the hard padding is the right way (along with sufficient tuners--both physical and virtual--for the intended amount of recording you do). The "global" option you specified is a hack that won't work except at the beginning and end of a recording session (i.e. first show of the night for the tuner gets an early start and last of the night gets the late end). It was meant to be used only to allow some "spin up" time for the hard drive and/or capture card (firmware loading, etc) before first use (or first use of the evening), not to record extra. That said, it seems most people are abusing it (as a placebo to make them think they're getting more of a recording just in case). Just please don't complain when you find many (most?) of your shows are getting recorded without the extra. :) &gt;Actually, the hard padding is the right way (along with sufficient &gt;tuners--both physical and virtual--for the intended amount of &gt;recording you do). The "global" option you specified is a hack that &gt;won't work except at the beginning and end of a recording session &gt;(i.e. first show of the night for the tuner gets an early start and &gt;last of the night gets the late end). It was meant to be used only &gt;to allow some "spin up" time for the hard drive and/or capture card &gt;(firmware loading, etc) before first use (or first use of the &gt;evening), not to record extra. &gt; &gt;That said, it seems