Guide · Channels DVR users

Watch your Channels DVR lineup in Chaipa

Channels DVR Server can export your live TV lineup — antenna, TV Everywhere or custom channels — as an M3U playlist for other software. Add that playlist to Chaipa and watch your lineup on your Android TV, Google TV or Fire TV.

For Channels DVR Server users, on the server's home network. Channels documents the M3U export in Export Channels to other Software.

Step by step

Four steps on your home network

Once in the server's web admin, then everything on the TV.

Copy the M3U address from your server

Open your Channels DVR Server web admin and go to Settings → Sources. Use the management button at the top to export your whole lineup, and copy the M3U address. A Channel Collection has its own button if you only want part of the lineup.

Add `format=ts`

At the end of the address, add ?format=ts (or &format=ts if it already contains a ?). This option, documented by Channels, streams the channels in MPEG-TS, the simplest format on a home network.

Add the playlist to Chaipa

In Chaipa, choose M3U URL and enter the address — when the app first opens, or in Settings if you already have a playlist. The TV must be on the same network as the server.

Pick a channel

Open Live TV: your Channels lineup is there. Add your favourites to Favorites to find them in one click.

Chaipa not installed yet? Get it on Google Play, the Amazon Appstore or with Downloader.

Troubleshooting

If something goes wrong

The playlist doesn't load

Check that the TV is on the same network as the server, and that the address uses the server's IP address (for example http://192.168.1.10:8089/…), not localhost.

Some channels don't start

A channel from an antenna tuner uses one tuner while it plays: if all tuners are busy, it can't start. For TV Everywhere channels, check that they play in the Channels app first.

Will I get the program guide?

Chaipa doesn't import Channels' XMLTV guide address. Chaipa shows its own guide when it recognizes the channel; otherwise the channel plays without a guide.

Can I watch away from home?

This guide covers your home network. Channels describes remote access separately; it isn't covered here.

Is this legal?

Yes. You're watching your own lineup through an export feature Channels provides for other software (Channels documentation). Chaipa is a player and provides no channels. Learn more about legal IPTV.