ChannelGuide 360 News recently interviewed Mark Manes, creator of ChannelGuide 360, about the site.

CG News: What inspired you to create ChannelGuide 360?

Mark: I started ChannelGuide 360 because I wanted to view IPTV programs on my high definition television set. I started watching internet video content using my video iPod.   I would connect my iPod to iTunes on my Mac, then wander back to my home theater set up with the iPod in tow.  I placed my iPod in its dock, which was connected to a video receiver.  This process worked for a while, but I quickly grew tired of sneaker netting my IPTV programs.

CG News: So, how did the Xbox come into play?

Mark: I demoed the Xbox 360 and discovered it had connection technology called Media Center that would allow me to watch television programs via a Windows XP Media Center enabled PCs.

CG News: How does it work?

Mark: Windows Media Center Edition 2005 PCs are equipped with a TV tuner card that allows you to watch and record TV like a TiVo.  I realized that by using a third party software application from Dorada I could watch not only TV shows but vodcasts as well.

CG News:  So it was at that point the channel guide was born? 

Mark: Yes.  After I solved the technology issue I realized there was very little content in the format I needed. In order to stream video to the Xbox (at least for now) it needs to be in WMV format, and to capture the video from the internet you need the video to be hosted in a RSS file (also required by the iPod).  I went looking for content, and began contacting sites to encourage them to support this technology.  The website developed as I began cataloging content for my own use.  I realized that other people may want to do what I did with their own systems.  

CG News: Has it been hard to find content?

Mark: Yes, actually. When I started looking for content, I found that some of my favorite programs were either not available in WMV format or did not have a RSS feed set up. Every day I contact videocasters asking them for the video support and/or the addition of an RSS feed.

CG News: How has the reception been?

Mark: Actually, quite positive. I think everyone sees the handwriting on the wall when they think about the proliferation of the Xbox 360. Everyone also seems to get the idea that while today you need a Windows XP Media Center PC to pull the link between the Xbox and the PC together tomorrow this functionality will be built into Windows Vista. That is when everyone will realize that Microsoft secretly deployed an active and ready IPTV player. Then the world changes.

CG News: What are the biggest challenges?

Mark: Currently time. I spend as many hours as I can to move the site forward, but it seems like there is never enough time.

CG News: What does the future hold?

Mark: Many things! I have been working with Dorada software on a project that I hope to announce soon. I also have spent time working with the bigger and more popular IPTV programs. I hope to have an announcement related to Revision 3 soon.

CG News: What if people have their own programs they want added to the guide?

Mark: Ah! All a person needs to do is register. The guide is dynamic. You can submit your own guide content! Once submitted we will review it for technical accuracy and post the link.

CG News: Will there be links to files that I can download of commercial nature?

Mark: Well, if you mean illegal content, the answer is no. We’re really interested in content that the copyright holder wants to have us link to.