Mapping digital channels to EPG channels

[mmatheny]

Are they all unencrypted though? Most cable providers will only provide the local channels in clear (unencrypted) QAM. All other channels are usually encrypted. I have about 60 QAM channels (150 if you count the music only) but I can only view about 10 of them (my locals).

Believe me, I have a ton of unencrypted digital channels - most SD. I'm sure Comcast will change that so they can start charging for their box so you can't use your built-in digital tuner to watch anything but the locals!

[mmatheny]

Sub - a suggestion for next release - the ability to export and import digital mappings so people in similar areas could share this info, rather than having to go through it all over again (you know, the old reinventing the wheel thingy!)

Is there anyone in the Houston Comcast market that has already gone through this painful process and can share their mappings with me (and others)?

[mmatheny]

Also another question - I assume since there is no - in the tuning capability of GBPVR, that's why every digital station is assigned a whole number? And, once I get the mappings, can I change the channel number that is used to tune that channel so it somewhat matches my cable DVR??

[dennit]

Sub - a suggestion for next release - the ability to export and import digital mappings so people in similar areas could share this info, rather than having to go through it all over again (you know, the old reinventing the wheel thingy!)

I'm in the process of deciding how to map hundreds of channels from multiple DVB-S sat scans, so I know your pain. I've spent a lot of time wandering around inside gbpvr.db3. It's a standard SQL format DB, so you can export and import using widely available SQL tools if you want to get your hands dirty.

Part of the problem is that you have to map tuning data (found in the SCAN CACHE file) to the channel_oid of EPG channels found in a table inside gbpvr.db3. The channel_oid is assigned differently for everyone depending on when/what channels were added/deleted. The channel_oid is mapped to a channel name in another table, but you may get EPG data from Schedules Direct, I may get it from Media Center, and someone else may get it from YAPI or a scraper. They all may use different channel names for the same channel.

I agree that this is certainly something that could use some better tools/utilities to help with the mapping process, but it's probably better suited for a 3rd party to develop, rather than sub. I know sub is working on DVB-S guide for NA sats, which is something that will help (or at least it will help me if I can ever get the new 1.3.x to run)

[whurlston]

Also another question - I assume since there is no - in the tuning capability of GBPVR, that's why every digital station is assigned a whole number? And, once I get the mappings, can I change the channel number that is used to tune that channel so it somewhat matches my cable DVR??

I've got something in the works for this. An online database where people can share this info.

[mmatheny]

How can I tell when visually mapping channels if I'm watching an HD show or not? Does it change somehow in the preview pane??

[mmatheny]

Does the 2250 (or GBPVR) not support PSIP??

[sub]

GB-PVR and the HVR2250 both support PSIP... if its present. The problem is that it is optional with clear QAM broadcasts, so very very few cable operators will transmit any PSIP info. Most cable operators only transmit the PAT and PMT tables, no MGMT/CVCT/TVCT etc that define channel names etc. Instead the cable operators use their own proprietary mechanisms to pass this information to their cable boxes over special encrypted streams.

With over the air ATSC, the PSIP tables are mandatory and available. If the channel names from these PSIP tables match the channel names in your supplied EPG, then GB-PVR will automatically do the mapping for you.

TVs that do clear QAM dont need to worry about this mapping since they dont provide an EPG. This is the equivalent of setting up a GB-PVR capture source, selecting the DVB EPG option, then just ticking which channels you want to keep at the end of the scan - ie, no mapping, but no EPG either.

[whurlston]

Also another question - I assume since there is no - in the tuning capability of GBPVR, that's why every digital station is assigned a whole number? And, once I get the mappings, can I change the channel number that is used to tune that channel so it somewhat matches my cable DVR??

I agree that this is certainly something that could use some better tools/utilities to help with the mapping process, but it's probably better suited for a 3rd party to develop, rather than sub. I know sub is working on DVB-S guide for NA sats, which is something that will help (or at least it will help me if I can ever get the new 1.3.x to run)

I should not have skim read those posts. Have you seen the BDA Migration Wizard? http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?t=36326

If you have one source mapped (or know someone that does) you can export that mapping and import it to your other digital devices. I can't recommend it enough for multiple digital sources.

[steeb]

Indeed, whurlston has said what I wanted to say, before I read his post but I thought I'd back it up