UltraPlus X-9200HD EPG (UHF Only)

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ColinS

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#110637 12-Oct-2012 20:32

I'm considering picking up a UltraPlus X-9200HD with 2 DVB-T tuners (I don't have a satellite dish, and don't want one!)
I see that there have been issues with the full 7 day EPG + series link only being available via the Satellite service.
Is this correct? or is there some other way of obtaining there features without a satellite tuner.

Thanks
Colin

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#700456 12-Oct-2012 22:30

ColinS:
I see that there have been issues with the full 7 day EPG + series link only being available via the Satellite service.

Thanks
Colin

Don't know where you saw that.
I get 7day EPG + Series Link on my Panasonic BW880 OK.
The UHF tuners in the 9200 shouldn't be any different?
Also get some but not all on my HVR2200 in the PC. However that's a problem with the Hauppage software I'm using and not Freeview.

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#700514 13-Oct-2012 08:56

Having given it further thought, it probably doesn't matter what tuners are installed, it depends on what the firmware does with the information coming out of them.
Maybe those with a 9200 could enlighten us?

Gilco2

1556 posts

Uber Geek

#700529 13-Oct-2012 09:42

I have the 9200 but only on satellite. However I doubt you would get the full epg with uhf tuners. Has nothing to do with the tuners. In New Zealand Freeview broadcast the MHEG5 epg. Not many receivers support the mheg5 apart from the freeview certified units.

HTPC Intel Pentium G3258 cpu, Gigabyte H97n-wifi motherboard, , 8GB DDR3 ram, onboard graphics. Hauppuage HVR 5500 tuner, Silverstone LC16M case, Windows 10 pro 64 bit using Nextpvr and Kodi

gustov

197 posts

Master Geek

#702579 17-Oct-2012 15:58

I have an X-9200 with one Terrestrial and one Satellite tuner installed.

The Terrestrial tuner receives only the EPG for the current and next programme - or up to a maximum of about three hours in advance. This is because the Terrestrial tuner in the X-9200 is manufactured to decode the EPG in the more (internationally) common EIT format, not the less internationally common MHEG-5 EPG format that Freeview NZ choose to transmit the EPG in.

The Satellite tuner receives the full 8-day EPG because on Freeview Satellite the EPG is transmitted in both EIT and MHEG-5 formats.

You have to ask yourself why Freeview NZ do not transmit the Terrestrial EPG in EIT format, like they already do on their satellite platform. If they did, then all the other non-certified terrestrial STB's would pick up the EPG.

MHEG5 allows for a common EPG "look and feel" across different brands of STB but it also slows down the response of the receiver to channel changes and to view EPG information.

I can use the 8-day Satelitte EPG to book a programme and have it record via the terrestrial tuner, but if you buy the X-9200 with two terrestrial tuners you won't have this option available - you will be limited to the EPG showing only the next couple of hours.

You need to consider buying a Freeview certified twin tuner box if you want the full 8-day terrestrial EPG.

Regarding the series link feature, it does work on the terrestrial tuner, but as only 2-3 hours of EPG is visible at any one time you would have to leave your STB switched to that channel permanently in order to "capture" the programme listing within the brief 2-3 hour window. Not really practical, I feel.

Series Link is overated in NZ because so many of our channels over-run their programme times that you risk losing the ending of a show, although you can set it up to automatically extend recording time, but it will apply to every programme set up to record.

PimpMyMagic

267 posts

Ultimate Geek

#702891 18-Oct-2012 13:00

gustov: Series Link is overated in NZ because so many of our channels over-run their programme times that you risk losing the ending of a show, although you can set it up to automatically extend recording time, but it will apply to every programme set up to record.

I disagree. Most decent PVRs provide pre and post extensions of EPG times on an individual recording entry basis.

Further, I think series link cannot be over rated given the way our Freeview broadcasters' programme schedulers change times on a whim, governed by commercial initiatives (like ratings).

They show little concern for viewer convenience.

gustov

197 posts

Master Geek

#702920 18-Oct-2012 13:34

PimpMyMagic:
gustov: Series Link is overated in NZ because so many of our channels over-run their programme times that you risk losing the ending of a show, although you can set it up to automatically extend recording time, but it will apply to every programme set up to record.

I disagree. Most decent PVRs provide pre and post extensions of EPG times on an individual recording entry basis.

Please re-read my posting. My comment about lack of time adjustments being available related to Series Link programming feature for the X-9200 only, not regular EPG programming. The X-9200 allows adjustment to the start and end times for routine EPG programming. It does not allow any individual programme adjustment of start and end times if the Series Link option is selected. There is a menu that allows for a global change to start and end times, but as I wrote earlier, it applies to every recording that is booked.

Further, I think series link cannot be over rated given the way our Freeview broadcasters' programme schedulers change times on a whim, governed by commercial initiatives (like ratings).

They show little concern for viewer convenience.

Series Link is a disappointing and frustrating experience in New Zealand because broadcasters constantly overrun the publisshed times they upload into the EPG - and it is that which determines the start and finish time of a programme.

Also, even with a good signal (85% plus), the EPG is sometimes corrupted and instead of the programme name being displayed correctly it will display a word such as "null" instead of the programme title. When this happens the Series Link feature will miss recording your programme

And if you relied on Series Link for any programme on Choice TV or Cue TV you will end up with multiple copies of the exact same episode being recorded because those channels repeats the same episode many times throughout the week.

The theory behind Series-Link recording is excellent but in practice it is ruined by the broadcasters failing to stick to their scheduled programme times. It is much easier just to set a favourite programm to record every week at the same time, and add 5-10 minutes extra on to the end.