TV listings program

finster869 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-24-2007, 10:02 PM

Anybody know of any good software (something similar to PTVL (pocket TV listings) in which you can view television listings on your ppc? I like PTVL, except that it requires you to sync via activesync desktop in order to get the updated guide data.

I'm looking for a program that would be able to download the guide data itself via EVDO.

Any suggestions? I think we need something like this as an OEM for the kitchen. Point me in the right direction, and I'll make the OEM for it.

**ImCoKeMaN** · #2 (**permalink**) 02-24-2007, 10:13 PM

yeah i was looking for something like that too, i think i tried tv guide's pda site and hated it though so i changed focus.

finster869 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-25-2007, 12:45 AM

Only thing I have seen so far is TvGuide's new ppc software, but it has a $29.99 per year subscription fee. Surely, there must be something comparable to PTVL that can load via EVDO instead of desktop syncing.

Anyone????

saqer · #4 (**permalink**) 02-25-2007, 01:49 AM

try this; it requires registration though, but i think it's free ->

http://tv.zaval.org/

i think it also requires cf 2...I haven't been able to get it to download anything but u might have better luck than me

edit: ok, two registrations are required (both free): one through the website of the software and one through zap2it (Assuming you're looking for N.A. listings). You need a certifcate code, which you can search for through google

it's actually neat..it'll download the week's worth TVguide and provides a small summary too. It's also customizable.

finster869 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-25-2007, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saqer

try this; it requires registration though, but i think it's free ->

http://tv.zaval.org/

i think it also requires cf 2...I haven't been able to get it to download anything but u might have better luck than me

edit: ok, two registrations are required (both free): one through the website of the software and one through zap2it (Assuming you're looking for N.A. listings). You need a certifcate code, which you can search for through google

it's actually neat..it'll download the week's worth TVguide and provides a small summary too. It's also customizable.

Tried it, but it appears as though it only lets you look at one particular channel's schedule at a time, rather than a grid view which lets you see everything on at a certain time of day.

calllmemoe · #6 (**permalink**) 02-25-2007, 01:08 PM

http://ptvl.thumbsupsoft.com/

It's the only one I know of with a grid view but yes, it does require ActiveSync.

Lord Bricks · #7 (**permalink**) 02-25-2007, 06:03 PM

tvguide is built in with On Demand but it is a whopping 4.99/mo with on the fly updating with your ev-do connection

finster869 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-04-2007, 12:17 PM

Ok, I have researched this tv listings issue thoroughly. PTVL thumbs up is definitely the best option, but it does not permit you to download guide data directly from the ppc. I have a work around, but it is less than ideal.

The PTVL program works as follows:

1. program on pc called weblinke.exe downloads the guide data and converts it to a file called "listings.dat".

2. Listings dat is then moved to activesync and installed on your phone via a usb activesync session by moving it to the programs\ptvl directory.

3. PPC thumbsup then accesses listings.dat from the ptvl directory on your phone.

My work around is that I have created a bat file that will automatically email me the "listings.dat" file created by weblink.exe each day. I can then save it to the programs\ptvl directory and will have the information on the phone without having to usb activesync. Obviously, this is a less than ideal setup because it is not completely autmoated (I have to save the emailed file to the PTVL directory), but at least it works without having to do a usb sync.

Here are my thought:

1. I am not a programmer, but it would seem to me that someone should be able to create a program that runs on the 6700 that is the equivalent of the weblink.exe program that presently runs on the pc. It would be a standalone program that the user just clicks then the listings.dat file is created right on the ppc rather than on the pc. Any programmers feel like taking a shot at this? Is it even possible?

2. If Idea #1 is not possible, does anybody know of a way (ftp or something) to have the ppc automatically download a file each day at a specific time. My idea is that if the listings.dat file can only be created on the pc, then I could use a .bat to automatically move it to a specififed directory on my ftp server on my pc, then have the 6700 automatically download it via ftp to the ptvl directory. Is this possible?

As always, thanks for the help!

finster869 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-04-2007, 11:47 PM

IMCOKEMAN pm'd me that he might give this a try when he gets back from his reserve training, but he's hoping someone will step up and give it a shot while he is gone. Any programmer's out there willing to take a look?

finster869 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-06-2007, 08:13 PM

UPDATE:

Blade (creator of smsthreader, ignore sms, ppc6700hacks, etc.) from triangle powers is also looking into making a ppc version of weblink.exe.

If nobody can create the ppc program and someone wants to use my work around method, then let me know and I will post my .bat file that automatically emails the listings.dat file so that you can get guidedata each day without having to do a usb activesync.