Series 3 and EIT data?

[Pab Sungenis]

I don't know who is providing the data for the local OTA channels with the HR10-250 and DirecTV, but it leaves a bit to be desired. Often, subchannels (and major channels that are found by scanning instead of being in the pre-set list for a given market, for those of us on the cusp between markets) just list "regular schedule" or other meaningless data for program listings.

Under ATSC standards, all digital stations are required to transmit EIT data (Event Information Table) for at least the next twelve hours, with information of exactly what is on and what's going to be on.

Will the Series 3 utilize the EIT data, to supplement the TiVo/Tribune/TV Guide supplied schedule data? I can think of two immediate advantages for this:

(1) Inclusion of data for channels not currently recognized by the guide data suppliers (like channels 44.1 and 65.2 here in Southern New Jersey)

(2) When there are last minute schedule changes, like due to a football game running over or a Presidential address, the EIT data could override the prescribed guide data, meaning we have fewer missed or truncated recordings.

If the S3 won't support EIT "out of the box," may I suggest that support for it be added via a service upgrade at some time in the future? It would make a lot of sense.

[moyekj]

From what I have seen on the major network channels broadcast OTA the EIT guide data is often incomplete and sparse compared to the Zap2it data so I don't think that's a good idea. Plus the vast majority of channels on a cable system won't have such data so it would require mixing and matching data from 2 different sources making it more trouble than it's worth IMO.

[dt_dc]

My understanding ...

The EIT data that is required is very minimal ... full PSIP guide data is not required. Basically, what's required are the subchannel / transport stream info. For example, a station might carry 4 SD channels during the day and then 1 HD channel and 1 SD channel at night. All that info is required so receivers can figure out what's going on.

But actual "guide data" type info is still optional. Although there's constantly talk about how to make PSIP more widespread.

[kb7oeb]

I thought the FCC required at least 6 hours of guide data to be available.

[maharg18]

By and large, atleast in the Chattanooga market, the PSIP guide data is terrible.. Also, typically on-the-fly guide changes are not made using this method either, so in the case of sports overruns and presidential addresses, it would not help.