Is the Guide Plus still up and working?

[bearbone]

I got listings for one week. Now when i try to update I get no listings available for all theee zipcodes in my area. I did an internet search and found that tvguidenetwork is going to quit doing tvlistings.

At the beginning of January 2009, TV Guide quietly removed the listings for TV Guide Network (along with several other networks) from the actual magazine's listings [8] in what that magazine's management described as "space concerns". However, the two entities have been forced apart by their new individual owners, with promotions for the network ending in the magazine, and vice versa, along with TV Guide Magazine journalists no longer appearing on the network. The top-line "plug" for the Network does remain for web listings providers using TV Guide's EPG listings, however.

I think we are going to have a hard time getting reliable tv listing updates.

 

[Clint S.]

I got listings for one week. Now when i try to update I get no listings available for all theee zipcodes in my area. I did an internet search and found that tvguidenetwork is going to quit doing tvlistings.

At the beginning of January 2009, TV Guide quietly removed the listings for TV Guide Network (along with several other networks) from the actual magazine's listings [8] in what that magazine's management described as "space concerns". However, the two entities have been forced apart by their new individual owners, with promotions for the network ending in the magazine, and vice versa, along with TV Guide Magazine journalists no longer appearing on the network. The top-line "plug" for the Network does remain for web listings providers using TV Guide's EPG listings, however.

I think we are going to have a hard time getting reliable tv listing updates.

I don't see how that can apply here. That's talking about the magazine, (and anyway it's from a year ago). The TVG network (channel) is a joke. Many cable co's have dropped it. Cox in this area relegated it....."sequestered" it to STB-only cable channels a few weeks ago.

The last sentence seems to imply EPG will still be around.

BTW, I don't know of a way to get more than 7 days download. That's the highest # in the drop-down box, at least it is on my version.

(Please don't select dark text colors. The forum automatically selects an appropriate text color when different layout themes are used. Those of us using the black/dark gray background theme can't hardly see your blue text and can't see the black text at all. Thanks).

 

[bearbone]

I got my listings back. I selected antenna and downloaded listings OK. Then went back and selected cable and listings downloaded OK. I am starting to get paranoid about this problem.

 

[bearbone]

BTW, I don't know of a way to get more than 7 days download. That's the highest # in the drop-down box, at least it is on my version.

I meant that I got listings for one week and that when they expired and I tried to update they would not update.

 

[Lemonhead37]

Hi Lemn,
(insert unoffenisve seasonal greeting here).

Lets forget about the listings for a moment. Don't be insulted by these questions. They have to be asked...
Does the computer in the offending zip code have TV reception?

Yes.

How many channels can you view?

Im guessing you mean out of the air, CBS, FOX, and it think PBS (not sure) there may be a few more, but i don't use an antenna.

What cable company are you using?

Charter

Update: Just for the heck of it. I changed my zip code to a nearby city, and now works fine (city has the same channel line up!).
It seems my Zip code has been removed from the sacred rolls...

Thanks again,
lemn

lemn

 

[Clint S.]

.......I am starting to get paranoid about this problem.

Indeed. I've been that way for the past few years. I just now updated again with no problem.......yet.

For the past few years I've had no CC ability. Has anyone else lost theirs? It used to show up automatically when the I muted the volume, but it suddenly just stopped a few years ago. Yes, the box is still checked to show CC when muted.

 

[harry_s24]

Lost Closed Captioning too

Lost Closed Captioning too

Hi there Clint,

Yes, I have lost CC on one of my two ATI AIW PCs for the past year or so. Of course initially CC was working well on both PCs.

I did make several unsuccessful attempts to debug this - without doing a reinstall though. Just weighed the benefit of getting CC vs reinstall and decided not worth the reinstall.

I am suspecting an ATI driver update likely took off the CC capability.

The two PCs are having different ATI AIWs. The one that does not show CC is much older AIW - I think it is a AIW Radeon and the one that does work is more recent. So the update was likely applied only to the older PC.

Any thoughts or ideas to further debug will be appreciated if you do get it to work.

harry

 

[Clint S.]

Hi there Clint,

Yes, I have lost CC on one of my two ATI AIW PCs for the past year or so. Of course initially CC was working well on both PCs.

I did make several unsuccessful attempts to debug this - without doing a reinstall though. Just weighed the benefit of getting CC vs reinstall and decided not worth the reinstall.

I am suspecting an ATI driver update likely took off the CC capability.

The two PCs are having different ATI AIWs. The one that does not show CC is much older AIW - I think it is a AIW Radeon and the one that does work is more recent. So the update was likely applied only to the older PC.

Any thoughts or ideas to further debug will be appreciated if you do get it to work.

harry

Thanks for the reply. Like you, I don't think the benefit is worth the "reinstall" or debugging time involved that could potentially mess something up more. Unlike this thread's problem, I wouldn't know where to start with CC problems. I just checked and I have on ONE channel! That's it, only one channel. The channel is PBS. So it's obviously "working" but the big mystery is how can it only be working on one channel.

 

[DA1745]

Couple of things:

RESPONSE FROM ROVI email received 12/23/09:
(From: CE_Customer_Support" <[email protected])

"Hello,

We apologize for this issue. There was a hardware issue that has caused this service to go down. Everything has been fixed and is working. If you continue to have an issue, please try reinstall the ATI Guide+ software.

Thank you,
CE Tech Support "

LOL, so the hardware issue automatically locked the server? Sounds a bit like double speak for someone fark'd something up or they went off for vacation...
Anyway, I shot an email back to them to get some clarification as to who actually owns the EPG guide? Waiting for a response (just sent it).

Despite the links and posts about Lionsgate a few pages back & the quote from the Wiki page for TV Guide ...Rovi was the one that reponded from all the phone calls, all the emails?!?
And from the Wiki Page for the TV Guide it seems like Lionsgate owns one part of it (not sure if its the magazine & the TV channel, or just one), but that a different company (presume rovi, still at this point, owns the EPG listings).

 

[CoolSteve]

I had the same problem (see posts #134 & 139), but eventually it corrected itself after numerous zip code changes/change backs and changing around the options chosen from that list when "Let me choose channel line-up again" is checked.

Does anyone else in Canada, in Ontario, that uses this program have missing listings for YTV and Teletoon? I need those the most and the stupid odds that I don't have the two channels I need are a pain in the butt. What zip-code do I change it to? Or perhaps those networks have gotten rid of analog listings?

I haven't been keeping up on updates, I finally did yesterday, first new download since December, and oddly enough got this box again (link in post):
http://www.rage3d.com/board/showthread.php?p=1336081550#post1336081550
This time however, I only got two options: "CFTO is on channel 212" and "CFTO is on channel 108". I picked "212", and this time it didn't mess up all my channel listings like before. However, I still am missing listings for YTV and Teletoon, which I talked about here:
http://www.rage3d.com/board/showpost.php?p=1336117616&postcount=157

 

[averick]

I'm in Scarborough, Ont. and have to use a postal code from down the road in order to get the right channel lineup. Even then, there are a few I don't get -- such as Global. But I've learned that timing matters. Last week, I had partial listings for YTV... More data than gaps. We regular weekly update on Saturday gave me nothing. Just now, I did a fresh download and I seem to have everything for today. But for the rest of this week, YTV is showing more gaps than listings.

 

[deej]

I just wanted to let everyone know that i did a clean install on xp sp3 and it just worked period! I had this thread up ready to start regedit but it updated as soon as i installed it, no hacking needed. I found 1.0.0.32 on the net. works great!
I do have a question , I'm using a AIW 9600. Wich MMC should i install? Is one better than another for use with gemstar? Thanks!

 

[DA1745]

I just wanted to let everyone know that i did a clean install on xp sp3 and it just worked period! I had this thread up ready to start regedit but it updated as soon as i installed it, no hacking needed. I found 1.0.0.32 on the net. works great!
I do have a question , I'm using a AIW 9600. Wich MMC should i install? Is one better than another for use with gemstar? Thanks!

Hi Deej, I wonder (how / why) it worked right out of the box? Perhaps they have updated the Look up/URL server to get the current guilde URL?
I don't have a system ready to test it for myself, but that could be some good news. (CLean Install IE - You formatted the drive?)

As to the second part: You will get THE BEST results from combining Catalyst 6.1 or 6.2 and MMC 9.06.1, 9.06, or 9.08 [[[I'm sure you know that you can't Mix & Match Analog Drivers Catalyst Packages with Digital Versions of MMC & Vice Versa]]].
Also Since March of 2009 these cards are Legacy, so these cards can not go higher than Catalyst 9.3 / MMC 9.16
The downside of using older Catalyst 6.2/or\6.1 is obviously these are very old Catalyst drivers, but likely somewhat limited in games it will play anyway so I don't see this as an issue (if you wanna game, make another rig with a modern graphics card). The drivers are pretty stable and will give you the BEST TV Tuner usage. They use the Analog NSP / WDM drivers. (NOT THE TERRIBLE T200 UNIFIED DIGITAL CATASTROPHE ~ that was forced on people after that version of Catalyst. Since it forces you to use MMC 9.10 - MMC 9.16 and all of the problems that go with them.

Heck i never had any issues with my ATI A-I-W 9600XT running the drivers off of the installation disk. Catalyst 4.# something & MMC 8.8.

 

[CoolSteve]

I'm bumping this thread as to possibly help out others who may have issues with some channels not showing listings. I found a site called Zap2it that has listings for the channels I was having issues with, but could not find one for Family Channel Canada. Here are the links for Teletoon and YTV:

http://tvlistings.zap2it.com/tvlist...d&stnNum=17417&channel=544&fromTimeInMillis=0

http://tvlistings.zap2it.com/tvlist...d&stnNum=12045&channel=542&fromTimeInMillis=0

I needed to reformat my PC recently, as always this thread was a reliable resoruce to fix Guide Plus so I could download listings again.

 

[CoolSteve]

I feel the need to bump again as I'm having more issues. This aging technology is failing more each day it seems.

Years ago in the early 2000s when I used Guide Plus and ATI TV, whenever I had to re-install the software, it always loaded the channel listings with the right channel number and network in my area. Up to 2005 it always worked correctly. Then when I had to re-install I think in either 2006 or 2007, the channel listings got all messed up, and I guess this has something to do with digital cable (I have oldschool analog). When the channel listings would load they were all messed up with 'hundred' numbers and I would always have to re-do all the numbers. This was/is a huge pain in the ass.
http://www.rage3d.com/board/showthread.php?p=1336081550#post1336081550

Also, some networks are still under old names that are no longer used. CKVR iirc is now A Channel. CFMT is now Omni2. TNN is now Spike. Life Network is now Slice. BET is now Turner Classic Movies but doesn't load listings for TCM, its still gets listings for BET which hasn't aired in Canada for years now (at least in Ontario). Same goes for Channel 52 is now MTV Canada, but it’s still listed as Golf Network and gets listings for that.

http://www.rage3d.com/board/showpost.php?p=1336117616&postcount=157
Here I stated how after years of getting listings from them, YTV and Teletoon would no longer load listings. I had to recently re-format and re-install this software. YTV and Teletoon still don't give me anything, and WUTV (Fox 29) also had the same issue but now I have listings again.

The newest issue now is that with the latest re-install, I have lost more channels (as what as commonly happened over the years) for some reason and I can't "add" them to the listings. They are in the ATI TV, but not in Gemstar.

Channel 3, CIII, Global (http://tvlistings.zap2it.com/tvlist...rid&stnNum=10130&channel=3&fromTimeInMillis=0)
Channel 12, CKCO, I put CFTO in its place.
Channel 14, Omni 1?
Channel 15, Sun TV
Channel 19, TSC
Channel 20, Rogers
Channel 37, BBC News
Channel 45, History
Channel 47, which was TBS, now Peachtree. Lost this station years ago.
Channel 53
Channel 54, Speed
Channel 55, AMC
Channel 70, APTN, also lot years ago.

I got CITV Global for Edmonton now for some reason, plus some other channel listings that I don’t even get over analog cable.

Lastly, when I used to use this software on another computer, for the ATI TV, I used to be able to switch back and forth between a "live" input and an input where it would load like 45 mins of TV in the player, and I could pause, rewind, or fast forward playback of "live" TV. I could pause and make screenshots. When I put this stuff on my new computer (I bought the ten current version of ATI Wonder Pro), I lost the button on the TV player that allowed me to scroll back in live TV. I can't pause it to make screenshots, there is no bar to scroll back. Was this only for older versions and why get rid of it?

Can someone also tell me that when I used the ATI File player, when I pause it I loose the button (it changes color) and I can't save screens? One big thing I use ATI TV for was for screencapturing, why would they take away the ability to make screens of already pre-recorded video files? I pause it; it won't let me take the pic. Is there a way to override this?

 

[DA1745]

I feel the need to bump again as I'm having more issues. This aging technology is failing more each day it seems.

Years ago in the early 2000s when I used Guide Plus and ATI TV, whenever I had to re-install the software, it always loaded the channel listings with the right channel number and network in my area. Up to 2005 it always worked correctly. Then when I had to re-install I think in either 2006 or 2007, the channel listings got all messed up, and I guess this has something to do with digital cable (I have oldschool analog). When the channel listings would load they were all messed up with 'hundred' numbers and I would always have to re-do all the numbers. This was/is a huge pain in the ass.
...also had the same issue but now I have listings again.

The newest issue now is that with the latest re-install, I have lost more channels (as what as commonly happened over the years) for some reason and I can't "add" them to the listings. They are in the ATI TV, but not in Gemstar.
I got CITV Global for Edmonton now for some reason, plus some other channel listings that I don’t even get over analog cable.

Well this seems like dug in tread but i'll give it another shot. The problem isn't ATI or the Gemstar software --> it's with who ever currently is updating the program guide. I've lost track and don't intend to look back in the thread or elsewhere until the next time service goes black. They simply haven't got the correct data for the channels in your area and they are deadly slow & seem to be fine with missing or inaccurate data. Unlike Titan or Yahoo TV for example that will have that happen from time to time as lineups change but they generally get things updated correctly within a week or two.
If it distresses you greatly then I'd find out which company currently or still owns the TV listing service for Guide Plus and write them an email with the channels that are missing along with your postal code etc.

...Lastly, when I used to use this software? - Which software & Version number? B/c how they operate varies greatly on another computer, for the ATI TV, I used to be able to switch back and forth between a "live" input and an input where it would load like 45 mins of TV in the player, and I could pause, rewind, or fast forward playback of "live" TV. I could pause and make screenshots. When I put this stuff on my new computer - Again the version matters. (I bought the ten current version of ATI Wonder Pro), I lost the button on the TV player that allowed me to scroll back in live TV. I can't pause it to make screenshots, there is no bar to scroll back. Was this only for older versions and why get rid of it? They took what had a few minor bugs and issues MMC 9.06-MM9.08 and they completely destroyed it in MMC 9.10 - MMC 9.16 - Unless someone has been working on it secretly or ATI/AMD decided to have a heart and release the code to open source then what we have is what we have.
Can someone also tell me that when I used the ATI File player, when I pause it I loose the button (it changes color) and I can't save screens? One big thing I use ATI TV for was for screencapturing, why would they take away the ability to make screens of already pre-recorded video files? I pause it; it won't let me take the pic. Is there a way to override this?

Maybe start a new seperate thread for this. But first start with specifics. Sounds like you are using your ATI TV Wonder Pro - with some? ? version of MMC #.## --> ATI TV
Those functions are there in the MMC 9.06 - 9.08 versions. You can still record and watch like a PVR and with the ATI File player you can take screen shots.

 

[averick]

And today, updating my GuidePlus listings fails, crashes GuidePlus and prevents it from starting again. Even after reboot, GuidePlus won't start again. So.... Reinstall and updating the listings causes the same problem. Pft...

Anyone else getting this problem now?

 

[DA1745]

And today, updating my GuidePlus listings fails, crashes GuidePlus and prevents it from starting again. Even after reboot, GuidePlus won't start again. So.... Reinstall and updating the listings causes the same problem. Pft...

Anyone else getting this problem now?

Hey Averick. I just fired up one of my PC's that has an ATI AIW 9800 Pro and the Guideplus set up. I use it every so often so i've updated it's guide maybe 10-15 times this year (i say this just in case something you downloaded along the way corrupted something) ANYWAY, I just checked and downloaded the updates (Oct 31st, 2010 Halloween) and it's working fine on this end.

When you re-installed (you un-installed first right?) - And then did the registry edits?
Even if you re-install you still MUST do the registry changes in order for it to not have an error when you attempt to download. So everything this thread was created about & because of is affecting you right now --> Provided that it's not some other conflict due to Gemstar just being corrupt which can happen too. Uninstalling & then re-installing may work => as long (again) as you make the edits to the registry that are laid out in this thread.
Also - it sounds like you have already tried to SEARCH for an update to the listing so you will also need to change the zip code around to get it to find updates then you can switch back & search again.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It MAY become necessary to use Driver Cleaner Pro or the newer free driver cleaner software that Guru3d has been for a few years now (Driver Sweeper) - Link:
http://www.guru3d.com/category/driversweeper/
(Driver cleaner pro is $9.99 now from there http://www.drivercleaner.net/howto.php .net site) Well worth it if you don't already own it.===> Looks like either they got bought out or decided to change the name to DH Driver Cleaner?!? Or something.

Anyway I've only used the Drive Sweeper to toy a bit with I don't currently have it installed to check (BUT) & why I'm babbling on about it is the Older Free Version of Driver Cleaner Pro --> now DH Driver Cleaner has Gemstar/Guideplus as one of the things it cleans out of the registry.

SO - If you unistalled a buggy guideplus and then reinstalled it, PLUS made the changes NECESSARY in the registry to get things to work, plus if you ever tried to search for updates before you did the registry changes then you also have to do the zipcode change after fixing the links in the registry, and IF after all that you are still having problems then I'd suggest using Driver Cleaner Pro if you have it (bc I know it works) or trying the free version... or shelling out the $9.99 for a nice tool to do it.

Sometimes after I get a guide plus fark up like that, as long as I have the MMC & Catalyst drivers that I know work it sometimes makes sense esp. if there were any other problems to un-install and then use the cleaner to wipe out all ATI & Gemstar/guideplus software and start over.
I run it once in Windows after the un-install then I restart into safe mode & run it again, and 50/50 sometimes I run it a third time in windows just to make sure everything is clean. This has been VERY effective and allowed me, where in the past I would have HAD to re-install the OS as simple un-installs were leaving to much behind in the registry, (and despite manual attempts to track down everything that needed to come out) I'd be un-successful and have to re-install Windows.

 

[averick]

I'm pretty sure there's something offensive in the data. Perhaps there's some magical special character in my data that the application is reading as something other than listing data.

The problem happens while "Updating Program Listing (xx%)..."
The error message is an OK prompt, displaying "Error in Program Listing
Update!"
Clicking OK presents a message saying "Please wait. Updating Favorite
Program List..."
At this point, the application seems to freeze. The "Please Wait" message
doesn't resolve and a forced quite is required.
Attempting to restart the application only flashes the splash screen for
moment, then nothing happens and the program seems to permanently corrupted.

For me, this is happening on two computers. After doing an uninstall, reboot, reinstall, reboot and mod the registry the same problem occurs.

The update address I'm using is:
http://144.198.100.134/gtidl/gdnget2.asp

The postal code I'm using is:
M1P 5B7

 

[averick]

Just for fun, I pulled the listings from a Wichita, KS zip code. No problem. I pulled some from Windsor ON postal code. No problem. I pulled from another Ontario location. No problem. I pulled from my area for Antenna. No problem.

I pull anything from cable in my area and it craps out. I'm certain now, there must be some offending character in the data that's bugging up the application.

If anyone wants to test my results, first make a backup of your db folder:
C:\Program Files\Gemstar\GUIDE PLUS+(TM)\ATI\db

If your Guide Plus+ craps out, just paste the old contents back in.