Digiguide or other EPG

FatBob · #1 10-28-2003, 12:35 PM

Has anyone used an alternative source of EPG data other than XMLTV? I find the 3-day limit on the UK XMLTV feed is too restrictive.

It looks feasible to import Digiguide data into the XMLTV plugin (Digiguide has an XML export format), so I'm wondering if anyone has tried that. Digiguide seems to be the best data source available for the UK.

danward79 · #2 10-31-2003, 02:17 PM

Hi,

I would like to know the answer to the same question, the XMLTV cover for UK is Cra*, and had thought about weather it would work does anyone know?

MrManson · #3 11-01-2003, 05:15 AM

I agree - the lack of listing data is frustrating. XMLTV is ok to a point, but 3 days of data isn't enough for me to consider retiring my TiVo just yet (which I'd love to do, as SageTv is becoming a far more powerful and flexible solution).

Unfortunately I think the DigiGuide thing is a non-starter. I do actually use the DigiGuide service (pretty good value for the price), but the data is encrypted and thus not easily usable. The export option limits the amount of show data that you can produce and doesn't look particularly useful. Also, from what I've seen on their forums, they pretty much refuse to talk about providing access to their data for use outside of the DigiGuide app.

I think the reson behind this attitude is that part of the agreement that DigiGuide have with the listing supplier (Tribune I think - anyone?) is the requirement that they not supply unsecured data (there was some discussion about this on the MythTV forums).

I've seen postings suggesting that tv_grab_uk_rt provides a bit more data than the standard uk grabber. Unfortunately I've not managed to get it to work

So where do we go for a usable period of accurate UK listings? You've got me there - if anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them...

msm · #4 11-01-2003, 06:23 AM

The grab_tv_uk_rt program has amore limited number of channels but still the main ones. If, at channel configuration, you type in the channel you want it will come up with a number of similar channels, then you just choose one - no nice channel configuration as fot the grab_tv_uk.

It also takes a fair while to get the data, but you can get up to two weeks from it - i have done so with all the terrestial and major sky channels.

The radio times web page actually has data for alot more channels, so I may look at extending the grabber if i ever get round to looking at the source data....

Cheers,

Matt

mlbdude · #5 11-01-2003, 07:09 AM

I agree it would be a good solution for Frey and Digiguide to partner. I used to use DigiGuide here in the US before they stopped supporting us. It might be a good idea for someone to contact DigiGuide and tell them about Sage and about its EPG plugin. They may want to design an interface for Sage since that means more licenses sold for them.

MrManson · #6 11-02-2003, 06:23 AM

Now this is much better - somewhat hungover and tender, I decided to have another go with tv_grab_uk_rt.

Previously I was getting errors if I specificed an output file (--output listings.xml), so instead of doing that I changed my batch file to redirect output to the file instead. (xmltv tv_grab_uk_rt --days 7 > listings.xml).

It works just fine now - 7 days worth of listings for the main freeview channels takes about 45 minutes to download, but I've scheduled it to run at 3am so it's shouldn't be too much of a problem - and it's definitely worth it for the improved data.

Still not sure about ditching the TiVo just yet - the full Sky lineup for 14 days would presumably take a huge amount of time to grab (understandably so given the number of pages that have to be hit) - is anyone actually doing this with tv_grab_uk_rt for full Sky listings?

Anyway, just wanted to post back to give a big thumbs up for the uk_rt grabber - and now it's time for some hair of the dog I think...

danward79 · #7 11-02-2003, 10:02 AM

Glad i am not the only one with that problem!

I will try your way now, and redirect it

FatBob · #8 11-12-2003, 11:52 AM

I've just managed to get going with the uk_rt grabber too.

I noticed that the RT website has lots more channels than the uk_rt grabber exposes - including regional BBC channels, etc.

It looks like it should be possible to configure the grabber to get the extra channels - but trying the obvious things hasn't worked for me.

Does anyone know how to get extra channels (e.g. BBC1 Scotland) out of uk_rt? (I can find the RT channel ID, e.g. 113, easily enough, but can't seem to hack it into my config).

msm · #9 11-12-2003, 12:51 PM

I am looking at that as well but no luck as of yet. Please can you keep any progress posted here, as I will, so we know if anyone is getting anywhere....

Cheers,

Matt

FatBob · #10 11-12-2003, 05:58 PM

After looking and playing with the grab_uk_rt code for a while, I'm pretty sure that nothing can be done via config. Basically, the channel list is determined by the contents of the 'Standard TV Channels' dropdown list on the front page of www.radiotimes.beeb.co.uk.

So, although the other channel data is available, the current grabber plugin will just ignore it.

I plan to see if I can modify the code to allow other channels, but setting up the code on Win32 platforms (all I have available to test on) rather than installing the ready-built bundle isn't as straightforward as it could be, so it may take some time.

If I get anywhere, I'll let you know.

FatBob · #11 11-13-2003, 05:22 PM

Well, I managed it.

I now have an updated tv_grab_uk_rt.pl file, which will parse extra channels from the channels_id file, and allow them to be used in the tv_grab_uk_rt.conf file.

I've submitted it to Ed Avis, hopefully for inclusion in the next XMLTV build.

Let me know if you want a copy in the meantime.

msm · #12 11-14-2003, 02:35 AM

Fantatic work! I hadn't even got round to looking at it yet!

A copy in the meantime would be great, can you mail me one please? my address is m.s.meadows AT freeserve.co.uk

How long does it take to get a whole sky selection worth of changes - have you tried this yet?

Thanks alot

Matt

FatBob · #13 11-16-2003, 08:38 PM

msm - every time I try to email you, it bounces. Presumably I have the wrong email address for you.

Can you please email me at fatbob at lardicus-maximus.co.uk?

Ta.

msm · #14 11-17-2003, 03:29 AM

Ahhh what a plonker (me of course!) i've missed out part of my email address. Opps. I'll send you a mail - sorry about all the trouble!

Matt

danward79 · #15 11-21-2003, 03:11 PM

Any chance you could post a copy of your xml grabber for uk rabiotimes please? I use this but more channels would be great.

CaptainFlash · #16 01-06-2004, 02:17 PM

FatBob,

Could you please send me your tv_grab_uk_rt.pl file? I've tried everything else without luck. My set up's almost perfect now, with MrManson's character-data plug-in - but I need North-West not South-East data for BBC and ITV!

Please mail me at ianparky at hotmail.com

Many thanks

leejsmith · #17 01-22-2004, 12:56 PM

fatbob.

could you also send me the updated pl file as ananova stopped there service today and i will be missing at least 4 channles.

msm · #18 01-22-2004, 02:10 PM

Ananova have stopped ther service?? please tell me thats not for good

I also messed up my hard drive, so if i copuld have it again that would be great...cheeky i know but desperate times and all that

leejsmith · #19 01-22-2004, 02:52 PM

i had a script error in tv_grab_uk too

msm · #20 01-22-2004, 03:21 PM

damn. Just as Sage was nearing completion and this happens

Can't believe rt will last either tbh - don;t tyhink XML trawlers are the favourite thing for them

ahh, well,

Matt

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