[mythtv-users] xmltv grab_uk_rt or EIT data, which is the best option?

[Nick]

On 04/10/06, drbob <drbob at gmx.co.uk> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I've recently set up a mythtv back end (using mythweb as a front end
> until I get PC for the living room). Looking at the radio times xmltv
> data, it appears to provide info on whether a show is a repeat and a
> "series id" number for each show, which doesn't currently appear in the
> EIT over the air data.
>
> Does this extra information help mythtv scheduling? There don't appear
> to be unique "program id" numbers in the radio times data (which would
> be the most useful for scheduling and detecting duplicates). I'm
> currently using the EIT data as I like the idea of dynamic rescheduling
> if a program gets delayed, does mythtv do this (I thought I read
> somewhere it does but can no longer find that page...)?

Some thoughts...

- Radio Times:

Pros:
2 weeks of data
Detailed descriptions with program subtitles
Provides listings for many channels

Cons:
Need internet connection
Site can go down intermittently
Descriptions for repeat showing can be different which doesn't help
scheduler at all
No radio listings
Can take a while to setup if you have many channels

- EIT Data:

Pros:
Updated frequently
Only need working DVB card to retrieve listings
Easier to configure

Cons:
Only 7 days of data
Shorter descriptions
Only DVB channel data (not a problem if you only have DVB-T though)


I use the Radio Times listings for my TV channels (ntl digital user so
many listings only available from RT site) and EIT data for my radio
channels. This combination has worked well for me since 2004.

The scheduler is run after new listings have been retrieved so it
should take into account listings changes (both RT and EIT). There was
also talk a few days ago about possible EIT data developments that
would allow series IDs to be transmitted in the data to allow enhanced
scheduling, but our data here in the UK seems to be some way off the
extra "meta" data the US providers give.

Nick

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