Difference between revisions of "List of Prevue software"

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(Fixing EPG Esquire link)
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|Apple II
 
|Apple II
 
|<span style="color:#800000"> Lost</span>; defunct
 
|<span style="color:#800000"> Lost</span>; defunct
−
|First known variation of the EPG software. Introduced a scrolling guide, debut of the classic style, titles, text ads, and crawl ads. Units might have been referred to as [https://atariage.com/forums/topic/235974-apple-ii-also-ran-the-epg-on-us-cable/?tab=comments#comment-3280880 EPG-II and manufactured by Syntronics.]
+
|Launched in 1981. First known variation of the EPG software. Began as a satellite-delivered 24-hr scrolling guide channel with a simplistic style. Early units might have been referred to as [https://atariage.com/forums/topic/235974-apple-ii-also-ran-the-epg-on-us-cable/?tab=comments#comment-3280880 EPG-II and manufactured by Syntronics.]
−
As of November 7, 2020, while footage of it exists, the software is still considered lost.  
+
|-
 +
|Texscan
 +
|<span style="color:#800000"> Lost</span>; defunct
 +
|Need more information on this.
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[EPG Jr.|Atari 130XE]]
 
|[[EPG Jr.|Atari 130XE]]
 
|<span style="color:#008000"> Found</span>; defunct
 
|<span style="color:#008000"> Found</span>; defunct
−
|Second known variation of the EPG software. Has most of the previous features, but omits the crawl ads.
+
|Launched in 1985. Second known variation of the EPG software, initially made for smaller cable systems, with local text ads being added in 1986, and support in Canada in 1989.
−
Three versions of the software have been found, however no footage of the original units running back in the day can be found at this time.
+
Four versions of the software have been found.
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[EPG Sr.|Amiga 1000/2000]]
 
|[[EPG Sr.|Amiga 1000/2000]]
 
|<span style="color:#800000"> Lost</span>; defunct
 
|<span style="color:#800000"> Lost</span>; defunct
−
|Final version of the EPG software. Introduced full screen graphic ads.
+
|Final version of the EPG software. Introduced local graphic ads.
−
As of November 7, 2020, while footage of it exists, the software is still considered lost.  
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
!colspan="3"| Prevue/TV Guide Channel
 
!colspan="3"| Prevue/TV Guide Channel
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|-
 
|-
 
|[[Prevue (ESQ)|Amiga 1000/2000]]
 
|[[Prevue (ESQ)|Amiga 1000/2000]]
−
|<span style="font-weight:bold">1988-93:</span> <span style="color:#800000"> Lost</span>; defunct
+
|<span style="font-weight:bold">1987-93:</span> <span style="color:#800000"> Lost</span>; defunct
 
<span style="font-weight:bold">1993-99:</span> <span style="color:#008000"> Found</span>; defunct
 
<span style="font-weight:bold">1993-99:</span> <span style="color:#008000"> Found</span>; defunct
−
|Internally referred to as EPG Esquire. Early versions (1988-93) seem to be based off EPG Sr., however omits the crawl ads and title, instead providing a blank space above with IFF graphics, text-only, and genlocked video for advertisements and programs, with later versions (1993-99) include similar features, however also introduced a grid that showed the current listings and the next two timeslots for each channel simultaneously, referred to as <span style="font-weight:bold">New Look</span>.
+
|Launched in 1987. Internally referred to as EPG Esquire. (shortened as ESQ) The first versions were based off the Amiga EPG, however with a condensed guide with video and graphic ads on the top. More features would be added later, including regional ads and local weather conditions.
−
As of November 7, 2020, while the early versions are still lost (and is most likely never to be found, as when Prevue software was updated, previous versions were overwritten.) Various versions of the New Look have been found, along with special LaserDisc-based versions.
+
 
 +
Versions produced after 1993, otherwise referred to as the <span style="font-weight:bold">New Look</span> improve the guide layout by simultaneously showing multiple timeslots and listings at once. To this day, three versions of the post-1993 variation of ESQ have been found.
 
|-
 
|-
−
|Windows NT
+
|Windows
−
|<span style="font-weight:bold">Junior:</span> <span style="color:#808000"> Partially found</span>; active
+
|<span style="font-weight:bold">PC Prevue:</span> <span style="color:#008000"> Found</span>; defunct
−
<span style="font-weight:bold">Hollywood:</span> <span style="color:#800000"> Lost</span>; active
+
<span style="font-weight:bold">Hollywood:</span> <span style="color:#008000"> Found</span>, <span style="color:#808000">in-progress</span>; defunct
−
|<span style="font-weight:bold">[[Prevue Junior]]:</span> Separate version based upon Esquire New Look, which was first introduced in 1997. This version was presented in a very limited fashion, with listings alternating by individual pages instead of scrolling and showing just program information on the top portion of screen (though some versions offered genlocked video and graphical ads.
+
|<span style="font-weight:bold">[[Prevue Junior|PC Prevue]]:</span> Launched in 1995. This version was initially based upon the 1993 version of Prevue Guide. This version was presented in a very limited fashion, with listings alternating by individual pages instead of scrolling and showing just program information on the top portion of screen (though some versions offered genlocked video and graphical ads.) As of today, the initial version of PC Prevue has been found and dumped.
−
<span style="font-weight:bold">[[Hollywood]]:</span> Current version of the Prevue Channel software, then referred to as TV Guide Channel after an acquisition. This version switched to the Windows NT platform similar to Prevue Junior, and offered different styles throughout different years, starting with a tan guide reminiscent of Motorola cable boxes of the time.
+
<span style="font-weight:bold">[[Hollywood]]:</span> Launched in 1999. This is referred to as the current version of the Prevue Channel, then referred to as TV Guide Channel after multiple acquisitions. This version switched to the Windows NT platform similar to Prevue Junior, and offered different styles throughout different years, starting with a tan guide reminiscent of Motorola cable boxes of the time. Since then, three versions of the software have been found and dumped online, thanks to those who purchased actual units containing the software.
  
−
While both versions seem to still be used in little cable markets, however only the Prevue Junior software seems to have been found, however hasn't been released most likely due to legal reasons.
+
 
 +
Both versions seemed to continue in operation albeit with TV Guide or Pop branding up until mid-2019, when the listings data service was discontinued.
 
|-
 
|-
−
!colspan="3"| Sneak Prevue
+
!colspan="3"| Sneak Prevue/Barker
 
|-
 
|-
 
!Platform
 
!Platform
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|Amiga 2000
 
|Amiga 2000
 
|<span style="color:#008000"> Found</span>; defunct
 
|<span style="color:#008000"> Found</span>; defunct
−
|Separate from other versions of Prevue, as this was made for pay-per-view barker channels. The channel relied on LaserDiscs, which were controlled by the Amiga.
+
|Separate from other versions of Prevue, as this was made for pay-per-view barker channels. Launched in 1990. The channel relied on LaserDiscs, which were controlled by the Amiga.
−
While the software has been found, it is currently not usable in emulation, as the proper expansion card is currently not emulated, and as such results in a Guru Meditiation.
+
 
 +
Another version of Sneak Prevue was Barker, developed in a joint venture with Starnet.
 
|-
 
|-
−
|Windows NT
+
|Windows
−
|<span style="color:#808000"> Partially found</span>; defunct
+
|<span style="color:#808000"> In-progress</span>; defunct
−
|A version of the Sneak Prevue software ported to Windows. This was most likely produced during a time when there were various different projects to port Prevue to Windows. It most likely operated in the same way as the Amiga software.
+
|A version of the Sneak Prevue software ported to Windows. This was most likely produced during a time when there were various different projects to port Prevue to Windows, and most likely was operated similarly to the Amiga version. Despite this, it failed during development stages, and thus wasn't used in production.
−
While the software has been found, it's currently not available for download, most likely the same reason as the Prevue Junior software.
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}

Latest revision as of 07:14, 20 May 2024

Electronic Program Guide
Platform Status Information
Apple II Lost; defunct Launched in 1981. First known variation of the EPG software. Began as a satellite-delivered 24-hr scrolling guide channel with a simplistic style. Early units might have been referred to as EPG-II and manufactured by Syntronics.
Texscan Lost; defunct Need more information on this.
Atari 130XE Found; defunct Launched in 1985. Second known variation of the EPG software, initially made for smaller cable systems, with local text ads being added in 1986, and support in Canada in 1989.

Four versions of the software have been found.

Amiga 1000/2000 Lost; defunct Final version of the EPG software. Introduced local graphic ads.
Prevue/TV Guide Channel
Platform Status Information
Amiga 1000/2000 1987-93: Lost; defunct

1993-99: Found; defunct

Launched in 1987. Internally referred to as EPG Esquire. (shortened as ESQ) The first versions were based off the Amiga EPG, however with a condensed guide with video and graphic ads on the top. More features would be added later, including regional ads and local weather conditions.

Versions produced after 1993, otherwise referred to as the New Look improve the guide layout by simultaneously showing multiple timeslots and listings at once. To this day, three versions of the post-1993 variation of ESQ have been found.

Windows PC Prevue: Found; defunct

Hollywood: Found, in-progress; defunct

PC Prevue: Launched in 1995. This version was initially based upon the 1993 version of Prevue Guide. This version was presented in a very limited fashion, with listings alternating by individual pages instead of scrolling and showing just program information on the top portion of screen (though some versions offered genlocked video and graphical ads.) As of today, the initial version of PC Prevue has been found and dumped.

Hollywood: Launched in 1999. This is referred to as the current version of the Prevue Channel, then referred to as TV Guide Channel after multiple acquisitions. This version switched to the Windows NT platform similar to Prevue Junior, and offered different styles throughout different years, starting with a tan guide reminiscent of Motorola cable boxes of the time. Since then, three versions of the software have been found and dumped online, thanks to those who purchased actual units containing the software.


Both versions seemed to continue in operation albeit with TV Guide or Pop branding up until mid-2019, when the listings data service was discontinued.

Sneak Prevue/Barker
Platform Status Information
Amiga 2000 Found; defunct Separate from other versions of Prevue, as this was made for pay-per-view barker channels. Launched in 1990. The channel relied on LaserDiscs, which were controlled by the Amiga.

Another version of Sneak Prevue was Barker, developed in a joint venture with Starnet.

Windows In-progress; defunct A version of the Sneak Prevue software ported to Windows. This was most likely produced during a time when there were various different projects to port Prevue to Windows, and most likely was operated similarly to the Amiga version. Despite this, it failed during development stages, and thus wasn't used in production.
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