Xteve, Threadfin, and other apps for connecting IPTV to Plex

[Jazmodo]

Hello all

As the subject says, I've been dabbling with running dockers of Xteve & Threadfin, to link IPTV providers through to Plex, to give me all my media & then live TV all through one interface.

I've also acquired an Octagon SF8008 for DVB-S, with OpenVix, and have this (somewhat) successfully streaming 2x channels through to the Plex Guide & DVR, using the HRTunerProxy plugin.

I've been having less success with IPTV though it would seem.

I heard about another forum that offers a curated list of IPTV providers, but given some of the issues I've had, I'm unsure if this was a good source.

I've been provided with an M3U playlist, and have figured out how to use the get.php & xmltv.php links to set up with some apps, but all appear to be a little flaky, with various issues:

• Threadfin point-blank refused to work for me - whilst I could set up docker, and successfully link to both IPTV provider, and Plex, every time I tried to play a channel, I would get an ffmpeg error 1204 in the Threadfin logs. No amount of adjustment would work for me.
• Xteve, even though unsupported for 3-4 years, seems to work fine. Again, making me question my IPTV provider - are they outdated, like Xteve?
  • Xteve works though, and through M3U4U, I can supply a list of desired channels through to Plex, which provides guides for the UK channels at least.
  • M3U4U needs to link EPGs for the international channels, but I've not got that sorted as yet, and happy enough with the UK/Plex EPG for now
• Xstreamity - I got working initially on the Octagon Openvix box, love the interface, but has since broken, and shows no TV channels at all,
• Xklass - Installed after Xstreamity stopped working, again great interface, but has exactly the same issue - connects to provider, but shows no channels
• IPTVX - Installed this then on my MacOS machine, and this works fine (?!) and shows all TV Channels, in the correct groups, along with on demand movies & tv shows
• TiViMate - Installed on an nVidia Shield Pro, and connects successfully, but all TV channels show in one massive 'all' group, not in separate groups. Search & EPG work, but no groups on Live TV & On-Demand makes using very difficult - could use M3U4U to make this easier, but far from ideal

I'm unsure what the issues are being caused by - is it me, the apps I'm using, the IPTV provider, or a combination of some/all of these?

I've read on this forum that the some providers (the better maybe?) have their own apps, and don't use M3U. This could be good, but would probably block the ability of connecting to Plex via Threadfin/Xteve via M3U links.

I'd ideally like to keep Plex, however I see that TiViMate (and some other IPTV apps) can also record, and I've even set TiViMate to record it's programmes directly to my media share via SMB. So Plex connection isn't a must.

As things progress & I learn (hopefully) more, I'm ideally going to be adding a second DVB-S box (VU+ Uno 4K SE - 8 channels at once I think?) and would then like to have at least 3, possibly up to 5, IPTV streams to enable recording and multi-room watching of any desired channels.

I guess my main questions are:

1. Are all IPTV sellers resellers, or could I end up finding better quality/lower prices from a smaller pool of actual source providers?
2. Does it sound from the above like some of my issues are IPTV-provider related? Or are these issues common with IPTV noobs such as I?
3. Does anyone else run Plex with IPTV? Or did you go down the Jellyfin route for TV?
4. Should I forget Plex altogether, and run something like TiViMate to do any IPTV recording?

Apologies for the essay! But thought I'd get it all down in one go

 

[HonestPrick]

1) 99% are resellers since it gives providers a layer of security and the actual suppliers who source the stream deal with providers so there are fewer possibilities of leaks.

2) Can't speak for plex but Tivimate or any other IPTV app should show all the groups and play everything without an issue.

3) You can run it with Plex/Jellyfin/Emby but a dedicated app will be better. I've been able to set it up with threadfin but wasn't as seamless as Tivimate.

4) Ideally yes, but you should be able to get Plex working.

 

[Jazmodo]

Makes sense, I'm not looking to resell myself, so perhaps finding a 'high-tier' reseller is a better option. Any way you separate the wheat from the chaff? Or is it simply trial and error?

OK - so no groups is likely a provider/m3u file issue, which is what I more suspected. Perhaps now I know better what to do, I cycle through trials until I find a suitable match?

Given TiViMate is well reviewed, and can be run as a DVR, perhaps this is the better option then.

Thanks for the reply!

 

[spc]

Plex, xteve etc etc will give more issues than solutions with m3u4u (as their guide well documents). There is no better option for viewing iptv and getting reliable epg than using a dedicated android player app (eg tivimate, implayer) or for better recording experience (especially series linking) your SF8008 will be fine running via either e-channelizer pc hub or BMX plug-in

 

[Jazmodo]

Hadn't thought to look at the documentation of Plex/Xteve with relation to m3u4u in all honesty, had seen it recommended as a free m3u editor, and hadn't thought much past that.

e-channelizer & BMW are unknowns to me though, so I'll get reading - lots to learn it would seem.

Cbeers for the info 🙂

 

[HonestPrick]

Makes sense, I'm not looking to resell myself, so perhaps finding a 'high-tier' reseller is a better option. Any way you separate the wheat from the chaff? Or is it simply trial and error?

OK - so no groups is likely a provider/m3u file issue, which is what I more suspected. Perhaps now I know better what to do, I cycle through trials until I find a suitable match?

Given TiViMate is well reviewed, and can be run as a DVR, perhaps this is the better option then.

Thanks for the reply!

Mostly trial and error but you only get a full picture over a month during high traffic events like 3pm games, PPVs etc. Whichever service you like go for a month and see how issues (if any) are dealt with and pick a longer subscription if you are comfortable.

Yeah, pretty much cycle through whatever offers you get and go from there based on your requirements and needs. You can definitely get all the groups and channels on Plex/Jellyfin but the experience isn't as fluid as a dedicated app.

Tivimate can be run as a DVR but you need to have enough storage, recording over Samba share might be better but has its own issues if you record a lot. Recording also uses 1 connection so if you only have 1 connection on a subscription and decide to record then you won't be able to watch without disrupting the recording. You can also look into catchup that some some services offer and that allows you to watch something for a few days after it's aired depending on the channel.

Hope this helps!

 

[Arrows]

I've been Dabbling in this aswell - I run Unraid and Xteve, Plex, Emby and Jellyfin in dockers

I have been using xteve now for about a year and have basically done nothing other than drop the M3u and XMLTV links in (Disable a load on the non english channels) and let it run.

Now because of the limits in plex i have been Using emby for the XTEVE content.

Threadfin - I just couldn't get threadfin to work - Even with the xteve docker stopped threadfin was a no go
Channels DVR - i installed it, had a little mess about and found it was way to complex for what i needed!

There appears to be a new kid on the block with stream master - but it also appears to be incredibly slow

Everything runs mega slow for me - I don;t know if its fetching the content - or just applying changes to such a large dataset - i just can't get it to run quickly (which is why i've never really tidied up my lisitings)

 

[spc]

Hadn't thought to look at the documentation of Plex/Xteve with relation to m3u4u in all honesty, had seen it recommended as a free m3u editor, and hadn't thought much past that.

e-channelizer & BMW are unknowns to me though, so I'll get reading - lots to learn it would seem.

Cbeers for the info 🙂

I was referring to the m3u4u documentation, not plex or xteve.
Bouquet Maker Xtream (BMX) will/should be available to install via E2 plugin menu

 

[mike123]

You can just add plex to implayer app best of both worlds

 

[Jazmodo]

Mostly trial and error but you only get a full picture over a month during high traffic events like 3pm games, PPVs etc. Whichever service you like go for a month and see how issues (if any) are dealt with and pick a longer subscription if you are comfortable.

Yeah, pretty much cycle through whatever offers you get and go from there based on your requirements and needs. You can definitely get all the groups and channels on Plex/Jellyfin but the experience isn't as fluid as a dedicated app.

Tivimate can be run as a DVR but you need to have enough storage, recording over Samba share might be better but has its own issues if you record a lot. Recording also uses 1 connection so if you only have 1 connection on a subscription and decide to record then you won't be able to watch without disrupting the recording. You can also look into catchup that some some services offer and that allows you to watch something for a few days after it's aired depending on the channel.

Hope this helps!

I hadn't realised how fragmented IPTV providers were I guess - 1 month trials sound like the smart move, then go yearly once thoroughly tested.

Tivimate does look ideal, so I'll look at getting a trial/1-month sub with a new provider, see if I can get the channel groups showing as hoped on Android devices, and the DVR over Samba looks viable so far, but, How do you define 'record a lot'? 😅

I've been Dabbling in this aswell - I run Unraid and Xteve, Plex, Emby and Jellyfin in dockers

I have been using xteve now for about a year and have basically done nothing other than drop the M3u and XMLTV links in (Disable a load on the non english channels) and let it run.

Now because of the limits in plex i have been Using emby for the XTEVE content.

Threadfin - I just couldn't get threadfin to work - Even with the xteve docker stopped threadfin was a no go
Channels DVR - i installed it, had a little mess about and found it was way to complex for what i needed!

There appears to be a new kid on the block with stream master - but it also appears to be incredibly slow

Everything runs mega slow for me - I don;t know if its fetching the content - or just applying changes to such a large dataset - i just can't get it to run quickly (which is why i've never really tidied up my lisitings)

Interesting that you also had trouble with Threadfin - were you getting particular errors? Any trouble thus far with Xteve over the longer term too

Slow streams could be due to the ffmpeg/vlc proxy/buffering - protects Plex from the link (especially if run through a VPN) - and it was ffmpeg that was throwing constant errors/not working in Threadfin for me.

As above, hopefully Tivimate can do run the IPTV DVR function for me, and then just let plex play the media

I was referring to the m3u4u documentation, not plex or xteve.
Bouquet Maker Xtream (BMX) will/should be available to install via E2 plugin menu

I've heard/seen a lot of people rave about IPTVBoss on reddit etc - any better than the free m3u4u, or would you recommend exploring BMX further?

You can just add plex to implayer app best of both worlds

This could be the app I'm looking for! Worked straight away with my m3u list/current iptv provider. Is the premium worth it? Looks like the DVR is behind the paywall, but no problem if worth it

 

[mike123]

Yes premium worth it. Don't think it works on formuler boxes

 

[Arrows]

Interesting that you also had trouble with Threadfin - were you getting particular errors? Any trouble thus far with Xteve over the longer term too

Slow streams could be due to the ffmpeg/vlc proxy/buffering - protects Plex from the link (especially if run through a VPN) - and it was ffmpeg that was throwing constant errors/not working in Threadfin for me.

As above, hopefully Tivimate can do run the IPTV DVR function for me, and then just let plex play the media

Its been a while - I should give it a try again and maybe spend more time with it!
It may be to do with the size of my M3U - despit asking for all the fluff to be removed (they didn't do it) its still huge 300MB+ last check

I am behind a vpn - I'll be honest i haven't tested how fast the VPN is compared to the Gigabit fibre - something else i should consider!
(ETA:- 840 Down and 90 up behind the VPN - 920/105 without the VPN - So that isn't the issue)

Something else i will look into!

Only started messing with IPTV in the last 6 months!

 

[laceyman93]

I've been Dabbling in this aswell - I run Unraid and Xteve, Plex, Emby and Jellyfin in dockers

I have been using xteve now for about a year and have basically done nothing other than drop the M3u and XMLTV links in (Disable a load on the non english channels) and let it run.

Now because of the limits in plex i have been Using emby for the XTEVE content.

Threadfin - I just couldn't get threadfin to work - Even with the xteve docker stopped threadfin was a no go
Channels DVR - i installed it, had a little mess about and found it was way to complex for what i needed!

There appears to be a new kid on the block with stream master - but it also appears to be incredibly slow

Everything runs mega slow for me - I don;t know if its fetching the content - or just applying changes to such a large dataset - i just can't get it to run quickly (which is why i've never really tidied up my lisitings)

I have had some pretty good success with stream master recently, at least with open IPTV sources anyway. Guessing some issues might arise when trying to load in larger playlists.

The guy behind it seems to be a lot more active then xteve and threadfin have been recently.

 

[Arrows]

Xteve is definetly long forgotten - But seems to still work despite beinmg slow!!

I had stream master running in a docker and it was chewing up RAM - But threadfin did this too!
Xteve is using 2GB aand Stream master was using 8GB - Now this may be due to something i had set as i was just experimenting

It would be good if i could find a supplier that would thin down there M3U

 

[Arrows]

So i've had a mess about tonight - Stream master seems to constantly reload the M3U - Then restarts downloading it before its finished processing the first time download

Threadfin is going this error -

Both of these errors may be down to the size of the M3U - I could do with a Supplier who knows how to chop it down - Current one appears to be unable!

 

[mike123]

Fairly easy to do yourself. Use this software it's not free

IPTV Assistant | IPTV Editor | Xtreamity

 

[laceyman93]

Started having a tinker with this again the last couple of nights. For some reason Streammaster completely gave up on me so moved back to giving Threadfin a go and can confirm it's working really well for me.

Like mike123 said, you'll want to trim your M3U first. If you don't fancy paying for a tool, I just did it all it notepad++, basically ripped everything out that I actually wanted by group title.

A nice little trick as well, is once you've got Threadfin configured how you want, you can actually go grab the M3U file it generates for future use, so you haven't got 1000's of channels you don't want, especially when trying to sift through it all.

 

[Arrows]

Started having a tinker with this again the last couple of nights. For some reason Streammaster completely gave up on me so moved back to giving Threadfin a go and can confirm it's working really well for me.

Like mike123 said, you'll want to trim your M3U first. If you don't fancy paying for a tool, I just did it all it notepad++, basically ripped everything out that I actually wanted by group title.

A nice little trick as well, is once you've got Threadfin configured how you want, you can actually go grab the M3U file it generates for future use, so you haven't got 1000's of channels you don't want, especially when trying to sift through it all.

What tools we talking for sorting out M3U files?

 

[Aristotle]

Started having a tinker with this again the last couple of nights. For some reason Streammaster completely gave up on me so moved back to giving Threadfin a go and can confirm it's working really well for me.

Like mike123 said, you'll want to trim your M3U first. If you don't fancy paying for a tool, I just did it all it notepad++, basically ripped everything out that I actually wanted by group title.

A nice little trick as well, is once you've got Threadfin configured how you want, you can actually go grab the M3U file it generates for future use, so you haven't got 1000's of channels you don't want, especially when trying to sift through it all.

I have edited an M3U file in years but just used to use notepad like you did.
Can be a ball ache when you’ve got thousands of channels though.

 

[laceyman93]

First thing I did was get rid of all the 24 / 7 channels and VODs Made it a lot easier to work with.

I think mike123 linked one earlier, but any m3u editor will do. I just know most the online ones are paid for.