Microsoft: No EPG in Vista Media Center

By Asher Moses on 24 August 2006

Windows Vista, which incorporates media centre functionality out of the box in its Home Premium and Ultimate versions, won't provide Electronic Program Guide (EPG) functionality to Australian users of the operating system.

According to Jeff Putt, Windows Client Director for Microsoft Australia, the TV networks are to blame for the omission. "The TV networks in Australia have claimed, and continue to claim, that their EPG information is proprietary -- it's intellectual property to them," he said.

An EPG is an on-screen guide to broadcast television programs, which enables users to cycle through upcoming shows and schedule recordings painlessly, without having to manually enter timer information.

US-based Vista users will enjoy a complete EPG service.

Given that Vista Media Center's predecessor, Windows XP Media Center Edition, did not offer a free EPG service, it was hoped that the issue would be rectified for Vista. Alas, Microsoft maintains that it's at the mercy of the TV networks in this regard, as it's ultimately their decision as to how much EPG information to transmit.

"We can't revolt and go and say ... we're going to do this anyway," Putt told CNET.com.au.

"We're in constant discussions with the networks around features and functionality within media centre.

"As it stands we can't make any commitment [regarding when an EPG would be offered], but certainly it's in our interests, because it's in our customers' interests, to get an Electronic Program Guide.

"It's just as frustrating for us as it is for everyone."

Australia is one of the only countries in the world with such strict restrictions on EPG transmissions. At present, most local free-to-air networks only provide current and next program information.

IceTV, a third-party EPG provider, sends updated seven-day program information over the Internet for AU$3 per week. It has enjoyed much success in Australia as the only commercial EPG solution available, however, the company's future is uncertain as it's currently embroiled in a lawsuit with the Nine Network.

Topics: windows, vista, program, centre, epg, guide, center, media, electronic

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Comments (10)

  • jookieapc commented on 20/09/2008 22:56 Report abuse

    AVer MediaCenter displays free, over the air, programme information why doesn't Windows Media Centre do the same? That part is Microsoft's failing. But then the networks are crazy for not releasing their EPGs on the net. This info is freely available on other online services - what exactly are they trying to prevent? Do they just want to inconvenience users lowly enough to record programs and watch them later?

  • qq commented on 12/12/2006 09:38 Report abuse

    BAH... Ditch Microsoft and use MythTV you will never look back. At least it support AC3 audio, XMLTV, xvid. mpeg4... and its free... Need I say more.

  • Mark Davies commented on 21/10/2006 13:13 Report abuse

    I moved here from UK.I'm fed up with the low quality of Australian TV.I'm getting a Slingbox set up in UK (set top box which streams UK TV to your web browser over internet). Then I'll have a full UK EPG, and dozens of channels to watch including my mums VCR ! . http://www.slingmedia.com/uk/slingbox/

  • Ben Anderson commented on 13/09/2006 18:41 Report abuse

    There are many options out there for people wanting a free EPG in Australia. I personally use EPGRunner and there are many others like Quickguide, just do your own searching in Australian Media Centre forums. It takes the extra annoying effort, but I wish the TV broadcasters would start listening to their viewers. For a simpler TV viewing experience. Tell them what you want guys and they'll change!

  • Anon commented on 28/08/2006 17:11 Report abuse

    Just another reason to bypass the networks and embrace BitTorrent.

  • gc commented on 26/08/2006 23:03 Report abuse

    This is pretty pathetic from Microsoft. They are serious business partners with Channel Nine (NineMSN being one example of their work together). But guess which channel is suing IceTV...

  • Beast commented on 25/08/2006 22:06 Report abuse

    I've enjoyed fully functional 7 day EPG action for years thanks to the beauty of community spirit. Using MythTV (completely free) I have a HTPC that not only works flawlessly but has access to quality (free) EPG info in Australia. Seems Microsoft can't buy everything.

  • SG commented on 25/08/2006 12:53 Report abuse

    Thanks to IceTV, as was mentioned in the article, I enjoy the awesomeness that is EPG. If you look at this way, IceTV wouldn't be around if the TV networks just did it, so in a way its good. Ice TV has been reliable and they also make some comical notes in the descriptions at the expense of the networks which is cool!

  • Todd Wright commented on 25/08/2006 12:53 Report abuse

    Agreed. Australians are at the mercy of the TV networks here. They constantly move programs around - even after weeks of blitz advertising giving a date and time of an specific airing, and they often run programs 15 or 30 minutes late - hard for a printed guide to keep up. There are free or low cost EPG services and online web guides, but they also have trouble keeping up. Its about time the networks got with the program. I dont understand why Microsoft cant provide the option of the using available independent EPG services, even if their info is not direct from the network.

  • Rob C commented on 24/08/2006 21:50 Report abuse

    Typical of the TV networks - 5 channels of s%$t and they won't even tell you what's on when...except in printed form. They're still stuck in the dark ages. Virtually every other country can do it, why not Oz? It's so frustrating, the one thing that would get real wife approval factor (waf) for the media centre PC, and the TV networks have to get precious about it......

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