Hoping someone from Plex will see this since I can’t figure out where to make feature requests on the website.
I just bought a Plex Pass to try the DVR functionality and although the setup and recording are relatively easy, the EPG layout is sorely lacking.
In addition to search there should be a “Guide” or “Browse” option that shows a program grid of what’s on and what’s coming up. A 3 hour guide grid is common and was made ubiquitous by Windows Media Center. Not offering this feature just alienates people who are looking for an alternative to WMC.
For me, without the ability to watch live TV, start watching a currently recording show or browse the EPG in a simple grid, this product is not ready for mass use in my opinion.
They may not do that for fear of being sued by Rovi. At least that is why the SiliconDust PVR doesn’t have a grid 
That doesn’t make much sense to me. There are other open source products currently available that use an EPG guide view without any issue. Silicondust’s DVR is also far from being ready to take on WMC partly for the same reason. These companies should stop trying to reinvent how people browse their channels. EPG management is the primary reason why WMC has never been able to be replaced in the market. If it ain’t broke…
There are already at least 3 other threads in here on this same subject and at least 6 threads about it on Silicon Dust’s forum for their DVR.
As stated above, there are patent issues. It’s just how it is, as much as that may suck.
MythTV
MediaPortal
NextPVR
All have guide view, all are free. No patent issues.
Yes, I think free is the difference there. Maybe because you have to pay Plex a Plex Pass fee?
To be honest, I don’t really understand the patent thing either. In fact I read somewhere Rovi lost in a lawsuit against, I believe it was Comcast.
Maybe this will change at some point. I also think, since I have never been a WMC user or cable box user (with their guide) I am more accustomed to odd variations of a guide changes in different platforms.
EPG is pretty good it would be nice to have a filter to only show how/movies you don’t have already in your plex database.
also to have a “channel group filter” a sub-list of channels that you can set to only see shows /movies on those channesl in the guide, I know there is a “channel” option but would be nice to have group of channels. Example in Movies it would be nice to have sub-list like “premium channels” HBO,Showtime,Cinimax… of course it would be the channel #'s
I just re-installed Plex and am pleasantly surprised by th enhancements to the DVR feature. Live TV is a great addition. I still think the option to view a more traditional guide grid would be welcome, and there should be no legal barriers since Emby offers this already.
Free software that has no commercial backing tends to be able to skirt royalty/patents (ffmpeg for example comes to mind) because they lack entites to sue, which is how these things are enforced.
