What is Catch-up?

Catch-up is a marketing term for a service that automatically records TV programs on the server and makes them available for later viewing, even if subscribers haven't requested the recording. This differs from nPVR (Network Personal Video Recorder) which requires users to explicitly request recording of specific content.

The Catch-up service heavily relies on EPG (Electronic Program Guide) data to automatically segment TV channels into individual programs. The EPG provides information about program start and end times, titles, and descriptions, which the Catch-up service uses to create separate recordings for each program.

However, if the EPG data is inaccurate, program boundaries may not be precise. This is why Flussonic provides robust mechanisms in its DVR technology to handle EPG inaccuracies and ensure reliable program recording and playback.

Catch-up services typically make content available for a limited period after the original broadcast, ranging from a few days to several weeks. Viewers can access Catch-up content through their TV provider's or streaming platform's interface, where they can browse available programs and watch them on demand.

Flussonic Media Server supports Catch-up functionality through its TimeShift feature, which allows viewers to:

• Watch previously broadcast content on demand
• Pause, rewind, and fast-forward live broadcasts
• Access content through compatible players like JW Player, Video.js, or Flowplayer

The TimeShift feature works by continuously recording the live broadcast and making the stored content available to viewers on demand. This provides a convenient way for viewers to catch up on missed programs and stay up to date with their favorite shows.