Adding in local content directories

[CRT]

I am using Channels on a Synology server and use Plex to watch my media. I want to add some TV shows to be able to create custom channels showing certain shows (eg old sitcoms).

When I go into the server to add my content I can only add a source directory at a very high level (/volume1/video) that includes my entire media library - movies, tv, home made etc. I cannot go any deeper that that level to just be able to add tv shows.

How can I add in just my tv subdirectories, or even my specific shows only, eg /volume1/video/tv or even /volume1/video/tv/sienfeld, /volume1/video/tv/mash etc?

[racameron]

@CRT

How can I add in just my tv subdirectories

You need to make sure that the system user that Channels runs under has read access to those directories.

@CRT

or even /volume1/video/tv/sienfeld, /volume1/video/tv/mash etc?

No, you need to point to the tv directory to be imported, as each series needs to be in its own subdirectory.

Have you read the documentation on importing your own local content? (There's a big purple button that says "Learn More" linking to it.)

Import Your Own Movies and TV Shows

[mjitkop]

Good points, @racameron. I'm using Windows so I didn't run into potential permission issues like in Linux.

Edit: I deleted my first message because I was not offering a good solution as I misunderstood what the real problem was.

[chDVRuser]

@racameron

You need to make sure that the system user that Channels runs under has read access to those directories.

If you're running the Synology DSM 7 Channels DVR package, the username it runs under is
System internal user channels which is created when you install the Synology Package.

See Note here Channels DVR Server for Synology under DSM 7

[maddox]

@racameron

No, you need to point to the tv directory to be imported, as each series needs to be in its own subdirectory.

This is the answer.

[CRT]

@racameron

You need to make sure that the system user that Channels runs under has read access to those directories.

That looks like it might hbe it. Trying gains.

Thanks.

[chDVRuser]

I recommend assigning READ only rights to your imports, unless you want to be able to delete those files from your disk using Channels DVR.

[CRT]

I added in the Channels user. But when I add my local content it just sits and spins without actually adding anything. I have uninstalled, restarted the Synology and re-installed. Sill nothings gets added. What should I try next?

[chDVRuser]

You either have the permissions wrong or are pointing to the wrong directory for importing.
Take screenshots of the following and post them.

Channels DVR web admin UI Local Contents settings

Synology File Station showing the directories you're importing

Synology Control Panel Shared Folder - Edit it to display permissions

[CRT]

[CRT]

When I add the local content on Channels I get the spinner for as long as I watch the tab. When I refresh the tab I get the above - like I had never added anything.

[chDVRuser]

You have one of the two parts correct. You have the permissions set.
You must not have read the link posted above by racameron

@racameron

Have you read the documentation on importing your own local content? (There's a big purple button that says "Learn More" linking to it.)

Channels Support - Import Your Own Movies and TV Shows

because you're not telling Channels DVR where to import from.

@CRT

[CRT]

@chDVRuser

because you're not telling Channels DVR where to import from.

As I said, I do try and add a source. I click on the little plus symbol, I navigate to /volume1/video/tv and select it. I then get the little spinning icon that never goes away. And if I refresh the page I get the above image, with nothing added. Is there another way to add in a source? What am I missing?

[racameron]

What do the logs show? Are there any [SCN] lines? Any other lines?

No offense, but you have provided no logs, so no one has any clue what is actually going on. If you don't want community support, submit diagnostics followed with an email to support including the diagnostics ID and follow up with them.

[chDVRuser]

Once you select the import directory from the directory picker, are you clicking the green Import button?

If yes, you should submit diagnostics since that should work.

Are you getting this error?

If so you need to make sure your import directory isn't in the path of your dvr directory.

What is your DVR directory set to (hopefully /volume1/ChannelsDVR and not /volume1/video)?

[CRT]

@racameron

No offense, but you have provided no logs, so no one has any clue what is actually going on.

Well, no offence to you either, but no one has asked me to. I have done everything that anyone has asked and no one has asked about logs. I don't mean to sound like a smartarse, but I really am trying to do the right thing here and follow all suggestions and advice. I am at work at the moment and do not have access, but I will go and look in the logs once I am home.

@racameron

If you don't want community support [...]

I'm not sure what makes you think I don't want community support. I have followed each step that has been offered, provided feedback to each suggestion and tried to be responsive. I guess we are both frustrated about this, but I'm not sure what I have done to give the impression that I don't want support or that I have not done steps that have been suggested. You seem to be a long time member here, and I admit that I am not - only having recently wandered in trying to figure out what I am doing wrong. I'm sure it is frustrating answering what may seem to you to be simple straightforward questions and problems, but from my point of view I am doing what I should be doing and it is not working, and so it does not seem very basic or straightforward to me.

If you feel that this is better addressed via official Channels support then I will do that. Again, I'm not trying to be snarky. I'm just a bit lost here.

[CRT]

@chDVRuser

Once you select the import directory from the directory picker, are you clicking the green Import button?

Yes. It will then give a little spinner icon that does not go away.

If yes, you should submit diagnostics since that should work.

Are you getting this error?

If so you need to make sure your import directory isn't in the path of your dvr directory.

I do not get any errors. It just sits there and spins with the small waiting icon. I will check logs when I get home and let you know.

I will check the Channels log, is there a need to also check Synology logs as well?

[eric]

Please go to Support -> Troubleshooting -> Submit Diagnostic Logs from the web interface of the DVR and let us know when it's been submitted so we can have a better idea of what was going on.

[CRT]

@eric

Please go to Support -> Troubleshooting -> Submit Diagnostic Logs from the web interface of the DVR and let us know when it's been submitted so we can have a better idea of what was going on.

Thanks Eric, I shall do so when I get home.

[racameron]

@CRT

Well, no offence to you either, but no one has asked me to.

Other than in the post you responded to (wherein I asked about your logs), you are correct. I apologize, because that is usually the first thing asked for, and I made the assumption that it had been in your case, too.

@CRT

I don't mean to sound like a smartarse, but I really am trying to do the right thing here and follow all suggestions and advice.

You're right, and I can see that you are. Again, I'm sorry if frustrations come through too negatively.

You have done nothing wrong. Community support is just that: from the community. However, the community only knows what you share; unless you specifically mention something, it is unknown. When asking for help, it is always best to give all the information you have, because even though it is obvious to you, we are not looking over your shoulder and have no clue about your situation.