WebGrab++ - TVToday - Quick Install Guide (1 Viewer)

jimbeam128

Portal Pro
December 16, 2008
169
19
Home Country
Germany Germany
MediaPortal Version: 1.1 RC4
MediaPortal Skin: Bleazle Wide V8
Windows Version: XP SP3
CPU Type: Athlon X2 4850e
HDD: 32 GB SSD + 500 GB HDD
Memory: 2 GB DDR2
Motherboard: Asus M3N78-VM
Video Card: Gainward Geforce 9400 GT 1 GB
Video Card Driver:
Sound Card:
Sound Card AC3:
Sound Card Driver:
1. TV Card:
1. TV Card Type: DVB-C
1. TV Card Driver: 1.01.01.501
2. TV Card: Terratec Cinergy C PCI HD
2. TV Card Type:
2. TV Card Driver:
3. TV Card:
3. TV Card Type:
3. TV Card Driver:
4. TV Card:
4. TV Card Type:
4. TV Card Driver:
MPEG2 Video Codec: Power DVD 9
MPEG2 Audio Codec: AC3Filter
h.264 Video Codec: PowerDVD9
Satelite/CableTV Provider: Unitymedia NRW
HTPC Case: Suitcase out of Hardware-Store
Cooling: 2 low noise Fans
Power Supply: Silentmaxx 350w
Remote: Logitech 525
TV: Samsung 32" LCD
TV - HTPC Connection: HDMI


Hello everybody,

here a small Guide how to install WebGrab+Plus and get it working with MediaPortal.

Many thanks again to WG++Maker, the developer of the application!


What is WebGrab+Plus:

It is an XMLTV Grabber like Webepg which can be configured very detailed. Because of the fact it is using
XMLTV, it´s compartible to the XMLTV-Plugin in MediaPortal.


Why should I use / switch to WebGrab+Plus:

WG++ ist much more faster than Webepg. Grabbing 23 Channels for 7 days from the scratch took me about 15 minutes!!!
And the application has an update-function. So the app checks, if the information is already there and will jump over it, if the info is the same. If you would schedule a daily update, the update would take (for 23 Channels) about 2-3 Minutes....

Instead Webepg took about one and a half hour! - And grabs every time from the scratch

Especially german users who like TVToday will like WebGrab+Plus, because - as the german users know - Webepg became
very unreliable until not working any more for TVToday...

Background: TVToday has put a lot of advertisements in it´s site and Webepg seems not to be able to handle that.

WebGrab+Plus DOES! - It has a retry function! So it never gives up until you say so...

Maybe there are other sites out there where this application can be helpful.

Did I mention that it´s FAST!?


There are some things you need to know when installing WebGrab+Plus:

It is in Beta-Status at the moment. So take it at own risk. - And test before...

You have to consider some things for the installtion and "integration" for MediaPortal so read carefully through the
Quick install Guide.


Quick Install Guide:

Download WebGrab+Plus from the authors website.

http://www.servercare.nl/Docs/WebGrab+Plus V1.0.6Beta.rar

Unpack the archive and simply run the install.bat in the directory.

It will install all necessary components and Webgrab+Plus. After the installation there comes up
a black command window. WG++ will initially grab channels. You can close that window. Not necessary to wait.



The whole Configuration will be installed in C:\ProgramData\Servercare\Webgrab

The most important files in that folder are:

The ini-files - These are the grabber files so that WG++ knows from where to grab the data

WebGrab++.config.xml - This is the main configuration file.


The config-file is well explained so I think I don´t have to tell you something about it. Have a look on the file!


For German (TVToday) Users:

Simply copy the attached ini-file (tvtoday.de.ini) and the WebGrab++.config.xml to your

C:\ProgramData\Servercare\Webgrab folder

The grabber-file is prepared for TVToday. I´ve attached the initial config of WG++Maker and mine.
Please test which you like best. I have chosen only the basic fields which I need. You can extend it if you
want to.

The WebGrab++.config.xml file is also already prepared for TVToday. The attached file is configured to create a
tvguide.xml file in the Documents and Settings folder of MediaPortal.

Really important to know:

You configure in this file which channels you would like to grab!!! - Have a look at the end of the file.
There is a list of channels which will be included for your grab. Edit it for your needs.


Run the Application:

Good news:

you can run the application from the start-menu.


Bad news:

You cannot see directly where the link in the start-menu points to the exe file.
The application installs itself to a randomly created directory!!! So you have to search the file. - But this will be changed in future.

Why? - Let´s say you would like to schedule the grab and you want to create a scheduled task...

this is for Version 1.0.6 Beta:

So search for webgrab+plus.exe under C:\Documents and Settings
For german users: C:\Dokumente und Einstellungen

But do not press SEARCH NOW! - First you have to change the search criteria to search also for hidden files.

Then you will find the file. Right Click on the file and select "open superior folder". Then you can copy the
path of the WebGrab+Plus.exe / Webgrab.exe file and can use it in a scheduled task.

You can also search for the file in the CMD. Enter the following command:

dir "%userprofile%\webgrab*.*" /s

Then it should display the location.

this is for Version 1.0.8 Beta:

with the MSI-Installation the exe-file will be placed in C:\Program Files\Servercare\WebGrab+Plus

so there´s no need any more to search for the file...


I use a CMD-File for my scheduled task to run WebGrab+Plus. Here the contents:

Code:
sleep 30
"C:\Dokumente und Einstellungen\administrator.TSTEST\Lokale Einstellungen\Apps\2.0\OG0X2BOR.VTD\PR1DEV7O.KOZ\webg..tion_eb280f2b25331dd2_0001.0000_dfc70234bf3b79b7\WebGrab+Plus.exe"

The first application is a sleep application which waits for 30 seconds. So when my HTPC wakes up and runs the task, it waits for 30 seconds
just to make sure that the system is completly up and can successfully run the Application to grab the channels. Works well.

Please notice that you have to modify the exe-file for newer versions to WebGrab.exe!

Additionally make sure that you have entered the Process "WebGrab+Plus" / "WebGrab" in the process list in the PowerScheduler under
Powerscheduler -> Processes tab


Configuration in MediaPortal TV-Server:

Open up the TV-Server configuration and goto plugins -> XMLTV

Click on the tab Mappings and click load/refresh. The channels should be loaded in the list. On my system everything is green, but it could be that your channels
could have a different name. Then you have to play arround with the channels in the WebGrab++.config.xml. If you use Webepg you can compare your config with that.
Just in case it will not work from the scratch...

When everything is green on the site, DO NOT TO FORGET TO CLICK ON THE SAVE BUTTON IN THE UPPER RIGHT CORNER!!!

When you clicked on save, go back to the general - Tab and click on import. The import can take a minute and afterwards you should see that

18 Channels with 3234 total programs have been imported or whatever....


MediaPortal Configuration:

In my grabber ini-file I´ve enabled the subtitles. For example for series like Eureka and so on you will see the Heading of the episode.

In the XML-File the info is there, but you have to enable it in the MediaPortal Configuration:

Goto TV -> TV-Client and switch "Show episode info" to title.

ON SUPPORTED SKINS you will see the info then...


For the other countries:

Webgrab+Plus ships with a lot of other ini-files (grabbers) for other Websites (UK, DK and so on). All the ini files are installed in the
C:\ProgramData\Servercare\Webgrab
folder.

Again you have to edit the WebGrab++.config.xml file to edit the channel list. But when you know Webepg, you know it´s nothing new...

Have fun!


WG4MP = WebGrab for MediaPortal

WebGrab+Plus works out of the box with MediaPortal. But there are some situations where you may need this utility:

There are a few other utilities for MP in the folder utilities. One of them is WG2MP which is a batch file that removes all time offset values in the start and stop time in the xmltv. This is required if you grab channels from sites in different timszones. The MP importer seems to handle just one value of the time offset in a xmltv file.


Integrate the Episode-Names in your Skin

If you would like to see the Episode-Names of the tv-shows in your TV-Guide, then you also have to edit most of the Skins, if you do not use the default-skin. First enable the Episode-Setting in the MediaPortal Configuration. In the MediaPortal Configuration goto TV-> TV Client -> Guide Section and change the setting "show episode info" from "None" to "Title".
Here the Information for adding the Name of the episode of the TV-Show for custom skins:

Two files have to be modified:

mytvguide.xml and
mytvhomeserver.xml


These files can be found in Allusers\Application Data\Team MediaPortal\MediaPortal\skin\<skinname>

Now it get´s a litte bit difficult and I cannot promise that it will absolutely look the same on your used skin:

mytvguide.xml

Find the section "<description>Current program title</description>"

On my current skin (PureVisionHDBlue) there are the following lines:

Code:
<control>
      <description>Current program title</description>
      <type>fadelabel</type>
      <id>13</id>
      <posX>170</posX>
      <posY>547</posY>
      <width>1080</width>
      <height>30</height>
      <label>#TV.Guide.Time  #TV.Guide.Title</label>
      <font>font21</font>
      <textcolor>gainsboro</textcolor>
    </control>


Locate the <Label> item. There is the info-item "#TV.Guide.Title"

Exchange that with the following:

#TV.Guide.CompositeTitle

So my Config looks like this:

<label>#TV.Guide.Time #TV.Guide.CompositeTitle</label>


mytvhomeserver.xml

Find the section "<description>Current program title</description>"

On my current skin (PureVisionHDBlue) there are the following lines:

Code:
<control>
      <description>Current program title</description>
      <type>fadelabel</type>
      <id>1</id>
      <posX>490</posX>
      <posY>565</posY>
      <width>830</width>
      <label>#TV.View.start - #TV.View.stop   #TV.View.title</label>
      <textcolor>ivory</textcolor>
      <font>Menutitle</font>
    </control>


Locate the <Label> item. There is the info-item "#TV.Guide.Title"

Exchange that with the following:

#TV.Guide.CompositeTitle

So my Config looks like this:

<label>#TV.Guide.Time #TV.Guide.CompositeTitle</label>

Save the files. After you have modified your skin-files you have to delete the skin-cache under

Allusers\Application Data\Team MediaPortal\MediaPortal\Cache\<yourskinname>


Start MediaPortal and test it. You should see names of the episodes after the TV-Show names...

Enjoy

--------------------------------------------------------------

P.S. I think I haven´t mentioned everything - I´m sure - so don´t hesitate to report your "bugs".

Feel free to create your own ini-files for your favourite EPG-Site

Change History

Version 0.4 -> Added information for how-to insert Episode Names in Skin-Files. Updated Quick-Install Info´s for WebGrab++ Version 1.0.8 Beta
Version 0.3 -> Updated tvtoday.ini file. Grabbing of offset-pages possible now. Modified the grab of the description.
 

Attachments

  • tvtoday.zip
    12.2 KB

Jelmo

Portal Pro
September 8, 2007
711
55
Home Country
Germany Germany
AW: WebGrab++ - TVToday - Quick Install Guide

Many thx ... works like a charme : 6000seconds for 93 channels.
Every channel is working. So i have to edit the channel file to only import my needed channels. Great
 

gru

MP Donator
  • Premium Supporter
  • January 5, 2007
    77
    29
    Home Country
    Austria Austria
    Also many thanks from Austria!
    Great to have EPG working again (and faster than before)!

    Greetings,
    Jo :D
     

    Jelmo

    Portal Pro
    September 8, 2007
    711
    55
    Home Country
    Germany Germany
    AW: WebGrab++ - TVToday - Quick Install Guide

    Also Disney Cinemagic funktioniert immer nocht nicht wirklich.
    Hier der Auszug aus dem Log

    Channel Disney Cinemagic site -- TVTODAY.DE -- update mode incremental

    Summary for update of Disney Cinemagic
    missing shows added 0
    changed shows updated 0
    new shows added 10
    unchanged shows inspected 0
    total after update 10

    ich mache aber einen Scan für 7 Tage und alle anderen Sender funktionieren. Nur der nicht. Ich bin verwirrt
     

    rekenaar

    Retired Team Member
  • Premium Supporter
  • December 17, 2006
    4,421
    805
    Home Country
    South Africa South Africa
    Hi Jelmo :)
    Can you please translate. This is the English part of the forums.
     

    Jelmo

    Portal Pro
    September 8, 2007
    711
    55
    Home Country
    Germany Germany
    AW: WebGrab++ - TVToday - Quick Install Guide

    Oh sorry. You are right.

    Disney Cinemagic does Not work. It grabbs only one Day.
    All other channels are working. So log is from the grabber Posted above.
     

    jimbeam128

    Portal Pro
    December 16, 2008
    169
    19
    Home Country
    Germany Germany
    AW: WebGrab++ - TVToday - Quick Install Guide

    Hello Jelmo,

    please post your grabber-ini file and also your complete webgrab++.config.xml file.

    Then I can crosscheck what´s wrong there. As I told you, my grab of that channel worked so far...

    Regards
     

    Jelmo

    Portal Pro
    September 8, 2007
    711
    55
    Home Country
    Germany Germany
    AW: WebGrab++ - TVToday - Quick Install Guide

    Hello Jelmo,

    please post your grabber-ini file and also your complete webgrab++.config.xml file.

    Then I can crosscheck what´s wrong there. As I told you, my grab of that channel worked so far...

    Regards

    I use your files. I don´t think that there is a problem. But if it helps i will post my both files today evening.
     

    jimbeam128

    Portal Pro
    December 16, 2008
    169
    19
    Home Country
    Germany Germany
    AW: WebGrab++ - TVToday - Quick Install Guide

    OK, just to clarify:

    you do not get any data in your tvguide.xml file?

    I´ve attached mine grabbed only Disney Cinemagic for one day
     

    Jelmo

    Portal Pro
    September 8, 2007
    711
    55
    Home Country
    Germany Germany
    AW: WebGrab++ - TVToday - Quick Install Guide

    As i wrote ... its working. but it grabbs only for one day

    Channel Disney Cinemagic site -- TVTODAY.DE -- update mode incremental

    Summary for update of Disney Cinemagic
    missing shows added 0
    changed shows updated 0
    new shows added 10
    unchanged shows inspected 0
    total after update 10

    all other channels grabbs for 7 days as configured. Only Disney Cinemagic grabbs only one day ( until 0 o´clock )
    and not more.
     

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