Channels DVR History

Channels DVR Server
#1

I have been a Channels proponent since Dec 2015 and have been a satisfied customer ever since.

Apple released ATV 4 in Sept, which allowed developers to utilize the capabilities of the ATV 4. In November 2015, the Channels developers released their initial offering which allowed customers to utilize HDHR Silicondust (SD) tuner hardware in a revolutionary new way on the ATV 4. One could now utilize an ATV 4 to watch Live feeds from SD tuner(s) on any networked TV.

Previously, with a SD tuner, one could utilize EyeTV (mac) or WMC (win) (among others) for recordings and Live TV, but these solutions appeared to be nearing end of life (EOL) as solutions for DIY TV users.

Wanting a longer term solution and one capable of running multi platform, I looked at SD’s View app, however it was still in it’s infancy: limited to only Live TV and not tvOS/iOS capable. While investigating solutions to playback WTV recordings on the ATV 4, I encountered another user, @d21mike (also still a Channels DVR customer), with similar requirements. He suggested Channels as a solution for watching Live TV on tvOS. Perfect!

In the next several months, the Channels developers worked with SD to develop a tvOS interface in conjunction with SD’s kickstarter campaign. However, due to SD’s lack of timeliness on meeting stated goals; in April 2016, the Channels developers decided to split from SD in order to proceed with a completely Channel’s developed DVR solution.

Mike and I were impressed with the two developers of Channels: professional, responsive, dedicated, excellent programmers and very user oriented. Hence, we anxiously awaited their offering.

By September 2016, the developers released an alpha version of Channels DVR. Of course, the rest is history as recorded in this forum.

Aman (@tmm1) and Jon (@maddox) have by far surpassed my 2015 dreams of the perfect DVR solution.

I’m amazed that there are so many features now included that I never envisioned in my expectations. This phenomenon has been possible due to the creativity of both the users and the developers in these forums. I thank all of you for your contributions and especially the developers for recognition, encouragement and timely implementation of user requests, in addition to their own lofty goals and requirements.

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#2

Well said!

I was an off/on user for most of last year. I bounced back and forth between Emby, SD's DVR, etc. looking for a good solution. I really wanted a solution with one interface that I could watch my TV recordings, ripped TV Shows and ripped Movies. So far, that dream doesn't exist.

So, I now use Kodi for local playback of my video rips and Channels only for my TV recordings. I use it on the Shield with no need for an always on HTPC/Server solution.

They have been so responsive to their users and have stayed in communication with me directly on issues I have had so I am now a Channels user for life. I have stuck with it for the past 4 months without any real issues and I am very happy with my decision.

These guys just rock!

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#3

Nice look back on history Debbie. I of course agree with you. I am always amazed that the Channels experience is "still" so much better then any other application I have tried. I use PLEX for non Live TV or DVR but I have tried it. I can't imagine how it can be so bad. You would think as popular as Channels is others would be asking themselves how it is possible Channels can be so much better than us? And I am talking about UI and Performance. Anyway, the developers of Channels deserve a lot of credit. Maybe it simply requires great developer skills to be this good :slight_smile:

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