Electronic program guide: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 22:37, 21 April 2019

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[[File:Mythbuntu Program Guide.png|thumb|330px|right|Electronic program guide interface in [[MythTV]].]]

'''Electronic programprogramming guides''' ('''EPGs''') and '''interactive programprogramming guides''' ('''IPGs''') are menu-based systems that provide users of television, [[radio]] and other media applications with continuously updated menus that display scheduling information for current and upcoming [[broadcast programming]] (most commonly, [[TV listings|television program listings]]). Some guides also feature backward scrolling to promote their catch up content. They are commonly known as '''guides''' or '''TV guides'''.

Non-interactive electronic program guides (sometimes known as "navigation software") are typically available for television and radio, and consist of a digitally displayed, non-interactive menu of program scheduling information shown by a [[cable television|cable]] or [[satellite television]] provider to its viewers on a dedicated channel. EPGs are transmitted by specialized video [[Character generator|character generation]] (CG) equipment housed within each such provider's central [[cable television headend|headend]] facility. By tuning into an EPG channel, a menu is displayed that lists current and upcoming [[television programshows]]s on all available channels.

A more modern form of the EPG, associated with both television and radio broadcasting, is the interactive [electronic] program guide (IPG, though often referred to as EPG).<ref>{{cite web|title=A typical PVR website which makes no references to "IPG", using instead "EPG" throughout for the interactive electronic programme guide, as can be confirmed with a site search|url=http://www.toppy.org.uk/|website=Toppy}}</ref> An IPG allows television viewers and radio listeners to navigate scheduling information menus interactively, selecting and discovering programming by time, title, channel or genre using an input device such as a [[keypad]], computer [[Keyboard (computing)|keyboard]] or television [[remote control]]. Its interactive menus are generated entirely within local receiving or display equipment using raw scheduling data sent by individual broadcast stations or centralized scheduling information providers. A typical IPG provides information covering a span of seven or 14 days.