diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmyth/programinfo.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmyth/programinfo.cpp
index 968a85ce224..36803b7f52c 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmyth/programinfo.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmyth/programinfo.cpp
@@ -866,8 +866,8 @@ ProgramInfo::ProgramInfo(const QString &_pathname,
 
     QString pn = _pathname;
     if ((!_pathname.startsWith("myth://")) &&
-        (_pathname.right(4).toLower() == ".iso" ||
-         _pathname.right(4).toLower() == ".img" ||
+        (_pathname.endsWith(".iso", Qt::CaseInsensitive) ||
+         _pathname.endsWith(".img", Qt::CaseInsensitive) ||
          QDir(_pathname + "/VIDEO_TS").exists()))
     {
         pn = QString("dvd:%1").arg(_pathname);
@@ -1676,7 +1676,7 @@ void ProgramInfo::ToMap(InfoMap &progMap,
         progMap["yearstars"] = "";
 
     if (!originalAirDate.isValid() ||
-        (!programid.isEmpty() && (programid.left(2) == "MV")))
+        (!programid.isEmpty() && programid.startsWith("MV")))
     {
         progMap["originalairdate"] = "";
         progMap["shortoriginalairdate"] = "";
@@ -2176,13 +2176,13 @@ static ProgramInfoType discover_program_info_type(
         if (fn_lower.startsWith("dvd:") ||
             fn_lower.endsWith(".iso") ||
             fn_lower.endsWith(".img") ||
-            ((pathname.left(1) == "/") &&
+            ((pathname.startsWith("/")) &&
              QDir(pathname + "/VIDEO_TS").exists()))
         {
             pit = kProgramInfoTypeVideoDVD;
         }
         else if (fn_lower.startsWith("bd:") ||
-                 ((pathname.left(1) == "/") &&
+                 ((pathname.startsWith("/")) &&
                   QDir(pathname + "/BDMV").exists()))
         {
             pit = kProgramInfoTypeVideoBD;
@@ -4107,7 +4107,7 @@ QString ProgramInfo::DiscoverRecordingDirectory(void) const
             return "";
 
         QString path = GetPlaybackURL(false, true);
-        if (path.left(1) == "/")
+        if (path.startsWith("/"))
         {
             QFileInfo testFile(path);
             return testFile.path();
@@ -4508,7 +4508,7 @@ QString ProgramInfo::i18n(const QString &msg)
 void ProgramInfo::SubstituteMatches(QString &str)
 {
     QString pburl = GetPlaybackURL(false, true);
-    if (pburl.left(7) == "myth://")
+    if (pburl.startsWith("myth://"))
     {
         str.replace(QString("%DIR%"), pburl);
     }
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmyth/programinfo.h b/mythtv/libs/libmyth/programinfo.h
index 6e8e26375db..5402aadf942 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmyth/programinfo.h
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmyth/programinfo.h
@@ -320,12 +320,12 @@ class MPUBLIC ProgramInfo
         { return GetProgramInfoType() == kProgramInfoTypeVideoDVD; }
     bool IsVideoBD(void) const
         { return GetProgramInfoType() == kProgramInfoTypeVideoBD; }
-    bool IsLocal(void) const { return pathname.left(1) == "/"
+    bool IsLocal(void) const { return pathname.startsWith("/")
 #ifdef _WIN32
         || pathname.at(1) == ':'
 #endif
             ; }
-    bool IsMythStream(void) const { return pathname.left(7) == "myth://"; }
+    bool IsMythStream(void) const { return pathname.startsWith("myth://"); }
     bool IsPathSet(void) const { return GetBasename() != pathname; }
     bool HasPathname(void) const { return !GetPathname().isEmpty(); }
     bool IsFileReadable(void) const;
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmyth/schemawizard.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmyth/schemawizard.cpp
index 13f30fb0961..8b6870d59d6 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmyth/schemawizard.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmyth/schemawizard.cpp
@@ -425,12 +425,12 @@ SchemaUpgradeWizard::PromptForUpgrade(const char *name,
     if (m_expertMode)
     {
         resp = getResponse("Would you like to use the existing schema?", "yes");
-        if (resp.isEmpty() || resp.left(1).toLower() == "y")
+        if (resp.isEmpty() || resp.startsWith("y", Qt::CaseInsensitive))
             return MYTH_SCHEMA_USE_EXISTING;
     }
 
     resp = getResponse("\nShall I upgrade this database?", "yes");
-    if (!resp.isEmpty() && resp.left(1).toLower() != "y")
+    if (!resp.isEmpty() && !resp.startsWith("y", Qt::CaseInsensitive))
         return MYTH_SCHEMA_EXIT;
 
     if (connections)
@@ -441,7 +441,7 @@ SchemaUpgradeWizard::PromptForUpgrade(const char *name,
     {
         resp = getResponse("\nA database backup might be a good idea"
                            "\nAre you sure you want to upgrade?", "no");
-        if (resp.isEmpty() || resp.left(1).toLower() == "n")
+        if (resp.isEmpty() || resp.startsWith("n", Qt::CaseInsensitive))
             return MYTH_SCHEMA_EXIT;
     }
 
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmyth/settings.h b/mythtv/libs/libmyth/settings.h
index c3ad34c6f6f..04bf691062e 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmyth/settings.h
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmyth/settings.h
@@ -441,8 +441,8 @@ class MPUBLIC BooleanSetting : public Setting
     virtual void setValue(const QString &newValue)
     {
         setValue((newValue=="1" ||
-                  newValue.toLower().left(1)=="y" ||
-                  newValue.toLower().left(1)=="t"));
+                  newValue.toLower().startsWith("y") ||
+                  newValue.toLower().startsWith("t")));
     }
 
   signals:
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmyth/storagegroupeditor.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmyth/storagegroupeditor.cpp
index fd5afc334fc..6ab6d994934 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmyth/storagegroupeditor.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmyth/storagegroupeditor.cpp
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ void StorageGroupEditor::open(QString name)
         if (name.isEmpty())
             return;
 
-        if (name.right(1) != "/")
+        if (!name.endsWith("/"))
             name.append("/");
 
         MSqlQuery query(MSqlQuery::InitCon());
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ void StorageGroupEditor::open(QString name)
         if (result == SGPopup_CANCEL)
             return;
 
-        if (name.right(1) != "/")
+        if (!name.endsWith("/"))
             name.append("/");
 
         MSqlQuery query(MSqlQuery::InitCon());
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ void StorageGroupListEditor::open(QString name)
 {
     lastValue = name;
 
-    if (name.left(28) == "__CREATE_NEW_STORAGE_GROUP__")
+    if (name.startsWith("__CREATE_NEW_STORAGE_GROUP__"))
     {
         if (name.length() > 28)
         {
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ void StorageGroupListEditor::open(QString name)
 void StorageGroupListEditor::doDelete(void) 
 {
     QString name = listbox->getValue();
-    if (name.left(28) == "__CREATE_NEW_STORAGE_GROUP__")
+    if (name.startsWith("__CREATE_NEW_STORAGE_GROUP__"))
         return;
 
     bool is_master_host = gCoreContext->IsMasterHost();
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythbase/logging.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythbase/logging.cpp
index de06e4e7e8a..6435e5aaa33 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythbase/logging.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythbase/logging.cpp
@@ -1120,7 +1120,7 @@ int verboseArgParse(QString arg)
         option = (*it).toLower();
         bool reverseOption = false;
 
-        if (option != "none" && option.left(2) == "no")
+        if (option != "none" && option.startsWith("no"))
         {
             reverseOption = true;
             option = option.right(option.length() - 2);
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythbase/mythmiscutil.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythbase/mythmiscutil.cpp
index 7477afb1619..ff8330acd5e 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythbase/mythmiscutil.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythbase/mythmiscutil.cpp
@@ -959,7 +959,7 @@ void wrapList(QStringList &list, int width)
         QString left   = string.left(width);
         bool inserted  = false;
 
-        while( !inserted && left.right(1) != " " )
+        while( !inserted && !left.endsWith(" " ))
         {
             if( string.mid(left.size(), 1) == " " )
             {
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythbase/plist.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythbase/plist.cpp
index 5cc2c7d74f0..7429f218bf5 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythbase/plist.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythbase/plist.cpp
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ void PList::ParseBinaryPList(const QByteArray &data)
         .arg(size).arg(data.left(8).data()));
 
     // check plist type & version
-    if ((data.left(6) != MAGIC) ||
+    if ((!data.startsWith(MAGIC)) ||
         (data.mid(MAGIC_SIZE, VERSION_SIZE) != VERSION))
     {
         LOG(VB_GENERAL, LOG_ERR, LOC + "Unrecognised start sequence. Corrupt?");
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythbase/remotefile.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythbase/remotefile.cpp
index 678d546d53d..fa300399313 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythbase/remotefile.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythbase/remotefile.cpp
@@ -268,10 +268,10 @@ bool RemoteFile::DeleteFile(const QString &url)
     QString filename = qurl.path();
     QString sgroup   = qurl.userName();
 
-    if (!qurl.fragment().isEmpty() || url.right(1) == "#")
+    if (!qurl.fragment().isEmpty() || url.endsWith("#"))
         filename = filename + "#" + qurl.fragment();
 
-    if (filename.left(1) == "/")
+    if (filename.startsWith("/"))
         filename = filename.right(filename.length()-1);
 
     if (filename.isEmpty() || sgroup.isEmpty())
@@ -301,10 +301,10 @@ bool RemoteFile::Exists(const QString &url, struct stat *fileinfo)
     QString filename = qurl.path();
     QString sgroup   = qurl.userName();
 
-    if (!qurl.fragment().isEmpty() || url.right(1) == "#")
+    if (!qurl.fragment().isEmpty() || url.endsWith("#"))
         filename = filename + "#" + qurl.fragment();
 
-    if (filename.left(1) == "/")
+    if (filename.startsWith("/"))
         filename = filename.right(filename.length()-1);
 
     if (filename.isEmpty())
@@ -356,10 +356,10 @@ QString RemoteFile::GetFileHash(const QString &url)
     QString hostname = qurl.host();
     QString sgroup   = qurl.userName();
 
-    if (!qurl.fragment().isEmpty() || url.right(1) == "#")
+    if (!qurl.fragment().isEmpty() || url.endsWith("#"))
         filename = filename + "#" + qurl.fragment();
 
-    if (filename.left(1) == "/")
+    if (filename.startsWith("/"))
         filename = filename.right(filename.length()-1);
 
     if (filename.isEmpty() || sgroup.isEmpty())
@@ -651,10 +651,10 @@ QDateTime RemoteFile::LastModified(const QString &url)
     QString filename = qurl.path();
     QString sgroup   = qurl.userName();
 
-    if (!qurl.fragment().isEmpty() || url.right(1) == "#")
+    if (!qurl.fragment().isEmpty() || url.endsWith("#"))
         filename = filename + "#" + qurl.fragment();
 
-    if (filename.left(1) == "/")
+    if (filename.startsWith("/"))
         filename = filename.right(filename.length()-1);
 
     if (filename.isEmpty() || sgroup.isEmpty())
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythbase/storagegroup.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythbase/storagegroup.cpp
index 66821363d29..1729626fdb9 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythbase/storagegroup.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythbase/storagegroup.cpp
@@ -549,7 +549,7 @@ bool StorageGroup::FindDirs(const QString group, const QString hostname,
                                         .toByteArray().constData());
             dirname.replace(QRegExp("^\\s*"), "");
             dirname.replace(QRegExp("\\s*$"), "");
-            if (dirname.right(1) == "/")
+            if (dirname.endsWith("/"))
                 dirname.remove(dirname.length() - 1, 1);
 
             if (dirlist)
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythprotoserver/requesthandler/fileserverhandler.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythprotoserver/requesthandler/fileserverhandler.cpp
index ddaf8375f96..b8ae4823eb4 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythprotoserver/requesthandler/fileserverhandler.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythprotoserver/requesthandler/fileserverhandler.cpp
@@ -90,14 +90,14 @@ QString FileServerHandler::LocalFilePath(const QUrl &url,
         lpath = lpath.section('/', -1);
 
         QString fpath = lpath;
-        if (fpath.right(4) == ".png")
+        if (fpath.endsWith(".png"))
             fpath = fpath.left(fpath.length() - 4);
 
         ProgramInfo pginfo(fpath);
         if (pginfo.GetChanID())
         {
             QString pburl = GetPlaybackURL(&pginfo);
-            if (pburl.left(1) == "/")
+            if (pburl.startsWith("/"))
             {
                 lpath = pburl.section('/', 0, -2) + "/" + lpath;
                 LOG(VB_FILE, LOG_INFO,
@@ -517,7 +517,7 @@ QList<FileSystemInfo> FileServerHandler::QueryFileSystems(void)
                                            .toByteArray().constData());
             disk.setPath(currentDir);
 
-            if (currentDir.right(1) == "/")
+            if (currentDir.endsWith("/"))
                 currentDir.remove(currentDir.length() - 1, 1);
 
             checkDir.setPath(currentDir);
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythprotoserver/requesthandler/fileserverutil.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythprotoserver/requesthandler/fileserverutil.cpp
index 6d5f98a81e2..3e990f019db 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythprotoserver/requesthandler/fileserverutil.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythprotoserver/requesthandler/fileserverutil.cpp
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ QString GetPlaybackURL(ProgramInfo *pginfo, bool storePath)
     else
     {
         result = pginfo->GetPlaybackURL(false, true);
-        if (storePath && result.left(1) == "/")
+        if (storePath && result.startsWith("/"))
             recordingPathCache[cacheKey] = result;
     }
 
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/DVD/dvdringbuffer.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/DVD/dvdringbuffer.cpp
index 2932cd8bc25..c1202ede963 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/DVD/dvdringbuffer.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/DVD/dvdringbuffer.cpp
@@ -38,11 +38,11 @@ DVDInfo::DVDInfo(const QString &filename)
 {
     LOG(VB_PLAYBACK, LOG_INFO, QString("DVDInfo: Trying %1").arg(filename));
     QString name = filename;
-    if (name.left(6) == "dvd://")
+    if (name.startsWith("dvd://"))
         name.remove(0,5);
-    else if (name.left(5) == "dvd:/")
+    else if (name.startsWith("dvd:/"))
         name.remove(0,4);
-    else if (name.left(4) == "dvd:")
+    else if (name.startsWith("dvd:"))
         name.remove(0,4);
 
     QByteArray fname = name.toLocal8Bit();
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/cc608decoder.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/cc608decoder.cpp
index 3e3b44965cd..a38ed795ad8 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/cc608decoder.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/cc608decoder.cpp
@@ -376,7 +376,7 @@ void CC608Decoder::FormatCCField(int tc, int field, int data)
                                 len = NewRowCC(mode, len);
 
                             if (len == 0 ||
-                                ccbuf[mode].left(1) == "\b")
+                                ccbuf[mode].startsWith("\b"))
                             {
                                 ccbuf[mode] += (char)'\b';
                                 len++;
@@ -1122,16 +1122,16 @@ QString CC608Decoder::GetXDS(const QString &key) const
 
     if (key == "ratings")
         return QString::number(GetRatingSystems(false));
-    else if (key.left(11) == "has_rating_")
+    else if (key.startsWith("has_rating_"))
         return ((1<<key.right(1).toUInt()) & GetRatingSystems(false))?"1":"0";
-    else if (key.left(7) == "rating_")
+    else if (key.startsWith("rating_"))
         return GetRatingString(key.right(1).toUInt(), false);
 
     else if (key == "future_ratings")
         return QString::number(GetRatingSystems(true));
-    else if (key.left(11) == "has_future_rating_")
+    else if (key.startsWith("has_future_rating_"))
         return ((1<<key.right(1).toUInt()) & GetRatingSystems(true))?"1":"0";
-    else if (key.left(14) == "future_rating_")
+    else if (key.startsWith("future_rating_"))
         return GetRatingString(key.right(1).toUInt(), true);
 
     else if (key == "programname")
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/channelscan/channelscanner.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/channelscan/channelscanner.cpp
index 3986991de38..3d03200c2ee 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/channelscan/channelscanner.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/channelscan/channelscanner.cpp
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ void ChannelScanner::Scan(
 
         // HACK HACK HACK -- begin
         // if using QAM we may need additional time... (at least with HD-3000)
-        if ((mod.left(3).toLower() == "qam") &&
+        if ((mod.startsWith("qam", Qt::CaseInsensitive)) &&
             (sigmonScanner->GetSignalTimeout() < 1000))
         {
             sigmonScanner->SetSignalTimeout(1000);
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/channelscan/iptvchannelfetcher.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/channelscan/iptvchannelfetcher.cpp
index a5a82fddb92..9e6281c7d38 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/channelscan/iptvchannelfetcher.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/channelscan/iptvchannelfetcher.cpp
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ void IPTVChannelFetcher::SetMessage(const QString &status)
 QString IPTVChannelFetcher::DownloadPlaylist(const QString &url,
                                              bool inQtThread)
 {
-    if (url.left(4).toLower() == "file")
+    if (url.startsWith("file", Qt::CaseInsensitive))
     {
         QString ret = "";
         QUrl qurl(url);
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/decoderbase.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/decoderbase.cpp
index 2f1933dd1d0..f181d2f683b 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/decoderbase.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/decoderbase.cpp
@@ -1145,23 +1145,23 @@ int to_track_type(const QString &str)
 {
     int ret = -1;
 
-    if (str.left(5) == "AUDIO")
+    if (str.startsWith("AUDIO"))
         ret = kTrackTypeAudio;
-    else if (str.left(5) == "VIDEO")
+    else if (str.startsWith("VIDEO"))
         ret = kTrackTypeVideo;
-    else if (str.left(8) == "SUBTITLE")
+    else if (str.startsWith("SUBTITLE"))
         ret = kTrackTypeSubtitle;
-    else if (str.left(5) == "CC608")
+    else if (str.startsWith("CC608"))
         ret = kTrackTypeCC608;
-    else if (str.left(5) == "CC708")
+    else if (str.startsWith("CC708"))
         ret = kTrackTypeCC708;
-    else if (str.left(3) == "TTC")
+    else if (str.startsWith("TTC"))
         ret = kTrackTypeTeletextCaptions;
-    else if (str.left(3) == "TTM")
+    else if (str.startsWith("TTM"))
         ret = kTrackTypeTeletextMenu;
-    else if (str.left(3) == "TFL")
+    else if (str.startsWith("TFL"))
         ret = kTrackTypeTextSubtitle;
-    else if (str.left(7) == "RAWTEXT")
+    else if (str.startsWith("RAWTEXT"))
         ret = kTrackTypeRawText;
     return ret;
 }
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/fileringbuffer.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/fileringbuffer.cpp
index 6f51aa1f1f2..65e15c1e643 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/fileringbuffer.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/fileringbuffer.cpp
@@ -200,8 +200,8 @@ bool FileRingBuffer::OpenFile(const QString &lfilename, uint retry_ms)
     }
 
     bool is_local = 
-        (filename.left(4) != "/dev") &&
-        ((filename.left(1) == "/") || QFile::exists(filename));
+        (!filename.startsWith("/dev")) &&
+        ((filename.startsWith("/")) || QFile::exists(filename));
 
     if (is_local)
     {
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/jobqueue.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/jobqueue.cpp
index bfa39ac2947..b29aa095fb1 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/jobqueue.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/jobqueue.cpp
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ void JobQueue::customEvent(QEvent *e)
         MythEvent *me = (MythEvent *)e;
         QString message = me->Message();
 
-        if (message.left(9) == "LOCAL_JOB")
+        if (message.startsWith("LOCAL_JOB"))
         {
             // LOCAL_JOB action ID jobID
             // LOCAL_JOB action type chanid recstartts hostname
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/mythplayer.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/mythplayer.cpp
index 7b2b2b09e4e..febd6359f21 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/mythplayer.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/mythplayer.cpp
@@ -1046,7 +1046,7 @@ void MythPlayer::InitFilters(void)
         }
         else
         {
-            if ((filters.length() > 1) && (filters.right(1) != ","))
+            if ((filters.length() > 1) && (!filters.endsWith(",")))
                 filters += ",";
             filters += videoFiltersForProgram.mid(1);
         }
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/playercontext.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/playercontext.cpp
index 2f9f6643697..aff3aead801 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/playercontext.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/playercontext.cpp
@@ -747,7 +747,7 @@ QString PlayerContext::GetFilters(const QString &baseFilters) const
         }
         else
         {
-            if (!filters.isEmpty() && (filters.right(1) != ","))
+            if (!filters.isEmpty() && (!filters.endsWith(",")))
                 filters += ",";
 
             filters += chanFilters.mid(1);
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/previewgenerator.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/previewgenerator.cpp
index a5f002c8e62..67b62b8fcab 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/previewgenerator.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/previewgenerator.cpp
@@ -722,7 +722,7 @@ bool PreviewGenerator::IsLocal(void) const
 {
     QString tmppathname = pathname;
 
-    if (tmppathname.left(4) == "dvd:")
+    if (tmppathname.startsWith("dvd:"))
         tmppathname = tmppathname.section(":", 1, 1);
 
     if (!QFileInfo(tmppathname).isReadable())
@@ -779,7 +779,7 @@ char *PreviewGenerator::GetScreenGrab(
     }
 
     // pre-test local files for existence and size. 500 ms speed-up...
-    if (filename.left(1)=="/")
+    if (filename.startsWith("/"))
     {
         QFileInfo info(filename);
         bool invalid = (!info.exists() || !info.isReadable() ||
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/previewgeneratorqueue.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/previewgeneratorqueue.cpp
index 2272b172e7e..0f11a22ae6b 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/previewgeneratorqueue.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/previewgeneratorqueue.cpp
@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ QString PreviewGeneratorQueue::GeneratePreviewImage(
     if (!is_special)
     {
         QDateTime previewLastModified;
-        bool streaming = filename.left(1) != "/";
+        bool streaming = !filename.startsWith("/");
         bool locally_accessible = false;
         bool bookmark_updated = false;
 
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/recorders/channelbase.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/recorders/channelbase.cpp
index 35544fc0ffd..eeaddf13213 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/recorders/channelbase.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/recorders/channelbase.cpp
@@ -1173,7 +1173,7 @@ ChannelBase *ChannelBase::CreateChannel(
     else if ((genOpt.cardtype == "IMPORT") ||
              (genOpt.cardtype == "DEMO") ||
              (genOpt.cardtype == "MPEG" &&
-              genOpt.videodev.toLower().left(5) == "file:"))
+              genOpt.videodev.toLower().startsWith("file:")))
     {
         channel = new DummyChannel(tvrec);
     }
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/recorders/firewiredevice.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/recorders/firewiredevice.cpp
index c9f5f343869..c735f211692 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/recorders/firewiredevice.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/recorders/firewiredevice.cpp
@@ -230,12 +230,12 @@ bool FirewireDevice::SetChannel(const QString &panel_model,
 
     // the PACE is obviously not a Motorola channel changer, but the
     // same commands work for it as the Motorola.
-    bool is_mot = ((panel_model.toUpper().left(4) == "DCT-") ||
-                   (panel_model.toUpper().left(4) == "DCH-") ||
-                   (panel_model.toUpper().left(4) == "DCX-") ||
-                   (panel_model.toUpper().left(4) == "QIP-") ||
-                   (panel_model.toUpper().left(4) == "MOTO") ||
-                   (panel_model.toUpper().left(5) == "PACE-"));
+    bool is_mot = ((panel_model.toUpper().startsWith("DCT-")) ||
+                   (panel_model.toUpper().startsWith("DCH-")) ||
+                   (panel_model.toUpper().startsWith("DCX-")) ||
+                   (panel_model.toUpper().startsWith("QIP-")) ||
+                   (panel_model.toUpper().startsWith("MOTO")) ||
+                   (panel_model.toUpper().startsWith("PACE-")));
 
     if (is_mot && !alt_method)
     {
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/recorders/mpegrecorder.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/recorders/mpegrecorder.cpp
index 8a5ff1474fa..46d8e3a5394 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/recorders/mpegrecorder.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/recorders/mpegrecorder.cpp
@@ -185,24 +185,24 @@ void MpegRecorder::SetOption(const QString &opt, int value)
     }
     else if (opt == "mpeg2audvolume")
         audvolume = value;
-    else if (opt.right(16) == "_mpeg4avgbitrate")
+    else if (opt.endsWith("_mpeg4avgbitrate"))
     {
-        if (opt.left(3) == "low")
+        if (opt.startsWith("low"))
             low_mpeg4avgbitrate = value;
-        else if (opt.left(6) == "medium")
+        else if (opt.startsWith("medium"))
             medium_mpeg4avgbitrate = value;
-        else if (opt.left(4) == "high")
+        else if (opt.startsWith("high"))
             high_mpeg4avgbitrate = value;
         else
             V4LRecorder::SetOption(opt, value);
     }
-    else if (opt.right(17) == "_mpeg4peakbitrate")
+    else if (opt.endsWith("_mpeg4peakbitrate"))
     {
-        if (opt.left(3) == "low")
+        if (opt.startsWith("low"))
             low_mpeg4peakbitrate = value;
-        else if (opt.left(6) == "medium")
+        else if (opt.startsWith("medium"))
             medium_mpeg4peakbitrate = value;
-        else if (opt.left(4) == "high")
+        else if (opt.startsWith("high"))
             high_mpeg4peakbitrate = value;
         else
             V4LRecorder::SetOption(opt, value);
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ void MpegRecorder::SetOptionsFromProfile(RecordingProfile *profile,
     (void)audiodev;
     (void)vbidev;
 
-    if (videodev.toLower().left(5) == "file:")
+    if (videodev.toLower().startsWith("file:"))
     {
         deviceIsMpegFile = true;
         bufferSize = 64000;
@@ -755,7 +755,7 @@ bool MpegRecorder::SetV4L2DeviceOptions(int chanfd)
     // Set controls
     if (driver != "hdpvr")
     {
-        if (driver.left(7) != "saa7164")
+        if (!driver.startsWith("saa7164"))
         {
             add_ext_ctrl(ext_ctrls, V4L2_CID_MPEG_AUDIO_SAMPLING_FREQ,
                          GetFilteredAudioSampleRate());
@@ -783,7 +783,7 @@ bool MpegRecorder::SetV4L2DeviceOptions(int chanfd)
     }
     maxbitrate = std::max(maxbitrate, bitrate);
 
-    if (driver == "hdpvr" || driver.left(7) == "saa7164")
+    if (driver == "hdpvr" || driver.startsWith("saa7164"))
     {
         add_ext_ctrl(ext_ctrls, V4L2_CID_MPEG_VIDEO_BITRATE_MODE,
                      (maxbitrate == bitrate) ?
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/recorders/v4lchannel.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/recorders/v4lchannel.cpp
index c325e231901..1ef7059b7b3 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/recorders/v4lchannel.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/recorders/v4lchannel.cpp
@@ -158,11 +158,11 @@ static int format_to_mode(const QString &fmt)
     else if (fmt == "NTSC-JP")
         return V4L2_STD_NTSC_M_JP;
         // generics...
-    else if (fmt.left(4) == "NTSC")
+    else if (fmt.startsWith("NTSC"))
         return V4L2_STD_NTSC;
-    else if (fmt.left(4) == "ATSC")
+    else if (fmt.startsWith("ATSC"))
         return V4L2_STD_NTSC; // We've dropped V4L ATSC support...
-    else if (fmt.left(3) == "PAL")
+    else if (fmt.startsWith("PAL"))
         return V4L2_STD_PAL;
     return V4L2_STD_NTSC;
 }
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/recordingprofile.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/recordingprofile.cpp
index e8060a4a888..71ed05a9b2c 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/recordingprofile.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/recordingprofile.cpp
@@ -1114,8 +1114,8 @@ class ImageSize : public VerticalConfigurationGroup
         setLabel(labelName);
 
         QSize defaultsize(768, 576), maxsize(768, 576);
-        bool transcoding = profName.left(11) == "Transcoders";
-        bool ivtv = profName.left(20) == "IVTV MPEG-2 Encoders";
+        bool transcoding = profName.startsWith("Transcoders");
+        bool ivtv = profName.startsWith("IVTV MPEG-2 Encoders");
 
         if (transcoding)
         {
@@ -1125,7 +1125,7 @@ class ImageSize : public VerticalConfigurationGroup
             else
                 defaultsize = QSize(480, 576);
         }
-        else if (tvFormat.toLower().left(4) == "ntsc")
+        else if (tvFormat.toLower().startsWith("ntsc"))
         {
             maxsize     = QSize(720, 480);
             defaultsize = (ivtv) ? QSize(720, 480) : QSize(480, 480);
@@ -1211,7 +1211,7 @@ RecordingProfile::RecordingProfile(QString profName)
 
     if (!profName.isEmpty())
     {
-        if (profName.left(11) == "Transcoders")
+        if (profName.startsWith("Transcoders"))
         {
             tr_filters = new TranscodeFilters(*this);
             tr_lossless = new TranscodeLossless(*this);
@@ -1401,7 +1401,7 @@ void RecordingProfile::CompleteLoad(int profileId, const QString &type,
         audioSettings = new AudioCompressionSettings(*this, profileName);
         addChild(audioSettings);
 
-        if (!profileName.isEmpty() && profileName.left(11) == "Transcoders")
+        if (!profileName.isEmpty() && profileName.startsWith("Transcoders"))
         {
             connect(tr_resize,   SIGNAL(valueChanged   (bool)),
                     this,        SLOT(  ResizeTranscode(bool)));
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/ringbuffer.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/ringbuffer.cpp
index 0e3673af0b2..59a92865ca9 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/ringbuffer.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/ringbuffer.cpp
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ RingBuffer *RingBuffer::Create(
 
     if (!stream_only && (dvdurl || dvddir || dvdext))
     {
-        if (lfilename.left(4) == "dvd:")        // URI "dvd:" + path
+        if (lfilename.startsWith("dvd:"))        // URI "dvd:" + path
             lfilename.remove(0,4);              // e.g. "dvd:/dev/dvd"
 
         if (!(mythurl || QFile::exists(lfilename)))
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ RingBuffer *RingBuffer::Create(
     }
     else if (!stream_only && (bdurl || bddir))
     {
-        if (lfilename.left(3) == "bd:")        // URI "bd:" + path
+        if (lfilename.startsWith("bd:"))        // URI "bd:" + path
             lfilename.remove(0,3);             // e.g. "bd:/videos/ET"
 
         if (!(mythurl || QFile::exists(lfilename)))
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/sourceutil.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/sourceutil.cpp
index f64d55ea23d..0408cd0c3c9 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/sourceutil.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/sourceutil.cpp
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ QString SourceUtil::GetChannelSeparator(uint sourceid)
         {
             const QString channum = query.value(0).toString();
             const int where = channum.indexOf(sepExpr);
-            if (channum.right(2).left(1) == "0")
+            if (channum.right(2).startsWith("0"))
                 counts["0"]++;
             else
                 counts[(where < 0) ? "" : QString(channum.at(where))]++;
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ static QStringList get_cardtypes(uint sourceid)
 /// BEGIN HACK HACK HACK -- return correct card type for child cards
             QString cardtype = query.value(0).toString().toUpper();
             QString inputname = query.value(1).toString().toUpper();
-            cardtype = ((cardtype == "DVB") && (inputname.left(3) != "DVB")) ?
+            cardtype = ((cardtype == "DVB") && (!inputname.startsWith("DVB"))) ?
                 "V4L" : cardtype;
 /// END  HACK HACK HACK
             list += cardtype;
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/transporteditor.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/transporteditor.cpp
index 53216baaaff..f33dc412ce3 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/transporteditor.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/transporteditor.cpp
@@ -66,10 +66,10 @@ class TransportWizard : public ConfigurationWizard
 
 static QString pp_modulation(QString mod)
 {
-    if (mod.right(3) == "vsb")
+    if (mod.endsWith("vsb"))
         return mod.left(mod.length() - 3) + "-VSB";
 
-    if (mod.left(4) == "qam_")
+    if (mod.startsWith("qam_"))
         return "QAM-" + mod.mid(4, mod.length());
 
     if (mod == "analog")
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/tv_play.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/tv_play.cpp
index 0058cac4bfb..aaac44baddb 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/tv_play.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/tv_play.cpp
@@ -3656,7 +3656,7 @@ bool TV::HandleTrackAction(PlayerContext *ctx, const QString &action)
             ctx->player->ToggleCaptions();
         }
     }
-    else if (action.left(6) == "TOGGLE")
+    else if (action.startsWith("TOGGLE"))
     {
         int type = to_track_type(action.mid(6));
         if (type == kTrackTypeTeletextMenu)
@@ -3666,7 +3666,7 @@ bool TV::HandleTrackAction(PlayerContext *ctx, const QString &action)
         else
             handled = false;
     }
-    else if (action.left(6) == "SELECT")
+    else if (action.startsWith("SELECT"))
     {
         int type = to_track_type(action.mid(6));
         int num = action.section("_", -1).toInt();
@@ -3675,13 +3675,13 @@ bool TV::HandleTrackAction(PlayerContext *ctx, const QString &action)
         else
             handled = false;
     }
-    else if (action.left(4) == "NEXT" || action.left(4) == "PREV")
+    else if (action.startsWith("NEXT") || action.startsWith("PREV"))
     {
-        int dir = (action.left(4) == "NEXT") ? +1 : -1;
+        int dir = (action.startsWith("NEXT")) ? +1 : -1;
         int type = to_track_type(action.mid(4));
         if (type >= kTrackTypeAudio)
             ctx->player->ChangeTrack(type, dir);
-        else if (action.right(2) == "CC")
+        else if (action.endsWith("CC"))
             ctx->player->ChangeCaptionTrack(dir);
         else
             handled = false;
@@ -9315,7 +9315,7 @@ void TV::customEvent(QEvent *e)
     {
         GetStatus();
     }
-    else if (message.left(14) == "DONE_RECORDING")
+    else if (message.startsWith("DONE_RECORDING"))
     {
         int seconds = 0;
         //long long frames = 0;
@@ -9376,7 +9376,7 @@ void TV::customEvent(QEvent *e)
         ReturnPlayerLock(mctx);
     }
 
-    if (message.left(14) == "ASK_RECORDING ")
+    if (message.startsWith("ASK_RECORDING "))
     {
         int timeuntil = 0, hasrec = 0, haslater = 0;
         if (tokens.size() >= 5)
@@ -9413,7 +9413,7 @@ void TV::customEvent(QEvent *e)
         ReturnPlayerLock(mctx);
     }
 
-    if (message.left(11) == "QUIT_LIVETV")
+    if (message.startsWith("QUIT_LIVETV"))
     {
         cardnum = (tokens.size() >= 2) ? tokens[1].toUInt() : 0;
 
@@ -9452,7 +9452,7 @@ void TV::customEvent(QEvent *e)
         ReturnPlayerLock(mctx);
     }
 
-    if (message.left(12) == "LIVETV_WATCH")
+    if (message.startsWith("LIVETV_WATCH"))
     {
         int watch = 0;
         if (tokens.size() >= 3)
@@ -9493,7 +9493,7 @@ void TV::customEvent(QEvent *e)
         ReturnPlayerLock(mctx);
     }
 
-    if (message.left(12) == "LIVETV_CHAIN")
+    if (message.startsWith("LIVETV_CHAIN"))
     {
         QString id = QString::null;
         if ((tokens.size() >= 2) && tokens[1] == "UPDATE")
@@ -9513,7 +9513,7 @@ void TV::customEvent(QEvent *e)
         ReturnPlayerLock(mctx);
     }
 
-    if (message.left(12) == "EXIT_TO_MENU")
+    if (message.startsWith("EXIT_TO_MENU"))
     {
         PlayerContext *mctx = GetPlayerReadLock(0, __FILE__, __LINE__);
         for (uint i = 0; mctx && (i < player.size()); i++)
@@ -9528,7 +9528,7 @@ void TV::customEvent(QEvent *e)
         ReturnPlayerLock(mctx);
     }
 
-    if (message.left(6) == "SIGNAL")
+    if (message.startsWith("SIGNAL"))
     {
         cardnum = (tokens.size() >= 2) ? tokens[1].toUInt() : 0;
         QStringList signalList = me->ExtraDataList();
@@ -9552,7 +9552,7 @@ void TV::customEvent(QEvent *e)
         ReturnPlayerLock(mctx);
     }
 
-    if (message.left(15) == "NETWORK_CONTROL")
+    if (message.startsWith("NETWORK_CONTROL"))
     {
         if ((tokens.size() >= 2) &&
             (tokens[1] != "ANSWER") && (tokens[1] != "RESPONSE"))
@@ -9570,17 +9570,17 @@ void TV::customEvent(QEvent *e)
         }
     }
 
-    if (message.left(9) == "START_EPG")
+    if (message.startsWith("START_EPG"))
     {
         int editType = tokens[1].toInt();
         DoEditSchedule(editType);
     }
 
-    if (message.left(11) == "EPG_EXITING" ||
-        message.left(18) == "PROGFINDER_EXITING" ||
-        message.left(21) == "VIEWSCHEDULED_EXITING" ||
-        message.left(19)   == "PLAYBACKBOX_EXITING" ||
-        message.left(22) == "SCHEDULEEDITOR_EXITING")
+    if (message.startsWith("EPG_EXITING") ||
+        message.startsWith("PROGFINDER_EXITING") ||
+        message.startsWith("VIEWSCHEDULED_EXITING") ||
+        message.startsWith("PLAYBACKBOX_EXITING") ||
+        message.startsWith("SCHEDULEEDITOR_EXITING"))
     {
         // Resize the window back to the MythTV Player size
         PlayerContext *actx = GetPlayerReadLock(-1, __FILE__, __LINE__);
@@ -9622,7 +9622,7 @@ void TV::customEvent(QEvent *e)
         isEmbedded = false;
         ignoreKeyPresses = false;
 
-        if (message.left(19) == "PLAYBACKBOX_EXITING")
+        if (message.startsWith("PLAYBACKBOX_EXITING"))
         {
             ProgramInfo pginfo(me->ExtraDataList());
             if (pginfo.HasPathname() || pginfo.GetChanID())
@@ -9633,7 +9633,7 @@ void TV::customEvent(QEvent *e)
 
     }
 
-    if (message.left(14) == "COMMFLAG_START" && (tokens.size() >= 2))
+    if (message.startsWith("COMMFLAG_START") && (tokens.size() >= 2))
     {
         uint evchanid = 0;
         QDateTime evrecstartts;
@@ -9660,7 +9660,7 @@ void TV::customEvent(QEvent *e)
         ReturnPlayerLock(mctx);
     }
 
-    if (message.left(15) == "COMMFLAG_UPDATE" && (tokens.size() >= 3))
+    if (message.startsWith("COMMFLAG_UPDATE") && (tokens.size() >= 3))
     {
         uint evchanid = 0;
         QDateTime evrecstartts;
@@ -10696,7 +10696,7 @@ void TV::OSDDialogEvent(int result, QString text, QString action)
         EnableUpmix(actx, true);
     else if (action == ACTION_DISABLEUPMIX)
         EnableUpmix(actx, false);
-    else if (action.left(13) == "ADJUSTSTRETCH")
+    else if (action.startsWith("ADJUSTSTRETCH"))
     {
         bool floatRead;
         float stretch = action.right(action.length() - 13).toFloat(&floatRead);
@@ -10714,7 +10714,7 @@ void TV::OSDDialogEvent(int result, QString text, QString action)
 
         ChangeTimeStretch(actx, 0, !floatRead);   // just display
     }
-    else if (action.left(11) == "SELECTSCAN_")
+    else if (action.startsWith("SELECTSCAN_"))
     {
         QString msg = QString::null;
         actx->LockDeletePlayer(__FILE__, __LINE__);
@@ -10725,7 +10725,7 @@ void TV::OSDDialogEvent(int result, QString text, QString action)
         if (!msg.isEmpty())
             SetOSDMessage(actx, msg);
     }
-    else if (action.left(15) == ACTION_TOGGELAUDIOSYNC)
+    else if (action.startsWith(ACTION_TOGGELAUDIOSYNC))
         ChangeAudioSync(actx, 0);
     else if (action == ACTION_TOGGLESUBTITLEZOOM)
         ChangeSubtitleZoom(actx, 0);
@@ -10737,17 +10737,17 @@ void TV::OSDDialogEvent(int result, QString text, QString action)
         EnableVisualisation(actx, true);
     else if (action == ACTION_DISABLEVISUALISATION)
         EnableVisualisation(actx, false);
-    else if (action.left(11) == ACTION_TOGGLESLEEP)
+    else if (action.startsWith(ACTION_TOGGLESLEEP))
     {
         ToggleSleepTimer(actx, action.left(13));
     }
-    else if (action.left(17) == "TOGGLEPICCONTROLS")
+    else if (action.startsWith("TOGGLEPICCONTROLS"))
     {
         adjustingPictureAttribute = (PictureAttribute)
             (action.right(1).toInt() - 1);
         DoTogglePictureAttribute(actx, kAdjustingPicture_Playback);
     }
-    else if (action.left(18) == ACTION_TOGGLESTUDIOLEVELS)
+    else if (action.startsWith(ACTION_TOGGLESTUDIOLEVELS))
     {
         DoToggleStudioLevels(actx);
     }
@@ -10755,12 +10755,12 @@ void TV::OSDDialogEvent(int result, QString text, QString action)
     {
         DoToggleNightMode(actx);
     }
-    else if (action.left(12) == "TOGGLEASPECT")
+    else if (action.startsWith("TOGGLEASPECT"))
     {
         ToggleAspectOverride(actx,
                              (AspectOverrideMode) action.right(1).toInt());
     }
-    else if (action.left(10) == "TOGGLEFILL")
+    else if (action.startsWith("TOGGLEFILL"))
     {
         ToggleAdjustFill(actx, (AdjustFillMode) action.right(1).toInt());
     }
@@ -10770,7 +10770,7 @@ void TV::OSDDialogEvent(int result, QString text, QString action)
     }
     else if (action == ACTION_GUIDE)
         EditSchedule(actx, kScheduleProgramGuide);
-    else if (action.left(10) == "CHANGROUP_" && db_use_channel_groups)
+    else if (action.startsWith("CHANGROUP_") && db_use_channel_groups)
     {
         if (action == "CHANGROUP_ALL_CHANNELS")
         {
@@ -10859,7 +10859,7 @@ void TV::OSDDialogEvent(int result, QString text, QString action)
             browsehelper->BrowseStart(actx);
         else if (action == "PREVCHAN")
             PopPreviousChannel(actx, true);
-        else if (action.left(14) == "SWITCHTOINPUT_")
+        else if (action.startsWith("SWITCHTOINPUT_"))
         {
             switchToInputId = action.mid(14).toUInt();
             QMutexLocker locker(&timerIdLock);
@@ -10897,17 +10897,17 @@ void TV::OSDDialogEvent(int result, QString text, QString action)
                 actx->player->GoToMenu(menu);
             actx->UnlockDeletePlayer(__FILE__, __LINE__);
         }
-        else if (action.left(13) == ACTION_JUMPCHAPTER)
+        else if (action.startsWith(ACTION_JUMPCHAPTER))
         {
             int chapter = action.right(3).toInt();
             DoJumpChapter(actx, chapter);
         }
-        else if (action.left(11) == ACTION_SWITCHTITLE)
+        else if (action.startsWith(ACTION_SWITCHTITLE))
         {
             int title = action.right(3).toInt();
             DoSwitchTitle(actx, title);
         }
-        else if (action.left(13) == ACTION_SWITCHANGLE)
+        else if (action.startsWith(ACTION_SWITCHANGLE))
         {
             int angle = action.right(3).toInt();
             DoSwitchAngle(actx, angle);
@@ -10919,7 +10919,7 @@ void TV::OSDDialogEvent(int result, QString text, QString action)
         }
         else if (action == "TOGGLEAUTOEXPIRE")
             ToggleAutoExpire(actx);
-        else if (action.left(14) == "TOGGLECOMMSKIP")
+        else if (action.startsWith("TOGGLECOMMSKIP"))
             SetAutoCommercialSkip(
                 actx, (CommSkipMode)(action.right(1).toInt()));
         else if (action == "QUEUETRANSCODE")
@@ -12355,7 +12355,7 @@ bool TV::HandleJumpToProgramAction(
     QStringList::const_iterator it = actions.begin();
     for (; it != actions.end(); ++it)
     {
-        if ((*it).left(8) != "JUMPPROG")
+        if (!(*it).startsWith("JUMPPROG"))
             continue;
 
         const QString &action = *it;
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/videoout_xv.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/videoout_xv.cpp
index e2df180f270..cbdedf20b85 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/videoout_xv.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/videoout_xv.cpp
@@ -845,7 +845,7 @@ bool VideoOutputXv::InitSetupBuffers(void)
     }
 
     // Create video buffers
-    bool use_xv     = (renderer.left(2) == "xv");
+    bool use_xv     = (renderer.startsWith("xv"));
     bool use_shm    = (renderer == "xshm");
     bool ok = InitVideoBuffers(use_xv, use_shm);
 
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/videooutbase.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/videooutbase.cpp
index 2e5dc13a00e..9ba73942e0d 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/videooutbase.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/videooutbase.cpp
@@ -1871,7 +1871,7 @@ int VideoOutput::CalcHueBase(const QString &adaptor_name)
     {
         hue_adj = 50;
     }
-    else if (adaptor_name.left(4) == "NV17") /* nVidia */
+    else if (adaptor_name.startsWith("NV17")) /* nVidia */
     {
         hue_adj = 0;
     }
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/videosource.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/videosource.cpp
index de13cfa518e..5f0ead32a10 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/videosource.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythtv/videosource.cpp
@@ -1464,9 +1464,9 @@ void HDHomeRunDeviceIDList::fillSelections(const QString &cur)
     QString sel = man_addr;
     devs.push_back(sel);
 
-    if (3 == devs.size() && current.left(8).toUpper() == "FFFFFFFF")
+    if (3 == devs.size() && current.startsWith("FFFFFFFF", Qt::CaseInsensitive))
     {
-        current = sel = (current.right(1) == "0") ?
+        current = sel = (current.endsWith("0")) ?
             *(devs.begin()) : *(++devs.begin());
     }
     else
@@ -3538,19 +3538,19 @@ static QString remove_chaff(const QString &name)
 {
     // Trim off some of the chaff.
     QString short_name = name;
-    if (short_name.left(14) == "LG Electronics")
+    if (short_name.startsWith("LG Electronics"))
         short_name = short_name.right(short_name.length() - 15);
-    if (short_name.left(4) == "Oren")
+    if (short_name.startsWith("Oren"))
         short_name = short_name.right(short_name.length() - 5);
-    if (short_name.left(8) == "Nextwave")
+    if (short_name.startsWith("Nextwave"))
         short_name = short_name.right(short_name.length() - 9);
-    if (short_name.right(8).toLower() == "frontend")
+    if (short_name.startsWith("frontend", Qt::CaseInsensitive))
         short_name = short_name.left(short_name.length() - 9);
-    if (short_name.right(7) == "VSB/QAM")
+    if (short_name.endsWith("VSB/QAM"))
         short_name = short_name.left(short_name.length() - 8);
-    if (short_name.right(3) == "VSB")
+    if (short_name.endsWith("VSB"))
         short_name = short_name.left(short_name.length() - 4);
-    if (short_name.right(5) == "DVB-T")
+    if (short_name.endsWith("DVB-T"))
         short_name = short_name.left(short_name.length() - 6);
 
     // It would be infinitely better if DVB allowed us to query
@@ -3558,19 +3558,19 @@ static QString remove_chaff(const QString &name)
     // demodulator name. This means cards like the Air2PC HD5000
     // and DViCO Fusion HDTV cards are not identified correctly.
     short_name = short_name.simplified();
-    if (short_name.left(7).toLower() == "or51211")
+    if (short_name.startsWith("or51211", Qt::CaseInsensitive))
         short_name = "pcHDTV HD-2000";
-    else if (short_name.left(7).toLower() == "or51132")
+    else if (short_name.startsWith("or51132", Qt::CaseInsensitive))
         short_name = "pcHDTV HD-3000";
-    else if (short_name.left(7).toLower() == "bcm3510")
+    else if (short_name.startsWith("bcm3510", Qt::CaseInsensitive))
         short_name = "Air2PC v1";
-    else if (short_name.left(7).toLower() == "nxt2002")
+    else if (short_name.startsWith("nxt2002", Qt::CaseInsensitive))
         short_name = "Air2PC v2";
-    else if (short_name.left(7).toLower() == "nxt200x")
+    else if (short_name.startsWith("nxt200x", Qt::CaseInsensitive))
         short_name = "Air2PC v2";
-    else if (short_name.left(8).toLower() == "lgdt3302")
+    else if (short_name.startsWith("lgdt3302", Qt::CaseInsensitive))
         short_name = "DViCO HDTV3";
-    else if (short_name.left(8).toLower() == "lgdt3303")
+    else if (short_name.startsWith("lgdt3303", Qt::CaseInsensitive))
         short_name = "DViCO v2 or Air2PC v3 or pcHDTV HD-5500";
 
     return short_name;
@@ -3655,9 +3655,12 @@ void DVBConfigurationGroup::probeCard(const QString &videodevice)
 #if 0 // frontends on hybrid DVB-T/Analog cards
             QString short_name = remove_chaff(frontend_name);
             buttonAnalog->setVisible(
-                short_name.left(15).toLower() == "zarlink zl10353" ||
-                short_name.toLower() == "wintv hvr 900 m/r: 65008/a1c0" ||
-                short_name.left(17).toLower() == "philips tda10046h");
+                short_name.startsWith("zarlink zl10353",
+                                      Qt::CaseInsensitive) ||
+                short_name.startsWith("wintv hvr 900 m/r: 65008/a1c0",
+                                      Qt::CaseInsensitive) ||
+                short_name.startsWith("philips tda10046h",
+                                      Qt::CaseInsensitive));
 #endif
         }
         break;
@@ -3681,9 +3684,9 @@ void DVBConfigurationGroup::probeCard(const QString &videodevice)
             if (frontend_name.toLower().indexOf("usb") < 0)
             {
                 buttonAnalog->setVisible(
-                    short_name.left(6).toLower() == "pchdtv" ||
-                    short_name.left(5).toLower() == "dvico" ||
-                    short_name.left(8).toLower() == "nextwave");
+                    short_name.startsWith("pchdtv", Qt::CaseInsensitive) ||
+                    short_name.startsWith("dvico", Qt::CaseInsensitive) ||
+                    short_name.startsWith("nextwave", Qt::CaseInsensitive));
             }
 #endif
         }
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythui/myththemedmenu.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythui/myththemedmenu.cpp
index 6711d4413b1..e3fa9dec502 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythui/myththemedmenu.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythui/myththemedmenu.cpp
@@ -762,7 +762,7 @@ bool MythThemedMenu::handleAction(const QString &action, const QString &password
     if (!password.isEmpty() && !checkPinCode(password))
         return true;
 
-    if (action.left(5) == "EXEC ")
+    if (action.startsWith("EXEC "))
     {
         QString rest = action.right(action.length() - 5);
         if (cbs && cbs->exec_program)
@@ -770,13 +770,13 @@ bool MythThemedMenu::handleAction(const QString &action, const QString &password
 
         return false;
     }
-    else if (action.left(7) == "EXECTV ")
+    else if (action.startsWith("EXECTV "))
     {
         QString rest = action.right(action.length() - 7).trimmed();
         if (cbs && cbs->exec_program_tv)
             cbs->exec_program_tv(rest);
     }
-    else if (action.left(5) == "MENU ")
+    else if (action.startsWith("MENU "))
     {
         QString menu = action.right(action.length() - 5);
 
@@ -789,40 +789,40 @@ bool MythThemedMenu::handleAction(const QString &action, const QString &password
         else
             delete newmenu;
     }
-    else if (action.left(6) == "UPMENU")
+    else if (action.startsWith("UPMENU"))
     {
         m_wantpop = true;
     }
-    else if (action.left(12) == "CONFIGPLUGIN")
+    else if (action.startsWith("CONFIGPLUGIN"))
     {
         QString rest = action.right(action.length() - 13);
         if (cbs && cbs->configplugin)
             cbs->configplugin(rest);
     }
-    else if (action.left(6) == "PLUGIN")
+    else if (action.startsWith("PLUGIN"))
     {
         QString rest = action.right(action.length() - 7);
         if (cbs && cbs->plugin)
             cbs->plugin(rest);
     }
-    else if (action.left(8) == "SHUTDOWN")
+    else if (action.startsWith("SHUTDOWN"))
     {
         if (m_allocedstate)
         {
             m_wantpop = true;
         }
     }
-    else if (action.left(5) == "EJECT")
+    else if (action.startsWith("EJECT"))
     {
         if (cbs && cbs->eject)
             cbs->eject();
     }
-    else if (action.left(5) == "JUMP ")
+    else if (action.startsWith("JUMP "))
     {
         QString rest = action.right(action.length() - 5);
         GetMythMainWindow()->JumpTo(rest, false);
     }
-    else if (action.left(6) == "MEDIA ")
+    else if (action.startsWith("MEDIA "))
     {
         // the format is MEDIA HANDLER URL
         // TODO: allow spaces in the url
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythui/mythuiwebbrowser.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythui/mythuiwebbrowser.cpp
index 3a35549cbf2..0b59608db34 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythui/mythuiwebbrowser.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythui/mythuiwebbrowser.cpp
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ void BrowserApi::customEvent(QEvent *e)
         MythEvent *me = (MythEvent *)e;
         QString message = me->Message();
 
-        if (message.left(13) != "MUSIC_CONTROL")
+        if (!message.startsWith("MUSIC_CONTROL"))
             return;
 
         QStringList tokens = message.simplified().split(" ");
diff --git a/mythtv/libs/libmythupnp/upnpdevice.cpp b/mythtv/libs/libmythupnp/upnpdevice.cpp
index 7cbdb4d53ef..dcb30e59bb4 100644
--- a/mythtv/libs/libmythupnp/upnpdevice.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/libs/libmythupnp/upnpdevice.cpp
@@ -856,7 +856,7 @@ QString UPnpDevice::toString(uint padding) const
     }
 
     // remove trailing newline
-    if (ret.right(1)=="\n")
+    if (ret.endsWith("\n"))
         ret = ret.left(ret.length()-1);
 
     // add any padding as necessary
diff --git a/mythtv/programs/mythbackend/autoexpire.cpp b/mythtv/programs/mythbackend/autoexpire.cpp
index b3b02e62d04..5755850c17c 100644
--- a/mythtv/programs/mythbackend/autoexpire.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/programs/mythbackend/autoexpire.cpp
@@ -571,7 +571,7 @@ void AutoExpire::ExpireRecordings(void)
                         // Wasn't found so check locally
                         QString file = GetPlaybackURL(p);
 
-                        if (file.left(1) == "/")
+                        if (file.startsWith("/"))
                         {
                             p->SetPathname(file);
                             p->SetHostname(myHostName);
diff --git a/mythtv/programs/mythbackend/backendutil.cpp b/mythtv/programs/mythbackend/backendutil.cpp
index 321e259b352..70e5384e589 100644
--- a/mythtv/programs/mythbackend/backendutil.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/programs/mythbackend/backendutil.cpp
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ QString GetPlaybackURL(ProgramInfo *pginfo, bool storePath)
         locker.unlock();
         result = pginfo->GetPlaybackURL(false, true);
         locker.relock();
-        if (storePath && result.left(1) == "/")
+        if (storePath && result.startsWith("/"))
             recordingPathCache[cacheKey] = result;
     }
 
diff --git a/mythtv/programs/mythbackend/httpconfig.cpp b/mythtv/programs/mythbackend/httpconfig.cpp
index 36522b5139a..061c9f7dba9 100644
--- a/mythtv/programs/mythbackend/httpconfig.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/programs/mythbackend/httpconfig.cpp
@@ -72,7 +72,8 @@ bool HttpConfig::ProcessRequest(HTTPRequest *request)
         }
 
         // FIXME, this is always false, what's it for
-        if (request->m_sBaseUrl.right(7) == "config" &&
+        // JMS "fixed" by using endsWith()
+        if (request->m_sBaseUrl.endsWith("config") &&
             !database_settings.empty())
         {
             QString checkResult;
diff --git a/mythtv/programs/mythbackend/mainserver.cpp b/mythtv/programs/mythbackend/mainserver.cpp
index e9cae9bb3e5..fea6690de4f 100644
--- a/mythtv/programs/mythbackend/mainserver.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/programs/mythbackend/mainserver.cpp
@@ -717,10 +717,10 @@ void MainServer::ProcessRequestWork(MythSocket *sock)
     }
     else if (command == "MESSAGE")
     {
-        if ((listline.size() >= 2) && (listline[1].left(11) == "SET_VERBOSE"))
+        if ((listline.size() >= 2) && (listline[1].startsWith("SET_VERBOSE")))
             HandleSetVerbose(listline, pbs);
         else if ((listline.size() >= 2) &&
-                 (listline[1].left(13) == "SET_LOG_LEVEL"))
+                 (listline[1].startsWith("SET_LOG_LEVEL")))
             HandleSetLogLevel(listline, pbs);
         else
             HandleMessage(listline, pbs);
@@ -1001,7 +1001,7 @@ void MainServer::customEvent(QEvent *e)
             broadcast += extra;
         }
 
-        if (me->Message().left(11) == "AUTO_EXPIRE")
+        if (me->Message().startsWith("AUTO_EXPIRE"))
         {
             QStringList tokens = me->Message()
                 .split(" ", QString::SkipEmptyParts);
@@ -1041,7 +1041,7 @@ void MainServer::customEvent(QEvent *e)
             return;
         }
 
-        if (me->Message().left(21) == "QUERY_NEXT_LIVETV_DIR" && m_sched)
+        if (me->Message().startsWith("QUERY_NEXT_LIVETV_DIR") && m_sched)
         {
             QStringList tokens = me->Message()
                 .split(" ", QString::SkipEmptyParts);
@@ -1057,8 +1057,8 @@ void MainServer::customEvent(QEvent *e)
             return;
         }
 
-        if ((me->Message().left(16) == "DELETE_RECORDING") ||
-            (me->Message().left(22) == "FORCE_DELETE_RECORDING"))
+        if ((me->Message().startsWith("DELETE_RECORDING")) ||
+            (me->Message().startsWith("FORCE_DELETE_RECORDING")))
         {
             QStringList tokens = me->Message()
                 .split(" ", QString::SkipEmptyParts);
@@ -1090,14 +1090,14 @@ void MainServer::customEvent(QEvent *e)
             return;
         }
 
-        if (me->Message().left(21) == "RESCHEDULE_RECORDINGS" && m_sched)
+        if (me->Message().startsWith("RESCHEDULE_RECORDINGS") && m_sched)
         {
             QStringList request = me->ExtraDataList();
             m_sched->Reschedule(request);
             return;
         }
 
-        if (me->Message().left(23) == "SCHEDULER_ADD_RECORDING" && m_sched)
+        if (me->Message().startsWith("SCHEDULER_ADD_RECORDING") && m_sched)
         {
             ProgramInfo pi(me->ExtraDataList());
             if (!pi.GetChanID())
@@ -1110,7 +1110,7 @@ void MainServer::customEvent(QEvent *e)
             return;
         }
 
-        if (me->Message().left(23) == "UPDATE_RECORDING_STATUS" && m_sched)
+        if (me->Message().startsWith("UPDATE_RECORDING_STATUS") && m_sched)
         {
             QStringList tokens = me->Message()
                 .split(" ", QString::SkipEmptyParts);
@@ -1131,7 +1131,7 @@ void MainServer::customEvent(QEvent *e)
             return;
         }
 
-        if (me->Message().left(13) == "LIVETV_EXITED")
+        if (me->Message().startsWith("LIVETV_EXITED"))
         {
             QString chainid = me->ExtraData();
             LiveTVChain *chain = GetExistingChain(chainid);
@@ -1144,7 +1144,7 @@ void MainServer::customEvent(QEvent *e)
         if (me->Message() == "CLEAR_SETTINGS_CACHE")
             gCoreContext->ClearSettingsCache();
 
-        if (me->Message().left(14) == "RESET_IDLETIME" && m_sched)
+        if (me->Message().startsWith("RESET_IDLETIME") && m_sched)
             m_sched->ResetIdleTime();
 
         if (me->Message() == "LOCAL_RECONNECT_TO_MASTER")
@@ -1153,11 +1153,11 @@ void MainServer::customEvent(QEvent *e)
         if (me->Message() == "LOCAL_SLAVE_BACKEND_ENCODERS_OFFLINE")
             HandleSlaveDisconnectedEvent(*me);
 
-        if (me->Message().left(6) == "LOCAL_")
+        if (me->Message().startsWith("LOCAL_"))
             return;
 
         MythEvent mod_me("");
-        if (me->Message().left(23) == "MASTER_UPDATE_PROG_INFO")
+        if (me->Message().startsWith("MASTER_UPDATE_PROG_INFO"))
         {
             QStringList tokens = me->Message().simplified().split(" ");
             uint chanid = 0;
@@ -1188,7 +1188,7 @@ void MainServer::customEvent(QEvent *e)
             }
         }
 
-        if (me->Message().left(13) == "DOWNLOAD_FILE")
+        if (me->Message().startsWith("DOWNLOAD_FILE"))
         {
             QStringList extraDataList = me->ExtraDataList();
             QString localFile = extraDataList[1];
@@ -1230,7 +1230,7 @@ void MainServer::customEvent(QEvent *e)
         sockListLock.unlock();
 
         bool sendGlobal = false;
-        if (ismaster && broadcast[1].left(7) == "GLOBAL_")
+        if (ismaster && broadcast[1].startsWith("GLOBAL_"))
         {
             broadcast[1].replace("GLOBAL_", "LOCAL_");
             MythEvent me(broadcast[1], broadcast[2]);
@@ -4483,7 +4483,7 @@ void MainServer::BackendQueryDiskSpace(QStringList &strlist, bool consolidated,
              * value using QString::fromUtf8() to prevent corruption. */
             currentDir = QString::fromUtf8(query.value(1)
                                            .toByteArray().constData());
-            if (currentDir.right(1) == "/")
+            if (currentDir.endsWith("/"))
                 currentDir.remove(currentDir.length() - 1, 1);
 
             checkDir.setPath(currentDir);
@@ -6130,14 +6130,14 @@ QString MainServer::LocalFilePath(const QUrl &url, const QString &wantgroup)
         lpath = lpath.section('/', -1);
 
         QString fpath = lpath;
-        if (fpath.right(4) == ".png")
+        if (fpath.endsWith(".png"))
             fpath = fpath.left(fpath.length() - 4);
 
         ProgramInfo pginfo(fpath);
         if (pginfo.GetChanID())
         {
             QString pburl = GetPlaybackURL(&pginfo);
-            if (pburl.left(1) == "/")
+            if (pburl.startsWith("/"))
             {
                 lpath = pburl.section('/', 0, -2) + "/" + lpath;
                 LOG(VB_FILE, LOG_INFO,
diff --git a/mythtv/programs/mythbackend/services/content.cpp b/mythtv/programs/mythbackend/services/content.cpp
index 97fabe0bc04..c0c591e8808 100644
--- a/mythtv/programs/mythbackend/services/content.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/programs/mythbackend/services/content.cpp
@@ -493,7 +493,7 @@ QFileInfo Content::GetPreviewImage(        int        nChanId,
         // ------------------------------------------------------------------
         // Must generate Preview Image, Generate Image and save.
         // ------------------------------------------------------------------
-        if (!pginfo.IsLocal() && sFileName.left(1) == "/")
+        if (!pginfo.IsLocal() && sFileName.startsWith("/"))
             pginfo.SetPathname(sFileName);
 
         if (!pginfo.IsLocal())
diff --git a/mythtv/programs/mythcommflag/CommDetector2.cpp b/mythtv/programs/mythcommflag/CommDetector2.cpp
index 76a74c380d8..002ac40885b 100644
--- a/mythtv/programs/mythcommflag/CommDetector2.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/programs/mythcommflag/CommDetector2.cpp
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ QString debugDirectory(int chanid, const QDateTime& recstartts)
         return "";
 
     QString pburl = pginfo.GetPlaybackURL(true);
-    if (pburl.left(1) != "/")
+    if (!pburl.startsWith("/"))
         return "";
 
     QString basename(query.value(0).toString());
diff --git a/mythtv/programs/mythfilldatabase/xmltvparser.cpp b/mythtv/programs/mythfilldatabase/xmltvparser.cpp
index f7830106732..18430ade370 100644
--- a/mythtv/programs/mythfilldatabase/xmltvparser.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/programs/mythfilldatabase/xmltvparser.cpp
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ ChannelInfo *XMLTVParser::parseChannel(QDomElement &element, QUrl &baseUrl)
                 {
                     QString base = baseUrl.toString(QUrl::StripTrailingSlash);
                     chaninfo->icon = base +
-                        ((path.left(1) == "/") ? path : QString("/") + path);
+                        ((path.startsWith("/")) ? path : QString("/") + path);
                 }
                 else if (!path.isEmpty())
                 {
diff --git a/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/globalsettings.cpp b/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/globalsettings.cpp
index 36bf5b9ca7d..293153b400c 100644
--- a/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/globalsettings.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/globalsettings.cpp
@@ -920,7 +920,7 @@ void PlaybackProfileConfig::Save(void)
 
 void PlaybackProfileConfig::pressed(QString cmd)
 {
-    if (cmd.left(4) == "edit")
+    if (cmd.startsWith("edit"))
     {
         uint i = cmd.mid(4).toUInt();
         PlaybackProfileItemConfig itemcfg(items[i]);
@@ -931,7 +931,7 @@ void PlaybackProfileConfig::pressed(QString cmd)
         InitLabel(i);
         needs_save = true;
     }
-    else if (cmd.left(3) == "del")
+    else if (cmd.startsWith("del"))
     {
         uint i = cmd.mid(3).toUInt();
         del_items.push_back(items[i]);
diff --git a/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/idlescreen.cpp b/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/idlescreen.cpp
index 8a1d98c0dc7..ec50a993197 100644
--- a/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/idlescreen.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/idlescreen.cpp
@@ -142,13 +142,13 @@ void IdleScreen::customEvent(QEvent* event)
     {
         MythEvent *me = static_cast<MythEvent *>(event);
 
-        if (me->Message().left(18) == "SHUTDOWN_COUNTDOWN")
+        if (me->Message().startsWith("SHUTDOWN_COUNTDOWN"))
         {
             QString secs = me->Message().mid(19);
             m_secondsToShutdown = secs.toInt();
             UpdateStatus();
         }
-        else if (me->Message().left(12) == "SHUTDOWN_NOW")
+        else if (me->Message().startsWith("SHUTDOWN_NOW"))
         {
             if (gCoreContext->IsFrontendOnly())
             {
diff --git a/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/main.cpp b/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/main.cpp
index 2a13d60cf86..dfd6d34558c 100644
--- a/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/main.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/main.cpp
@@ -775,7 +775,7 @@ static void TVMenuCallback(void *data, QString &selection)
     (void)data;
     QString sel = selection.toLower();
 
-    if (sel.left(9) == "settings ")
+    if (sel.startsWith("settings "))
     {
         GetMythUI()->AddCurrentLocation("Setup");
         gCoreContext->ActivateSettingsCache(false);
@@ -786,7 +786,7 @@ static void TVMenuCallback(void *data, QString &selection)
         startTVNormal();
     else if (sel == "tv_watch_live_epg")
         startTVInGuide();
-    else if (sel.left(18) == "tv_watch_recording")
+    else if (sel.startsWith("tv_watch_recording"))
     {
         // use selection here because its case is untouched
         if ((selection.length() > 19) && (selection.mid(18, 1) == " "))
@@ -1000,7 +1000,7 @@ static void TVMenuCallback(void *data, QString &selection)
     else
         LOG(VB_GENERAL, LOG_ERR, "Unknown menu action: " + selection);
 
-    if (sel.left(9) == "settings " || sel == "video_settings_general")
+    if (sel.startsWith("settings ") || sel == "video_settings_general")
     {
         GetMythUI()->RemoveCurrentLocation();
 
diff --git a/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/networkcontrol.cpp b/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/networkcontrol.cpp
index 18fa2a16990..1b03165b4e4 100644
--- a/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/networkcontrol.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/networkcontrol.cpp
@@ -1257,7 +1257,7 @@ void NetworkControl::customEvent(QEvent *e)
         MythEvent *me = (MythEvent *)e;
         QString message = me->Message();
 
-        if (message.left(13) == "MUSIC_CONTROL")
+        if (message.startsWith("MUSIC_CONTROL"))
         {
             QStringList tokens = message.simplified().split(" ");
             if ((tokens.size() >= 4) &&
@@ -1271,7 +1271,7 @@ void NetworkControl::customEvent(QEvent *e)
             } 
 
         }
-        else if (message.left(15) == "NETWORK_CONTROL")
+        else if (message.startsWith("NETWORK_CONTROL"))
         {
             QStringList tokens = message.simplified().split(" ");
             if ((tokens.size() >= 3) &&
diff --git a/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/playbackbox.cpp b/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/playbackbox.cpp
index ff618ce2635..af4af854d59 100644
--- a/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/playbackbox.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/playbackbox.cpp
@@ -3884,7 +3884,7 @@ void PlaybackBox::customEvent(QEvent *event)
         MythEvent *me = (MythEvent *)event;
         QString message = me->Message();
 
-        if (message.left(21) == "RECORDING_LIST_CHANGE")
+        if (message.startsWith("RECORDING_LIST_CHANGE"))
         {
             QStringList tokens = message.simplified().split(" ");
             uint chanid = 0;
@@ -3920,7 +3920,7 @@ void PlaybackBox::customEvent(QEvent *event)
                 m_programInfoCache.ScheduleLoad();
             }
         }
-        else if (message.left(15) == "NETWORK_CONTROL")
+        else if (message.startsWith("NETWORK_CONTROL"))
         {
             QStringList tokens = message.simplified().split(" ");
             if ((tokens[1] != "ANSWER") && (tokens[1] != "RESPONSE"))
@@ -3948,7 +3948,7 @@ void PlaybackBox::customEvent(QEvent *event)
                                             keyevent);
             }
         }
-        else if (message.left(16) == "UPDATE_FILE_SIZE")
+        else if (message.startsWith("UPDATE_FILE_SIZE"))
         {
             QStringList tokens = message.simplified().split(" ");
             bool ok = false;
diff --git a/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/progfind.cpp b/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/progfind.cpp
index 222e9e5ac54..436931117c7 100644
--- a/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/progfind.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/progfind.cpp
@@ -670,13 +670,13 @@ bool ProgFinder::formatSelectedData(QString& data)
 
     if (searchChar == "T")
     {
-        if (data.left(4) != "The " && data.left(2) != "A ")
+        if (!data.startsWith("The ") && !data.startsWith("A "))
         {
              // nothing, use as is
         }
-        else if (data.left(5) == "The T")
+        else if (data.startsWith("The T"))
             data = data.mid(4) + ", The";
-        else if (data.left(3) == "A T")
+        else if (data.startsWith("A T"))
             data = data.mid(2) + ", A";
         else
         {
@@ -686,15 +686,15 @@ bool ProgFinder::formatSelectedData(QString& data)
     }
     else if (searchChar == "A")
     {
-        if (data.left(4) != "The " && data.left(2) != "A ")
+        if (!data.startsWith("The ") && !data.startsWith("A "))
         {
              // nothing, use as is
         }
-        else if (data.left(5) == "The A")
+        else if (data.startsWith("The A"))
             data = data.mid(4) + ", The";
-        else if (data.left(3) == "A A")
+        else if (data.startsWith("A A"))
              data = data.mid(2) + ", A";
-        else if (data.left(4) == "An A")
+        else if (data.startsWith("An A"))
              data = data.mid(3) + ", An";
         else
         {
@@ -704,11 +704,11 @@ bool ProgFinder::formatSelectedData(QString& data)
     }
     else
     {
-        if (data.left(4) == "The ")
+        if (data.startsWith("The "))
             data = data.mid(4) + ", The";
-        else if (data.left(2) == "A ")
+        else if (data.startsWith("A "))
             data = data.mid(2) + ", A";
-        else if (data.left(3) == "An ")
+        else if (data.startsWith("An "))
             data = data.mid(3) + ", An";
     }
 
@@ -721,17 +721,17 @@ bool ProgFinder::formatSelectedData(QString& data, int charNum)
 
     if (charNum == 29 || charNum == 10)
     {
-        if (data.left(5) == "The T" && charNum == 29)
+        if (data.startsWith("The T") && charNum == 29)
             data = data.mid(4) + ", The";
-        else if (data.left(5) == "The A" && charNum == 10)
+        else if (data.startsWith("The A") && charNum == 10)
             data = data.mid(4) + ", The";
-        else if (data.left(3) == "A T" && charNum == 29)
+        else if (data.startsWith("A T") && charNum == 29)
             data = data.mid(2) + ", A";
-        else if (data.left(3) == "A A" && charNum == 10)
+        else if (data.startsWith("A A") && charNum == 10)
             data = data.mid(2) + ", A";
-        else if (data.left(4) == "An A" && charNum == 10)
+        else if (data.startsWith("An A") && charNum == 10)
              data = data.mid(3) + ", An";
-        else if (data.left(4) != "The " && data.left(2) != "A ")
+        else if (!data.startsWith("The ") && !data.startsWith("A "))
         {
             // use as is
         }
@@ -743,11 +743,11 @@ bool ProgFinder::formatSelectedData(QString& data, int charNum)
     }
     else
     {
-        if (data.left(4) == "The ")
+        if (data.startsWith("The "))
             data = data.mid(4) + ", The";
-        if (data.left(2) == "A ")
+        if (data.startsWith("A "))
             data = data.mid(2) + ", A";
-        if (data.left(3) == "An ")
+        if (data.startsWith("An "))
             data = data.mid(3) + ", An";
     }
 
@@ -756,9 +756,9 @@ bool ProgFinder::formatSelectedData(QString& data, int charNum)
 
 void ProgFinder::restoreSelectedData(QString &data)
 {
-    if (data.right(5) == ", The")
+    if (data.endsWith(", The"))
         data = "The " + data.left(data.length() - 5);
-    if (data.right(3) == ", A")
+    if (data.endsWith(", A"))
         data = "A " + data.left(data.length() - 3);
 }
 
diff --git a/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/upnpscanner.cpp b/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/upnpscanner.cpp
index e475621aa41..b1d8c37d534 100644
--- a/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/upnpscanner.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/upnpscanner.cpp
@@ -1275,15 +1275,15 @@ bool UPNPScanner::ParseDescription(const QUrl &url, QNetworkReply *reply)
                                QUrl::RemoveQuery);
 
     // strip leading slashes off the controlURL
-    while (!controlURL.isEmpty() && controlURL.left(1) == "/")
+    while (!controlURL.isEmpty() && controlURL.startsWith("/"))
         controlURL = controlURL.mid(1);
 
     // strip leading slashes off the eventURL
-    //while (!eventURL.isEmpty() && eventURL.left(1) == "/")
+    //while (!eventURL.isEmpty() && eventURL.startsWith("/"))
     //    eventURL = eventURL.mid(1);
 
     // strip trailing slashes off URLBase
-    while (!URLBase.isEmpty() && URLBase.right(1) == "/")
+    while (!URLBase.isEmpty() && URLBase.endsWith("/"))
         URLBase = URLBase.mid(0, URLBase.size() - 1);
 
     controlURL = URLBase + "/" + controlURL;
diff --git a/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/videolist.cpp b/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/videolist.cpp
index 0cd21e528b0..818d2cc80c0 100644
--- a/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/videolist.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/programs/mythfrontend/videolist.cpp
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ static QString path_to_node_name(const QString &path)
 {
     QString ret;
     int slashLoc = path.lastIndexOf('/', -2) + 1;
-    if (path.right(1) == "/")
+    if (path.endsWith("/"))
         ret = path.mid(slashLoc, path.length() - slashLoc - 1);
     else
         ret = path.mid(slashLoc);
diff --git a/mythtv/programs/mythlcdserver/lcdprocclient.cpp b/mythtv/programs/mythlcdserver/lcdprocclient.cpp
index b62365ac61b..2d29128c390 100644
--- a/mythtv/programs/mythlcdserver/lcdprocclient.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/programs/mythlcdserver/lcdprocclient.cpp
@@ -2438,7 +2438,7 @@ void LCDProcClient::customEvent(QEvent *e)
     {
         MythEvent *me = (MythEvent *) e;
 
-        if (me->Message().left(21) == "RECORDING_LIST_CHANGE" ||
+        if (me->Message().startsWith("RECORDING_LIST_CHANGE") ||
             me->Message() == "UPDATE_PROG_INFO")
         {
             if (lcd_showrecstatus && !updateRecInfoTimer->isActive())
diff --git a/mythtv/programs/mythtranscode/main.cpp b/mythtv/programs/mythtranscode/main.cpp
index f20a1b09bc3..347f20f3196 100644
--- a/mythtv/programs/mythtranscode/main.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/programs/mythtranscode/main.cpp
@@ -541,7 +541,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
         return QueueTranscodeJob(pginfo, profilename, hostname, useCutlist);
     }
 
-    if (infile.left(7) == "myth://" && (outfile.isEmpty() || outfile != "-") &&
+    if (infile.startsWith("myth://") && (outfile.isEmpty() || outfile != "-") &&
         fifodir.isEmpty() && !cmdline.toBool("hls") && !cmdline.toBool("avf"))
     {
         LOG(VB_GENERAL, LOG_ERR,
diff --git a/mythtv/programs/mythtranscode/transcode.cpp b/mythtv/programs/mythtranscode/transcode.cpp
index 45b94b98bf5..b6b0a4ea0f9 100644
--- a/mythtv/programs/mythtranscode/transcode.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/programs/mythtranscode/transcode.cpp
@@ -644,7 +644,7 @@ int Transcode::TranscodeFile(const QString &inputname,
                 }
             }
 
-            if (encodingType.left(4).toLower() == "mpeg")
+            if (encodingType.startsWith("mpeg", Qt::CaseInsensitive))
             {
                 // make sure dimensions are valid for MPEG codecs
                 newHeight = (newHeight + 15) & ~0xF;
diff --git a/mythtv/programs/mythwelcome/welcomedialog.cpp b/mythtv/programs/mythwelcome/welcomedialog.cpp
index 89d42639bbc..f092608c58c 100644
--- a/mythtv/programs/mythwelcome/welcomedialog.cpp
+++ b/mythtv/programs/mythwelcome/welcomedialog.cpp
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ void WelcomeDialog::customEvent(QEvent *e)
     {
         MythEvent *me = (MythEvent *) e;
 
-        if (me->Message().left(21) == "RECORDING_LIST_CHANGE" ||
+        if (me->Message().startsWith("RECORDING_LIST_CHANGE") ||
             me->Message() == "UPDATE_PROG_INFO")
         {
             LOG(VB_GENERAL, LOG_NOTICE,
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ void WelcomeDialog::customEvent(QEvent *e)
                 setPendingRecListUpdate(true);
             }
         }
-        else if (me->Message().left(15) == "SCHEDULE_CHANGE")
+        else if (me->Message().startsWith("SCHEDULE_CHANGE"))
         {
             LOG(VB_GENERAL, LOG_NOTICE,
                 "MythWelcome received a SCHEDULE_CHANGE event");
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ void WelcomeDialog::customEvent(QEvent *e)
                 setPendingSchedUpdate(true);
             }
         }
-        else if (me->Message().left(18) == "SHUTDOWN_COUNTDOWN")
+        else if (me->Message().startsWith("SHUTDOWN_COUNTDOWN"))
         {
 #if 0
             LOG(VB_GENERAL, LOG_NOTICE,
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ void WelcomeDialog::customEvent(QEvent *e)
             updateStatusMessage();
             updateScreen();
         }
-        else if (me->Message().left(12) == "SHUTDOWN_NOW")
+        else if (me->Message().startsWith("SHUTDOWN_NOW"))
         {
             LOG(VB_GENERAL, LOG_NOTICE,
                 "MythWelcome received a SHUTDOWN_NOW event");