Locast.org support

[mvallevand]

Now, the locast channels work perfectly with the web app. But with the desktop app, which I prefer, not so much. Takes a little longer to get a picture and when playback video is visible, playback is one pause after another like only very small chunks of data are being sent. Playback is not watchable.

Clearly the thread is too long but you missed an important one in the beginning https://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.ph...#pid550105 point #4.

The release should be out soon.

Martin

[2leftfeet]

How is it working for you?  Do you think it is a viable alternative to a tuner?

Martin

It is working great, so far and yes, it is certainly a viable alternative, particularly if the extra can support multi-streams.

Right now I am using both OTA and cable, though because of my location (wrong side of a mountain), I am unable to get all the OTA stations that I would be otherwise be able to receive if my location were different.  My goal is to eventually ditch cable altogether and use a combination of both OTA and locast, supplemented by several OTT services (like Discovery+ -starting in Jan.) which would be streamed via internet - all integrated through nextpvr.

Thanks again to you and sub for all your work on this.

[mvallevand]

Really good to hear

I posted instruction on multiple streams here https://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?tid=61992 This thread going to be closed and I am moving things to the wiki and the Addon Support sub forum.

Martin

[jcole998]

Now, the locast channels work perfectly with the web app. But with the desktop app, which I prefer, not so much. Takes a little longer to get a picture and when playback video is visible, playback is one pause after another like only very small chunks of data are being sent. Playback is not watchable.

Clearly the thread is too long but you missed an important one in the beginning https://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.ph...#pid550105 point #4.

The release should be out soon.

Works beautifully with the new release! Live TV playback is smooth as glass! Channel switching is eyeblink fast! In either app! Hats off to you and sub!

A final question if I may...

Isn't locast just another IPTV provider? Why is the EXTRA setup required? Do all IPTV providers need an EXTRA device to access it?

Thanks.

[mvallevand]

It uses m3u8 files true, but the URL's are dynamic and the multi-step custom login process creates a token from the username / password which expires. If it was just m3u8 files they'd be shutdown.

Additionally I think it is good for new users of NextPVR to have the option of a free XMLTV source to see if the want to expand to a real tuner or SD EPG.

Feel free to try and find m3u8 files on their web site and an XMLTV source any other way.

Martin

[jcole998]

Thanks, Martin. This whole internet video sourcing is quite a mosaic of any moving parts. I learning the pieces bit by bit.

JohnC

[mvallevand]

I am learning this as I go too. Speaking of learning my from scratch python install on my wife's laptop went as expected no issues. Do you see anything on the wiki page I am writing https://github.com/sub3/NextPVR/wiki/install-python that you might have missed?

Martin

[jcole998]

Nice work on the Wiki. Screen shots are very helpful. I read down the steps and found that I probably erred in not checking the "Add to PATH" box and not running the Python commands as Administrator. It would also be helpful if, at Step 4 of "Installing required modules," the modules are in the wrong place, what steps can be used to correct it. Is there something that can be done? In fact there are several places that could use help at what to do in the event the commands do not produce expected output.

Now, you had the advantage of installing Python to a "clean" machine in that Python was never previously installed. I had already installed Python for some reason and when things went south installing locast, I attempted to re-install Python from the Windows Store by first uninstalling what I had. I have learned that Windows uninstall generally leaves a lot of crap laying around one would never suspect was part of the install. I usually use Revo Uninstaller for uninstalls. I've had great success with it. When I re-installed using the "All users" option, I believe something the Windows uninstall left behind was mucking up the works. That took a lot of effort to straighten out.

So...I would like to try again to install locast using the Wiki steps but this time using Revo to uninstall Python 3.8.5. I would also install 3.9.1. I believe I have a good enough handle on the overall process to try this out. I will start by removing the locast devices, channels and .xml files.

Any helpful hints or comments?

JohnC

[mvallevand]

I think you can modify an existing python install, by simply rerunning the installer and clicking the appropriate options when you don't run the Windows store version. I did start with the Windows Store version on the clean machine and when I saw I had no choices I needed I was able to remove it.

After the uninstall make sure there are no remnants of python in the path.

Martin

[jcole998]

Things went A LOT better this time. Cleaned out Python 3.8.5 and installed 3.9.1 exactly as instructed in the Wiki. Nice!

I finally got locast.py 0.6.3 to behave after several failures:
- Still not sure how to handle an installation that uses a network login other than the defaults.

• I went into libnextpvr.pv and changed the port to 8867 and that didn't work
  
• Changed the same file to use username = 'JohnC998' and password = '********'. That didn't work either.
  
• Finally remembered to change line 137 of locast.py from TRUE to FALSE. That worked. 
  
• Did I need to change port, username and password?
  

-Restarted service.

Full install, web app and desktop app playback are just fine! Guides are almost perfect. 
Since I did no channel merging, I have two guide sources: SD for the HDHR stations and XMLTV for the locast stations.
Did notice one issue...Tonight's NCIS is a season premier: locast channel 2.1 shows the green Premier tag but the SD channel 502 listing does not. Same thing on the desktop. The XMLTV guide data seems to be more accurate than the SD data. Sounds like a problem. Logs are attached.

Could an install.txt file be included in the locast zip file that takes into account NextPVR installs other than default?

Many thanks, Martin.

JohnC