SUB please read RE: Zap2It

[sub]

When you have the 'complete epg reload' option disabled, it does an incremental update similar to that, but not as good.

There is no point in changing any though unless they end up allowing more than three days again.

[UncleJohnsBand]

Sub, regarding the box labeled "complete EPG reload".....
Can you describe the exact behavior of the Zap2It grabber with this box enabled and disabled?

If I turn the complete reload OFF to save some of their bandwidth, I'm mostly concerned about programming changes that won't get picked up... i.e. Does GBPVR update the 'current day' at all, or does it just get one day at the far end of the schedule?

I ask this because that forum mentions that MythTV updates its database in that way... Each day, it grabs TODAY and grabs ONE DAY at the end of the schedule. This seems tricky, but a good way to correct for any late scheduling changes without refreshing the whole schedule each time.

Thanks.

It would be great if it worked this way....I know I have caught a couple of late changes that I was able to overcome by setting a manual recording.....but if the EPG could pick up these late changes that would be nice.

[-stattik-]

I believe the default update time is 3am. Would is be a good idea to set the default time to an off-peak time or to randomize it? The vast majority of gb-pvr uses may not even be aware of what time the EPG updates and may not care, they can always change the time if needed.

[sub]

The default time has not been 3am for a long time. Yours may still say 3am, because you installed it a long time ago and the setting was retained during various upgrades.

[daphatty]

I bet zap2it starts charging for their service. The free version will allow you up to 3 days and anything over 3 days will be $x.xx a month/year. Also, with your zap2it subscription, they will provide OnDemand listings as well as incremental updates for EPG data that changes after you've already downloaded it.

[removes bong from mouth]

*cough*hack*cough*.... What was I saying?

[/removes bong from mouth]

[ram4x4nut]

If No thanks. They need a better overall solution because these things run automated and only about 5% of people using zap2it actually read the forum. The other 95% will think that zap2it doesn't work like it should, only giving them 3 days when they've requested 10.

Then let the people that don't read the forum only get 3 days. Give good users a timeframe that is low bandwidth and let us get 13 days. It's really not that hard.

[Pioneer4x4]

Or assign a time frame to each user. If you don't respond, and correct your settings, drop it down to 3 (Or disable...)

[ydekmekji]

I'm only getting a 24 to 36 hour at a time forward. Does this mean we're at the mercy of Zap2It? Anyone know and/or can think of any other options?

[Tiger11]

I think it is a matter of time before zap2it discontinues this service or starts charging for it. I agree with the person who said that we have to use this wisely (and by we i mean gbpvr, mythtv, xlobby, etc... all users really).

Here is one more way to reduce the bandwidth:
- Make sure you disable any channels you don't get from Zap2it.com web site. Just log on to labs.zap2it.com and disable the channels you don't receive. For example I am subscribed to the basic cable with 30 stations, my lineup appears with 100 channels by default, I disabled all 70 station that are encrypted. I don't get them, why get their program grid? Besides makes GBPVR guide easier to navigate. With digital cable, this is even more obvious.

Sub maybe there is a way to enforce something in GBPVR that prevents users from abusing the zap2it service? Like for example, I don't see why would someone need to update their grid every single day. Why not have it only on even or odd days (random pick)?

For me my box is not connected directly to the internet, so in order for it to get listings my other PC (the one with the internet connection) has to be on. I have the update time at 11:00 am everyday, but it only updates on saturaday as this is the time I am home with my main PC on, the rest of the times there is no internet connection. Once a week works perfect for me.

[Pioneer4x4]

Sub maybe there is a way to enforce something in GBPVR that prevents users from abusing the zap2it service? Like for example, I don't see why would someone need to update their grid every single day. Why not have it only on even or odd days (random pick)?

I like this idea better than limiting # of total days.
Allow 13 day total, but only update every 4 days, same amount of traffic as 3 days done daily, and you would have between 10-13 days of info.

I would not mind a SMALL contribution to zap2it, as long as it was
1) Small (I'd have to think to put a $$ amount on it. Not much though, cable TV costs 50¢ per channel per month, and one is the guide, so maybe $5 a year...)
2) One Time! (I refuse to do subscriptions, they irk me)
3) Reasonable expectation it will not be cancelled overnight.