Question：The electronic program guide information displayed in Windows Media Center does not match the source data that is displayed on the ZAP2IT website. We use an over-the-air antenna to receive local digital (ATSC) signals. The mismatch appears to be limited to the subchannels A broadcaster can divide the channel into several different streams. These streams are called sub-channels . For example, if the digital TV channel is channel 53, then 53.1, 53.2 and 53.3 could be three sub-channels on that channel. Each sub-channel can carry a different program. In my area, many broadcasters use subchannels and the program listings displayed by ZAP2IT contain the unique programming on the subchannels, but Windows Media Center displays the same information on all subchannels. For example, ZAP2IT contains the following listings for our local PBS affiliate:
8.1 WGTVDT To Manor Born
8.2 WGTVDT2 Kids, Cash & Common Sense
8.3 WGTVDT3 Wild! Young and Wild
but the Windows Media Center program guide contains the following listings:
1081 WGTV-DT To Manor Born
1082 WGTV-DT2 To Manor Born
1083 WGTV-DT3 To Manor Born
When I view the station, the broadcast matches the program listing of ZAP2IT... it does not match the EPG of Windows Media Center.
Windows Media Center Vista version 6.0.6001.18000
Guide version ID:1 Version: 2707011174
Antenna ID: B30060- Schema Version: 1
Answer 1：The electronic program guide information displayed in Windows Media Center does not match the source data that is displayed on the ZAP2IT website. We use an over-the-air antenna to receive local digital (ATSC) signals. The mismatch appears to be limited to the subchannels A broadcaster can divide the channel into several different streams. These streams are called sub-channels . For example, if the digital TV channel is channel 53, then 53.1, 53.2 and 53.3 could be three sub-channels on that channel. Each sub-channel can carry a different program. In my area, many broadcasters use subchannels and the program listings displayed by ZAP2IT contain the unique programming on the subchannels, but Windows Media Center displays the same information on all subchannels. For example, ZAP2IT contains the following listings for our local PBS affiliate:
8.1 WGTVDT To Manor Born
8.2 WGTVDT2 Kids, Cash & Common Sense
8.3 WGTVDT3 Wild! Young and Wild
but the Windows Media Center program guide contains the following listings:
1081 WGTV-DT To Manor Born
1082 WGTV-DT2 To Manor Born
1083 WGTV-DT3 To Manor Born
When I view the station, the broadcast matches the program listing of ZAP2IT... it does not match the EPG of Windows Media Center.
Windows Media Center Vista version 6.0.6001.18000
Guide version ID:1 Version: 2707011174
Antenna ID: B30060- Schema Version: 1
Answer 2：
Hi TheOgre,
Thanks for using the forums.
I think the guide that is displayed is a function of the converter unit. Different units display different amounts of data. As far as I know Windows just reads back what it is told to say.
I tried looking up your unit by the numbers B30060- Schema Version:1 and couldn't find anything about it.
Consumer Reports has some good info on digital converters and what they will and won't do.
I suggest that you look up the manufacturer's info and find out what they say the unit ought to display then double check with a couple of sites that do reviews and have your unit to see that it really does.
Matt Hudson
Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.
Answer 3：Hi Matt,
Do you have the ability to engage WMC developers to look at this? b/c WMC is not getting the EPG data from the converter (which in my case is a TV tuner card). I'm confident of this b/c WMC will not display any data if the PC is disconnected from the Internet but the TV tuner will continue to receive EPG data without an Internet connection.
I have searched the Internet for a resolution to this problem. Many WMC users have the same issue and there are some hacks or work arounds cited in forums. None of these worked for me and I assume these didn't really work for the original poster either. I would prefer not to switch to WinTV or TotalMedia or BeyondTV. I have tried demo versions of these applications and all display the EPG data correctly.
If I were the WMC product manager, I would like to know that my product is not retrieving data correctly from its Internet source and I would fix the interface. Or I would find an alternate data provider. I'm willing to help isolate the problem.
Thanks,
TheOgre
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