plugin for EPG/EIT - is it possible?

[pvruser]

With all this confusion about zap2it going away i was wondering if gbpvr plugins could work to grab the EPG from the EIT. i did some reading and it doesnt appear too hard to implement at least by looking at some public specs.

the only question is how to access the tv stream while watching the channel/recording or at least while offline (not recording/watching live).

thanks!

[sub]

DVB users can already get the EIT listings. For US digital systems though, the majority of broadcasters transmit less than 12 hours of listings, so its next to useless - and not worth the hassle in my book.

[pvruser]

what about TVGOS data stream? will that ever be supported? or at least will other programmers be able to write plugins for ATSC EIT/TVGOS?

[sub]

To be honest, I dont see myself ever adding support for parsing these EPG systems from the stream (seems of limited value from what I've read, and difficult to implement from here in New Zealand given we dont use this system).

In theory a plugin developer can get this info from the stream in GB-PVR by developing a multidec plugin. These have full access all the data coming from the capture device.

[pvruser]

To be honest, I dont see myself ever adding support for parsing these EPG systems from the stream (seems of limited value from what I've read, and difficult to implement from here in New Zealand given we dont use this system).

In theory a plugin developer can get this info from the stream in GB-PVR by developing a multidec plugin. These have full access all the data coming from the capture device.

ok i guess i'll wait and see what happens with the free EPG alternatives after z2i closes.

[fbachofner]

To be honest, I dont see myself ever adding support for parsing these EPG systems from the stream (seems of limited value from what I've read, and difficult to implement from here in New Zealand given we dont use this system).

Too bad you don't have Guide+ in New Zealand. The value is actually fairly good.

First, it's free and legal to use in PVRs (assuming the TV tuner hardware supports it)!
Second, it works even if the internet connection to the computer is down.
Third, it provides 7 days of data (unlike the guide that digital channels seem to carry -- 10 hours, maybe?)
Fourth, it seems more accurate than Zap2It (of course, so does TitanTV and Yahoo! -- I could never understand this, though . . . doesn't all the data come from the broadcasters themselves?!).


I hope that some genius plugin author comes up with a solution -- this would benefit any user that wanted it in the US, Japan and a LOT of Europe (see http://www.europe.guideplus.com/En/help/...nnels.html )

[sub]

First, it's free and legal to use in PVRs (assuming the TV tuner hardware supports it)!

I'm fairly sure your first point is incorrect. Its encrypted, and software using that data is supposed pay a license fee to Gemstar, so not something I could legally include with GB-PVR anyway. Same story for TVGOS.

Also:

Guide+ was discontinued by Gemstar in June 2004, and soon afterwards, Thomson dropped the Guide+ features from all RCA and GE television sets made afterward.
However, Guide+ in America has now been replaced by Gemstar with a similar service (delivered in the same fashion via VBI like Guide+), called TV Guide On Screen [2]. A small amount of televisions, DVD recorders, and digital video recorders are now being released with TV Guide On Screen capabilities. The Guide+ name & service is still used in Europe by Gemstar. (The same service is known in Japan as G-Guide).

[fbachofner]

Hi Sub:

I'm fairly sure your first point is incorrect. Its encrypted, and software using that data is supposed pay a license fee to Gemstar, so not something I could legally include with GB-PVR anyway. Same story for TVGOS.

As I understand it, Guide+ (now Gemstar in the US, as you correctly pointed out) licensing is paid for through the chips that decode the signal transmitted in the VBI. In other words, the license has already been paid by hardware manufacturers implementing these chips in their devices.

This may, however, very well be an incorrect analysis of not-too-extensive reading I did on the topic quite some time ago.

Also, please do not infer that I think GBPVR should in anyway run afoul of license agreements.

I do, however, remain amazed that tv listings seem to be out of (free) reach by PVR systems. There has got to be some way! Indeed, if memory serves, the FCC mandates that broadcasters provide scheduling information for free.

I suppose it might be the aggregation of such info into a single convenient that creates the unwelcome costs . . .

[kayleigh]

I do, however, remain amazed that tv listings seem to be out of (free) reach by PVR systems. There has got to be some way! Indeed, if memory serves, the FCC mandates that broadcasters provide scheduling information for free.

I suppose it might be the aggregation of such info into a single convenient that creates the unwelcome costs . . .

I think you hit it. The FCC may mandate that schedules are supplied for free by broadcasters, but I don't think it mandates they have to distribute them for free to viewers. So, businesses get the listings, compile them and make money.

Free markets, gotta love them.

[fbachofner]

Hi kayleigh:

I think you hit it. The FCC may mandate that schedules are supplied for free by broadcasters, but I don't think it mandates they have to distribute them for free to viewers. So, businesses get the listings, compile them and make money.

Free markets, gotta love them.

Actually the broadcasters *DO* have to "distribute" the schedules to viewers.

It is NOT just good business for broadcasters to provide station ID's and "up next at 9E+P/8C House," it is actually mandated.

The problem is, I'm pretty sure the law does NOT require broadcasters to provide a public XML feed or other data source that is NOT broadcast over the air (i.e. on the same spectrum licensed to the broadcaster).

The law probably gets even MORE complicated with NON-OTA "broadcasters" such as cable-ONLY stations (i.e. those who do NOT consume public airwaves).

YES, free markets are the best! But regulations come with access to publicly owned resources (such as the TV frequency spectrum).

I think such regulations should be updated reasonably often to take into account new technologies. Why NOT require broadcasters to provide a public data feed (of their schedule -- and maybe even of the content?!) over the internet? That would be one "cost" of access to the spectrum (much like the fact that broadcasters must take part in the emergency broadcast system).