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

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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
    2019-10-04T19:10:20+00:00

    I've been using this for the last couple of years.  I ditched the built in guide when they were having problems with it updating correctly (almost expiring several times) or displaying incorrect info.

    http://epg123.garyan2.net/

    http://schedulesdirect.org/

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-10-05T06:29:18+00:00

    I'll check it out - thank you.

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-10-07T18:47:02+00:00

    I too have been waiting for this day to arrive ... with some trepidation.  I've been a fan of WMC since I first saw it a decade ago.  I'm as sorry to see WMC go as I was to see Microsoft Money (far superior to Quicken) and Microsoft Street & Trips (full off-line coverage of the entire US and Canada) go. 

    Having not spent a lot of time researching this yet, can you tell us all how you configured WMC to use an alternate Program Guide?  ... or provide a link to helpful instructions?  Any pointers you could provide would be much appreciated.  Thanks a bunch.

    cw

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-10-08T15:58:13+00:00

    The installation of EPG123 takes care of everything you need in order to upgrade to a new provider (Schedules Direct). You can take a look at the installation steps and even view a video of the complete process here. If you have any questions, let me know.

    I totally agree with you on MS Money. I have been a reluctant user of Quicken since then and keep wishing someone would step up and create something to compete with them.

    EDIT: I guess I should add that you will require a membership to Schedules Direct to download the guide listings. Membership is 7-day free trial, $6USD for 2 months, $25USD/year.

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