Free*EPG: How detailed is the Free Epg guide data these days?

[jollster101]

Hi all

I have been using ICE for a while and whilst ok, the WAF has become to be a bit disappointed with the quality of the program synopsis that they sometimes put.

What sort of program synopsis comes as part of Free EPG nowadays? Can anybody post some details if they have any?

Cheers

[scotto74]

Most (if not all) of the guide data is now sourced from the OzTivo community.

epgStream add their own tranformations on top of this (eg. to provide the hybrid feed, where any programs simulcast on both SD & HD channels are copied across to the HD lineup, since the OzTivo data for HD channels only includes dedicated HD programming).

So, the quality of the guide data is usually dependant on how active (or inactive) the OzTivo community is. Anyone can become an OzTivo contributor, so everyone is encouraged to register with the OzTivo community and fill in any gaps that they can...this not only means that the data will eventually filter down into your MCE guide, but also to everyone else that uses the Free EPG feed.

[Ararat]

It's pretty good. They pretty much always give you the episode name (which to me is FAR more important than the synopsis, as I'm an archiver), and their synopses are generally quite detailed. Unfortunately, there is a downside, in that the detailed guide usually only lasts about 3-5 days ahead, so not as good as a green guide or foxtel in that sense (I don't know about ice, as I've never used that), but the synopsis is about as detailed as any I've seen in guides.

[Wraak]

FreeEpg is pretty good, the problem is there's nothing on tv to write a nice Synopsis about.

[Ararat]

Here's an idea that's probably not possible.
I think the Foxtel guide is CLEARLY the best guide out there. It's got all the episode names, has very detailed descriptions on everything (as far as I've seen), and is ALWAYS at least 7 days ahead of time. Now if there was a way to get that data into a form usable by the computer... it's probably too much to ask, but if it were possible that would solve all our guide problems, especially as Foxtel has HD now. We'd all be saying EIT? What EIT?

[wallaceff]

If you want the EIT data, come see this threat here to get it working in XP and Vista MCE

Data in the transport stream (EIT) Works in Vista's EPG.

[Ararat]

lol, thanks mate, but you misunderstood what I said. I have been following that EIT thread, and it looks promising, but what I meant was, if we can get the foxtel data, then noone will CARE about EIT (except ppl without broadband i guess), because the foxtel guide data is WAY better than the EIT. atm only ch9 supplies episode names, and in doing so, sacrifices the synopsis. the other commercial networks give a synopsis, but forgo the episode names, and sbs doesn't even broadcast a guide. that's why i believe somehow capturing the foxtel guide would be far better (unless we can get our EIT's into something more akin to what they have in the UK).

[jollster101]

Originally Posted by Wraak

FreeEpg is pretty good, the problem is there's nothing on tv to write a nice Synopsis about.

Lol, that my friend is very true.

As mentioned from the outset, this is purely a WAF exercise. To her its not crap, more educational and essential.

To me though, its crap.