On Holidays For 7 Days!
Posted by banger@epgstream in Announcements on October 14th, 2009
epgStream.net is going to to unavailable for the next 7 days while we are on holidays. This will mean new or replacement licenses will not be issued between Sunday, 11th of October and Monday, 19th of October.
Sorry about the week of downtime but after 6 months of intense contract work it’s time for a quick break!
epgStream.net Update!
Posted by banger@epgstream in Announcements, News on August 18th, 2009
Work, travel, babies, marriages, puppies and illness! It’s been a heck of a few months for us here at epgStream, but it looks like September sees our calendar clearing!
Yup, it looks like there is a good chance things will be settling down and we’ll be able to pick up on our hobby projects this coming September/October! This is great because it gives us a chance to unwind and also to crank up epgStream.net.
Bigger news (incase you haven’t already heard on the grapevine) is that we’ve been approached by a third party who has expressed interest in purchasing our client/server software solutions. This could present quite an interesting scenario having a full-time business entity take over development and support of our EPG products!!!
XMLTV Alter Expiration
Posted by banger@epgstream in XMLTV, XMLTV: Guide Pack on July 3rd, 2009
Anyone with a version of XMLTV: Alter that has expired can download the latest version from our download page.
Sorry for the delay in a response, but work is killing me … I’ve even had to put off a climbing trip to Thailand because of mountain of commitments! 
Automatic Teller Machines running Windows XP controlled by malware!
Posted by banger@epgstream in Random Thoughts on June 9th, 2009
Trustwave’s SpiderLabs performed the analysis of malicious software (malware) found installed on compromised ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) in the Eastern European region. This malware captures magnetic stripe data and PIN codes from the private memory space of transaction-processing applications installed on a compromised ATM. These ATMs compromised by the malware ran Microsoft’s Windows XP operating system … Does your ATM run Windows XP?
The malware contains advanced management functionality allowing the attacker to fully control the compromised ATM through a customized user interface built into the malware. This interface is accessible by inserting controller cards into the ATM’s card reader.
SpiderLabs analysts do not believe the malware includes networking functionality that would allow it to send harvested data to other, remote locations via the Internet.
The malware does, however, allow for the output of harvested card data via the ATM’s receipt printer or by writing the data to an electronic storage device (possibly using the ATM’s card reader).
Analysts also discovered code indicating that the malware could eject the cash dispensing cassette.
Major Australian banks, such as the Commonwealth Bank, are currently running Windows XP on their ATM networks. This new type of malware could be used here in Australia where economic conditions are prime to make illegal fraudulent activites appealing … Why bother going to the trouble of breaking into or stealing an ATM when you can just hire a 14 year old kid to hack into one!
Learn more about this issue by reading Trustwave’s Malware Briefing.
Additional references: wired.com cnet.com computerworld.com
5 Things I Like About Windows 7 (RC) Media Center
Posted by banger@epgstream in Random Thoughts, Windows 7 on June 8th, 2009
About a fortnight ago I upgraded from the Windows 7 Beta to the Windows 7 RC distribution, but it’s only been the last day or two that I’ve had the time to sit down and really enjoy it’s Media Center component! Right off the bat I’m liking what I’m seeing …
#1 – Broadcast EPG Data
I really thought I would hate the EPG data broadcast by the television networks, but I have to say I’m satisfied with it. I’m not saying I’m impressed by the quality and consistency of TV network data, but at the same time I’m not saying I’m disappointed by it! I can definately see the quality of programme data improving with FreeView providing a unified EPG stream and a move toward MHEG-5.
I normally scan the TV guide for the upcoming week at least once to make sure all my favourites are recorded and to see what’s new. Just keep an eye out for multiple names for some of your favourite shows like “The Simpsons”, “All New Simpsons” and “The Simpsons Marathon” … But once you’ve worked out and recorded all the variations then you’re set!
#2 – Colour Coded Programmes
Annoying at first, but the colour coding of different genres has grown on me. My niece especially likes it because she knows her children’s programming by colour … (she can’t read yet).
At least the TV network are taking the time to categorise the shows they broadcast!
#3 – Intelligent Recording
Don’t you just hate when you schedule your favourite show to record and the show before it runs overtime? You end up missing the last 30 minutes of your show and then get an ear bashing from your better-half because the “stupid Media Center” isn’t doing it’s job! Not so anymore …
It seems that when shows run overtime, the TV networks are performing “last minute” updates to their broadcast EPG, which Media Center is smart enough to detect. This means Media Center automatically adjusts your recording’s end time to ensure all of it will be recorded! Take that live television!
#4 – Seek Preview
One thing I hated about the old Windows 7 and Windows Vista video playback was seeking backwards and forwards. Jumping 10 seconds backwards and 30 seconds forwards gave you a kind of epilepsy as frames jumped about. Now the latest Windows 7 RC version has a “mini” preview window that allows you happily seek without interrupting the main playback. Once you’ve found where you want to be in the preview window, Media Center then jumps to it!
#5 – Fast Video Playback
My absolute favourite feature I’ve noticed in the Windows 7 RC release is the fast video playback with audio. I can now fast forward and still have audio … in effect letting me watch TV shows and videos at x1.25 playback speed. A great feature that allows my brain to absorb 25% more data … in 25% less time!
And there you have it, 5 things in the latest incarnation of Windows Media Center which caught my eye! I’m sure there are dozens more features … I’ve just got to find the time to experience them! 
ozTiVo Channel Updates
Posted by banger@epgstream in Announcements, Electronic Programme Guide, XMLTV: Guide Pack on June 7th, 2009
Well it looks like the ozTiVo guys have redefined (and renamed) some of their “One” and “SBS” guide listings! Everyone will be happy to know that “SBS2″ now has guide listings and “One HD” and “One Digital” listings have now been broken down by their individual states.
The bad news is that we can’t update the channel changes until Monday night, being the long weekend and all. The good news is you can just update the channels yourself with the following, simplified steps:
- Launch the “XMLTV Download Settings” application.
- Navigate to and click on the “Channels” tab.
- Click the “Download Channel List” button.
- To add your “One HD“ channel, type “one-” (notice the hyphen) in the search box and select by checking the One HD channel for your region.
- To add your “SBS TWO“ channel, type “sbstwo” in the search box and select by checking the SBS TWO channel for your region.
- Click the “Save Changes” button to save your updated channel list.
- Click the “Close” button to exit the “XMLTV Download Settings” application.
From there it’s just a matter of re-downloading your guide data by launching the “XMLTV Download” application. Once the XMLTV download has completed, perform the following to see your new channels:
- Launch Windows Media Center.
- Navigate to: Tasks->Settings->TV->Guide
- Perform a “Get Latest Guide Listings” to import the newly added channel data.
- Perform a “Add Listings to Channel” to include the new channels. First select the TV channel, then select the guide to use.
Simple as that. If you need to edit the channel name of time zone settings then launch the “XMLTV Download Settings” application, select your channel and “right-click” it for more editing options. Likewise if you want to edit more channel information, just launch the “Guide Service Proxy Settings” applications for more options.
Needless to say, most users should be familiar with this configuration … Unless we’ve spoilt you with our Guide Wizard application?
Quickflix discount code for 10 free DVD rentals!
Posted by banger@epgstream in Random Thoughts, Recommendations on May 29th, 2009
Following their mediocre Quickflix discount code offer last week, IceTV have secured a “rickhart” worthy trial code for 10 free DVD rentals over 30 days!
This new discount code let’s you experience the Quickflix “Movie Lover” subscription (valued at $26.95/month) and gives you access to 3 DVDs at a time, for a total of 10 DVDs per month.
If you’re really serious about your movies and want even more value for money, it might be worth checking out Bigpond Movies who are offering you 12 DVDs for only $29.95/month (or 14 DVDs per month with a 12 month subscription).
Bigpond (37,000+ DVDs) gives it away at only $2.14 per DVD compared to Quickflix (36,000+ DVDs) at $2.70 per DVD! Only for the serious DVD copying watching household!
Anyway, visit QuickFlix and enter the following code to get your free 10 DVD rental offer!
icetv10free
Commonwealth Bank Phishers – Good Not So
Posted by banger@epgstream in Random Thoughts on May 27th, 2009
The poor ‘ole Commonwealth Bank have been copping a hiding of late as far as phishing campaigns go! CBA have been targeted by what appears to be multiple groups of phishers based on email content, formatting and even levels of grammar.
One thing I can say is that the spammers are getting better with their content and formatting, not perfect, but better. Phishing’s main downfall here appears to be grammar and spelling which always makes something “tingle” on the back of your neck, even if you are new to the phishing experience … You know we’re all going to be in trouble when the phishers finally get someone to proof-read their emails!
Just remember these simple tell-tale signs that someone is phishing:
- You are not addressed by your full name or other personal information.
- You do not appear to be emailed directly. Rather you are part of a BCC list.
- Spelling does not appear to localised for your region. e.g. “Authorised” (Australian) vs “Authorized” (American).
- Links you are asked to follow do not belong to the actual organisation the email appears to be from. e.g. http://sydney049.com/monwealthbank.com.au/login.aspx belongs to the “sydney049.com” domain and not the “commonwealthbank.com.au” domain.
Remember, if in doubt then pick up the telephone and give the organisation a call directly (though don’t use the phone number from the email)!
Quickflix discount voucher for 2 months free DVD rental!
Posted by banger@epgstream in Random Thoughts, Recommendations on May 20th, 2009
Looks like IceTV have wangled a gift voucher code from our friends over at QuickFlix.com.au! Now it’s not just any ‘ole discount code, it’s a 2-month free DVD rental code! Before you get all excited, check out some of the other codes available!
I’m a regular user of QuickFlix myself and have been happy with their service and DVD selection. I’ve been able to score my favourite TV series and movies from yester-year plus some top new releases!
My only gripe is that you don’t get some of the more popular new-release movies right away so you have to wait a while before it arrives in the mail. I guess this is probably the one and only draw-back of the “no late fees” system that QuickFlix offers and that is that people hang onto the DVDs longer … meaning you have to wait longer for a popular new-release or children’s DVDs …
Gift Voucher Codes
- “dollardestiny” – 1 month subscription, total of 8 DVDs (8 per month).
- “rickhart” – 10 weeks subscription, total of 10 DVDs (only 1 per week).
- “icetv2mth” – 2 months subscription, total of 8 DVDs (only 4 per month).
- “NRMA_M4M211208″ – NRMA members get 1 month free + 10% off for 4 months!
How QuickFlix works?
Head over to the main www.quickflix.com.au website and find the “Start your FREE trial” section (right) and enter your discount code. From there you’ll be invited to register and enter your personal and credit card information.
Once you’re all signed up it’s a pretty simple process of building a queue of which DVDs you want, then waiting for them to be sent out by post! Generally you can get only rent 2-4 DVDs at a time, but when you’re finished watching one, just pop it back into the free return envelope provided and QuickFlix will send the next DVD in your online queue.
Not interested in QuickFlix DVDs? Then go for IceTV’s EPG discount!
If you want real value for money over the next twelve months for your Electronic Programme Guide (EPG), I’d recommend using the following IceTV discount codes when purchasing a new subscription from over at www.icetv.com.au:
- “qfx-12month” – $49 for 12 month subscription.
- “IceTVcelebratesHighCourtwin” – $60 for 12 month subscription.
- “petervogel” – $24 for 12 months subscription.
Final Word
I guess IceTV are starting to look towards the future and we might be seeing some new deals popping up (fingers crossed), but the best deal we can hope for is a permanently reduced EPG subscription rate! All I need is an electronic programme guide … I can get everything else off the net!
If anyone from QuickFlix is reading this … Hurry up and get more copies of “The Might Boosh” in! Oh, and if you’re not from QuickFlix then try using multiple credit cards for multiple bites of the discount codes (shhhhhh…).
IceTV is giving back …
Posted by banger@epgstream in Random Thoughts on May 12th, 2009
I’m pretty busy these days and it takes a lot for an email to gain my “immediate” attention, but I was filled with boyish glee when I read “IceTV is giving back”.
We [IceTV] realise we couldn’t have won without the continued support from all our customers, so as a token of our appreciation… we’re now giving back!
Hooray! Maybe IceTV don’t have to worry about court costs anymore and are going to cut costs after many, many months of over-charging? Wrong! Read on …
IceTV are offering $30 off new subscriptions, making their yearly subscriptions now $69/year, but it expires on the 22/5/2009. Huh? Shouldn’t this cut be permanent seeing IceTV now have a monopoly on the EPG market, unburdened by threats from TV network Nine?
“IceTV is giving back” … Not really! Unfortunately this looks like another short-term subscription money grab. I would have thought that “giving back” to all their loyal subscribers would have meant a rebate on existing subscriptions! Finding a $30 cheque in your letterbox from IceTV would be giving back, but instead subscribers are forced to buy an additional year’s subscription to take advantage of their appreciation.
*SIGH*, back to using free EPG data for now …
