DVB Data and series recording

[Tre4Bax]

In an attempt to get my EPG working better I decided to stop using the EPGCollectors XML file for my guide and drop back to the standard OTA guide data. This now fills the guide well with some juggles on timing etc. The challenge I now notice is that I do not seem to be able to schedule series type programs. Even if I try and do something like Doctor Who on BBC1 it refuses to even highlight as a recording let alone record all episodes. I tried this because I thought if any guide data would be good it would be the beebs ;-)

The question is, should the guide data I am grabbing from DVB contain this information. i.e. should everything just work?

I'd use SchedulesDirect but unfortunately it appears that is not possible outside of the US and a few related countries. :-(

Any pointers to a flawless EPG would be gratefully received.

[johnsonx42]

SD now has data for many countries, including the UK. see http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php...post487428

rkulagow is from schedules direct, he frequents the forums.

[gEd]

I'm in London and use SD. It's by far and away the very best source of EPG data you can get and integrates completely into NextPVR so you don't have to mess around with separate scripts. Movies are correctly identified as movies (so you can build a movie search in TV Listings plugin) and the series and episode data is perfect as far as I can see. there is a trial available so you can check that it has all the correct regional data for your part of the UK. Unless you are really short of cash, it represents good value for money in my view.

[martint123]

I find the UK dvb-t EPG data to be quite good.
I actually use XMLTV and metabroadcast atlas for my EPG as it has all the Sky channels as well.
My test box, which just has a dvb-t dongle and uses dvb-t as EPG source recorded the start of the new "have I got news for you" series all by itself last night after a long absence without any prompting.

I suspect something like restart recording service (to start a fresh log), set up a season recording, run a manual EPG update and and then zip up the whole log directory will allow the more knowledgeable to see where the problem lies.

[Tre4Bax]

That sounds good. How do you manage to subscribe? You need to sign up to get the data but they cannot sign up non US citizens (something to do with Euro privacy laws :-( ). I had an interaction with them yesterday but they could figure out no way for me to actually sign up. He even said it would not work if I faked being American 'cos they check the addresses :-(

[gEd]

That sounds good. How do you manage to subscribe? You need to sign up to get the data but they cannot sign up non US citizens (something to do with Euro privacy laws :-( ). I had an interaction with them yesterday but they could figure out no way for me to actually sign up. He even said it would not work if I faked being American 'cos they check the addresses :-(

I was issued an early adopter licence so I'm not sure tbh. You need to contact rkulagow for help. (I was also pondering on whether we shouldn't have a forum just dedicated to SD)

http://forums.nextpvr.com/member.php?30352-rkulagow

[Tre4Bax]

Many thanks, I private messaged him earlier so will sit with my fingers crossed :-)

If they are going to get it available to people that way well be an excellent idea having a forum for it.

[johnsonx42]

Many thanks, I private messaged him earlier so will sit with my fingers crossed :-)

I believe you should probably send him an e-mail as described in the post I linked.

[rkulagow]

I've already sent @Tre4Bax a PM to get the process started.

[jcjefferies]

I have been using EPG Collector to download the Freeview DVB EPG data for several years. At the time the only reason for doing that was that EPG Collector populated the "Unique Programme ID" in the database to avoid duplicate recordings.

Its not clear how you are trying to make series recordings. Are you doing a Manual recording using (title like '%Doctor Who%') or are you clicking on "Doctor Who" in the EPG then select "Record" then under "Recording Type" selecting one of the "Record Season" options.

Chris