Roku Developer Program

[httpslash]

Hey guys, is it possible to have a channel that has multiples streams (live iptv channels) that I can choose from and play? I know it is possible with simplevideoplayer but so far, I can only manage to make one stream play. I don't know how to add multiple streams to one channel. Can someone help me? Thanks

[mrattitude]

I was searching the forums for this exact same information. Is it possible to play a m3u8 file with multiple links?

[mrattitude]

Anyone?

[TheEndless]

It's not clear what you're asking. An M3U8 file is an HLS playlist. It can include multiple bitrates of the same stream (as designed). Support for that doesn't require any special BrightScript code beyond supplying the URL and specifying "hls" as the stream format.

If the OP is asking if a single channel can present a list of different streams that the user can choose from, the answer is yes. You'll need to use a poster screen, grid screen, or list screen to present them to the user. There are several SDK examples that show how that's done.

[mrattitude]

Hi thanks for info.

I have been messing around with the examples - what I am trying to do is make a plugin that reads an M3U8 playlist that contains several different feeds from my server.

for example:

#EXTINF:1,Channel One
http://123.0.0.1/playlist.m3u8
#EXTINF:2,Channel Two
http://123.0.0.2/playlist.m3u8
#EXTINF:3,Channel Three
http://123.0.0.3/playlist.m3u8
#EXTINF:4,Channel Four
http://123.0.0.1/playlist.m3u8

The plugin would then present these as a clickable? list - and whatever one you selected would then play a live stream.

In Plex Media Server there is a channel called IPTV that does exactly what I would like my Roku plugin to do.

I managed to throw together an JSON playlist but its not ideal - any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[TheEndless]

That is not how M3U8 playlists are meant to be used. M3U8 is a specialized M3U playlist intended for HTTP Live Streaming playback. For what you're trying to do, the JSON playlist is more appropriate.

[mrattitude]

Yeah I know, I am attempting to create a list of channels for HTTP live streaming playback.

"The plugin would then present these as a clickable? list - and whatever one you selected would then play a live stream."

The JSON method worked on a small sample of links (10) BUT is not appropriate for larger lists, especially if the links are prone to change,
a playlist is exactly what is required.

Any suggestions on how to accomplish this would be greatly received.

[TheEndless]

I understand what you're trying to do. What I'm saying is that if you're trying to do it with an M3U8 playlist, then you don't understand how M3U8 and HLS work.

Either way, there's no built-in functionality to do what you're wanting. You'll have to write code to parse your playlist and present it on one of the list screen types (i.e., poster screen, list screen, grid screen), so you can use whatever format you want.

[RokuMarkn]

The variant playlists in an HLS m3u8 file are all, according to the spec, exact copies of each other except for bitrate. There's no point in asking the user to choose one. Just play the whole m3u8 and the hls player will automatically choose the best stream, and dynamically adjust if necessary.

--Mark

[mrattitude]

I have an M3U8 playlist that consists of around 70 individual links to different HLS live streams. I am able to use that playlist on Plex Media Server - via a modified version of IPTV and it works flawlessly. The channel shows each link and I can select ANY link and it will play on my Roku via IPTV on Plex.

Therefore we can assume that this type of playlist is within the spec of M3U8?

I realise there will be coding to do, to allow the same to be done directly via Roku... not everyone has or wants a Plex server - that is why I am attempting to build a Roku app that can "read" my playlist and then play the chosen link.