Test PC with no tuner

[IT Troll]

Is it possible to force EPG123 guide data into Media Center on a PC which doesn't have any tuners?

I want to test out some guide theme mods on a VM (without actually being able to watch/record). I think Gary might have a way because I know he tests out EPG data for services he doesn't have access to.

[garyan2]

All you need to do is create a [Backup] from one computer with tuners and WMC setup, then [Restore] that backup on the PC without. Everything will look the same.

[IT Troll]

Ah, thanks. Didn’t think of that. I’ll give that a go tomorrow.

[IT Troll]

I successfully ran the backup and then restored this to my test VM. The backup took quite some time run (~50 mins) despite producing quite a relatively small file (650 KB). The restore on the other hand was very quick. Is this expected?

I found that although EPG123 was now running correctly, I still could not view the guide in Media Center. This is because Media Center knows I have not setup a TV signal. However, I worked out that this can be spoofed by setting a single registry key:

Code: Select all

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\TVConfig]
"iConfigured"=dword:00000001

Full guide now available in my tunerless VM.

[garyan2]

The backup shouldn't have taken long, unless you are using an older version. The older version would force an update before creating that backup, while the new uses an option I overlooked a long time ago that can make the backup very quickly.

I don't think I've ever tried to do a restore on a system that has never had WMC setup before. Very good info. I'll have to incorporate that.

Thanks!

[IT Troll]

I am currently on the version from just before Christmas; v1.3.2.10. So not the absolute latest.

[garyan2]

Should have been quick, then. I have no idea why it would have taken that long to do a backup.