XMLTV First Run/Rerun Utility

[rsagetv99]

One of the first things I noticed when I switched over to XMLTV files was that a lot of shows that should have been re-runs were marked as first-runs. This was a MAJOR draw-back to using XMLTV files IMO.

It appears that the cause was due to the XMLTV data I was receiving from Zap2it. From what I can tell, a show is not considered a rerun in Sage unless it has the <previously shown> tag. Unfortunately, not all re-runs in the Zap2it data contained the <previously shown> tag, those same shows usually contain a <date> tag, which shows the original air-date.

To workaround this problem I created a script that reads the XMLTV file(s) and adds the <previously shown> tag to anything with an original airdate older than (x) amount of days, where "(x)" is configurable. Right now I have (x) set to 8 days, since repeat airings of first-runs usually occur within a week of each other.

I also have the script add the <previously shown> tag to shows that do not contain the <previously shown> tag, or the <date> tag since in my case older shows tend to not contain either. This may be a little aggressive depending on your data source, so I will probably make this configurable.

Let me know if this script is of interest to anyone, if it is I will post it.

[Motofreak75]

Is this script for Zapit data or have you figured out the ShowID numbers created by Echostar & other birds ?

[Vrojack]

I have the exact same problem. A lot of the reality shows like Project Runway are aired multiple times during a week and they are all marked as first runs. Can you please post your script and a brief explanation as how to install/use it.

Thanks
Jack

[rsagetv99]

Originally Posted by Motofreak75

Is this script for Zapit data or have you figured out the ShowID numbers created by Echostar & other birds ?

This is for the Zap2it data since the EPG data I am extracting from MT does not really contain any series type shows so I don't even run it against the MT XML.

[rsagetv99]

Originally Posted by Vrojack

I have the exact same problem. A lot of the reality shows like Project Runway are aired multiple times during a week and they are all marked as first runs. Can you please post your script and a brief explanation as how to install/use it.

Thanks
Jack

I think you problem is a little different. If I am understanding you correctly, even after using my script, the shows would still be marked as first-runs because they still occur within 8 days of the original air-date. You could lower the 8 day setting in my script to 1 or 2 days, but that might cause recording conflicts.

You see if you have a show that airs for the first time on Monday, and repeats that episode 5 more times in the week, and you have a favorite setup for first-runs only, Sage will pick one of the 5 times to record, and disregard the rest due to identical show-ids. The advantage to leaving all 5 as first runs is that Sage can pick any of the 5 times in the event that another one of your favorites is aired at the same time on Monday as your first favorite. This helps avoid recording conflicts.

However, if a show is truly a rerun from a few weeks back, and it still shows as a first-run, then you need this script.

[Vrojack]

Where is the script posted?

Thanks in advance...

[rsagetv99]

Here it is. As with my other scripts, you will need to download Kixtart from kixtart.org (it's free) to run this script. Just extract it into a folder like C:\kixtart and run the following command c:\kixtart\kix32 rerundetect.txt (assuming the script is in the c:\kixtart folder as well.).
I am trying to learn java scripting, but it may be awhile, sorry this is the best I can do right now.

Here is an example of the configurable settings copied from the top of the script:

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
;$XMLFile - Put the path and name of the XMLTV file you want to rerun detect. ;
;                                                                             ;
;$OutputFile - XML file that will be output with reruns marked by the script  ;
;                                                                             ;
;$DaysBeforeRerun - Put the number of days after the original airdate before a;
;show should be considered a rerun.                                           ;
;                                                                             ;
;$RerunIfNoAirDate - 1 to turn this on, marks shows with no airdate listed as ;
;reruns. O turns this off.                                                    ;
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
$XMLFile="C:\XMLTV\1.xml"
$OutputFile="C:\Program Files\SageTV\SageTV\1.xml"
$DaysBeforeRerun=8
$RerunIfNoAirDate=1
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
;No more configuration after this point;
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;