Combine IPTV multiple accounts 1 provider

[bert@hubbsplace.org]

Install NextPVR on Windows 11 box and I have 2 accounts at 1 IPTV provider. I started to add another IPTV device but when it parsed out the channels for the second IPTV device I realized that it was about to add additional channels starting at around 2005. WHOA hang on a second. This got me thinking, this is not what I want. I guess I had imagined incorrectly that it would just double up the channels except using the same channel numbers that would in effect have 2 different streams to the provider. Thats what I was after but looks like it's not possible or I'm doing something wrong. What is the recommended way to configure this? Keep in mind that I'm using Kodi with the NextPVR client. I may have jumped the gun on this but my current challenge is I seem to be running out of streams as live TV is being dropped sometimes and it's usually while NPVR is recording stuff. What I was going to do was double up the available streams but if I can't do that then I will have to figure something else out. I guess my question is what would be the recommended way to proceed? I now have a total of 10 streams available to me, split into 5 per account at the same provider. Is there a way to combine these in NPVR?

[mvallevand]

If they are the same name go into the Settings->Channels Advanced Tools button and auto merge them by channel name. Some peoples choose providers that allow multiple streams which is a little easier to manage.

Martin

[bert@hubbsplace.org]

That went poorly. I added the other account to devices and then merged by name and didn't really seem to do anything but the wife started whining from the other room. Basically the connection started hanging and seemed that nothing happened except kodi stopped streaming. Finally restarted service and that cleared up the streaming problem but nothing seemed to change at least visually. Should there be something that changes or do the channels stay the same?
Also is there a way to delete devices? I've seen a screen that allows deletion once and while I was in there I attempted to delete devices that were empty but that failed also. Now I can't find that screen. Another weird thing is when I added the new device the channels started at like 25000 WTF? My previous channels ended around 4000. Like to try all this again but I think something needs to be cleaned up but I can't get anything to change, it's like once it's there your stuck with it. I was able to remove all the channels for the new device but I can't remove the device.

[bert@hubbsplace.org]

Another thing, when I pull up channels and enable groups on the right side and then select a group, none of the channels that should be in that group are checked on the left boxes. Only thing that checks any boxes is "All Channels".

[mvallevand]

If the merge by name did nothing the names don't match. Maintenance while using the system is definitely a bad idea.

The channel numbers do keep going up if you rescans and adds. Rescanning IPTV can screw up groups too, sounds like that is what you did potentially more than once. The control key will get you a trash can

Keeping one list current is trouble enough, keeping two in sync will be a nightmare. A provider with multiple streams will be easier as noted. You might need an external m3u manager

Martin

[bert@hubbsplace.org]

Sounds like I need to nuke the current device and then recreate 2 new devices. These devices will be from the same provider so I should get a 1to1 merge of channels.

? I need to remove some of the groups that come with this provider, other countries etc. Should I do that before or after the channel merge? Also what should it look like in the end? Lets say I have 2000 channels x2. Will there be 2000 merged channels or 4000 channels somehow logically merged?

? Recordings will most likely be hosed, should I delete those ahead of the device deletion or work them out at the backend of this process.

? Would I be better off wiping the entire install of NPVR and reinstalling?

[mvallevand]

First I think you need to find out why merge isn't working, if the names are indeed 1-1 there wouldn't be a problem initially but as I said there will be a nightmare managing things. You probably need to provide the database to sub I am not sure if IPTV merging was envisioned which is why changing providers is a better choice.

There will be 4000 channels but merged channels are only shown once so you would see 2000 if they are merged.

No need to install NextPVR, if you stop the recording service delete npvr.db3 you will have a fresh database to configure.

Before starting fresh you need to make some decisions.

Adding only specific groups is very important. Do you really need 2000 channels? I think that is hurting the experience to have too many.

If you are going to do a major prune of channels probably worth starting from scratch and rebuild recurring recordings. However the first and second list have to be pruned before the merge.

How often do you need to update the m3u file? If it is often I would look for another provider

Old recordings can be imported so ignore that for now, but recurring recordings will need to be redone. In Kodi you can select the new channel to "fix" them.

I am going to step out of the conversation since I don't recommend what you are doing. Maybe if NextPVR could mirror IPTV lists it would be better, but getting a better provider that provides multiple streams is better. Also look into Threadfin or IPTV Boss which can help manage m3u lists.

Martin