Simple Channel Setup!!!

KeesVDP · 2006-05-13, 02:32

MP is by far the least user-friendly PVR when it comes to channel setup. I was determined to try MP but I refuse to add every channel by hand and go through the current XMLTV nonsense. Use GB-PVR as a model for how easy EPG/channel lineup setup can be. A PVR should be a luxury, MediaPortal is a hobby. I think developing a user-friendly setup should be on the top of your list.

Marcusb · 2006-05-13, 03:53

I guess you want your money back then?

Rather than complain, can you suggest ways that you would improve things? If you look at the difference in versions between .1.2 and .2 you will see a lot of improvements have been made by the volunteers. Of course there still is a long way to go. V0.2 has not even been finalised yet. If you're a coder then you can download the code and improve it yourself even.

samuel337 · 2006-05-13, 04:10

I've used GBPVR lately, and to be honest, I don't think that's the most uner-friendly system either. I reckon MediaPortal is better in that it is more flexible and not as ambigious. But its a matter of personal preference - that said, yes, a lot of work needs to be done in MP to make it more user-friendly. Problem is, there are also a lot of people requesting new features, so where do the devs draw the line between spending time on requests or user-friendliness?

IMHO, I reckon the whole configuration application needs to be reworked.

Anyway, that's not the point of your post really. So here's a question: why do you have to enter all the channels by hand? You can scan for channels by going to Configuration -> TV -> Capture Cards -> select your capture card and double-click -> click on the autotune button at the bottom of the screen.

The only manual thing you have to do is to manually change all the scanned channel names to the corresponding ones in your XMLTV file - is that what you're complaining about?

Sam

NLS · 2006-05-13, 09:55

MP's TV implementation is not perfect (there should be more settings to setup the final graph), but is not bad either.

I also come from GBPVR (which was connected to my Meedio setup) and I can say MP is the only "other" program that I COULD REALLY use for TB.

I easily switched from GBPVR. Tuning, EPG everything.

I am not sure why you thought you need manual tuning.

I also am not sure why you talk like you demand things.

BTW, don't tell me you could DEMAND things in GBPVR forum. You probably know the attitude of sub (the developer of this closed program) RIGHT?

KeesVDP · 2006-05-13, 21:44

I use a settop box and I do have to add channels manually. I don't plan to though, because if I take the time to do that I can't be sure I've done it right until I set up my XMLTV correctly, and I can't be sure I've set up my XMLTV correctly until my channels are added correctly. So I'm going to avoid the whole mess. I don't like GBPVR and really want to switch to MP but I don't have the time. I'll probably eventually try setting up MP without the box so I can understand better how it works.

I'm not a coder, I wish I was because I'd love to contribute to open-source apps. I am a CG artist tough and will most likely make some nice skins.

I don't know much about XMLTV but if you go to Zap2it and pick your channels and download the list, why can't MP just look at that and setup the channels by itself? In the setup wizard it could just ask for your Zap2it user/password and ask how your hardware's connected? I'm sure it's more complicated than that, thats just a la-mans frustration. I'm sure I'll keep trying.

opusnut · 2006-05-13, 22:45

Well i have developed a little utility that will re-write the XMLTV guide data d/l from zap2it with the channel names listed under MP. i uploaded this utility to the download section and as soon as it has been added, i hope you will all test it out and see if it helps out.

thanx..
opusnut

NLS · 2006-05-13, 23:42

Why don't you use MultiShortcut plugin to call GBPVR from in MP? (and as I know GBPVR can take parameters to take you directly to EPG or full screen TV, so use those)

at least until you have the time to move full-time to MP (and never look back)

mzemina · 2006-05-13, 23:48

opusnut - I am ready to test!

Mike

opusnut · 2006-05-14, 20:15

here it is guys... give it a run!

http://www.team-mediaportal.com/file...G/XMLTVmapper/

thanx..
opusnut

KeesVDP · 2006-05-17, 03:31

It's quite ridiculous that it's just expected that everyone knows how to setup XMLTV without any support. All there is is that lame sticky for USA EPG that gets you absolutely nowhere. I guarantee you that 90% of the people who try MP quit when trying to grasp XMLTV, WebEPG, DVB.

Samuel337 Sub is the reason I'm so determined to make the switch to MP. GB-PVR is going nowhere fast. The only thing I liked about GB-PVR was the easy Zap2it integration, I had absolutely no idea what XMLTV was when I set it up, now I feel like I need to enroll in a class to setup MP.

I'm not demanding, I'm just speaking up for the other people who are as frusterated as I am. If I had any clue what I'm talking about I'd add an XMLTV setup page to the Wiki, because it needs one badly.

2006-05-13, 02:32	#1 (permalink)
KeesVDP Portal Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 35 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Simple Channel Setup!!! MP is by far the least user-friendly PVR when it comes to channel setup. I was determined to try MP but I refuse to add every channel by hand and go through the current XMLTV nonsense. Use GB-PVR as a model for how easy EPG/channel lineup setup can be. A PVR should be a luxury, MediaPortal is a hobby. I think developing a user-friendly setup should be on the top of your list.

2006-05-13, 09:55	#4 (permalink)
NLS Portal Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Age: 34 Posts: 879 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country: My System	MP's TV implementation is not perfect (there should be more settings to setup the final graph), but is not bad either. I also come from GBPVR (which was connected to my Meedio setup) and I can say MP is the only "other" program that I COULD REALLY use for TB. I easily switched from GBPVR. Tuning, EPG everything. I am not sure why you thought you need manual tuning. I also am not sure why you talk like you demand things. BTW, don't tell me you could DEMAND things in GBPVR forum. You probably know the attitude of sub (the developer of this closed program) RIGHT? __________________ NLS ...never thought I would advertise MP around that much, so soon... (and when some dev adds better menu handling, multiple calls to modules and plugins with different options and much better dbase handling, it will be love... ah and a nice 3D front end and inter-module messaging system and...) Don't argue with the founder of Greek Off-Topic Community about taking a thread off-topic. I cannot help it! My webshots album (contains the old version of my HTPC setup too)

2006-05-13, 23:42	#7 (permalink)
NLS Portal Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Age: 34 Posts: 879 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country: My System	Why don't you use MultiShortcut plugin to call GBPVR from in MP? (and as I know GBPVR can take parameters to take you directly to EPG or full screen TV, so use those) at least until you have the time to move full-time to MP (and never look back) __________________ NLS ...never thought I would advertise MP around that much, so soon... (and when some dev adds better menu handling, multiple calls to modules and plugins with different options and much better dbase handling, it will be love... ah and a nice 3D front end and inter-module messaging system and...) Don't argue with the founder of Greek Off-Topic Community about taking a thread off-topic. I cannot help it! My webshots album (contains the old version of my HTPC setup too)

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2006-05-13, 03:53	#2 (permalink)
Marcusb Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,936 Thanks: 67 Thanked 28 Times in 28 Posts Country: My System	I guess you want your money back then? Rather than complain, can you suggest ways that you would improve things? If you look at the difference in versions between .1.2 and .2 you will see a lot of improvements have been made by the volunteers. Of course there still is a long way to go. V0.2 has not even been finalised yet. If you're a coder then you can download the code and improve it yourself even.

2006-05-13, 04:10	#3 (permalink)
samuel337 Portal Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 773 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I've used GBPVR lately, and to be honest, I don't think that's the most uner-friendly system either. I reckon MediaPortal is better in that it is more flexible and not as ambigious. But its a matter of personal preference - that said, yes, a lot of work needs to be done in MP to make it more user-friendly. Problem is, there are also a lot of people requesting new features, so where do the devs draw the line between spending time on requests or user-friendliness? IMHO, I reckon the whole configuration application needs to be reworked. Anyway, that's not the point of your post really. So here's a question: why do you have to enter all the channels by hand? You can scan for channels by going to Configuration -> TV -> Capture Cards -> select your capture card and double-click -> click on the autotune button at the bottom of the screen. The only manual thing you have to do is to manually change all the scanned channel names to the corresponding ones in your XMLTV file - is that what you're complaining about? Sam

2006-05-13, 21:44	#5 (permalink)
KeesVDP Portal Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 35 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I use a settop box and I do have to add channels manually. I don't plan to though, because if I take the time to do that I can't be sure I've done it right until I set up my XMLTV correctly, and I can't be sure I've set up my XMLTV correctly until my channels are added correctly. So I'm going to avoid the whole mess. I don't like GBPVR and really want to switch to MP but I don't have the time. I'll probably eventually try setting up MP without the box so I can understand better how it works. I'm not a coder, I wish I was because I'd love to contribute to open-source apps. I am a CG artist tough and will most likely make some nice skins. I don't know much about XMLTV but if you go to Zap2it and pick your channels and download the list, why can't MP just look at that and setup the channels by itself? In the setup wizard it could just ask for your Zap2it user/password and ask how your hardware's connected? I'm sure it's more complicated than that, thats just a la-mans frustration. I'm sure I'll keep trying.

2006-05-13, 22:45	#6 (permalink)
opusnut Portal Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 109 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Well i have developed a little utility that will re-write the XMLTV guide data d/l from zap2it with the channel names listed under MP. i uploaded this utility to the download section and as soon as it has been added, i hope you will all test it out and see if it helps out. thanx.. opusnut

2006-05-13, 23:48	#8 (permalink)
mzemina Retired Team Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ft Smith, AR Posts: 2,045 Thanks: 36 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts Country:	opusnut - I am ready to test! Mike

2006-05-14, 20:15	#9 (permalink)
opusnut Portal Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 109 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	here it is guys... give it a run! http://www.team-mediaportal.com/file...G/XMLTVmapper/ thanx.. opusnut

2006-05-17, 03:31	#10 (permalink)
KeesVDP Portal Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 35 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	It's quite ridiculous that it's just expected that everyone knows how to setup XMLTV without any support. All there is is that lame sticky for USA EPG that gets you absolutely nowhere. I guarantee you that 90% of the people who try MP quit when trying to grasp XMLTV, WebEPG, DVB. Samuel337 Sub is the reason I'm so determined to make the switch to MP. GB-PVR is going nowhere fast. The only thing I liked about GB-PVR was the easy Zap2it integration, I had absolutely no idea what XMLTV was when I set it up, now I feel like I need to enroll in a class to setup MP. I'm not demanding, I'm just speaking up for the other people who are as frusterated as I am. If I had any clue what I'm talking about I'd add an XMLTV setup page to the Wiki, because it needs one badly.