Personalized EPG
Installing the Prototype:
This prototype has been written in Java so you’ll need the java Runtime environment to run the application. You can get this at https://www.java.com
To install this prototype just download the .rar file and unpack it to any folder. After unpacking go to the BBC folder and run "start epg.bata".
In this show case the EPG information included is from 26-9-2005 to 4-10-2005. If you want to see the TVguide after this date, you should add the new files which you can find at https://backstage.bbc.co.uk/feeds/tvradio/
Just download the latest file, unpack and copy them into the BBC\xml directory
The Prototype:
Because of the large amount of available channels these days, there has to be a selection to adjust the number of your favourite TV and radio channels shown in the EPG on your TV. It gives the viewer the option to make a selection of his favourite BBC channels which can be altered at any time. In the environment of BBCi it is possible to create your own Personalised BBCi- EPG.
This application is a prototype of a personalised EPG; you can choose whether you want to see the entire guide, or just a guide which shows the channels you selected. This prototype demonstrates the concept working into the BBCi environment; the final idea is to get the application working on OpenTV-and MHP set-top-boxes.
Further there is an option to activate alerts. These alerts will be covering a selection of genres. While it's not fully functional yet, this option gives a good idea of how it should work. Just like the personal channel selection the viewer can select the genres he is most interested in. When viewing the personal or full EPG the EPG will highlight the programmes in those genres. the viewer will be able to see at a glance which programmes are within his interests.
The application uses the TV-Anytime API made available by the BBC and the Listings in the TV-Anytime format also made available by the BBC.
Future Ideas:
Since the alert function is not fully functional at this moment this should off course be finished. At this moment the personalisation is at channel level. But with some more advanced filtering it should be able to filter at programme level, or even segment level. The meta data of TV anytime gives a lot of opportunities for alerts in your own Personalised BBCi EPG.
The next step will be to create your private profile. On basis of your profile you will get TV programme suggestions.
The EPG data is now downloaded manually, but for a future version it should be possible to download them over the Internet automatically. In the end the entire application should be ported to MHP and OpenTV.
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