Advice for Ex-Channels User Coming Back and USA Channel

Channels DVR Server
#1

I was a Channels DVR user for a few years, but I went back to my CableCard TiVo (with Xfinity) back in early 2024. I used Channels DVR with the HDHR Prime, and Xfinity and YouTube TV as TV Everywhere sources as well, but I left when the USA Channel stopped working natively in Channels DVR.

However, my trusty old TiVo Bolt with the older user interface may be dying, so I started looking into other options. While catching up here, I got a bit overwhelmed by all the Docker add-ons, so I figured I'd just ask a basic questions first.

Is it now possible via one of these Docker projects to get USA Channel working again with Channels DVR if I am using DirecTV streaming as my source along with a supported device that works with one of these Docker projects like the ethernet Gemini/Osprey box?

I am hyperfocused on the USA Channel because it is where most Premier League games are broadcast in the US, but I previously had set up the ESPN and MLB.tv Docker containers with my old Channels server, so I do have some Docker container experience with Channels. Thanks in advance

#2

I use a link pi encoder with Osprey devices to view all the missing channels such as USA, Pop, Tvland using the ah4c docker container. It’s rock steady after you get set up. Tuning to those channels takes about 10-11 secs on my network.

I would suggest installing Portainer and use Olive Tin for the easiest setup. I would also suggest getting a multi-port encoder which would be your biggest cost.

#3

Ok, this kind of reply is exactly what I needed, something to tie everything together in my head. Thanks!

Most of the hardware I will be using is long paid for, so I don't really have any expenses. An HDMI encoder is the only thing I don't have. I will probably get one with 5 inputs to give me extras. In addition to one or two Osprey boxes, I also have a TiVo Stream in a box somewhere that looks like it should also work with ah4c.

Is there a "recommended devices" thread or FAQ anywhere for setups like this?

#4

Go into the Playground Section and you'll find ah4c, olive Tin, Adb tuner threads. If you’re looking at Directv Stream & Osprey's then concentrate on the ah4c thread.

You might look at the Stream Link Manager (SLM) thread & ESPNTV thread.

They are all long but take the time to read them. You’ll remember some things and can refer back if you’re seeing. The developers of these items are always available to help out with issues!

#5
1 Like
#6

I'm using Channels and have access to USA without a problem. The process will take some time but eventually, all should work as expected.
I'm a huge fan of ADB Tuner and the new Roku Tuner Bridge along with Stream Link manager. My synology is working great. Take your time and enjoy.

1 Like
#7

There has been some recent work by @spammedeeper on the ADBtuner thread for configuring it to work with DirectTV streaming. Check out ADBTuner: A "channel tuning" application for networked Google TV / Android TV devices - #2351 by spammedeeper

Edit: I use ADBTuner with YTTV and get all channels including USA and locals. It has been a rock solid config. I use generic 4 port encoders but a lot of people seem to like the LinkPi encoders now. I would probably get the 5 tuner model if I needed to buy one now. I also use ONN 4K Pro's on each port because I prefer physical ethernet connections but again I am seeing very good feedback for the new ONN 4K Plus which is wireless only with faster processing. Both of these work with the newer Android 14 that has rolled out. FireTV devices are also used a lot because they have stayed on Android 11 which has caused less problems that Google seems to cause with Android upgrades. Older streaming devices are good for staying on Android 11 but can show there age with slower processing/tuning.

#8

Since you are starting fresh again with CDVR I would also suggest you start with great work @bnhf has done for using OliveTin and Portainer. This makes it a lot easier to get the whole environment setup with options to easily add many of the great CDVR docker projects to easily extend what you can do.

#9

What exactly about your setup is keeping you from receiving USA through Channels? I have an HDHR Prime with Cablecard and an Xfinity subscription and I get USA through Channels just fine. Have some territories DRMed the USA network?

1 Like
#10

My HDHR Prime died while I was still using Channels, so I had to switch to using my Xfinity login as my Channels source instead, and that meant not getting USA and a few other NBC-related cable channels because their TV Everywhere streams had stopped working. I don't know the technical reasons, but this is from the original post: "NBC has adjusted their streaming technology to a format that is incompatible with Channels. This is not something that we can adapt to, and ends compatibility with Channels."

This is the thread: NBC, NBC Sports, NBCU Networks No Longer Available via TV Everywhere Providers

#11

You have two options with Channels DVR and DirecTV, ADBTuner and Android HDMI for Channels (AH4C). I use both with DirecTV.

AH4C has been setup and just running, with Gemini Boxes, for a few years.

ADBT is new testing I started this last week, but looks promising.

Along with the DirecTV Apps and Devices, you can use the NBC App to tune USA.

I’m happy to share my experience. You can start by reviewing all my recent posts, shared recently in links above.

#13

This is great info, thanks. I was looking at those ONN device too. My entire network is hardwired.

#14

Thanks. Yes, I definitely saw your name in many of the other threads I was reading.

Does ADBT offer you anything that you currently don't have with AH4C? I thought they did similar things. Or, did you mean you're testing ADBT with just those ONN boxes, and separate from the DirecTV boxes? I might've mis-read this at first.

#15

This is something relevant to my interests, but I am like a 5 year old with all of this. Sometimes I think it's a miracle I got it all set up to begin with.

I, too, have an xfinity account, though it's through my business, so not at my house....I lost channelsdvr access to USA when tve went away. I pull in xfinity tve channels via my xfinity account. I can use the USA app, but I've been having some issues with it as of late. Synology setup for my NAS. Would love for this to work again. I have the NBC networks showing up in my guide as a path to open the NBC/USA apps, but it's quite buggy and barely works.

#16

This topic was automatically closed 30 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.