Freeview HD EPG!!??

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ShaneT

62 posts

Master Geek

#28923 16-Dec-2008 13:16

Hi,

Sorry of this has been talked about already as there does seem to be a bit about Freeview EPG workarounds
However, although I have my Freeview HD EPG working in Mediaportal via an .xml file... What I really want to know is, "Why the hell doesn't it just work like any other off-the-shelf decoder using the digital terrestrial link??"... Why do I have to download an .xml file rather than it just getting the info via UHF??? ...don't have to download an .xml for my Zinwell decoder every bl00dy week... so why is it necessary with HTPC setups???

Would love someone to shed some light on this for me! 8)

cheers
Shane

wellygary

8312 posts

Uber Geek

#184508 16-Dec-2008 13:23

Because the "middleware" that Freeview uses called "MHEG5", this is not in widespread use yet, so most software HTPC setups cant read it.
THe UK are now using it for their HD freeview, so it should become mainstream and software should get tweaked for it, but there are competing standards, so I expect that software providers are waiting for the dust to settle before coding for wach system.

You should be able to read the standard "whats on now" data, along with the "coming up next" for each channel as

dolsen

1476 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#184537 16-Dec-2008 14:42

As has been explained, it's because the guide format is not a system that has been coded for yet. Having said that, I can't say it's been a problem for me as, once you set up the scheduled task, you never have to worry about it again.

Your post makes it seem that you are manually downloading it, which, I admit, would be a pain. Perhaps - assuming that my assumption is correct, you could set up the task to run automatically?

I just use the guide downloader that has been covered on this website - from mental industries or something like that (apologies if I have it wrong). Pretty easy to set up - and then, no more issues.

ShaneT

62 posts

Master Geek

#184567 16-Dec-2008 16:00

wellygary:

dolsen:

Thanks guys for your explanations ...that's the info I was after... much appreciated

As for 'downloading it every week' ...I just set up the scheduler last night to take care of this - doing so just re-sparked my question, being 'why?' ....

thanks

mentalinc

3225 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#184597 16-Dec-2008 17:46

dolsen:

I just use the guide downloader that has been covered on this website - from mental industries or something like that (apologies if I have it wrong). Pretty easy to set up - and then, no more issues.

You can find an application I wrote and a guides to set it up here:
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?ForumId=83&TopicId=20400

Once you set up the scheduled task just forget about it and it will do its thing.

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ShaneT

62 posts

Master Geek

#185690 22-Dec-2008 15:04

mentalinc:
dolsen:

I just use the guide downloader that has been covered on this website - from mental industries or something like that (apologies if I have it wrong). Pretty easy to set up - and then, no more issues.

You can find an application I wrote and a guides to set it up here:
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?ForumId=83&TopicId=20400

Once you set up the scheduled task just forget about it and it will do its thing.

Cheers mentalinc, yours is the program I'm using... now that I have scheduled regklar updates, everything is sweet as - many thanks!!!

My gripe was more at 'why not DVB EPG?', rather than a swing at an xml solution.... which again, works great now it's setup correctly

cheers