Overview

How to get  EPG data directly from your aerial, cable or satellite provider via your DVB tuner. 

Introduction

DVB (Digital Video Broadcast) channels can receive program information embedded in the signal-stream. This system is called EPG (Electronic Program Guide).

The information received depends on the TV broadcaster. Some channels include very detailed EPG information, some only a very basic EPG and some don't transmit EPG at all. 

Note: IF DVB EPG is not supported in your region (e.g. North America which uses ATSC) - use XMLTV EPG Data or WebEPG Data

Setup

Run "MediaPortal 2 TV- Configuration" tool using the desktop or Start menu shortcut. Click on the DVB EPG menu.

The available settings are:

Enable CRC Check

Depending upon your service provider, you will want to ether enable or disable this option. E.g.:

 UK Freeview (DVB-T/T2) does not need this option

 UK Freesat (DVB-S/S2) does need this option to work.  

If you are not sure what you need here, best is to enable it to make sure you fill all your EPG data.

Always try to fill holes

Enable this to get a complete EPG listing (as complete as possible).

EPG grabbing while recording/timeshifting

Enable this to alllow EPG grabbing while you are watching TV. This always should be enabled, if you don't encounter issues while grabbing.

EPG grabbing while idle

Enable this to get a complete EPG also for channels you don't watch that often. Disable it if you encounter issues. Depending on your provider and your tuner, the idle grabbing can be unreliable. You need to test for yourself if this is working for you

Expand the DVB EPG menu and click on the following menu entries:

TV EPG Grabber

Store data only for selected channels - Enable

1. Check the channels you want EPG for, either one by one or by one or use the options in blue below.
   Usually a provider will send EPG data for all channels from that provider with each channel. This means that you will only need to check one channel from each provider. So checking a channel here will decide which channel you want to retrieve EPG from.
2. Grab EPG for the following languages - Select All, None or check the languages you wish

Radio EPG Grabber

Store data only for selected channels - Enable

1. Check the channels you want EPG for, either one by one or by one or by using the options in blue below.
   Usually a provider will send EPG data for all channels from that provider with each channel. This means that you will only need to check one channel from each provider. So checking a channel here will decide which channel you want to retrieve EPG from.
2. Grab EPG for the following languages - Select All, None or check the languages you wish

Click OK to exit the "MediaPortal 2 TV- Configuration" tool and run MediaPortal 2.

Your EPG data will start downloading immediately if you have select the EPG grabbing when idle option or as you start watching TV.

Related

TV Guide Setup - EPG