***CHANNEL 88™*** Your Best TV Channel Finder (c) 2009-12 Dr Jeff Software™ Co. ============= PRODUCT BRIEF ============= Does anyone really know what channel number that show is on? 25 or 624? Does that come in Hi-def (HD), and if so, what channel number is that? Do I get that channel (have I subscribed to it)? Which "ESPN" or "HBO" channel variant is that on? Who can remember all that, especially for many 100s of channels and shows. CHANNEL 88™ is "Your Best TV Channel Finder". Use the power of your own PC with its full keyboard to more easily find any channel or show -- including both the standard-def (SD) and high-def (HD) channels that may be available for any TV show/program or station. Finding both SD and HD channel numbers is very useful since many homes have TVs with and without HI-def, and programs can come with and without HI-def as well. Additionally, a check box is supplied for each base channel (e.g., "ESPN") to keep track of whether or not channels are subscribed to. CHANNEL 88™ is a companion app for set-top box program guides. Use CHANNEL 88™ first to find a channel number to enter on a user's TV remote. Set-top box program guides typically provide programming info -- once a channel number is known. But finding channel numbers takes either laborious sequential scrolling through vast pages of data, or extensive searching and cumbersome text-typing with a viewer's remote. CHANNEL 88™ is quicker and easier to use than any set-top's own search feature -- primarily because a set-top box does not have a keyboard like a PC. Imagine combining the utility of a program guide with a full keyboard. And, users can display and print out copies of their "favorites" list to keep handy. Plus, users can watch their current TV show in unadulterated full screen while separately searching on their PC. CHANNEL 88™ searches by channel NAMES (e.g., ESPN, HBO) or SHOWS (e.g., Jay Leno, CSI), and then finds and displays channel numbers -- along with a list of variants (e.g., ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN Classic, ESPN News) and subscription status. The app also supports more simple browsing via a three-level simple cascade of channel "categories" (e.g., "Sports"), individual names (e.g., ESPN) and "variants" (e.g., ESPN2, ESPNU). CHANNEL 88™ is great for finding your game, your movie, your show, etc. Your game could be on one of the many ESPNs, or the FSNs, or even one of their affiliates (e.g., ABC hosting an ESPN affiliated game). All too often a sports program is shuffled among the parent channel's variants, such as when ESPN uses "ESPNU" for a game one time, and "ESPN2" the next time. Or your movie could be on any one of the many HBO or Showtime channels. Such associations are readily displayed on CHANNEL 88™. Let's say you want to watch a talk show like Anderson Cooper's or an informative show like "MythBusters" but can't recall which station or channel it is on; or a sports game that you know is on "ESPNU" but can't recall which channel number that is, especially the HD channel; or a movie or special that is carried by AMC but you can't recall if AMC has an HD channel (or which number that would be), or even if you get AMC. CHANNEL 88™ is ideal for quickly finding the answers to these TV dilemmas. Just double-click the icon while you are otherwise using your PC to surf the web, on Facebook, Twitter or the like. Then just a few clicks later, you have both the SD and HD channel numbers to tune your TV to. CHANNEL 88™ comes with a separate channel number data file for each TV service provider (e.g., DirecTV, Verizon FiOS, Time Warner, et al.), plus a single data file for over 300 shows. FEATURES 1. Finds both the SD and HD versions of any "channel" name 2. Displays a set of affiliated channel variants (e.g., ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, ESPN Classic, and even ABC) 3. Search organized into a cascade of basic categories, then generic channel names (e.g., "ESPN"), followed by a list of "variants" (as above for ESPN) 4. Quick search of channel/station names (eg., "nb" finds "NBA" and "NBC") 5. Quick search of "shows" -- over 700 shows included 6. Keeps track of which channels are subscribed to (using checkmarks) 7. Common "shows" database file for all providers (updated regularly on website) 8. Unique channel name and number database per provider (numbers subject to change): a. Verizon FiOS - 308 channels b. DirectTV - 279 channels c. Dish - 259 channels d. Time Warner - 365 channels e. others to come (e.g., Comcast, Cox, AT&T, et al.) 9. Separate list of "favorites" (virtually unlimited; supports multiple files) 10. Recalls last search (using "Last" button) 11. Supports editing channel numbers (as providers change them or differ from lists) 12. Employs Dr Jeff's "Intellibuttons"(tm): buttons change color, re/dis-appear DETAILS 1. Channels In CHANNEL 88™, TV programs are broadcast/delivered on "channels" that have both "names" and "numbers". For example, "ESPN" is a "generic" (or base) channel name, which has multiple "variants" such as "ESPN2", "ESPNU", "ESPN" (also a variant), etc. Each variant can have up to 2 channel numbers (for SD and HD). The channel NAMES are searched, and the channel NUMBERS are delivered (in a special box). The set of channel NAMES is fixed, and may not be changed. 2. Channel Numbers CHANNEL 88™ provides two sets of channel numbers, one for SD and one for HD. Only a limited set of channels have HD versions, while a very few channels come only in HD. Channels not available in SD or HD are indicated by a "--" for the number. CHANNEL 88™ provides a pair of channel numbers (SD, HD) for all channels included in one database per major provider. The data is based on each provider's channel listings (which change over time). Note that channel numbers vary by provider and also by region/locality (especially for local channels). Thus, in CHANNEL 88™, channel NUMBERS may be edited and saved by the user (implemented as "patches" stored in a separate user file, until deleted via a provided "Restore All" button). Dr Jeff will provide one distinct channel data file for each of these major TV service providers: Comcast, Time Warner, Charter, DirectTV, Dish, Verizon (FiOS), AT&T. Check our website for listings of these files, and download them at will (once the product is purchased). 3. Shows CHANNEL 88™ includes a database of more than 700 of the current major shows, in the following categories: a. Prime time (all regular shows in 8-11pm slot) b. Talk shows (morn, aft, eve, late) c. Entertainment (e.g., Entertainment Tonight, Access) d. Comedy e. Game shows f. Sports g. Kids/cartoon shows h. Soaps i. Reality/talent j. Info shows (e.g, those found on Discovery, Nat Geo, etc.) k. Sci fi INcluded in the "Shows" database: regularly scheduled series or shows on major stations EXcluded in the "Shows" database: one-time shows, mini-series, shows on minor stations or in syndication (which can show up on any, or multiple, stations) 4. Search CHANNEL 88™ includes a quick search entry box, as a means to more quickly find a channel name -- avoiding the usual initial category lookup -- or a TV show. This is handy when the channel category is not so obvious and would itself have to be searched for. Radio buttons are used for choosing to search for "channels" or "shows". (Color of search box changes to match.) Search "shows" does multi-word searches (not needed for "channels") -- searches all major/ capitalized words in show name. A "Last" button is also provided to readily retrieve the last quick search. 5. Favorites CHANNEL 88™ includes a separate list box for user-selected "favorite" channels -- thereby providing the quickest selection of often used channels. This list is saved in the accompanying user data file. 6. Subscription Channel Set CHANNEL 88™ identifies which channels are subscribed to via simple check marks displayed in the channel name box. (We assume ALL variants of a base channel are subscribed together, so only the base channels are check marked.) The user is responsible for check marking channels, and then saving (in the user data file). Once saved, it will be loaded upon each program activation. This info can be user updated later, at any time, when subscriptions change. 7. Local Channels Both the names and numbers of local channels vary by locale. A representative sample of local channels is provided for each provider as a default, plus 3 extra blank or "generic" local channel names are included (as "XKW1-3"). While the names may not be changed, the channel numbers may be edited and saved (as "patches"). GENERAL PRODUCT BACKGROUND All Dr Jeff Software products are "PC apps" very similar to smartphone apps -- they are easily downloaded and installed, and are very low cost. There is no shipping charge either. But PC apps are superior to phone apps in that only PC apps support these features: 1. much larger SCREEN 2. much larger KEYBOARD 3. users may STORE DATA in files (and use multiple data files) 4. users may PRINT various sets of data or forms All Dr Jeff PC apps run on Microsoft's .NET middleware platform on Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 -- which results in more error-free computing. And all programs start up quickly, unlike many Microsoft programs (such as IE or Word). ============ DEMO VERSION ============ The CHANNEL 88(tm) "demo" version is sub-functional: 1. All channel NAMES and relationships will be accurate (same as Full product). 2. However, Channel NUMBERS will be merely made up values for "demo" purposes. 3. "Shows" will only load the first 100 entries (about 1/4 of the shows). 4. The "User" data file is not used at all (extra data may not be user loaded or saved). 5. This implies that no "check marks", favorites or patches are loaded or saved (but may be modified during use). 6. All the menu commands are disabled, except for File/Preview Favs and the HELP commands. TO CLOSE: if online, click browser BACK button LAST EDIT: 9/5/12