IPTVX, iProTV and Quadstream: Multiview via Channels

Channels Apple TV
#154

Here's the format I used that works with the UHF app. I copied the URLs from Channels DVR and edited the first section to be the internal IP address of my CDVR server, made it http:// instead of https://, and removed the "?format=ts&codec=copy" bit at the end:

M3U:
http://CHANNELS-DVR-IP-ADDRESS:8089/devices/M3U-SOURCE-NAME/channels.m3u

EPG:
http://CHANNELS-DVR-IP-ADDRESS:8089/devices/M3U-SOURCE-NAME/guide/xmltv?duration=1209600

The "duration" part in the EPG URL isn't necessary, it works without it too:
http://CHANNELS-DVR-IP-ADDRESS:8089/devices/M3U-SOURCE-NAME/guide/xmltv

1209600 seconds works out to be two weeks of guide data. So if you're just using UHF for live multiview, and only need 6 or so hours of guide data, it may make sense to use something like 21600 instead.

4 Likes
#155

OK - it didn't like any switches at end of M3U - that explains it. Thanks.

My kingdom for a client that:

Exposes channel ID's
Allows interactive building on tvOS
Uses native sound (including AC4 thanks to stupid ATSC3)

I'll play with this one, but my suspicion is that I'll be back on iProTV soon enough.

Beta: tvOS & iPad Multiview
#156

Yep. Took all of about a minute to disqualify this one.

I started an OTA stream with 5.1 audio.
Next started ESPN TVE with stereo.

Whole mix of channels got down mixed to stereo channels only. 5.1 channel only got FR and FL.

The interactive build of the multiview is pretty good though.

1 Like
#157

Anyone else playing around with "Multiview" apps may be interested in this new feature in the latest Pre-Release of Channels DVR:

In my setup, it makes more sense to be able to share M3U's from customized Channel Collections, than it does from entire Sources.

I tested by exporting my own "Favorites" M3U into UHF using the URL syntax above, and it's working fine.

This too:

3 Likes
#158

I will say for UHF - they are clearly actively developing! I'm going to raise my bug + feature req, and see what happens.

1 Like
#159

The search for the Holy Grail continues but in the meantime I've discovered another contender for "Best Multiview Client of 2025" and its name is "Snappier IPTV."

Took me just a couple of minutes to get the hang of it, but I'm already liking it more than UHF for this purpose. Note that the free version is basically a demo, the stream stops after 4 minutes. But payment also unlocks multiview, which this app calls “Multi Screen.”

The cost is $50 for lifetime, $20 annual, $10 for 6 months, or $2 for one month. I sprung for a month and I've played around with it for a few hours now. The interface is bare-bones, but it works well. It covers the bases, offers some new ideas and energy and the overall UI feels reliable and snappy™.

It's pretty easy to configure too, all things considered. I'm impressed and going to stick with it for a few months. The app works pretty well right out of the gate on AppleTV 4K, and not-too-badly on macOS too, for Macs running Apple Silicon.

If anyone else checks it out too, I'm curious to hear what you think.

1 Like
#160

Since I'm a glutton for punishment here - I'll take a look this weekend.

Al Pacino in Godfather 3 - that's me. :slight_smile:

#161

I signed up on their Discord channel and see Snappier's roadmap, which is encouraging:

This is the current roadmap for Snappier in 2025 and beyond.

This is not in any particular order and some items may never be added.
The roadmap is evolving and a work in progress.

  • Profiles for Multi Screen (Save current setup to a profile name like Football and have it auto restore)
  • 1 large and 1 smaller window for multiscreen with option to flip between the 2.
  • User Profiles.
  • Add items to custom categories by long pressing on them.
  • Better category/channel changer UI when swiping down on live tv.
  • Channel/Category selector for importing.
  • M3U Mapper. (So all M3U files should work)
  • Create own 24/7 channels for tv series.
  • Movie Collections. (Show other movies in a movie collection - for example “Terminator” will show all the terminator movies)
  • Realtime Sports schedules.
  • List view screen for live tv, make it expand the small video window to large rather than stopping and starting.
  • Scraping of TMDB metadata for better app functionality.
  • Download tv series for offline viewing. (iOS/iPadOS only)
  • Recording Live TV (KSPlayer and VLC) (iOS/iPadOS only)
1 Like
#162

Snappier can also launch directly from Channels via this URL: snappier://
(from tvOS, at least)

So I've added a "MultiScreen" button to the interface in one of Channels' Personal Sections, with a matching icon, thanks to this new feature:

#163

App performance for me, on a large EPG, is easily the worst I’ve tried. I’ll try it with a tailored collection, but not promising so far.

1 Like
#164

Hmm, I only fed it a curated Channel Collection of about 25 channels, since all I use this app for is MultiScreen, anyway. Performance and overall UI is very snappy for me, certainly compared to the previous 5 multiview apps I’ve tried over the years. At least on a 4K AppleTV...

#165

Fellow multiview fans will appreciate the interface on the F1 app:

https://x.com/robertjbye/status/1900362658290843731

4 Likes
#166

It sounds like it still won’t be fully customizable but expanding the feature is appreciated nonetheless:

1 Like
#167

Still. One day, it will happen :slight_smile:

#168

For those interested in more CDVR-based multiview solutions, these are some excellent new developments:

2 Likes
#169

I've Dockerized Multichannel View for those with amd64 processors. Tested and working nicely with Intel Quicksync. I'll add it to Project One-Click soon:

#170

"I was so preoccupied with whether or not I could, I didn't stop to think if I should."

This is the Retroid Pocket Mini, with a 3.9" AMOLED touchscreen, running Android 13 and the Channels Whole Home DVR app. I'm tuned into my own "Channel 4000," a customizable 2x2 grid of News channels I configured via MultiChannel View which is running on a M1 Mac Mini server at home.

IMG_5354
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(I didn't have a banana, so I used an apple instead, for scale.)

Playback is smooth as silk, even when remote. I can channel surf to it like like any other CDVR channel, and can tap to select which grid's audio to play at any given moment. All content casts wirelessly to most TV's I've tried, too. The device's USB-C port supports video out, so I also got a long, thin HDMI adapter to bring when travelling, just to cover more TV bases.

It also is a versatile and capable gaming device, especially emulaton and Android games. I also installed Winlator, which allows for compatibility with an impressive array of PC games, via WINE.

It also does a good job as a smarthome remote control

3 Likes
#171

Amazing Fofer (aka Gadgetman)

#172

I love it. I have a little gadget coming from Walmart to use as a remote control.

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I'm not holding my breath on it being a powerhouse.

#173

Boom!