US OTA Guide

[SNielson]

I have read other discussions and understand there is a distaste for the limited amount of guide data many stations in the US broadcast. It's a difference of thinking of the guide as a one-time file download versus a constantly updating stream.

My previous job was an engineer at a commercial TV station. I managed 4 PSIP servers that injected the guide data into the ATSC signal in 3 states. I no longer have a hand in these machines. I do still have an affection for this freely available data that stations broadcast.

Many stations do only put out 6 hours. In my TV market I see some doing 24 hours. The down side of putting out more hours, is the number of PIDs increase along with the data used. This means a smaller bit-rate available for video quality. It's small, but does have to be considered.

The PSIP system that is broadcast does allow stations to put out a very up to date guide. It can be tweaked and immediately affect the guide going out. Though most just download the guide from the guide data service and forget to modify it. There was a time when the FCC was pushing for stations to tie the PSIP system into their automation playlist. The plan was that if a program ran long (sports) the guide would always be current. Ultimately they backed off though. The technology wasn't there and it didn't help satellite and cable systems.

Personally, I don't have trouble with stations only putting out 6 hours of guide. When I sit down on the couch, I'm just trying to see what is on now or in the next few hours.

I have two thoughts that would improve the guide experience for those of us that use the free broadcast guide.

1) When a tuner is locked onto a broadcast signal, there should be some EIT and ETT tables present. Act a little surprised and go "wow, that is real guide data I'm seeing, I should grab a copy and do something with it in case somebody wants to see it." Again, think of ATSC guide as a constantly available and constantly updating live stream. Not a once a day file download. This is what the other (non-computer) TVs in my house do.

2) Give Nextpvr the option to update the guide more than once per day. Maybe there are implication because you need an available tuner that is not being watched or recorded. I do have 3 tuners though. Usually one is available.

Thanks for the good work on this project and letting me throw my 2 cents in.

Scott

[ga_mueller]

Seriously, just get Schedules Direct, Scott

[sub]

Honestly, with only 6 hours of listings, it's still kind of useless not being able to see what's on tomorrow or the next day, or for the app being able to plan ahead of time for what will be recording.

[martint123]

Most of the time I don't watch live TV except for the news. Over the years of using sub's software I have got used to watching what I want when I want.
A longer EPG allows me to have a look for what I may want to watch during the coming week or so during a quiet spell.

[mvallevand]

The SD data also provides a lot more things then the OTA guide for people who record shows, like Season Episode data the subtile (not always present), the New flag great for not recording old shows, movie year, plus listings actors, cast directors etc.

Martin

[p37307]

I like to schedule shows and movies ahead of time. Once or twice a week I take on the task of looking. I have to have the data to see them to be able to do that. I don't want to miss something if I'm not right in front of the TV or computer and I don't want to search TitanTV and make a general time based recording in advance.

OTA epg is fine for people who just watch now. Kind of defeats the purpose of having a PVR if it's just to record conflicting shows that are on only when I am in front of a TV or computer.

Not to mention all the extra stuff like Martin said.