scope:

Scope and Purpose

The OpenEPG™ standard defines a field structure and access method for obtaining electronic program guide (EPG) data, also known as metadata, for describing audio-video content and its availability using IP-related protocols. The OpenEPG standard facilitates access by home entertainment devices to scheduled event data for terrestrial, cable and satellite programming; to video on demand (VOD) services; and to content stored locally on a home networked device. OpenEPG allows for aggregation of metadata provided by multiple sources such as various metadata service providers (MSPs,) including small and local MSPs (such as churches, schools, etc.), and personal metadata for content provided by a user.

This standard defines the format and structure of OpenEPG data fields, and it defines methods of querying OpenEPG metadata services to request subsets of the available data. Electronic versions of the complete OpenEPG XML schemas and example files can be obtained from CEA [24].

This standard leverages the field structures used in the TVAnytime field set, but extends their use for the North American broadcast, cable and satellite infrastructure and conventions. This standard uses other common field structures, such MPEG-7, to the fullest extent possible.