More intelligent epg recording please - like series link (1 Viewer)

[onelegend]

Am on my phone at the moment so can't link easily but the custom data grabber branch offers series link, it populates the epg from freesat/sky if that interests you.

 

[Ere Maijala]

Have a look at Argus TV, it could be used as a plugin to MP

Thanks, I have, but I actually like MediaPortal and the integrated TV functionality, and I'm suggesting an improvement to it instead of looking at alternatives. The problem with Argus + MediaPortal is that as far as I can see you need a separate plugin and it doesn't integrate with MediaPortal's core functions. This, in turn, means that you can't use it with WebMediaPortal, aMPdroid etc.

When I tried Argus TV, I found especially the channel switch time very long.

--Ere[DOUBLEPOST=1389389650][/DOUBLEPOST]

Am on my phone at the moment so can't link easily but the custom data grabber branch offers series link, it populates the epg from freesat/sky if that interests you.

I'm from Finland, so no Freesat or Sky for me. DVB EPG works otherwise great, but unfortunately it seems that the Finnish DVB EPG data doesn't include episode name or number that could be used to prevent duplicate recordings. The description might actually work, but unfortunately it can't be chosen as the key for duplicate detection in TV Server configuration.

--Ere

 

[anders.malm]

You don't have to use the full Argus. Keep the MP TV Server and use Argus just for scheduling,

 

[wjw]

Take a closer look at TVWishlist - at least read the manual carefully. There is an option to elect to not record repeats; TVWishlist maintains its own database of stuff it has recorded so knows about repeats that way. I have been using this plugin for some time now and it works.

The real problem with the "standard" setup for MP is that as far as I can see is that there is no provision in the database for any repeat info published by the network or any EPG provider. I know, for instance, that here in the UK the BBC marks every programme in its schedule as to whether it's a repeat or not. This would be the ideal way to ignore repeats - but it needs a mod to the standard system to allow this to be incorporated if supplied in the EPG data.

 

[HomeY]

And TvWishList has the option (TV Server config) to set the 'Match Criteria for Repeated Movies and Episodes:

 

[Ere Maijala]

Thanks for the hints. I'd still love to see the built-in scheduling improved (is there a reason not to?), but I'll take a look at these.

I wish our program descriptions would include a mark for repeats, but for some inexplicable reason they decided to remove the information a couple years ago. Perhaps they didn't want to advertise the amount of repeats airing... But if there's an option to compare descriptions, that would help.

--Ere

 

[TheBatfink]

Have you seen DJBlu's custom data grabber? Basically sets up all your channels for you from a clean MePo install and does all the following with literally a handfull of clicks to setup. Group channels the same as a Sky box, grabs the actual Sky EPG data, Series link functionality built in (exactly same as the Sky box).
Hell you can even choose your location so it gets the correct geographic BBC channels! It removes dead channels and adds newly broadcasting ones automatically.

Its better than the best thing since sliced bread and it needs its own forum so more people become aware of it mods!!

(I'm assuming you're in the UK with the Eastenders mention..) You using DVBS tuners?

 

[HomeY]

Thanks for the hints. I'd still love to see the built-in scheduling improved (is there a reason not to?), but I'll take a look at these.

Main reason is that our TV Engine (TVE3) is in code freeze, which means we don't touch it at the moment. The team is working hard on improvements on TVE3.5 (the follow-up).
Besided that, i assume you want a solution now, and not in 6 months?

I've been running TvWishList for over a year, and it works really amazing.

 

[Ere Maijala]

Well, I'm not in a hurry, so if my feedback could be considered in the development of TVE3.5, that'd be great. Meanwhile I'll see if the other solutions would work for me.

--Ere

 

[wjw]

TVWishlist does everything you want as described in your first post, and a lot more. You can, for example, specify the name of a show that does not yet exist in the schedule (or the name of an actor who you particularly like and want to see everything he's in) and it will be picked up in due course. In at least one way it's also better than the series link function, which I find does not catch the return of a series coming after a long break (e.g. the Big Bang Theory just stopped for about 3 months half way through the current series). TVWishlist will do this. Another problem with the DJBlu option that it's for satellite only, not DVB-T. I use WEBEpg to get my data from the BBC website and not only do I get a much expanded description for each show, it's for 14 days. Great if you're going away. The Sky type EPG does not let you know that a showing is a repeat - data grabbed from the Web (and not only the BBC site) does show this.

Actually, a thought for the developers (although I'm quite sure this is not a new thought!). TVWishlist is a very sophisticated scheduler. With the one addition of the information about repeats being put into the database where it's available, it's hard to see how it can be bettered. Although I've never used it myself, it appears that it is at least as good as the TIVO system used to be. How about blending Wishlist into the mainstream?