Microsoft restores guide data for ATSC channels in Media Center

We'll say one thing for our friends in Redmond, they might not always be on the ball but they do recovery quickly. Not even 48 hours after we reported the problem of missing guide data for ATSC channels that no longer have an NTSC counterparts, Microsoft came up with a interim fix that should restore guide data to all those pre-TV Pack Windows Media Center users. As we suspected, the issue had something to do with the old analog channel requirement and the root source of the guide data -- you didn't think Microsoft hand coded all that information did you? Evidently one of the sources of data used for both NTSC and ASTC channels dried up, post analog shutoff, and it caught the eHome team off guard. The good news is that all should be restored when your HTPC requests new data and if your like us -- you know the impatient type -- then a quick visit to "Tasks --> Settings --> TV --> Guide --> Get Latest Guide Listings" should do the trick. The full response from Redmond after the break.
Statement from Microsoft

As reported, some Windows Media Center users experienced guide data missing for certain channels in the Windows Media Center Electronic Program Guide in Windows Vista. The channels were for a limited number of analog transmissions that were recently shut-off by local broadcasters. We are currently rolling out a solution, and expect the problem to be resolved by end-of-day today. Microsoft sincerely apologizes to those who were inconvenienced.

Additional Background

This issue affected Windows Vista users since the process for obtaining guide data was updated for the TV Pack release and subsequent releases including the Windows 7 beta. In Windows Vista, guide data was pulled from two sources – one being FCC data, and a third-party company that provided analog broadcasting info such as channel line-ups and start/end times. Microsoft then mapped both sets of data together to populate the guide. When Windows Media center first launched, both analog tuners and HD tuners were a requirement, so utilizing analog data was part of the mapping process to deliver guide info.

People started seeing their channel guide show up with "no data available" when the third party company we work with stopped providing guide data for analog channels that have been switched off - data that was needed. They are now resuming the delivery of the necessary info, which solves the problem.

[sivartk Posted Mar 20th 2009 9:43AM]

Still no sub-channel data, so what's the point. Even my one channel that stop analog broadcast was working fine in VMC.

[BenD Posted Mar 20th 2009 9:44AM]

The point is to restore current functionality, not add a new feature.

But don't worry, subchannels are supported in Windows 7.

[sivartk Posted Mar 20th 2009 10:44AM]

More money to M$ to get listings for sub-channels that have been around for years....I'll pass.

[BenD Posted Mar 20th 2009 10:46AM]

I doubt they'll miss you. I mean seriously, it was never a feature of Vista so if you had a problem with that you shouldn't have spent the money on Vista.

But expecting them to go back and add features to a two year old operating system is unreasonable.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 20th 2009 12:42AM]

Ask and you shall receive! Ben, This only proves that with Microsoft, you my man, have not only juice but also Champagne...

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 22nd 2009 12:24PM]

I don't think it is unreasonable to suport a product you made and sold to people. It's part of the concept of "customer support." How hard would it be to implement this feature anyway? The product is two years old and Windows 7 isn't even officially out yet, why do we have to wait for it and be forced to buy it for this feature? How man updates did XP get before Vista came out and after it came out? How many years of updates did XP get? Making something imperfect and selling it to a massive target audience without supporting it for its life-span is just irresponsible in my book.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 24th 2009 10:06AM]

I just wanted to throw it out there that Microsoft's fix wasn't exactly universal. Here in St. Louis, we're still waiting for guide data to reappear for ABC 30. See thread for details.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 24th 2009 10:07AM]

Oops, I guess no HTML on blog comments. Here's the thread link http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/345833.aspx.

[(Unverified) Posted May 14th 2009 11:09PM]

So.....when are they going to actually fix it? So they put on a bandaid to make it seem to work, but what about all the sub channels? "it caught the eHome team off guard" Seriously? We've known about the analog to digital switch for 3-4 years. It caught them off guard that analog broadcasts were being shut down? Please. I was putting down the Obama administration when they were extending the analog shutoff deadline because "oh no, people aren't ready yet, they need more time!" and I was like "we've known about it for years. what idiot does not know about it and is not prepared? A couple of more months isn't going to help!" And then I learn that not even Microsoft bothered to do anything about the switch. What a bunch of dweebs.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 11th 2009 6:30PM]

On June 9, 2009, Microsoft released a Media Center update that took away the ATSC guide info again!!! Microsoft is so freaking stupid!