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An '''electronic program''' (or '''programme''') '''guide''', or ('''EPG''',) is a [[Televisiontelevision program|program]] [[schedule]], typically [[Broadcastingbroadcasting|broadcast]] alongside [[digital television]] or [[Digitaldigital radio|radio]] signals. These signals may arrive via [[cable TV]], [[satellite TV]], [[cable radio]], [[satellite radio]], or via over-the-air terrestrial [[broadcast station]]s.
By navigating through an EPG on a receiving device, typically a [[television]] [[Displaydisplay device|screen]] or radioits display[[set-top box]], users can see more information about the current program orand about future programs. If theA device[[graphical isuser capable of itinterface]], anwith EPGprogram cantitles, enable[[channel]]s one-touch(and [[Televisionvirtual recordingchannel|recordingsubchannel]]s ofif applicable), and times on a [[grid]] is usually displayed, with the option to select more information on each program. Radios may include a simpler, more [[text]]-based display.
An EPG allows the viewer to take advantage of [[features]] such as program summaries, [[search]] by subject or [[Televisiontelevision station|channel]], immediate access to the selected program, reminderreminders, and [[parental control]] functions. It also enables services such as [[video on demand]], which may be [[gratis|free]] or [[pay-per-view]]. If the device is capable of it, an EPG can enable one-touch [[television recording|recording]] of programs, such as some [[DirecTV]] [[IRD]]s can do with a [[VCR]] and an attached [[infrared]] [[emitter]] (which [[emulate]]s a [[remote control]]).
EPGs are typically broadcastsent within the broadcast [[transport stream ]] (included in [[teletext]], like [[MHP]]), or alongside it in a special [[data ]] channel . The [[ATSC]] standard for DTV uses tables sent in each station's [[PSIP]], for example. Users of some systems, notably [[TiVo]], use a dial-up [[modem]] to retrieve EPG listings from a third-party [[server]] , if there are only analog TV signals available. In the U.S., these devices receive [[time signal]]s from local [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] [[TV network]] [[affiliate]]s, so that they can record on time.▼
▲EPGs are typically broadcast within the broadcast stream (included in [[teletext]], like [[MHP]]), or alongside it in a special [[data channel]]. Users of some systems, notably [[TiVo]], use a dial-up [[modem]] to retrieve EPG listings from a third-party [[server]].
See also: [[DTT]], [[NexTView]].
== External links ==
* http://nxtvepg.sourceforge.net/intro.html
{{tv-stub}}
[[Categorycategory:Television television]]
[[category: digital television]]
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