Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Yaobing]

Media Center 28 supports viewing and recording IPTV channels.

What is IPTV?

IPTV stands for Internet Protocol television.  It is the delivery of TV content over the Internet.

Here is the Wikipedia article on IPTV.

Currently, Media Center supports IPTV channels that are streamed using HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) protocol.

In HLS, a TV channel is specified by a URL that lets an application, such as Media Center, download an M3U8 file called a Master Playlist. 

The master playlist contains one or more individual playlists, each of which is a URL pointing to another m3u8 file to be downloaded and parsed.  These individual playlists are called variants which normally have different bitrates. 

At this time, Media Center only uses the first available playlist.  In the future we may implement methods of choosing which variant to use, to better adapt to the actual network conditions.  Each individual playlist (variant) specifies video data in segments in short duration (normally 4 - 10 seconds).  Media Center downloads these segments and stitches them back into a larger transport stream file to be played.


How to set it up?

You can either add a single IPTV channel to Media Center, or add a number of channels all at once by using an m3u playlist file.

1. Channel list file

Here is an example of what is contained in a channel list file.

Code: [Select]

#EXTM3U
#EXTINF:-1 tvg-id="23ABCKERO.us" tvg-name="23 ABC (KERO)" tvg-country="US" tvg-language="English" tvg-logo="https://scripps.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/local_media_23_abc.png" tvg-url="" group-title="Local",23 ABC (KERO) (720p)
https://content.uplynk.com/channel/ff809e6d9ec34109abfb333f0d4444b5.m3u8
#EXTINF:-1 tvg-id="ABC2BatonRougeLAWBRZHD.us" tvg-name="ABC 2 Baton Rouge LA (WBRZ-HD)" tvg-country="US" tvg-language="English" tvg-logo="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/86/WBRZ_Logo_2013.png" tvg-url="" group-title="Local",ABC 2 Baton Rouge LA (WBRZ-HD) (720p)
http://cms-wowza.lunabyte.io/wbrz-live-1/_definst_/smil:wbrz-live.smil/playlist.m3u8
#EXTINF:-1 tvg-id="" tvg-name="" tvg-country="" tvg-language="" tvg-logo="https://i.imgur.com/rLCHYCs.png" tvg-url="" group-title="",ABC Adelaide AU
https://c.mjh.nz/101002510251/
#EXTINF:-1 tvg-id="ABCNews.us" tvg-name="ABC News" tvg-country="US" tvg-language="English" tvg-logo="" tvg-url="" group-title="News",ABC News (720p)
https://content.uplynk.com/channel/3324f2467c414329b3b0cc5cd987b6be.m3u8
#EXTINF:-1 tvg-id="AtlantaChannel.us" tvg-name="Atlanta Channel" tvg-country="US" tvg-language="English" tvg-logo="https://i.imgur.com/hSYez3V.png" tvg-url="" group-title="Travel",Atlanta Channel (720p)
http://media4.tripsmarter.com:1935/LiveTV/ACVBHD/playlist.m3u8
#EXTINF:-1 tvg-id="BloombergTVPlusUS.us" tvg-name="Bloomberg TV+ US" tvg-country="US" tvg-language="English" tvg-logo="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PbJbgwulmgg/XlcvWvE1krI/AAAAAAAArqk/GybN3PTg-tAskuSoJQe3hfT2CvPXdA1WwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Bloomberg%2BTelevision.jpg" tvg-url="" group-title="Business",Bloomberg TV+ US (1080p)
https://liveprodusphoenixeast.akamaized.net/USPhx-HD/Channel-TX-USPhx-AWS-virginia-1/Source-USPhx-16k-1-s6lk2-BP-07-02-81ykIWnsMsg_live.m3u8
#EXTINF:-1 tvg-id="" tvg-name="" tvg-country="" tvg-language="" tvg-logo="http://epg.51zmt.top:8000/tb1/gt/SETNews.png" tvg-url="" group-title="",三立新聞
http://seb.sason.top/sc/sllive_fhd.m3u8

This file contains some of the (free) IPTV channels that we found on the internet.  If you would like to test these channels, you can copy the text in its entirety and save in a text file, using UTF-8 encoding and file extension .m3u or .m3u8.

If you are a subscriber of an IPTV service, your service provider probably will provide you with a channel list m3u file.  Save the file on your computer so that you can specify it during TV Setup process (see below).

To import these channels into Media Center, follow these steps:

• Run  TV Setup.
• Select "Streaming (from a network tuner or from the Internet)" for Service Type.
• On Capture Hardware page, select "IPTV" for Tuner Type, and choose an m3u/m3u8 file for channel playlist (i.e. browse to the m3u file on your computer).
• Select appropriate EPG option if you have it, and the channels in the EPG data match (or include) the IPTV channels you are trying to setup, otherwise you can just select "No EPG" for now.
• Finish the rest of the wizard like you do with other TV type setups.

2. Adding a single channel

To add a single channel, you need to know the channel name and its URL.  In the m3u file example above, the first channel entry is a channel named "23 ABC (KERO) (720p)", and its URL is "https://content.uplynk.com/channel/ff809e6d9ec34109abfb333f0d4444b5.m3u8".

Run "Manage Channels".  Click Add button and on the resulting window select IPTV for Type, and type/paste Name and URL.  Click OK to save.

Once you set up your channels, watching and recording on these channels are similar to any other types of channels.


Note:

Sat>IP devices also use m3u files for channel list.  If you happen to use that file, you end up setting up channels that do not work.  Rather than using HLS protocol, Sat>IP channels use RTSP protocol.  The contents of the M3U file for Sat>IP are similar to those for IPTV, except the URL, which usually begins with rtsp://, instead of https://.

Sat>IP channels are already supported in Media Center for Windows.  You should therefore set it up as Sat>IP, instead of IPTV.  On Mac and Linux computers we will add Sat>IP support later. 

[lello]

I followed your guide and managed to see all the channels on your list even though I still haven't figured out how to see them in Theater View without an EPG.

But trying to upload a legal list of Italian channels, I can't see any channels: can you take a look at it and tell me what's wrong?

Thanks

https://pastebin.com/raw.php?i=8GpCCkhf
https://pastebin.com/raw/aRYDYSEQ

[Yaobing]

I followed your guide and managed to see all the channels on your list even though I still haven't figured out how to see them in Theater View without an EPG.

But trying to upload a legal list of Italian channels, I can't see any channels: can you take a look at it and tell me what's wrong?

Thanks

https://pastebin.com/raw.php?i=8GpCCkhf
https://pastebin.com/raw/aRYDYSEQ

Are you in Italy?

The first channel in the list plays only a message saying the stream is only available in Italy.

Other channels either are "Invalid URL", "Access Denied", or "Not found".  People outside of Italy can not watch these channels.  If you are in Italy, and can not play them, I would guess there must be some sort of user authentication that is needed.

[lello]

Yes, I am in Italy and in that list there should be only free channels that do not require any authorization.
That is, they are all free-to-air channels, which are normally seen with the digital antenna without any subscription.

[Yaobing]

Set up logging in MC and capture a log for playing one of these channels.  Email the log to me.  yaobing at jriver dot com

[JimH]

Here's a list by country on github:

https://github.com/Free-IPTV/Countries/find/master

Save the text in a file with an .m3u extension.  Add as a channel in MC by following Yaobing's instructions in the  first post.

[lello]

Thanks JimH for the tip.
Unfortunately, even with this list I can see few channels and I tried both with the laptop and with the htpc.
Could someone try the Italian channel list and tell me if they have the same problem? Just to understand if the problem depends on my hardware and software configurations or on JRiver.

P.S. In the list of Italian channels the main ones are missing, those of public television

[JimH]

Thanks JimH for the tip.
Unfortunately, even with this list I can see few channels and I tried both with the laptop and with the htpc.
Could someone try the Italian channel list and tell me if they have the same problem? Just to understand if the problem depends on my hardware and software configurations or on JRiver.

P.S. In the list of Italian channels the main ones are missing, those of public television

Just tried the Italian playlist, saved as m3u.  Played a couple stations successfully.  Sky TG24.. and VH1 Italia.

MC did download something ... AV Codec.   Maybe your firewall is blocking the download.  Or Windows Defender.

I attached the m3u file.

Minerva Cinema Segreto works too.  Cowboy movie.

[vairulez]

I have just tried with the french m3u and I get an error when I try to watch a channel : Failed to create JRiver Video Engine Erreur non spécifiée
I attached the log file

[lello]

Just tried the Italian playlist, saved as m3u.  Played a couple stations successfully.  Sky TG24.. and VH1 Italia.

MC did download something ... AV Codec.   Maybe your firewall is blocking the download.  Or Windows Defender.

I attached the m3u file.

Minerva Cinema Segreto works too.  Cowboy movie.

Those 2 channels I see them too in addition to other 2/3 but the most important do not.

I checked the firewall, and of course Mediacenter 28 is among the authorized apps.

Maybe I'm wrong with the postal code? I put the one of my country, but perhaps there is an international code that I do not know

[lello]

I have just tried with the french m3u and I get an error when I try to watch a channel : Failed to create JRiver Video Engine Erreur non spécifiée
I attached the log file

Same mistake that appears to me

[Yaobing]

I have just tried with the french m3u and I get an error when I try to watch a channel : Failed to create JRiver Video Engine Erreur non spécifiée
I attached the log file

This URL is not recognized by MC:

plugin://plugin.video.youtube/play/?video_id=[id removed]

We need an URL that actually streams, i.e. if you type the URL in a browser, the browser should play or download the video.

[lello]

I found a fully functional IPTV channel list with DVBViewer, so I wanted to try again with MC. Unfortunately I have these problems:
- not all channels work
- channel change times are VERY long
- the JRVR renderer I'm not sure if it works. According to Jmone it should work but the ctrl + j does not

FYI - JRVR is working on TV but Ctrl + J does not

Personally I would prefer to use MC + JRVR instead of DVBViewer + madvr so I hope for a solution

P.S. I forgot the most important thing: the broadcasts are not in real time but delayed by exactly 4 hours.

In other words, I see what was broadcast 4 hours ago.

[Yaobing]

I found a fully functional IPTV channel list with DVBViewer, so I wanted to try again with MC. Unfortunately I have these problems:
- not all channels work

Can you provide a couple of example channels that don't work?

- channel change times are VERY long

W do a lot of buffering.  I might make some adjustment and improve it a bit, but not sure how far I can go.

- the JRVR renderer I'm not sure if it works. According to Jmone it should work but the ctrl + j does not

JRVR is used in playback, but I need to hook up the keyboard messages to make Ctrl+J work.

P.S. I forgot the most important thing: the broadcasts are not in real time but delayed by exactly 4 hours.

In other words, I see what was broadcast 4 hours ago.

I am puzzled by this.

[lello]

Can you provide a couple of example channels that don't work?

for example 2 channels of the Mediaset group

Code: [Select]

#EXTINF:-1 tvg-id="Rete4.it" tvg-name="Italia1" tvg-country="IT" tvg-language="Italiano" tvg-logo="https://easysite.one/img/Rete4.png" group-title="MEDIASET",Rete 4
https://live2.msf.cdn.mediaset.net/content/hls_h0_clr_vos/live/channel(r4)/index.m3u8
#EXTINF:-1 tvg-id="Canale5.it" tvg-name="Canale5" tvg-country="IT" tvg-language="Italiano" tvg-logo="https://easysite.one/img/Canale5.png" group-title="MEDIASET",Canale 5
https://live2.msf.cdn.mediaset.net/content/hls_h0_clr_vos/live/channel(c5)/index.m3u8

I am puzzled by this.

I had not tried to open the TV with MC anymore, and strangely now this problem no longer arises

JRVR is used in playback, but I need to hook up the keyboard messages to make Ctrl+J work.

I did not understand this

[lello]

Unfortunately I have to rectify. Channels that were 4 hours late last time are now okay, but there are other channels that have that delay

[Yaobing]

Unfortunately I have to rectify. Channels that were 4 hours late last time are now okay, but there are other channels that have that delay

I am even more puzzled.  Could the server be putting out variants that allow playing streams 4 hours back?  We currently only pick the first variant we find in the list without really knowing what it is for.

for example 2 channels of the Mediaset group

Code: [Select]

#EXTINF:-1 tvg-id="Rete4.it" tvg-name="Italia1" tvg-country="IT" tvg-language="Italiano" tvg-logo="https://easysite.one/img/Rete4.png" group-title="MEDIASET",Rete 4
https://live2.msf.cdn.mediaset.net/content/hls_h0_clr_vos/live/channel(r4)/index.m3u8
#EXTINF:-1 tvg-id="Canale5.it" tvg-name="Canale5" tvg-country="IT" tvg-language="Italiano" tvg-logo="https://easysite.one/img/Canale5.png" group-title="MEDIASET",Canale 5
https://live2.msf.cdn.mediaset.net/content/hls_h0_clr_vos/live/channel(c5)/index.m3u8

These examples don't work for me because the server refused connection.  The error was "Access denied".

You can try pasting the link

Code: [Select]

https://live2.msf.cdn.mediaset.net/content/hls_h0_clr_vos/live/channel(c5)/index.m3u8


into your browser's address window and see if you can download the file "index.m3u8".  In order for the IPTV channel to work, we must be able to download this file first.

I did not understand this

What I meant was we do use JRVR, but Ctrl+J was ignored for TV playback.  I will fix this in the next couple of days.

[Dekyon]

Try to install and run italian channels (I'm in Italy) but when I try to run one MC stuck on installing libplacebo renderer... need to force a quit.

[JimH]

Try to install and run italian channels (I'm in Italy) but when I try to run one MC stuck on installing libplacebo renderer... need to force a quit.

If you're not using MC28.0.100, try updating.
https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php/topic,131721.0.html

[lello]

into your browser's address window and see if you can download the file "index.m3u8".  In order for the IPTV channel to work, we must be able to download this file first.

I managed to download the "index.m3u8" file and now it is there in the download folder: do I have to do anything else?

I must say that now those channels that I sent you and that I could not see before, are now seen and are in real time.

Those that are not yet in real time, but with a delay of 3 hours, are those of the RAI group (Italian public television). Here are an example:

https://ibb.co/YTvSjHF

[Yaobing]

I managed to download the "index.m3u8" file and now it is there in the download folder: do I have to do anything else?

I must say that now those channels that I sent you and that I could not see before, are now seen and are in real time.

You are in Italy, right?  I think the reason I got "Access Denied" error was because they have restrictions and do not let use access it from outside.

No, you do not need to do anything about that index.m3u8 file.  It was just a test to see if you are able to download it.  If you are able to download it, MC should be able to do it internally, and the channel should work (which you just confirmed).

Not sure why it did not work previously.  Maybe it was just glitches at the server.

Those that are not yet in real time, but with a delay of 3 hours, are those of the RAI group (Italian public television). Here are an example:

If you find a channel that is not showing live video, try copying the URL and download the m3u8 file in a browser.  I would like to see the contents of that m3u8 file.

[lello]

Forgive me, but I don't think I understand what to do.

Anyway, this is a channel I can't see in real time:

Code: [Select]

#EXTINF:-1 tvg-id="Rai1.it" tvg-name="Rai1" tvg-country="IT" tvg-language="Italiano" tvg-logo="https://easysite.one/img/Rai1.png" group-title="RAI",Rai 1
https://mediapolis.rai.it/relinker/relinkerServlet.htm?cont=2606803

[Yaobing]

Forgive me, but I don't think I understand what to do.

Anyway, this is a channel I can't see in real time:

Code: [Select]

#EXTINF:-1 tvg-id="Rai1.it" tvg-name="Rai1" tvg-country="IT" tvg-language="Italiano" tvg-logo="https://easysite.one/img/Rai1.png" group-title="RAI",Rai 1
https://mediapolis.rai.it/relinker/relinkerServlet.htm?cont=2606803

Copy and paste this URL

Code: [Select]

https://mediapolis.rai.it/relinker/relinkerServlet.htm?cont=2606803
into your browser's address window and see if it lets you download something.  I can not do it from my location because it says "the streaming of this content is available in Italy only". 

As you can see, the URL does not explicitly mention an m3u8 file, but it is likely that this is also just an m3u8 file.  If it is, and the browser lets you download it, you can open it with Notepad, and then post the content.

[lello]

Now it is clear.  I am attaching the .txt file

[Dekyon]

If you're not using MC28.0.100, try updating.

I'm using 28.0.100, on Win11. 

[Yaobing]

Now it is clear.  I am attaching the .txt file

That master playlist file contains three variants, of different bandwidths.  We picked the first one to play.  Nothing in the playlist file gives any indication that a variant is a time-shifted presentation.  So there is no choice for MC to pick "live" vs. time-shifted.  I am actually not aware if such an option exists, but was just curious whether there is anything available.  Your example master playlist certainly does not contain such choices.  So maybe it is just the server repeating a program?  I don't know if a chosen playlist would contain data as far back as 3 or 4 hours.  It will be harder to figure out.

[wellywu]

This is an interesting new feature and I may be open to the idea of purchasing the next major release version of JRiver Media Center 64-bit Master License to continue funding and see this new feature expanded so it is more robust.

I am interested in getting the free IPTV .M3U playlists for China and Switzerland. I know little about IPTV in general, but I am learning from this thread. I used to use Garuda 64-bit Dragonized Gamer Edition GNU/Linux and there is a free and open-source software package named Hypnotix that allowed me partial access to free IPTV channels from several countries including Switzerland and the United States of America. I would like to know how I can get free IPTV channels via .M3U playlists for China, Switzerland, and the United States of America. Unfortunately, I am so new to IPTV that I do not know much about it or what to search for yet. How do I learn how to get the free IPTV channels for different countries and be able to watch them via JRiver Media Center 28 64-bit Master License? I can follow the instructions within this thread, but I am interested in these three countries. Thank you.

I found a few free IPTV .M3U8 playlists and I downloaded one for Switzerland. I am using Microsoft Windows 10 64-bit Pro edition version 21H2 and JRiver Media Center 28.0.100 64-bit Master License. I followed the guide to add all of the Swiss channels and I tried to watch one, but JRiver is stuck at adding required components... libplacebo renderer. It is not allowing me to watch Swiss television yet because it is trying to add the required components. Can someone help me here?

I found a large list of free IPTV .M3U8 playlists for the United States of America, but I am running into the same technical issue. JRiver Media Center 28 64-bit Master License is stuck at adding required components... libplacebo renderer and it does not allow me to watch American television via IPTV yet. I am disconnected from my Proton VPN service and I already set network split tunneling to be active and turned on to exclude Media Center 28 and its' media server outside of my encrypted network tunnel. I do not know why libplacebo renderer will not be added successfully as Media Center 28 stays frozen. I have to forcibly quit it and I seem not to be able to watch free IPTV channels yet. Can someone help?

[BryanC]

This is an interesting new feature and I may be open to the idea of purchasing the next major release version of JRiver Media Center 29 64-bit Master License to continue funding and see this new feature expanded so it is more robust.

I am interested in getting the free IPTV .M3U playlists for China and Switzerland. I know little about IPTV in general, but I am learning from this thread. I used to use Garuda 64-bit Dragonized Gamer Edition GNU/Linux and there is a free and open-source software package named Hypnotix that allowed me partial access to free IPTV channels from several countries including Switzerland and the United States of America. I would like to know how I can get free IPTV channels via .M3U playlists for China, Switzerland, and the United States of America. Unfortunately, I am so new to IPTV that I do not know much about it or what to search for yet. How do I learn how to get the free IPTV channels for different countries and be able to watch them via JRiver Media Center 28 64-bit Master License? I can follow the instructions within this thread, but I am interested in these three countries. Thank you.

You will need to tunnel through a VPS/VPN that is located in those countries to use their streaming services. JRiver doesn't provide a VPN so you will need to work that out on your own. Mullvad is a good one that has servers in the US and Switzerland. It may be hard to get access to a box in China although I'm sure there are options.

As long as JRiver can access the stream it will play, but it's up to you to make sure that the content is available.

[wellywu]

Is there a fix or solution to allow JRiver Media Center 28.0.100 64-bit to be able to download and install the libplacebo renderer so that I can watch free American IPTV channels?

[Yaobing]

Is there a fix or solution to allow JRiver Media Center 28.0.100 64-bit to be able to download and install the libplacebo renderer so that I can watch free American IPTV channels?

I just figured out what was causing it.  This will be fixed.  There is a workaround for you without having to wait for my fix to be released.

Firstly,  change MC's video playback setting so that "Red October JRVR" is selected, instead of "Red October Standard" or "Red October madVR".  Secondly, if you have a TV tuner that is played using DirectShow (such as a DVB tuner), play a channel.  The dependency library, be it LibPlacebo or other dependencies, will be downloaded correctly.  If you do not have a DirectShow based tuner, you can try playing a video file.  As long as you are using "Red October JRVR", the dependencies, particularly LibPlacebo, which is used by JRVR, will be downloaded.

[wellywu]

Yaobing:

Thank you for the workaround as it is working on both Microsoft Windows 10 & 11 64-bit Pro editions version 21H2 and JRiver Media Center 28.0.100 64-bit Master License. I am able to connect to my Verizon FiOS ISP and watch television from the United States of America, Switzerland, and China without needing to connect to different personal VPN providers for some television networks and stations along with channels. I get my free IPTV lists from IPTVCAT.Com. I just found this website recently although some of the television networks, stations, and channels do not work.

If someone could recommend another good free IPTV website where I can download .M3U8 files for specific countries including the ones that I mentioned, then I would appreciate it. Media Center saved me money by not purchasing a subscription-based product for commercial IPTV service and a third-party software application.

[JimH]

Nice success story!  Thanks for the feedback! 

Well done, Yaobeng!

[HTPC-Freak]

Can you play IPTV .m3u8 URL files directly by using the menu item
      File -> open URL
with the latest version of JRiver ?

What is the difference with using the Television channel setup for IPTV ?

[Yaobing]

Can you play IPTV .m3u8 URL files directly by using the menu item
      File -> open URL
with the latest version of JRiver ?

Yes.

What is the difference with using the Television channel setup for IPTV ?

You can incorporate EPG (if you can find EPG data for the channels) in TV engine.  Also, a minor point, if you play the URL directly, your filename often is "Index", but if you play it as a TV channel, the channel name shows up at the top of the player.

[Yaobing]

Those that are not yet in real time, but with a delay of 3 hours, are those of the RAI group (Italian public television). Here are an example:

https://ibb.co/YTvSjHF

In the last couple of days I tested an URL which exhibits such behavior.  It turns out, the server was providing VOD (video on demand), instead of live service.  The videos are not live shows because that is how the server is set up.  Maybe you saw the same situation.

[konkeydong75]

Is there a way to keep the channel order set within the M3U during importing/scanning?

It would save having to manually re-order around 650 channels and would make them a lot easier to group as they are already arranged in group order.

[Yaobing]

The way it is now, there is no way to achieve that.

[tzr916]

I'm an Xfinity/Comcast subscriber with HDHR Prime Tuners and cable card. Comcast is frequently taking channels off of cable card and putting them onto what they call iptv channels. I can watch these channels via an xfinity provided DVR/box and via web browser on windows PC's.

Can I get these comcast iptv channels into MC somehow? I don't understand where/how to get the m3u8

[JimH]

Did you try the setup instructions in the first post of this thread?

[tzr916]

your service provider probably will provide you with a channel list m3u file

I'm guessing xfinity/comcast does not do this? Can I somehow extract m3u8 from the comcast "stream" web site using browser tools?

[Yaobing]

I have not understood how Comcast does it.  It is likely not using m3u8 files.