zap2it stopping free tv guides?

[ZetaVu]

Does this impact us in any way (either snapstream guide or the alternative guide)?

http://slashdot.org/articles/07/06/20/1920224.shtml

[Kilrsat]

It does not impact SnapStream.Net in any way.

[Khris]

MythTV users are screwed however.

[cfaslave]

Originally Posted by Khris

MythTV users are screwed however.

As are GBPVR and MediaPortal I think. They are talking of replacing it with some sort of screen-scraping thing, but I would think that would be much more likely to getted messed up if any change happens to the source guide they are scraping from.

[DonK]

What needs to be done is Zap2It/Tribune really should create a password-protected login sequence type of access and simply move to a subscription model.

This is about profits, and unscrupulous people out there exploiting their good intentions, nothing more. Their excuse about not having the infrastructure is just that... an excuse.

How hard would it be to do the following:

1) create a server with a database of all users currently subscribing, with the accompanying pages to allow subscriptions to be processed and add users to that authenticated base.

2) change their current access methods to allow a check against a database for subscriptibed users before allowing the data download, keeping track of IP addresses on the basis of disallowing more than one IP using an account?

[bradpvr]

Users of MythTV that use EIT are not screwed

[cfaslave]

Originally Posted by bradpvr

Users of MythTV that use EIT are not screwed

What is EIT?

[bradpvr]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Event_Information_Table

[Khris]

Originally Posted by DonK

Their excuse about not having the infrastructure is just that... an excuse.

And you know this how?

The only people who really know the reasons are those who work for Zap2It

As you posted in another thread to someone else.....

Originally Posted by DonK

Think before you post, dude.

Take your own advice.

[ZetaVu]

Rolling eyes...

Ok, in my opinion (of which I have no supporting facts, hence an opinion) zap2it is sick of freeloaders (commercial apps) and really does not want ot go through the effort of setting up a system for hobbyists (maybe they've failed to see how free access benefits them in any way). Now, one thought is that someone could sign up for their commercial access (whatever that cost is) replicate the data on their own server, then feed it to whoever signs up for a subscription service.

Likewise, this is an opportunity for Snapstream to take their guide data (net or coucheville) and make it available at a subscription to users of mythtv or media portal, not sending the data as an xml feed but as a proprietary feed that interacts with their software (make one that works with Media Portal, one that works with Mythtv, one for GBPVR, hell one that works with MCE) and of course each locked with subscription etc just like Donk said. Hell, you could even force links to snapstream.com on each guide page. Trick is it has to be reasonably priced, couple bucks a year, then people will move to it. It also needs to be locked so it is not easy to grab the data and send it out to other users. ANd the info format changes periodically so people can't strip it themselves.

Then, you can put the little advert of "Switch to Beyondtv and get guide updates free for life", as well as occasional blurbs about benefits of BTV over that particular htpc. Hell, I'd go the way zap2it used to do it, offer it for free, but they have to reactivate the subscription (say monthly) and each time, they have to go through a whole spiel about BTV benefits, or offer it as an adware plugin, boast BTV or sell ad space. I bet you'd get a ton more people taking you up on a free adware service and after a while a lot of them would go for BTV (especially if you sent them special offers, specifically bundles with new hardware) Also opens the door to making BTV more interchangable with other software (at least MP etc).

Either way, I still think BTV is better than the other tv offerings, and have no plans to change, free guide updates is one of the icings on the cake. Now if I could get it to work on linux...

[cfaslave]

Originally Posted by ZetaVu

Now if I could get it to work on linux...

Seems there could be quite a market for Snapstream to port over to linux if that were easy enough. Especially with the change by zap2it. I know the MythTV, MediaPortal and GBPVR users are hastiliy working on a web page scraper to get the guide data, but my experience with that method leaves a lot to be desired. All it takes for that to go haywire is for the source of the scrape to change a bit and then everyone is relying on someone to again do a fix to get their guide working again.

SageTV has a linux version so I would guess they will eventually get more MythTV folks interested in their product.

[Mistergq]

Originally Posted by cfaslave

Seems there could be quite a market for Snapstream to port over to linux if that were easy enough. Especially with the change by zap2it. I know the MythTV, MediaPortal and GBPVR users are hastiliy working on a web page scraper to get the guide data, but my experience with that method leaves a lot to be desired. All it takes for that to go haywire is for the source of the scrape to change a bit and then everyone is relying on someone to again do a fix to get their guide working again.

SageTV has a linux version so I would guess they will eventually get more MythTV folks interested in their product.

the problem is BTV could be a lot easier to port to linux if different choices were made in the development of the product. One would be to have used OpenGL instead of DirectX. Another would have been not to use .net2 and used an alternative that had a linux component.

This is the direction Snapstream should head with BTV 5.0. Personally, if they made that change to BTV 5.0, I would forget about the promise of BM being integrated into BTV 5.0.

Zeta:

If I were Snapstream, I would move quickly on this. I have a feeling a deal is going to be worked out between Zap2it and MythTV. I do have a feeling its going to end up in a subscription base. Snapstream could also potentially lure some of the MythTV developers over to the dark side (sic) and help develop BTV for Linux.

As to whether to use MythTV, I am more hesitant with this recent announcement, but I have a feeling the guide issue will be corrected. Once it is, I will begin the process of exploring that option.

[cfaslave]

Originally Posted by Mistergq

tPersonally, if they made that change to BTV 5.0, I would forget about the promise of BM being integrated into BTV 5.0.

Not me. I need a full-fledged, integrated HTPC. One way or another that is what I need first. If both could happen then I would be fine of course.

[ZetaVu]

I won't give up on integration either, BUT, I would be willing to wait a reasonable amount of time longer if they are willing to do it right. TO do it right, rework the corde to minimize dependencies on Windows, Directx, .net, do what it takes to enable it to function on Wine first, then maybe a full fledged Linux version in 6.0.

And again, I see zap2it as a great opportunity for SS to branch out to other htpc's, start with Couchville, make that information available to download into a module and make that module available to Myth Mp et al. To download data, you need a Snapstream subscription, either something that you pay a few dollars a year or you buy a BeyondTV license (or maybe a guide only licence) for a one time fee. Then, offer upgrade paths for the subscription or one time license to a full BTV license. I'd go as far as anyone who buys the one time licence or subscription can also get BTV trial with extended or unlimited trial time (say 6 months trial for one time guide fee, or trial usage, some features reduced, with a monthly/annual subscription). Do this to further move people into the BTV camp, and over time offer new offerings like direct download movies etc.

Either way, this opens the user base, might make it easier to integrate BTV with other software, could help migration to Linux, and if they can get the ability to create BM plugins for BTV, possibly a slew of plugin developers.

SS, you have Couchville started, you have an opportunity, I say approach MP first (their in Europe so not much will get done for US outside the community) and maybe there's room to work together. Some people will insist on spending nothing and fend for themselves, the I believe the vast majority would go for a subscription service with minimal cost or a one time fee for security of mind. Hell, a BTV plugin for MP, how's that for integration?

[Mistergq]

Originally Posted by ZetaVu

I won't give up on integration either, BUT, I would be willing to wait a reasonable amount of time longer if they are willing to do it right. TO do it right, rework the corde to minimize dependencies on Windows, Directx, .net, do what it takes to enable it to function on Wine first, then maybe a full fledged Linux version in 6.0.

while I understand what you are saying, if it is done correctly, its going to be able to be ported quickly, so 6.0 is not necessary, but probably 5.5 or something. Get the bugs out of the windows edition then finalize the linux version.

And again, I see zap2it as a great opportunity for SS to branch out to other htpc's, start with Couchville, make that information available to download into a module and make that module available to Myth Mp et al. To download data, you need a Snapstream subscription, either something that you pay a few dollars a year or you buy a BeyondTV license (or maybe a guide only licence) for a one time fee. Then, offer upgrade paths for the subscription or one time license to a full BTV license. I'd go as far as anyone who buys the one time licence or subscription can also get BTV trial with extended or unlimited trial time (say 6 months trial for one time guide fee, or trial usage, some features reduced, with a monthly/annual subscription). Do this to further move people into the BTV camp, and over time offer new offerings like direct download movies etc.

Either way, this opens the user base, might make it easier to integrate BTV with other software, could help migration to Linux, and if they can get the ability to create BM plugins for BTV, possibly a slew of plugin developers.

SS, you have Couchville started, you have an opportunity, I say approach MP first (their in Europe so not much will get done for US outside the community) and maybe there's room to work together. Some people will insist on spending nothing and fend for themselves, the I believe the vast majority would go for a subscription service with minimal cost or a one time fee for security of mind. Hell, a BTV plugin for MP, how's that for integration?

We are on the same page with this. I think if the user fee is something like 12 bucks a year or lifetime subscription of $25 bucks, a lot of Myth TV users will pay it. Especially for the warm fuzzy feeling that there guide is going to fail or disappear in the middle of the night.