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Channels - Live TV and DVR?
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➔ Channels - Live TV and DVR website
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Disclaimer: I'm a Channels dev
This isn't Channels, as you can see that the UI is a bit different.
It looks like it's a new version of the open source app Antenna that you can find on GitHub: https://github.com/lucasharding/antenna. Looks cool.
I use YouTubeTV, and have been using it in one form or another since the early days. Currently we use AppleTV boxes throughout the house for each TV.
I mounted an antenna in our attic because, in the early days, YTTV didn’t carry our local NBC station. The attic antenna feeds into an HDHomerun Duo, which takes the over-the-air signal from the antenna and makes it so it can be used by apps such as Channels. The HDHomerun output then connects to a Network Attached Storage box, so that the Channels app can functionally act as a full DVR, allowing me to record, pause and rewind the over-the-air TV broadcasts. It’s a great backup for when a provider gets into a pissing match with an over-the-air network.
I don't know whether a Bash script fits the criteria but my pride and joy is the script I wrote that converts TV recordings from Channels DVR, removes the commercials, converts the files to MP4, relocates the final output to my NAS, and then imports the new files into Sonarr. The script currently leverages,
- Channels DVR
- ffmpeg
- filebot
- handbrake
- mediainfo
- comskip
- comcut/comchap
- Sonarr
and probably one or two more tools that I can't think of at the moment. My original goal was to completely automate the conversion and archival process, but I had to settle for manually running the script because comskip is never 100% accurate and I absolutely loathe commercials. Therefore, I manually verify the comskip data (which is generated by Channels DVR) before I run the script.
While the initial inspiration behind this effort was a desire to obtain show recordings without hammering my ISPs Data cap (F.U. Comcast), it wasn't until the pandemic hit that I actually had the time to figure it all out. It's been an oddly cathartic time investment that has paid dividends in my household.
Channels is probably your best bet for this. It’s a one time purchase unless you opt for the dvr.
I haven’t used it but many people say it’s way better for live tv than Plex’s built in live tv. It can also do dvr as well as commercial indexing.
Have you looked at channels dvr?
i input tv login info for my service and it spits out an M3U i put into emby and boom i now have live cable in any room with the emby app. i dont use plex but there may be a similar way to set it up.
Channels offers a Docker container with DVR, and there are front-ends with a traditional grid-view on Windows, Mac, iOS, android, and the web. The Channels server would stream content from a tuner to a file where it can be watched on any front-end.
For a tuner, I recommend HDHomeRuns. You can place them anywhere you have a network line, which means your server can be in one room while your HDHomeRun and antenna are in another.
The Channels app OP mentioned has a guide built in. No need to subscribe to anything; just buy the app. It allows you to switch between guide data from SiliconDust (which is from FYI) and Gracenote.
Here you go: https://getchannels.com/docs/channels-dvr-server/installation/raspberry-pi/
Channels has created their own bootable DVR that you can use with the Raspberry Pi 4. Basically, this turns your Raspberry Pi 4 into a dedicated Channels DVR server. Just follow the instructions on the web site and you’ll be up and running within an hour (assuming you have the hardware).
The two most popular stand alone solutions for this are an HDHomeRun or Tablo. The most popular and probably most powerful solution is Channels but this requires some sort of moderately competent computer to host the software. Plex a very popular media server that now also has a live TV and DVR feature as well. I would say that Channels is more mature than Plex but they both work fine. (Both Channels and Plex will require an HDHomeRun tuner to feed the antenna signal to the recording server.)
I have never used a Tablo but I can tell you about HDHomeRun and I'm sure they are very similar. You get the current day or two of guide for free. There's an app for every streaming stick, phone, or web browser you might ever have. There is a subscription service that provides a lot more guide information and the ability to record onto a hard drive if you plug one into the USB port on the device. It's not very expensive. I think it was $35 a year last time I looked. HDHomeRun just came out with a ATSC 3.0 quad tuner for sale on Amazon that has the ability to record if you subscribe and put a hard drive on it.
Channels is $8 a month but probably the most mature and robust service for this kind of thing. I don't recall what Plex's live TV service costs but they have sales sometimes like Black Friday where you can get a lifetime subscription for not a lot of money.
Finally to your question about watching live, yes all the solutions I mentioned will show you what is currently airing. Some of the cheaper HDHomeRun boxes will in fact only show you what's on the air. None of the solutions provide DVR with guide for free. There is a subscription of some type for all of them although it's a lot less than one month of cable TV for a whole year of service.
Streaming from home is just that, the Channels app will stream directly from your house. There’s nothing else to it.
Just make sure you have remote streaming set up and working well before you travel. You can test this by using Channels on your phone and using cellular data to connect to your home.
Learn more about setting it up here: https://getchannels.com/docs/articles/how-to/stream-remotely/
Yes. You log in with your Xfinity login. You’ll receive all of the channels they support via TV Everywhere. Those channels you can log in with apps.
Don’t fear wasting any money. It’s free for the first 30 days. That way you can try it and see if it works for your situation. Everyone has different needs and requirements, we understand that.
Your TiVo being lifetime is a sunk cost - see if you can drop in a new hard drive and get things working.
Second choice, pick up an HDHomeRun network TV tuner. That will allow you to try a few different DVR front ends. Coming from TiVo, I'm impressed with Channels DVR. I tried Plex but it was more maintenance than I wanted.
We have two HDHomereun quatro connects and run them through Channels DVR on a Synology DS718+. This setup works great for us. Channels DVR is awesome and the developers are VERY active on their forum. It's $80/yr, but well worth the price when you don't have to deal with the shenanigans of Plex and Emby.
I found that, after the initial setup, I never have to mess with the setup... it just works.
HTH
It isn't all that great right now. It was really slow to load and then navigating the guide is really horrendous.
It definitely needs refinement.
Back to the Channels app for me.
A lot actually!
Full disclosure: I'm a Channels dev
Channels offers a visual way to browse what's currently on TV including a grid guide. It also has a buffer which lets you pause/rewind/fast forward live TV up to 90 minutes. It even provides the option to add on a full DVR service to turn the app into a full DVR system.
You can totally just plug your antenna into the back of your TV and switch inputs to ANT and channel surf like that, which is awesome. But these are the things that Channels offers including not having to input switch your TV. You get your live TV right next to all of your other streaming apps.
Channels isn't right for everyone, but those that have it really love it.
Check out the site to see it in action. https://getchannels.com/androidtv/
You don't need plex to watch live tv, you can get something like this app, and watch tv like using a traditional guide.
You can then use Plex DVR feature to record and transcode so you later don't need to transcode when watching.
I love the channels app for live tv.
You're close enough that you might be able to get away with a standard indoor leaf antenna.
This is the one I'm using out in northwest Madison. I put this in my attic and have it feeding into an HDHomeRun Connect. From there, I can use Channels on my AppleTV to watch it (as well as any mobile devices, laptops, etc).
From where I am I get about 25 channels. All the majors (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS) plus a bunch of subchannel ones (PBS Kids, PBS Create, PBS World, ion TV, MeTV, etc) and some low-power religious stations that we never watch.
The best app for hdhomerun tv viewing and DVR is Channels... https://getchannels.com/dvr/features/
Check out their forums because I think they were working on a Roku app but their IOS apps are top notch. A little pricier but way better than plex and similar to tablo but with more flexibility.
Instead of fiddling with HDMI switches and always changing inputs, why don't you just get an HDHomeRun Connect Quatro (which just came out this week)? It has 4 OTA tuners, and simply transmits the raw untouched OTA signals over your network.
If you have Apple TVs, get the Channels app for them. For iOS, Android, Android TV, Windows, Mac, Linux, HDHomeRun has official apps for them as well. That way, you could watch TV on any device in your house including TVs, computers, smartphones, and tablets. You would also only need a single remote for all TV/streaming.
Do your TVs not have built-in tuners?
Channels will do exactly that. https://getchannels.com/dvr/
I have ota, cable login, pluto, mlb.tv, my own customs channels from my library and more in one grid guide.
There are add ons for mlb, pluto. Store, plex, etc in the community forums that all integrate into one guide.
The bad news for you, they don’t support Roku because the cpu sucks.
On Later helps you find things to record by browsing upcoming shows, movies, and sports with a simple interface.
On Later is a new section that presents upcoming items that may be of interest to you. Browse new shows that are premiering. Browse shows and movies by genres. Browse sports by sport league. On Later attempts to dig deep into your guide to help you find things to record.
I am having pretty good success with The Spectrum Choice 15 package. The streaming interface is horrible. I solved this by removing the cloud DVR from my subscription and am using Channels. https://getchannels.com/
My recording are on my Windows 10 pc and streaming on an Apple 4k box. Their video interface is great. FF, rewind, and pause on streaming shows. It has a "skip commercial" function which works fairly well. It also has a picture in picture so you can still watch while checking the guide and other apps.
I would not be using the Spectrum service without Channels. ($8 month)
With a service like Channels DVR, not only can you watch both East and West streams but you can also record them! As long as your TV provider participates in TV Everywhere. DirecTV Stream does.
More flexible viewing options with apps, streaming devices, etc and seems to have a decent guide system.
Too bad the HD Homerun Prime 6 tuner version got cancelled.... it would have made a Channels setup a perfect Roamio Pro replacement.
Does that make this the official forum? This sub is not listed on the Channels website https://getchannels.com/support/ so I thought it was just something they created on the side.
I find https://community.getchannels.com/ to be way more active and that's why I said you're more likely to get an official response there.
I use an antenna and had to get it up on the roof + a bunch more feet to get around the interference of neighbors/trees (live halfway up the hill) and get all channels at the same time. After struggling forever below the roofline, this really fixed everything and I get plenty of RI + MA + NH + CT channels... with two exceptions.
​
- WSBE (PBS-Providence 36.1, 36.2) is now on low VHF Physical Channel 2. Most Antennas on the market now cannot receive anything below 6.
- WGBH (PBS-Boston 2.1, 24.1, 44.1) is the same thing at VHF 5. The good news is that the SD sub-channels are on UHF 32, so it is no problem getting all of those!
​
If you want to receive these channels on antenna, you'll need to make sure the one you buy specifically can get Low VHF. The channels are also available on the web, otherwise. I use Channels DVR and one of the things you can do is combine OTA with internet m3u stations (think Pluto or Stirr). You can fairly easily set up the same for these streaming PBS stations. I won't recommend Channels for the feint of heart; it is not an intuitive setup and takes mid-level tech knowledge. Once you have it up, though, it is seamless!
​
The other thing I'll recommend is if you haven't got an antenna setup yet, DISH actually installs OTA antennas. I think it is about $260 now and you have to call them, but you get the antenna, booster/splitter, installation, connection to existing COAX or new COAX entrance, and quality check before they go. It is well worth the price to get all of that and it is what I did. The antenna they use is so-so and lacks the low VHF (they aren't super knowledgeable about this when you talk to them), but like I said I have workarounds for all of that, so up to you. I have heard others hand the installers better antennas than the one they give you, but can't vouch for that.
I use a computer, the same one that hosts some other items on my internal network. I have it store all the recording on an older Synology though. If I was building a machine just to host this I would look at a Synology 2 or 4 drive system with an Intel processor as that is what is required by the TV Everywhere as noted at https://getchannels.com/docs/getting-started/quick-start-guide/what-is-tv-everywhere/
You might want to look into Channels DVR that can record legally the live streams from the TV networks using your Philo TV credentials. The recordings are saved on your own server and are yours to keep forever.
One great feature that it has is an advanced pass that enables you to automatically record shows that match whatever criteria you define. Even if the shows are not in the guide for the next 2 weeks, they will be picked up whenever they show up later. It is very powerful to select very specific shows. Examples of advanced passes: new Christmas movies, 80's movies, shows with a specific person as a guest. The possibilities are endless. I love it.
There are two big things blocking this capability: 1) Apple only exposes GPU acceleration for video through the system’s CoreMedia and CoreVideo APIs 2) Docker on Mac runs in a lightweight Linux VM on the hyperkit hypervisor, and hyperkit doesn’t yet support passthrough of GPUs of any kind
Because Apple has officially announced that they’re moving away from Intel CPUs I wouldn’t expect Channels to ever support hardware video encoding on Mac.
Edit: I was only looking at the docker version, it appears the native macOS app supports hardware acceleration when not running as a system service: https://getchannels.com/dvr-server/#macos
If you just want live tv using the Apple TV I really suggest using the Channels app. It is expensive but if you do the Plus thing you can try it out for 30 days for free. It is slick.
Does your TV’s support something like the Channels app( https://getchannels.com)or Plex? Because if they can I’d think something like a Hdhomerun quatro which has 4 tuners would work.
You’ll just need a computer as your storage or a network attached storage drive.
Hey everyone! We just wanted to let you know that we've pushed out new apps for Channels that are free when you're a Channels DVR subscriber. We know it was hard to try out Channels DVR when you had to pay for the app first, so hopefully this makes it easier to check it out.
The new free apps are called Channels DVR. You can learn more about it at the posted link and more about Channels DVR here - https://getchannels.com/dvr
Thanks!
I like using it to display my shared Photo Streams. Also I got rid of my set top boxes from Verizon FIOS and use the Channels app in conjunction with my HDHomerun. My unRAID server acts as the DVR part for the Channels app. I save about $40 a month not paying for DVR boxes and service from Verizon and as a bonus it makes it easy to stream TV to my iPhone and iPad as well. I also use my Apple TV as my Plex client.
Yes, it has Apple TV integration.
Check out https://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/. HDHomeRun is a networked TV tuner. There are several different models. Some have two tuners (Duo) and some have four tuners (Quatro). One model (Prime) is meant to be used with a cable card. All take the live TV signal and send it over your home network to a device (mobile, set top box, or smart TV). It would allow you to watch live TV on your Apple TV through a number of apps that support it. SiliconDust has an app. There's another called Channels, which was a bit expense the last time I checked. Plex also will work with an HDHomeRun but you've got to pay for Plex Premium. Check with u/rholbert. He/She is using one and may elaborate further.
I opted for the AirTV, because it integrates local channels (OTA) with streaming channels (OTT), which are traditional cable channels like HGTV, in the Sling TV app guide (at least on devices other than Apple TV). This makes it more like a cable box, where the locals and cable channels are all together. Sling TV doesn't offer locals yet, at least no many. Other streaming services (DirecTV Now, YouTube TV, PS Vue) may offer locals depending on the market.
There are other options. Philo TV offers 40 cable channels for $16/mo, but no locals. You'll need to have your own antenna for those.
Yes you can hook up a "smart device" to any TV to watch stuff on.
I recommend checking these two links for supported devices you can use. I personally use an AppleTV 4 (non-4K) and the Channels App because it's just like having a cable guide.
HDHR Website & Channels — Live TV
HDHR has their own app but it sucks compared to Channels which IMO is the best Live TV watching app you can get short of a physical cable box from your service provider.
One thing I will say is you can only watch "Encrypted" channels through HDHR's app or Windows Media Center.
Channels relies on a TV tuner. No matter what, you need a way for it to get your TV. It uses the HDHomeRun type of tuner that will stream your TV over the network.
There's a CableCard model of the HDHomeRun (HDHomeRun Prime) that will let you use cable. It even has 3 tuners. This is what I personally do. You can purchase this tuner, then rent a cable card from your cable company for around $5 a month, and watch 3 different things on your network at the same time.
This means you just pay for the HDHomeRun (you can get them on Amazon or at Best Buy), then buy the Channels app once for $25, then rent the CableCard for $5 a month, and you'll have TV on every TV in your house with an ongoing rate of just $5 per month (for equipment costs).
A lot of our customers go this route. Most of the cost in cable plans is equipment rentals. Get rid of those, and your monthly payment is pretty cheap. It's a great setup.
How To - https://getchannels.com/howto
HDHomeRun Prime - https://www.silicondust.com/product/hdhomerun-prime/
I hope this helps!
I believe there is a fee for the Tablo DVR service (monthly, yearly, or lifetime). I also verified that the Channels DVR app will run on many NAS drives, so no need for a PC. The link for Channels is below if you havent found the site already.
I use a HDHR with AppleTV and the Channels app. Works just as good as cable. The app costs $25 because of the codec it uses I think but woks perfect. Has a grid guide also which I like. https://getchannels.com
I'd add CBC News to the list. The app selection is slowly getting better in Canada. Still abysmal compared to the US though.
If you want to bring your OTA TV stations onto your AppleTV and iOS devices get an HDHomeRun and the Channels App (https://getchannels.com). Kind of frivolous but it truly is nice to bring all of your content into the same app.
Third-party apps are the biggest feature you're getting when upgrading to the 4th gen Apple TV. If you're a cord-cutter or thinking about ditching cable, third-party apps make the Apple TV a much more viable device to replace cable subscriptions. Here's a few to check out:
- Channels - Best app for playing OTA/Antenna content on your Apple TV. It requires an HDHomerun device on your network to convert the OTA signal to mpeg2 stream.
- Sling - A (cheaper) replacement for basic-cable packages. Offers live TV viewing for various cable channels (ESPN, AMC, etc). Also includes on-demand viewing, but it's rather limited. The $20/mo packages are a pretty good value.
- Per-network apps (CBS/ABC/NBC/Fox/etc) are good but generally require that you have an existing cable package / pay some monthly subscription to use them. If you have a cable subscription these will become easier to use once Apple releases their upcoming single sign on feature.
Hi guys,
We got a fix out that day. You can read more info here:
https://getchannels.com/2022/01/13/shield-server-resolution/
Feel free to report any issues on the running topic on our Community here:
https://community.getchannels.com/t/dvr-server-not-working-after-shield-9-0-0-update/30680
There is an Android TV app one time purchase to watch HD homerun content only
https://getchannels.com/for-hdhomerun/
or a subscription based DVR that does so much more. The DVR runs on my plex server and clients are included in the subscription price. Apps for Apple and Android. I'm not affiliated with Channels but the wife likes it, so there's that.
Good to see Plex doing this and I assume Plex will be doing the indexing but this has been a thing in channels dvr for a while and it works great. Plex really should just buy channels dvr. Lol. They have alot of work done that Plex plans on doing.
https://getchannels.com/docs/channels-dvr-server/how-to/stream-links/
Pretty much, yes. Don't get confused by Kodi having an HDHomeRun addon. That's not really a PVR backend. It's more like if you use something like the Channels app on a Fire TV, which just gives you live TV and not really any sort of DVRing, scheduled recordings, etc. If live TV is enough, then I'd probably just go with Channels and not Kodi's HDHR addon (caveat: I haven't used Kodi's HDHR addon).
> basically this is a PVR for my parents, since they want to keep cable (It's cheaper for them to keep cable than cutting the cord due to a pile of discounts they've accrued over the years)
Are they capable of using the different apps like Youtube TV, Hulu, etc? If so, you might want to reevaluate whether or not it's cheaper to stay. For example, my last TV-bundled package with Comcast was technically only supposed to be something like $165/mo for triple play. But it really ended up costing around $195-200/mo once all of the fees, taxes, and other charges that go along with TV (and in my case, phone). It was seriously another $30-40 in fees (e911 fee, franchise fee, sports fee, various local and regional tv taxes, etc). Dropping down to only internet + YoutubeTV was going to be something like $100 for internet + $65 for YTTV so it looked the same price, but it didn't have any of those bullshit fees and taxes so it was still $30-40 cheaper.
In the end I actually didn't even do that. $125 internet ($100 gigabit + $25 for unlimited data) + $14 Hulu (and the Netflix/Disney/HBO I was already paying for) was sufficient for my purposes.
Like someone mentioned below, check out Channels DVR. It uses your youtubeTV, cable provider or other live tv streaming service) login to capture TVE streams and records the programs to a computer or NAS. I have physical copies of all the shows I want, so I'm not beholden to any one company.
It also has WAY more features like automatic commercial skip. I only use youtubeTVs interface for a few things like my AMC+ subscription. I do most of my watching in Channels and Plex.
I added my mom's cable login as a source (you can have multiple sources) so channels will pick up disney channels through verizon and record in the same way. I won't notice any difference in the way I watch television.
Use Channels DVR and link in YouTube TV through their TV Everywhere service. Then use an HDHomeRun and an antenna to pull in local channels. Everything will then show up in one guide. If you want a DVR, it's $8/month or $80/year.
I'm running Plex now, but I have so many problems with it, I'm thinking of switching to Channels DVR.
Well, the update is pretty simple as it turns out - Plex needs to add support for the Dolby AC-3 audio codec and for whatever reason, hasn't yet. I believe the reason is Plex (linux based) is dependent on FFMPEG, which is where the codec support is lacking. I was able to get video playing (not stable), but no audio support yet. I hadn't yet run across info about ETA, etc. Sounds like either Plex needs to pony up and offer the development support "upstream" to FFMPEG or otherwise we'll be dependent on when the open source folks behind FFMPEG can manage it (and I have no idea if there's licensing restrictions, etc? with the Dolby AC-3 codec) -- very likely yes - if so, then there's our impasse.
For now, strongly recommend using Channels App https://getchannels.com/ as they are supporting it (and it's a very slick app, actually), so I'm using that with HD-Homerun 4K. The Live TV version is free to use, or the Channels DVR if you want to use it (also great) is a paid app. Just set up the 100 level channels from what's found on the HD Homerun channel scan (that's the 4K ATSC 3.0 ones) instead of the lower numbered versions for the major networks. Interestingly, I notice that the signal quality / capture is better and more consistent on these (the PBS channel in particular has always been a little spotty for me on the HD broadcast), so apparently the new technology does have an advantage there.
Actually Channels records regular HD stations in uncompressed form (MPEG-2) and so it's relatively easy to either point plex to the shared folder if you use NAS or networked folder, or even set up a conversion script to transcode them to H.264 or H.265 storage format and then you can use the plex player to view them if you prefer. I haven't had time yet to see if the audio format Channels is storing the AC3 broadcast in is still proprietary or if they're converting it back to AAC etc.
No, because those videos have DRM attached to them. They won’t play.
You can add them to your library with Stream Links though.
https://getchannels.com/docs/channels-dvr-server/how-to/stream-links/
You should look into Channels DVR and HDHomerun. https://getchannels.com/dvr-server/ I have hosted on a Raspberry Pi and 4TB hard drive. All your OTA, Sling (or whatever service) all in one guide. you can even add Pluto. Record everything onto your local hard drive and not the cloud so you can keep your recorded content as much as you have the hard drive space for it. get a lot features and updates. It’s $8 per month.
> Are you able to stream your own content? Or only what you get through iTunes/AppleTV's services?
Not only can I stream my own content from my own local storage using "Home Sharing" (a built in feature if tvOS,) I can also use any number of third party apps to play my own content too. Plex, Infuse, VLC, MrMC (a Kodi variant) all work great and there's so much more. Most of my video purchases over the years have been through VUDU. I also use Amazon Prime, and Netflix, and Hulu.
I also use Channels DVR, which also rocks hard on AppleTV, but that's probably better discussed elsewhere. https://getchannels.com
Anyway - hope this helps - enjoy.
If you need a NAS, I recommend Synology (which I've been using for years).
If it's just for Channels DVR, then a Raspberry Pi would be my first suggestion as it's a heck of a lot cheaper.
Open a section, watch a channel, open and shuffle a collection, open a show and watch the next unwatched recording, and more. You can build great automations using Channel’s actions.
You can even build these actions to open things on Channels running on your TV’s streaming client. These new actions provide building blocks for amazing automations.
Build a collection for your Marvel or Star Wars movies. Create a collection for Mom’s shows. The possibilities are endless. You can add your own art and title to personalize them just for you.
Library Collections can be created by simply adding them to the collection, but you can also use Smart Rules to build them dynamically. Our new Smart Rule system lets you build queries to have movies or shows automatically added.
Virtual Channels let you turn content from your own library into your own personal live TV channels.
Virtual Channels appear in your Guide and act like your other live TV channels, but they’re powered by the content in your own Channels library. Add movies or TV shows to your Virtual Channel to give it content. They can even use Smart Rules to make them dynamic.
Build a Law & Order channel that never stops its marathon. Build a sitcom channel with all of your favorites. Build a Pixar channel that always has a good movie on. You’ll always have something to watch with Virtual Channels.
get a used HDHR and slap Channels DVR on the server. I really like it and they do have an android TV app. $8/month for the software though I think it's worth it. https://getchannels.com/apps/
I know you didn't want an extra box but i'm not sure that USB tuners are really a thing anymore outside of the hauppauge ones.
If you want to keep your TiVo AND record those 35 channels, there is no workaround. Comcast is delivering those channels over a medium that is currently incompatible with your TiVo. Yes, TiVo could work out an agreement with Comcast and integrate an IP recording capability, but that will never happen. Comcast has its own DVR and the TiVo user base is so small that there's no financial incentive or consumer push to do so.
Many TiVo users have moved on or are planning to move on to different services or solutions. I recommend figuring out exactly which channels you want to watch and checking out suppose.tv to see if a streaming service would work for you instead of Comcast's TV offering.
Another option is Channels DVR (getchannels.com) that can record TVE (TV Everywhere) streams that Comcast may already provide to you. This is not 100% user-friendly and may not provide the same experience as your TiVo, but if you have a computer, a streaming stick, and some time, you can try it out and see if it works for you.
I've been a TiVo user for almost as long (2001) and I figured it was only a matter of time for TiVo to go under but I hadn't found anything better. A few weeks ago my Roamio died (motherboard) and I realized didn't want to invest in any new TiVo hardware.
I had ditched most of my cable years ago and was only getting local channels over cable (don't get very good antenna reception for OTA) so I could still use my cable based Roamio.
I setup a Locast account and a Channels DVR as a Docker on my Unraid server. They work really great together.
For the front-end I got a new Apple TV and the Channels app works great on there. The interface is pretty close (maybe even better) than the TiVo's and I love having as much storage as I want since it uses my NAS.
I wanted to be able to get Olympic coverage so I signed Up for Hulu w/ Live TV (already had Hulu) and that also works with the Chanels DVR which is great so I don't have to mess with/pay extra for any cloud DVR. So far the setup has been working really well.
Since I'll be able to cancel the local channels on my cable, even after paying monthly for Locast and Channels DVR I'll be coming out ahead.
PlayOn Cloud works great though, even now offers 1080p recordings, and they integrate automatically with Channels DVR. Great for folks who don't run Windows anyway.
https://getchannels.com/docs/channels-dvr-server/how-to/playon-cloud/
And if you missed this, the Raspberry Pi 4 is fast enough to run Channels DVR. They have a distribution especially for it. https://getchannels.com/raspberry-pi/
So Pi 4 + USB 3 HDD = super cheap DVR server.
That’s a thought. I just personally think that they Plex DVR service isn’t Plex’s top priority. Here are the sources you can bring into Channels DVR https://getchannels.com/how/ . Also here are the DVR server applications for the different OS’s. https://getchannels.com/dvr-server/ Not trying to shove this down you. But super impressed with Channels DVR. But hey you can try them both and see what you think. Reply back with results.
If you want to stay on Xfinity and have a DVR with all Xfinity channels, you'll have to use the X1 DVR (and pay their monthly fee).
Channels DVR could work on Xfinity by recording TV Everywhere (TVE) streams. But not all channels are available on TVE and it might not be reliable.
Not sure if this applies but I have Comcast/xfinity and I use cable cards to wirelessly stream tv to Apple TV’s in the house. I use the app channels for my live tv and they have a wonderful dvr option as well.
I believe you could use the same setup for Plex as well. Cable cards + hdhomerun primes
https://getchannels.com/dvr-server/
Basics of it are.
Install channels dvr software to your pc Get sub to locast $5 Sub I channels $8
Follow online guide.
Or
Get an ota antenna and use tablo or Plex which over the long run is cheaper.
I didn't like locast their feed was 30fps which sucked for sports.
I use Channels DVR with this Pluto docker. Lets me search any Pluto content as well as record it for timeshifting and off-line access too. It's a great system.
Browse to https://getchannels.com/ they have a 30 day free trial. I installed their app on my Qnap NAS and set up the logins to Locast and Dish in the settings section via regular web browser. The Channels app will do the recordings that I scheduled and drop them in a folder that I specified on the Qnap. I can then watch those shows via Plex by adding that folder in my Plex TV Shows section. So far the Channels app has been quite impressive as far as performance and functions.
I tried the Cloud DVR, I didn't like it. It was hard to FF and you only get 50 recordings. So one episode equals one recording. With Channels you can skip commercials which is the big one for me. Here is there website
So how do you do that? I was looking at this a bit last night and the minimum requirement for Channels DVR server lists HD Homerun https://getchannels.com/dvr-server/. I was trying to run the docker image on a rpi3 I have (running a few other docker images).
I’m using Channels (https://getchannels.com). They are awesome. Great, stable product, active development, responsive support and reasonably priced. Mine is running on a dedicated Intel NUC Celeron that cost me about $250 to build.
I have a HDhomerun Prime and I'm using ChannelsDVR running on my NAS for EPG and network DVR. It's actually an incredible app. I've tried every option to make HDhomerun work well, Plex, live channels, KODI, various IPTV apps everything sucked imo. Channels nailed it. Can't praise these guys enough....
I use Kodi to view live tv from my hdhomerun prime and getchannels.com server that I run.
This is cool if you are into the comic type stuff: https://kodi.wiki/view/HOW-TO:Movie_universe
what kind of stuff are you looking to use exactly? Pseudotv live is great.
Channels They have a lot features if you like to tinker, like setting using a number pad, adding Pluto commercial Skip . The only issue is you need a Network tuner( Hdhomerun)for all locals. Depending on your area you will get some.
Use the Channels DVR Pi image (from https://getchannels.com/raspberry-pi), then once it boots click Add Source > Locast and set it up with your Locast subscription account.
On the Fire Cube go to the Amazon store and download Channels: Whole Home DVR app for free and it should connect to the Pi and show all your Locast channels and let you record them.
Here you go: https://getchannels.com
Download their app and away you go, no server needed.
Apple TV App Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/channels-live-tv/id1055205969?mt=8&at=1010lpbR&ct=getchannels.com
I found links in your comment that were not hyperlinked:
I did the honors for you.
^delete ^| ^information ^| ^<3
Plex might work for you with plexpass. You might also consider Channels as well. https://getchannels.com/ Channels gives you a 30 day trial so you can test it out totally free for a month.
Channels DVR will integrate OTA content from HDHomeRun and streaming content supported by TV Everywhere.
I'd look into getchannels.com DVR. Add/view channels without a tuner using watchTVeverywhere wtve.net Does requires ChannelsDVR $80/yr for EPG. I use Plex for playback and comskip of recorded TV.
Channels dev here.
Go ahead and buy the app and try it. If you don’t like it, you can get a refund from the Play store right away.
If not, contact us and we’ll make sure you get a refund.
Additionally, our Channels Plus service comes with access to all the apps for free. The first 30 days are free and you can cancel at at any time.
You can utilize this as a trial. You can learn more about it here: https://getchannels.com/plus/
No, it's not, because pausing doesn't merely mute the audio, it also pauses the video, the video that I explicitly want to keep playing.
It's the smugness you entered into this discussion with, that I had a problem with. Especially because you're just... wrong.
I'm not going to do more homework for you, but Channels DVR is better than TiVo in every conceivable way. Especially on an AppleTV.
I found links in your comment that were not hyperlinked:
I did the honors for you.
^delete ^| ^information ^| ^<3
Take a look at Channels DVR. It should solve most of your problems, and sounds like you are tech savy enough to set it up... although it is quite simple. The Channels developers have added a lot of remote capabilities to enable things like channel up/down, addressing channels with number keys, CC on/off, etc. It will auto configure the HD Homerun for you. I can also integrate into the same Guide/DVR with other Live TV services if you use them. We supplement the antenna with Philo. The only thing I'm not sure of is if they have enabled all the remote key functions for FireTV. They have for Apple TV and Android TV, so it should work... but you may want to explore their forum with any questions. GetChannels.com
An antenna and a hdhonerun for locals if you can get them or locast for $5 a month
A tve provider like a cable/sat sub, sling, YouTube, Hulu, etc.
A channels plus sub: https://getchannels.com/plus/
Computer or mas to install channels with as much hard drive space as you want for recordings.
Add the hdhomerun/locast and the tve service channels
Apple TV’s, fire TVs, shields or TiVo streams on each tv and install the channels app on each for each tv. Not roku since it’s not supported.
Enjoy
I have 7 TVs with 7 Apple TV’s and it works perfectly. It will only count as one stream per channel since it comes from the channels server and it distributes the channels to multiple clients.
Between those two I think Plex provides a better experience but I found their Live TV and DVR functionality to be a bit buggy. I paid for a Plex Pass so I can use the DVR but ended up giving up on it after a few months. However, it may be better now than when I last tried it.
I ended up with Channels DVR and I have absolutely no complaints. It is $8/mo (or $80/yr) so it won’t meet your one time fee requirement, but it is probably the best in class for HDHomerun compatible DVRs.
return their cable box and just use TVE with the optimum login. get Channels DVR for $8 a month or $80 a year and use their TVE feature to watch and record cable. i use it with my optimum account and it hasnt failed me in a year since it came out. add an antenna and a HDHomerun to it and you can possibly get everything. just dont use a roku, roku blows and they dont support it because it blows.
I think Channels does this, considering trying this with a slimmer streaming package and OTA for locals (I have an HDHomeRun already): https://getchannels.com/tv-everywhere/
https://getchannels.com/dvr-server/
You can use Channels with an HDHomeRun and a TV Everywhere subscription to have a local DVR that allows you to skip commercials, bypass annoying app interfaces, etc. It's great and well worth the $8/mo subscription cost.
Yes! Kinda. My experience is with the Channels App. You install their server on a PC (Linux, Windows, or Mac) and tell it your provider credentials, install the app on your Apple TV, and boom... it shows you a guide of any of the channels that Spectrum gives you "TV Everywhere" access to (if you can log in to the network's app on the Apple TV, it'll show up in Channels). It does cost 8 bucks a month, but it works great.
Cool, to be clear though I'm thinking of this app in particular not the HDhomerun own app, but rather Channels by Fancy Bits. It's a paid app+DVR combo. I understand it is possible to set it's DVR storage within your Plex folder to have recordings be indexed and available. edit: a word
Do you have friends or family that will share their cable login with you? Buy an Nvidia shield and run https://getchannels.com/plus/ on it and login with their creds. 30 day trial or $8/month or $80/yr. I pay for FiOS but this type of thing is my hobby. I have an hdhomerun prime instead of cable boxes since 2012. The best part is that there are no commercials during the broadcast
Never heard of this. Thank you.
- Link to a review.
- Self hosted
- Works with HDHomeRun
- TVEverywhere
- Commercial skipping
- Records in H.264, no DRM
- Link to Channels.
It would be nice to have an API so we could remotely control TiviMate and also opens up other possibilities such as skills for Alexa, Google Home integration, etc.
My idea is an API such as this one from Channels App - https://getchannels.com/api/
Try the Channels iOS app as this was made free a while back. I balked initially when I first saw the price for it and the pricier tvOS app. However, I’ve since only ever watched tv at home using the app & they’ve never charged for any updates since using it.
I use Plex for remote streaming however as didn’t want to pay for the Channels DVR subscription. Enough money spent as it is!
The app is what HDHomeRun really should have released as sadly their own app is bit of a shambles. Doubt they’ll ever release a decent update.
For anyone interested:
Honestly, your best bet is to get an HDHomeRun Connect Quatro or Duo tuner. The Quatro has 4 tuners, and the Duo has 2. You can get them as DVR options too. The tuner you need really depends on how many people/TVs are gonna be going at once.
Here's a link to the Duo tuner at Best Buy. As far as I can tell, they don't have th Quatro tuner anymore, but they did.
Here's a link to the Quatro directly on SiliconDust's website.
So you'd connect your 4Max to the HDHomeRun, then wire that to your network via router or network switch, and then you should be able to get the Channels app (iOS, tvOS, Fire TV, and Android are supported). Otherwise there may be HDHomeRun apps too.
If you already have a server, the HDHomeRun CONNECT Quatro might be a better way to go. If you can avoid going duo, I'd definitely recommend it. It's very easy to run out of two tuners.
Normally I'm all about suggesting HDHomeRun DVR software, because it's the lowest price of all of them, but based on your setup, I'm wondering if get Channels might not be a better idea. https://getchannels.com/
Don’t know about GSE but with Plex and xTeVe or Telly you can record IPTV on an Apple TV with EPG and scheduling etc. Another setup is xTeVe and Channels DVR to allow recording IPTV, also with EPG and scheduling etc.
The previous Plex EPG on Apple TV was abysmal but with the latest version available on Plex beta, it’s a pretty good experience for watching and recording IPTV with an EPG. It’s what I’m currently using.
Oh, I should have been more clear. I'm using Channels Plus https://getchannels.com/plus/ which gets TV Everywhere via my family's Dish subscription. There are other TVE apps but Channels DVR & Channels Plus give me 154 channels, not counting locals, and a great working DVR app. Note: you need your own server/computer to host the DVR app. My wife's iMac is on all of the time and mostly idle so am using that. Fortunately, it has lots of HD space.
Channels DVR + a home NAS + a network Tuner
Channels has a TiVo - like guide / UI
Is an app that can be used on multiple platforms
Has commercial skip
Can record Streaming Cable Networks
CAN RECORD STREAMING CHANNELS.
This gives you almost infinite tuners. Here is a video on it.
All three would cost about the same as a TiVo unit. Just takes extra time to setup. (maybe 2hrs)
If you want a comparable service to Fitzy, you could do Channels Plus -- but you'd need a local DVR, like a NAS or always-on PC, rather than the cloud. (Although that might improve reliability as well.)
It was originally built for OTA but has recently added support for TV Everywhere channels too.
Someone has to make a Logitech Harmony style universal remote with only a handful of buttons.
The old Apple Remotes were perfect. The new Apple Remotes with a Touch Screen are horrendous!
What I did for my parents was a HD HomeRun and a copy of Channels. https://getchannels.com/
Unfortunately, I had to rewire their home network because a sparky had cut some of their Ethernet cables and the old 802.11n Airport Extremes weren’t fast enough.
Try Channels Plus. It started out as an over-the-air app/DVR but they've added "TV Everywhere" channel support now too. The DVR storage is local, though, not cloud -- but that might be more reliable?