XMLTVGrabbers - Revision history

Rmeden: /* First use example */

2026-04-10T14:56:52Z

‎First use example

Rmeden: /* first use example */

2026-04-10T14:55:05Z

‎first use example

Rmeden: /* Example first use */

2026-04-10T14:54:47Z

‎Example first use

Rmeden: Created page with " == Using XMLTV grabbers == The XMLTVProject includes two major classes of tools. * Grabbers -- These tools obtain data in XMLTV format. * Filters -- These tools modify d..."

2026-04-10T14:41:43Z

Created page with " == Using XMLTV grabbers == The XMLTVProject includes two major classes of tools. * Grabbers -- These tools obtain data in XMLTV format. * Filters -- These tools modify d..."

New page

== Using XMLTV grabbers ==

The [[XMLTVProject]] includes two major classes of tools.
* Grabbers -- These tools obtain data in XMLTV format.
* Filters -- These tools modify data in XMLTV format

In this post, we're going to focus on the Grabbers.

== NOTE FOR WINDOWS USERS ==

The xmltv tools are command line tools. Of course you can put them in batch files too (and most folks do!). For now, open a '''COMMAND PROMPT''' and get started!

A pre-compiled perl distribution is included in an XMLTV.EXE file. This includes most grabbers and filters! To use it simply download the release file from the [https://github.com/XMLTV/xmltv/releases XMLTV releases] or the [http://alpha-exe.xmltv.org ALPHA EXE]. Save the file in a directory (safer one without spaces... say c:\xmltv) then use it!

To use xmltv.exe simply prefix the xmltv tool with xmltv.exe (or just xmltv).
for example:
cd \xmltv
xmltv tv_grab_na_dd --configure

WARNING: The first time you run xmltv.exe it will take a long time, this is normal.

== CONFIGURING A GRABBER ==

The Grabbers are very consistent in how to use them. That said, a few are different (tv_grab_zz_sdjson_sqlite comes to mind), so read the messages, just don't hit enter! The Grabbers tend to provide useful defaults for most questions.

The first step is the '''CONFIGURE''' step.
''grabber'' --configure
Then answer the questions! yes, it's that easy. You only need to do this once, or when things change. no need to put it in your grabber script.

Once that's done and you're ready to go!

== GRABBING LISTINGS ==
This is even easier, as everything is already configured! The below command will output 7 days to tv.xml

''grabber'' --days 7 --output tv.xml

Leave off --days and you're get that grabber's default value.
Leave off --outout and the outout will be written to STDOUT (in case you want to pipe to a filter!)

That's it! It really is easy.

== Example first use ==

This example uses a grabber against [[https://schedulesdirect.org|Schedules Direct's]] service. An account is needed (free 7 day trial, no CC needed, so make sure it works for you before paying!)

@@ Line 43: / Line 43: @@
 == First use example ==
-This example uses a grabber against [[https://schedulesdirect.org Schedules Direct's]] service.  An account is needed (free 7 day trial, no CC needed, so make sure it works for you before paying!)
+This example uses a grabber against [[https://schedulesdirect.org Schedules Direct's]] JSON service.  An account is needed (free 7 day trial, no CC needed, so make sure it works for you before paying!).  If you're not using windows, leave off the '''xmltv''' command.
   C:\Users\robert\batch>'''xmltv tv_grab_zz_sdjson --configure'''

@@ Line 41: / Line 41: @@
 That's it!  It really is easy.
-== first use example ==
+== First use example ==
 This example uses a grabber against [[https://schedulesdirect.org Schedules Direct's]] service.  An account is needed (free 7 day trial, no CC needed, so make sure it works for you before paying!)