Channel numbering from IPTV sources

[clemon79]

I have no logs to provide because this is a question about NextPVR behavior, and not any actual problem I'm having.

In working with this I am finding that when setting up an IPTV import via Xtream credentials, that Next does not honor the channel numbering in the Xtream feed (that I know exists, because I made the feed), but rather finds the highest number currently existing, adds 1, and numbers sequentially from there.

Is this intentional behavior?

Thanks!

-- Chris

[mvallevand]

Yes but with an asterisk. There is no defined channel number field in the API but if JSON num and epg_channel_id fields are the same number it will use that as shown here https://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.ph...#pid605656

Martin

[clemon79]

Yes but with an asterisk. There is no defined channel number field in the API but if JSON num and epg_channel_id fields are the same number it will use that as shown here https://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.ph...#pid605656

Nothing defined, but many IPTV apps pull from

Code:

num

, do they not?

So given this example of the JSON from one of my playlist entries, you would NOT expect it to honor a channel number, yes?

Code:

{   "num": 466,   "name": "Channel 4 FHD",   "stream_type": "live",   "stream_id": 94214,   "stream_icon": "https://cdn.iptvboss.pro/logos/UK/Channel4.uk.png",   "epg_channel_id": "369842",   "added": "1785287169",   "category_id": "3",   "category_ids": [     3   ],   "tv_archive": 1,   "tv_archive_duration": 3,   "custom_sid": "",   "thumbnail": "https://cdn.iptvboss.pro/logos/UK/Channel4.uk.png",   "direct_source": "" }

[mvallevand]

Correct they aren't the same.

I have no idea about other apps, I know that it is just a database id. and each provider has a different number. There is no reason to think 466 is a good number for Channel 4.

Martin

[clemon79]

Correct they aren't the same.

I have no idea about other apps, I know that it is just a database id. and each provider has a different number.  There is no reason to think 466 is a good number for Channel 4.

Well because I intentionally SET that, that's why!

Seriously, though, I understand; since XTream is such a loose standard (and honestly, calling it a standard is an insult to standards) mostly I wanted to be sure the software was working as you intended even though I might not agree with (but make no mistake: can live with) the output.

Would you consider adding some kind of setting to the Xtream import flow? Something like: Channel number source: num / epg_channel_id / Custom Field (let the user tell you what field to use) / Automatic, defaulting to "automatic" which is the current behavior? That way most folks don't see any change but people curating their own custom IPTV feeds have options.

[mvallevand]

It is up to sub, it is not something I see having any particular value, NextPVR does let you manually renumber channels which is the traditional PVR approach.

That being since you have the custom JSON already it would be faster you you to pass the JSON and npvr.db3 to Claude or ChatGPT and it would be trivial to have them write a python script that does what you want.

Martin

[clemon79]

It is up to sub, it is not something I see having any particular value,  NextPVR does let you manually renumber channels which is the traditional PVR approach.

That being since you have the custom JSON already it would be faster you you to pass the JSON and npvr.db3 to Claude or ChatGPT and it would  be trivial to have them write a python script that does what you want.

Martin

Fair. Also untenable when dealing with a list of 3000 channels.  True, I could do that, but I would have to do that every time I update the list, I think, wouldn't I? Plus I think it makes EPG matching an issue in my specific case.

No matter. The question going in was really "is this behaving how it was intended to behave?" And now that I know the answer is "yes", I can go on with my life. Once I find something to watch. It may be a minute.

[mvallevand]

Having 3000 dynamic live TV changes is crazy for PVR too, which is ultimately the issue no way the channel numbers are meaningful.

Martin