Same Channel Number, Different Sources, Different Programming

Channels DVR Server Troubleshooting
#1

Before I dig too far into my new setup with the new features I have a question about how Channels DVR handles duplicate channel numbers from different sources, with different programming.

Say you have the following:
HDHomeRun Device #1 has a channel 16.1 which is a local religious station
HDHomeRun Device #2 has a channel 16.1 which is a low powered TV station from another market

OR
HDHomeRun Device #1 picks up channel 16.1 which is a low powered local translator of NBC
Locast picks up 16.1 which is an actual full powered station FOX you can't get OTA due to signal issues (with the preserve OTA channel numbers option enabled)

What happens in these cases?

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#2

In Channels, you set up each device with the corresponding programming information, so it should not be an issue. If device one is from an antenna, then you will usually set that up with the antenna channels in that zip code. If device two is from an antenna in a different market (I have this same situation), then you set that one up with the channels in that zip code. I have never run into a situation where the same channel is used in such a close area. So, when you bring Locast in, you will do the same thing, but you may be repeating the same channels as one of your HDHRs, so you need to set which has priority.

#3

I understood the priority part but I’ve seen previous threads very old that seemed to indicate that Channels does its own “combining” of channels with the same #. Instead I’d showing two 16.1’s it shows the highest priority one in the guide (or used to?) That would be a problem if the same channel number exists but has different programming. In my area I have two situations where because of translators and low powered stations we have two with the same virtual channel number as either another low powered station or Locast feed. It’s pretty common in mountainous areas to have lots of translators that sometimes bleed over.

#4

Yeah, I get what you mean...I do run into that situation with my Quadro 4K and my Dual. But, because I am only using the duplicated channels on the 4K for testing, I usually hide one or the other, depending on whether I am testing or not. In my case, the channels are the same programming, but coming from different sources. I will let someone more educated on this program chime in for a better answer.

#5

The channels clients will merge channels that it determines are identical, based on guide data (and possibly call sign and other things). I don’t believe the channel numbers have any bearing on the merging algorithm.

#6

This is an issue, because Philo and YouTubeTV use the same channel numbers. I need to be able to change the channel numbers. If you want to know why I want this. Sometimes one provider may have issues with a channel. I want the ability to change to the duplicate channel from the other provider in the guide.

#7

This doesn't matter for TVE channels. They all come from the same source, regardless of your provider. The provider is only needed for authentication, not delivery of the stream.

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#8

What does that have to do with the channel numbers? I have seen situations where, for example, the Travel Channel has buffering on Philo and not on YTTV. Why is that if the source is the same.

#9

Network/CDN? Nothing obvious, but it still doesn't change the fact that the URL to access Travel Channel does not differ, regardless of whether you authenticate with Philo or YTTV.