Additional EPG Matadata

[jasonf]

It's a shame that a lot of the Zap2It metadata is not saved to the database (things like Ratings, Original Air Date, Syndication Show Number, etc).

I realize that a lot of this data is probably not in the EPG data feeds for other countries, and in order to support the lowest common denominator, it's just ignored when the new Zap2It data is imported. However, at least for us blokes in the States, having access to this metadata could help in solving a few problems while developing plugins (especially things like recording new episodes of a show, filtering the guide based on ratings, possibly some limited form of parental controls, etc).

[jorm]

I would love to see more meta data. I would really like to write a plugin that deletes scheduled recordings of repeatsl.

Preferably in the database but if it was in a file that would be fine as well.

[kayleigh]

I'm all for that - I like the way Zip2It color codes certain types of programs (sports, movies, etc.) and says if an episode is a repeat. I don't know if GBPVR captures that metadata, but a plugin wouldn't be *too* hard to write that would "highlight" programs for quick scanning. Like, if I was looking specifically for movies or sports in the TV guide, I could select from some fixed list in the plugin to color sports red and movies a light blue (or something similar), or just highlight new episodes for series. I don't know what the interest is... I haven't seen anyone mention it before.

[jquinlan]

The reason GBPVR does not use the extra metadata is due to XMLTV and other program guides from around the world. Sub had to program for the least amount of information so people in other countries can use the program with thier program guides.

[jorm]

jquinlan,

I absolutely agree, however if the information was still available on the machine in a flat file or an xml file, we can make the plugins aware of the additional information.

I would be willing to write a listener that sub could call that would populate a database with the extra data if enabled in the config.

I understand that most people would not be able to use this. But there could be some plugins that would be "ZapToIt Aware" that can work for the rest of the world and do a little bit more if the extra information is available.

GBPVR would just leave the information around the plugins would do the rest.

Jorm

[sub]

At a later stage I will store some of this additional show/channel information, but its a low priority.

[jquinlan]

jorm,

I agree, it would be nice to have some of that imformation, so a plugin to use it would be great.

Thanks.

[jorm]

Sounds good.

If there I can do to help you with it just let me know.

jorm

[opilion]

Quote[/b] ]At a later stage I will store some of this additional show/channel information, but its a low priority.

I am a long time user of Snapstream, but I would really like to try gbpvr. I think overall, it is a very well architected project (Windows Services, Custom MediaMVP Server, Multiple-Media, Plugins, Skins). Unfortunately, without the ability to record only NEW episodes, I would end up missing some recordings, and recording numerous syndicated episodes of others. Shows often change times or days, so the timeslot option won't work either. If this additional metadata would allow for this functionality, I think it deserves a higher priority. Accurate scheduling of recordings has to be priority #1. Just my $.02

op

[sub]

Quote[/b] ]Accurate scheduling of recordings has to be priority #1

This is the number #1 priority.

Quote[/b] ]Unfortunately, without the ability to record only NEW episodes, I would end up missing some recordings, and recording numerous syndicated episodes of others. Shows often change times or days, so the timeslot option won't work either. If this additional metadata would allow for this functionality, I think it deserves a higher priority.

This thread was primarily talking about other metadata like genre and actors etc, which GB-PVR doesn't currently store. The reality is, this meta data is not available for the vast majority of my users. It is only available for US/Canada customers using zap2it (or very inconsistantly in some XMLTV files). Since this data is usually not available, functionality that relies on it like colour-coded guide is always going to be very low on the priority list.

That said, it does currently store the show-identifer if available (which it is for zap2it listing). It uses this which checking if a each individual show should be included in any season recordings. So, if you are US using zap2it, and you schedule a season recording it will only try to schedule episode you havn't already recorded.