Hi Seth, I'd like to help with testing and feedback for your project.
I could test it if you need more testers.
Hey guys, can someone explain this vlcbridge method in simple terms? I never got it working for me.
Install based on Github instructions here:
Millie / vlc-bridge-pbs · GitLab, which shows:
docker run -d -p 7777:7777 registry.gitlab.com/miibeez/vlc-bridge-pbs
However another post I found somewhere says:
docker run -d --restart unless-stopped --name VLC_Bridge_PBS -p [PORT YOU LIKE]:7777 registry.gitlab.com/miibeez/vlc-bridge-pbs:latest
In retrospect, I wish I'd used the second one, since I found I had to restart mine manually after a reboot. Now not sure how best to make it restart itself, since I am not at all docker-knowledgeable.
Important features:
- New custom channel
- Enter the playlist URL provided by the app after you install it and go to the [server]:7777 (assuming you used the recommended port)
- Set stream type to mpeg-TS, not HLS
- Set provider to OTA for your location.
- In Channels, go to settings, sources, edit lineup. You'll see two columns, with the right column probably blank. You need to fill it in to match the stations. Search "all lineups" to find the appropriate matches. I had trouble with a few of mine but eventually found them somewhere.
- Now tell it to download the guide (or maybe that will happen without being told). After that, it should work.
Looks like this is dead again, same error as before:
2026/08/06 22:28:08 INFO PBS/WUCFDT: Open url=https://urs-anonymous-detect.pbs.org/redirect/cebce14bc597484dbadf22675822e10e/
2026/08/06 22:28:08 INFO STRM: Manifest successfully parsed (Periods: 1, Streams in first period: 3, Type: live)
2026/08/06 22:28:09 ERRO STRM: SendSessionMessage: License update not successful (no keys)
2026/08/06 22:28:09 ERRO STRM: Initialize failed (SingleSampleDecrypter)
2026/08/06 22:28:09 ERRO STRM: Instances: 1
2026/08/06 22:28:09 INFO PBS/WUCFDT: Close
2026/08/06 22:28:09 ERRO SRV: Server error err="open failed"
Seems like it fails every 5-6 months.
For me, some of the channels are working fine and others aren't. No clue why.
Does anyone know the deeplink to launch your local channel in the PBS app?
SLM seems to generate them fine. Here is an example for an episode of Nature:
No I meant to launch the linear channel, not individual shows. And that's not an app deeplink.
The subnets like Create, World, FNX, and NHK World are clean HLS with no DRM, so they are still being passed through without issue.
The regular stations, key locals, and PBS Kids all have DRM and need the special processing that this project does. Unfortunately, that requires keeping a certain license file up to date inside the Container, and it has expired again.
Deeplinks for linear don't work within the App; you have to use the HENA method. The main local and PBS Kids (on Android TV) are ready out of the box, but you'll have to do some very minor work for the other subnets (and PBS Kids on Roku). Unfortunately, if you are like me and live between two markets, you're going to have to pick one and stick with it.
Just a heads up with SLM Streams, that some programs have DRM and don't work, and some do not and play perfectly. It can even vary within a program, where a bunch of episodes are fine, others have DRM. It's very annoying. But if you are just using Stream Links to launch the app, they all work fine.
Actually, yes, since Stream Links are just "deeplinks", they do work for content, but, as I said, not for linear stations.
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Thanks. So I guess my best step is to (hopefully temporarily) disable the channels that aren't working, while waiting for the license file gets updated? Not something I know how to do, unfortunately, so I can only hope that someone to take care of it. Anyone know if that's likely to happen?
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Like everyone else, wait on the developer of the project to do it.
It seems to happen every 5-6 months.
Watch the GitLab Issue PBS Feeds - #349 by babsonnexus
Meanwhile, you could use PrismCast
I have been relying on my local stations using the PBS app, ADBTuner and BETA: HDMI Encoder Native Apps - Say goodbye to DRM restrictions!
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Nice to have alternatives
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Yeah me too, going native app is better than Prism at this point.
What PBS app dose in very annoying yet DRM is not the correct term. It's aggressive soliciting for "donations". If you want to watch "current" content the begging is not supposed to happen and so far it has not. Go back in there library and the pan handler is in your face most of the time. Glad I've got an antenna that picks up 3 PBS stations.
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Okay, so @miibeez pushed a fix, but the manifest is messed up and only sent out an arm64 update. If you use that one, you'll be all set. However, if you're like me and use amd64, then you are still getting the version from 5 months ago with the issue. You can force it to use the arm64 edition and thus far it is working for me. See info here.
I tried this and it worked initially for one show, then I recorded PBS NewsHour and tried to watch it. It crashed out about 10 minutes in and the docker engine went crazy, the PBS container used 5GB of memory and all the cpus. Had to completely restart the desktop to get docker back because all docker commands returned 500 internal server error.
Will wait for the real fix.