I’ve been testing and working on how to view multiple channels from macOS desktop Safari web player mainly to watch news/sports channels while working from home due to Covid-19. Since Channels DVR enabled TVE functionality you’re able to open unlimited streams at the same time.
I’ve mapped a custom key on the Logitech keyboard to launch the process automatically. It opens up to six TVE streams on the left and right vertical monitors and set the middle monitor web page to the “On Now” guide so I can launch another channel via PIP.
You will need macOS, AppleScript, and BetterSnapTool if you want to snap & size the Safari windows automatically
BetterSnapTool
BetterSnapTool allows you to easily manage your window positions and sizes by either dragging them to one of the screen's corners or to the top, left or right side of the screen. This enables you to easily maximize your windows, position them side by side or even resize them to quarters of the screen. If you need even more than those standard snap areas, BetterSnapTool now allows you to create your own, custom snap areas anywhere on your display.
https://www.folivora.ai/bettersnaptool
Make sure to create a new snap area and Keyboard shortcuts to trigger the snap area.
AppleScript Editor
- Open AppleScript Editor and create a new document
- Copy & Paste below and Compile the script
In this example it will open four TVE streams and snap & size Safari windows to your monitor(s) automatically
-- Begin of AppleScript
-- Open Safari and and snap Safari Window center using Keypad #5 keyboard shortcut (CTRL+OPT+PAD5)
**tell** *application* "Safari" **to** **activate**
**tell** *application* "System Events"
**keystroke** "Keypad5" using { *control down* , *option down* }
**end** **tell**
-- Launch FS1 top left corner using Keypad #7 keyboard shortcut (CTRL+OPT+PAD7)
**delay** 2
**tell** *application* "Safari"
**make** new *document* with properties {URL:"http://192.168.7.220:8089/devices/ANY/channels/6197/hls/master.m3u8?"}
**activate**
**end** **tell**
**tell** *application* "System Events"
**keystroke** "Keypad7” using { *control down* , *option down* }
**end** **tell**
-- Launch ESPN top right corner using Keypad #9 keyboard shortcut (CTRL+OPT+PAD9)
**delay** 2
**tell** *application* "Safari"
**make** new *document* with properties {URL:"http://192.168.7.220:8089/devices/ANY/channels/6140/hls/master.m3u8?"}
**activate**
**end** **tell**
**tell** *application* "System Events"
**keystroke** "Keypad9” using { *control down* , *option down* }
**end** **tell**
-- Launch ESPN2 and snap window to the bottom left corner using Keypad #1 keyboard shortcut (CTRL+OPT+PAD1)
**delay** 2
**tell** *application* "Safari"
**make** new *document* with properties {URL:"http://192.168.7.220:8089/devices/ANY/channels/6141/hls/master.m3u8?"}
**activate**
**end** **tell**
**tell** *application* "System Events"
**keystroke** "Keypad1” using { *control down* , *option down* }
**end** **tell**
-- Launch NBCSN and snap window to the bottom right corner using Keypad #3 keyboard shortcut (CTRL+OPT+PAD3)
**delay** 2
**tell** *application* "Safari"
**make** new *document* with properties {URL:"http://192.168.7.220:8089/devices/ANY/channels/6161/hls/master.m3u8?"}
**activate**
**end** **tell**
**tell** *application* "System Events"
**keystroke** "Keypad3” using { *control down* , *option down* }
**end** **tell**
-- Set the system volume
**delay** 2
**set volume** output volume 5
-- End of AppleScript
- Save the script File Format as Application and name it “Watch TV” and place it in the Application Folder
- Make sure to enable Automation & Accessibility in Privacy tab
Logitech Keyboard (optional)
You can custom map a keyboard key to launch the AppleScript “Watch TV” app automatically.
