Microsoft ending EPG for WMC in January

Global guide related discussion. All Windows versions.
Green Lantern

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#361

Post by Green Lantern » Thu Feb 06, 2020 8:36 pm

The guide data suddenly restarting after a) Microsoft's ongoing nag notices to find an alternate provider and b) the guide data indeed stopping at the end of January is precisely the sort of annoying nonsense that makes so many people dislike MS and consider them a bunch of inept morons. Now there are people who proceeded with implementing an alternative guide after Jan. 31 without taking any measures to prevent duplicate data issues (under the fair assumption there would be no more from MS/Rovi) who now have this ridiculous unexpected situation to contend with. Does anyone know what entries would need to be placed in the hosts file to prevent WMC making any future connections to MS/Rovi in order to prevent duplicate guide data being imported? TIA

tonywagner

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#362

Post by tonywagner » Fri Feb 07, 2020 4:49 pm

Green Lantern wrote: Thu Feb 06, 2020 8:36 pm The guide data suddenly restarting after a) Microsoft's ongoing nag notices to find an alternate provider and b) the guide data indeed stopping at the end of January is precisely the sort of annoying nonsense that makes so many people dislike MS and consider them a bunch of inept morons. Now there are people who proceeded with implementing an alternative guide after Jan. 31 without taking any measures to prevent duplicate data issues (under the fair assumption there would be no more from MS/Rovi) who now have this ridiculous unexpected situation to contend with. Does anyone know what entries would need to be placed in the hosts file to prevent WMC making any future connections to MS/Rovi in order to prevent duplicate guide data being imported? TIA
Can't you just disable the Automatic Download options in WMC? (Settings --> General)

I've done that before with the Rovi guide -- I just had to do manual updates or it would eventually run out.

Same for a fresh setup -- I disabled internet access before starting a fresh WMC setup, entered my normal zip code, and agreed to all of the terms. Then I disabled Automatic Download and reconnected internet, and the Rovi guide never downloaded for me.

Green Lantern

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#363

Post by Green Lantern » Fri Feb 07, 2020 7:19 pm

tonywagner wrote: Fri Feb 07, 2020 4:49 pm
Green Lantern wrote: Thu Feb 06, 2020 8:36 pm The guide data suddenly restarting after a) Microsoft's ongoing nag notices to find an alternate provider and b) the guide data indeed stopping at the end of January is precisely the sort of annoying nonsense that makes so many people dislike MS and consider them a bunch of inept morons. Now there are people who proceeded with implementing an alternative guide after Jan. 31 without taking any measures to prevent duplicate data issues (under the fair assumption there would be no more from MS/Rovi) who now have this ridiculous unexpected situation to contend with. Does anyone know what entries would need to be placed in the hosts file to prevent WMC making any future connections to MS/Rovi in order to prevent duplicate guide data being imported? TIA
Can't you just disable the Automatic Download options in WMC? (Settings --> General)

I've done that before with the Rovi guide -- I just had to do manual updates or it would eventually run out.

Same for a fresh setup -- I disabled internet access before starting a fresh WMC setup, entered my normal zip code, and agreed to all of the terms. Then I disabled Automatic Download and reconnected internet, and the Rovi guide never downloaded for me.
I didn't remember that setting even existed. And I wasn't even thinking about it since MS had given multiple indications that the guide data would definitely end in January. And not for the first time, I've discovered the hard way you can't necessarily rely on MS or their products to do what is expected of them. Therefore, I thought it would be prudent to go the extra mile to make double sure this is never a problem again in the future. After some searching, I found an old post on here which provides the host file entries to block guide updates:

viewtopic.php?f=96&t=10318&p=110546&hilit=hosts#p110546

I have added them to my hosts file; hopefully they are still accurate and will serve as more of a guarantee (than relying on a MS setting) that no further guide data can come in from MS and cause conflicts/problems.

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plplplpl

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#364

Post by plplplpl » Fri Feb 07, 2020 11:36 pm

Saintor wrote: Thu Feb 06, 2020 12:14 am Now updated until Feb 17th. :thumbup:
Out to the 19th now.

Ooooh, this is so exciting. :lol:

cleothyme

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#365

Post by cleothyme » Thu Feb 13, 2020 5:34 pm

My listings stop at 7:00 PM EST on Wednesday February 19 2020. I think this is the end of the free MS guide.

Does anybody know if the "Windows 8.1 Pro Pack" being sold on eBay (currently $31) will work on activated Windows 8.1 Pro?

The box says "Move up from Windows 8.1 to Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center" so I am unsure if you need to be on activated "vanilla/core/home" 8.1 to upgrade with the Pro Pack or it will take a Window 8.1 Pro system to Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center.

Or alternatively would it work on unactivated 8.1 "core"?

Thanks in advance!

tonywagner

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#366

Post by tonywagner » Thu Feb 13, 2020 6:49 pm

cleothyme wrote: Thu Feb 13, 2020 5:34 pmDoes anybody know if the "Windows 8.1 Pro Pack" being sold on eBay (currently $31) will work on activated Windows 8.1 Pro?
I can't answer your questions, but note that WMC on Windows 8.1 won't have free guide data anymore either.

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Vistaar

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#367

Post by Vistaar » Thu Feb 13, 2020 8:56 pm

cleothyme wrote: Thu Feb 13, 2020 5:34 pm Does anybody know if the "Windows 8.1 Pro Pack" being sold on eBay (currently $31) will work on activated Windows 8.1 Pro?
I don't really know either, but I can offer a somewhat encouraging analogy. Back in July 2015, when Microsoft switched from Zap2it to Rovi, they also discontinued the legacy EPG service for XP MCE and most Vista systems. Some of us running Vista found that we could get the Rovi MXF data by installing TV Pack 2008 (see viewtopic.php?f=93&t=9031). I believe that Pro Pack and TV Pack 2008 are both examples of what Microsoft generally calls "feature packs," except that TV Pack was released via OEM only. Have you tried asking in the Windows 8 Media Center section?

cleothyme

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#368

Post by cleothyme » Fri Feb 14, 2020 2:42 pm

Vistaar wrote: Thu Feb 13, 2020 8:56 pm Have you tried asking in the Windows 8 Media Center section?
No, that is a good idea, thanks.

mercalia

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#369

Post by mercalia » Sat Feb 15, 2020 8:46 pm

I do know the free update key to add Media Center was only valid for a few months so you need to be careful you are not being sold one of those!!! As it wont work.

Mike88

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#370

Post by Mike88 » Sun Feb 16, 2020 11:01 pm

Today I noticed the EPG went out to 2-28-2020. However the dates and/or times are wrong for a lot of programs.

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plplplpl

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#371

Post by plplplpl » Mon Feb 17, 2020 1:06 am

Yes, it's starting to act like HAL as Dave pulls the logic modules out one by one.

cleothyme

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#372

Post by cleothyme » Mon Feb 17, 2020 4:22 pm

Same here, guide data goes out to 2-28 but it is all messed up. Looks like it is for a different time zone or something.

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#373

Post by RedWMC » Mon Feb 17, 2020 7:14 pm

Interesting that it’s working for some.
My guide data completely ended on Thursday Jan 30 10:00 pm Mt and 5 hours prior to that most stations showed “No data available”.

I’m wondering if some people are downloading the data OTA instead of through Microsoft’s servers and if that’s what’s causing incorrect data as well as me not seeing anything as I have Cable with Comcast.

I’m already moved over to an alternative system to record TV so doesn’t bother me just thought I’d chime in to see what I saw.

Are people still on WMC using the native guide instead of using EPG123?

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plplplpl

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#374

Post by plplplpl » Tue Feb 18, 2020 6:39 am

I did a manual update via Tasks, Settings, TV , Guide...

...still all out of whack. :crazy:

Mike88

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#375

Post by Mike88 » Wed Feb 19, 2020 11:39 am

plplplpl wrote: Tue Feb 18, 2020 6:39 am I did a manual update via Tasks, Settings, TV , Guide...

...still all out of whack. :crazy:
I tried to do that but got the usual Microsoft message in the lower right of the screen saying the guide has ended & has the selection for more information. IOW no option to update.

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#376

Post by bohratom » Sat Feb 22, 2020 3:23 am

Mike88 wrote: Sun Feb 16, 2020 11:01 pm Today I noticed the EPG went out to 2-28-2020. However the dates and/or times are wrong for a lot of programs.
Same here in Jersey with FIOS WMC Listings....

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plplplpl

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#377

Post by plplplpl » Sat Feb 22, 2020 3:54 am

It's now like a fish at the bottom of your rowboat, in the final throes of thrashing about, its gills gasping desperately for life that is about to end.

adam1991

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#378

Post by adam1991 » Sat Feb 22, 2020 9:58 pm

Green Lantern wrote: Thu Feb 06, 2020 8:36 pm Now there are people who proceeded with implementing an alternative guide after Jan. 31 without taking any measures to prevent duplicate data issues (under the fair assumption there would be no more from MS/Rovi)
NOTHING is a "fair assumption".

If people installed EPG123 in a manner different than directed by the instructions, then all bets are off and they own their situations they find themselves in.

My question is, why did they not follow the instructions? It cost exactly ZERO to follow the instructions and force the "no more Rovi data" situation. What did they save by ASSUMING the Rovi data were gone and therefore "oh, I'll be OK, there won't be any duplicate data"?

cleothyme

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#379

Post by cleothyme » Tue Feb 25, 2020 9:50 pm

Rage! Rage against the dying of the light!

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plplplpl

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#380

Post by plplplpl » Tue Feb 25, 2020 10:11 pm

cleothyme wrote: Tue Feb 25, 2020 9:50 pm Rage! Rage against the dying of the light!
The poem currently remains under copyright, [note 1] :o

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