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EPGImport and XMLTV sources

EPGImport downloads programme information from configured sources and maps it to Enigma2 services. A source does not automatically provide the right mapping for every IPTV list. For reception-based collection, see EPGRefresh.

Select sources and test manually first

Section titled “Select sources and test manually first”
  1. Install EPGImport from the plugin feed, including the offered sources package.
  2. Open Menu → Setup → EPG → EPG-Importer. This version can also enable an entry in the plugin browser.
  3. Use Blue – Sources. Expand the required category and use OK to select sources that match your channels.
  4. Save with Green. In the main dialog use Yellow – Manual to start an import, responding to any confirmation shown.
  5. Wait for the result, then check several services and the following days in the EPG.
EPGImport sources list with categories and checkboxes
Select the sources you need. More sources mean more data, but do not automatically improve channel matching. Open original image ↗

The sources list is a catalogue. Update Sources updates its definitions; Import downloads the actual programmes. Updating sources may offer a choice that clears existing definitions. Do not choose that casually if you maintain custom sources. Availability and terms of use depend on the data provider.

Configure automatic imports

Section titled “Configure automatic imports”

After a successful manual test, enable Automatic import EPG, choose a quiet start time and open Choose days to import with OK. Save both dialogs. Allow enough time before recordings or a subsequent AutoTimer scan.

EPGImport configuration with automatic start and filters
The automatic option was enabled only in this unsaved demonstration form. Open original image ↗
EPGImport days profile listing the weekdays
The days profile restricts regular import days. Boot and standby triggers have additional options. Open original image ↗
Option Purpose
Start time and weekdays Schedule regular imports; without a saved source selection there is no input data.
Skip or wake up when in deep standby Decide whether a scheduled run may be skipped while the receiver is shut down. Wakeup requires receiver support.
Return to deep standby after import For applicable automatic wakeup runs; not a general shutdown instruction after every manual test.
Repeat after a number of hours Additional imports when offered and needed. Once daily is sufficient for many sources.
Import after boot, GUI restart or standby Additional triggers. Check the offered exceptions and days-profile handling to avoid unnecessary repetition.
Only services in bouquets Reduces data but may exclude channels outside your bouquets.
Only IPTV channels Filters out DVB services. Leave off for a general DVB test.
Long descriptions for X days Limits detailed text and its memory requirement.
Delete current EPG before import Removes existing data. Initially leave off so that a source failure does not also erase the previous EPG.
Apply channel-ID filtering to custom mappings Rules in /etc/epgimport/channel_id_filter.conf can also affect custom.channels.xml. Check this if custom entries appear ignored.
Run AutoTimer after import Load new programmes first, then evaluate rules that create recording timers. Requires AutoTimer.

EPGImport manages its own schedule and registers supported wakeup times with Enigma2. This does not require an extra cronjob. Time and wakeup explains deep-standby limitations.

Check results and errors

Section titled “Check results and errors”

INFO in EPGImport’s main dialog opens the import log. In the checked version, its save action writes /tmp/epgimport.log. Saving the log creates this file in temporary storage: keep a reviewed copy before restarting or reporting an issue.

For zero imported events, check networking, DNS, clock, source selection, download/XML errors and filters. If many events were imported but one channel remains empty, check its service reference and XMLTV ID. The total does not confirm that every service matched. Missing EPG and IPTV explains the relationship and example files.

Verification: Captured native settings, sources and days-profile dialogs in DE/EN. The capture series neither imported sources nor saved a new plugin schedule. External offerings may change independently of this guide.

Sources: EPGImport interface and operation, revision a32929f2d0, Source and channel mappings, OE-Alliance sources package.

Set up and check AutoTimer: after filling the EPG, rules create ordinary recording timers. This plugin’s AutoTimer integration is a separate trigger; disabling AutoTimer polling does not automatically disable that call.