How do /usr/bin/tv_grabber_* work?

I understand they populate xmltv.xml files

The execute as a user hts or other and usually look for .config files if the grabber is enabled

Example:
tv_grab_zz_sdjson.conf (Schedules Direct)
or
.zap2xmlrc (Zap2it)

So the above create or update xmltv.xml files. What happens after that? How does this data get into EPG (ncat file socket ?)

How do other configuration files get created? Example ( /home/hts/.hts/tvheadend/channel/config ) Is this something the grabber does or some other script

If I've updated the xmltv.xml file only how can I get this into EPG. It's my understanding EPG runs in RAM

Replies (5)

RE: How do /usr/bin/tv_grabber_* work? - Added by Mark Clarkstone over 6 years ago

tvh uses the tv_find_grabbers script which outputs something like..

/path/to/my_grabber|My Grabber Name

If you then setup your grabber & it's shown in the above output tvh will run it & process the output (xmltv) on schedule.

RE: How do /usr/bin/tv_grabber_* work? - Added by Brent Bolin over 6 years ago

I get that part. So for example if I run /usr/bin/tv_grab_file it will verbose the output of ~/.xmltv/xmltv.xml

If I move xmltv.xml and re-run it fails with:

/usr/bin/tv_grab_file
cat: /home/hts/.xmltv/xmltv.xml: No such file or directory

What happens with all that output? How does it get into the EPG

With the xmltv file moved "wget http://localhost:9981/xmltv" works fine. Also any search in the EPG works fine.

Also epgdb.v2 is a backup of EPG, how does it get there?

RE: How do /usr/bin/tv_grabber_* work? - Added by Joe User over 6 years ago

Not sure exactly what you are asking.
Did you look in Configuration -> Channel/EPG -> Channels and check the "EPG Source" setting for each channel?

RE: How do /usr/bin/tv_grabber_* work? - Added by Brent Bolin over 6 years ago

Yes. Since I've used both SD and Zap2it(think I like Zap2it better then the paid subscription to SD) I actually have two options. However SD isn't current

One of my questions is how do these config files get created in "/home/hts/.hts/tvheadend/epggrab/xmltv/channels" and probably others ?

Is this a function of the grabber or does TVH do it. I'm getting the impression TVH does it somehow. Stop/Start/Restart -HUP ?

The other question is how does content get into the EPG

Really like TVH. Tring to get off MythTV setup. It's power hungry and using a large server setup

Currently have TVH running on an Odroid-HC2 and Zoneminder with power to spare. And Odroid-C2's as front ends running Libreelec/Kodi

Sorry if I'm asking a lot of questions. Just trying to get all the little details figured out

RE: How do /usr/bin/tv_grabber_* work? - Added by Mark Clarkstone over 6 years ago

Brent Bolin wrote:

Yes. Since I've used both SD and Zap2it(think I like Zap2it better then the paid subscription to SD) I actually have two options. However SD isn't current

One of my questions is how do these config files get created in "/home/hts/.hts/tvheadend/epggrab/xmltv/channels" and probably others ?

Is this a function of the grabber or does TVH do it. I'm getting the impression TVH does it somehow. Stop/Start/Restart -HUP ?

The entries in the grabber channels tab come from the grabber, tvh will try and match the data available automatically based on service names.

The other question is how does content get into the EPG

It's parsed & stored in epgdb.v3/v2. It's read on startup & saved on shutdown or on a timer.

Really like TVH. Tring to get off MythTV setup. It's power hungry and using a large server setup

Currently have TVH running on an Odroid-HC2 and Zoneminder with power to spare. And Odroid-C2's as front ends running Libreelec/Kodi

Sorry if I'm asking a lot of questions. Just trying to get all the little details figured out

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