Windows Media Center Electronic Program Guide Alternatives

Anonymous
2019-10-02T00:29:35+00:00

I've recently received a popup on my Windows Media Center home screen stating that the Electronic Program Guide will not be available after January 2020.  I've long expected this day.  The popup gives you a click option for alternatives to the EPG, but the link it takes you to is a nothing link for generic guide troubleshooting (I got the same popup on my Windows Media Center Extender.  Clicking on it rebooted the extender).

Are any 3rd party EPG alternatives even in the works?  I am trying to figure what my next DVR setup will be and need to get on it.  Am thinking of getting an Amazon Recast box, but kind of want to see if they have a second generation (with larger HDDs) in the works.  Thinking about SiliconDust's HDHomeRun stuff, or perhaps rolling my own with Plex or something.  Again, having an EPG is paramount.  

For what it's worth - I've bought into WMC since the beginning - I was the lead factory escalation engineer for a vendor's line of Media Center products - it will be like saying goodbye to an old friend, and even though it was pretty much abandoned in place for the past ten plus years, there was someone there to make sure it still was working.  Just a thank you to the Windows Home team...

-Dale

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Music, photos, and video

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2019-10-28T00:53:58+00:00

Hi,

For what its worth I am also a long time WMC user and hate to see it go. However, in anticipation I've set up a Plex server and have been running it in parallel with WMC the last couple of months just to see how it would work as a DVR. You had to buy a one time DVR license from Plex which I think was around $80 (it's normally more than that but they were running a special over the summer). The one time fee was another reason that I decided to try Plex versus some of the other options that had recurring fees.  Anyway, I've been using Plex with my OTA antenna and an amazon firestick and it seems to be working fine without any EPG issues like the ones that always seemed to be popping up with WMC. As an added plus I can also stream from my server to my phone which comes in handy at the gym. 

Regards.

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-11-23T17:17:00+00:00

    I'll have to look into that Plex.  Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

    Question for you: Do you know if you can make Plex work with a USB Cablecard tuner?  I've got a Ceton 4-tuner box using a Comcast Cablecard that is USB connected to my Mediacenter computer. 

    Thanks again!

    Kevin

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-11-11T04:49:29+00:00

    After many lost recordings because of not having the guide to set them up, I went with a Tablo box, and have been in love ever since,

    https://www.tablotv.com

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-11-06T02:09:29+00:00

    Actually, Microsoft released a Money Plus "sunset" edition totally for free for anyone to download and use.  It works perfectly with Windows 10 with no registry tweaking needed.

    Money Plus Sunset Deluxe

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-11-04T11:07:28+00:00

    I do have EPG123 installed.  But I haven't signed up for subscription to their service.   I know about Plex, but.. it's more than I really need.

    I have a dual boot system. Windows 7 boot drive, running WMC, and WIndows 10, that up until the last 'cumulative update' was running WMC, but that update killed the installation of WMC.  I could reinstall it, start it, see the splash screen, get to the TV Guide, click on a channel, and it would shut down.

    So, I installed NextPRV on Windows 10 drive. I have to say, it works pretty damned good for a freeware program.

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