UK Freeview MHEG feature

[uglyned]

I don't know if you're still developing or working on MHEG, but if you are, I saw something interesting while spending time at my parents house this Christmas.

 

They have a Humax Fox T2 (DVB-T2) box and when a trailer for a forthcoming programme was broadcast on the BBC, an MHEG prompt appeared on screen saying 'Book me' with a green button prompt. If I pressed green, the box offered to add the programme, or the series, to the timer list.

 

I've been moaning for some time now that DVBViewer needs to be able to add a series link, or EPG search, into recording service, maybe this is a way of doing it?

[QBox User]

According to this BBC link, the trailer booking data is sent as dynamic data in the DVB "Related Content Table" (RCT).

Green button

 

The receiver would need to monitor this for changes, if it doesn't do it already, and link it to the programme or series using Content Reference ID (CRID). The PVR must support the UK's "Freeview+" specification for series link and related features.

 

I'm not sure if DVB Pro stores CRIDs in epg.dat, but if it did, then it could link to the Event. The trailer-booking invitation in DVB Pro would then need to trigger an EPG search on the Event, with options for single-programme or series (auto-record).

 

Note that this has nothing to do with MHEG, although the link explains how the receiver needs to manage presentation of the booking invitation when the MHEG screen is active, to avoid clashes. The same would apply to the OSD screen.

 

It looks like the BBC has been transmitting data for some time (also the Channel 4 group), but Humax delayed implementation to earlier this year.

Edited December 29, 2011 by QBox User

[SimonP]

It would be very useful and I absolutely agree with you uglyned, the lack of series link and the EPG in general are the only things that let DVBv down. I also use MediaPortal and it is so easy to set up recordings that I generally use it for that and DVBv for watching live TV and playing back my recordings.