Timeshift vs Catchup;
Question; My understanding is Catchup is utilizing the provider’s severs while Timeshift utilizes the player’s storage. In other words, Timeshift is dependent on the player while Catchup is a service of the provider and is dependent on their servers. I am I correct in this thinking?
“Catch-up and time-shift are features that enable you to access content that has already been broadcasted or is currently being broadcasted, but at a different time than the original schedule. Catch-up allows you to watch programs that have been aired in the past, usually within a certain period of time (e.g. 7 days, 14 days, etc.). Time-shift allows you to pause, rewind, or fast-forward live TV, giving you more control over your viewing experience. Both features require the provider to store the content on a server or a cloud platform, and stream it to your device on demand.”
"Both features require the provider to store the content on a server or a cloud platform, and stream it to your device on demand.”
I thought Timeshift utilizes your player to cache the data on your own storage. While Catchup is not cached on your storage but rather is a feature of your providers’ and is stored on their servers.
It might depend on the service/provider and/or IPTV software. I always thought the data was cached in your device as well.
Thats the way I understand it. Catchup is web(server) based. Timeshift is player(local) based.
My understanding of Timeshift is the ability to pause live tv / rewind.
This means the stream is locally stored by the app but I am not sure how much is recorded before it is overwritten because this is not the same as recording a show from a live stream.
Also if you change streams, the local Timeshift option will change streams as well
It is confusing because the Formuler forums call it “Cloud Timeshift”. So I have no idea if it is all cloud based or Formuler and MTOL does things a little different than Tivimate, etc.
To my understanding, Timeshift with Tivimate is catchup stream being used to rewind - to test, I tried on a non catchup stream and it didn’t work.
On Formuler, I haven’t used Timeshift but I understand it uses Cloud or USB. Not sure where the cloud storage is but I don’t believe this to be the provider’s server.
Catchup is an added service from your provider and normally a SD stream is recorded to save on storage.
Only popular channels will have catchup
Sparkle stores it locally on your device. It very similar to a typical recording, except the timeshift recording is a temporary cached data and will be eliminated upon leaving the channel whereas recordings are stored until you delete them.
I am checking out Sparkle at the moment. I found you can record and watch with a nice twist (I think). It seems not only can you record and watch but you can ff/rw and pause without disrupting the recording. I’m testing that theory now and will update when I have definitive proof. lol
My old roku tv had a usb slot on the back for a drive and it would format that and use it for time shift. Came in handy if during a live program you had to leave. You could pause the playback and it would record what you missed.
Does Sparkle still require that you have a google account, purchase through the app, and have google play store active in order to use it?
You can pause and play for a very short timeframe on Tivimate (about 2 minutes). However, you can’t ff/rw during that time frame it was paused. You can play from that point or jump to live. However, it is a short time period (about 2 minutes) and them it will jump back to live.
Basically, the Tivimate feature is used for running to the bathroom or kitchen because it only last for a couple of minutes.
Sparkle you can pause the entire program if you wish. However, I don’t see any advantage in doing so vs recording and watch at the same time.
If I record and watch. I can ff/re and pause and it will not disturb the recording. Whereas, pausing (timeshift) I have to stay on that program and cannot ff/rw or pause until I stop the pause (Timeshift).
The only difference would be convenience. Using Sparkle, I can pause (timeshift) and run down to the local 7-11 for a slurpee and when I get back, I can play from that point and use ff/rw and pause as I choose.
So, time shift is recording with little value as opposed to doing a typical recording. In fact, I can use time shift while I am also recording the same program or I can watch the recording file while it is still recording at the same time.
So, for practical purposes, if I were watching the US Open. I would record it and then I could ff/rw or pause while it is recording and still not disrupt the recording process. I only would be limited to FF to the point it is still recording.
It is. However, I have yet to locate that file in X-plore or in Android files. It works great. I just can’t find it.
You can only play from that timestamp or jump to live. You cannot ff/rw your timeshift, but you can pause it in Tivimate. In this regard, Sparkle’s timeshift feature is superior to Tivimate’s.
I still think recording using Sparkle is the way to go. It is much more versatile than any Timeshift feature. Imho, Timeshift is only good for a short break.
Imho, Sparkle Timeshift and Recording is far superior to Tivimate’s.
Sparkle is also the way to go if using hdhomerun tuners because it incorporates the hdhr sidnal into its live tv offering. Tivimate does not.
Well, I finally found where the Sparkle recordings file was hidden. Geesh it was buried. Almost called in Indiana Jones to dig it up! lol
Thinking about why I haven’t used Timeshift, I concluded that when I changed to current IPTV provider 2 years ago, with decent catchup, I didn’t need this feature. Also haven’t recorded anything during this time.
Current provider has catchup for popular channels including all sports.
TV series offering is also very good, meaning no ads to skip
Yeah, I have a couple of providers with a ton of catchup channels and that really is preferable to Timeshift.
Recordings, on the hand, are for those rare times where you might want to save for prosperity. Like the first Moon landing, Cubs win the World Series, etc… Plus, I can send the recording file like the Cubs World Series to all my White Sox buds. lol
Hey my brother I’ve been looking for a good provider with a large assortment of catch up. That’s the main criteria I’m looking for. I have one that’s pretty reliable however I’m looking for a couple of backups or possibly a new number one. Would you mind sharing that info with me? I’d be happy to share mine as well.
