Should epgStream implement Oztivo 'multichannel' only listings for SevenHD and TenHD?

[bigdonk]

should freeEPG implement oztivo 'multichannel' for 7HD and 10HD listings ?

Currently freeEPG duplicate Seven > SevenHD and Ten > TenHD listings.

Oztivo do have incomplete HD listings for SevenHD and TenHD, multichannel data is only populated, common channel data is not yet populated into SevenHD and TenHD.

Have your say in the matter by voting.

[Mattyl1107]

I just made a thread about this in the General EPG Discussion (I didn't realise there was a forum for Free-EPG). I am really impressed with the OzTivo Guide Data and would like to continue using it, and it's a pain that I can't get the Ten-HD and 7-HD listings! So thats another vote for me..

Matt

[scotto74]

I was using the OzTivo feed, but recently switched back to the free*EPG 'hybrid' feed for the sole purpose of getting the separate HD listings.

The 'hybrid' feed apparently is (as the name suggested) a hybrid of the free*EPG channel listings, categories etc. (which include the dedicated HD channels) and the OzTivo program descriptions/synopsis.

So, in theory it's a best of both worlds solution. The other advantage is that the free*EPG feed gives you up to 14 days of guide data.

However, I have noticed that because the free*EPG feed is only published weekly on Saturdays (in Sydney, at least); you get progressively more "?" entries leading up to the day the guide data is published. So even though VMC will download the guide each day, it ends up just downloading the same thing 6 days a week, and new data on the 7th day.

On the plus side however, there was another poll recently regarding whether the free*EPG feed should retain or remove the "[HD]" tag from the end of programs that are in HD. Initially I was against it (ie. wanted the suffix removed), but I've now grown to like the idea of being able to see at a glance which shows are in HD and which aren't, without need to scroll to each program to look for the small HD icon in the program details.

So, I'm torn between the clean, frequently updated OzTivo data; or the enhanced, but sometimes ageing free*EPG data....

But I would still vote for having the HD channels in the OzTivo feed, even if I stick with the free*EPG feed.

[epgStream]

Originally Posted by scotto74

However, I have noticed that because the free*EPG feed is only published weekly on Saturdays (in Sydney, at least); you get progressively more "?" entries leading up to the day the guide data is published. So even though VMC will download the guide each day, it ends up just downloading the same thing 6 days a week, and new data on the 7th day.

Hi Scotto!

We do actually update the guide throughout the week, so you will get programme corrections as ozTiVo or epgStream provide them. At present ozTiVo only do a major data update (it appears) on Friday nights ... So in the Free*EPG and ozTiVo feeds you should see that reflected (bulk updates occurring in both). You may notice it more with Free*EPG because we provide the additional 7 days of data so you are seeing more of the '?' appear.


Thanks,

[scotto74]

Yeah, sorry I should have prefixed all of my assertions with "I think..." (as I was just going on perception rather than any specific facts); so thanks for clarifying that.

I guess I've just noticed it more with the Free*EPG feed that I used to with the OzTivo feed. I do stand by my statement though that even on a Friday night, I have a lot of "?" entries for the following day and beyond, so it's not just >7 days in advance where the "?" entries start appearing.

Apologies for jumping to wrong conclusion though.

[epgStream]

Originally Posted by bigdonk

should freeEPG implement oztivo 'multichannel' for 7HD and 10HD listings ?

Currently freeEPG duplicate Seven > SevenHD and Ten > TenHD listings.

Oztivo do have incomplete HD listings for SevenHD and TenHD, multichannel data is only populated, common channel data is not yet populated into SevenHD and TenHD.

Have your say in the matter by voting.

Hi bigdonk!

Just to clarify for everyone: We wouldn't look at changing our epgStream Free*EPG guide feed, only our ozTiVo Digital feed.

At present the main difference with epgStream Free*EPG is that it provides:

1) Additional 7 day forecast,
2) More guide categories,
3) More guide data scrubbing,
4) SD/HD channel listing merging,
5) The little [HD] suffix for HD content, (though it's now tempting to remove it with TEN's new extensive HD content!)

Thanks,

[lost]

Thanks again for all the work. It is really valued.

If it is not asking a trade secret, does the hybrid data contain all of the OzTivo information?

I switched from Oztivo to the hybrid feed a while back, and it seems that the program descriptions often aren't as detailed as I remember them - but it could just be a distorted perception! Even if they aren't it's substantially outwighed by geeting the seperate HD listing though.

[epgStream]

Originally Posted by lost

If it is not asking a trade secret, does the hybrid data contain all of the OzTivo information?

Hi lost!

Yes the hybrid contains all of the ozTiVo information (so we haven't dumbed down the descriptions) and we're in the process of "mixing" it (in UAT) with other available sources. Hopefully in the new year you'll get the best of *ALL* worlds!

Though we have noticed that guide and series information varies from state to state. VIC users seem to get a lot series info than NSW users ... Something we might have to look at crossing-breeding!


Thanks,

[lost]

That's 'cos Victoria is a better place . I'm bumb what's UAT?

[saggynuts]

Originally Posted by lost

I switched from Oztivo to the hybrid feed a while back, and it seems that the program descriptions often aren't as detailed as I remember them - but it could just be a distorted perception! Even if they aren't it's substantially outwighed by geeting the seperate HD listing though.

Hey,

I have been using BRP 3.5 with the Oztive guide for more than 18 months now which has been flawless, but I recently decided to try the freeEPG service because of the HD channels.

One of the things that I noticed straight away was that the program descriptions were no where near as descriptive as Oztivo and in a lot of cases either missing or just showing a link to a url.

[epgStream]

Originally Posted by saggynuts

Hey,

I have been using BRP 3.5 with the Oztive guide for more than 18 months now which has been flawless, but I recently decided to try the freeEPG service because of the HD channels.

One of the things that I noticed straight away was that the program descriptions were no where near as descriptive as Oztivo and in a lot of cases either missing or just showing a link to a url.

Hey saggynuts!

Hmmm ... Strange because at present all comprehensive programme descriptions are coming from ozTiVo.

"... in a lot of cases either missing or just showing a link ..." : Can you give us a few examples (and also your region)? If you think it's a real issue can you create a new thread?


Thanks,

[epgStream]

Hey Guys!

Looks like it's 25 to 1 in favor of the new SevenHD and TenHD channels being swapped in to replace the existing HD copies of SD.

Next question is when? Is it either before or after Christmas? Last thing you want is a problem on Christmas day when the television is the only distraction you have from pesky relatives ...


Thanks,

[lost]

That's been my (subjective) experience as well. Next time I find a program that doesn't have a description I'll check the OzTivo guide and see what it says. If there is a discrepancy the EPG guys see to be really good at explaining why.