Feature Request: LOCAST Support

Channels DVR Server Feature Requests
#30

I personally do not care about the channel numbers because my live tv is pretty limited so I use Favorites. But my wife like's channel numbers and she uses the ALL selection and also mainly with the On Now.

So that we can fully test Locast I unplugged my HDHomeRun OTA Box and I told my wife the only difference is that her Local Channels are now at the bottom of the list instead of the top. On Now does not show channels numbers anyway so not an issue. But with so many channels it takes a bit to get to the bottom.

So, if you started these Locast Channels at 5000 (or 5900) instead of 7000 then it would be pretty much the same as before. I assume there is good reason you started everything at 6000. But if there was an option to where to start Locast channels that might be helpful.

In any case adding support for Locast is a great option. Hope they make it past the legal stuff and grow the service.

Thanks for continuing to make Channels a superior service.

#31

I haven't tried the service yet, but I did just take a look to see how it compared to the free locals that I already receive: (the service is only available for people geo-located in cities that already have access to OTA):
Locast Available Channels For Market Area:

02%20PM
Screen Shot 2019-10-04 at 7.25.02 PM.png430×675 53.5 KB

Free Local Channels Already Available With An Antenna Within the Locast Market Area:

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sdonly
sdonly.jpg202×1000 83 KB

hmmm... there seems to be a little bit of a discrepancy.

#32

SiliconDust uses 5000s for channels with no provided channel numbers (such as ClearQAM cable channels received with a Connect or Prime without a CableCARD). I believe that's why TVE channels start at 6000.

#33

Thanks. That makes sense. I know they are working on syncing favorites and things with the DVR. Maybe they can come up with more sorting type options. Local channels in the past would come first. I think Philo places the favorites "first" in the "all" selection list. This might be an option. My wife likes to "browse" the "all" selection list. If the favorites were at the top that would be a nice option. Assuming you can sync favorites that would be helpful.

#34
#35

Currently I am using LOCAST instead of OTA for all locals "except" these three which I am using this new feature for (I disabled in the DVR those 3 from the LOCAST Source). I would like to get rid of LOCAST but I need CBS and a few more. I can also get KTLA via TVE which works very well and it is 24/7 news.

I have a HDHomeRun Quattro connected to an Antenna which works pretty well for OTA but has some glitches that LOCAST does not have. I currently have it UNPLUGGED so the channels do not get mixed up with LOCAST. It would be nice If I could just disable the source and not unplug it. Thinking about it I might just disable the channels but I had an issue with this not removing the channels in the DVR Passes but I read that maybe that has been resolved with a fix.

The main reason I do not like OTA is because it broadcast in MPEG2 which is a much larger stream then MPEG4 and I use some of these channels for remote access. Even on a local connection why send there very large MPEG2 streams around the house when I do not have too. The $5 contribution to LOCAST is well worth it and I like supporting them which might force the providers of local to make some changes since they are free OTA supported with commercials.

Experimental: Local Networks (NBC, ABC, FOX) in some major metros via TVE
#36

Good to know. How is the LOCAST quality? It's not available in my area.

#37

Here in the San Francisco Bay Area...

720p, 30fps. Stereo audio. Adequate bitrate (my recordings vary from 1.2–2.5mbit/s...seems to be a variable bitrate).

1080i broadcasts are converted to 720p using a 'blend' deinterlacer that reduces judder for film content, but also adds a little bit of motion blur (this particularly affects live content like sports).

Standard-definition channels are not correctly deinterlaced -- they are transcoded to 480p 30fps with the fields weaved together. So objects in motion will show interlacing artifacts.

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#38

When I try to add Locast I get this message:

Locast is not available in Phoenix

Phoenix and Atlanta where added today.

#39

For Phoenix and Atlanta support, update to the latest build using click-and-hold on the Check For Update button.

#40

Thank you. Once the primetime shows are done it'll update.

#41

FYI a bunch of new local stations were added in DC and Baltimore. And it looks like Seattle is the next city which will be added.

#42

I would encourage everyone to email Locast support about this issue so they can improve the SD broadcasts.

#44

Some issues with Locast that started this week have been fixed in v2019.10.23.1925

The channels have also been renumbered, so you will need to reset your favorites.

#45

What is the best way to handle DRV Recording on channel 7000? Will it somehow auto fix? I just installed the new version beyond 1925 and I checked the DVR and it has a number of shows on 7000.

#46

FYI... The 7000 channels auto switched to the correct number. I think 7046 now.

However, my NBC Channels have 2 channels, 6000,7047. And I did disable NBC, ABC and FOX because they are now part of TVE.

This may auto switch as well given a little time. But as long as it uses 6000 I am ok.

#47

The new numbering is supposed to start at 5900. If you click pencil under TVE what numbers are shown?

#48

The bug with numbering is fixed in v2019.10.24.0043

After update you can trigger a guide reload to fix any upcoming scheduled recordings.

#49

When or how often is locast location rechecked? If you get it set as a source, does the location stick? If you login remotely from another location, will the location change? Does the locast login timeout occasionally and require reauth from the location? Thinking about how this fails when doing a lot of remote DVR access, or if a login expiration ends up missing a recording

#50

Location is saved during initial setup. The login is valid for a year if I remember correctly.

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