Automatic EPG updates not working

[jcjefferies]

Last year quite a few people including me had trouble with missing EPG data on Freeview and tried moving the update time. You can also try "Nextpvr -updateepgonly" from the command prompt and if that works it can be run as a scheduled event instead of the automatic update

I ended up using EPG Collector to download the broadcast EPG data into an XML file then imported into NextPVR. I never went back to the standard DVB EPG setting in NextPVR because it gave me access to the "Unique Programme ID" which allows you to avoid duplicate recordings.

[boringgit]

Hi,

So what are you thinking in terms of permissions? the system account has write permission in the directory - or so it seems...

What I find odd. is that when I look at the logs, it seems just not to find anything when updating automatically.. (or to find a few things on crappy channels - I always seem to have listings on 2 shopping channels)

What's the deal with epgupdatehour and epgupdatetime? should I change them both or just use the gui?

Cheers

[mvallevand]

Many users with external xmltv files make the mistake of thinking they can write to the Program Files folder, but that shouldn't be the case OTA. It really looks to be the time is the specific time, something new that sub added, the old format is for compatibility.

Martin

[thisheat]

Just wanted to add that I've had the same problem with the current version of NPVR using Schedules Direct, if that helps narrow it down at all. Roughly half the time, listings for (maybe) a few channels, all others blank. Manual update always worked perfectly.

I think you're about right, Mr. Git, in estimating epg update time at ~15 mins. However, when I've been up that late, it seemed the auto update took about the same amount of time.

Need to reup my SD account (not much on in the summer). I'll do it in the next day or two and post logs if the issue occurs. I originally "solved" the problem by disabling auto updates and doing them manually.

edit: Oh geez, I hope your name isn't Bo. If so, my sincerest apologies, Mr. Ringgit.

[mvallevand]

For SD I was having major problems because my PC would go to sleep during the long download. Lao Pan helped me fix this Windows issue here http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php...EPG-update

Martin

[boringgit]

Sorry jcjefferies,

I didnt read your post - I left the browser window open for a few days and I think I replied without seeing it.

The command line method seems to be working! (I would like to recommend baretail as a great log file viewer - I just found it a few weeks ago - same idea as the unix tail command)

However, your epgcollector method sounds much more interesting! How much work was it to implement and have you had to do any updates or is it self sufficient? (I have a habit of getting sucked up by a great idea and creating / modifying complicated scripts, which by the time I need to look at them again I have completely forgotten!)

[boringgit]

Haha thisheat,

It's an old forum name I've used for years, with absolutely no connection to my name

All looks promising now - will check back in a few days and let you know if it still seems to be good!

[jcjefferies]

"Nextpvr -updateepgonly" worked for quite a few people with missing EPG data but we never found out why!

Another EPG option in the UK is to use XMLTV GUI and download the EPG data from Radio Times. I have not used it but as well as more detailed programme info it also generates its own "Unique Programme ID" to avoid duplicate recordings. It doesn’t use the broadcast ID used by PVRs but seems to generate its own from a combination of the Title and the series and episode number.

EPG Collector works on the standard broadcast DVB EPG data but also collects and populates the “unique_ID” in the database from the “<episode_num>” in the EPG collector generated XML file. The broadcast data is in the form “XXXXXX.YYYYYY.0” where “X” is part of the unique “Series_ID” and “Y” is part of the unique Programme_ID. Unfortunately NextPVR doesn’t know about “Series_ID” and treats the entire block of data as the Unique_ID. Luckily my son was able to write me a simple script to process the XML file and deleted all “series_ID” data before it is imported into NextPVR and it has been well working for almost a year. If you were interested in a copy of the script then I would have to check with my son first.

[servalan]

"Nextpvr -updateepgonly" worked for quite a few people with missing EPG data but we never found out why!

Add me to that category - I am happy to help with debugging - just let me know what info is needed. I have recently upgraded to 2.6.2 from 2.0.3. 2.0.3 worked very reliably for epg updates. 2.6.2 doesn't - symptoms: missing epg data + some recurring recordings not making it to the pending queue. A manual 'update epg' from the settings screen fixes all epg ills. I don't understand what the difference is between hitting a button on the GUI & the daily epg update run, but there is.

I have just scheduled a daily 'Nextpvr -updateepgonly' run. If that doesn't fix it - I'll go back to 2.0.3 - I've done it once before after being disappointed with epg wonkiness in newer versions. I need a reliable hands off recording setup.

& no, this isn't a permissions problem.

[Handy.Man]

FYI I ran into a problem with zap2xml a few weeks ago. It kept showing show from old schedule while at http://tvlistings.zap2it.com the schedule had correct information. I delete the cache folder, did an update of EPG and the schedule is now in compliance with http://tvlistings.zap2it.com.