Difference between EPG grabbers (1 Viewer)

[conners]

I was just wondering what the difference is between DVB EPG and add-ons like WebEPG and XMLTV?

If I'm using one of the add-on grabbers should I disable DVB EPG or can they run simultaneously?

Thanks

 

[CyberSimian]

I was just wondering what the difference is between DVB EPG and add-ons like WebEPG and XMLTV?

Which to choose depends on what is important to you. Some points:

(1) I like the simplicity of using the broadcast EPG. Enable the right combination of options and it is all done! No additional tools required. No connection to the internet required.

(2) The broadcast EPG benefits from last-minute updates. For example, if a live sports event overruns, the broadcast EPG can be updated to reflect the later start times for subsequent programmes. This won't happen with an EPG downloaded from the internet once per day.

Note: the EPG grabber does not run continuously, so to benefit from the last-minute updates requires some luck -- the EPG grabber must run after the EPG change but before the programme starts; the default setting is once every two hours. Nevertheless, in the 8 months that I have been using MP, I have benefitted from these last-minute EPG changes on about 6 occasions, mostly when the 10.00pm main news was extended, delaying subsequent programmes by 5-10 minutes.

(3) The broadcast EPG covers 7 days, whereas some other EPGs cover 2 weeks (e.g. the Microsoft EPG for Windows Media Center; I believe that you can use this with MP).

(4) Some EPGs contain more information than the broadcast EPG. For example, the Microsoft EPG contains info such as: names of actors/directors, original broadcast date, repeat flag, star rating.

If I'm using one of the add-on grabbers should I disable DVB EPG or can they run simultaneously?

A good question. The broadcast and downloaded EPGs won't necessarily agree, even when there are no last-minute changes. I understand that Windows Media Center would use the broadcast EPG for EPG entries that were different from the Microsoft downloaded EPG (presumably on the assumption that the broadcast EPG would be more up to date). As I have never used an internet EPG with MP, I don't know what MP would do if both EPGs were available. Perhaps someone else knows?

-- from CyberSimian in the UK

 

[mm1352000]

Perhaps someone else knows?

It's intended that people would use one or the other, and not both. However, the code doesn't prevent it. The latest update "wins".