[cwh060]

Running Kodi 17.6, on W10 machine.
Using Meld and running as a service at a specific time. Sometimes Meld runs at the correct times, other times it does nothing and does not run.

Update Notification is =on.
Service is =on
Update on Login is =off.
Service Schedule = time
Service Time = 09:10

Is there a setting which prevents frequent updates? (1 hour 1 day)  If I shut down Kodi, restart then the times in Meld seem to work and the service runs. At the moment I'm just testing the creation of my XMLTV file so I'm creating this frequently throughout the day.

[primaeval]

Running Kodi 17.6, on W10 machine.
Using Meld and running as a service at a specific time. Sometimes Meld runs at the correct times, other times it does nothing and does not run.

Update Notification is =on.
Service is =on
Update on Login is =off.
Service Schedule = time
Service Time = 09:10

Is there a setting which prevents frequent updates? (1 hour 1 day)  If I shut down Kodi, restart then the times in Meld seem to work and the service runs. At the moment I'm just testing the creation of my XMLTV file so I'm creating this frequently throughout the day.

 I've changed the serivce messages to always show in version 0.0.40
Have a look in the log for plugin.program.xmltv.meld and see if it didn't run or there is an Exception error message.

Code:

    Line 482: 17:11:36.468 T:6344   ERROR: [plugin.program.xmltv.meld] service started...
    Line 487: 17:11:38.517 T:6344   ERROR: [plugin.program.xmltv.meld] Service waiting for interval 86400
    Line 488: 17:11:38.517 T:6344   ERROR: [plugin.program.xmltv.meld] Service waiting for 86399 seconds

If Kodi locked up for some reason it might have stopped the service.

If you really need rock solid reliability try running webgrab++ as a service on your win10 machine.
It does a configurable amount of retries on errors.

[primaeval]

Hello Primaeval.

Thanks again for this add on.  It seems of great value.  I've read thru the posts here but some things are still not clear to me.  Can you help clarify?

Here's my problem, please let me know if this add on would help me out.

I'm using mostly freely available channels with m3u urls.  No paid iptv subscription.  So I have created a custom m3u file which I've uploaded into Pastebin.com
I also created from scratch my xmltv with channels and customized dummy programs in there.   I"m using these two file in your Iptvrecorder plugin without Iptv simple client.  It works fine.

My issue is I have to keep updating the xmltv to add new programs dates/hours.  It's a little of a pain to do.  So it tends to get out of date.  Would this Addon simplify my job by generating somehow  an xmltv for my channels for may be 14 days or more to reduce my need to update all the time.  Again..these channels are online freely available channels with no published Program Guide.  I have to create custom programs with standards block hours....( 2 hours for most of them.  I even did 4 hours to keep it simpler).  I'm looking into something which can even create a shell xmltv with dates and hours to reduce my manual work.  I really don't care much about the duration of programs though I would prefer minimum of one hour and a max of 6 hours.

If this add on may help get me close, how do I go about it.  I still can't really grab the process of using this even after reading and re-reading.
If not do you know any other add on or program which can help me out?

Thank you much. We appreciate your work.

 I've added in dummy programs for you in 0.0.40
It will create 1 hour programs.
There is a Dummy Days setting in Settings.
Check I've got the time right in the program titles. I've had a lot of problems with xmltv time zones.

[cwh060]

Thanks, I updated to version 0.40. The service ran as soon as the plugin updated. Although I'm still not sure it's working on a "time" setting as the log is showing waiting for 24 hrs (86000 sec).

13:01:54.696 T:9616 ERROR [plugin.program.xmltv.meld] service started ...
13:01:54.696 T:9616 ERROR: SERVICE
13:01:56.709 T:9616 ERROR: [plugin.program.xmltv.meld] Service waiting for 86283

Yes, I tried webgrab+ when it works it's hard to beat. Just a pain to configure and keep up with. Meld just seemed to be so much easier

[primaeval]

Thanks, I updated to version 0.40. The service ran as soon as the plugin updated. Although I'm still not sure it's working on a "time" setting as the log is showing waiting for 24 hrs (86000 sec).

13:01:54.696 T:9616 ERROR [plugin.program.xmltv.meld] service started ...
13:01:54.696 T:9616 ERROR: SERVICE
13:01:56.709 T:9616 ERROR: [plugin.program.xmltv.meld] Service waiting for 86283

Yes, I tried webgrab+ when it works it's hard to beat. Just a pain to configure and keep up with. Meld just seemed to be so much easier

 Something seems a bit strange there.
There is a bit of logic in server.py that adds a day if the next_time is less than now. Maybe that is wrong.

python:
                elif ADDON.getSetting('service.type') == '2':

                    next_time = ADDON.getSetting('service.time')

                    if next_time:

                        hms = next_time.split(':')

                        hour = hms[0]

                        minute = hms[1]

                        now = datetime.datetime.now()

                        next_time = now.replace(hour=int(hour),minute=int(minute),second=0,microsecond=0)

                        if next_time < now:

                            next_time = next_time + datetime.timedelta(hours=24)

                        td = next_time - now

                        timeLeft = td.seconds + (td.days * 24 * 3600)

My settings.xml has this in it:

xml:
    <setting id="service">true</setting>

    <setting id="service.interval">24</setting>

    <setting id="service.startup">true</setting>

    <setting id="service.time">20:00:00</setting>

    <setting id="service.type">2</setting>

and the kodi.log said it would start in a few minutes which is correct.

Code:

    Line 482: 19:52:34.071 T:5636   ERROR: [plugin.program.xmltv.meld] service started...
    Line 487: 19:52:36.074 T:5636   ERROR: [plugin.program.xmltv.meld] Service waiting for 443 seconds

Could you experiment with some other times ahead and behind the current time and see if you can see if there is a bug.

[cwh060]

Sure I'll play around with it.

Here is what I have found out. If I restart Kodi the program seems to follow the "time" setting after it's run the initial "Update on login =on"

After the time out (in this case 628sec) has run, it reverts back to 86398 sec.  So I guess in order to set a future time, I'd have to program the time, say 23:00, restart Kodi and then wait for approx. 28000 secs to elapse.

Logs specific for Meld after a restart. I had the service set to start at 14:30.

14:19:29.747 T:13252   ERROR: [plugin.program.xmltv.meld] service started...
14:19:29.747 T:13252   ERROR: SERVICE
14:19:31.769 T:13252   ERROR: [plugin.program.xmltv.meld] Service waiting for 628 seconds

14:29:59.771 T:13252   ERROR: [plugin.program.xmltv.meld] Service now triggered...
14:29:59.771 T:13252   ERROR: SERVICE

14:30:01.784 T:13252   ERROR: [plugin.program.xmltv.meld] Service waiting for 86398 seconds

[nashnash]

Wow Primaeval.  You're the man...Been looking all over the internet for something such as this to no available for the last 3 4 months.  Nothing gave me what I wanted.  I came close few days ago when I tried using xteve program which creates a proxy tuner for Plex to use iptv within plex live dvr.  Even though it ended up not working for me on my shield tv (because of m3u HLS url), I was going to use a function he has included to pull a dummy xmltv.  And it worked but it's only doing a maximum of 2 hours and 3 days.  Which is still a pain.
And now you come again to my rescue.....I have to say how much I appreciate your work.  Not only for this for also for Iptv recorder.   Somehow all other android tv programs (with the exception of Progtv) are not able to record HLS stream with m3u url pointing to the server adaptive list.  But Iptvrecorder is doing so with easy and with XML.TV integration.  Progtv only have a basic recording and would stop randomly to record. The Iptvextreme dev can't still get HLS to record.  Streamindvr (good for Live Channels Integration) but can't record HLS either.  I will stick with Kodi and iptvrecorder for time being.   Planning when time permit to spread the word on your work by creating a youtube video.  Your work and  Streamin dvr work are unique and I think many people are NOT aware of it or give up in trying to get it set up.  Youtube video willl help others and I'm willing to do them.

Two last questions/requests: 
1.  Anyway you can include program hours as a setting.  I really like recording long programs.  Some can go up to six hours. They are live events.  It would be nice to have the option of a long recording file and short files as the needs arise.
2.  This not directly related (but I thought since you've been very helpful and being a guru may be you can help), would you know of a way to convert m3u url to TS.  As mentioned above I also like some of the above android tv apps specially the streamin dvr app, but the dev just can't figure out how to record m3u.  I've asked him to look into your use of ffmpeg and progtv ffmpeg but he seems not able to get it to work.  Streamindvr app integration into live channels is what I'm after.  it records in the backgrounds with ease.

[cwh060]

Two last questions/requests: 
1.  Anyway you can include program hours as a setting.  I really like recording long programs.  Some can go up to six hours. They are live events.  It would be nice to have the option of a long recording file and short files as the needs arise.
2.  This not directly related (but I thought since you've been very helpful and being a guru may be you can help), would you know of a way to convert m3u url to TS.  As mentioned above I also like some of the above android tv apps specially the streamin dvr app, but the dev just can't figure out how to record m3u.  I've asked him to look into your use of ffmpeg and progtv ffmpeg but he seems not able to get it to work.  Streamindvr app integration into live channels is what I'm after.  it records in the backgrounds with ease.

 I use ffmpeg to record urls (m3u) from IPTV, and then just set up windows service to run at whatever time/day you want. Not sure if this is what you are after but the commands are like this:
>ffmpeg.exe  -y -i http://your.url.ts -t 06:00:00 -map 0 -acodec copy -vcodec copy C:\your.directory\name.of.show.mkv

above would give you 6 hours of a recorded url. so you need to know what format your m3u urls are in, then use ffmpeg to output in any format mkv, mp4 and I'm not sure about .ts, but I suspect it would work. There are some fancy things you can do with adding a date/time string to the outputs but for now that should get you going. Certainly not as easy as setting up a self contained recording app. Other sources to record URL's is a program called Pilfer. Google it. Playback starts in Kodi, then you hit the Y key and you can choose how long to record the playback.

[nashnash]

 

 I use ffmpeg to record urls (m3u) from IPTV, and then just set up windows service to run at whatever time/day you want. Not sure if this is what you are after but the commands are like this:
>ffmpeg.exe  -y -i http://your.url.ts -t 06:00:00 -map 0 -acodec copy -vcodec copy C:\your.directory\name.of.show.mkv

above would give you 6 hours of a recorded url. so you need to know what format your m3u urls are in, then use ffmpeg to output in any format mkv, mp4 and I'm not sure about .ts, but I suspect it would work. There are some fancy things you can do with adding a date/time string to the outputs but for now that should get you going. Certainly not as easy as setting up a self contained recording app. Other sources to record URL's is a program called Pilfer. Google it. Playback starts in Kodi, then you hit the Y key and you can choose how long to record the playback.   

Thanks.. for the response....May be I was not clear.  It's from Android TV where things complicated.  I can do so from Windows using multiple variations of the below...

ffmpeg -live_start_index -3 -i 'http://xxxm3u8' -c copy something.ts .  But I want to do it on Android box. Not windows.  Recently I even bought an encoder where I pull the video from hdmi out into the encoder and then into the network thru Ethernet...from there I can use a url without .m3u since the encoder pushes out .ts url thru my network.  but the quality was not good with sub $200 encoders.  I was not ready for fork out more money just for that.   Then I tried using window vlc to receive the stream and re-transmit it over my network pushing out a .ts url.  It worked but it's computer dependent sometimes it would stop the push.    Anyway i went back to iptv recorder from Primaeval.  The only issue I have is sometimes I get and out sync audio in my video.  But it's not too bad.

[primaeval]

Sure I'll play around with it.

Here is what I have found out. If I restart Kodi the program seems to follow the "time" setting after it's run the initial "Update on login =on"

After the time out (in this case 628sec) has run, it reverts back to 86398 sec.  So I guess in order to set a future time, I'd have to program the time, say 23:00, restart Kodi and then wait for approx. 28000 secs to elapse.

Logs specific for Meld after a restart. I had the service set to start at 14:30.

14:19:29.747 T:13252   ERROR: [plugin.program.xmltv.meld] service started...
14:19:29.747 T:13252   ERROR: SERVICE
14:19:31.769 T:13252   ERROR: [plugin.program.xmltv.meld] Service waiting for 628 seconds

14:29:59.771 T:13252   ERROR: [plugin.program.xmltv.meld] Service now triggered...
14:29:59.771 T:13252   ERROR: SERVICE

14:30:01.784 T:13252   ERROR: [plugin.program.xmltv.meld] Service waiting for 86398 seconds

 That looks correct.
There are 86400 seconds in a day, so the next time will be in just under 24 hours.

[primaeval]

Wow Primaeval.  You're the man...Been looking all over the internet for something such as this to no available for the last 3 4 months.  Nothing gave me what I wanted.  I came close few days ago when I tried using xteve program which creates a proxy tuner for Plex to use iptv within plex live dvr.  Even though it ended up not working for me on my shield tv (because of m3u HLS url), I was going to use a function he has included to pull a dummy xmltv.  And it worked but it's only doing a maximum of 2 hours and 3 days.  Which is still a pain.
And now you come again to my rescue.....I have to say how much I appreciate your work.  Not only for this for also for Iptv recorder.   Somehow all other android tv programs (with the exception of Progtv) are not able to record HLS stream with m3u url pointing to the server adaptive list.  But Iptvrecorder is doing so with easy and with XML.TV integration.  Progtv only have a basic recording and would stop randomly to record. The Iptvextreme dev can't still get HLS to record.  Streamindvr (good for Live Channels Integration) but can't record HLS either.  I will stick with Kodi and iptvrecorder for time being.   Planning when time permit to spread the word on your work by creating a youtube video.  Your work and  Streamin dvr work are unique and I think many people are NOT aware of it or give up in trying to get it set up.  Youtube video willl help others and I'm willing to do them.

Two last questions/requests: 
1.  Anyway you can include program hours as a setting.  I really like recording long programs.  Some can go up to six hours. They are live events.  It would be nice to have the option of a long recording file and short files as the needs arise.
2.  This not directly related (but I thought since you've been very helpful and being a guru may be you can help), would you know of a way to convert m3u url to TS.  As mentioned above I also like some of the above android tv apps specially the streamin dvr app, but the dev just can't figure out how to record m3u.  I've asked him to look into your use of ffmpeg and progtv ffmpeg but he seems not able to get it to work.  Streamindvr app integration into live channels is what I'm after.  it records in the backgrounds with ease.

 I'm not quite sure what you're asking. Maybe it's because I've got the flu.

In IPTV Recorder you can record any time you like without there being an associated program.
Channel Groups\<group>\<channel>\context menu\Add One Time Rule

You need to record or transcode an m3u url to become a ts stream.
An m3u just has one or more links to packets of audio/visual data.
A ts stream or file contains the data itself.

Some providers do this for you and give you the option of using m3u or ts.

[cwh060]

 

 That looks correct.
There are 86400 seconds in a day, so the next time will be in just under 24 hours. 

Ok fair enough.
Now I know the rules surrounding the "time" function in Meld. It must wait 24hrs before the actual programmed time takes effect. So setting a time less than the 86000sec time out has no effect, unless Kodi is restarted and the plugin reloaded. I was thinking the function was more adhoc and ran whenever the programmed "time" had reached the same cpu time.
Thanks, great little program.

[primaeval]

 

 That looks correct.
There are 86400 seconds in a day, so the next time will be in just under 24 hours.  

Ok fair enough.
Now I know the rules surrounding the "time" function in Meld. It must wait 24hrs before the actual programmed time takes effect. So setting a time less than the 86000sec time out has no effect, unless Kodi is restarted and the plugin reloaded. I was thinking the function was more adhoc and ran whenever the programmed "time" had reached the same cpu time.
Thanks, great little program. 

 "Time" is daily clock time Update.
"Period" is hours between Updates.
If you want it to run every X hours use Period.

[nashnash]

Ok Let me try to clarify this:

1.  Instead of the default one hour in the dummy xml tv I would like to have the option to choose the duration of program to be generated.  One-hour programs will have me record 6 different files for a six hours single event.  Having user option to set duration would make this even better.
Even though I can use add rule in iptv recorder...that a manual work I have to do all the times.  Like I have every week to do this in order to record my weekly six hours program.  If I have a guide set up, I can use the rules already set up in there for a set up and forget.
2.  As far as my question about m3u8.  Some m38 URL for each channel really points not to file but to a remote playlist (on the publisher server) with multiple URLs.  I think this is done for adaptive streaming (or progressive http download) based on each client internet speed to avoid buffering.  Though this seems great, it seems many android recording apps are not able to record these types of steam.  As said, I don't really use iptv providers who are able to just serve you a ts output.  So, I was just wondering if there was a way to convert those type to ts.  TS are recordable easily.
Yes ffmpeg seems able to record them and thus I can do so on my windows computer or with iptv recorder on Shield TV.  But I'm trying to use Live Channels with some other app and this is the limitation.

[primaeval]

Ok Let me try to clarify this:

1.  Instead of the default one hour in the dummy xml tv I would like to have the option to choose the duration of program to be generated.  One-hour programs will have me record 6 different files for a six hours single event.  Having user option to set duration would make this even better.
Even though I can use add rule in iptv recorder...that a manual work I have to do all the times.  Like I have every week to do this in order to record my weekly six hours program.  If I have a guide set up, I can use the rules already set up in there for a set up and forget.
2.  As far as my question about m3u8.  Some m38 URL for each channel really points not to file but to a remote playlist (on the publisher server) with multiple URLs.  I think this is done for adaptive streaming (or progressive http download) based on each client internet speed to avoid buffering.  Though this seems great, it seems many android recording apps are not able to record these types of steam.  As said, I don't really use iptv providers who are able to just serve you a ts output.  So, I was just wondering if there was a way to convert those type to ts.  TS are recordable easily.
Yes ffmpeg seems able to record them and thus I can do so on my windows computer or with iptv recorder on Shield TV.  But I'm trying to use Live Channels with some other app and this is the limitation.

 I could make the dummy channels with a configurable regular duration and start offset.
It would probably be better to add a Add Weekly Time in IPTV Recorder. That would be more accurate.
Choose one and I'll see if I can add it.

Transcoding m3u to ts depends on the stream format that the m3u contains.
In simple HLS streams you can sometimes just grab the url of the sub-stream from the m3u and use that instead.
DASH streams take a bit more work and need a recent version of ffmpeg to deal with.
There are lots of switches to ffmpeg to control which sub-stream is used.
You might want to force one with a specific bandwidth or resolution or just keep up in real-time.

If you want to transcode all your streams you might want to look into Emby or tvheadend.
If you just have one stream you always want to generate a ts stream for you should just dig into the ffmpeg documentation and make a custom ts stream exactly as you need it.
VLC might even be better in that case.

It might be best if you pm me an example stream and exactly what you want to do with it.