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Re: Microsoft ending EPG for WMC in January

Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2019 7:31 am
by Space
DaveD wrote: Fri Nov 29, 2019 5:36 am It seems like Microsoft is doing this intentionally, just starting today. Setting the computer's clock back one day gets rid of the message. Of course this is not a solution, just an observation. That persistent message is super annoying.
It's my understanding that this message first appeared weeks ago, so it did not just start today. However, it may be on some sort of time cycle where it starts appearing more often as the deadline comes nearer. If this is true, then I would expect the message to go away once the deadline has past, but you can never be sure.

I haven't applied updates to my Win7 system in years, and I have yet to see the message (and I am still using the TiVo/Rovi/Microsoft guide) so I assume something installed through Windows Update caused that message to start appearing.

Re: Microsoft ending EPG for WMC in January

Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2019 11:32 am
by d00zah
I never installed 'KB4493132' so I've never gotten this, but uninstalling the patch should do the trick:

https://www.howtogeek.com/408556/how-to ... port-nags/

Re: Microsoft ending EPG for WMC in January

Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2019 12:14 pm
by adam1991
Space wrote: Fri Nov 29, 2019 7:31 amI haven't applied updates to my Win7 system in years, and I have yet to see the message (and I am still using the TiVo/Rovi/Microsoft guide) so I assume something installed through Windows Update caused that message to start appearing.
Same here.

Re: Microsoft ending EPG for WMC in January

Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2019 6:32 pm
by RedWMC
If you can’t find the update “KB4493132”
Then check for “KB4524752” https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/hel ... ofessional

I didn’t have the above KB but apparently have slightly different version of Windows7 and they pushed a different KB to it. Since uninstalling and hiding the update no longer receiving the message of end of life in January (was super irritating yesterday when clicking on anything)
My plan is to switch over to PlexLiveTV before January. As much as I love WMC end of support for Win7, coming up for 8. I don’t really trust even with epg123 how long this will last.
Rip WMC....

Re: Microsoft ending EPG for WMC in January

Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2019 6:56 pm
by garyan2
If leaving WMC, I would encourage you to try emby... their PVR appears to be much more reliable than Plex and they also use guide data from Gracenote rather than Rovi. Emby is missing some cool features that Plex has like being able to record sports events of specific teams, but if you can't trust it, then none of that matters.

Re: Microsoft ending EPG for WMC in January

Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2019 7:36 pm
by adam1991
There's no reason for your current 7MC to stop working, especially with SD guide data and EPG123.

Re: Microsoft ending EPG for WMC in January

Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2019 8:03 pm
by Space
RedWMC wrote: Fri Nov 29, 2019 6:32 pm If you can’t find the update “KB4493132”
Then check for “KB4524752” https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/hel ... ofessional

I didn’t have the above KB but apparently have slightly different version of Windows7 and they pushed a different KB to it. Since uninstalling and hiding the update no longer receiving the message of end of life in January (was super irritating yesterday when clicking on anything)
...
There are some registry settings mentioned in that link that may disable the messages without having to uninstall the patch.

Re: Microsoft ending EPG for WMC in January

Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2019 8:13 pm
by d00zah
KB # may also vary depending on x86/x64 version of Win7. Only installing 'Ask Woody's' recommended 'Security Only' patches for the last year, or so, but I do read descriptions of all 'offered' patches. Haven't seen anything WMC-specific in years.

Re: Microsoft ending EPG for WMC in January

Posted: Sat Nov 30, 2019 7:22 pm
by viper
I subscribed to plex lifetime too - but i use HDHome run prime with cablecard and was only getting very minimal channels in Plex so no go.
I had the same question as you though - if I am subscribed to Plex and have access to their EPG data can i import that into WMC somehow.
But I have been unable to even determine where the EPG data for plex before I can think about any way to import it into WMC.

Question on plex forums has gone unanswered for weeks now.
luv2chill wrote: Mon Nov 18, 2019 3:02 am Thanks garyan2 and all others who have contributed knowledge and expertise in this thread.

I've been using WMC consistently since the XP Media Center Edition era. I still have a few recordings I've saved from 2004! 15 years using the same DVR interface (which still looks and works great), while never paying a monthly fee for guide data is incredible.

I'm still on Windows 7 but I do have a Win8.1 VM I built a few years ago and activated with a WMC key. I had expected to migrate to it next year since Win7 is going EOL. When I got the message recently that guide data was ending I thought it was another prod from MS to get off Win7 and assumed that the guide service would continue for Win8.1. Unfortunately that appears not to be the case. Nice to see there will be some alternatives to keep WMC alive.

I need to decide in the next month or so what to do. I have a PLEX Pass, and they have their own DVR service now. The most compelling advantage to that is that I can get rid of my electricity-hog Xbox 360s and finally be able to consolidate everything onto my Apple TVs. That would be really nice.

But I'm not sure if PLEX is as reliable and full-featured as WMC is. Anyone played with it and seen any deal-breakers that made them go back to WMC?

Guess that's getting off-topic for this thread. My question to garyan2 (since you mentioned the possibility of the SiliconDust DVR service being a potential source of guide data): Could the PLEX guide data potentially be used in the same way?

Re: Microsoft ending EPG for WMC in January

Posted: Sat Nov 30, 2019 7:49 pm
by viper
Actually looks like its a sqllite db file - similar question for garyan - if anyway to import that convert that to xmltv format.
If anyone knows let me know - i will also do some research.

Re: Microsoft ending EPG for WMC in January

Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2019 3:53 pm
by rickmktg
Does anyone know the exact date in January? WIndows 7 loses support on January 14th. Does the guide end then, or on January 1st?

Currently upgrading one of my two WMC PCs to Windows 10, then plan to try SIlicon Dust's DVR. I record OTA, and time shift all the time, especially watching the evening news, or a football game, from the beginning, while it's recording, and fast forwarding over commercials. Plex seems to have issues with that. I also have no desire to continue with the Rovi data. Missed episodes of several shows this Fall, including The Resident, due to miscoding as reruns.

Re: Microsoft ending EPG for WMC in January

Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2019 7:20 pm
by Space
I would assume that the guide "retiring" means that you can no longer download new guide data from Microsoft. However, your last download of data should include up to 12-13 days of future data. So this means if the last day you make a successful connect to MS is 12/31/2019, then your guide data will run out around 1/12/2020, however since it is no longer updating after 12/31/2019, the data towards the end of that may be incomplete or wrong.

Now, what day will MS turn off the server and no longer allow you to download new data? I'm not sure anyone knows for sure, but the pop-up indicates that "Starting in January 2020, Microsoft is retiring it's Electronic Programming Guide service." If this means the last day you will be able to download the guide is the last day of 2019, or if it will continue a while longer is anyone's guess.

Re: Microsoft ending EPG for WMC in January

Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2019 7:46 pm
by adam1991
I do remember that ReplayTV made a similar announcement, and everyone threw up his hands and ran to figure out LaHo guide--and then out of the blue ReplayTV announced "nah, I guess we'll keep it going for awhile longer".

As I recall, it lasted quite a bit longer before they finally put it to bed.

My point is, anything can happen.

Re: Microsoft ending EPG for WMC in January

Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2019 9:44 am
by Wingnut
Raptro6L wrote: Fri Nov 29, 2019 3:29 am Hi All

Ok, so my understanding (and it's just as likely wrong!) with the Microsoft EPG is that Microsoft supply the guide data for WMC to use, much like a third party does such as EPG123, with the exception that Microsoft supplies it for free. Have I got that right?

And just to go on with my train of thought - here in Australia, Microsoft doesn't supply any guide data, it is transmitted OTA with the feed direct from the networks. So, with Microsoft ending support in Jan 2020, does this affect anyone here in Australia?

I feel I'm missing something, so please feel free to correct me.

Thanks
Chris
Chris,

Did you end up getting an answer to this? I feel the same way as you with the OTA guide the only thing M$ can do is to not process it in some fashion.

Would love to know for sure.

Cheers,

Re: Microsoft ending EPG for WMC in January

Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2019 8:31 pm
by Raptro6L
Wingnut wrote: Wed Dec 04, 2019 9:44 am Chris,

Did you end up getting an answer to this? I feel the same way as you with the OTA guide the only thing M$ can do is to not process it in some fashion.

Would love to know for sure.

Cheers,
Hi Wingnut
No, i doesn't look like it does it. I've asked the Emby forum as well and got the same :wtf:
I'm pretty confident MS have nothing to do with it here.

Unless someone here has a definitive answer, i think it'll be a wait and see.

Cheers
Chris

Re: Microsoft ending EPG for WMC in January

Posted: Fri Dec 06, 2019 8:55 pm
by garyan2
My guess would be nothing will change for you guys. WMC will still get your guide data off the transmit feeds. There is no indication they will strip out any capability from WMC, they will just stop providing the guide listings

Re: Microsoft ending EPG for WMC in January

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2019 6:53 am
by Wingnut
Great thanks all, looks like it's a case of wait and see. :)

Worst case, we build a new HTPC running something else. lol

Re: Microsoft ending EPG for WMC in January

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2019 1:09 pm
by rickmktg
Based on Microsoft's history, I'd say it's a losing bet that anything would be available after they pull their plug.

I've implemented Next PVR with SchedulesDirect's guide, and am running it in parallel with WMC right now to see how it works. Seems a bit crude, but I still have to investigate using Plex as the front end.

Re: Microsoft ending EPG for WMC in January

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2019 3:18 pm
by Netherlands
I am using WMC on Windows 7 and got the message today that the EPG is ending.

So I read this topic and was happy to hear about EPG123.
Until I checked the list of 53 countries and noticed that The Netherlands is missing...!

Any idea what to do with my setup in The Netherlands?

Re: Microsoft ending EPG for WMC in January

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2019 4:13 pm
by billmich
is there end coming sooner than we thought?
My last couple of update attempts (last night and tonight) have failed....