It works, but I find the experience poor.
If I'm watching while working at the computer, I prefer to use VLC to view. I have exported the lineup and saved it as a M3U playlist, so when I open it in VLC I also have a listing of all my channels, and I can selectively choose which to watch.
The app running on M1 macs is literally just the iPad app. No work has been done to make it work as a desktop, as, it’s not a desktop app. It’s just the iPad app running on macOS, as apple intended.
It’s not even remotely suggested to use this outputted to a TV.
Channels is designed to be a server/client app using thin clients. We finally have cheap devices that we can use on our TVs that are dedicated to TV watching. Attaching a full computer to a TV isn’t just something that’s not required anymore, it’s not recommended.
This is a great trick!
I appreciate how well this works currently.
Any plans to tweak the UI and release an official Mac OS version 
Y’all are the best!
Would you be willing to share what steps need to be taken to do this? I assume there will be a URL to get the .m3u which I can then save.. but is it as simple as opening that file in VLC? I’ve used direct channel URLs to open channels in VLC so I know how to do that but this sounds much better.
curl http://X.X.X.X:8089/devices/ANY/channels.m3u?format=ts -o tv.m3u
Replace the Xs with your server's IP address.
Yes. It will start playing the first channel in the list immediately, but then you can open the playlist view and selectively choose which channel you want.
This is fantastic! Got it working today. I’ll probably make a second feature request thread expanding on this, as I don’t want to derail the thread.
What more could you want that isn't currently available?
Making it easier to use for the “average Joe.” I’m wondering if there couldn’t be an option in the experimental section to enable The DVR server to generate and perhaps refresh it on an interval. It could provide the file for download, or maybe even serve it via HTTP, if VLC can take it in that way? It seems like a great solution for those clamoring for a Windows or Linux client. Seeing all the channels and even being able to search them is nice, and it doesn’t require transcoding like the web player does. Seems like it might be an easy win. ¯_(ツ)_/¯
Something like this?
More or less. 
Start that new topic and one of use can move this conversation to it..
I assume you also want a download recording link for some reason.
Channels DVR server runs Great on an old PC or even a Rasberry Pi 4
an inexpensive Arm Based NAS would be even better , more flexible
of the great things about it is that its very efficient on the both the server side and the client side
a 2nd Gen Fire Stick runs the channels app flawlessly for me
It really depends on what your expectations are. If you have multiple family members connecting remotely, an old PC may not be the answer. Oh, and make sure it's running Win 10 or later, no Win 7 here.
Considering that Win7 has been EOLed for nearly 2 years already, you should not be running it on any device that talks to the internet.
I finally gave into UBUNTU server and setup a DVR on a Lenovo mini PC it was easier then I thought ... this is my first Linux build ... got tired of maintaining Windows ... Will soon move my Windows 10 Channels DVR to the UBUNTU Server.
A truly fantastic point! Thank you! I just thought it might be helpful to mention that when folks come in and say things like "any old PC will do" that maybe that's not really the case.
In any event, I sure appreciate your great and very helpful comment. I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate it.
That’s what I did. Hopped on Craigslist and found a used Dell i5 with 8 gigs of ram for $50. Installed a lab inexpensive SSD and loaded Ubuntu. Installation was a snap, running the Channels DVR Using an old 2TB hard drive and a USB enclosure for recordings.
On the TV I watch most I use the Nvidia SHIELD - not only does it work exceptionally well, you can record to an external hard drive. On the other TVs I use the Firestick and it also works well.
FWIW - I successfully ran the Channels Android app on a PC using an Android emulator. I did this in order to watch Channels DVR content remotely with my Window laptop (something you can't do with just a browser, which requires LAN access to the DVR server).