I too would like to see a full fledged Channels experience in Kodi 19.
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+1
Just realized Kodi 19 had formally released on February 20.
Count me as one who would like to see the plugin updated for v19.
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I'd also like to see this and can help in testing/debugging.
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FYI, as we wait for a native kodi addon:
I setup NextPVR (via docker, but probably fine on any platform they support). I then fed channels m3u and xmltv into NextPVR and it works (though guide data doesn't display for the pluto channles, will have to look into this closer).
Then in Kodi (Matrix, but imagine Leia version might owrk) I installed the official (Kodi repository) NextPVR client.
This in turn gives me access to tv within Kodi (ChannelsDVR > nextPVR > kodi) with ability to "record" all from inside Kodi!
Of course the recording is handled by NextPVR, and I have not tried to work out where recording is stored, to see if I can get it displayed in Channles , etc.
This setup at least lets you interact with the channels provided from ChannelsDVR and setup recordings.
Would still love to see a native Addon that interacts directly with Channels, but this is a good interm solution for me 
Wow, that's pretty MacGyver 
I'm not sure if I have the patience to try this out but getting recording management from inside Kodi might be attractive enough for me to try it. Does comskip work OK?
To be clear, the NextPVR setup does not use Channels to do the recording, so no auto comskip via Channels. NextPVR docs mention ability to setup comskip, but for my use case for now, the one-off recordings I might do within Kodi will then be moved (or will setup paths to not have to move), then I could run a manual comskip from within Channels.
Most recordings are already setup as passes in Channels, soI probably won't record a lot from within Kodi.
But being able to view live tv, and the one-off recording ability without switching apps is nice for now
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I do the exact same thing with NextPVR, Channels, and Kodi. It works as a stopgap for my media center PC in the living room, however it does not provide as nice of an experience as the Channels app on my Shield TV. The time shifting is terrible. And changing channels takes up to 15 seconds.
I would gladly volunteer to beta test and troubleshoot either a Kodi integrated PVR, a standalone Kodi addon, or a dedicated Windows PC app (or all of the above, I'm greedy), so that I can truly take advantage of Channels in my media center PC.
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Same here. I would love to have a pc app.
I would much rather have a PC app than integration with Rotten Tomatoes.
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Late to this discussion. I am running a KODI (Librelect) on RPie 4. Is there a plug in that will let me view and watch tv from my Channels DVR on a Kodi front end?? Does it work on the RPi4
There is not a traditional Kodi PVR add-on for Channels, but there is an add-on that does allow you to interface with Channels.
https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=357406
It should be available from the official Kodi repo under (I think) Program Add-ons.
I can't speak to how it will perform on the RPi4, but since it's Python add-on (and not a binary one like the PVR add-ons that have to be complied for each platform) it should at least run.
Hi pkscout,
I tried that one on Matrix but I could not get it to work, or find any documentation for it. It does open and show "live channels, favorites etc.." but no guide, LIVE TV option on the Home menu or anything like the Fancy Bits one posted on this thread (which won't install on Matrix). I think you are supposed to link it somehow with the IPTV Simple Client addon but I couldn't figure that out either. Not sure if Channels generates an .m3u playlist or XMLTV guide data (which is needed for that addon).
Can you point me in the right direction?
Thanks,
Ken
Any idea when this Kodi add on for Matrix will happen?
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I use Plex server and Kodi with the PlexKodiConnect add-on, and it works pretty well until hopefully a true add-on appears. The one big limitation I care about is when watching time shifted live tv. Once it gets to the end of the tv program, you can't skip forward or back. By end of tv program, I mean the end time when the tv show was started. It will continue to play past the time shifted portion, but if you select skip forward or back, it goes to that fixed end time when you started the playback.
Thanks for the reply. I am not a Plex fan...tried it a few times and despise it. I plan on never using it again.
What didn't you like about it and what do you use instead as a server. I think Plex is amazing for serving up video and audio. I don't use it for OTA so it is free. It is as solid as Channels as a server and does other things too very well.
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I don't like Plex because you have to pay for a Plex pass in order to record and play live tv. I pay the $8/month for channels because I can play and record the TVE channels as well...a better value...it's worth the extra 3 dollars per month. I can record and play the ota channels for free using NPVR and Kodi. I am unemployed because of the virus and my wife and I are living on Social Security...every penny counts as well as value.
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I dumped my $145 cable bill about 10 years ago. First TiVo OTA and now Channels for locals and (free)Plex+Kodi for the management and playback. I would be surprised if a Kodi add-on for Channels would be an upgrade for my setup but I hope to be proven wrong. If Plex got TVE support, that would really be interesting and worth the $79, Plex lifetime charge.