Canada users... (or anyone who gets listings in MCE)

[whurlston]

just what i was wondering about...my MCE lets me have multiple lineups,[analog/digital] but that's probably cuz i have a dual tuner card..[hvr-1600] and uses both at same time no problem..
i just know how different Vista can be and wanted to make sure there wasn't anything that might prevent it from being used on MCE2k5, before you got too into it..
this will probably be the most reliable, as Vista does use the same data source, and i don't see them changing it for quite some time..
i bet M$ paid for the 'unlimited' use deal...shouldn't be any problems as this will look to them exactly like a regular MCE user..

MCE actually only uses one lineup. It reads the atscprefs.xml and matches the digital callsigns to analog channels making it look like you get multiple lineups This utility will allow you to actually select the guide that MCE downloads.

Here's a test for anyone who is interested. I'm really curious if it works on MCE05. I want to make sure the NameSpaces etc. that I am using are backwards compatible.

WARNING: THIS WILL CHANGE THE GUIDE USED IN MCE.

It can easily be set back but I have to warn you ahead of time anyway.

How it works (or should):

Place the exe in your "C:\Windows\ehome" directory and run it.
Enter your Postal Code and Country code (US, CA, etc).
Click the "Get Providers" and wait for the provider list to populate.
Select the provider you want.
Click "Get Guide Listings" and wait for the channel list to populate. It will not be immediate as it is downloading the latest guide listings first.

This will not actually show the listing or export them yet, but you will see the newly selected guide in MCE.

[pBS]

i ran it on a MCE machine setup with local channels only and nothing happened...no error, nada...just quits quietly..quickly..
i know they changed some stuff in Vista so glad we can test it cuz most users will have xp MCE not vista..

[whurlston]

I was just coming to mention that

It seems that if you select the same lineup that you have currently set, there is some type of check on the file version or timestamp and it will not download a new one if it is not out of date. If you select a different lineup, it will perform the download and then you can reselect your original lineup and it will download it.

I have not been able to find anything regarding the file check so I have no way of firing an event if it doesn't download because of it. So I'm adding a check of my own and if the selected lineup is the same as the currently configured lineup, it will skip the download process and move on to processing the file. MCE should take care of the regular downloads anyway.

If you decide to use multiple lineups, it will process your currently configured lineup last so that it ensures a download and also sets the MCE configuration back.

[pBS]

ok, but i never get to the part about selecting anything..
should i just go change the current lineup in MCE and see if it will run? i'd gladly select a different lineup if i saw the dialog..
i'm not even sure it's actually running...are there any dependencies?
[there was just one file in the zip]
my MCE machine has fully populated epg and records fine...fairly fresh install..but has .net2

[HTPCGB]

I set up Vista Ultimate in Virtual PC 2007 and gave the grabber a go. It produces the following error when I click "get providers". Any clue to what it means?

[whurlston]

pBS: It should only require .net 2.0 and MCE. I'll set up an 05 machine to see what's happening.

HTPCGB: Can you pm me with the postal code you are using?

[zehd]

Guys, this is a little off topic, but...

What are the pay options for Canadian data?

Could you direct me to the thread?

[mvallevand]

I set up Vista Ultimate in Virtual PC 2007 and gave the grabber a go. It produces the following error when I click "get providers". Any clue to what it means?

I get the same error in Vista Home Premium. I tried postal codes from across Canada. Whurlston which do you use? Also is the format import ie does it matter about case or the space? I tried various combinations but it would limit what I have to test.

Edit: I tried again after configuring MCE (I don't use it) and it worked. What's cool is that it allowed me to configure add the digital guide which MCE wouldn't.

Martin

[whurlston]

Guys, this is a little off topic, but...

What are the pay options for Canadian data?

Could you direct me to the thread?

sorry zeh. I don't know of any.

I get the same error in Vista Home Premium. I tried postal codes from across Canada. Whurlston which do you use? Also is the format import ie does it matter about case or the space? I tried various combinations but it would limit what I have to test.

Edit: I tried again after configuring MCE (I don't use it) and it worked. What's cool is that it allowed me to configure add the digital guide which MCE wouldn't.

Martin

I thought that might be the issue. Thanks for confirming that.

[mvallevand]

I thought that might be the issue. Thanks for confirming that.

No problem, I'll follow the thread and do what I can to help.

Martin