Pluto-Windows_4C Released

Playground Hacks
#1

I'm going to start a thread for the Windows Pluto App. I will stop maintaining my Docker version since @maddox and @KineticMan have fixes for the stream limit issue on theirs.

Pluto Windows 4 Channels DVR

A native Windows bridge for integrating Pluto TV channels into Channels DVR. This application replaces the need for Docker by providing a standalone .exe that runs in your system tray, manages M3U playlists, and automatically updates EPG data. Username and Password fields have been added to the dashboard to work with the latest changes to the Pluto API.

Features

  • Native Windows App: No Docker or WSL required.
  • System Tray Integration: Runs silently in the background with a "Minimize to Tray" feature.
  • Region Selection: Choose specifically which Pluto TV regions (US, CA, UK, etc.) you want to pull feeds from.
  • Automated EPG: Background scheduler automatically generates and refreshes XMLTV files every 2 hours.
  • Dynamic Links: Dashboard provides copyable links for M3U and EPG feeds based on your selected regions.
  • Settings Persistence: Remembers your selected regions between restarts via a local configuration file.

Latest Release

2 Likes
Pluto for Channels
#2

Ok, I had to kill the 1.0.5 version with Task Manager, then I copied the 1.0.7 exe into that same folder, replacing the 1.0.5 version.

Then I ran it, and it started up and now says it's version 1.0.7. Otherwise it all looks the same, with the same left side showing places for 4 different authentication logins, and active region selections, etc.

P.S. For others running Channels in Windows and wanting a simple replacement for the Nocords website Pluto project, THIS ONE is about as simple as it gets!

#3

All the changes are under the hood. 1 user account should allow for 10 streams. 2 Accounts for up to 20, although there could be client id overlap. I will probably thin the choices to just 2 accounts in future releases, but for now I just left them as is.

#4

Ok, only difference I noticed on the screen after doing this, is that it changed itself from port 7777 to port 7779

#5

It should look first for 7777, but if you stopped it fast and started fast, windows locks a port for a short while, like seconds to maybe a minute after it is released. It goes to the next available one if 7777 is in use or locked.

#6

Just to tell you a big thanks, it works perfectly in France, don’t need an accout for now.

#7

I added Port Protection into v1.0.8. If you click Save Logins on the dashboard, it will also save the port that was assigned to the app in the settings file so you will not lose the port on updates. I also made Username/Password pairs 3 & 4 hidden on the dashboard but left the code for them if needed for future use.

#8

I like what you are doing yet recommend having the program run via Task Scheduler on system startup. Then have a program that we can run to configure the things the current system tray program dose. This allows for headless and/or hands off operation. Having to login following a system restart is a recipe to miss recordings.

#9

You don't have to login when you restart the server. The logins are saved to the setting file and are persistent. I just added the port protection that requires a one time save to store it in the settings file so it will also be persistent. You can exit the dashboard and the server is still running in the background. If you select run at startup from the tray icon, it will restart when the PC reboots and all the settings are still saved.

Edit: I see what you are talking about. If the PC reboots and you have to login to the PC to restart the application. My PC reboots without a login. I will investigate your suggestion.

#10

Thank you

#11

This is odd, I installed v1.0.8 after ending v1.0.7 with Task Manager and waiting a few minutes this time, but the dashboard says it's back to version v1.0.6 ? It is back to only two logins.

#12

I might have uploaded the wrong exe. It is supposed to only have 2 logins now though.

#13

It the correct version, I put a 6 instead of an 8 on it. I will correct that in the morning. Thanks.

#14

This is a user error not an application error in my opinion. You should always have your Win11 headless server set to auto login to a user account on reboot. You can store the password to enable this.

There's tons of stuff that would break if I didn't have this set.

Maybe I missed something in what you said, the program is set to run on startup and I haven't checked it on reboot.

#15

No, huge security risk

#16

Anyway to be able to run 2 separate instances of this Windows app?

I really want to use one for each of my 2 servers, keep them segragated usage with different playlist URLs.

Rather not have to mess with Docker anymore than I have to, though I already have 2 Docker containers running for Samsung and Plex...as there is no Windows apps for those.