[nanook105]

#3 is a constant problem. Most of the time, it is resolved by me asking each person if they have finished watching (usually when the disk is getting full). Since I manage the "infrastructure", I have a good idea who set up which recordings and who is watching which shows. Although, that is a moving target because all of us have started watching shows that another recorded at one time or another. So, here are some of the things that I would suggest:

• Buy many, many Big Disks
• Set up separate recording directories for shows that are record and delete vs record and keep.
• Nominate someone to "manage/monitor" disk usage and activity

As for multiple servers, I probably take a different approach than most. I have three BTV servers and configure/use them based on function. One is the primary recording server, the second is the primary live TV server, and the third is the secondary recording and editing server

Recording Server
This server currently has 5 tuners (Media in my sig) and is dedicated to recording. All ongoing recordings (record new/record all) are scheduled on this server. Ongoing recordings that are set up on the other servers are actively migrated to this server by the admin (me)

Live TV Server
This server currently has 5 tuners (2 HD and 3 analog). All of my link clients currently connect to this server (not forced via switch, but everyone knows that they need to connect to this server). This server also handles one time recordings and sometimes ongoing recordings are scheduled (that I later move to the recording server)

Backup Recording/Editing Server
I mostly use this for BTV testing, video editing, and video compression.

Changes to BTV that would help

• General support for a multiple server environment.
• Ability for the recording engine to use any available tuner on any BTV server on the network for recording
• Ability for BTV link to connect to a "virtual server" with a "virtual guide" and "virtual folders"
• Ability to watch a recording in progress on another BTV server