2009/01/07/using-xmltv-with-eyetv/

[jdeluyck]

2009/01/07/using-xmltv-with-eyetv/

Using XMLTV with EyeTV
https://kcore.org/2009/01/07/using-xmltv-with-eyetv/

[jdeluyck]

Originally posted by Cristiano Betta on 2009-03-07T12:34:22Z

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Thanks for the article. I got one big question: how do you update this XML file? Manually? If I write a script that updates XML file automatically, will this propagate into EyeTV directly or do I need to drag the file into EyeTV every time?

[jdeluyck]

No, I use a script that is launched every day at 8pm, via crontab. I've scheduled my mac to wake up at that time if it isn't (normally the news is being recorded), and it automatically loads it into EyeTV.

The script I use is:

#!/bin/bash

MC2XML="/Users/<name>/scripts/mc2xml"
XMLTV="/Users/<name>/scripts/xmltv.xml"

# Check if we have internet connection
ping -q -c 1 -t 5 google.com > /dev/null

if [ $? -eq 0 ]; then
# Get new shedule
$MC2XML -F -c be

# Reload EyeTV with the file
open -a EyeTV $XMLTV
fi

The 'open -a' will cause EyeTV to load the XML File.

[jdeluyck]

Originally posted by Cristiano Betta on 2009-03-07T22:42:21Z

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Thanks. That's just what I needed. I was just about to write a similar script myself, but this works just fine. Got any other EyeTV tips/tricks?

[jdeluyck]

Not really. I search as I need it ;)

[jdeluyck]

Originally posted by Anders Rasmussen on 2009-08-07T11:54:20Z

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I was very surprised and pleased to find the mc2xml program - I had no idea it existed. Normally I have been working hard trying to the xml-tv grabbers working. But this is much easier - and a lot faster as well.

Thanks for mentioning it.

[jdeluyck]

Originally posted by vanfruniken on 2009-10-03T23:37:31Z

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What is the oldest version of eyeTV this wil work with? I have had an eyeTV since 2005 and am running version 2.5.1

[jdeluyck]

I'm afraid you need atleast EyeTV 3.0.1 to be able to use XMLTV files.

[jdeluyck]

Originally posted by Vagelis on 2009-12-31T20:50:09Z

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Jan, I need your help.

Can you send me an example xml file to have a look ?
I have created manually an xml / xmltv file for one channel and 2-3 programmes.
I import succesfully at EyETV and map the channel to xml and the channel within the file.

But still my guide is empty. Not used by any channel EyeTV says.

Any ideas ?

[jdeluyck]

I've mailed you an xmltv file. Also, you need to manually map the channels in EyeTV, if you go to channels, you have to select XMLTV in the EPG dropdown box and select the correct channel.

[jdeluyck]

Originally posted by Naren on 2010-01-18T02:20:37Z

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Hello Thank you for sharing this info if I can get this to work I am going to be very happy.

Sorry for the noob question but I download mc2xml save it

then in terminal I try to run it

$MC2XML -c us -g 08540
-bash: -c: command not found

running osx 10.6.2

any help would be appreciated

thanks you

[jdeluyck]

$MC2XML is a variable which (should) point to the mc2xml binary. But in this case you can just use ./mc2xml instead of $MC2XML.

[jdeluyck]

Originally posted by Naren on 2010-01-18T13:40:05Z

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Sweet got it man, actually overlooked the chmod 755 mc2xml (since I am using the -c and -g switches)

working great

thanks again

[jdeluyck]

Originally posted by Naren on 2010-01-18T21:39:32Z

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ok I might have spoke too soon..mc2xmlis working great I can complete all the step manually and add the xmltv file to eyetv and map my listing to my providers clear qam channels.

The issue is my coding skills

since I am in the US I have to issue the command

./mc2xml -c us -g 08540
it them prompts me to make a selection as to which listing I want to download .
I have to choose Princeton Comcast (digital) # 25

it then downloads the listing and then I can issue the command
open -s EyeTV ~/Scripts/xmltv.xml

The problem is I dont know how to code the part when it prompts you for a listing selection

I would like to grep for "Princeton Comcast (Digital)" then take the # at the beginning of this line as the selection

the rest is the same as your script.

your help is greatly appreciated

thanks
Naren

[jdeluyck]

That is rather strange - mc2xml should only prompt you that once, and on successive updates just use what you entered before.

I've updated my script in the meanwhile:

#!/bin/bash
MC2XML="/path/to/mc2xml"
XMLTV="/path/to/xmltv.xml"

cd `dirname $MC2XML`

# Check if we have internets
/sbin/ping -q -c 1 -t 5 google.com > /dev/null

if [ $? -eq 0 ]; then
$MC2XML -F -c be -g 9030
open -a EyeTV $XMLTV
fi

[jdeluyck]

Originally posted by Naren on 2010-01-19T18:29:30Z

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Interesting I have only attempted manually by deleting the download xml file so thats why it might be asking me I'll run it again with the current files inplace and report back. BTW When you downlaod the listing does you Eyetv hang while importing. In my case a 7 days listing take about 1 -2 mins to import on a mac mini 2.26 core 2 duo

[jdeluyck]

Same thing here. EyeTV will hang during the import, which is rather annoying. Takes around 2-3 mins on mine.

[jdeluyck]

Originally posted by Naren on 2010-01-19T18:31:23Z

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Also what are you using as a remote? my intent is to make a DVR and media center from my mac mini on a Sony 46XBR9. The Apple remote is rather limited in terms of functionality. I have been reading that the ps3 bluetooth remote with remote buddy is an option. Any thoughts on that ?

[jdeluyck]

I use the apple remote together with Sofa Control, and also using the remote that came with the EyeTV.

[jdeluyck]

Originally posted by Naren on 2010-01-20T04:35:54Z

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just an update...On attempts after the 1st download it does not ask for the listing selection it will remember so your script works for me as well

thank you

[jdeluyck]

Originally posted by Naren on 2010-01-21T21:14:44Z

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Jan thank you for all your help and advice.... some additional tips,update, etc....

remote buddy has native support for Eyetv and many other apps I got a 30 day trial and its working great. I have decided to purchase it as soon as the trial runs out. the two main apps I will use this for is Eyetv and Plex.
And it will support a range of different remotes, planning on testing the ps3 bluetooth remote simply because the cause it low $20.

regarding the hang issue while importing the xmltv file I have noticed that its much less as the size of the file decreases (which make sense ) so to decrease the xmltv.xml file size I have created a xmltv.chl file and listed (you can use ranges ) channels in the file so I only download channel 1-200 rather then 550 channels listing . this decreases the xmltv.xml file size from 128 meg to 49 meg ( for 14 days)

The script I took and made a text file and put an extension of .command on it and made a ical event for every Sunday night to open a file ( choose the .command file and note to set you terminal app to close automatically) Also note if you add a "-a" and "-A" switch to your script it will mark all new/live shows with a "*"

Have fun later

[jdeluyck]

Originally posted by Paul Swindells on 2010-04-28T18:07:32Z

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I am struggling with this. can any help me with a script to download UK listings? I cannot get mc2xml to run.

[jdeluyck]

What error does it give? Anything specific?
Did you make the binary executable (chmod +x mc2xml) and run it in a Terminal.app window?

[jdeluyck]

Originally posted by Bart on 2010-04-30T20:40:50Z

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Hey Jan,
Stupid me but I don't seem to get your little script to run?
I pasted the syntax in an apple script editor and tried to run it with the paths modified to my own setup.
It just doesn't seem to work.

I really love to get this automatisation working.

Thanks in advance,
Bart

[jdeluyck]

Actually, this is not an Applescript script. It's a basic shell script, so you'd need to make it with TextEdit and save it as a plain text file (not rtf), then make it executable (rightclick -> properties, and there somewhere or go into a Terminal and type chmod +x <name of="" script="" file="">.</name>