EPG Collector -- request for sample data

[tonywagner]

So I've been using EPG Collector the past few days, to collect EPG listings from OTA broadcast metadata, and it seems promising.

I was wondering, would folks be willing to run the program themselves and share a sample of how much data is available in their markets? It wouldn't affect your existing WMC or EPG123 setups at all -- it can simply scan your tuner (takes about 15 minutes) and produce a log file and an XMLTV file. You don't even have to install any programs -- just download this EPG Collector ZIP file, extract it to a folder, and run "EPGCentre.exe" from that folder:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/epgcol ... p/download

I've attached a sample

EPG Collector sample configuration.ini.zip

(340 Bytes) Downloaded 195 times

file to this post, which you can download, extract, and open in EPG Collector (with the File menu --> "Change Collection Parameters" option). This file already sets the ATSC mode, XMLTV output, and increases some advanced buffers/timeouts so we get all of the data available. The only thing you have to do is add the physical "RF Channel" numbers available in your market (not the virtual channel numbers -- enter your location at antennaweb.org for reference). That process in EPG Collector is as follows:

1. Under the Tuning tab (should be listed first, and open by default), select the "ATSC" tab
2. Select the desired physical channel from the "Channel" drop down menu
3. Click "Update" below the tuner list
4. Click "OK" on the resulting "Advanced Parameters" popup window to add it to the list of Selected Frequencies at the bottom
5. Repeat steps 2-4 for each physical channel

EDIT TO ADD: Before scanning an HDHomeRun tuner, be sure to go into the HDHomeRun Setup program and change "BDA Compatibility Mode" to "J River Media Center" or your results may be limited! I only got 2-3 hours of listings for all channels before I made that change. Fortunately, changing that mode doesn't seem to affect WMC operation, and you can always change it back after the EPG Collector scan.

After that, go the File menu --> Save (and click OK to dismiss the resulting popup), then Run menu --> Collect EPG Data (and click OK in the popup again to confirm). When it's done (after about 15 minutes or so, another popup will let you know), you should have two files of interest:

1. "TVGuide.xml" file in the same folder alongside the program, if you just extracted the program ZIP it is likely in

Code: Select all

%UserProfile%/Downloads/EPG Collector V040300 Install/

2. "EPG Collector.log" file in

Code: Select all

%LocalAppData%/Geekzone/EPG Collector/

You could drop both files here if you want: https://www.dropbox.com/request/cmn1zWpZC5mrePWDB3WJ (you can just enter a fake name and email when prompted)

Primarily I am interested in the lines near the end of the log file that summarize the "Stations With No Data" and "Output Data", so you could actually just copy and paste those lines in a post or message here -- here's what I see in my market right now (Minneapolis, MN):

Code: Select all

16:20:49:784 ============================ Stations With No Data ==============================
16:20:49:786
16:20:49:797 Station: K33LN-D          (587000,33,1 EPG: None) No data broadcast
16:20:49:804 Station: K33LN-D          (587000,33,2 EPG: None) No data broadcast
16:20:49:805 Station: K33LN-D          (587000,33,3 EPG: None) No data broadcast
16:20:49:805 Station: K33LN-D          (587000,33,4 EPG: None) No data broadcast
16:20:49:805 Station: K33LN-D          (587000,33,5 EPG: None) No data broadcast
16:20:49:805 Station: K33LN-D          (587000,33,6 EPG: None) No data broadcast
16:20:49:806 Station: K33LN-D          (587000,33,7 EPG: None) No data broadcast
16:20:49:806 Station: KJNK-LD          (539000,25,1 EPG: None) No data broadcast
16:20:49:806 Station: KJNK-LD          (539000,25,2 EPG: None) No data broadcast
16:20:49:806 Station: KJNK-LD          (539000,25,3 EPG: None) No data broadcast
16:20:49:806 Station: KJNK-LD          (539000,25,4 EPG: None) No data broadcast
16:20:49:806 Station: KJNK-LD          (539000,25,5 EPG: None) No data broadcast
16:20:49:806 Station: KJNK-LD          (539000,25,6 EPG: None) No data broadcast
16:20:49:806 Station: WUMN             (491000,17,1 EPG: None) No data broadcast
16:20:49:806
16:20:49:823 ============================ Output Data ==============================
16:20:49:825 
16:20:49:835 Station: 45TV             (569000,5,2) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:17 PM End: 1/31/2020 3:00:17 PM Records: 120 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:838 Station: Antenna          (569000,5,4) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:17 PM End: 1/31/2020 3:00:17 PM Records: 141 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:841 Station: BUZZR            (189000,9,4) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:18 PM End: 1/29/2020 3:00:18 PM Records: 46 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:845 Station: Charge!          (521000,23,3) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:18 PM End: 1/29/2020 3:00:18 AM Records: 12 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:847 Station: Comet            (521000,23,2) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:18 PM End: 1/29/2020 3:00:18 AM Records: 11 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:848 Station: CourtTV          (201000,11,2) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:17 PM End: 1/30/2020 3:00:17 AM Records: 72 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:849 Station: Decades          (189000,9,6) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:18 PM End: 1/29/2020 3:00:18 PM Records: 41 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:850 Station: FOX 9            (189000,9,9) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:18 PM End: 1/29/2020 3:00:18 PM Records: 32 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:854 Station: FOX 9            (563000,9,1) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:18 PM End: 1/29/2020 3:00:18 PM Records: 32 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:858 Station: FOX 9+           (563000,9,2) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:18 PM End: 1/29/2020 3:00:18 PM Records: 39 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:861 Station: H & I            (599000,5,7) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:17 PM End: 1/31/2020 3:00:17 PM Records: 78 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:865 Station: Justice          (201000,11,3) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:17 PM End: 1/30/2020 3:00:17 AM Records: 44 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:868 Station: KARE-HD          (201000,11,1) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:17 PM End: 1/30/2020 3:07:17 AM Records: 53 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:872 Station: KSTPDT           (599000,5,1) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:17 PM End: 1/31/2020 3:00:17 PM Records: 94 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:875 Station: LIGHTtv          (189000,9,5) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:18 PM End: 1/29/2020 3:00:18 PM Records: 30 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:879 Station: MeTV             (569000,5,3) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:17 PM End: 1/31/2020 3:00:17 PM Records: 111 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:882 Station: Movies!          (563000,9,3) Start: 1/28/2020 2:15:18 PM End: 1/29/2020 4:10:18 PM Records: 11 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:886 Station: Quest            (201000,11,4) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:17 PM End: 1/30/2020 3:00:17 AM Records: 43 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:890 Station: TBD              (521000,23,4) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:18 PM End: 1/29/2020 3:00:18 AM Records: 23 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:893 Station: The CW           (521000,23,1) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:18 PM End: 1/29/2020 3:30:18 AM Records: 19 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:896 Station: ThisTV           (569000,5,6) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:17 PM End: 1/31/2020 5:00:17 PM Records: 62 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:900 Station: TPT 2            (593000,2,1) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:16 PM End: 1/30/2020 3:00:16 PM Records: 70 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:903 Station: TPTKids          (593000,2,4) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:16 PM End: 1/30/2020 3:00:16 PM Records: 96 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:907 Station: TPTLife          (527000,2,3) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:16 PM End: 1/29/2020 3:00:16 PM Records: 38 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:910 Station: TPTMN            (527000,2,2) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:16 PM End: 1/29/2020 3:30:16 PM Records: 40 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:913 Station: TPT-MN           (527000,2,6) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:16 PM End: 1/29/2020 3:30:16 PM Records: 40 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:917 Station: TPTNOW           (593000,2,5) Start: 1/28/2020 12:00:16 PM End: 1/31/2020 12:00:16 AM Records: 5 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:920 Station: WCCO-DT          (581000,4,1) Gap 1/30/2020 3:00:18 PM to 1/30/2020 6:00:18 PM WCCO 4 News at Six
16:20:49:923 Station: WCCO-DT          (581000,4,1) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:18 PM End: 2/4/2020 3:00:18 PM Records: 205 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 1
16:20:49:926 Station: WCCODT2          (581000,4,2) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:18 PM End: 2/4/2020 3:00:18 PM Records: 171 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
16:20:49:930 Station: WCCODT3          (581000,4,3) Gap 1/30/2020 3:00:18 PM to 1/30/2020 6:00:18 PM Cityline
16:20:49:934 Station: WCCODT3          (581000,4,3) Start: 1/28/2020 3:00:18 PM End: 2/4/2020 3:00:18 PM Records: 273 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 1
16:20:49:937 <S> Summary: Total Stations = 30 Total Gaps = 2 Total Overlaps = 0 Total Time = 00:12:19.0652721
16:20:49:951 Deleting any existing version of output file
16:20:49:954 Import name set to 'EPG Collector ATSC'
16:20:49:959 Creating output file: TVGuide.xml

Thanks in advance! And let me know if you have any questions. I'll prepare another post on using EPG Collector with WMC, in case anyone is interested.

[mwpeterson]

Here's what I got for zip code 97471.

Code: Select all

17:51:19:815 ============================ Output Data ==============================
17:51:19:815 
17:51:19:831 Station: BLBN-2           (497000,36,2) Start: 8/18/2019 5:00:00 AM End: 8/18/2019 5:00:00 PM Records: 4 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
17:51:19:831 Station: BLBN-3           (497000,36,3) Start: 8/18/2019 5:00:00 AM End: 8/18/2019 5:00:00 PM Records: 4 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
17:51:19:831 Station: BLBN-4           (497000,36,4) Start: 8/18/2019 5:00:00 AM End: 8/18/2019 5:00:00 PM Records: 4 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
17:51:19:831 Station: CBS4             (503000,4,1) Start: 1/28/2020 4:00:18 PM End: 1/29/2020 4:00:18 PM Records: 27 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
17:51:19:831 Station: Charge!          (503000,4,3) Start: 1/28/2020 4:00:18 PM End: 1/29/2020 4:00:18 PM Records: 27 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
17:51:19:831 Station: CometTV          (659000,46,3) Start: 1/28/2020 4:00:18 PM End: 1/29/2020 4:00:18 PM Records: 26 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
17:51:19:847 Station: COZI             (509000,5,2) Start: 1/28/2020 4:00:16 PM End: 1/30/2020 4:00:16 PM Records: 70 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
17:51:19:847 Station: KEVU-DT          (587000,34,2) Start: 1/28/2020 4:00:16 PM End: 1/29/2020 4:00:16 PM Records: 35 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
17:51:19:847 Station: KEZI.R1          (521000,9,1) Start: 1/28/2020 4:00:18 PM End: 1/31/2020 4:00:18 PM Records: 94 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
17:51:19:847 Station: KEZI.R2          (521000,9,2) Start: 1/28/2020 4:00:18 PM End: 1/31/2020 4:00:18 PM Records: 111 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
17:51:19:847 Station: KEZI.R3          (521000,9,3) Start: 1/28/2020 4:00:18 PM End: 1/31/2020 4:00:18 PM Records: 83 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
17:51:19:847 Station: KLSR-HD          (587000,34,1) Start: 1/28/2020 4:00:16 PM End: 1/29/2020 4:00:16 PM Records: 33 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
17:51:19:847 Station: KOBI-HD          (509000,5,1) Start: 1/28/2020 4:00:16 PM End: 1/30/2020 4:00:16 PM Records: 58 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
17:51:19:847 Station: KTCW             (659000,46,1) Start: 1/28/2020 4:00:18 PM End: 1/29/2020 4:00:18 PM Records: 27 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
17:51:19:847 Station: KTCW-CW          (659000,46,2) Start: 1/28/2020 4:00:18 PM End: 1/29/2020 4:00:18 PM Records: 39 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
17:51:19:847 Station: KTVC             (497000,36,1) Start: 1/28/2020 4:00:00 PM End: 1/29/2020 4:00:00 AM Records: 4 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
17:51:19:847 Station: TBD              (503000,4,2) Start: 1/28/2020 4:00:18 PM End: 1/29/2020 4:00:18 PM Records: 44 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
17:51:19:847 <S> Summary: Total Stations = 17 Total Gaps = 0 Total Overlaps = 0 Total Time = 00:27:50.0862677
17:51:19:878 Deleting any existing version of output file
17:51:19:878 File delete exception: Could not find file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Geekzone\EPG Collector\TVGuide.xml'.
17:51:19:894 Creating output file: TVGuide.xml
17:51:19:987 <C> Finished - output 690 EPG entries

[tonywagner]

Here's what I got for zip code 97471.

Cool, thanks for sharing! Looks like you get at least 24 hours data for all of the non-religious stations.

Are there any channels in your area that return no data when scanned? Is there a PBS affiliate in there?

[StinkyImp]

I put in my most used local frequencies and it returned this.

Code: Select all

11:03:46:110 ============================ Stations With No Data ==============================
11:03:46:116 
11:03:46:125 Station: AlphaMF          (473000,38,3 EPG: None) No data broadcast
11:03:46:131 Station: CarCred          (473000,38,5 EPG: None) No data broadcast
11:03:46:137 Station: EVINE            (473000,38,4 EPG: None) No data broadcast
11:03:46:143 Station: LitLife          (473000,38,2 EPG: None) No data broadcast
11:03:46:152 Station: Retro            (473000,38,6 EPG: None) No data broadcast
11:03:46:165 Station: REV'N            (473000,38,7 EPG: None) No data broadcast
11:03:46:176 Station: RitmoVz          (473000,38,1 EPG: None) No data broadcast
11:03:46:185 
11:03:46:192 ============================ Output Data ==============================
11:03:46:200 
11:03:46:206 Station: ABC15            (479000,15,1) Start: 1/29/2020 7:00:18 AM End: 2/2/2020 8:00:18 AM Records: 114 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:211 Station: ANTENNA          (479000,15,2) Start: 1/29/2020 8:00:18 AM End: 2/2/2020 8:00:18 AM Records: 189 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:218 Station: AZ KIDS          (183000,8,4) Start: 1/29/2020 8:00:18 AM End: 1/29/2020 8:00:18 PM Records: 24 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:224 Station: AZ PBS           (183000,8,1) Start: 1/29/2020 8:00:18 AM End: 1/29/2020 8:00:18 PM Records: 11 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:230 Station: BUZZR            (545000,45,3) Start: 1/29/2020 8:00:18 AM End: 1/31/2020 8:00:18 AM Records: 92 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:236 Station: Charge           (605000,7,4) Start: 1/29/2020 8:00:17 AM End: 1/30/2020 8:00:17 AM Records: 27 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:242 Station: COURTV           (479000,15,4) Start: 1/29/2020 7:00:18 AM End: 2/2/2020 8:00:18 AM Records: 63 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:248 Station: Cozi             (491000,5,2) Start: 1/29/2020 8:00:18 AM End: 2/2/2020 8:00:18 AM Records: 131 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:255 Station: DABL             (491000,5,3) Start: 1/29/2020 8:00:18 AM End: 2/2/2020 8:00:18 AM Records: 157 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:262 Station: Decades          (545000,45,4) Start: 1/29/2020 8:00:18 AM End: 1/31/2020 8:00:18 AM Records: 82 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:270 Station: Escape           (551000,61,4) Start: 1/29/2020 11:00:18 AM End: 1/29/2020 11:00:18 PM Records: 14 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:277 Station: ESCAPE           (479000,35,4) Start: 1/29/2020 8:00:18 AM End: 2/2/2020 8:00:18 AM Records: 192 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:283 Station: getTV            (207000,35,3) Start: 1/29/2020 8:00:17 AM End: 1/29/2020 8:00:17 PM Records: 20 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:289 Station: GRIT             (551000,61,3) Start: 1/29/2020 10:00:18 AM End: 1/30/2020 12:30:18 AM Records: 9 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:296 Station: Heroes           (195000,10,3) Start: 1/29/2020 8:00:18 AM End: 1/29/2020 8:00:18 PM Records: 14 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:302 Station: HSN              (605000,7,3) Start: 1/29/2020 8:00:17 AM End: 1/30/2020 8:00:17 AM Records: 24 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:308 Station: HSN              (551000,61,2) Start: 1/29/2020 11:00:18 AM End: 1/29/2020 11:00:18 PM Records: 12 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:314 Station: ION              (575000,51,1) Start: 1/29/2020 11:00:17 AM End: 1/30/2020 11:00:17 AM Records: 27 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:320 Station: IONPlus          (575000,51,3) Start: 1/29/2020 11:00:17 AM End: 1/30/2020 11:00:17 AM Records: 33 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:326 Station: Justice          (207000,12,3) Start: 1/29/2020 8:00:17 AM End: 1/29/2020 8:00:17 PM Records: 12 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:332 Station: KASW-HD          (551000,61,1) Start: 1/29/2020 11:00:18 AM End: 1/29/2020 11:00:18 PM Records: 19 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:338 Station: KAZT             (605000,7,1) Start: 1/29/2020 8:00:17 AM End: 1/30/2020 8:00:17 AM Records: 37 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:344 Station: KBAQ             (183000,8,5) Start: 1/29/2020 8:00:18 AM End: 1/29/2020 8:00:18 PM Records: 24 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:350 Station: KPHO-HD          (491000,5,1) Start: 1/29/2020 7:00:18 AM End: 2/2/2020 8:30:18 AM Records: 123 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:357 Station: KPNX-HD          (207000,12,1) Start: 1/29/2020 7:00:17 AM End: 1/29/2020 8:00:17 PM Records: 15 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:364 Station: KSAZ HD          (545000,10,2) Start: 1/29/2020 7:00:18 AM End: 1/31/2020 9:00:18 AM Records: 70 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:372 Station: KSAZ-DT          (195000,10,1) Start: 1/29/2020 7:00:18 AM End: 1/29/2020 8:00:18 PM Records: 16 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:378 Station: KTVK-HD          (533000,3,1) Start: 1/29/2020 8:00:18 AM End: 2/2/2020 8:00:18 AM Records: 147 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:384 Station: KTVK-SD          (533000,3,2) Start: 1/29/2020 8:00:18 AM End: 2/2/2020 8:00:18 AM Records: 93 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:390 Station: KUTP             (545000,45,1) Start: 1/29/2020 8:00:18 AM End: 1/31/2020 8:00:18 AM Records: 74 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:396 Station: LAFF TV          (479000,15,3) Start: 1/29/2020 8:00:18 AM End: 2/2/2020 8:00:18 AM Records: 192 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:402 Station: Life             (183000,8,2) Start: 1/29/2020 8:00:18 AM End: 1/29/2020 8:00:18 PM Records: 24 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:408 Station: Light            (195000,10,4) Start: 1/29/2020 8:00:18 AM End: 1/29/2020 8:00:18 PM Records: 14 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:414 Station: MeTV             (605000,7,2) Start: 1/29/2020 8:00:17 AM End: 1/30/2020 8:00:17 AM Records: 37 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:420 Station: Movies!          (545000,45,2) Start: 1/29/2020 6:15:18 AM End: 1/31/2020 10:10:18 AM Records: 25 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:425 Station: qubo             (575000,51,2) Start: 1/29/2020 11:00:17 AM End: 1/30/2020 11:00:17 AM Records: 58 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:431 Station: Quest            (207000,12,4) Start: 1/29/2020 8:00:17 AM End: 1/29/2020 8:00:17 PM Records: 15 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:437 Station: QVC              (575000,51,5) Start: 1/29/2020 11:00:17 AM End: 1/30/2020 11:00:17 AM Records: 17 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:443 Station: Shop             (575000,51,4) Start: 1/29/2020 11:00:17 AM End: 1/30/2020 11:00:17 AM Records: 48 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:448 Station: START            (545000,45,5) Start: 1/29/2020 8:00:18 AM End: 1/31/2020 8:00:18 AM Records: 48 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:590 Station: Weather          (533000,3,3) Start: 1/29/2020 8:00:18 AM End: 2/2/2020 8:00:18 AM Records: 192 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:596 Station: Weather          (207000,12,2) Start: 1/29/2020 8:00:17 AM End: 1/29/2020 8:00:17 PM Records: 6 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:602 Station: World            (183000,8,3) Start: 1/29/2020 8:00:18 AM End: 1/29/2020 9:00:18 PM Records: 6 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
11:03:46:608 <S> Summary: Total Stations = 43 Total Gaps = 0 Total Overlaps = 0 Total Time = 00:14:47.1747391
11:03:46:617 Deleting any existing version of output file
11:03:46:623 Creating output file: TVGuide.xml
11:03:46:753 <C> Finished - output 2547 EPG entries
11:03:46:778 <C> Exiting with code = 0
11:03:46:818 Changing menu availability to True
11:03:46:824 Save availability changed to False:False

[tonywagner]

I put in my most used local frequencies and it returned this.

Thanks!

Looks like one low-power station with no data, then 27 channels with 24+ hours, and 16 channels with 12 hours. Not bad!

[mwpeterson]

Cool, thanks for sharing! Looks like you get at least 24 hours data for all of the non-religious stations.

Are there any channels in your area that return no data when scanned? Is there a PBS affiliate in there?

All channels returned data. There should be 4 PBS stations, but they are currently having broadcast issues.

[StinkyImp]

Thanks!

Looks like one low-power station with no data, then 27 channels with 24+ hours, and 16 channels with 12 hours. Not bad!

You're welcome!

That pretty much sums up the PSIP availability I observed during my months of testing. The only thing that prevented me from adopting it was that the PSIP on the 12 hour stations may not always be 12 hours. Based on my survey of the returned results it was determined that I'd have to run it three to four times a day to have enough data to schedule and record shows on the non-network (12 hour or less) stations.

While reading the EPG Collector forums it's apparent that this could be a viable free guide provider. I look forward to further updates.

Disclaimer - I'm a hardcore EPG123 fanatic and use it as my guide provider.

[tonywagner]

That pretty much sums up the PSIP availability I observed during my months of testing. The only thing that prevented me from adopting it was that the PSIP on the 12 hour stations may not always be 12 hours. Based on my survey of the returned results it was determined that I'd have to run it three to four times a day to have enough data to schedule and record shows on the non-network (12 hour or less) stations.

Well, in addition to satisfying my curiosity, this thread is also serving as research for an idea I had: a utility that shares OTA listings from EPG Collector. So I could share my whole scan with a friend across town (how I got the idea), and you could download more data on certain channels if someone else has the same channel, with more data, in their market.

I already have a server that could host the data, and I enjoy coding. And EPG Collector looks like it has all the tools: it can combine listings from your tuner and multiple XML/MXF files, correct for time zone, and it does all this with a simple config file format. So it should be possible to automate the process of scanning selected channels to XML, uploading them, downloading others, combining and importing them all as desired, and even scheduling the next update task based on when the next channel will run out of guide data.

Obviously the data is nowhere near as robust as Schedules Direct, but for lighter users / tinkerers, it could be a neat alternative. At the very least, I'll be able to share with my friend across town!

[StinkyImp]

I've always thought it would be a really robust guide replacement when MS shut down their guide service. I know it's capable of TVDB and TMDB integration as well as aesthetics (logos, artwork, etc) IF a person were willing to put in the time and effort.

As far as the guide data? I thought that setting up something using zap2it, TVguide, or even TitanTV could feed it with enough data to make it viable. Since my machine had no internet connection, I couldn't test that.

Keep us posted on your findings!

[mwpeterson]

Now that they have repaired the broadcast tower PBS (OPB, OPB+, OPB Kids, OPB Radio) is back on OTA. All 4 channels receive a full week of data 1/30 thru 2/6.

[swofra]

Tony,
I know this thread is a couple of months old, but just in case you are still collecting data, here is my log. I can't get a TVGuide.xml to successfully be created regardless of where its at. I do have an .mxf file from when i ran the EPGC earlier today if that would be helpful. A similar scan using TSReaderLite for these channels matched what is shown below (24-72 hours). Let me know if there is anything else you need...I am also interested in trying to figure out the simplest and easiest way to get a free guide for OTA imported into WMC so the wife can record a couple shows a week. Interested if this EPG collector pans out, but I thought I read in another thread (maybe you posted it) that current efforts had not been successful in getting the EPGC created xmf to work in WMC. I've been unsuccessful thus far as well. StinkyImp mentioned success, but didn't elaborate on how it was done.

Code: Select all

21:28:13:960 ============================ Output Data ==============================
21:28:13:961 
21:28:13:965 Station: Antenna          (545000,69,2) Start: 4/2/2020 8:00:18 PM End: 4/5/2020 8:00:18 PM Records: 142 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
21:28:13:966 Station: COZI-TV          (491000,39,2) Start: 4/4/2020 8:00:18 PM End: 4/5/2020 8:00:18 PM Records: 37 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
21:28:13:968 Station: CREATE           (503000,15,3) Start: 4/4/2020 8:00:17 PM End: 4/7/2020 8:00:17 PM Records: 142 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
21:28:13:969 Station: ESCAPE           (195000,10,4) Start: 4/4/2020 8:00:18 PM End: 4/5/2020 8:00:18 AM Records: 14 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
21:28:13:970 Station: Grit             (183000,8,3) Start: 4/4/2020 7:30:17 PM End: 4/6/2020 8:00:17 AM Records: 31 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
21:28:14:000 Station: ION              (545000,69,4) Start: 4/2/2020 8:00:18 PM End: 4/5/2020 8:00:18 PM Records: 87 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
21:28:14:000 Station: Justice          (183000,8,4) Start: 4/4/2020 8:00:17 PM End: 4/6/2020 8:00:17 AM Records: 45 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
21:28:14:000 Station: KDTF-DT          (485000,36,1) Start: 4/4/2020 6:30:18 PM End: 4/4/2020 11:00:18 PM Records: 2 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
21:28:14:000 Station: KFMB-CW          (183000,8,2) Start: 4/4/2020 7:00:17 PM End: 4/6/2020 9:00:17 AM Records: 60 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
21:28:14:000 Station: KFMB-HD          (183000,8,1) Start: 4/4/2020 8:00:17 PM End: 4/6/2020 9:00:17 AM Records: 43 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
21:28:14:000 Station: KGTV-HD          (195000,10,1) Start: 4/4/2020 7:00:18 PM End: 4/5/2020 8:00:18 AM Records: 12 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
21:28:14:000 Station: KNSD-DT          (491000,39,1) Start: 4/4/2020 8:00:18 PM End: 4/5/2020 8:00:18 PM Records: 29 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
21:28:14:000 Station: KPBSH2           (503000,15,2) Start: 4/4/2020 7:00:17 PM End: 4/7/2020 8:00:17 PM Records: 136 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
21:28:14:580 Station: KPBSHD           (503000,15,1) Start: 4/4/2020 7:30:17 PM End: 4/7/2020 8:00:17 PM Records: 142 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
21:28:14:587 Station: KSWB             (545000,69,1) Start: 4/2/2020 8:00:18 PM End: 4/5/2020 8:00:18 PM Records: 94 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
21:28:14:587 Station: KUAN-LD          (491000,48,1) Start: 4/4/2020 7:00:18 PM End: 4/5/2020 9:00:18 PM Records: 29 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
21:28:14:587 Station: KUSI-HD          (497000,51,1) Start: 4/4/2020 8:00:16 PM End: 4/5/2020 8:00:16 PM Records: 35 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
21:28:14:587 Station: LAFF             (195000,10,3) Start: 4/4/2020 8:00:18 PM End: 4/5/2020 8:00:18 AM Records: 24 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
21:28:14:587 Station: MeTV             (195000,10,2) Start: 4/4/2020 8:00:18 PM End: 4/5/2020 8:00:18 AM Records: 15 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
21:28:14:587 Station: PBSKIDS          (503000,15,4) Start: 4/4/2020 8:00:17 PM End: 4/7/2020 8:00:17 PM Records: 144 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
21:28:14:587 Station: Quest            (183000,8,5) Start: 4/4/2020 8:00:17 PM End: 4/6/2020 8:00:17 AM Records: 39 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
21:28:14:877 Station: TELX-LD          (491000,48,2) Start: 4/4/2020 8:00:18 PM End: 4/5/2020 10:00:18 PM Records: 27 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
21:28:14:877 Station: Univisn          (485000,36,17) Start: 4/4/2020 8:00:18 PM End: 4/5/2020 2:00:18 AM Records: 9 Overlaps: 0 Gaps: 0
21:28:14:877 <S> Summary: Total Stations = 23 Total Gaps = 0 Total Overlaps = 0 Total Time = 00:06:12.1230469

[StinkyImp]

StinkyImp mentioned success, but didn't elaborate on how it was done.

When I was doing my testing I followed the KISS (Keep It Super Simple) principle. In other words, my test machine was air-gapped and used nothing except WMC7 and EPG Collector with an antenna connected to a cheap USB tuner. I used nothing from the internet or any programs that could create additional points of failure. I just wanted to see what EPG Collector was capable of "out of the box".

The machine was my old Win7 HTPC that used the Rovi guide data. When I plugged it in I didn't do anything except plug in a USB tuner and install EPG Collector. No fresh start, no declining the guide data, nothing.

To my remembrance, the process was pretty straightforward and it looks like you're most of the way there. You've got your output data and that seemed like the hardest part. The following general overview is from a failing memory (from over five years ago) so may not be exactly accurate. In my case I wanted to know if a novice could get it to work so I never asked for any assistance from anyone and relied solely on Steve's "User Guide.txt" provided with EPG Collector and reading the EPG Collector forums. Using only those resources I was able to get it working.

1. In WMC go to: Settings -> TV -> TV Signal -> Scan for more channels (To get all the channels WMC can see)
2. In EPG Collector, Scan your local frequencies. ( I think I used information from Rabbit Ears to get a list of local channels and frequencies)
3. In WMC go to: Settings -> TV -> Guide -> Add Missing Channels (For any VHF channels that WMC won't scan BUT are included in EPGC)
4. Somewhere in here I had EPG Collector scan and then create, and load, the MXF (not XMLTV) file. This is where you'll see "No Data" in your guide even when it's successful.
5. In WMC (for each channel) go to: Settings -> TV -> Guide -> Edit Channels -> Select a channel -> Edit Listings (and assign the listing created by EPG Collector)

After you finish assigning the listings to each channel, it should populate your guide. If not, read Steve's "User Guide" and go to the EPGC forums and search and ask questions.

Once you get this foundation working, then you can start tweaking it with other programs, enhancements, etc.

If you're wanting a simple "point and click" solution, this isn't for you. For that you'll want to go ahead and pay $25 per year to Schedules Direct and use EPG123.

[swofra]

Thanks StinkyImp. I had let it sit for a couple of hours yesterday to see if it just took time for WMC to populate the data, but still nothing. Then when I checked this morning a couple of channels had specific guide info and some others just generic listings, but the "no data available" listings were gone for the first 24 hours, so maybe it just took some additional time. The guide data channels says EGPC and cuts off at 24 hours for most listings, so now I just have to figure out what method I was working on around that time that would match up with that 24 hour period. Progress for sure. Additionally, I had run zap2xml earlier in the day so I still need to figure out why that data didn't transfer but I'll move that discussion to another thread. For this thread, Tony, hope the output log helped, and let me know if you need anything else.

edited for clarity