Big Screen EPG (0.1 beta) - Discussion/Support thread. (Closed)

[dgaust]

Niall,

I've noticed some strange issues with the 'Top Series' categories. In most instances it's fine, but on some occasions if I select a show like 'The Might Boosh' it actually comes up with details for CSI: Miami.

There was another one as well that came up with Bones, but I can't remember off the top of my head right now what it was.

Cheers

[Niall]

As with Neil i'm still having trouble with the EPG times. To clarify my earlier post i should have said if there is a gap from 10:30 to 11:00 in the xml MCE will pull the next program back half an hour to fill that time. So the show that would have started at 11:00 would now start at 10:30, hence everything after that will also start half an hour earlier.

I appreciate all the hard work and effort you are putting into this Niall. It must be a big PITA.

I've attached the xml file i'm using. Notice the gap in Primes' programming (channel ID X0946 between 00:30 and 05:30) which seems to be causing the problems.

Thanks for the sample file... I've fixed that bug now too! (added a few double/tripple checks on the final results using your data - to make sure it's all good).. FYI: This issue was caused by a change I made to handle xmltv sources which had no stop time - and was altering the 'filler' programs to be only 1 min in length.. (hence throwing the rest of the schedule out per each instance).. doh! (I must have done this bit of code very late at night!)...

I'll pm you (and paul) and see if you're around to doublecheck that the new 'D' release gives you joy (before I send it out to everyone).

thanks
Niall

[Niall]

Niall,

I've noticed some strange issues with the 'Top Series' categories. In most instances it's fine, but on some occasions if I select a show like 'The Might Boosh' it actually comes up with details for CSI: Miami.

There was another one as well that came up with Bones, but I can't remember off the top of my head right now what it was.

Cheers

Hi -
I've noticed that happening as well (with a different show) - and I was able to track that down to old auto generated series data being in the mce db. (and somehow it had internally assigned 2 different UID's to the same series record - even though the MXF file was correct). When you then look at it via the Top Rated Series section - the Series Record (rather than Program Record) details are shown (and the title will be for one of the two clashing series) - however if you drill down into the program(s) the titles will then be correct.

I suspect this was caused either by old EIT data, old Recorded TV files (well at least ones recorded prior to BSE) or data from a pre v0.3 release of BSE (which someone clashed).

Hopefully in future versions (of Win 7) - there will be a function to completely clean out the db prior to your initial import (and a setting to ensure potentially clashing EIT data doesn't get in there in the first place).

Niall

[Niall]

Thanks for the new version Niall - much appreciated. Here's some feedback for v0.3C:

Firstly, with v0.3C, just as before, no channel mapping takes place whether or not I've ticked 'export channel numbers' (DVB-S2 card with matching channel numbers in BSE and 7MC - 138 channels). As I reported yesterday, when I reduced the number of channels in the xml file for testing purposes (see files below), I found that after the bse import, a bunch of channels had gone missing. Looking closer it seems that any channels which previously had xml data attached to them, but which were not included in the shorter xml file, were deleted from 7MC's guide page. If they still exist, they've had there channel numbers changed or removed to the extent that I have to totaly reset everythingto get them back. I've since found out that this only happens if 'include channel numbers' in bse is ticked. So although this tick box won't actually map the listing for me, it does manage to delete those channels if there's no epg data in the xml file for that channel - go figure!

The 'xml epg data won't stick to some channels' still exist, as I expected. Interestingly, it did stick to some that it wouldn't before and vice-versa!

I have again confirmed that nearly half my channels have the times incorrect. It could be a little less than before but it takes a long while to attach all the listing manually and then check for errors. Again I can't see a particular pattern but or overlap problem but it could be to do with no data on some channels at a particular time? As this is by far the most critical error in the beta, I reduced my xml file to a few channels, all of which give timing errors except 'ITV 1' (included for comparison) and 'ITV 2' (which is a channel that 'won't stick'). The xml file is only 3mb and I have also attached the corresponding mxf file. I've put links at the end of this to both files.

When the data does stick to a channel, the logos now appear in the grid - brilliant!

Once again, I hope this stuff helps and thanks for all your efforts. Links to xml and mxf are below.

Regards

Edit: I just checked my bse 'ignore inband settings' and noticed that it lists some of my S2 HD channels (such as History HD). I haven't done a clean install since switching from using DVBSBridge to using plain old DVBS in 7MC so I guess it might be a 'left over channel' somewhere. If it really was the case that hidden somewhere in 7MC are the S2 channels that it refuses to scan, that would be a major breakthrough! Any ideas?

http://www.stopthecruelty.org.uk/downloads/xmltv.xml
http://www.stopthecruelty.org.uk/downloads/epgdata.mxf

Hi Neil,

I've found (and finally nailed) the bug with the start times (see a couple of threads above).

To clarify some of your other comments -

Channel Numbers - Your epgdata.mxf file is showing that you haven't actually configured the channel numbers (or you don't have the export channel numbers enabled). Please ensure you fill in the '#' (and optionally '.#') columns in the channel mappings section - the 'ID' is not the channel number - it's a unique id (even if you are getting numeric values from your particular feed). I'm happy to have a look at your importsettings.xml file if you want (if you think you do have the right info in there) - it's entirely possible some other issue/bug is preventing it from coming through.

Program Schedules for channels previously imported via BSE - It's intended behaviour that you should only see the latest program data for channels included in your last import with BSE. (EIT/ MS Guide data etc is seperate to this and won't get touched). The reason for this is that as part of the import - a 'Lineup' (a collection of custom channels) are imported - and this overrides any previous imports you did for this same Lineup (BSE uses a hardcoded Lineup ID each time). So if your import 1 day ago had channels A+B+C - and then your import today had channels C+D+E - then channel A+B should no longer be available in your system (and you will only see C+D+E).

Channel Listings Sticking - this is either being exasperated by lack of channel numbers - or you are hitting the same Win7 beta bug we get in Australia (where the odd channel won't allow the edit listings function to stick). I'd first try to get the channel numbers going and see if that helps.

To check the Channel Numbers - check that .mxf file you have been outputing. Right down the bottom your will see a few elements called 'channel'. If the channel numbers are being correctly output - you will see an attribute called 'number' (and if subchannels are used - another attribute called 'subNumber'). If you can't see this 'number' attribute - then the numbers are being outputted.

ie.

<Channel uid="!Channel!OuterLimits!2" lineup="l1" service="s2" number="2" />

thanks

Niall

[Niall]

Hi -

Version 0.3D download link has now been sent to all beta testers.

This update deals with the following issue (as reported by users above) :

- Where there are 'gaps' in the source program schedule - some incorrect calculations were being made causing subsequent program start times to be wrong.

enjoy

Niall

[dgaust]

Hi -
I've noticed that happening as well (with a different show) - and I was able to track that down to old auto generated series data being in the mce db. (and somehow it had internally assigned 2 different UID's to the same series record - even though the MXF file was correct). When you then look at it via the Top Rated Series section - the Series Record (rather than Program Record) details are shown (and the title will be for one of the two clashing series) - however if you drill down into the program(s) the titles will then be correct.

I suspect this was caused either by old EIT data, old Recorded TV files (well at least ones recorded prior to BSE) or data from a pre v0.3 release of BSE (which someone clashed).

Hopefully in future versions (of Win 7) - there will be a function to completely clean out the db prior to your initial import (and a setting to ensure potentially clashing EIT data doesn't get in there in the first place).

Niall

Thanks, not a huge deal as there are other ways to do it.

[lemonato]

Hi -

Version 0.3D download link has now been sent to all beta testers.

This update deals with the following issue (as reported by users above) :

- Where there are 'gaps' in the source program schedule - some incorrect calculations were being made causing subsequent program start times to be wrong.

enjoy

Niall

Problem solved, thanks Niall!

[mddunson]

Niall,

This is an impressive piece of work and the richness of data for the guide is a step function improvement (thanks to Win7 and you). I have been running each successive upgrade and the UI input improvements are great. No issues. I have not spend much time examining the series and searching. Also, I have been running it on my main machine with extender and no issues. Lots of compliments from my wife too. I have the channel mapping issue, but once I have it configured it is no problem, unless I had to go back and rescan the XMLTV file.

One question: most of my guide sources for movie channels do not have the year of the movie. I understand to get the movie metadata pulled in the title and year of movie are needed. Is there any alternate means to do this searching?

Thanks again.

[Niall]

Niall,

One question: most of my guide sources for movie channels do not have the year of the movie. I understand to get the movie metadata pulled in the title and year of movie are needed. Is there any alternate means to do this searching?

Thanks again.

Hi -

I'm not currently aware of any 3rd party tools that can take an xmltv feed and locate/add this information for you.

I've been evaluating putting in a auto movie metadata inject feature (using same code/logic used for the tv series metadata inject) - which would mainly put in a year and a star rating (the other piece of info to get the complete details and have it come up in top rated movies section). The db required for these two fields etc is very big (significantly bigger than the number of tv series) - and Im talking just English movies too. Currently the tv series db adds around 700k to the size of the bstool.exe - however my estimates on the movie db would be an additional 5mb - 10mb. (which i'd probably not pack inside the .exe). There'd also be the issue of continuously updating this info (the tv series info goes stale a lot slower). Doing any sort of realtime lookup (ie. from Amazon etc) would be way too slow (wheras the local lookup only adds a small overhead - I think currently 0.1- 0.5 sec's to the mxf generation time).

If you want to manually do this however (ie edit your xmltv files and insert the date tag) - which would be quite a painful excercize - there's a bunch of good places - amazon.com (via their dvd section), imdb.com plus lots of the dvd retailer/rental sites (videoezy.com.au for example has an excellent database and search engine).

Niall

[brent1981]

Hi Brent -
I was hoping that the solution for stb + adding the channel numbers - would be same for you (but sounds like not the case). I will try and arrange some time to remote desktop into your box on the weekend (if thats still ok) - and see if I can find out whats going on.

thanks
Niall

That would be awesome, Its just frustraing that after all the drama you had to go through in vista in early days to get it going this solution is so much easier, and seems to work just wont show up! :-)

[Shawnf]

Hi Niall

I have noticed something a little strange with my setup. I updated from v0.2 to v0.3B(now D). When I put V0.2 on I edited the names of the channels at that stage so I could identify them easier (from the broadcasters list) when attaching the guide to the channel. So for Seven HD I called it Seven HD-ice etc.

When I ran V0.3 it collected the data from the V0.2 setup file and helped me through the setup. Now in my channel list in BSEtool I just have the channel names back too there default names which is OK. No issues there.

I have uploaded my EPG data to the machine but when I go into the channel setup and I look to attach the guide to the channel it still shows up with the names of Seven HD-ice even though with V0.3D it is now just called Seven HD.

I would have expected to see either it being renamed back to what it is currently setup in V0.3 or to see an extra EPG data listing to associate with the channel (One with the old name and one with the new name). At the moment I have data in there up untill Wednesday next week, so I am not sure if it is updating the data or not at the moment.

I am thnking of a reinstall of Windows 7 so I don't have any V0.2 data in the machine, or is there an easy way to delete all EPG listing data from within W7 and re-upload it fresh? (maybe an option to go into your BSEtool?)

[Neil__C]

Hi Neil,

I've found (and finally nailed) the bug with the start times (see a couple of threads above).

To clarify some of your other comments -

Channel Numbers - Your epgdata.mxf file is showing that you haven't actually configured the channel numbers (or you don't have the export channel numbers enabled). Please ensure you fill in the '#' (and optionally '.#') columns in the channel mappings section - the 'ID' is not the channel number - it's a unique id (even if you are getting numeric values from your particular feed). I'm happy to have a look at your importsettings.xml file if you want (if you think you do have the right info in there) - it's entirely possible some other issue/bug is preventing it from coming through.

Program Schedules for channels previously imported via BSE - It's intended behaviour that you should only see the latest program data for channels included in your last import with BSE. (EIT/ MS Guide data etc is seperate to this and won't get touched). The reason for this is that as part of the import - a 'Lineup' (a collection of custom channels) are imported - and this overrides any previous imports you did for this same Lineup (BSE uses a hardcoded Lineup ID each time). So if your import 1 day ago had channels A+B+C - and then your import today had channels C+D+E - then channel A+B should no longer be available in your system (and you will only see C+D+E).

Channel Listings Sticking - this is either being exasperated by lack of channel numbers - or you are hitting the same Win7 beta bug we get in Australia (where the odd channel won't allow the edit listings function to stick). I'd first try to get the channel numbers going and see if that helps.

To check the Channel Numbers - check that .mxf file you have been outputing. Right down the bottom your will see a few elements called 'channel'. If the channel numbers are being correctly output - you will see an attribute called 'number' (and if subchannels are used - another attribute called 'subNumber'). If you can't see this 'number' attribute - then the numbers are being outputted.

ie.

<Channel uid="!Channel!OuterLimits!2" lineup="l1" service="s2" number="2" />

thanks

Niall

Hi Niall,

Great job nailing the time bug - tested a few channels at random and it seems fine.

The reason the mxf file didn't list channel numbers was because I had turned export channel numbers off when doing a test with just a few channels. If I didn't do this, the test would delete all the other channels. I understand what you're saying by 'working as designed' - the problem is if I add the channels back into the xml afterwards, they don't reappear. They're lost forever and I have to set all channels to 'restore default' in 7MC (a real pain). Anyway .....

I did a full test with 0.3D, with all channels in the xml and bse set to export channles numbers. In 7MC, I have exactly those channels enabled and numbered exactly the same way. In BSE, the channel number is set to match (it is the channel number I've set, not the ID). I then performed the full export from bse. Once again, no epg data was mapped to the correct 7MC channels at all. I have checked both my import settings and the xmf file and these seem correct. I have attached extracts from the import settings file and from the mxf (as it was a full test, I figured you wouldn't appreciate all 50MBs!).

There are still very large numbers of channels to which the xml epg data won't 'stick'. I'd agree about getting the channel numbers working correctly but as you can see from the attached files, I'm pretty sure I've done that yet absolutely no automatic mapping is taking place.

I cannot believe the difference this product has made to the media center TV experience - fantastic job!

Regards