Selecting the transcoding profile when connecting from remote using VPN

Channels DVR Server Feature Requests
#1

Hi,

first, let me thank you for the great transcoding support of this app! Miles ahead of the tvheadend server transcoding feature.

Usually, I prefer not to open ports on my router and remotely access home network through VPN. On the same Intel Nuc hosting Channels DVR server I am running an OpenVPN server.

I tried to disable the port forwarding on port 8089 and connect to home network via vpn from my iPhone using LTE service. As expected, Channels thinks I am at home and so it doesn't activate the transcoding.

I would appreciate the possibility to manually select the transcoding profile (called "internet" or "cellular") on my own, without any automation job from the DVR server.

Would it be a possible new feature in the next release? Thank you

#2

It already does this: Settings > Playback > Streaming Quality. Since you're essentially at "Home" when using a VPN, just manually change the "Home" quality setting.

However, your point is a little confused. You don't want to open ports, yet you're opening one for your OpenVPN server. If you use Channels' native remote access, you can 3 separate "transcoding" profiles, and Channels will intelligently switch between them depending upon how you're accessing the DVR.

Establish the use of "Cellular Streaming" profile based on use of cell radio
#3

I tried to select another profile Settings > Playback > Streaming Quality, but if I am at home, the app doesn't allow me to change the profile: even if I tap on "cellular" of "internet", the "check" sign will remain in front of "Home" forever

#4

The "Internet" setting is for when you are remotely connected via a broadband connection; the "Cellular" setting is for when you are remotely connected over a cellular connection.

Because you are circumventing Channels' remote access features, those settings won't work because Channels thinks you are directly connected to your DVR because of the VPN.

To change your "transcoding" profile, you need to change the "Home" streaming quality when you are using the VPN. Or, use Channels' native remote connectivity; then the other settings will work as expected. If you do things outside of how the application normally works, you must be willing to accept that things won't work as expected and you need additional steps to make the same functions work.