I'm currently using SageTV to manage my TV addiction.

[Stinin]

I'm currently using SageTV to manage my TV addiction. Due to some recent cablebox issues, I may need to find ways to either tune the RF boxes that would likely replace my current IR-controlled boxes, or acquire shows on my non-OTA channels via IPTV. I'm not sure that's even possible, though, hence my completely uninformed questions. I have looked at the Wiki, and did not find the info I'm looking for. Clearly, I'm lacking some pre-requisite knowledge.

cluster rush

I installed NextPVR on a spare PC (on Windows 10 Provessional) for testing. I was able to scan my ancient HDHomeruns just to play with the system, but really want to see if I can somehow integrate web-based access to my provider. I use Xfinity, and can access its Xfinity stream site through my browser. But it's not at all clear how (or if) to use that as a NextPVR's IPTV device. The IPTV setup asks for a URL of a M3U file. How do I generate such a file, both in general, and (if it's possible) for Xfinity stream?

Thanks for any pointers.

[pkscout]

You won't be able to integrate any of the Xfinity streaming (web or app) stuff into NextPVR. Those things use private APIs and an encrypted video stream that is designed to ensure you can't use any third party tool with it. In the US, the cable providers are allowed to lock you in to their devices and apps, and that's exactly what they all did. For now if you can put an antenna up and get ATSC2 broadcasts over the air, you can use SageTV or NextPVR. With ATSC3 coming, broadcasters will be allowed to encrypt those as well, which may mean the end of personal DVRs (although in 10 or more years).

[mvallevand]

I am using the same dual RF/IR controlled boxes discussed here with SageTV here https://github.com/OpenSageTV/Community/discussions/114 that XFinity uses. There is a NextPVR thread here https://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?tid=65526 Most the problem are creating the new tuning file and getting it to work with the HDPVR internal blaster. It works perfectly with me with LIRC. Appartently these boxes can be controlled by IP to I just haven't found any documentation.

Typically you can't get an m3u for North American TV because of DRM through a legal provider. ChannelsDVR found a way to access TVEverywhere for some non-OTA which is why some people use it. As pkscout noted you need to factor in that OTA might have DRM in the future. The current date industry is proposing to sunset ATSC 1.0 for the US major markets is Feb 2028 so there is a bit of time.

Martin