ADBTuner: A "channel tuning" application for networked Google TV / Android TV devices

[JefferMC]

FWIW, I just installed this myself. After kind of lurking on this thread for several months, what it does and how it works finally clicked and I ordered an encoder and unboxed a gift Chromecast I had lying around. Two things have tripped me up so far:

1. I tried to create a mapped volume, but didn't know how to get the stuff to put it in, and the container startup failed with a bunch of errors. So, I dropped that container and reverted to the command line as written in the instructions and the container started and the UI came up on the port.

2. I didn't see that I needed to enable USB debugging in the documentation, just developer mode. I found a post in this thread from someone who had run into that problem and thankfully posted that solution. Once I did that, I got a tuner up. Perhaps a more prominent mention in the docs is in order?

Now I just need to add channels, and I'm trying to find a list so I don't have to put them all together manually and hand type them in. I think I've seen such, I just have to dig through this thread until I find it again.

[bnhf]

@JefferMC

Now I just need to add channels, and I'm trying to find a list so I don't have to put them all together manually and hand type them in.

What apps do you think you'll be using on your encoder-connected streaming stick(s)?

[JefferMC]

My main use for this (so far) will be the ESPN channel complex, so I'm thinking either the ESPN app, Disney+ app, or Hulu App or app will work. I saw a post (ADBTuner: A "channel tuning" application for networked Google TV / Android TV devices - #3203 by Brando85) that has the deeplink URLs for Hulu so I was leaning that direction, but not sure if that's the right way to go.

[bnhf]

@JefferMC

My main use for this (so far) will be the ESPN channel complex, so I'm thinking either the ESPN app, Disney+ app, or Hulu App or app will work.

Just the ESPN linear channels, or are you after ESPN+ events as well? I promise I'm going somewhere with this.

[JefferMC]

I would dearly love to get the ESPN+ events too. I was tres disapointed when Disney shut off the TVE feeds a mere handful of weeks after I got EPLUSTV setup and working. I eventually dropped that container with great sadness.

UPDATE: I see the thread "ESPN+ with Custom Channels via ADBTuner" and I seem to have overlooked this option earlier. Hm... Wondering if I should start smaller, though.

[bnhf]

@JefferMC

I would dearly love to get the ESPN+ events too.

OK, so a couple of choices. You can use the ESPN4cc4c project by @KineticMan, and some Project One-Click Actions I created, to give you a very complete ESPN and ESPN+ solution (including talk shows):

ESPN+ with Custom Channels via ADBTuner

EDIT 2025.11.11: I've modified the importable ADBTuner JSON channel list to include both the FireStick and Google Android package names, so this will work on both platforms without modification. EDIT2 2025.11.11: The change needed in your ADBTuner stack to add an extra_hosts value, has been updated to work more cross-platform (especially on a Mac). EDIT 2025.11.12: @KineticMan now has a pre-built image on GitHub, so the Docker Compose has been updated to use that. In addition, there's a sample…

Although, the above project isn't that old, most of us have moved on to his newer project called FruitDeepLinks. This one has ESPN, ESPN+ and loads of other sports events across half-a-dozen apps with live sports. I'd suggest you go with this one, as it's more active than ESPN4cc4c.

Again, Project One-Click is your friend here, as it creates all of the ADBTuner channels you'll need, for whatever apps you choose to use, and will create the CDVR Custom Sources as well. It'll install FruitDeepLinks for you as well.

FruitDeepLinks — Universal Sports Aggregator for Channels DVR

TL;DR: Scrapes Apple TV’s Sports tab and builds a single sports EPG for Channels DVR, with deeplinks to 18+ streaming services. One guide to rule them all. What It Is FruitDeepLinks turns Apple TV’s Sports tab into a unified sports guide that lives inside Channels DVR. Instead of checking 5+ apps/endless containers (partly my fault!) (ESPN, Prime Video, Peacock, Apple TV, Paramount+, etc.) to see who’s playing where, you get: One EPG One set of virtual channels Click → jump straight into t…

[JefferMC]

I've seen the mention of Project One-Click, and while it seems convenient, my inclination for avoiding it so far is that it that there's a lot going on under the covers and I think I'd like to understand how the sausage is made. Believe it or not, I'm reasonably technical (though perhaps not as quick as I once was).

I did see ESPN4cc4C, but don't have the hardware to employ CC effectively at the moment, so I thought I'd try the ADBtuner tack instead. FruitDeepLinks does seem the right direction. I'll chase down that rabbit hole for a bit.

[Brando85]

@JefferMC @bnhf When the ESPN TVE channels went away with DRM last month, I went back to AH4C then landed with the ADB tuner to get the same experience using SlingTV, then switched to Hulu ESPN Bundle using Hulu Deep Links since ESPN is all I really need, plus the OTA networks with my HD Homerun.

I have (3) HDMI Encoders and (3) FireTv sticks and the multiview with channels works great!

The new feature that lets us keep the app active in the foreground is really great too!

When I tested FruitDeepLinks a few weeks ago I wasn’t able to pull in SportsCenter or PTI, if that’s changed I’ll do some more testing.

[bnhf]

@JefferMC

FruitDeepLinks does seem the right direction. I'll chase down that rabbit hole for a bit.

What Project One-Click does for you in this situation is handle the drudgery of creating many, many channels in a reliable fashion -- eliminating the inevitable human error.

It'll add channels for app X, delete channels for app Y, update the custom config you're using for 50 or 100 channels -- all without having to slog through it line-by-line. You'll be doing this a fair amount as you dial-in your setup.

Yes you can build a house with a hammer and nails, but a compressor and a selection of air nailers will give you a better, faster, more consistent result. And yes, OliveTin and Project One-Click represent the latter approach. Using the best tool for the job from the start is all I'm trying to point you towards.

[jagrim]

I would definitely use Project One-Click. I just spun up Fruit Deep Links & ADBTuner the other night using One-Click.

But you’re gonna need Portainer & Olive Tin installed first. There's plenty of community support to get you up and running.

What system are you putting your container;, I.e., win, Mac, etc."?

[Brando85]

@bnhf

Project One-Click

@bnhf Project One-Click is amazing! So much great work on that app! I use that now for a lot of testing.

[bnhf]

@Brando85

since ESPN is all I really need

Absolutely, for anyone wanting just the ESPN linear channels, any of streaming services with ADBTuner will work. YouTubeTV, DirecTV, Hulu, Sling, etc... ESPN+ and other event-based sports events are a different matter.

[JefferMC]

I'm running Docker on Debian Linux. I have Docker running, and Portainer is one of the containers running on it, as is Channels, CC4C (not that it can do much on this current hardware) and (as of an hour or so ago) ADBTuner (plus some other stuff, including Stream Link Manager which I have struggled with making useful).

I glanced at the Olive Tin overview, but haven't gone any further than that.

Does Project One Click have readily available "undo buttons"?

[TJN]

@JefferMC

I did see ESPN4cc4C, but don't have the hardware to employ CC effectively at the moment,

Despite the project name CC is not required to use ESPN4cc4c. You can set up the container without CC, export to ADBT and use with your streaming device. I have 120 possible lanes/channels set up (lots of ESPN+ events this time of year). Also pull up the occasional talk show in the am.

Good luck!

[jagrim]

If you got Portainer installed, you’re way ahead of the game. Install Olive Tin using one of @bnhf's Installation Topics. He can tell you the best one for your system.

He's the GOAT in getting it installed correctly!!

[JefferMC]

@Brando85

then switched to Hulu ESPN Bundle using Hulu Deep Links since ESPN is all I really need, plus the OTA networks with my HD Homerun.

I've been headed in the direction of dropping my U-verse TV package in favor of streaming and OTA. I've got a big discount rolling off in a few months and I want to be gone before that happens. The ESPN app situation is bloody awful, coming from having the ability to DVR games (and Channels DVR on TVE was absolutely great, and EplusTV was cool too, while it lasted for me).

Which is why I sprang for a encoder. I may end up needing another.

Is a 3 or 4 second delay typical, or did I choose poorly from all the choices on Amazon?

EDITED TO ADD, is anyone using this with ESPN "linear channels" and ESPN Unlimited (vs. a service that gives you the linear channels)?

[bnhf]

@JefferMC

Does Project One Click have readily available "undo buttons"?

In the sense that every project you can install with One-Click you can delete with a click. I do this very frequently, as I'll spin-up a project to check something out and then delete shortly therafter:

[Brando85]

@JefferMC I hear ya on the ESPN App, I find it kind of clunky and you can't go straight to ESPN like an old school cable box.

EplusTV was my go to for ESPN+ last year, then DRM happened and I don't use it much any more either.

@bnhf Is there a project one click that has the ESPN linear channels using the ESPN App?

That is something I haven't been able to get working.

[bnhf]

@JefferMC

EDITED TO ADD, is anyone using this with ESPN "linear channels" and ESPN Unlimited (vs. a service that gives you the linear channels)?

You can do that with either ESPN4cc4c or FruitDeepLinks, combining either with ADBTuner. ESPN4cc4c has more sports talk show stuff along with the events. FDL, is pretty much just the events. If you don't care about the talking heads, I'd definitely go with FDL, as you can expand to using NFL, NBA, Paramount+, Prime Exclusive -- and others, as desired in the future.

[Brando85]

Thanks for that info @bnhf, I still haven't tested ESPN4cc4c yet, I'll give it a go later this week to see how works.

I think my setup for now will be to keep my ESPN linear channels using the Hulu app, these will stay focused in the background on (2) of my HDMI tuners/FireTv sticks with ADB. That's the closest I've gotten to the previous TVE experience that I can channel surf like a cable box and use multiview.

Then run either FDL or ESPN4cc4c on my 3rd tuner with a 2nd ADB instance so it doesn't close Hulu on my main (2) firetv sticks, and I'll watch ESPN+ and other Sporting events, with Fox One etc.. on that 3rd tuner.

Still doing a lot of testing to see what's the best solution that works for me