[mythtv-users] Telly's Free Program Guide

[Joseph A. Caputo]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: mythtv-users-bounces at snowman.net
> [mailto:mythtv-users-bounces at snowman.net]On Behalf Of Dwight Hubbard
> (dhubbard)
> Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2003 11:03 AM
> To: Discussion about mythtv
> Subject: Re: [mythtv-users] Telly's Free Program Guide
>
>
> I would think it would be better to modify mythtv to get guide data from
> sources that were intended for the person using the mythtv box.  I.E.
> getting the guide data directly from the program guide on the digital
> cable box, the cable networks tv guide channel or from vbi information in
> areas where television listings are sent in the vbi.
>
> I'm thinking something along the lines of mythtv releasing the video
> device and running an external script when it is not recording.  The
> external script could tune to the channel with the listings, grab a video
> capture of the guide screen, ocr, parse the information, insert into
> database, have the cable box move to the next page, repeat.  Of course
> mythtv would have to have some means of stopping the script from running
> and different scripts would be needed for different sat/cable boxes, but
> the listing format isn't likely to change and it would have the listings
> for the user of the mythtv box.  I've thought about doing this, but I want
> to get the installer into a usable state before I look at tackling this.

The problem is, most of the sources you mentioned only yield information
about programs currently showing.  At best you might get a day's worth.  Not
very useful for scheduling.  Also, the sources you suggest are all highly
specific to each cable/satellite/broadcast provider.

You've got a point in that we don't want to steal listing data... we need to
get it from a free/open source, or from a source that each individual Myth
user is authorized to use, which is why I've suggested a way to grab Tivo's
listings would be useful for those Myth'ers that also have a valid Tivo
subscription.  Of course, it'd be nice to have a solution for the rest of
us, too, but so far we're all drawing a blank.

-JAC