Change Channel Numbers?

[hansolo77]

This is probably a really simple question. But I wanted to ask before I go poking around in settings somewhere and maybe muck something up.

Is it possible to change the channel numbers NPVR sets when it gives you the listings? For instance, I have multiple tuners providing different sources of input. I have an analog input that gives me cable-ready (SD) channels. Then I have a digital input that gives me cable-ready (ATSC/QAM HD) channels. Then I have a 3rd input type that gives me free antenna (OTA SD/HD) inputs. The first tuner I established a lineup for was the analog. It gave me a rough estimate of some 50 channels and assigned them numbers based on their cable box counter parts. That's fine. The 2nd tuner though (digital) went and added a bunch (like 40) more channels, but isn't following a cable box routine. They're simply around 100-300 channel numbers. Many of these channels are duplicates of SD channels but are just digital versions. Lastly for the OTA tuners (I've yet to configure them) I'd like to have them properly numbered based on their OTA channel numbers. For instance, this is my typical line up:

SD (analog) tuner
4 - NBC
6 - ABC
10 - CBS
28 - FOX
34 - PBS
53 - WB

DT (digital) tuner
132 - ABC
167 - CBS
174 - NBC HD
206 - PBS
247 - WB HD
262 - ABC HD
305 - FOX HD
307 - PBS HD
etc (note that I am receiving both SD and HD versions of the same channels in some instances)

OTA (digital) tuner
4.1 - NBC HD
4.2 - sub (getTV?)
4.3 - sub (retroTV?)
6.1 - ABC HD
6.2 - sub (thisTV?)
6.3 - sub (?)
10.1 - CBS HD
10.2 - sub (weather?)
10.3 - sub (?)
28.1 - FOX HD
etc (note that these are what are broadcast in my area, and national channels are HD)

I'd like to have it list in KODI as:

4 - NBC
4a - NBC (DT SD)
4b - NBC (DT HD)
4.1 - NBC HD
4.2 - sub (getTV?)
4.3 - sub (retroTV?)
6 - ABC
6a - ABC (DT SD)
6b - ABC (DT HD)
6.1 - ABC HD
etc (essentialy, all NBC's grouped together increasing in various qualities, then all ABC's, etc)

Is something like this possible? The channels numbers in the DT range are made up (I'm not looking at it) but hopefully you get the gist. I have ANALOG (SD) versions of multiple channels, as well as DIGITAL (SD) versions of the same channels, and again DIGITAL (HD) versions of them, and lastly DIGITAL (OTA) versions that are also SD/HD (depending on what the source is). Left alone, they're scattered throughout the list. I can always sort alphabetically, but I prefer channel numbers.

[Graham]

You can edit the channel number in Settings --> Channels ... http://www.nextpvr.com/nwiki/pmwiki.php?...n.Channels

Plus you can merge channels .. if NBC from one source is the same as NBC from another source, you tell NextPVR that they are the same channel and they will have a single channel number and its pot luck which version of the channel that you get in Live TV and that is used for recordings. To merge channels, right click in this list ... http://www.nextpvr.com/nwiki/pmwiki.php?...n.Channels

Plus, you auto-merge in Builk Map ... http://www.nextpvr.com/nwiki/pmwiki.php?...n.Channels

[Graham]

But I wanted to ask before I go poking around in settings somewhere and maybe muck something up.

The configuration of NextPVR is stored in config.xml and in npvr.db3 ... Copy these two files before fiddling and you can go back if it all goes horribly wrong.

[hansolo77]

Thanks! I will give it a go then and see what I can do. Merry Christmas!

[mvallevand]

Thanks! I will give it a go then and see what I can do. Merry Christmas!

NextPVR doesn't support 4a 4b but you could add fake minor numbers. ie 4.4 4.5

Martin

[hansolo77]

Yeah that's what I ended up doing.

I've noticed a weird thing happening though where if I'm watching a channel and change it to the next (or previous) without stopping, if the channel is similar it won't actually change. For instance, if I'm watching ABC on the analog input and change to a digital or HD ABC one, the change won't happen unless I stop it first. It's not that big a deal since I figured out if I stop it first it works.

Now the only issue I have is that sometimes my channels no longer tune, and it causes NPVR to report the Tuner is no longer available. It does either that, or completely locks up Kodi and causes me to reboot. I noticed last night that it was doing it whenever I tried to watch the Clear QAM channel provided by the cable company for the Weather Channel HD. I had it available and watched it earlier in the day, then in the evening I couldn't tune it. I eventually tried re-scanning for available channels and that frequency disappeared off the list. So I guess Time Warner locked it out or something. Kinda lame, considering we're already paying for the service/channel, why have it encrypted and locked out?

Anyway, all seems to be working now. Now I just wish there was a good way to schedule recordings in Kodi. I know the Jarvis build has a major PVR upgrade coming. I'm just so used to how Windows Media Center worked, it's a difficult adjustment. I miss being able to just directly see what I have scheduled. I also miss the ability WMC had for falling back on other channels if one is unavailable. Like, sometimes my OTA channels are unavailable because of bad weather, etc. I preferred the OTA because they're in HD. But if they're unavailable, WMC would see that no channel is able to be tuned and switches to the cable provided ones so long as the callsign matches. I dunno, maybe NextPVR does that too, but since I changed all my channel names that's probably not going to work anymore. Maybe if it had some kind of fuzzy logic. But I also liked being able to dictate a "Prefer HD" option.

[pitbull1969]

Martin
Iam new to SD and nextpvr.everything is correct except the channel mapping.i have 4 providers in SD and they are in callsign. My xmltv.xlm file pull my IPTV channels with full name which is easy but it is a nightmare to match one by one with nextpvr.
iam using nextpvr ver 4.0.4 and i tried the Nshared and Utillity dll patch with out help.the bulk mapping wont generate epg other than the first channel.i did get the question to automap all channels but no luck.
there is any solution on this?i did search alot in forums and it point to the patch but like i said it didnt help
thanks i appreciate your help

[mvallevand]

My xmltv.xlm file pull my IPTV channels with full name which is easy but it is a nightmare to match one by one with nextpvr.

Yes it will be if the IPTV source provider doesn't match SD long or short names.

Martin

[pitbull1969]

There is any way to make it work?

[sub]

Are you using an xmltv source provided by your IPTV provider? If so, did you specify the xmltv url on the 'Import' screen while setting up your IPTV channels? Most IPTV providers will provide an xmltv EPG that has channel IDs that match the IDs they've used in their m3u url, allowing NextPVR to automatically do the EPG mapping for you. We did come across one provider that was using a slightly different scheme, and I posted an updated NShared.dll to cope with their different approach. I can't see where I originally posted that NShared.dll, so I've attached one for you.

If you'd done your Import without specifying the xmltv url, and are now trying to add it after the fact by manually channel mapping - you'd be better off deleting the channels and reimporting them, making sure to enter the xmltv url on the Import screen.