Zap2It Labs shutting down, how will this effect sagetv?

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by stanger89

So Andy, how about a running count of the number of threads you've merged

Good idea -- I started adding numbers to the 'merged' comments. And, I can use that idea on other "breaking news" topics in the future. Who says we aren't open to new ideas around here!?

Originally Posted by zz5

... I just ran over here is soon as I could. I wanted to be the first to break the news. You heard it here first. ...
* merged 4 *

Now you have me wondering if you posted this as a joke, because the General forum had a permament redirect to this thread right below your thread.

- Andy

[bcjenkins]

Originally Posted by popechild

Count me as one user who will be negatively affected. I live in LA and only have OTA HD tuners. I've tried the built-in EPG (originally and a couple of times since) over the last year and it's unfortunately very lacking compared to the Data Direct feed from Zap2It - particularly when it comes to digital sub-channels.

I don't know why this is, though I assume it has something to do with the amount of data that Sage chooses to purchase from Zap2it. Hopefully - if this is indeed the case - it'll increase pressure on Sage to "up" the license, or do whatever they need to do to fill in all the gaps in their data. If not, it will certainly be a bad day for me.

Why not open a support request with SageTV? Also, it is my impression SageTV will pull in a schedule automatically for channels not included in the lineup but based on call sign. I thought this was a new feature in 6?

B

[jbarr]

I do have one question about this, though, so can someone please clarify this?

If I recall correctly, when I set up SageTV, I believe I had to set up an account with Zap2It Labs, Periodically, I have to go to the Zap2It Labs Web site to "renew" my subscription. According to the site, my account is a "Gold" subscription plan, and expires on 31-Aug-2007. Is this account a "personal free account" subject to closure, or is this an account tied to SageTV?

I hope the answers to this will help others clarify the issue.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by jbarr

If I recall correctly, when I set up SageTV, I believe I had to set up an account with Zap2It Labs, Periodically, I have to go to the Zap2It Labs Web site to "renew" my subscription. According to the site, my account is a "Gold" subscription plan, and expires on 31-Aug-2007. Is this account a "personal free account" subject to closure, or is this an account tied to SageTV?

Your account has nothing to do with SageTV's built-in data, and if you are using the built-in guide data, there is no need for a Zap2It Labs Data Direct account.

If you are keeping an account there, then either 1) you never needed to, or 2) you were using a plugin to get EPG data for some reason.

- Andy

[jbarr]

Hmmmm....strange. I'll have to check that out tonight.

Thanks for the clarification!!!!

[camus]

Is this where I start a new thread about Zap2It labs discontinuing service?

Anybody? Am I in the right place?

[teknubic]

Wow. 4 Merges. Maybe an announcement is in order for this sort of thing?
I dunno... I think Andy might feel like this:

[Lostinpvr]

Does anyone read anything any more.
Good Grief !!!!

[Paul H]

This looks like fun! Can I play!

BTW I don't know why you're all worried about this, when the real problem is the fact that there is DiHydrogen Oxide in your drinking water!

[ke6guj]

:

Originally Posted by Paul H

BTW I don't know why you're all worried about this, when the real problem is the fact that there is Hydrogen DiOxide in your drinking water!

Yup, high levels of Hydrogen DiOxide (aka.Hydrogen peroxide) in the drinking water would be a concern

Now, if you meant Dihydrogen Monxide, or Hydrogen Hyrdroxide,

The dangers of dihydrogen monoxide include:

Also called "hydroxyl acid", the substance is the major component of acid rain;
Contributes to the greenhouse effect;
Contributes to the erosion of our natural landscape;
Accelerates corrosion and breakdown of electrical equipment;
Excessive ingestion may cause various unpleasant effects, including death;
Prolonged contact with its solid form results in severe tissue damage;
Inhalation, even in small quantities, may cause death;
Its gaseous form may cause severe burns;
It has been found in the tumors of terminal cancer patients;
Withdrawal by those addicted to the substance causes certain death within 168 hours;

Despite the danger, DHMO is often used:

Used in many forms of cruel animal research;
The US Navy has a secret distribution network for DHMO;
Lakes and rivers all over the world are contaminated with DHMO;
In the distribution of pesticides. Even after washing, produce remains contaminated by this chemical;
As an additive in certain "junk-foods" and other food products;
Known to be a component of a number of cancer-causing agents
Nevertheless, governments and corporations continue using it widely, heedless of its grave dangers.

edit: Too slow to post before you edited.

[Gabriel]

I am one of those using a plugin to get my EPG data from Zap2It Labs, and one of the reasons is I am using two "fake" international zip codes, 904MEXI and 101VENE, to get Directv Latin America listings.

Do these zip codes work with SageTV's built-in guide data?

Gabriel

[Paul H]

Sorry about that Jack, I was explaining how to use Hydrogen peroxide for ear wax removal to a co-worker today and must have had it on my mind when I wrote that!

[ke6guj]

no worries, its all good

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by Gabriel

I am one of those using a plugin to get my EPG data from Zap2It Labs, and one of the reasons is I am using two "fake" international zip codes, 904MEXI and 101VENE, to get Directv Latin America listings.

Do these zip codes work with SageTV's built-in guide data?

I don't believe so. SageTV has built-in data for the US and Canada. To see what would happen, I tried the codes you listed & I ended up with choices from somewhere in Canada.

- Andy

[bcjenkins]

Originally Posted by Opus4

I don't believe so. SageTV has built-in data for the US and Canada. To see what would happen, I tried the codes you listed & I ended up with choices from somewhere in Canada.

- Andy

:: psst :: Latin America is south of here.. Not north

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by bcjenkins

:: psst :: Latin America is south of here.. Not north

I figured he would already be aware of that. I thought maybe he came from outside the US & therefore had a better grasp of geography.

- Andy

[astribli]

How much you want to bet this thread will be re-activated, oh I don't know, around August 31 ?

[Gabriel]

Originally Posted by Opus4

I don't believe so. SageTV has built-in data for the US and Canada. To see what would happen, I tried the codes you listed & I ended up with choices from somewhere in Canada.

- Andy

Thanks, Andy. In light of this shutdown, how do I go about convincing Sage to add at least one of these listings? There are already over 100,000 zip codes included. As long as Zap2it has it available, and I know they do, since I have been downloading it daily for over a year, would adding one more be too much trouble?
Gabriel

[Opus4]

Since several people have questions about how to get EPG data they used to get via Zap2It's Data Direct service and which isn't included in what SageTV has access to via Zap2It, I started a new topic for that purpose here. Since I've merged everything that came along about this subject into this thread & there has been a bit of joking around going on here, I thought it might be good to create a topic that would focus only on those people's EPG issues, so those questions wouldn't get lost here. I don't have an answer to that problem, but maybe someone will have ideas.

Great... now I've gone and created a new topic about this too...

- Andy

[tfurlong]

There was some news recently about Zap2It ending their free TV listing service, and MythTV has struck a deal with them so their users can pay for continued service. Does this affect SageTV users? Will we have to move to a subscription model to get TV listing updates?

* merged 5 *