OTA On-Screen & Third Party Electronic Program Guides - Page 39 - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

BigSplash · 2012-01-24, 12:58 PM

Thanks for the helpful info!

alien0 · 2012-02-20, 08:46 AM

After the latest software update on my Sony EX620, it appears that the Rovi Guide software was updated. It now presents a "Reset" feature and a lot more user-control options.

The guide however still presents the same bug as before: the OTA channel guide setup simply does NOT work. Same problem as before: the data is downloaded then the message "The guide cannot complete setup" appears when using a Canadian postal code. It works for a US postal code however (but does not display data for CDN stations).

Anyways, one of the new options added allows the guide data to be downloaded over the air instead. This is completely new and was not present in the earlier version. I am trying to see whether this option will work. If it does, I will be very happy. Let's see.

Jase88 · 2012-02-20, 07:09 PM

The closest TVGOS over-the-air host station is CFCF-DT. You must be able to receive this station in order to capture EPG data from TVGOS for your locale.

majortom · 2012-02-20, 07:25 PM

Speaking of TV Guides.. A few weeks ago I sent an email request to ZAP2IT,
asking if they could update the Channel Lineups in some Buffalo area ZIP Codes to reflect all of the Toronto Stations. Since the Canadian DTV Transistion was completed in August, it was in need of updating. Most of the channels that were available were still following the old Analog naming conventions and weren't listing HD Content when available, etc.

I just checked up on it and see that it looks much better now. All the Toronto stations are there now, with the -DT Callsigns, etc.

alien0 · 2012-02-23, 11:14 AM

Yes I have a perfect reception of CFCF (100% signal strength & quality). Anyways, it's still a no-go. After days of playing with the new settings, it still won't load any data, over the air or over the internet for my postal code. Sigh. I really wonder what the bug is.

Rovi support is mostly useless, they keep saying that I have to reset the guide and retry, although I have reset it just about 500 times already.

So back to using a US zipcode and receiving data for US stations only.

MonopolyBuster · 2012-03-24, 05:22 PM

CBC was fixed a few months ago but Global in Toronto doesn't show EPG nor PSIP data on my SONY TV, but shows on my DTVpal DVR. Both units are set at a Buffalo ZIP code so pick up the TV Guide broadcast from Buffalo PBS station.

Should I set my SONY TV to a Toronto postal code for Global TV Guide info to come from CTV Toronto? I hesitate only because I don't want other info or settings to change.

Jase88 · 2012-03-24, 09:06 PM

My Sony Bravia is not TVGOS-capable, and displays the current PSIP EPG data for Global Toronto and Paris perfectly.

I would try changing your Sony's settings to your Canadian postal code. You can always change it back if results are not satisfactory.

dshel · 2012-09-28, 12:22 PM

So, now that I have ditched cable and got my OTA going well, how could I get a decent program guide ? I guess I miss my guide on my Bell/Rogers PVR...

Is there a web site, with Canadian stations, that I could register with to receive a Daily Program Guide, for only the station I receiver OTA ?

Ideally a daily email, sent to my smartphone or computer, so I could know what will be on tonight...

Right I read the Toronto Star, but that is so 20th century...

freeair · 2012-09-28, 12:39 PM

zap2it.com enter 14174 as the zipcode and you will see Canadian and US listings.

larry15 · 2012-09-28, 12:49 PM

I use area code L4A 5E7 with zap2it which lists stations from Toronto, Hamilton, Buffalo, Rochester, CKCO, CKVR, CHEX.

interdit_450 · 2012-09-28, 01:14 PM

Hello dshel,

Although I believe you already have obtained your answer, for completeness you should note there are many options available for obtaining OTA program guide info. The main ways of getting program guide info are:

PSIP: program guide data transmitted along with the OTA DTV signal
TVGOS: TV Guide On-Screen service available in some areas
3rd Party: Internet-based guides that can be uploaded to your smart TV or HTPC (example: the aforementioned zap2it)

I would suggest searching for these terms on this forum as you may find more info that can help you decide on the best option for your particular setup. Depending on your model, your TV may already have a guide built-in for PSIP or TVGOS. Or, you may decide to invest in a receiver (for example, the old CM-7000PAL has essentially the same guide as the Bell Satellite TV PVR) or a certain HTPC software.

Jakeman3 · 2012-09-28, 02:50 PM

I have my personalized page on zap2it bookmarked on my playbook tablet - I use it ALL THE TIME. I've even customized it to have my top channels listed at the top and I've removed all the channels that I can't receive reliably.

Just use you own postal code - it does Canada just fine...and choose "Broadcast (Antenna)" when you are asked who your provider is.

Use this everyday..

brill · 2012-09-28, 08:16 PM

Some great tips here, thanks everyone I've setup zap2it, it's great !

brill

Jase88 · 2012-09-28, 09:23 PM

In addition to the advice above, you may wish to investigate a tuner with TVGOS and/or PSIP guide abilities. Both guide-data methods supply data over-the-air and populate information on-screen.

TVGOS (TV Guide On Screen) and PSIP (Program and System Information Protocol) are also available on DVR's from Channel Master, discussed in this thread.

Subscription-based DVR program listings are available on TiVo for OTA.

majortom · 2012-09-28, 10:20 PM

http://zap2xml.awardspace.info/
and
http://mc2xml.hosterbox.net/

are easy ways to create an xmltv.xml file for import in to various PVR applications, like mythtv, NextPVR, so on...

2012-02-20, 07:09 PM	#573
Jase88 Moderator Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kitchener, ON Posts: 4,109	The closest TVGOS over-the-air host station is CFCF-DT. You must be able to receive this station in order to capture EPG data from TVGOS for your locale. __________________ DMX 68' tower, HyGain HAM 5 rotator, Antennas Direct 91-XG & C5, Channel Master 7777 preamp, Siemens surge protection

2012-02-20, 07:25 PM	#574
majortom Veteran Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2,566	Speaking of TV Guides.. A few weeks ago I sent an email request to ZAP2IT, asking if they could update the Channel Lineups in some Buffalo area ZIP Codes to reflect all of the Toronto Stations. Since the Canadian DTV Transistion was completed in August, it was in need of updating. Most of the channels that were available were still following the old Analog naming conventions and weren't listing HD Content when available, etc. I just checked up on it and see that it looks much better now. All the Toronto stations are there now, with the -DT Callsigns, etc. __________________ uhf/vhf combo rotor chimney mount homebrew vhf hi hpf ap-8700 preamp 4way split lg lcd dtt901 pctuner mythtv

2012-03-24, 05:22 PM	#576
MonopolyBuster Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Richmond Hill, Ontario Posts: 78	CBC is fixed for TV Guide but not Global? CBC was fixed a few months ago but Global in Toronto doesn't show EPG nor PSIP data on my SONY TV, but shows on my DTVpal DVR. Both units are set at a Buffalo ZIP code so pick up the TV Guide broadcast from Buffalo PBS station. Should I set my SONY TV to a Toronto postal code for Global TV Guide info to come from CTV Toronto? I hesitate only because I don't want other info or settings to change.

2012-03-24, 09:06 PM	#577
Jase88 Moderator Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kitchener, ON Posts: 4,109	My Sony Bravia is not TVGOS-capable, and displays the current PSIP EPG data for Global Toronto and Paris perfectly. I would try changing your Sony's settings to your Canadian postal code. You can always change it back if results are not satisfactory. __________________ DMX 68' tower, HyGain HAM 5 rotator, Antennas Direct 91-XG & C5, Channel Master 7777 preamp, Siemens surge protection

2012-09-28, 12:22 PM	#578
dshel Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Pickering Posts: 39	Program guide for OTA? So, now that I have ditched cable and got my OTA going well, how could I get a decent program guide ? I guess I miss my guide on my Bell/Rogers PVR... Is there a web site, with Canadian stations, that I could register with to receive a Daily Program Guide, for only the station I receiver OTA ? Ideally a daily email, sent to my smartphone or computer, so I could know what will be on tonight... Right I read the Toronto Star, but that is so 20th century...

2012-01-24, 12:58 PM	#571
BigSplash Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Bolton, Rogers Cable, Samsung LN-S4092D, SA8300HD, Samsung Ht-TQ72 Posts: 16	Thanks for the helpful info!

2012-02-20, 08:46 AM	#572
alien0 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Verdun, QC Posts: 51	After the latest software update on my Sony EX620, it appears that the Rovi Guide software was updated. It now presents a "Reset" feature and a lot more user-control options. The guide however still presents the same bug as before: the OTA channel guide setup simply does NOT work. Same problem as before: the data is downloaded then the message "The guide cannot complete setup" appears when using a Canadian postal code. It works for a US postal code however (but does not display data for CDN stations). Anyways, one of the new options added allows the guide data to be downloaded over the air instead. This is completely new and was not present in the earlier version. I am trying to see whether this option will work. If it does, I will be very happy. Let's see.

2012-02-23, 11:14 AM	#575
alien0 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Verdun, QC Posts: 51	Yes I have a perfect reception of CFCF (100% signal strength & quality). Anyways, it's still a no-go. After days of playing with the new settings, it still won't load any data, over the air or over the internet for my postal code. Sigh. I really wonder what the bug is. Rovi support is mostly useless, they keep saying that I have to reset the guide and retry, although I have reset it just about 500 times already. So back to using a US zipcode and receiving data for US stations only.

2012-09-28, 12:39 PM	#579
freeair Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Mississauga (9th line/Brittannia) Posts: 45	zap2it.com enter 14174 as the zipcode and you will see Canadian and US listings.

2012-09-28, 12:49 PM	#580
larry15 Rookie Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Etobicoke Posts: 22	I use area code L4A 5E7 with zap2it which lists stations from Toronto, Hamilton, Buffalo, Rochester, CKCO, CKVR, CHEX.

2012-09-28, 01:14 PM	#581
interdit_450 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: OTA setups in Pointe-Claire & NDG (Qc) Posts: 254	Hello dshel, Although I believe you already have obtained your answer, for completeness you should note there are many options available for obtaining OTA program guide info. The main ways of getting program guide info are: PSIP: program guide data transmitted along with the OTA DTV signal TVGOS: TV Guide On-Screen service available in some areas 3rd Party: Internet-based guides that can be uploaded to your smart TV or HTPC (example: the aforementioned zap2it) I would suggest searching for these terms on this forum as you may find more info that can help you decide on the best option for your particular setup. Depending on your model, your TV may already have a guide built-in for PSIP or TVGOS. Or, you may decide to invest in a receiver (for example, the old CM-7000PAL has essentially the same guide as the Bell Satellite TV PVR) or a certain HTPC software.

2012-09-28, 02:50 PM	#582
Jakeman3 Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 98	I have my personalized page on zap2it bookmarked on my playbook tablet - I use it ALL THE TIME. I've even customized it to have my top channels listed at the top and I've removed all the channels that I can't receive reliably. Just use you own postal code - it does Canada just fine...and choose "Broadcast (Antenna)" when you are asked who your provider is. Use this everyday..

2012-09-28, 08:16 PM	#583
brill Rookie Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Guelph Posts: 5	Some great tips here, thanks everyone I've setup zap2it, it's great ! brill

2012-09-28, 09:23 PM	#584
Jase88 Moderator Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kitchener, ON Posts: 4,109	In addition to the advice above, you may wish to investigate a tuner with TVGOS and/or PSIP guide abilities. Both guide-data methods supply data over-the-air and populate information on-screen. TVGOS (TV Guide On Screen) and PSIP (Program and System Information Protocol) are also available on DVR's from Channel Master, discussed in this thread. Subscription-based DVR program listings are available on TiVo for OTA. __________________ DMX 68' tower, HyGain HAM 5 rotator, Antennas Direct 91-XG & C5, Channel Master 7777 preamp, Siemens surge protection

2012-09-28, 10:20 PM	#585
majortom Veteran Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2,566	http://zap2xml.awardspace.info/ and http://mc2xml.hosterbox.net/ are easy ways to create an xmltv.xml file for import in to various PVR applications, like mythtv, NextPVR, so on... __________________ uhf/vhf combo rotor chimney mount homebrew vhf hi hpf ap-8700 preamp 4way split lg lcd dtt901 pctuner mythtv

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