Matt, here's a wish-list of features. Too early to implement, I'm sure, but while I'm thinking about it...
1. Program a recording by clicking on a show name in the web-based guide.
2. Have the software keep a list (customizable number of entries) of all the shows you watch, say for a certain number of minutes (again customizable) and create a "top-10" or "top-100" shows. From this list, allow the user to "check" any of these shows for regular recording. The software checks the web-based guide at regular intervals (customizable) to see where and when the show is on, and automatically records it, skipping any repeats of shows already recorded. Smarts here are needed to have the program keep track of programs that are already recorded.
It should keep track of shows that have been viewed, creating a "bottom-10" list of shows to be deleted when space becomes an issue. A check-box beside each entry on this list would allow a user to make sure the program doesn't delete something they wanted to keep. If you run out of storage, the bottom-10 list should come up again and give the option of deleting some shows, or not recording any more until space has been freed. A user-configurable amount of space on a storage medium can be allocated for the recording of programs.
3. Programs can be checked as a "manual" add to have them recorded every time they appear. Useful for new programs that haven't made it to the top-10 list.
4. Simultaneous buffering of the current program being watched, to allow for pausing of live TV.
5. A "favourites" list where you can select an actor, director, genre, or other criteria to have the program look for programs or movies that match the criteria, and automatically record them.
6. Configurable recording quality, various codecs for quality vs. size, WITH A WIZARD to allow easy selection of the proper format. (I can never figure out what codec to use!! ?
7. Perhaps some support for dual TV tuners in one PC? Record one program while watching another? Record 2 programs?
8. Some of the neat ATI-TV features - "TV desktop" is one I really like.
I feel that the hardest part is finding a web-based guide that works everywhere in the world (or being able to work with multiple guides), and parsing it correctly.
-Mr.X
(I'm sure I'll think of other things, or other people will put in their 2cents!)