DigiGuide Community

DigiGuide for Media Center allows you to run the browser version of Diguide in your Media Center system using the MC Remote Control to schedule recordings in your system.

Version 0.3.1 provides support for Windows 7. No new functionality but there are some changes to the install to overcome a security problem on Windows 7.

Version 0.3 includes a number of fixes and the conversion of the remaining forms in the web skin to Media Center format. See the included ReadMe for full details of all changes.

Unzip the installation file and follow the installation instructions in the included ReadMe file.

This is the source code for the DigiGuide to Vista Media Center addin.

This is an update for a specific file (digiadd.aspx) already included in the existing SnapStream Schedule Plug-in for DigiGuide at http://community.digiguide.com/default.asp?m=itemreviews&nItemID=133&t=3. This updated file allows the plug-in to operate correctly with the latest v4.6 version of Beyond TV from SnapStream. For further information about how to use this file, please see http://www.naughter.com/redrattuner.html which implements a Plugin for Beyond TV to support tuning via RedRat devices.

Compatible with DigiGuide 8.3 and 8.4 (and later?). Works best with Windows Vista, XP, 2000, or later.

With this this Windows Script Host script, you can set up a DigiGuide alert to send an e-mail reminder. The script sends the e-mail in both HTML and text, so that if you don't have an e-mail client that can display HTML, it will display the text version instead.

Requirements:

1. You must have access to an SMTP mail server, such as one from your ISP or GMail. (Yes, the script supports different ports and SSL.)

(If you use Windows XP, Vista, or later, requirements #2 and #3 are almost-certainly met already.)

2. You must have Microsoft Collaboration Data Objects 2.0 installed. Frankly, I'm not sure where it comes from; I think it comes with Windows. But I do know that you need the cdosys.dll file in your Windows System32 folder (e.g., C:\Windows\System32\cdosys.dll).

I think this means you have to have Windows Vista, XP, 2000, or later for this script to work. If you have Me or 9x and want to use the script, let me know and I can try to fix it up to use CDONTS (which is on Me/9x).

3. If you're not using Windows Vista or XP, you must install the Windows Script Host. Users of Windows 2000 or earlier, need to install Windows Script 5.6.

(If you find the instructions hard to follow, please let me know so I can clarify them.)

Step 1. Download the zip file, unzip the script, and save it somewhere on your computer. (I suggest your DigiGuide installation folder.)

Step 2. Edit the script file in your favorite text editor, such as Notepad. You need to customize the entries in the <resource> section with your e-mail address and SMTP server information.

<resource id="id_strAddressFrom">DigiGuide &lt;MY_ADDRESS@MY_DOMAIN.COM&gt;</resource>
<resource id="id_strAddressTo">FIRST_NAME LAST_NAME &lt;MY_ADDRESS@MY_DOMAIN.COM&gt;</resource>
<resource id="id_strSMTPserver">MAIL.MY_DOMAIN.COM</resource>
<resource id="id_strSMTPuser">MY_MAIL_LOGIN</resource>
<resource id="id_strSMTPpassword">MY_MAIL_PASSWORD</resource>
<resource id="id_strSMTPport">25</resource>
<resource id="id_strSMTPSSL">no</resource>

Step 3: Test the script. (A sample command line is provided in the instructions in the script.)

wscript emailReminder.wsf /name:"Alias" /channel:"WLS" /chnum:3
	/date:"6/13/06" /datelong:"Friday 13th June 2006"
	/start:"8:00 p" /end:"9:00 p" /duration:60
	/episodename:"My Episode Name"
	This is the program description.

Step 4. Configure a DigiGuide alert to send an e-mail by editing a marker's Alert page:

Run a program: wscript
Arguments: {path}\emailReminder.wsf /name:"$ProgrammeName"
	/chnum:$ChannelAssignment /channel:"$ChannelName"
	/date:$Date /datelong:"$LongDate"
	/start:"$StartTime" /end:"$EndTime"
	/duration:$Duration /episodename:"$EpisodeName"
	$Description

For more detailed instructions and how to modify the e-mail subject and body, please see the script file itself.

11 Jun 2007: If no Internet connection, it asks if you want to send the e-mail again. After a few seconds, it defaults to Yes and tries to send it again. This allows both automatic and manual operation.

24 May 2007: Added error-handling to display the program information in case it can't send the e-mail.

6 Jun 2006: Changed script to not use SMTP authentication if the SMTP user is blank. (Some SMTP servers don't require authentication.)

PVRecord provides an interface between DigiGuide and your recording software that can receive command line parameters . e.g. Hauppauge WinTV2K.

When the Digiguide marker file has received and begins to send PVRecord the information, PVRecord needs to know what piece of information is what. It does this by surrounding each Digiguide key word with a parameter code e.g. [PN]$ProgrammeName[pn]. The upper and lower case parameter code just depicts the beginning and end of the key word. Please refer to Appendix A for a complete list.

Features

*The ability for up to two software programes to be started, ideally your programe that records the TV channel depending on your chosen setup. Each programe can be minimised after a set number of seconds.

*Each recordings information is added to a database. This can be used to print out very basic CD covers. The main feature of the database is to stop duplicate recordings being made. If the programe being recorded is one of a series, the database is checked to see if there is an entry. If found or recording has previously been made, you are offered the option; on screen, to record again.
If the database and duplicate checking is not required this can be turned off.

*Digiguide allows the option to start a recording a number of minutes before the actual time. This allows any discrepancies the varied starting times on the day by the TV channel. PVRecord gives an easy access to setting this and the option to extend the recording time by a number on minutes. This too is to cover any time discrepancies on the day.

*PVRecord has inbuilt functioning with a ‘RedEye Serial Device’ remote irDA sender. http://www.redremote.co.uk/ This is to change the channel on your Set Top Box (ST e.g. SKY and NTL

*A good comprehensive debug screen that all details can be copied to the clipboard, when ironing out any problems.

*‘Device Steering’ maps your Digiguide channel number to your own number to be used instead. The option to send a different number to the RedEye device and depending on the channel to start the first, second or both programme(s). PVRecord has inbuilt functioning to use the Hauppauge NOVA-t USB & NOVA-s USB devices. Device Steering can map the digiguide channel name to the equivalent Freeview name.

*PVRecord when working with PVRStandby can place the PC in a continuous cycle of hibernation or standby mode after each recording has been completed. PVRStandby uses a programme called Sleeper http://www.passmark.com/products/sleeper.htm This is free from Pass Mark but PVRecord can use any software that can be controlled by a command line.

*A very good utility to edit all these settings is called PVRSetup is included.

Any feedback greatly appreciated pvrecord(AT)sillyplaces(DOT)com
Many thanks
Mike