[TPeterson]

N.B.: If you're running Windows 10 or 11, get the current Version 5.4 from the Microsoft Store! Use the link or search for "Cliff Watson EPG"

Legacy CW_EPG version supporting Windows XP through Windows 10

CW_EPG Version 4.4.3
A $25/year subscription to Schedules Direct TV listings is required for use--but you can try that service free for 7 days. CW_EPG 4.x uses listings that only cover the U.S. and Canada TV stations, but the new version 5 in the Windows Store uses a database covering a much wider area including Australia, the EU, and Latin America. Unless you're stuck on an older Windows version, you really should go to the Store to get that version.

Note for upgraders: To preserve your present configuration, do not uninstall before you apply an update!

See the QuickStart PDF file for step-by-step initial screen shots. For more details, check out the enhanced ReadMe PDF file.


INTRODUCTION
============

The Cliff Watson Electronic Program Guide (CW_EPG) is a tool that works cooperatively with all current HD Homerun tuner units as well as the now-obsolete MyHD and FusionHDTV applications to improve your television-scheduling and schedule-viewing experience.

CW_EPG downloads from Schedules Direct a complete catalog of television shows for all your channels for the next 12 days (the "EPG"). You can view that information in the CW_EPG app and easily schedule recordings manually, but that's just the beginning.

You can have CW_EPG automatically update the EPG listings daily and use the current data to schedule recordings automatically on all your network-connected (HDHR, MyHD, and FusionHDTV) tuners. The scheduled recordings are based on matches to the list of shows that you provide via the CW_EPG control panel. In other words, CW_EPG gives you "season passes" to record all your favorite shows.

CW_EPG's ability to manage scheduled events for HDHR, MyHD, and FusionHDTV hardware gives you a convenient single interface to manage your scheduled recordings. Rather than dealing with several interfaces and manually splitting events between tuners, you just tell CW_EPG how you want to use your tuners (primary, secondary, etc.). Events are then scheduled to all devices based on the priorities you have defined.

With CW_EPG the end result is a standard transport-stream file, playable by most video hardware and software today, but captures are mapped to your tuners using CW_EPG's 'brains'. CW_EPG hands the appropriate tuner software one-time tasks that make sure you record all of the shows that you have specified by name or pattern, no matter when or on what channel they appear.

DOWNLOAD THE CURRENT 4.x VERSION
==============================

To get the latest package, click here and follow the QuickStart instructions to set it up. (Note: If you’re running an earlier version, you may simply run the setup executable to install this version over the previous one. Don't be alarmed when you see the information pop-up saying that there are no EPG data, just select "yes" and it will be retrieved.)

Please post any issues that you discover to this thread.

CHANGES IN LATEST VERSION (See ReadMe for complete history)
===============
08/05/20 Version 4.4.3 released

• Enabled resizable and full-screen Main window
• Fixed issue with MyHD OSD
• Fixed miscellaneous bugs

03/20/20 Version 4.4.2 released

• Fixed DST transition-day schedule bug
• Improved automatic handling of OTA repack changes

12/31/19 Version 4.4.1 released

• Added cut&paste function to editable lists
• Added Test Settings button to Auto Settings tab
• Fixed issue with old firmware on certain HDHR models
• Added automatic tuner-channel updates after Scan for Channels action
• Added compatibility with 5:4 screen formats
• Increased font sizes of hints and popup menus (for boomer eyes)
• Fixed New Year's Eve date bug introduced in 4.4.0

10/31/19 Version 4.4.0 released

• Added dark theme with option to use light (Windows) theme
• Simplified channel mapping
• Speeded up several app processes
• Added support for newer HDHR tuners’ VC-only tuning mode
• Added CWHelper system tray icon with right-click options to access Capture Editor, Configuration Page, and safe Shutdown
• Improved FusionHDTV scheduling reliability
• Added hover-hint information to Programs To Match, Scheduled Items, and History
• Various bug fixes (e.g., handle non-ASCII characters in filenames)
• Compact schedules and history database files on each non-Auto run
• Added 3 new filename options: movie date, first-aired date, and episode number
• Added resizing of Listings/Matches split via title double click and separator mouse drag
• Enlarged app display window and made it scale for 720, 1080, and 2160 screen heights

KNOWN ISSUES
===============

• To fully effect a change in (repack) channel lineups you may need to restart CWHelper. This happens when the PC is restarted, but may also be accomplished using the CWHelper’s tray-icon right-click Shutdown menu item and then running CW_EPG to start CWHelper again.
• On some computers, the Options window Mapped Channels and Tuners lists’ scroll bars do not work correctly in the dark theme.
• Some cable systems (still!) do not provide VC or “guide number” indications in their channel feeds. Unfortunately, these systems are incompatible with CW_EPG 4.4’s channel mapping. If you find yourself on such a system you won’t see any mapping checkboxes and you won’t be able to schedule captures. In this case, you can revert to CW_EPG 4.3.1 and use its more rudimentary mapping scheme, but you’ll have to work out the channel lineup by trial and error.

Enjoy!

--The CW_EPG team:

KAXKID
netman
Sengsational
TPeterson
HDTVinCR (emeritus, founding Chief Architect)
AllenDB (emeritus)
Mntneer (emeritus)
DPlettner (emeritus)
Ralph Arch (emeritus)
Sterno3 (emeritus)

 

[Pagali]

Didn't take long to set up cause I had just done the same steps for MyHD_Auto. The CW_EPG program worked fine, I scheduled a couple of recordings and populated the EPG for MyHD. However, when I try to open MyHD, I get this message window:

 

[TPeterson]

Edit added 12/28/10.


I suggest that if you're new to CW_EPG you should probably not bother reading the first several dozen pages of this thread, as it relates to the first release back in 2006 and doesn't have much to do with the current version, which supports not only MyHD but also FusionHDTV and HD Homerun tuners. It's very easy to use and greatly simplifies use of any of these tuners to capture DTV programs following easily entered rules.


If you have an HD Homerun or other supported tuner, just give it a try and post to this thread for help if you need it.

 

[Pagali]



Quote:
Originally Posted by TPeterson /forum/post/0


Did you copy the MyHD.exe file into the folder where you had installed MyHD version 1.66? Or perhaps you forgot to first install version 1.66? I guess we need to update the ReadMe to be more explicit about the fact that this will only work with version 1.66 of MyHD.

Yep, backed up myHD.exe, copied new MyHD.exe into the folder. Anything else I can check? I'm quite sure I was using 1.66. I remember updating shortly after I installed the board a couple of weeks ago.


I'm on an Intel P4 with XP Pro, all updates.


UPDATE: oops, just restored the myhd.exe file.... I had 1.65u. I'll update now and try it again.

 

[Pagali]

OK, that did it. Had to fiddle around with some settings, uncheck the Use Web Guide box, but now it's working, including the EPG. Looks good!

 

[Pagali]

I just searched through the CW_EPG readme.txt file, and the first post in this thread, and didn't find anything about version 1.66 until you mentioned it in your reply to me. I feel a bit less stupid now. LOL


Yes, you definitely need to let people know that.

 

[TPeterson]

Version 1.66 has now been out for over 6 months. I'd actually forgotten that there might still be folks out there using an earlier one. Thanks for surfacing the issue.

 

[adriangrado]

I just started using this program today and it's great. The only thing I have a question about is setting up the batch file to run the program and download the updated data. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Pagali]



Quote:
Originally Posted by TPeterson /forum/post/0


Version 1.66 has now been out for over 6 months. I'd actually forgotten that there might still be folks out there using an earlier one. Thanks for surfacing the issue.

Yep, they're still selling them, so there's bound to be some of us johnny-come-latelies who just installed it and haven't had any problems that made us install updates. I had actually downloaded 1.66 before the card arrived, and then forgot to apply it. I'm a HiPix veteran, so the MyHD is a vast improvement. I've been enjoying it a lot. All the addon tools are fun and useful too. Thanks to all of you!

 

[TPeterson]

Adrian--


Just try it for a while manually and see if you can find any bugs. Then you can experiment with setting up a Windows Task Scheduler event to launch it. (Hint: You don't actually even need a batch file)


Within a week I'll post a tutorial on this for those who haven't figured it out for themselves.

 

[the_gunner]

Just tried out the CW_EPG. Very nice. Great work guys!

 

[jimwhite]

Well now, I guess I'm gonna have to get off my duff and actually install one or more of all these HDTV watching/recording add-ons.... but I'm a bit confused

(seems to happen more and more as I get older ?) There's WatchHDTV and MyHDAuto, MyHDPlayListManager, now CW_EPG and maybe more? Where/how do they all fit together?


I sure do miss him....

 

[hdtvincr]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jimwhite /forum/post/0


There's WatchHDTV and MyHDAuto, MyHDPlayListManager, now CW_EPG and maybe more? Where/how do they all fit together?

Let me help you out..


WatchHDTV - I know nothing about it but the web page I looked at mentions nothing about supporting the MyHD card.


MyHDAuto - Was the base app that has turned into CW_EPG. Look at CW_EPG as an upgrade to MyHDAuto.


PlayListManager - Is a seperate tool created by AllenDB for working with playlists. It does not schedule or feed the EPG. Eventually CW_EPG will likely contain these features, but not yet.


So... All's you need right now is CW_EPG and PlaylistManager for working with the MyHD card.

 

[madpoet]

Excellent work guys! And a very fitting tribute.

 

[Karyk]



Quote:
Originally Posted by madpoet /forum/post/0


Excellent work guys! And a very fitting tribute.

Ditto.


Does this change anything about the actual process of recording, as opposed to the scheduling? In other words, is this just an alternative way to get the MyHD program to do the same thing, or is it doing something different?


The reason I ask is I'm having issues where MyHD ends a recording while I'm using another program to watch something else. Powerstrip is apparently noting the termination of MyHD and changing the screen resolution.

 

[hdtvincr]

The recording process is the same. This is just a different avenue to schedule it to do the recording.

 

[br0wser]

Any plans to make similar app for the Fusion software? It desperately needs good epg guide...

 

[TPeterson]

Plans? Yes (note the CW_EPG developer list and compare it with certain other programs) but don't hold your breath just yet.

 

[hdinlexky2]

Good job on the update, this certainly makes the program guide more useful.


I did find a couple bugs in the program


#1 I watch channels in QAM cable (ant 2) and over the air digital (ant1). When I switch inputs from antenna 1 to 2 or visa versa the picture and sound go away, it still shows I am getting a good signal, but thing that tells you the resolution will read 0x0i(auto), instead of 1280x720p or 1920x1080i. If I switch to file, then back to ant 1 or 2, it will correct itself but when I switch between ant 1 and 2 the picture / sound ago away. I went back to the old version and this problem went away, so I know this problem is related to the new program version.


#2 My windows is setup up for 120 dpi resolution for the fonts, when I opened up the CW_EPG.exe I was unable to get some of the buttons because they didn't fit inside the window. (For example I couldn't see the "Post EPG" button. Further the window had no scroll bar so I couldn't get to them. I head to set my font resolution back to the windows default of 96 dpi to correct the problem.


So far those are the only errors I have encountered, I will let you know if I find more

 

[hdtvincr]



Quote:
#1 I watch channels in QAM cable (ant 2) and over the air digital (ant1). When I switch inputs from antenna 1 to 2 or visa versa the picture and sound go away, it still shows I am getting a good signal, but thing that tells you the resolution will read 0x0i(auto), instead of 1280x720p or 1920x1080i. If I switch to file, then back to ant 1 or 2, it will correct itself but when I switch between ant 1 and 2 the picture / sound ago away. I went back to the old version and this problem went away, so I know this problem is related to the new program version.

I also run QAM on Inp2 and OTA on Inp1. I can not reproduce the problem you are describing. Any guesses Terry?

Quote:
#2 My windows is setup up for 120 dpi resolution for the fonts, when I opened up the CW_EPG.exe I was unable to get some of the buttons because they didn't fit inside the window. (For example I couldn't see the "Post EPG" button. Further the window had no scroll bar so I couldn't get to them. I head to set my font resolution back to the windows default of 96 dpi to correct the problem.

You people and your dang big fonts!

I accounted for the extra large font size in the desktop settings, but not the 120 DPI. Gotta wait for the next post.