[EXT] XMLTV Guide and Search

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colin1951uk
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Re: [EXT] XMLTV Guide and Search

Post by colin1951uk »

Benjamin Markson wrote:The mc2xml exe has been updated. It now (sometimes) includes a total episodes value in the SD data. Annoyingly, the version number hasn't changed - it still reports as v1.6.0.0 - and I can't find any release notes.
A point of interest, I sent the author of mc2xml a small donation yesterday and he sent me a V1.6 also but mine unlocks the ability to get at the new Microsoft service and the new one is much better than the legacy offering.

The updated service provides all of the Freeview channels bar Movies4Men and the inimitable Talking Pictures TV so a very big improvement on the legacy data.

I'd like to share the .exe with you all but I can't because it's been protected by having my name and address as well as my private email address hard coded into it and they show up every time it's launched. Obviously I don't want my personal details on the loose so I can't pass it around.

But it's well worth having so if you feel like donating a token amount (I sent 30 Canadian Dollars - about 18 Quid) you can get it as well.

Cheers...Colin
colin1951uk
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Re: [EXT] XMLTV Guide and Search

Post by colin1951uk »

colin1951uk wrote:Having said this, I have had to release v1.0.7 of the add-on. Confusingly, the Series and Episode start on zero but the total episodes is an absolute value - v1.0.6 is showing the total episodes as one too many.
I can't find v1.0.7 Ben, v1.0.6 is all I see available :?
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Benjamin Markson
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Re: [EXT] XMLTV Guide and Search

Post by Benjamin Markson »

colin1951uk wrote:A point of interest, I sent the author of mc2xml a small donation yesterday and he sent me a V1.6 also but mine unlocks the ability to get at the new Microsoft service and the new one is much better than the legacy offering.
That sounds interesting. I do wonder how the developer keeps track of what's what if all of their different versions are 1.6!

Besides the channel content how does the data content differ from the legacy feed - I know it claims to have Series and Episode, anything else? Is it generally better then SD (when SD is updating properly)? I'm finding SD to be good when it properly populates its fields but the completeness of that population does vary a lot from channel to channel, and even programme to programme.
colin1951uk wrote:I can't find v1.0.7 Ben, v1.0.6 is all I see available :?
You can always see the latest version here: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefo ... /versions/ but be aware that the latest version will not be signed until AMO do their review - at which point it gets pushed out automagically. I have no control over how long the review process takes - for very minor changes to an existing add-on it's usually quick but there is never any guarantee.

At the time of typing it is reporting its Queue Position as 10 of 30 - only the add-on developer can see this.

Given how minor the change its probably not worth installing the unsigned version.

Ben.
XUL is dead. Long live the Google Chrome Clones.
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Benjamin Markson
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Re: [EXT] XMLTV Guide and Search

Post by Benjamin Markson »

v1.0.7 has now been reviewed/signed. To see the correct total episodes value you will need to reimport the relevant xmltv.xml file.

A total episodes value is not always available - I don't know if there is any logic, it looks random to me.

Ben.
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colin1951uk
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Re: [EXT] XMLTV Guide and Search

Post by colin1951uk »

Benjamin Markson wrote:Besides the channel content how does the data content differ from the legacy feed - I know it claims to have Series and Episode, anything else? Is it generally better then SD (when SD is updating properly)?
Well other than Episode/Series detail (which is patchy) the only other thing I've found is:-

<video>
<aspect>16:9</aspect>
<quality>HDTV</quality>

Something I would hope to find in Schedules Direct data!

Again <video> is very patchy.

I can't find anything under the <audio> tag though which is disappointing.

But generally it looks to be a step up from the legacy stuff.
Benjamin Markson wrote:v1.0.7 has now been reviewed/signed.
Roger splodger on that, I'll update.

BTW, Schedules Direct and the Channel Five issue is now fixed, I've now got ten days data on a grab about half an hour ago. There have been tickets flying between us to sort it out. If their tickets were collectable I'd be rich by now! :)

Cheers...Colin
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keithy397
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Re: [EXT] XMLTV Guide and Search

Post by keithy397 »

Hi. I opened up xmltv this morning and.... nothing. The date range ended yesterday and when I 'execute' the update it states 'no new data'?

Any ideas guys please?
Cheers,
Keith
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Benjamin Markson
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Re: [EXT] XMLTV Guide and Search

Post by Benjamin Markson »

keithy397 wrote:The date range ended yesterday and when I 'execute' the update it states 'no new data'?
It would seem that the Microsoft data has a history of going AWOL. A forum that deals with this is: http://www.thegreenbutton.tv/forums - the forum specialises in Microsoft's Windows Media Centre which is the source of the data you are using.

See the thread UK EPG Licence Expiring - it's quite a long thread but the latest outage is being reported around page 23, post #448.

Using Schedules Direct I am not having the same problem.

Ben.
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keithy397
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Re: [EXT] XMLTV Guide and Search

Post by keithy397 »

Ah ok! I'll take a look at SD now then...

Thanks Ben.
Cheers,
Keith
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keithy397
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Re: [EXT] XMLTV Guide and Search

Post by keithy397 »

This morning I tried to update and it's still on holiday!

I've looked at SD and decided to go for it. I'm filling in the sign up form but I'm unsure as to what software I use?

What do I have to do to set it up?

TIA
Cheers,
Keith
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Benjamin Markson
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Re: [EXT] XMLTV Guide and Search

Post by Benjamin Markson »

keithy397 wrote:TI've looked at SD and decided to go for it. I'm filling in the sign up form but I'm unsure as to what software I use?
Yes, I seem to remember being confused by that too. i think I just ticked: Personal research (XMLTV). I don't think it makes any difference.

Once you have your user name and password (you should get a 7 day trial without paying any money) you can use the same mc2xml.exe program. I keep a copy in a separate folder to the Microsoft one for my SD grabs, in that way they can be used in tandem from different Sources in my add-on.

Ben.
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keithy397
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Re: [EXT] XMLTV Guide and Search

Post by keithy397 »

Benjamin Markson wrote:Once you have your user name and password (you should get a 7 day trial without paying any money) you can use the same mc2xml.exe program. I keep a copy in a separate folder to the Microsoft one for my SD grabs, in that way they can be used in tandem from different Sources in my add-on.

Ben.
I'm not understanding you Ben. How does using the same mc2xml.exe program enable me to use SD? I've just set it up the same, where do SD come into the equation?? ](*,)
Cheers,
Keith
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Benjamin Markson
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Re: [EXT] XMLTV Guide and Search

Post by Benjamin Markson »

The trick is, you're sort of starting from scratch so you need to keep things separate from any Microsoft stuff you're already using.

When you run mc2xml.exe for the first time (that is, in a folder without its .dat file) it invites you to pick a Service - pick: schedules direct json. Two new input fields will appear: Username and Password - that is for your newly-minted Schedules Direct log in. Plus a valid Postal code area, Country Code: GB... same routine as the microsoft legacy Service.

You can still use any existing .chl, and .ren files - just copy them into the same folder.

Once you have an xmltv.xml file from SD you'll then need to set up a Source for it in the add-on. So, you'll have two sources, one for Microsoft and one for SD. You can flip between the two (or even mix the two) using the Source drop-down above the menu list.

At some point in the future you may abandon one or other of the sources depending on how things pan out.

Ben.
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colin1951uk
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Re: [EXT] XMLTV Guide and Search

Post by colin1951uk »

keithy397 wrote:I'm not understanding you Ben. How does using the same mc2xml.exe program enable me to use SD?
Keith first you need to delete the mc2xml.dat file (if you have one for the Microsoft service.)

Then just double click mc2xml.exe and you'll see the option: 'schedules direct json' so check that box, fill in the username/password that you used to setup your Schedules Direct account and then add your postcode and select GB for the country. (Note for the postcode I use just the first bit for mine e.g. SO50 and don't put in the rest as that way I get more listing options to download.)

When you've done all that click OK and you'll see a number of listings available for your transmitter so just choose the one you want and let mc2xml.exe download/convert it for you.

That's it, it's no different to using the Microsoft service other than adding your username/password.
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Benjamin Markson
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Re: [EXT] XMLTV Guide and Search

Post by Benjamin Markson »

I would still suggest you do as Colin suggests but in a new folder using a second copy of mc2xml.exe - otherwise you will, in effect, be destroying your Microsoft set up.

To Colin, out of interest has the new Microsoft feed also gone AWOL, or is it only the, so called, legacy feed that has disappeared?

Ben.
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colin1951uk
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Re: [EXT] XMLTV Guide and Search

Post by colin1951uk »

Benjamin Markson wrote:To Colin, out of interest has the new Microsoft feed also gone AWOL, or is it only the, so called, legacy feed that has disappeared?
Ben, since having sorted out a few channels with Schedules Direct I stopped using the new Microsoft feed but I've just tried it now and it looks to be working fine.

Legacy may have died but I think the new feed is only as good as the life cycle of Windows 7 as when that comes to pass and Microsoft no longer support the o/s then anything that goes with it will be dropped as well I would have thought.

So running with Schedules Direct is the better policy imo.

I'm just fixing up a way to get Gracenote the listings for Talking Pictures Tv and when that's done all the Freeview channels will be covered. The TpTv people are great, it's a family run business and they love helping their viewers out. Say that about the BBC!

Cheers...Colin
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