Vader IPTV EPG issues (New since they updated)

[KyleC_USA]

I have been using Vader IPTV for a while working fine. Then this week the EPG stopped. I saw they posted a message that they had done some updating to the EPG.

I normally use http://vaders.tv/p2.xml.gz

but you can also use http://vaders.tv/p2.xml

I have also downloaded the P2.XML and looked at it and it appears some of the data may not be understood by NPVR import.

I am getting the following error trying to update EPG.

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Unable to read http://vaders.tv/p2.xml
Refrence to undeclared entity 'eacute'.Line 35, position 25.

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you can download the p2.xml from http://vaders.tv/p2.xml.gz

[sub]

I looked at the p2.xml file, and it's a Vaders bug. They've got garbage in their xml file. Specifically, they're using the "é" and a couple of other invalid escape character on the channel names. This escape code is valid in html, but not valid in xml, and the Microsoft xml parser refuses to load it with the broken content. I tried a couple of online xml validators, and they report the same issues with this xml content.

[KyleC_USA]

Thanks for looking into this so quick sub. I have sent a email to Vader support. I hope they reply soon. I will update this thread if I get an update.

Thanks!

[snaitaz]

Good day...Hey Kyle did you get Vaders to work? Here is what I did to make it work and connect. https://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.ph...ed-up-NPVR

[KyleC_USA]

Hello, thanks for the reply. I did get this working again but not anyway you would think. I back up my npvr.db3 and config.xml every two weeks and save past 2 copies using a script.

I reverted to a older npvr.db3 and edited the db3 file removing the scheduled recording and recurring recordings and then re-imported them using the backup recording.xml files.
So yes My epg and channels work but looks like Vader epg is only 48hr now. (bummer).

I have seen in Twitter that Vader IPTV is making all kinds of changes and have noticed they updated the vaders.apk two times in the last 72hr So my guess is that the service is most likely the problem right now. I will give it a few days and see if it gets more stable.


I do still seem to have a looping issue when viewing Vader IPTV using the NextPVR Android app but that is for a different forum thread.

[snaitaz]

Good Day...Just an update on what I am doing to solve the EPG issue once and for all. Since vaders has been "updating" their services and their EPG has gone crazy, I decided to just dive into constructing my own EPG by using mc2xml. It's a learning process for me but so far it has proven to be a worthwhile experience. I first pull down the m3u and p2.xml files in order to compare their data using notepad plus. No editing just reviewing. Then I dump the xml file into Excel (you may need to toggle on the "Developer" mode). This gives you a tremendous amount of information like the vader EPG channel number versus the guide ID. Most of the vader EPG channel numbers are not the same as the guide numbers, but this gives you a map of what to look for in order to make them match so that when you pull down the data again they will be matched. I use schedules direct and make my pulls using the guide ID like I255.55555.schedulesdirect.org for instance. This way I am only pulling the channels I need/watch and not the entire world of channels.

What I am trying to figure out now is a faster way to edit the xml file so that the channel id's match correctly instead of doing it manually. For instance TBS is on EPG channel 283 but it's guide id is 247. Therefore I have to go into one of these files and make a change somewhere. I think I read somewhere around here what items need to match so I need to find that thread. Anyways that is what I am doing. Cheers

[Graham]

What I am trying to figure out now is a faster way to edit the xml file so that the channel id's match correctly instead of doing it manually.

My updateepg.bat uses mc2xml to download from Schedules Direct to an xmltv file. The updateepg.bat has a csript command to run a vbs that replaces channel names. The whole thing is confusing and bonkers so I haven't attached it here. But Google will give you a gazillion examples of using replace in a vbs.

[sgilani]

If you're willing to pay a little bit, there's a very robust service called IPTV-EPG that lets you build an EPG. Kind of like Schedules Direct but a lot more customization.

[snaitaz]

Good day...Yes I looked into IPTV-EPG yesterday but since it is subscription based I will hold off for now anyways. Graham, I too use the batch file to execute mc2xml but the resulting file does not channel match 100% to the m3u file from Vaders necessitating a manual edit for mapping. I say 100% because some of the channels map correctly and I can't figure out why. I read some on the .ren file and how it is supposed to work but like you said it is confusing somewhat. I will most likely get into it at a later time for the experience but for now the manual edit road is my choice.

So once I map the channels can I export the channels and then import them into my other machine or do I also need to include the config.xml and db3 file as well? Also, once the channels are mapped, when NPVR does its update from SD will the channels that are already there need to be remapped? I know "new" channels will probably need to be mapped. Thanks again for your suggestions and help. Cheers.

[ElihuRozen]

A couple things to investigate for you:

- I thought mc2xml had the ability to translate one channel to another. For example, you could tell it to change channel 57 to 87. That might not be supported from Schedules Direct data. I used to use it to actually pull from Microsoft's data. You might want to read up on the various options for configuration files you pass into mc2xml.

- What I use now to do other XML edits in my file that I pull down from SD is xslt transforms based on the code pBS posted here: https://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.ph...transforms. Making changes is easier if you have programming experience because it is pretty powerful.