An Electronic Program Guide or EPG is an interactive screen guide you can use on live-streaming apps and more.
It is best known as a “TV Guide” that cord-cutters and streamers use when viewing live television.
In addition, IPTV subscribers often use an EPG when surfing or browsing through their various channel options.
This article will provide you with a comprehensive look at what an EPG is and how it helps cord-cutters maximize their entertainment experience using the Amazon Firestick, Fire TV, Fire TV Cube, or other IPTV Boxes.
The Firestick is the most popular device today due to its low price point and jailbreaking abilities.
EPG and IPTV
For those unsure of what IPTV is, it’s a form of live television offered over the internet instead of through a cable box.
Oftentimes, these services cost a fraction of the price of a normal cable subscription.
What Is IPTV – All Questions Answered
Because IPTV doesn’t require a cable subscription, you can easily install an IPTV application on any device you prefer.
This means you can watch cable television channels on your streaming device wherever you are.
Most IPTV services provide hundreds to thousands of channels in addition to the professional sports season passes for football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and more. Some also offer full access to pay-per-view sporting events.
Each IPTV Service typically comes with an EPG that users can refer to when searching for their favorite programs. This includes popular free streaming services such as Pluto TV and more.
If you prefer free IPTV options, there are several live TV applications that you can also install on your favorite device. While many of these free apps work well, they are not always reliable.
Oftentimes, streams are only available in SD (Standard Definition) and typically have buffering issues. If you want reliable, high-quality television with no buffering, TROYPOINT suggests purchasing a paid IPTV Service.
These services provide hundreds if not thousands of live HD TV Channels for a small monthly fee.
What is an EPG?
Also known as an interactive program guide (IPG) or electronic service guide (ESG), an EPG allows users to discover and choose programs from a list complete with details such as show times, titles, network, genre, description, preview, and other details.
Technology has transformed cable TV’s printed guide into an interactive feature that keeps them glued to their devices for more programming information.
Not all EPGs appear the same though. Some only list programs that are currently playing on screen while others provide schedules of upcoming programs.
Others, however, offer more details so viewers can access more information on which shows to watch.
EPG – Basic Features
Today’s EPGs share the following features:
- Interactive graphical user interface or GUI usually in grids
- List of different channels and their corresponding programs with airing schedules
- Categorized channels according to the genre
- Search capabilities
- Customization tools
Some service providers also feature parental controls,DVR recording capabilities, pay-per-view options, and more.
Radio stations also release their EPG to attract more listeners who are tuning in to their broadcasts via IPTV or directly from websites.
EPGs are available on popular IPTV Players like TiviMate, Perfect Player, IPTV Smarters, Smart IPTV, and more listed below.
How has EPG Evolved?
United Video Satellite Group, a media company, launched the first EPG in North America via the cable channel “The Electronic Program Guide” in 1981. This paved the way for “The EPG Channel” two years later.
Cable TV subscribers from the United States and Canada could view channel program schedules up to 1.15 hours in advance by tuning in to “The EPG Channel.”
It was later renamed as “Prevue Guide” and then “TV Guide Network” or “TV Guide Channel” a few decades later.
Cable subscribers also benefitted from the SuperGuide system in the 90s when it became a part of the Uniden 4800 receiver, commercially available at that time.
Program information of up to two weeks was accessible, allowing viewers to easily switch to their favorite channel if a program of their interest was airing.
Fast forward to today, program schedules have evolved to include not only blended text over video but also interactive elements like trailers, clips, and recommendations based on viewers’ previous searches, courtesy of artificial intelligence (AI).
IPTVs and Cable TV services are incomplete without an EPG.
How does an EPG Work?
An EPG consists of two main parts: the data feed and the software running it. Data is continuously sent to the EPG to keep it up to date.
For those using set-top boxes, all data is stored in the DRAM or memory for upcoming program displays.
However, the available memory is often limited, so modern set-top boxes have expanded RAM to enable proper processing and storage functions.