SBS 7 Day EIT EPG now available…
SBS Australia has just started transmitting a 7 day EIT Electronic Program Guide (transmitted over the air) for their primary SD + HD DVB-T channels (nothing appearing yet for the World News channel). Up until now they were only providing half working Now/Next data – and were the only broadcaster not providing a 7 day guide (most of the others came to the party over the last 3-6 months).
The SBS EIT data has also been delivered a couple of months earlier than expected (previously I was told that they were aiming for late feb 09 – but no ‘promised dates’ were committed to).
This is great news for Media Center users (who are using either TVPack2008 or Windows 7) – and due to changes to the platform (introduced with TVPack) were prevented from loading 3rd party EPG’s.
Combined with the new Dec08 fixes for TVPack 2008 – VMC is now finally a full ‘out-of-the-box’ solution for Australian consumers (with all guide data now available for the first time ever).
mobilewares
Big Screen Blog 
That’s excellent news Niall.Do you find that the EIT data is accurate from all the stations? I’ve used IceTV for the last few years and it’s been very reliable, but with our subsription up for renewal in a couple of months perhaps it’s time to move to the TV Pack.Of course, I’ll have to check if the data is transmitted for all the stations down here in Hobart as well (not always the case).
Richard
December 6, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Hi Richard – Yes the data seems to be pretty accurate as a schedule (and sometimes changes during transmissions if show is running late etc) – and the series matching seems to be pretty good from MC. The main issues is still the lack of metadata being provided – such as Episode Names – and often the title will be something like ‘The Late Movie’ or ‘MS-‘ – and then you need to look in the description to see what the show is called. Also the Repeat flag doesnt seem to be getting provided (so you can end up with old episodes over time)..
Niall
December 7, 2008 at 12:37 am
Getting extra episodes isn’t too bad. Missing recordings on a "production" system does (or at least it does to the wife) :-)Although we’re watching a lot less local TV these days, it’s mainly recording kids programs for our son.
Richard
December 7, 2008 at 7:59 am
Without the correct metadata, it is not much more use than the now/next data my TV gets. Channel 9 still does Movie, Late Movie, Late Late Movie etc. That’s why i stayed with using the Free EPG XML setup. Still, A step in the right direction is better than a salp in the chops. After all, all journeys must begin with a step…
Brett
December 9, 2008 at 4:03 am
I reckon channel 9 is doing the "late movie", "late late movie" bs based upon the success they’ve had to date in their legal battle.. By placing the title of the movie inside the "synopsis" which they claim as copyrighted work, rather than a statement of fact and saying, "Oh we are providing a title", but making that title useless they’re working to erect legal barriers to the use of the guide data by anyone not wanting to adhere to their ad-skip and fast forward speed bans..
ADF
January 6, 2009 at 9:03 am