AndroidHDMI for Channels (ah4c): A virtual channel tuner using HDMI Encoder(s) + streaming stick(s)

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#1946

Yeah, I mean, I already plugged my Fire Sticks back in. I used the Osprey box for about a day, got a little fed up with it, and missed Channels, so I set my Fire sticks back up. I'm working on my Fast Channels fork/patch to get the local ads working that kind of drive me crazy.

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#1947

While re-captioning with Py Captions, I'm finding that some programs are recorded with "und" for the language. This doesn't phase ah4c, but Faster Whisper fails with:

2026-10-06 12:14:24 [ERROR] pipeline.manual_process::/media/DVR/TV/The Rookie/The Rookie S01E05 2018-11-20 The Roundup 2026-10-06-1059.mpg::20261006-161314-864634: Faster-Whisper transcription failed: 'un' is not a valid language code (accepted language codes: af, ..., zh, yue)

Is there a way to have ah4c set the pre-defined default language (eng in my case) when it detects "und" in the language metadata? I'm asking the Py Captions developer as well since that's where the issue is causing trouble, but I thought it might be possible to force the language on the recording task.

Thanks!

#1948

und is a valid language special code (meaning undetermined), so I think it's something Py Captions is going to need to deal with.

#1949

Thanks. FWIW, they all turned out to be TVE recordings which already come from Xfinity with in-sync captions. (ie, not ah4c at all!) So I should have been leaving well enough alone. Oh well it was fun spending a few minutes with AI learning how to change the language to eng so that Py Captions could strip out the perfectly good captions and replace it with its own :grin:

#1950

That does sound fun. :slight_smile:

#1951

Can you explain what AH4C does differently from ADBtuner such that it avoids these sort of issues?

ADBTuner: A "channel tuning" application for networked Google TV / Android TV devices
#1952

In this case, what I'm highlighting is the FastChannels ah4c bridge for ESPN linear channels, vs ADBTuner with HENA (HDMI Encoder Native Apps). The "bridge" is a tightly integrated solution that doesn't use native apps, remote control emulation or deeplinks, but rather tunes using a very streamlined Android player and the provider's API.

Not all providers are supported, but for those that are, tuning is in the 4-5 second range -- so, it's fast and reliable. The integration between FastChannels and ah4c means that setup and monitoring is as straightforward as possible.

#1953

I get it. Different approach to the same problem. Instead of using the provider's own app, and dealing with its warts, and also any changes they may make to the GUI when using RC emulation... this implements its own app that calls the provider's API directly to obtain the same stream.
I've got ADBTuner working now, and has been reliable as long as I leave the devices alone, so I think I'll stay there for now. But if I get frustrated at ADBtuner missing, I might make the swap.

#1954

Also works for adbtuner. Im using the pass-through feature to pipe in the DRM'd channels that FastChannels got

ADBTuner: A "channel tuning" application for networked Google TV / Android TV devices
#1955

It does. It's just not as seamless, or integrated.

#1956

@Jean0987654321
Are you seeing any picture quality differences with the FC Android player vs. streaming stick apps?

I realize it’s somewhat subjective with these comparisons but I think the score bugs/bottom banners are “crisper” with the native apps for the ESPN networks.

#1957

Not much if any but it does make it easier to pipe in any DRM'd stuff

#1958

Sure, but its there...and it works so there's that. I don't need to use ah4c for that and that's key lol. Everything in 1 container lol

#1959

I recently got Spectrum and I noticed that they now have an android app. I was wondering, which one of the projects would be best now? I believe there are three that can work now with Spectrum, ah4c, adbtuner and prismcast. I used to use a mix of them with my old setup, but maybe now I can just use one?

#1960

I would suggest you start with the FastChannels ah4c bridge. Spectrum is a new addition to this method, but if it's anything like the other providers that are compatible with the bridge, I suspect you'll be very pleased. Spectrum limits concurrent streams to three, as I understand it -- but that'll apply to whatever you do.

#1961

Thank you, I will give it a try. I haven't messed with FastChannels yet, so it will be something new.

#1962

How's your M3U shaping up? Ready to contribute it? :slight_smile:

#1963

Absolutely. Do you want me to attach it in here, send it as an issue in GitHub, or something else?

I still haven't figured out about 5 channels that tune fine in the Xfinity streaming guide but don't alter the URL and therefore don't expose the channel ID needed for ah4c. I've tried multiple ID numbers found in the Network tab with the browser console open, but so far none of the numbers I've tried have worked to tune the channels.

Just let me know where you want my mostly complete list.

Thanks.

#1964

Here should be fine. Put it in a Preformatted Text block, or use three backticks on the line just before and just after the M3U.

#1965

I just want to say THANK YOU for all of the hard work. FastChannels combined with ah4c and PrismCast is all providing a fantastic solution to my needs via Channels DVR. Thanks for all of the hard work that all of you are doing. All is working great for me now that you all have helped me get things operating.

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