@jtanderson, You have really helped me here. This gives me a lot to work on.
Thanks, much.
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I updated BIOS, did a lot of other things, and got Docker working.
The only thing I don't know what to do with now are the source settings.
Do I refresh the URL or not? What does this do?
Do I ignore channel numbers?
I think I am almost there.
I guess you are asking about the Custom Channel settings in the DVR server. This is what I have. (I have Pluto exposed on port 8090.)
You definitely need to refresh the url every 3 hours because not much data gets loaded for whatever reason.
Thanks for sharing the information and links regarding setting up the M3U source. I used those two links and it works great. I'm bringing in 316 channels.
I have had some occasions where after tuning to a channel, within about 30 seconds, the channel will say "lost connection". I have to go to another channel and come back in and it works fine. I'm running DVR server on a Windows 10 PC and I am using an Apple 4Ktv for viewing.
Has anyone else had a similar experience?
Not that I can remember and definitely not a regular occurrence.
Please clarify what you mean here.
If the "two links" you're referring to, are the shared "i.mjh.nz" links, then yes, this is a common issue with that type of setup, and seems to be the #1 reason people set up the docker for proper (and certainly more reliable) Pluto TV integration with Channels instead. Because those "i.mjh.nz" links used directly in that manner, don't actually "work great." I'd get those "lost connection" messages... all. the. time.
With the docker method, I get them, but only occasionally. Maybe once in a blue moon? Big, big difference in that department, for sure.
You can actually change that to refresh every 1 hour now, which I love!
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So one issue might be the nested virtualization with windows. Docker doesn't run natively on windows 10 since it requires hyper-v. I used to run docker on an esxi vm (same nested virtualization) and I had issues like you are describing. I moved it to a Linux machine and the issues have cleared up 100% for me...
I copied your settings, except I have port 8080. It seems to be working fine. I now have the "HOW", but I would like the "WHY".
Why do you have port 8090 rather than 8080?
Why "Prefer channel-number from M3U"?
Please help me understand what is going on.
The port number doesn't really matter unless it is conflicting with another port number. Pretty basic stuff.
As far as the "Prefer channel-number from M3U"?, I am not sure about that. I keep it checked. Do the numbers change if you un-check it?
I used 8090 because there was already another service listening on 8080. I chose 8090 because it's close to 8089, making it easy to remember.
Prefer channel numbers from M3U just seems like the right choice unless you have channel number conflicts with other sources.
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If you don't select channel numbers from M3U, what channel numbers do you get?
It will start in the 9000's and just assign the next available number as new channels get added. Note Paramount+ Picks location in relation to its number:
Since Pluto tends to move channels around or share similar numbers to other services, I prefer to just let Channels assign the number. Recently, when the 007 station came back, it just went back to its previously assigned number.
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Docker is ALMOST working. If I log out (Windows) and log back in, or reboot the machine, all my Pluto channels go away. If I then startup Docker from my desktop, the channels come back.
- Docker Desktop is listed in my startup program list.
- Task Manager shows docker is running.
- Docker settings:
Startup Docker Desktop on login.
Use WSL2 based engine
Open Docker Dashboard at startup.
What am I missing?
Are you using Auto Login in on Windows the Docker will only run when you are logged in.
Yes I'm using Auto Login.
Could it have something to do with the port number?
Check to make sure the container is running:
docker ps
TV_Ken, why bother with the Docker container when we have a new, easier way to get your m3u?
Non-Docker source for PlutoTV and Stirr m3u playlists and EPG
It is my understanding that your EPG only updates every 3 hours and mine updates every 1 hour. Am I wrong?