Can't set epg123 up

[Chuterix]

How do I fix this issue happening on 3rd step? Nothing works and instructions appear outdated.

[garyan2]

Looks like your firewall may be blocking hdhr2mxf.exe.

[garyan2]

I don't think it is the firewall. Are you running the SiliconDust DVR service on the same machine? I was able to recreate what you saw with the DVR running.

[garyan2]

All right. Found the issue and will release an update soon to be able to use hdhr2mxf on the same machine the DVR service is running on.

EDIT: I will say I had help from nickk at SiliconDust to point me in the right direction.

[Chuterix]

What about epg123?

[Chuterix]

What's the difference between hdhr2mxf vs epg123?

[Chuterix]

Oh. Didn't read this:
"For the server component of the install, EPG123 is used for downloading data from Schedules Direct with membership ($25USD/year); HDHR2MXF is used for downloading data from SiliconDust with DVR Service ($35USD/year)."

[IT Troll]

Schedules Direct recently increased to $35/year, so no difference in price now.

[gbnewbie]

I found my guide data was empty today and tried to install epg123Setup_v1.8.0.9 and getting the same error mssage:
"There was an error using HDHR2MXF to create the MXF file"

While we wait for the fix from Gary, is there an older version of the epg123 install we can use as a workaround? (assuming issue is due to some changes in the latest epg123 install).

Thanks!

[IT Troll]

All previous releases can be found here:
https://github.com/garyan2/epg123/releases

I'm not an HDHR2MXF user though so can't advise on that.

[garyan2]

Released an update to fix hdhr2mxf and the client reporting recorder space used/available.

[Chuterix]

Now how do I fix this problem that's still stopping me? (replicated via hdhr2mxf)
[7/9/2023 4:59:21 PM] ==========================================================
=====================
[7/9/2023 4:59:21 PM] Beginning HDHR2MXF update execution. version 1.8.0.10
[7/9/2023 4:59:21 PM] ==========================================================
=====================
[7/9/2023 4:59:25 PM] [ INFO] Discovered 1 HDHomeRun devices on the network.
[7/9/2023 4:59:26 PM] [ INFO] Discovered HDHomeRun FLEX 4K HDFX-4K (10A36C09) wi
th firmware 20230505.
[7/9/2023 4:59:26 PM] [ INFO] HDHomeRun DVR Service is not active.

I cannot find what "HDHomeRun DVR Service" is, nor do I see it anywhere.

[garyan2]

If you don't have a subscription to the SiliconDust DVR Service, then this is the result.

[gbnewbie]

I saw ver v1.8.0.11 was released. I uninstalled v1.8.0.9 then installed v1.8.0.11, and still getting the error message.

This is in the log. Thanks.

[7/9/2023 7:33:53 PM] ===============================================================================
[7/9/2023 7:33:53 PM] Activating the epg123 client GUI. version 1.8.0.11
[7/9/2023 7:33:53 PM] ===============================================================================
[7/9/2023 7:33:53 PM] *** Windows 7 Professional, 64-bit [Version: 6.1.7601.24334] ***
[7/9/2023 7:33:53 PM] *** .NET Framework 4.6.01590 is installed. ***
[7/9/2023 7:33:53 PM] *** Windows Media Center [Version: 6.1.7600.16385] is installed. ***
[7/9/2023 7:33:53 PM] [ INFO] File "C:\ProgramData\GaRyan2\epg123\notifier.json" does not exist.
[7/9/2023 7:33:53 PM] *** Recorder storage drive G:\ has 359.443 GB available. (66.521 GB of 425.964 GB used) ***
[7/9/2023 7:33:53 PM] ===============================================================================
[7/9/2023 7:33:53 PM] Activating the EPG123 Configuration GUI. version 1.8.0.11
[7/9/2023 7:33:53 PM] ===============================================================================
[7/9/2023 7:34:01 PM] [ INFO] Successfully queried the Task Scheduler for status. No task is schedule to run.
[7/9/2023 7:34:03 PM] [ERROR] Failed to download configuration file from http://localhost:9009/epg123/epg123.cfg.
[7/9/2023 7:34:04 PM] [ INFO] Successfully downloaded configuration file from http://localhost:9009/epg123/epg123.cfg.
[7/9/2023 7:34:04 PM] [ INFO] Successfully queried the Task Scheduler for status. No task is schedule to run.
[7/9/2023 7:34:04 PM] [ INFO] Token request successful. serverID: htpc , datetime: 2023-07-09T23:43:08Z
[7/9/2023 7:34:09 PM] [ INFO] Status request successful. account expires: 2024-01-10T01:31:40Z , lineups: 1/4 , lastDataUpdate: 2023-07-09T16:42:43Z
[7/9/2023 7:34:09 PM] [ INFO] System status: Online , message: No known issues.
[7/9/2023 7:34:09 PM] [ INFO] Successfully requested listing of subscribed lineups from Schedules Direct.
[7/9/2023 7:34:12 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved the station mapping for lineup USA-NJ67300-X. (730 stations; 788 channels)
[7/9/2023 7:34:16 PM] ===============================================================================
[7/9/2023 7:34:16 PM] Beginning EPG123 update execution. version 1.8.0.11
[7/9/2023 7:34:16 PM] ===============================================================================
[7/9/2023 7:34:16 PM] *** Windows 7 Professional, 64-bit [Version: 6.1.7601.24334] ***
[7/9/2023 7:34:16 PM] *** .NET Framework 4.6.01590 is installed. ***
[7/9/2023 7:34:16 PM] [ INFO] DaysToDownload: 21 , TheTVDBNumbers : True , PrefixEpisodeTitle: True , PrefixEpisodeDescription : True , AppendEpisodeDesc: True , OADOverride : True , SeasonEventImages : True , IncludeSDLogos : True , AutoAddNew: True , CreateXmltv: False
[7/9/2023 7:34:16 PM] [ INFO] Token request successful. serverID: htpc , datetime: 2023-07-09T23:43:08Z
[7/9/2023 7:34:22 PM] [ INFO] Status request successful. account expires: 2024-01-10T01:31:40Z , lineups: 1/4 , lastDataUpdate: 2023-07-09T16:42:43Z
[7/9/2023 7:34:22 PM] [ INFO] System status: Online , message: No known issues.
[7/9/2023 7:34:25 PM] [ INFO] Successfully requested listing of subscribed lineups from Schedules Direct.
[7/9/2023 7:34:25 PM] Entering BuildLineupServices() for 1 lineups.
[7/9/2023 7:34:25 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved the station mapping for lineup USA-NJ67300-X. (730 stations; 788 channels)
[7/9/2023 7:34:25 PM] Exiting BuildLineupServices(). SUCCESS.
[7/9/2023 7:34:25 PM] Entering GetAllScheduleEntryMd5s() for 21 days on 730 stations.
[7/9/2023 7:34:56 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved Md5s for 59/59 stations' daily schedules. (0:00:00:30.6384539)
[7/9/2023 7:35:25 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved Md5s for 59/59 stations' daily schedules. (0:00:00:29.5932520)
[7/9/2023 7:35:54 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved Md5s for 59/59 stations' daily schedules. (0:00:00:29.0160510)
[7/9/2023 7:35:56 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved Md5s for 59/59 stations' daily schedules. (0:00:00:01.3260023)
[7/9/2023 7:35:57 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved Md5s for 59/59 stations' daily schedules. (0:00:00:01.3104023)
[7/9/2023 7:35:58 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved Md5s for 59/59 stations' daily schedules. (0:00:00:01.2948023)
[7/9/2023 7:36:27 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved Md5s for 59/59 stations' daily schedules. (0:00:00:28.5636501)
[7/9/2023 7:36:56 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved Md5s for 59/59 stations' daily schedules. (0:00:00:28.5948502)
[7/9/2023 7:36:57 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved Md5s for 59/59 stations' daily schedules. (0:00:00:01.3104023)
[7/9/2023 7:36:58 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved Md5s for 59/59 stations' daily schedules. (0:00:00:01.3104023)
[7/9/2023 7:37:27 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved Md5s for 59/59 stations' daily schedules. (0:00:00:28.3140498)
[7/9/2023 7:37:55 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved Md5s for 59/59 stations' daily schedules. (0:00:00:28.1580495)
[7/9/2023 7:38:09 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved Md5s for 22/22 stations' daily schedules. (0:00:00:14.2012797)
[7/9/2023 7:38:09 PM] [ INFO] Found 13140 cached daily schedules.
[7/9/2023 7:38:09 PM] [ INFO] Downloaded 0 daily schedules.
[7/9/2023 7:38:19 PM] [ INFO] Processed 13140 daily schedules for 730 stations for average of 18.0 days per station.
[7/9/2023 7:38:19 PM] Exiting GetAllScheduleEntryMd5s(). SUCCESS.
[7/9/2023 7:38:19 PM] Entering BuildAllProgramEntries() for 59962 programs.
[7/9/2023 7:38:34 PM] [ INFO] Found 59962 cached program descriptions.
[7/9/2023 7:38:34 PM] Exiting BuildAllProgramEntries(). SUCCESS.
[7/9/2023 7:38:34 PM] Entering BuildAllGenericSeriesInfoDescriptions() for 11029 series.
[7/9/2023 7:38:35 PM] [ INFO] Found 11029 cached/unavailable series descriptions.
[7/9/2023 7:38:35 PM] Exiting BuildAllGenericSeriesInfoDescriptions(). SUCCESS.
[7/9/2023 7:38:35 PM] Entering GetAllMoviePosters() for 5131 movies.
[7/9/2023 7:38:35 PM] [ INFO] Found 5131 cached/unavailable movie poster links.
[7/9/2023 7:38:35 PM] Exiting GetAllMoviePosters(). SUCCESS.
[7/9/2023 7:38:35 PM] Entering GetAllSeriesImages() for 11029 series.
[7/9/2023 7:38:36 PM] [ INFO] Found 10399 cached/unavailable series image links.
[7/9/2023 7:38:36 PM] [ INFO] Refreshing 184 series image links.
[7/9/2023 7:38:36 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved artwork info for 125/125 programs. (0:00:00:00.2340004)
[7/9/2023 7:38:36 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved artwork info for 125/125 programs. (0:00:00:00.2964006)
[7/9/2023 7:38:37 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved artwork info for 5/5 programs. (0:00:00:00.0468000)
[7/9/2023 7:38:44 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved artwork info for 125/125 programs. (0:00:00:07.6596135)
[7/9/2023 7:38:44 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved artwork info for 125/125 programs. (0:00:00:08.2212144)
[7/9/2023 7:38:45 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved artwork info for 125/125 programs. (0:00:00:08.5176150)
[7/9/2023 7:38:45 PM] Exiting GetAllSeriesImages(). SUCCESS.
[7/9/2023 7:38:45 PM] Entering GetAllSeasonImages() for 5358 seasons.
[7/9/2023 7:38:45 PM] [ INFO] Found 4628 cached/unavailable season image links.
[7/9/2023 7:38:45 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved artwork info for 125/125 programs. (0:00:00:00.2028004)
[7/9/2023 7:38:45 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved artwork info for 125/125 programs. (0:00:00:00.2184004)
[7/9/2023 7:38:45 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved artwork info for 125/125 programs. (0:00:00:00.2184004)
[7/9/2023 7:38:52 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved artwork info for 105/105 programs. (0:00:00:07.0824125)
[7/9/2023 7:38:52 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved artwork info for 125/125 programs. (0:00:00:07.3008129)
[7/9/2023 7:38:53 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved artwork info for 125/125 programs. (0:00:00:07.5192132)
[7/9/2023 7:38:53 PM] Exiting GetAllSeasonImages(). SUCCESS.
[7/9/2023 7:38:53 PM] Entering GetAllSportsImages() for 577 sports events.
[7/9/2023 7:38:53 PM] [ INFO] Found 268 cached/unavailable sport event image links.
[7/9/2023 7:38:53 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved artwork info for 59/59 programs. (0:00:00:00.2028003)
[7/9/2023 7:38:53 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved artwork info for 125/125 programs. (0:00:00:00.2028003)
[7/9/2023 7:39:01 PM] [ INFO] Successfully retrieved artwork info for 125/125 programs. (0:00:00:08.4864149)
[7/9/2023 7:39:01 PM] Exiting GetAllSportsImages(). SUCCESS.
[7/9/2023 7:39:01 PM] [ INFO] Completed compiling keywords and keyword groups.
[7/9/2023 7:39:01 PM] [ INFO] 1303 entries deleted from the cache file during cleanup.
[7/9/2023 7:39:12 PM] [ INFO] Completed save of the MXF file to "C:\ProgramData\GaRyan2\epg123\output\epg123.mxf". (97.504 MB)
[7/9/2023 7:39:12 PM] [ INFO] Generated MXF file contains 730 services, 11029 series, 5358 seasons, 59962 programs, 297514 schedule entries, and 85596 people with 18401 image links.
[7/9/2023 7:39:12 PM] [ INFO] Completed EPG123 update execution. SUCCESS.
[7/9/2023 7:39:12 PM] [ INFO] EPG123 update execution time was 00:04:56.3433753.
[7/9/2023 7:39:12 PM] [ INFO] File "C:\ProgramData\GaRyan2\epg123\notifier.json" does not exist.
[7/9/2023 7:41:09 PM] [ INFO] Backing up WMC configurations ...
[7/9/2023 7:41:31 PM] [ INFO] Successfully forced a Media Center database configuration backup. Exit code: 0
[7/9/2023 7:41:32 PM] [ INFO] Deleting eHome folder contents ...
[7/9/2023 7:41:32 PM] [ INFO] Stopping process "ehrec"
[7/9/2023 7:41:32 PM] [ INFO] Refreshing registry keys ...
[7/9/2023 7:41:32 PM] [ INFO] Starting Windows Media Center ...
[7/9/2023 7:41:32 PM] [ INFO] Waiting for initial WMC database build ...
[7/9/2023 7:41:49 PM] [ INFO] Performing a manual database update ...
[7/9/2023 7:43:19 PM] [ INFO] Increasing tuner limits ...
[7/9/2023 7:43:19 PM] Entering ImportMxfFile() for file "C:\Users\afu\AppData\Local\Temp\87e28790-2449-4aed-972b-bab5562af211.mxf".
[7/9/2023 7:43:19 PM] [ INFO] Successfully imported .mxf file into Media Center database. Exit code: 0
[7/9/2023 7:43:19 PM] Exiting ImportMxfFile(). SUCCESS.
[7/9/2023 7:43:19 PM] [ INFO] Updating satellite transponders ...
[7/9/2023 7:43:20 PM] Entering ImportMxfFile() for file "C:\ProgramData\GaRyan2\epg123\satellites\transponders.mxf".
[7/9/2023 7:43:21 PM] [ INFO] Successfully imported .mxf file into Media Center database. Exit code: 0
[7/9/2023 7:43:21 PM] Exiting ImportMxfFile(). SUCCESS.
[7/9/2023 7:43:21 PM] [ INFO] Opening WMC for TV Setup ...
[7/9/2023 7:43:21 PM] [ INFO] Waiting for user to complete Step 2 ...
[7/9/2023 7:51:11 PM] [ INFO] Activating guide in registry ...
[7/9/2023 7:51:11 PM] [ INFO] Disabling background scanner ...
[7/9/2023 7:51:15 PM] [ INFO] Running HDHR2MXF and importing MXF ...
[7/9/2023 7:51:16 PM] ===============================================================================
[7/9/2023 7:51:16 PM] Beginning HDHR2MXF update execution. version 1.8.0.11
[7/9/2023 7:51:16 PM] ===============================================================================
[7/9/2023 7:51:20 PM] [ERROR] Did not find any HDHomeRun devices on the network.
[7/9/2023 7:51:20 PM] [ INFO] HDHomeRun DVR Service is not active.

[garyan2]

Why are you trying to use HDHR2MXF? You don't have a SiliconDust DVR subscription, or even HDHomeRun tuners, but you obviously have a membership with Schedules Direct and everything is downloaded fine and mxf file created.

What is missing is the client importing that mxf file into WMC to provide the guide listings. Instead, you started a Client Setup again. In the client, make sure your scheduled task is 'Full Mode'. That will run both the server component to create the mxf file and the client component which will import it into WMC.

[gbnewbie]

Pardon my ignorance.. admittedly, I don't understand how everything hangs together.

Everytime my guide data is missing from WMC, I would uninstall EPG123, and then install the latest EPG123 program. I would then run both the EPG123 Configurator (Save & Excecute) and then the EPG123 Client setup, using the default settings. I am not sure how HDHomeRun was enabled. How can I disable this?

Yes, I do not have any DVR subscriptiuons and only use the scheduled guides to record the Fios programs.

Also, I took a look at the EPG123 Configurator, and in the XMLTV section, I saw that "Create XML" was not checked. I enabled this, and re-ran "Save & Execute", followed by EPG123 client setup. But still getting the same error message. Please kindly assist. Thanks

[garyan2]

Do these steps.

1. Run the latest EPG123 installer. When it gets to selecting components to install, make sure 'EPG123 for Schedules Direct', 'Client Files', and 'Notification Tray Tool' are checked. All others should be unchecked.
2. Open the configuration GUI and uncheck the XMLTV. You don't need to create that. That is for programs that use XMLTV... not WMC. Close the configuration GUI.
3. Open the client, delete your current task if you have one. Make sure 'Full Mode' is selected, 'Automatch' is checked, and the text box beside that is pointing to epg123.exe. Set a time you want updates to occur and whether or not to wake your computer to run the update, then click the [Create] button.
4. Right-click the EPG notification tray icon and select 'Update Guide Now'. It will run the task you just created which will create the mxf file, import it into WMC, and map the listings to your channels so you have a guide.

tray.jpg (15.81 KiB) Viewed 972 times

[gbnewbie]

Thanks for the detailed instrcution! I did what you suggested, and could now see the guide data.

PS: This is the first time I used the EPG notification tray to update the guide. I was not aware of this feature before.

[Chuterix]

Sorry, but I don't want to pay money all for a TV guide; I keep hearing zap2it but IDK; what do I do?

[IT Troll]

There was a method which would scrape the Zap2it website, but I don't believe it works anymore. These methods often breach the EULA and can fail suddenly if changes are made to the website.
You really are better paying for a serviced data feed.

There are a couple of long threads about the complexities and problems of free solutions. That should be the starting point for your research.
viewtopic.php?f=96&t=12558
viewtopic.php?f=96&t=12700

The only truly free guide data is the 7-day EPG which is available on some OTA broadcasts. If your service has this, it can be extracted with some work. It does have some major limitations though.
viewtopic.php?f=96&t=9690