997/11/6!0/0/0!23:00!0!0!0!0!0!0!0!0!0!''!'MSNBC'!'Cable'!2!InterNight
   

• Two minutes after the show ends, Tvwakeup.exe checks for the EndRecordingApp value, and if found, starts that application using command-line syntax such as the following:

  C:\Endrec.exe -f "end" -d 0 -c 6 -s "Cable" -t "InterNight
  -r "1997/11/6!0/0/0!23:00!0!0!0!0!0!0!0!0!0!''!'MSNBC'!'Cable'!2!InterNight
   

To view an example of an record reminder helper application see, Recording Shows.