For those who just need Freeview epg channels and are using Big Screen EPG you may like me have struggled with the zipped format at http://nzepg.org/.
I initially pointed Big Screen EPG to the new url but it couldn't parse the file. To get the file uncompressed you need two freeware programmes, Wget and Gzip available here: http://www.gzip.org/ and here: http://users.ugent.be/~bpuype/wget/.
I put these files in a directory and used this batch file as an automated task to download and unzip the epg file:
While that is good you were able to get it working (I previously used the same method), rvangelder has actually made it even more simple for us to keep the Freeview EPG up to date:
The files contained within are all you need to get setup. Just create a scheduled task to run FreeviewToXMLTV.exe and it handles all the downloading and extracting of the XML file. I believe it gathers all the data off the Freeview web-site's own online EPG, so as long as Freeview is alive then this method is pretty fullproof.
Ceecees: I believe it gathers all the data off the Freeview web-site's own online EPG, so as long as Freeview is alive then this method is pretty fullproof.
It does gather data from Freeview's website. So long as Freeview continues to host the xml files, and the xml content doesn't change shape (new attributes, such as categories), then it'll be ok.
I pay for SKY and have 2 decoders controlled by VMC, so I'm entitled to the guide data - and don't want to be confined to the in-flexible My-Sky unit, so considering my investment I pissed off. I'm going to make an official complaint to sky and see what can be done 'officially' but from what I understand, they just want a measly $3000 per year for the use of their EPG data.
Is there a large enough community to fund this amount? If so we could probably setup an official HTPC EPG source. Say 1500 people paying $2 a year?
Kellysu: I pay for SKY and have 2 decoders controlled by VMC, so I'm entitled to the guide data - and don't want to be confined to the in-flexible My-Sky unit, so considering my investment I pissed off. I'm going to make an official complaint to sky and see what can be done 'officially' but from what I understand, they just want a measly $3000 per year for the use of their EPG data.
Is there a large enough community to fund this amount? If so we could probably setup an official HTPC EPG source. Say 1500 people paying $2 a year?
Interested in your feedback.
Where did you get $3,000 per year from?
I'll tell you what. Get a contract from Sky for their EPG at $3,000 per annum and I'll sign up and give you my $2. And if I still have my same set up next year I'll give you another $2. Now all you need is another 1,498 people...
If that's true, then at $1 a week, you'd need just 58 subscribers at $1 a week. (58 * 52 > 3000). The trouble is, you'd probably need another source from TVNZ, and yet another source from Mediaworks.
If that were the price, I'd expect a waaay better quality EPG than is being spewed out via EIT. TV3's is pretty good, but I'd be looking at completing as many of the W7MC fields as possible.
Hi, I actually read from somewhere about 5 years ago when XMLTVNZ was the only option (I've been using Epgstream more recently) that $3000 was the $$ skytv were asking for legitimate EPG data, but no-one was prepared to cough up at that time.
I've just been in touch with SKY and have put forward an official request for EPG data in XML with the intention of being a paid subscriber for that data. The questions remain, How much will it cost and will they actually do it. I'll find out soon.
I've also told them that many kiwis with expensive home automation systems are without EPG data thanks to their recent efforts to squash the xmlepg community, meaning many sky customers who have shelled out thousands for their setups are suffering. I also told them that I will cease to be a sky customer if they cannot provide what I need. I'm sure they don't care, but that's my position.
If it were just a small fee to pay for the license, then why isn't the EPG supported natively by Microsoft within Windows Media Centre (as an example)?
Can you imagine Microsoft calling skytv in NZ and asking for EPG data? I don't think MS have ever been too conerned with EPG or MCE uptake in NZ. If MS were interested in NZ they could buy skytv with the change in their back pocket, so I don't think money would be the deterrant in this case.
Anyway I see where you're coming from, but it's just guide data so what's the big deal? I already get it in my decoder, and pay a sky subscription. Let's see what they come back with, will keep you posted.
dklong: OK. Just in case there is anybody out there as thick as me...
...I'm sure you lot all knew this all along but...
Thanks for making the post dklong. I never knew it was so simple either, and now I have a simple batch file that downloads the file.
I dunno how we do this... maybe make a sticky or something... but it took me a couple of hours to wade through the forums and then implement the easiest solution.
I know I could download FreeviewToXMLTV, and setup XMLTVNZ, but it just seems so much more simple to have a 2 line batch file.
Anyway, i'm all fixed now and wifey is happy... so I'm happy :)
Kellysu: Can you imagine Microsoft calling skytv in NZ and asking for EPG data? I don't think MS have ever been too conerned with EPG or MCE uptake in NZ. If MS were interested in NZ they could buy skytv with the change in their back pocket, so I don't think money would be the deterrant in this case.
Mike Hayton, a Microsoft guy in the Media Center team, regularly visits this forum and contributes a lot of technical advice. It's clear, at least to me, that Microsoft does care about MCE uptake in NZ. Microsoft are not the bad guys here.
Thanks for your unnecessary negative spin on my post. I must clarify: I didn't mean that Microsoft don't care about NZ in general, but specifically about SkyTV EPG. MS have the money to address the issue, but it's not a big enough problem for them to do so otherwise why wouldn't they? From that perspective they don't care enough. I'm not anti-microsoft, in fact far from it - I own an IT company who is a Microsoft Partner and am 100% pro-microsoft. But I'm also realistic about the demographics.
rvangelder: ...It's clear, at least to me, that Microsoft does care about MCE uptake in NZ. Microsoft are not the bad guys here.
That's the way I see it. Sky wants to us to use mySky. So, by removing general access to the EPG, our options are limited. I know my PVR would not be much fun without the EPG, but I am not getting mySky. If the EPG goes, so does my Sky sub. They could be doing me a favour :-)
Does anyone know why is there no EPG in Windows Media Centre in the first place?
I realized today that the EPG NZ wasn't working, thanks SKY
I use EyeTV and like to get my EPG using XML rather than DVB I managed to write a small toll that grabs listings for al freeview channels and converts it into XMLTV format. I have posted the latest 7 day EPG at http://files.me.com/cmsmiths/eesmju (ZIPped)
I will get this updated every day under the same link and try to get a proper site going in the long run Hope this helps some of you.
D
Works good for me. However, I tried to change the info in my script to download it automatically and it doesn't work anymore... Any help there for someone who doesn't know what half of you are talking about?
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