Provide a means of exporting and re-importing a CSV file with channel data

[Kevl64]

Current means of editing huge numbers of channels which result from a scan of UK satellite and Terrestrial TV is very slow.

Scan results in 600 channels, many are duplicates, many are encrypted, some are radio. It is very tricky to get these sorted out and numbered etc so that resulting EPG is nicely organized.


Use of the exported XML file using grid view XML editors is better as this allows enough channel info to be seen in the data to work out what is what but since the data is hierarchical it is not as easy as it might be. Also grid view XML editors typically lack the power of spreadsheets for things like sorting data and renumbering by dragging boxes round cells etc.

Best solution would be generation of a CSV file with all channel data flattened (1 row per channel record)

Data could then be trivially attended to in excell or other spreadsheet and then re-imported back into NPVR.

This would turn channel editing from a slow difficult job into a quick easy job.


Given that the data exists in XML form already it might just need an XML to CSV processor.


Superb program by the way. I used it when it was GBPVR moons ago. Its even better now.

K

[sdf]

+1
One of the worst problems in NextPVR that leaves it unusable is channel scanning (some channels are found but are not added to the list) and sorting.
With Dvb-s+dvb-t in europe we have 2000 channels.
In NerxtPVR is nearly impossible to deal with them.
NextPVR should put all scanned channels in a text or flat file and then we could make groups, sorte them, and to favourites as we like.
Another great problem is that the channel list can't be updated with a new scan.
This is bad because channels are moved or changed very often.
We have to scan again at least twice a month.
If I can help to improve, have some ideas.
A simple workaround could be the possibility to import channles list and groups from other backends.
Bye,
sdf

[martint123]

I had made a wishlist request earlier that we can 'blacklist' selected scanned channels so that once flagged they do not appear in any of the scan lists. In the UK that would get rid of a large number of unwanted dross.
Hopefully, sub can find time to think about this.

[sub]

One of the worst problems in NextPVR that leaves it unusable is channel scanning (some channels are found but are not added to the list)

What do you mean? All channels that are found should be added to the list. Those that are already present are shown in gray. Those that are new are shown in black.

Another great problem is that the channel list can't be updated with a new scan.

In what way? Rescanning should update the channels already present, and shown any new additions. Is this not happening for you?

[mvallevand]

Best solution would be generation of a CSV file with all channel data flattened (1 row per channel record)

Why don't you use sqlite to create the csv from the NextPVR, import it into Excel, modify it the why you'd like to see and compress and upload csv and xls files. To tell you the truth I don't have a clue why you think this is easier for most people and this example would help explain it.

Martin

[sub]

I'm unlikely to do anything with exporting/importing channels via CSV files. That isn't user friendly. It'd just be a very niche feature used by a tiny subset of users.

I am open to providing a better screen for managing the channels, but I'd need some clues about the sorts of features you'd need.

[sub]

FYI, the main reason I haven't done anything with dragging and dropping to sort the channel list is because of channel numbers. In NextPVR all the channel have a channel number, and they're sorted in channel number order. If you were to drag channels to different places in the list, you pretty much need to adjust the channel numbers of the channels. That'd be totally unpalatable in most countries, where channels have specific numbers everyone knows them as.

I have read a couple of times that Germans and other large DVB-S users etc don't really care about channel numbers, and are more interested in channel order and channel grouping. This would certainly make a drag drop type UI easier.

[sdf]

I am open to providing a better screen for managing the channels, but I'd need some clues about the sorts of features you'd need.

Thank you, sub.
Some hints:
1) Once channels are scanned, it should be possible to sort not only alphabetically or by found order, but also: By provider and by frequency.
2) it would be nice to add every channel to a group and at the same time to know details of that channel (provider, frequency, dvb-t or dvb-s etc.), i.e., right clicking on it.
3) The channel list should indipendent from scanning and updatable.
4) Scanning should be possible only for some frequencies directly from interface without modifying .ini files: if channels are found, the program should do alternatively a) if channel is already present: nothing; b) if channel is present but different (i.e. sid or other parameters): channel is updated accordingly to new informations; c) if channel is absent: channel is added to the list.
This is what is urgently needed IMHO, don't know what others think.
Thank you,
sdf

[sdf]

Another idea:
If LCN is important you could make it selectable: if someone wants LCn (for example dvb-t in Italy has LCN and is important because every tv has the same channel numbers) chooses it, otherwise is free to choose numbers.
I think that channel number should be free for the user.
Bye,
sdf

[sub]

if channels are found, the program should do alternatively a) if channel is already present: nothing; b) if channel is present but different (i.e. sid or other parameters): channel is updated accordingly to new informations; c) if channel is absent: channel is added to the list.

FYI, that is exactly what the channel scan already tries to do.

Your goals sounds mostly scanning related. Kevl64 sounds like he's more interested in sorting/numbering/etc for display in the TV Guide.