Pre-Release access for DVR subscribers

[tmm1]

Development philosophy

• the Channels and Channels DVR Server software is built using continuous deployment methodology
• every change to the codebase is automatically deployed, and made available as a prerelease build to subscribers
• on days of heavy development, several beta and prerelease builds may be published

Channels apps

Apple devices

Beta versions are distributed via Apple's TestFlight app. Click this TestFlight invite link from an iPhone or iPad to join the beta program.

tvOS/iOS Beta Notes

This is the Channels for tvOS and iOS beta release notes thread. As betas are published, their notes will be posted here. Follow along to see what has changed.

The beta will be installed as a separate app, so you can switch back to the stable release in case there is any issue. Many of us put the beta app on our home screens and top shelf.

TestFlight can be configured to update the beta app automatically. You can also turn off notifications so you don't get an email or push when lots of builds are happening.

If you don't own an iPhone or iPad, but want to join the Apple TV TestFlight, email [email protected] asking for a TestFlight Apple TV invite. You will receive another email from Apple with a code, which you can enter into your Apple TV, after installing the TestFlight app from the App Store.

Android devices

Beta releases of the android APK are published to the Play Store, and also available for side-loading.

Android TV/Fire TV Beta Notes

This is the Channels for Android, Android TV, and Fire TV beta release notes thread. As betas are published, their notes will be posted here. Follow along to see what has changed.

Automatic Sideload (recommend)

To install the Channels beta as a separate app on your device, simply go into the stable Channels app and select Settings > Support > Beta Testing > Install Beta App

The beta app is not able to keep itself updated automatically. You can do so easily, though, by clicking Settings > Support > Update Beta App inside the beta app

To allow sideloading on newer versions of Android, go to Settings > Privacy > Security & Restrictions > Unknown Sources > Install Unknown Apps > Channels DVR: Allowed

Due to new Google Play Store restrictions, starting with v4.5.0 the Install button is no longer available in the regular Channels DVR app. To install the beta, use the Manual Sideload instructions below.

Play Store

You can opt-in or opt-out of the beta process directly on the Play Store

The Play Store will replace the stable Channels app with the beta version. Note that Google's servers can take several hours to complete the opt-in/opt-out, and sometimes our beta app will get stuck in the review process for several days.

Manual Sideload

You may also download the apk and sideload it manually. This can be helpful when using Android emulators like BlueStacks or the new Android Subsystem in Windows 11

https://cdn.channelsdvr.net/android/ChannelsBeta.apk

The simplest way to sideload the beta APK is via the Downloader app:

1. Install Downloader by AFTVnews from the Play Store or Amazon Store
2. Enter 697374 or aftv.news/697374

Sideloading can also done via the adb developer tool:

• enable developer mode on your android device
• use adb connect <ip> from your computer to connect to the android device
• use adb install channels-dvr-xxx.apk to install the APK

On Windows 11, you can also find GUI helpers for Android subsystem on the Windows Store which will let you drag-and-drop the APK to install it.

Kodi

The kodi add-on is an experimental client, currently only available in beta. It integrates with Kodi Matrix/Nexus as a PVR plugin.

Kodi Add-On Beta Notes

This is the Kodi PVR Add On for Channels beta notes thread. As releases are published, their notes will be posted here. Follow along to see what has changed.

Setup

To install the add-on, follow these steps:

1. Setup repository

   • click Settings > File manager > Add source
   • click <None> and enter https://kodi.getchannels.com
   • enter channels-kodi for name, then hit OK to save

2. Install repository

   • click Settings > Add-ons > Install from zip file
   • click on channels-kodi then select repository.fancybits.zip

3. Install addon

   • click Settings > Add-ons > Install from repository > Channels Add-on Repository
   • click PVR clients > Channels DVR Client > Install

Channels DVR server

The DVR server software has a built-in auto-update mechanism that works the same way across all operating system and environments, including NAS apps and containers like Docker.

DVR Pre-Release Notes

This is the Channels DVR Server pre-release release notes thread. As pre-releases are published, their notes will be posted here. Follow along to see what has changed.

Updating to prerelease

On the DVR web UI, select Status > Version > Check For Update > Check for Pre-Release

Prerelease upgrades happen manually, only when you click the button above. The next time a stable release happens, your DVR will switch back to the newer stable build automatically.

RPI Image

Our Raspberry Pi Disk Image also supports built-in auto-update. Beta versions can be installed via the web UI, under Operating System > Version

RPI Image Beta Notes

This is the Raspberry Pi USB boot image beta notes thread. As releases are published, their notes will be posted here. Follow along to see what has changed.