Setting up OTA DVB EPG in the UK

[andyh]

experimented with GBPVR and a PVR 350 a couple of years ago, but stopped using it due to the documented problems with that card.

I've recently bought a win nova-t (90003) and thought I'd try again.

I'm having some problems with the "Map digital channels to EPG channels" - I'm currently trying to use the OTA DVB EPG.

The card is configured to look at Hannigton (correct), 6 channels are scanned with plenty of stations found (some duplicates) but at the end of the 6th channel, the process seems to just hang.

Searching these forums I found some ideas and experimented with bdascan=2, I've downloaded the cyberlink mux and registered it and have also got the latest drivers from hauppauge, I've also removed and reinstalled GBPVR (when all else fails!).

Somewhere along this path I have improved things somewhat, and by the end of last night the scan appeared to have worked and I actually had EPG data downloaded. I was still having problems with rescan (would hang) so I'm not convinced that this is 100% but was pleased at the success.

Q1/ Is the OTA DVB EPG the best way to go? Obviously it is the most elegant solution, but are other people using it successfully in the UK? I did have xmltv configured before so could go back to using that if it is more reliable.

Q2/ I dont understand the comment: "Then select & match up the channels to the EPG data"
Probably being a bit dense here, but after the successfull map, I had 30 or so channels on the LHS of the screen, which I could select or not with a check box and on the RHS the same list of channels appears. Do I need to do anything else on this screen other than select the appropriate check boxes? Is there an easy way to determine which of the (say) 2 BBC1 instances is the one I want?

TIA

Andy

[stefan]

Q2/ I dont understand the comment: "Then select & match up the channels to the EPG data"
Probably being a bit dense here, but after the successfull map, I had 30 or so channels on the LHS of the screen, which I could select or not with a check box and on the RHS the same list of channels appears. Do I need to do anything else on this screen other than select the appropriate check boxes?

Did you click the button "map digital channels to EPG channels"? Any digitral channels found during the scan, and that at the same time had the same name in my EPG source, were automatically mapped. But if the name wasn't the same, I had to click the button and then tell GBPVR which (digital) channel corresponded to which (EPG) channel. Hope I make sense =)

[andyh]

originally posted by stefan

I had to click the button

Thanks for the quick reply stefan - this must be the bit I missed, I noted a check box for each channel, where was the button?

Also what was your EPG source? I'm wondering if this step is only required when NOT using OTA EPG? i.e. if you've used say xmltv to grab the EPG listing.

[stefan]

big huge button in the middle of this dialog box... maybe too big?
http://gbpvr.com/pmwiki/uploads/Config/c...elsBDA.jpg
Granted, I use EPG from xmltv, so I can't really tell what the correct procedure is for OTA EPG data...

[andyh]

I hit the MAP button, then the scan occurs OK, then I select the channels I want with the tick box. It was really your comment

..... then tell GBPVR which (digital) channel corresponded to which (EPG) channel

which made me think there was a manual step to match EPG data to appropriate channel? Perhaps I am trying to make this more difficult than it really is!

Also anyone respond to Q1 about OTA guide in UK?

Thanks

Andy

[stefan]

Well, yes, if the channel name in the epg is not the same as the digital channel name, then there is a manual step involved. If it is already the same, the channel will be mapped automatically =)

[gEd]

Q1/ Is the OTA DVB EPG the best way to go? Obviously it is the most elegant solution, but are other people using it successfully in the UK? I did have xmltv configured before so could go back to using that if it is more reliable.

I found it too slow (when running it manually) and unreliable, leaving gaps in the schedule.

I found alan birtles xmltv works better (and gives 14 day schedule).

Q2/ I dont understand the comment: "Then select & match up the channels to the EPG data"

When you use a deperate EPG, the channel names may be different from how the tuner names them. So you have to map BBC 1 (from EPG) to BBC ONE the dvb channel.

Do I need to do anything else on this screen other than select the appropriate check boxes? Is there an easy way to determine which of the (say) 2 BBC1 instances is the one I want?

No, this all you need to do. Ignore the channels with (1) in the name - they have no sound.

hth

[andyh]

Thanks gEd, that all makes some sense - my evening is mapped out!

[djtaylor]

I couldn't use it at all with any effect due to not picking up any shows whatsoever for a number of channels. At least with the xml file I have a degree of control.

David.

[andyh]

Questions at the top

1/ Does anyone get the EPG for the freeview "Oneword" radio program? I seem to see no data at all. (XMLTV grabber)
2/ Any idea why I should get chipmonk sound on this channel when all others, radio and TV are fine?

Apart from that all is well

Some comments:

I tested the OTA EPG but as others (thanks gEd, David) have commented you do end up with gaps so I've gone back to the xmltv grabber. Wow this seems to have moved on a bit since I last used it - fantastic.

Now when using an already gathered EPG the configuration process logic all makes sense .....

- Capture an external EPG
- map the EPG, which forces a scan and matches all the channels that are identically named
- manually select the rest

However when you are using the OTA EPG, and you edit the capture device for the first time, you have no EPG (ofcourse, no scan has been done).
The "Map digital channels to EPG channels" does both, and since the channels information is from 1 source there is no need to do any manual mapping. This is where I was getting confused. When using OTA you just hit the MAP button, and once its finished select the channels that you want to use. Easy but slightly different.

What was causing me grief was that, after the scan, of the 6 channels, which would find all the stations, the process was hanging when trying to display a TV channel. I've since found that this is to do with the Video decoder I was using. If I chose Intervideo then no problem, but any of the other decoders seem to cause the problem.

Strange thing is that I can select any of them once the configuration process has completed and they all appear to work. Still my main interest is recording since the programs will be watched via my snazio box.

Recorded and watched my first program last night - worked flawlessly so very pleased - thanks for all the great work Sub

Just need to find some more disk space now ......