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Based on using Sun Direct (both SD & HD boxes) for years and also having experience in watching Airtel DTH at my sister's for years, I am afraid I'd have to strongly disagree with this understanding of yours on Sun Direct's EPG, based on what I have inferred from the EPGs of both these DTHs.
1) Yes, Sun Direct's EPG might be blank at times for some channels. This is because it loads fresh EPGs for all channels, every time the STB is switched off and switched on again. So naturally, it takes a few minutes for the fresh EPGs to load for each channel. Sometimes, if the EPGs are blank after we switch to a channel, it almost always loads them if we switch one channel forward or one channel backward, and then come back to the channel we were watching. The only negative aspect for me here, might be that sometimes (which, from my observation is very rare) we might have to wait for around 5 to 10 minutes for the fresh EPGs to load.
When I say fresh EPG's, we can visibly see it loading and refreshing every now and then in Sun Direct. I believe this is the code that often appears on the screen -- in a small, rectangular, colored box that displays some random text like [FXTVHVFY]. Codes likes these appear every now and then and dissappear automatically after a few seconds. I believe it is the EPG updating. Correct me if I am incorrect in interpreting this.
This is the main reason that Sun Direct almost always display EPGs upto only for a maximum of two days in advance, for any given channel. Because they like to update the EPGs with the latest information procured from the channels and keep it current & as accurate as possible.
2) On the other hand, Airtel seemingly displays EPGs without any fuss for all the channels at all points in time. And voila, no matter how soon we switch to a any channel after we switch on the STB, there the EPG is. However, there is a downside to Airtel DTH's EPG, which is a huge letdown for me. Which brings us to my third, and final point. Please read along.
3) The main difference between Sun Direct's and Airtel DTH's EPGs, from what I have observed all these years, is that, Sun Direct's EPGs display not just the Name and Time of the current program, but also a little sentence or two about what is happening in that program right now. For example, if it is a TV series or show, it exactly displays what is happening in that particular episode airing on any given day/time. If it is a movie, it correctly displays the story of the movie. On the other hand, even though Airtel DTH correctly displays the Name and Time of all shows, the information about what is happening in a particular episode of a tv series/show or what is happening in a movie, is not as accurate as Sun Direct's EPG. That information is very generic in Airtel's EPG. On that note, in comparison with TV series/shows, I might say that the EPG description of English movies is bit better.
P.S:
1) My above observation is based mainly on English Entertainment channels (STAR WORLD & ZEE CAFE), English Movie channels, Sports Channels and English GEC channels.
This stands true, to a certain extent I believe, to Tamil channels as well. Meaning, obviously I am not aware on how far this stands true as far as all the other channels go.
2) However, once Sun Direct adds a new channel, it does take several days (some times even months) for the EPGs to start appearing for that channel for the first time. But once they start to appear, they are steady and are almost always accurate with the current program description.
Now I am more than aware that you used Sun Direct only for a relatively really short period of time (If I am not incorrect, for under a month?) as you switched back to Airtel (or did you buy Tata Sky? I am unable to recall that part correctly) as soon as you were convinced that Sun Direct is not about to correct the 5.1 low volume issue in the near future.
So, from what I can deduce, I would say unfortunately you did not have enough time or data to understand the complete picture of what exactly is happening with Sun Direct's EPG on a day-to-day basis. Meaning, I don't blame you for the conclusion you have arrived at.
Let me share a few current examples of Sun Direct's EPGs from today & tomorrow's programs below. Please cross reference them with Airtel DTH's (or Tata Sky's) EPG to compare the difference.
And please let us all know your findings.
Thank you for reading
Examples: (All times are in 24-hour format)
19-04-2018
STAR WORLD 07.00-08.00 The Blacklist
EPG Description of this episode:
Red and the Task Force arrive in Paris on the trails of a prominent drug supplier
STAR WORLD 11.00-12.00 Masterchef Australia
EPG Description of this episode:
Mystery Box - Contestants have to create a delicious dish from ingredients found in the mystery box
STAR WORLD 12.00-13.00 American Crime Story
EPG Description of this episode:
The police describe Lee Miglin's murder as a random killing
ZEE CAFE 10.00-11.00 Supergirl
EPG Description of this episode:
When Lena is found poisoned, Kara springs into action to find the culprit
ZEE CAFE 22.00-23.00 Scandal
EPG Description of this episode:
Annalise Keating needs Olivia's help in expediting a judicial reform class action
20-04-2018
STAR WORLD 3.00-4.00 Prison Break
EPG Description of this episode:
When Michael and Whistler try to escape, Lechero sees them and tries to stop them
STAR WORLD 4.00-5.00 Prison Break
EPG Description of this episode:
Susan tries to get Whistler out of Sona and the plan makes everybody else expendable
STAR WORLD 7.00-8.00 Homeland
EPG Description of this episode:
Carrie encounters some domestic issues; Saul and Wellington work on Paley
ZEE CAFE 10.00-11.00 Supergirl
EPG Description of this episode:
After capturing Julia Freeman, Supergirl and Alex try to get through to her
