Schedules Direct US/Canadian/Mexico EPG Plugin (Updated August 2010) (3 Viewers)

[icebreakr]

Hi, just tried it.. for the channels it found, it looks OK, but there's a bunch of channels that I don't have anything for them...

Here are the logs

In the 1st try folder, Export channel list, cleared channels, import list and tried to get EGP info.
in the 2nd try folder, I cleared everything, rescan the sat export the list cleared the channel list, import it and then tried to get the epg info again.

Thanks again...

 

[patrick]

Hi, just tried it.. for the channels it found, it looks OK, but there's a bunch of channels that I don't have anything for them...

Here are the logs

In the 1st try folder, Export channel list, cleared channels, import list and tried to get EGP info.
in the 2nd try folder, I cleared everything, rescan the sat export the list cleared the channel list, import it and then tried to get the epg info again.

Thanks again...

Hi,

Your log file is showing strange data.

The first try seems like it went mostly ok.

The 2nd try seems very strange.
I looked for the first 11 channels not matched from the log and
the channel numbers are not in the exported channel list from the 2nd try.

Also the IdChannel is strangly matching the ChannelNumber.
Example from the exported try1 channel list CITYT is ChannelNumber 206
but in the try2 export ChannelNumber 1414 (same as the IdChannel)
*There is no ChannelNumber 1414 in your lineup at SD.

Since SD shows no ChannelNumber 1414 for your lineup lets assume that
the ChannelNumber we are looking at "should" be ChannelNumber 206 (like the try1 export)
For ChannelNumber 206, SD shows "CBMT - CBC Montreal" with a callsign of CBMT.

With matching by ChannelNumber you get matching like you got in try1 log.

Matched channel CBMT to CITYT by lineup channel (206)
Updated channel 214 214 214 214 CITYT [id=724 xmlid=10092.206.schedulesdirect.org]

It does not matter if that channel is named "214 214 214 214 CITYT" in MP,
it is still tuning into ChannelNumber 206 and this what the plugin trys to match.

*Note:
You can also name a channel to match the callsign to "force" a match.
So if you named ChannelNumber 206 to "CBMT" the plugin would call that
a match reqardless of ChannelNumber, but this is really to allows for special cases, work arounds, etc.


I do not know why your ChannelNumbers are getting messed up


Exert from the two channel list exports:

    <channel Name="214 214 214 214 CITYT" GrabEpg="False" IdChannel="206" IsRadio="False" IsTv="True" LastGrabTime="2008-1-22 13:8:34" SortOrder="97" TimesWatched="0" TotalTimeWatched="2000-1-1 0:0:0" VisibleInGuide="True" FreeToAir="False" DisplayName="214 CITYT">
      <mappings>
        <map IdCard="1" IdChannel="206" IdChannelMap="206" />
      </mappings>
      <TuningDetails>
        <tune IdChannel="206" IdTuning="206" AudioPid="3214" Bandwidth="8" ChannelNumber="206" ChannelType="3" CountryId="31" Diseqc="0" FreeToAir="False" Frequency="12545000" MajorChannel="-1" MinorChannel="-1" Modulation="-1" Name="CITYT" NetworkId="256" PcrPid="1214" PmtPid="32" Polarisation="4" Provider="CITYT" ServiceId="214" SwitchingFrequency="11700000" Symbolrate="20000" TransportId="23" TuningSource="0" VideoPid="1214" VideoSource="0" SatIndex="-1" InnerFecRate="8" Band="1" Pilot="-1" RollOff="-1" Url="" Bitrate="0" />
      </TuningDetails>
    </channel>

    <channel Name="CITYT" GrabEpg="True" IdChannel="1414" IsRadio="False" IsTv="True" LastGrabTime="2000-1-1 0:0:0" SortOrder="10000" TimesWatched="0" TotalTimeWatched="2000-1-1 0:0:0" VisibleInGuide="True" FreeToAir="False" DisplayName="CITYT">
      <mappings>
        <map IdCard="1" IdChannel="1414" IdChannelMap="1221" />
      </mappings>
      <TuningDetails>
        <tune IdChannel="1414" IdTuning="1414" AudioPid="3214" Bandwidth="8" ChannelNumber="1414" ChannelType="3" CountryId="31" Diseqc="0" FreeToAir="False" Frequency="12545000" MajorChannel="-1" MinorChannel="-1" Modulation="-1" Name="CITYT" NetworkId="256" PcrPid="1214" PmtPid="32" Polarisation="4" Provider="CITYT" ServiceId="214" SwitchingFrequency="11700000" Symbolrate="20000" TransportId="23" TuningSource="0" VideoPid="1214" VideoSource="0" SatIndex="-1" InnerFecRate="8" Band="1" Pilot="-1" RollOff="-1" Url="" Bitrate="0" />
      </TuningDetails>
    </channel>

HTH,
patrick

 

[icebreakr]

OK. I guess I'll have to use the EPG from the stream...

Thanks for your time...

 

[fillerguy]

This happens for me also. Only work around I found was to scan, delete all the channels, and rescan. I still needed to edit some channel names to force the match.

 

[BahamutZaero]

I was suggested to copy my post from https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/installation-configuration-support-53/severe-problems-channel-listings-35198/ to this thread, so... here we go! =)

MediaPortal Version: 0.2.3.0
MediaPortal Skin: BlueTwo Wide
Windows Version: Windows XP Pro
1. TV Card: Hauppauge WinTV PVR PCI II

Been at this for about 3 months now, and I think I've finally given up, and am ready to ask for some help. I've been attempting to get the channel listings to work, and have had nothing but problems after problems.

I have tried 2 methods, which appear to be the best 2 methods described on the forums and in the documentation. Both have had their own issues, so let me describe each one individually:

Method 1: Schedules Direct + XMLTV
-) I got this setup exactly as the documentation describes. I set my XMLTV configuration to +0700 as I live in Colorado. When I loaded up MP, I was that the schedules were off by about 12 hours. So I adjusted the XMLTV configuration by 12 hours, and we were now 10 hours off. Obviously, I was rather confused by this... so I played around with values for another 7 (actual) hours, and was able to get it close. I was able to make the timing be one hour behind, if I set the configuration to -0300. However, no other time was even close... using -0200 or -0400 were about 4 - 5 hours off each. I also tried setting the configuration to +0000 and the 'Compensate Time Mode With' option in the Program Guide settings within MP to +0700, however no matter what numbers I entered in here, nothing at all changed. The program guide always came through about 12 hours behind.

Method 2: WebEPG
-) This method has, so far, not even become close to working for me. I have used the setup instructions located at this URL: MediaPortalSetup WebEPG - MediaPortal Wiki Documentation, ran the WebEPG.exe program, waited for tvguide.xml to have the correct filename, made sure the WebEPG plugin was active in the MP settings, ran MP and found - no channel guide data listed at all. We had channels, but every channel showed 'No Data'. So I went and looked at the tvguide.xml file. It contained a listing of all the channels, however listed no guide data at all.

So all of this leads me to one simple question: How the heck do I make this work? I paid $20 for a Schedules Direct subscription, and that was consistently off no matter what I did, and the WebEPG option doesn't seem to want to get any guide data. Any help would be incredibly useful at this point!

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can offer.
- BZ

 

[patrick]

I was suggested to copy my post from https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/installation-configuration-support-53/severe-problems-channel-listings-35198/ to this thread, so... here we go! =)

MediaPortal Version: 0.2.3.0
MediaPortal Skin: BlueTwo Wide
Windows Version: Windows XP Pro
1. TV Card: Hauppauge WinTV PVR PCI II

Been at this for about 3 months now, and I think I've finally given up, and am ready to ask for some help. I've been attempting to get the channel listings to work, and have had nothing but problems after problems.

I have tried 2 methods, which appear to be the best 2 methods described on the forums and in the documentation. Both have had their own issues, so let me describe each one individually:

Method 1: Schedules Direct + XMLTV

Method 2: WebEPG

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can offer.
- BZ

Hi!

I wish you had not waited 3 months, I know it all can be very frustrating.


I would suggest

Method 3: Schedules Direct EPG Client Plugin for TVE2

You can download here:
MEDIAPORTAL - free MediaCenter HTPC Software - SchedulesDirect US/CA/ME EPG Plugin for TVE2
(or the first post in this thread)

Extract the SchedulesDirectPlugin.dll file to the "plugins\process" folder in you MediaPortal folder.
(The zip file preserves the folders so make sure you get it in the right location)
So for example:
C:\Program Files\Team MediaPortal\MediaPortal\Plugins\Process\SchedulesDirectPlugin.dll

It sounds like you already have your lineup specified @ SchedulesDirect.org so...

Now, since you have been using other EPG methods I would:

1. Disable the other EPG methods you have been using
2. Delete all the channels in the MP configuration.
3. Re-scan/auto-tune to find the channels again.
4. Goto the plugins section of the MP configuration and enable the "Schedules Direct EPG Client" plugin
5. Configure the "Schedules Direct EPG Client" plugin with your id, password, days to download on the configuration tab.
6. On the plugin's Advanced options tab select you options (See below).
7. Select the Force Guide Update on next MediaPortal startup.
8. Close the MP configuration and launch MediaPortal
9. Since this is the initial mapping/lineup download give it at least 30 minutes to complete

With any luck you should not have to worry about it again
(As long as the TimeZone on you computer is set correctly you do not have to worry about that)

Advanced options I would select:
- Rename existing channels
- Sort channels by channel number
- Allow EPG channel mapping by channel number only
- Remap channels when lineup change detected
- Add additional rating....to the show description
- If you have digitial cable/satellite in you setup, I would also set it to auto add digital channels with the correct input

Let me know how it works out!

If you are still having problems attach your epg.log file after an attempted update.

HTH,
patrick

 

[blakeivey]

Hi everyone, I just recently removed LinuxMCE (Wanted to give mediaportal a try) from my media center computer in the living room and installed windows and mediaportal.

I used schedules direct without problem on LinuxMCE but it seems to be a problem on MediaPortal having to use a plugin for it.

I just need a stand alone version of MediaPortal installed with schedules direct EPG support.

What I've done so far:
Installed MediaPortal (2.3.0) Stable (standalone...no TVServer thing)
Installed current SVN (as it says on the first post of this thread...does the stable alone work fine?)
Copied the dll file in the plugins/process folder

After doing that I am lost. I know when I open configuration.exe and click on the plugin tab I get an error saying something alone the lines of "you have to run this from this folder" type of error. I will have to get the exact error later.

Could someone please help me with a simple howto and whatever requirements/ software upgrades I will need? I ask this because a lot seems to have changed since Oct 2007 when this original post was made. It was just a bit confusing to me.

Thanks everyone.

 

[blakeivey]

Sorry guys...I got it working. I was not using the standalone version...but I swear it was when I copied it. Oh well, ill see how this works now.

 

[patrick]

Hi everyone, I just recently removed LinuxMCE (Wanted to give mediaportal a try) from my media center computer in the living room and installed windows and mediaportal.

I used schedules direct without problem on LinuxMCE but it seems to be a problem on MediaPortal having to use a plugin for it.

I just need a stand alone version of MediaPortal installed with schedules direct EPG support.

What I've done so far:
Installed MediaPortal (2.3.0) Stable (standalone...no TVServer thing)
Installed current SVN (as it says on the first post of this thread...does the stable alone work fine?)
Copied the dll file in the plugins/process folder

After doing that I am lost. I know when I open configuration.exe and click on the plugin tab I get an error saying something alone the lines of "you have to run this from this folder" type of error. I will have to get the exact error later.

Could someone please help me with a simple howto and whatever requirements/ software upgrades I will need? I ask this because a lot seems to have changed since Oct 2007 when this original post was made. It was just a bit confusing to me.

Thanks everyone.

Hi and welcome!

It may seem a little complex at first but it is really not too bad.

Ok, here goes

I do not really know anything about your setup so if it a little different let me know and I will try to help more.
I will assume you have the more basic setup of a single analog tuner card with basic cable coming in via coax.

In the MP configuration.exe you need to go to the TV section first and setup you card
and run a autotune/scan to add you channels to MP.

Now go to the plugins section and enable the SD plugin and then go into the plugin configuration.
Input your SD id and password, days to download and set the other options you want.
Now ok out of the plugin config and configuration.exe and launch MP.
Depending on the number of guide days you specified and the size of you lineup
the first update of the guide can take a little while but after that it goes fast.

If you have digital cable/sat its basically the same, but you can set the plugin to auto-add all
your digital channels for you using the external input you specify. But if the plugin auto-adds
channels you may have to go back in the MP config and assign the channels to a card.

After doing that I am lost. I know when I open configuration.exe and click on the plugin tab I get an error saying something alone the lines of "you have to run this from this folder" type of error. I will have to get the exact error later.

Strange.
Is the error coming up on entering the plugins section or trying to configure the SD plugin?
If the SD plugin, verify that the dll file is in the correct folder.
IIRC the zip preserves the plugins/process path for extraction to the MP folder.


BTW, It may take a little while for me to respond (started a new job).
So I may check the boards one more time tonight if not it will be tomorrow night or Sat morning.

Patrick

 

[mzemina]

SchedulesDirect ranks MP #3

I have paid for a subscription to SchedulesDirect and through a newsletter found the following:

Top Applications:

78% MythTV (all variants)
13% GB-PVR
3% MediaPortal

Note: percentages total more than 100 as people often use more than one
application. There are now 36 Applications are on the "Approved
Applications" list.​

This is great news for MP, but it still looks like we have room to grow in NorthAmerica.