From the Compile it Yourself Dept: TV Guide for Pocket PC

[Pat Logsdon]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pocketpcaddict.com/modules.php?name=ForumNews&id=4621' target='_blank'>http://www.pocketpcaddict.com/modul...rumNews&id=4621</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/logsdon_20040211_tvguide.jpg" /><br /><br />I installed this, but then discovered that I had to compile my own listing from Zap2IT's DataDirect service. This was work several orders of magnitude greater than what I was anticipating, so I settled for my usual routine of flipping back and forth between <i>The Obscure Military Aircraft Channel</i>, the <i>People Showing Off How Big Their Pants Used To Be Channel</i>, and the <i>Cooking with Marmelade Channel</i>. Am I making this harder than it needs to be? What are YOU using to get your TV listing fix?

[ctmagnus]

I've always found Zap2it to be incredibly slow - four hours+ to download two weeks worth of info for my provider/location. Evolve can do a week in less than three minutes, using Pocket TV Manager and Browser.

[superfaron]

I have used several programs like this one, the latest of which was PTVL. I have found that it is easier to simply go to my.yahoo page on my pda and view the tvlistings that I already have displayed. This way I do not need to remember to redownload the listings every week, and there is no memory used on my pda.

[maxamis]

I have used this one for years, i believe that it uses that Zap2it service also.
There has been recent releases of PTVL that you may want to check out ...

http://ptvl.thumbsupsoft.com/

[lmtuxinc]

I have used this one for years, i believe that it uses that Zap2it service also.
There has been recent releases of PTVL that you may want to check out ...

http://ptvl.thumbsupsoft.com/

I use this also and have set my desktop computer to download the next 12 days worth of tv data each morning at 7:30 so when i sync my Dell Axim x50 i alway have the most current tv schedules. its automatic and only takes about 5 minutes each day.

[JBC]

Another vote for Pocket TV Browser...

http://www.doublebit.com/

[OSUKid7]

I don't use anything for TV listings on my Pocket PC, but I'm very fond of TitanTV (http://www.titantv.com) on my desktop.

[dma1965]

I use Pocket TV Browser, and I think it is the best by far. I used to use it when it used the TVGuide listings, then dropped it when it went to Evolve, but now use it again because it now works with XMLTV and Zap2It. The one thing that Pocket TV Browser does well that no other listing program does is search. What is really amazing is that you can tap on any word in the program anywhere, and it will immediately find all shows that relate to the word. If I see a description for a move with Al Pacino in it, and tap on the word "Pacino", it IMMEDIATELY comes up with a list of every listing with Al Pacino in it. No other program does this, that I know of.

[ADBrown]

I too must chime in for Pocket TV Browser. Paired with XMLTV, I get free listings from Zap2It DD, and excellent customization.

ctmagnus, you might want to retry Zap2It Direct. I usually get 13 days of listings in about 5-10 minutes.

[ironguy]

I use PTVL. I had both PTVL and PTVB, then the whole copyright thing started abd PTVB went to Evolve which cost $$. I looked at using it again, but the whole XMLTV thing seemed more trouble than it's worth.

It wasn't intuitive from the XMLTV page how to download easily so I gave up. Anyone have some simple instructions so I can give it another shot?

[dunneldeen]

Get sattelite tv or digital cable, it comes with a program guide. As for pocketpc software, I have yet to come across one I like that doesn't have problems.

[Eriq Cook]

It'd be nice to see a TV listing app that works with MS Voice Command. Of course I'm dreaming for another 5 or so years, but wouldn't it be nice to say "Show TV listings for channel 7" or, "what's on channel 10 at 7pm?"

[galt]

I've always used this from my mobile web device: http://wireless.tvguide.com

Not sure which TV providers it works with, here's a link to my local cable tv lineup (Comcast), all I have to do is refresh this link and it shows me what is on:
http://wireless.tvguide.com/(nn3k5j45kh2ml5fazbk5uj45)/listings/Index.aspx?__redir=1&amp;I=70615&amp;zip=87107

[carphead]

I use something retro called "A Paper!"

Somethings are best left alone. :mrgreen:

[Hrun]

I use something retro called "A Paper!"

Somethings are best left alone. :mrgreen:

Ditto, 35p gives me a weeks worth of listings. I can view all channels at a certain time at once and at the end of the week it makes bedding for the rabbit. :)

[Steven Cedrone]

I have always used PTVL! Never had any problems with it. If there were any glitches the developer usually had it fixed in no time and still does!

I called my cable operator, it seems as if I won't be able to get the "Cooking with Marmalade" channel for some time yet! I am depressed! :wink:

[Darius Wey]

I wish these e-guides were a little more globally supported. I really have to take a long-winded approach to get something similar here in Australia. :roll:

[disconnected]

I've been using PTVL for several years now. There have been occasional problems on the PC side, mostly when it switched from tvguide to zap2it, but I haven't had any problems for quite a while. On my Roadrunner connection it runs in less than five minutes for nine days/100 channels. I think its search functions are quite good, and it also lets you set reminders.

[dthornt]

Does anyone know about a smartphone tv browser application?

[Darius Wey]

Does anyone know about a smartphone tv browser application?

It's best to direct that question to our sister site, Smartphone Thoughts. (http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/) :D