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

[Kevl64]

mmmm just reread thread where folk are mentioning the importance of channel number LCN and the fact that it mustn't be messed with lest it annoys some users.

Maybe a fix to make all happy is a new field called EPG sort number or similar and this column number is the one which orders the EPG.

Might fix many issues and not annoy any.


K

[sub]

If you just scan the channels into a list of 720 as described above then it is impossible (in NPVR) to tell what is what. The column called Source in the channels form just has ellipses in it (it would be better if it said DVB-T or DVB-S).

Currently, when there is only one source for channel, it'll show 'DVB-T' or 'DVB-S' etc. When there is multiple sources, it shows the ellipsis. I guess I could modify this to show (for example) "DVB-T" if there is multiple sources, but they're all DVB-T? or maybe "DVB-T x4" for four DVB-T sources?

[Kevl64]

I guess I could modify this to show (for example) "DVB-T" if there is multiple sources, but they're all DVB-T? or maybe "DVB-T x4" for four DVB-T sources?

I you want to make the form suitable for sorting and filtering then you might consider 3 read only columns called IsDVB-T, IsDVB-S, IsDVB-C etc with tickboxes . The number of separate sources of a particular card e.g. 4DVB-T vs 2DVB-T is less important.

If columns with tickboxes suit the rest of the GUI of the app, consider using same for grouping channels. Adding a groupname adds a column of that name. Putting a tick in the column adds the channel to the group.


Quite tricky this.


K

[imilne]

I personally couldn't give a monkey's about the LCN. If I have 100 channels, then the first one will be "1" and the last one "100" - it's great that NPVR lets you pick your own numbers (but equally good that it can pick up and default to the LCN where available).

For me - and I'm probably in a very small minority here - I'd like nothing more than an easier way to rearrange the channels (eg drag and drop) and a way to auto-assign numbers to them starting at 1 and incrementing...

Iain

[Kevl64]

I personally couldn't give a monkey's about the LCN.

Me neither but I can see that some might want them / care about them so any better ordering mech. must accommodate people who don't want the channel numbers messed with.



In the UK, DVB-T does have a 'standard' LCN but its not one you'd want. Its almost appears random as a result of channels being added over the years. A frequent complaint with set top boxes is that they don't all allow the nonsensical channel order in the EPG to be adjusted - ironically :-). ON DVB-T You can live with it because after the dross channels have been hidden there might only be 50 or so to scroll through.

Freesat doesn't carry an LCN - but I'm certain that if it did its order would also be nonsensical.

For me - and I'm probably in a very small minority here - I'd like nothing more than an easier way to rearrange the channels (eg drag and drop) but also a way to auto-assign numbers to them starting at 1 and incrementing...

I cannot believe you are in a small minority unless.

1. Many folk just pick their favorite 20 channels, hide the rest and use the existing functionality to order this small list.
2. Maybe other countries have better arranged TV transmissions where the LCN etc natuarally sorts stuff out.
3. Maybe other countries have fewer channels but of higher quality TV so fewer dross channels to hide and fewer decent channels to order.

K







K

[sdf]

For my configuration in my country
the problem is not DVB-T (360 channels and LCN arranges almost everything).
The problem is DVB-S Hotbird (1400+ channels).
Merging the two is very difficult (in NextPVR).
Last time it took a whole day to arrange everything.
Bye,
sdf

[sub]

1. Many folk just pick their favorite 20 channels, hide the rest and use the existing functionality to order this small list.

You can do half of this today, in the Settings->Channels->Groups screen, by dragging those 20 channels into a new group. I'm thinking about extending that to allow you to drag and drop within those groups to reorder the channels. This order would then be used whenever that group is selected, like in the TV Guide etc.

The channel numbers would stay the original numbers allocated, and you'd still be free to change those numbers to whatever you like. Didn't seem much sense in have different channel numbers for the same channel when viewed as part of a different group.

[Kevl64]

You can do half of this today, in the Settings->Channels->Groups screen, by dragging those 20 channels into a new group. I'm thinking about extending that to allow you to drag and drop within those groups to reorder the channels. This order would then be used whenever that group is selected, like in the TV Guide etc.

So each group would then have its own EPG sort order.

The group configuring screen must then be significantly changed to allow the 'what is what' visibility when you have e.g SDF's 1400+ channels to fight (as discussed above).

E.g.

Provider
Frequency
IsEncrypted,
IsRadio
IsDVB-T
IsDVB-C
IsDVB-S

Though I guess the user can always choose to hide columns if it gets overwhelming.

Might also need button (or something) for Filter and sort.

I think your drag and drop ordering is superior to the oft used up and down +/- control. With drag and drop you can put the channel anywhere. +/- can take an age on long lists.

Maybe you envisage the existing channels form as the means of working out what is what (and hiding the unwanted)??? and the groups screen a simply the means of populating and ordering the groups?

I guess the key is how the whole channels scan form -> channels form -> channels group form - process is supposed to work.


If filtering was adequate I wonder if you could do it all on one form????



K