zap2xml.exe and zap2it.com are dead. any free alternatives? (2 Viewers)

[mrceolla]

Today I reached the end of my guide data. Upon researching what went wrong, I learned zap2it.com is dead. So zap2xml.exe doesn't work anymore. mc2xml.exe and Titan TV don't appear to work anymore either.

Are there any remaining, free, alternatives?

I looked at Schedules Direct, but I can't bring myself to pay $35/yr to get TV guide info into one computer. That seems like robbery to me.

Am I correct in my assumption that OTA EPG grabbing will not work in the USA with ATSC broadcasts?

I think this will become a hot topic here in the coming days.

 

[CyberSimian]

Upon researching what went wrong, I learned zap2it.com is dead.

See this post.

I looked at Schedules Direct, but I can't bring myself to pay $35/yr to get TV guide info into one computer. That seems like robbery to me.

Although the UK has a full EPG broadcast with the TV signals, I still purchase a TV listings magazine each week. I find it easier to identify what I want to watch and record by using the listings magazine, and not the broadcast EPG. I purchase the second-cheapest listings magazine, which costs 85 pence each week. So in a year I spend 52*85 = £44.20. At today's exchange rate of £1 = $1.29, the cost is $57. The Schedules Direct annual fee of $35 seems good value to me.

Am I correct in my assumption that OTA EPG grabbing will not work in the USA with ATSC broadcasts?

I have no experience of using the broadcast EPG in the USA, but my understanding is that the broadcast EPG is often only for the next few hours, but can vary from location to location. In contrast, the UK broadcast EPG is for 7 days. You could try using the broadcast EPG just to see what you get.

-- from CyberSimian in the UK

 

[mrceolla]

Thank you for your reply, and link to the other post. The Edit #2 there is golden. I wonder how long that will work.

I took a closer look at Schedules Direct's website, and this blurb makes the idea of paying $35/yr not so bad:

"Your membership fees help us fund programs to help your favorite Open Source projects. In exchange, our members receive access to raw U.S./Canadian TV listing data for the Free and Open Source Applications they use. Those applications then use the data to provide things like PVR functionality, search tools, and private channel grids. For more information, please read about our membership benefits and what your money helps us do for the Open Source community on our ABOUT US page."

But hopefully I won't have to...at least for a while.

 

[2BitSculptor]

I've been happy with SchedulesDirect for many years.

 

[pfilippone]

I've been happy with SchedulesDirect for many years.

I was too, until some years ago Schedules Direct raised their prices. Now $35 per year, while not going to bankrupt anyone, is a bit high for something that is not exactly rocket science. So I switched to Zap2it. Now I'm in the same boat as the OP. Currently looking for another free source.

 

[wanted99]

you need recompile zap2xml new version from perl to exe

 

[antidot]

This is my solution, and it works.

Solved how to get free guide data into WMC

Read posts #76 , #94 and #95

Cheers

 

[2BitSculptor]

This is my solution, and it works.

Solved how to get free guide data into WMC

Read posts #76 , #94 and #95

Cheers

It would be helpful to explain here, for those for those who don't wish to join the forum.

 

[antidot]

Windows environment. Edit your hosts file, add:

35.80.121.34 tvlistings.zap2it.com (save and reboot)

Optionally run command: tracert tvlistings.gracenote.com (hit enter)

Whatever IP address comes back, use that in your hosts file.

Or, you can add:
address=/tvlistings.zap2it.com/35.80.121.34 to your DNSMasq (if you have that option) on your router. This way you won't have to edit any hosts file, if you have many computers at home, and don't want to be bothered....

 

[mrceolla]

The IP addresses change pretty often. Checkout my post here for a bat file to update your hosts file with results from nslookup. Use just before you run your tv guide update process.

Zap2it free TV listings XML is no more.

Yeah, the IP changes pretty often. I've attached a .bat file that I prompted AI to spit out. It will update a tvlistings.zap2it.com entry in your hosts file with results from nslookup. It needs to be run with admin privileges. I run this via Task Scheduler a couple minutes before I run...

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