NZ MHEG5 data being discontinued

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SJB

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#173834 8-Jun-2015 11:36

I have heard a rumour that the NZ MHEG5 EPG data is to be discontinued although I don't know what the timeframe might be. It's probably tied in with the introduction of FreeviewPlus.

Some terrestrial users have already had to switch to different frequencies to collect EPG data and this may be the first step in the process.

The good news is that 7 days of EIT data is now being broadcast on terrestrial. I don't know if it is for all channels and the text is encoded in the same way as UK FreeSat (so if you use EPG Collector you need to set the 'Use FreeSat Huffman tables.... ' option on the Advanced tab to decode it) but it maybe worth trying a 'test' collection to see if it works for you rather than waiting until the day the MHEG5 data disappears.

andrewNZ

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#1319317 8-Jun-2015 12:17

Hmmm, sounds pretty positive. MHEG5 has been a PITA from the beginning.

Does it mean regular TV only users won't be forced to use their terrible EPG fromat?

Oblivian

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#1319342 8-Jun-2015 12:49

Panasonic recently pushed out updates to 'align' their EPG with new encoding and format (which broke some older non FV certified devices) So potentially all related to squash up more data into the stream with newer methods to get to 8 days of usable.

I don't think I ever use the guide on my TV but rather the tvnz listing page

Cloudy

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#1319395 8-Jun-2015 13:59

Are you saying the guide that we can get via the tv/ set top box remote won't work? We use it all the time, it works great.

Oblivian

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#1319413 8-Jun-2015 14:24

Cloudy: Are you saying the guide that we can get via the tv/ set top box remote won't work? We use it all the time, it works great.

The 'pretty' version if it is FV certified, where you have to wait for it to load is the MHEG5 app. And usually has a preview window in the corner with current channel, and full channel logos and shows for the next 8 days.

There is also a standard EIT data which is for 2 shows ahead, that the popup menus often use to display. It's likely to be this simple one that is switching to 8-day and be shown instead.

freitasm

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#1319421 8-Jun-2015 14:39

Yes!

Windows Media Centre again the best option all around...

Cloudy

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#1319422 8-Jun-2015 14:40

Oblivian:
Cloudy: Are you saying the guide that we can get via the tv/ set top box remote won't work? We use it all the time, it works great.

The 'pretty' version if it is FV certified, where you have to wait for it to load is the MHEG5 app. And usually has a preview window in the corner with current channel, and full channel logos and shows for the next 8 days.

There is also a standard EIT data which is for 2 shows ahead, that the popup menus often use to display. It's likely to be this simple one that is switching to 8-day and be shown instead.

Ah, OK, Thanks for that. Wouldn't want to be looking at new equipment yet again.

ech3lon

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#1319444 8-Jun-2015 14:49

freitasm: Yes!

Windows Media Centre again the best option all around...

Which is going to be retired in WIn 10, wonder if there are workarounds to keep it when upgrading from Win 7.

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freitasm

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#1319455 8-Jun-2015 15:03

Windows 7 end of support is 2020. By then my HDHomerun will probably be ancient museum pieces...

In my case my HTPC is running Windows 7 for the foreseeable future.

Oblivian

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#1319457 8-Jun-2015 15:07

This explains the garbage on our old HDD recorder..

During the third week of December 2014, TVNZ tested using the same Huffman look-up tables the BBC implemented to force viewers to use approved Freeview receivers that restrict HD recording and viewing. The Huffman tables are being used to compress the EIT text used for terrestrial schedule event names and descriptions. From March 2015, TVNZ began compressing the EIT schedule again. Compressing the EIT text in the schedule would not achieve the same receiver use given the terrestrial EIT only has limited programme details. Receivers that don't use the BBC huffman tables will either display no details or display garbage characters.

SJB

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#1320930 10-Jun-2015 09:58

Looks like the rumour was wrong. I've had it confirmed that MHEG5 EPG is staying for the foreseeable future. The comments about EIT broadcasts are correct though.

I think the problem some users have had with EPG Collector lately might be related to the introduction of FreeviewPlus. This has added another type of MHEG5 data (another MHEG5 carousel) to the broadcast and older versions of EPGC might pick it up by mistake to try to collect the EPG.

The latest version of EPGC (v4.2 with fixpack 6) has code in it to ensure the correct MHEG5 data is used so if you experience problems upgrade to this version.

lxsw20

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#1320932 10-Jun-2015 10:01

This is great, I can finally use the record features built in to my TV :)

joshhill96

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#1320937 10-Jun-2015 10:04

MHEG 5 Here to stay, Definitely a rumor perhaps someone was confused with the Australian Announcement, their Freeview MHEG service will shut down http://www.freeview.com.au/about-us/news-press-releases/freeview-announcement-sunset-mheg/

Formerly worked at iStore NZ (Rest in Peace), Sky Network Television, Freeview, Apple, Spark New Zealand Trading Limited, DISH TV Technologies.

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