Which EPG is worth subscribing to? I don't mind paying for it..

pdebelak · **30th June 2006, 06:02 PM**

I'm new to the media centre space, and have just built a new VIIV MCE PC. I've got everything working well and would like to get an EPG of some kind. Preferably one which will not crash or break anything. I don't mind paying for it, as long as it works well and does the job.

I'm not really into freebie (under developed hacks) software and would prefer something that is sound.

Would appreciate any subscribers to come forward and let me know who I should look at.

Cheers Paul

nickm86 · **30th June 2006, 07:03 PM**

There's only one legitimate subscription based EPG - IceTV.

Although I do question its "worthiness" of IceTV for your money.

pdebelak · **30th June 2006, 07:26 PM**

What do you mean by "worthiness"? I will check it out. Thanks

bella · **30th June 2006, 07:30 PM**

Pdebelak,

IceTv has a free trial available, so you do not risk anything.

I use it, I think there's some room for improvement but it's the only legal solution.
Although Nine thinks it's not legal.

GlenR · **30th June 2006, 07:38 PM**

Hi pdebelak,

I think what nickm86 means by "worthiness" is the value for money. Some think that paying for an EPG is silly and it should be free. Perhaps there is some truth there. Others think that paying is worth the maoney for less hassles. There's something to be said for this line of thought as well. Horses for courses, I guess.

The reality is this. There are a number of free EPG solutions on offer and they are very good. I used BRP and FreeXMLTV for some time and cannot recommend them highly enough. BUT... the current lunacy in the industry at the moment means that Nine is doing everything in its power to crush any EPG solution in this country. To that end NineMSN, one of the main sources of program information for scrapers, is constantly being changed to obfuscate the data and 'break' the scraper programs. They are then recompiled to deal with the new format/layout/encryption on the site and NineMSN cahnges it again and around we all go.

IceTV offers the only 'legal' EPG in Australia (although Nine is taking them to court claiming copyright infringement) and they charge for it. it is a good service and you do get professional support for your money, something the free ones can't give no matter how well intentioned as they are created by enthusiasts who have real jobs as well.

For my money, IceTV is too expensive at $3pw, but their current offer to memebers of this forum effectively makes it $1.50pw and I think this is reasonable, at least in the short term, while the whole EPG mess gets sorted. $1.50pw is worth not having to worry about your EPG getting 'broken' every week or two.

pdebelak · **30th June 2006, 07:45 PM**

Thanks for the great summary. I will check out the ICETV solution as $1.50 per week is less than 1 coffee

I don't mind giving it a try. Cheers Paul.

PS - I don't have to tell you all how unreal the media centre experience has been for me since I got it. I can't believe how cool it is. Even the wife loves it.

pdebelak · **30th June 2006, 07:47 PM**

One more thing, how do I get the $1.50 deal, as the price on the web is $13 per month? Is there something I need to do to get this? Thanks Paul

bella · **30th June 2006, 07:48 PM**

Quote:

Even the wife loves it.

Wait and see what's gonna happen when you give her an EPG.

bella · **30th June 2006, 07:50 PM**

Call or mail them for this offer and tell them you are a member of this forum.

pdebelak · **30th June 2006, 08:05 PM**

Thanks. Will do.

IceFragmatic · **30th June 2006, 09:31 PM**

I believe the half price offer ends at mid-night tonight.

Ice

pdebelak · **3rd July 2006, 10:06 AM**

I signed up for 12 months (which is now 24 months) and can honestly say it is worth the peace of mind for $146. I'm new to this toy and have mates with MediaCentre who told me to stay away from the freebies unless I was O.K with unreliability. I wanted something stable. Very easy to setup and works a treat.

keep_smilyn · **7th August 2006, 06:06 PM**

We too recommend IceTV. We initially tried using free services (such as FreeXMLTV), but unfortunately the free services are not very stable. FreeXMLTV was good when it worked, but every couple of weeks there was problems with the data source (not the FreeXMLTV software, but where the data was actually being derived from). You can read more about the FreeXMLTV problems throughout this forum. If freeXMLTV was more reliable we would continue to use it, but instead we opted to join a paid service which is more stable.

Since the Australian Broadcasting companies have not yet agreed to allow microsoft rights to their guide data, people like IceTV have to either manually or somehow programmatically extract this information from various sources. I think its only fair to pay an individual or company to do this task if you don't wish to manually do it yourself. Plus most people don't have the time or understand of how to extract the data to import into MCE anyway.

We are currently on the 14 days IceTV trial and happy with it. It was very simple to setup, unlike FreeXMLTV's initial applications. Its worth the money in my opinion and you can also get discounts for recommending friends and family.

Regards,
Nadia

philzgr8 · **8th August 2006, 03:32 PM**

Yep, I think in the current environment IceTV is probably the best solution. In fact I'd have to say that even those who previously chose to go with free solutions are quite happy with it especially since the half price offer.

I really haven't heard many whinges about IceTV for ages now save for a few who don't quite see eye to eye with the iceman on his program descriptions. But then most people don't see that as a major issue.

vlad · **8th August 2006, 04:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bella

Wait and see what's gonna happen when you give her an EPG.

Very funny, bella - I did just that and now Crunchy I hope will save me