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G-code And Pvrs


AlexMJ

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Anybody notice that none of the current PVRs support G-code? An unusual omission in my opinion.
As DVD says, GCode is rendered instantly obsolete by a 7 day EPG. All PVRs currently on the market are adaptions of overseas FW and as such tend to assume a 7 day EPG is de rigour. I believe including GCode capability would also probably require paying for the privilege by the manufacturer.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

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As DVD says, GCode is rendered instantly obsolete by a 7 day EPG. All PVRs currently on the market are adaptions of overseas FW and as such tend to assume a 7 day EPG is de rigour. I believe including GCode capability would also probably require paying for the privilege by the manufacturer.

Assuming a 7 day EPG?? In Australia? Big assumption. :D

I agree with the sentiments. After using an EPG anything else seems archaic, but I'm sure there are many PVR owners that don't have access to 7 day EPG - either not being technically able to connect their particular PVR to (eg) ICEtv, or not willing to pay for the service.

So, for a toppy owner who, for whatever reason, didn't have home internet access, the G-code tap could be quite handy. (assuming of course they could manage to download the TAP elsewhere...)

:blink: goodluck finding a tv guide with it still in it?? G-Code soo last century :P

The last time I looked I'm sure the Sunday times TV guide (Perth) still had G codes. Happy to be corrected on that.

G codes don't appear in online tv guides because Gemstar, the company that creates and licenses G-Codes, has not yet issued licences for displaying G-Codes online.

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The gcode tap for the toppy only supports 6 digits. These days, guides have many 7/8 digit codes, especially for SBS or long running programs. The problem is, however, that the algorithm to generate a 7/8 digit gcode is unknown publicly. I get around this somewhat in the gcode tap by supplying a PC program that generates 6 digit codes to approximate those that would otherwise need a 7/8 digit code.

However, previous posters are quite correct in that programming timers is much easier from an EPG if you have one available. On a Topfield that is not an issue if you have some sort of network connection so you can download the guide from some external source.

cheers,

John

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So, for a toppy owner who, for whatever reason, didn't have home internet access, the G-code tap could be quite handy. (assuming of course they could manage to download the TAP elsewhere...)
There's one other PVR feature that means G-Code isn't all that needed - recurring timers. If I remember most VCRs tend to allow you to set up a one shot timer for some time in the next few weeks. PVRs all use recurring timers like 'weekly' so once you've created and named a timer its usually a pretty simple effort to tweak a timer to account for scheduling changes.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

Even

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once you have used either a media center or topfield with an EPG, you really really wonder why barely anyone uses it, and even considers buying anything other than a topfield or a media center.

maybe someone should write a FAQ (to be pinned) all about EPGs and why they are the best thing since colour tv.

being able to set something to record every single time its on be it whatever timeslot the damn station changes it to, with 2 clicks, and knowing that it'll just record - is absolutely totally awsome.

gcode is for the 1980's.

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EPG's are great if your PVR has a network connection and appropriate support. Most don't. For the wife to record a program on the PVR she has to 1) switch on the PVR 2) switch on tv 3)switch on surround amp 4) switch amp to PVR input. 5) navigate numerous screens on the pvr to confirm and set various bits and pieces.

On the VCR - wife punches the G-Code from Green guide into the VCR remote. Points and transmits - and is done.

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personally I'd love to see g-code, we know epg these days is pox many times not updated or non existent. If they can use g-code on dvd-rs cant see why it could nto be used on a pvr.

Unfortunately as far as FTA television in this country is concerned, this IS the 1980s...
EPG's are great if your PVR has a network connection and appropriate support. Most don't. For the wife to record a program on the PVR she has to 1) switch on the PVR 2) switch on tv 3)switch on surround amp 4) switch amp to PVR input. 5) navigate numerous screens on the pvr to confirm and set various bits and pieces.

On the VCR - wife punches the G-Code from Green guide into the VCR remote. Points and transmits - and is done.

hehe great points ! :blink:

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EPG's are great if your PVR has a network connection and appropriate support.
Agree that a 'tech savy' individual is needed in the background for 7 day EPG functionality. But once its on the result has an even higher WAF (What about clashes, what about wanting to tape shows that overlap?) A PVR allows you to turn on the TV, Bring up the EPG, and scroll around selecting shows you'd like to record. Simplicity :blink:

Regards

Peter Gillespie

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Agree that a 'tech savy' individual is needed in the background for 7 day EPG functionality. But once its on the result has an even higher WAF (What about clashes, what about wanting to tape shows that overlap?) A PVR allows you to turn on the TV, Bring up the EPG, and scroll around selecting shows you'd like to record. Simplicity :D

Regards

Peter Gillespie

Exactly, in my setup the upstairs PC (the media centre itself) is always on in the study. to load media centre you either shake the mouse (to wake it up) and go start->media center, or even easier pickup the the media center remote and press the start button. once there, you press the "guide" button on the remote, navigate to the show you want to record, then either press the "rec" button once to record the show as a one-off or twice to record the entire series.

Its orders of magnitude easier than using gcode on any VCR i've ever come across.

Its almost as easy downstairs, turn on the tv & xbox360 to load media centre (admittedly one click on my harmony remote) then again navigate to the guide and choose what you want.

Anyone who is capable of surfing to SMH to read the morning headlines is capable of setting up a timer recording in vista media centre (and surely its not much harder on a topfield).

Sure you might need someone tech savy to set the thig up, but you could pay someone to do that if you really needed. Whats more, i reckon i could teach a senior citizen to record stuff in media centre a whole lot quicker because what senior citizen old do you know that can read size 4pt font in the newspaper.

personally I'd love to see g-code, we know epg these days is pox many times not updated or non existent.

i think you're referring to now/next information. that was good for 2001-2005, get with it its 2007 already!!

:blink:

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  • 3 years later...


Just wondering why the Sydney Morning Herald still includes G-codes in it's TV guide. Does anyone still use them?

People who still use VCRs, presumably. G-code is just a compact encoding of date, time, channel and duration.

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Assuming a 7 day EPG?? In Australia? Big assumption. :P

I agree with the sentiments. After using an EPG anything else seems archaic, but I'm sure there are many PVR owners that don't have access to 7 day EPG - either not being technically able to connect their particular PVR to (eg) ICEtv, or not willing to pay for the service.

The networks broadcast 7-day EPG's over the air, so if you have the right device - e.g. Pansonic recorders - then it costs nothing. Unfortunately I have noticed many devices (like my TV) only display "now" and "next", but this is due to the manufacture of the device, not because the information isn't available. The information is there for all to use for free, without needing internet connection, if you have the right device.

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