The SA MCE Community

Hi Guys

I basically just want to check that my understanding of what is happening with the dtsv epg is correct. I've been using Media Portal but am seriously considering changing to MCE (Vista) because it seems like I will have less of an issue (and more support) receiving guide data for MCE than getting xml files for MP. Am I corrcet in saying that as it stands I can recieve epg for MCE, I seem to gather that Multichoice is more stressed about the xmltv.xml format Are they happy with MCEGuide.co.za doing what they do. Another factor influencing my decision to change is that in the future there is more chance Multichoice coming to an agreement with Microsoft (two monopolies) than with the open source community.

I've read most of the forums and news items regarding this issue so just want to check if my summary is correct.

Cheers

Hi grarichards

No I don't think Monochoice is happy with MCEGuide.co.za and maybe they're not aware of MCEGuide.co.za yet. The only reason why I stopped hosting XMLTV guides on MCEGuide.co.za, was because the XML guides revealed my source, but with the MCE guide, it's a little bit harder to reveal the source of the guide data. I'm well aware of the vast amount of MythTV, Media Portal etc users out there (in SA) and the need for EPG, but my main focus is on MCE. Therefore I won't do something that may compromise the availability of the MCE EPG.

It still remains a mystery as to why Monochoice targeted ZaEpg only and not the other sites providing XMLTV guides for DStv, but I really don't think that MCEGuide.co.za is safe either. Hopefully Monochoice will soon focus on improving customer satisfaction when competition finally arrives and ease off on the EPG issue.

Now it's interesting to me that you mentioned the supposed "agreement" between Microsoft and Monochoice. I recently also began investigating this "agreement" between them. On the DStv forums, the MCA representatives flat out denies that any agreement has been reached between Microsoft and them and keeps on referring to the ZaEpg case. On The Green Button, a Microsoft employee from the eHome devision, also confirms that agreement between them could not be reached. However recently an article published in the DigitalLife magazine, claimed that Microsoft and Monohoice did in fact reach such an agreement. So if this is true, then why would Microsoft and Monochoice both deny it? I sent an e-mail to both Microsoft and the editor of the DigitalLife magazine and still awaiting a response.

So this is what I now think might be the case (this is only my view of things and you are welcome to prove me otherwise): I know that Microsoft pays broadcasters for EPG data in each country, hence the reason why not each and every country has an EPG. Microsoft might have obtained the rights for EPG distribution from Monochoice, in this case both parties win. Microsoft gets an EPG and Monochoice makes more money. But why forcing Colin to suspend ZaEpg then? I mean, Microsoft provides the EPG free of charge so surely ZaEpg was not considered as being competition. Well maybe Microsoft bought the sole distribution rights for EPG from Monochoice, thus preventing Tivo, Media Portal and MythTV users from getting an EPG and somewhat forcing them to switch to Vista. This would then have to be inforced by Monochoice, which could explain why they are willing to threaten people with legal action if they copy their EPG. This all could somewhat make some sense, but only if Microsoft could reach an agreement between them and Monochoice.

The other option is that Monochoice doesn't give a damn about their customers and their freedom of choice but rather wants to force everyone to buy a PVR decoder instead. Doesn't really matter what the reason is. Monochoice's claim of preventing piracy by limiting EPG availability, is absurd as we all know that shows can be recorded without an EPG.

I've asked Microsoft if they will provide an EPG for the new pay-tv players and when will they start negotiating with these companies. I'll let you guys know as soon as I receive a response from them.

In the meanwhile you can use MCEGuide.co.za for a South African EPG for Windows Media Center.

Regards

Thanks for the quick response, I think I'm going to change to MCE anyway, now that Vista(Home Premium) has MCE bundled I'm sure the pressure will pickup gradually to get EPG data.At least I think its the best chance we have , I think if the broadcasters come around and decide to talk to someone it will be to Microsoft and not the open source community, pity but thats the way it is for now

Thanks for the work 

Cheers

My understanding of the situation was that Microsoft was going to pay for the data from someone else. Then Multichoice claimed rights to the data and denied Microsoft access to it (I assume it was because Multichoice sees Microsoft as a competitor). So that meant a great portion (i.e. the multichoice section) of the EPG could not be provided and the whole thing fell through.

Who did you ask at Microsoft?

mikehayton:

My understanding of the situation was that Microsoft was going to pay for the data from someone else. Then Multichoice claimed rights to the data and denied Microsoft access to it (I assume it was because Multichoice sees Microsoft as a competitor). So that meant a great portion (i.e. the multichoice section) of the EPG could not be provided and the whole thing fell through.

Who did you ask at Microsoft?

I spoke to Victor Rangata last year. He was just a customer service representative who was handling my case, but he's no longer working with Microsoft.

You are correct in saying that Microsoft pays for the rights to redistribute EPG in each country. It has recently come to my attention that MultiChoice outsources their EPG department to two or three other companies, so they do not compile their EPG's themselves (or so they claim). This would explain why there would be certain rights issues when it comes to Microsoft wanting to redistribute the MultiChoice EPG. The SABC and e-TV does not have a problem with this, but obviously it wouldn't be financially viable for Microsoft to provide an EPG for only those few channels on the Media Center platform.

It has been quite a few months since I have spoken to Microsoft about the issue, but I'm leaving it all to the Competition Commission of South Africa now as they are still investigating the case and they'll be arranging a meeting with Microsoft as well to hear their side of the story.