[mythtv-users] Data Direct "service"

[Matt]

On 4/3/07, Bruce Markey <bjm at lvcm.com> wrote:
> FYI
>
> DataDirect has recently introduced a bug where updates to
> the DataDirect are not handled correctly causing episodes
> to have generic descriptions when delivered through the
> DataDirect service whereas the descriptions are available
> through tvlistings.com . Although several users have posted
> specific issues to the forums at labs.zap2it.com, no one
> from TMS has posted any messages acknowledging the issue.
>
> One post from an uninformed user claimed that that the issue
> was that of myth marking generic showings as repeats and was due
> to a "*BUG*" [sic] in MythTV and we should be thankful for what
> we get from "Tribune". I posted a response with the following
> points:
>
> - The poster's information was backwards.
>
> - MythTV records generic episodes by default. The myth user
> reporting repeats was using the 'new episodes only' feature.
>
> - This was not the issue. tvlistings.com is reporting the
> correct episode information and the bug was 100% within the
> DD service at TMS.
>
> - DD was not provided merely as a favor to it's users but was
> created in response excessive traffic from scrapers like XMLTV.
>
> - If description information is not available from DD but is
> from tvlistings.com this will surely lead to people using
> scrapers which would increase tvlistings.com traffic ten fold
> then one-hundred fold or more.
>
> - Therefore it is in everyones best interest that TMS take this
> issue seriously.
>
> - I reiterated a request that a TMS employee acknowledge this
> issue, report the status and set expectations for a resolution.
>
> Though there appear to be few if any posts from tms* usernames
> in recent months, this drew a response within minutes:
>
> "You have been banned from this forum. Please contact the
> webmaster or board administrator for more information."
>
> --  bjm
>


Bruce, maybe it's time to stark looking into alternatives for
DD/zap2it.  It's owned by Tribune which is currently being bought out
and going through restructuring.  Either way, maybe a couple of
different options and contingency plans wouldn't hurt.  Myth dies if
we can't get listing (or get inaccurate ones).  Not saying we have to
drop DD, but just have a backup plan.

Matt