OTA Program Guide and Info Listings Wrong

donshan · Post by **donshan** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 10:44 am

I have encountered a problem with my DirecTV HR-10 250(Tivo) in the Guide info and channel ID info when I tune in my new OTA PBS-HD channel on 31-1.
The displayed program descriptions are incorrect for PBS-HD programming, and are for the regular PBS feed programs instead supplied by DirecTV for analog channel 31. I have discussed this with the station engineer and DirecTV tech support and Tivo Tech support and get no answers on how it can be fixed.

All broadcast digital signals include PSIP data with a brief description line on the program along with other channel ID info. Both the PBS Station engineer and I thought these data should appear when I tune that channel, and the station's HD receiver shows correct info in their display, but my receiver does not. DirecTV support also said they do not send progam data for local OTA channels, only those supplied by DirecTV. They said the station should provide these data for the Guide- it was not their problem. (Clueless again!)

I have the working hypothesis that this is a TIVO effect, with program listings that come up on ALL channels for all programs of all stations in the market I set with my zip code are downloaded by phone line and used for the channel displays. This receiver does not use the broadcast PSIP data if this is right. I called TIVO and had some difficulty in convincing them this was not a DirecTV problem. I finally got transferred to a Tivo support guy who understood what was happening, but did not know what to do , but did agree to pass on my problem to the program Guide group with a case number. They are looking into the need to revise their listings. This is definitely needed for the DVR recording system, but why is the PSIP not used in this receiver? Is there a setup I have missed?

I have done a reset of the receiver, and a rescan of the local OTA channels, and get them to tune in OK, and with other channels the problem is not obvious since the DirecTV network station and my local OTA digital stations have the SAME programs on all the time so the Guide is correct for other local OTA stations. It was only when the PBS started a separate programing of PBS-HD on one sub channel that the program Info and Guide data displayed a became wrong and did not update.

This is important since if I try to record on the Tivo DVR, the program is recorded with the wrong title listed, even though the actual recording is outstanding.

Any other ideas?

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 1:04 pm

Don't what to tell you except that we have the same problem here in Atlanta and I think what most do is record the national feed manually using the national feed program guide for the PBS website. The HDTV MAgazine program guide will also give you the national PBS schedule.

donshan · Post by **donshan** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 2:16 pm

Richard,

Thanks, I am using the PBS website and setting times manually and it works fine. It would work better on Tivo if they just left program info b blank. Then recording would be labeled to default " Manual", instead of a "wrong" title like I just did for a "Nature" program that came out labeled "Maya & Miguel" on the DVR list.

Bloody cutting edge technology again!.

A little Google searching turned up a "very interesting" link that the FCC is requiring full implementation of PSIP by Feb 1, 2005, so maybe improvements will be forthcoming. Also note the requirement that digital stations in the top 100 markets must be at full power by July1, 2005

"The commission will require broadcasters to fully implement the Program System and Informational Protocol (PSIP) by Feb. 1, 2005. PSIP is data transmitted with the digital signal that provides the DTV receiver with information about the number of channels being broadcast and the programming on each channel. Also, PSIP transmits the content advisories necessary for the use of the V-chip and to make viewers aware of programming ratings.

For licensees affiliated with the top four networks, which are assigned to the top 100 television markets, permanent, full-power DTV facilities must be operational by July 1, 2005. "

http://broadcastengineering.com/mag/bro ... _schedule/

akirby · Post by **akirby** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 10:24 pm

Cmon, Richard! Pay attention!

This was fixed here in Atlanta on 1/1. It's the 3rd party provider that gives DirecTV the listings for 31-1 (which is why DirecTV seemed clueless - they don't control it). Someone wrote to that company and told them that our local PBS stations 30-1 was following the PBS HD feed and not the analog broadcast and it was fixed within 2-3 weeks. Not completely sure that was the catalyst but it was fixed. I'll look up the post on the Atlanta HDTV yahoo group and let you know who to contact.

akirby · Post by **akirby** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 10:27 pm

Here it is. I think they have a website where you can check the listings at zap2it.com.

In the past, an e-mail to [email protected] seemed to do the trick in
1-4 weeks - they are DirecTV's guide provider.

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Wed Jan 12, 2005 7:32 am

Cmon, Richard! Pay attention!

As much as I can spare and spread around...

Thanks for helping out at HD Library!

donshan · Post by **donshan** » Wed Jan 12, 2005 8:41 am

Thanks Allen, the Forum helps yet again.

I wrote to [email protected] about this issue and gave them a complete corrected list of all our local channels as there were minor problems on other channels showing "signoff" when they were actually on.

Will come back if it gets fixed.

I now see for the first time that OTA PBS- HD beats much of what DirecTV calls HD.