Custom Guide Implementations

MCImportXMLTV Method

Initial Test Environment:

Win7x64 Pro w/MCE

OTA/ ATSC via 2 onboard Hauppauge 2250 dual tuner cards

Schedules Direct subscriber account (7 day free trial)

Backup/ Uninstall/ ReInstall MCE, run TV Setup to populate available OTA channels ("No Rovi update, No Data Available")

External Resources:

mc2xml.exe <http://mc2xml.awardspace.info/>

xmltv.dtd <http://xmltv.cvs.sourceforge.net/viewvc/xmltv/xmltv/xmltv.dtd?view=log>

MCImportXMLTV.exe <http://mcefun.nrossen.dk/page/Downloads.aspx>

GuideTool.exe <http://1geek1tool.com/guidetool/>

......................

1. download mc2xml.exe

2. put it in a folder, such as c:\epg

3. download xmltv.dtd (will be needed later by MCImportXML)

4. put it in c:\epg

5. download/ install MCImportXMLTV.exe

6. run mc2xml.exe

7. select "Schedules Direct", enter "username" and "password" (assumes you have created lineup @ Schedules Direct)

8. mc2xml.exe creates xmltv.xml in same folder (contains TV lineup from Schedules Direct account)

Confirm MCE is currently runing...

9. Run MCImportXMLTV.exe, select "Basic Settings" Tab and point to xmltv.xml.

10. select additional configuration options as appropriate.

11. select "Only Fetch" tab, which will then populate the "Channel Settings & Channel Assignment" Tabs

12. select "Channel Settings" tab and disable/ enable channel preferences

13. select "Channel Assignment" Tab and Map (Link) MCE Channels to EPG ...select like channels in both columns and press "Link".

14. select "Advanced Settings" tab and fine tune desired results.

15. select "Fetch & Import" tab and hold breath until entire conversion/ import process is completed!!

16. select "Save all settings and close" tab.

17. check MC Guide for data and accuracy.

{Slight Updates needed here.}

At this stage, one can still play with the configuration and confirm import is working as desired b4 going much further ...fairly simple to clear the guide data and start over again from within MCImportXMLTV-->Tools. Once satisfied with results, script file(s) (*.bat), can be built to automate the entire process via Windows Task Scheduler and/ or MCImportXMLTV-->Tools-->Create Task. Personally I prefer the simplicity of MCImportXMLTV to automate the import/ mcupdate task, but mc2xml.exe must also be run automatically every few days in order to stay current with changing lineups.

I have also used "GuideTool" for minor corrections to labels and other data, but always better to get it right b4 importing.

The default Automatic Download (MS/ROVI) guide update process can easily be disabled through WMCE <Tasks/ Settings-->General-->Automatic Download Options>. This was recently confirmed as an effective method by "audinutt" via "STC" and an additional required step for those wanting continued and permanent use of Schedules Direct (Zap2It).

Each of the utilities used in this kludge are unique and therefore require some familiarization with available documentation, for custom configuration, but the above steps should easily adapt to most circumstances and provide a solid foundation for future enhancement. I would highly encourage donations to authors of these utilities ...trust me, writing structured xml is not as easy as one might think and a great deal of thought and effort has been invested to our benefit.

Big Screen EPG Method

Coming Soon