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TVHeadend Integration

A core feature of the recommended All-in-One (AIO) installation is the built-in, pre-configured TVHeadend server. While Headendarr manages the channels and EPG, TVHeadend does the heavy lifting of streaming, DVR, and client management.

What is TVHeadend?​

TVHeadend is a powerful, open-source TV streaming server and digital video recorder (DVR). It is a mature and stable project with a huge range of features and excellent compatibility with a vast number of clients.

By integrating TVHeadend, Headendarr can offer a robust and reliable backend for delivering your IPTV streams.

How Headendarr uses TVHeadend​

When you use the AIO installation, Headendarr automatically configures and manages the internal TVHeadend instance:

  • Channel & EPG Sync: When you map channels and sync them in Headendarr, it automatically creates the necessary configuration in TVHeadend.
  • Streaming: TVHeadend handles the actual streaming of channels to your clients via the HTSP protocol.
  • DVR: All DVR scheduling and recording is managed by TVHeadend's robust recording engine.
  • Client Management: TVHeadend manages connections from clients like Kodi, ensuring smooth streaming.

In short, Headendarr acts as the "brain" for configuration, while TVHeadend acts as the "engine" for delivery.

Accessing the TVHeadend UI​

You can access the full TVHeadend UI through the SHOW TVHEADEND BACKEND button in the header. This will open a pop-up that shows you the full TVHeadend UI that you can interact with. You can click on a button at the top right-hand corner of the pop-up to open this in a new window for full access and to adjust advanced settings.

Important TVHeadend Settings

Some TVHeadend settings are actively managed and overwritten by Headendarr. Specifically:

  • Any networks prefixed with tic- will be managed by Headendarr.
  • Any Muxes prefixed with tic- will be managed by Headendarr.
  • Streaming profiles and recording profiles prefixed with usernames are managed by Headendarr.

Changes made to these specific items directly within the TVHeadend UI may be overwritten by Headendarr to maintain consistency and proper operation.

What can you do in the TVHeadend UI?​

For the most part, you should not need to change settings in the TVHeadend UI directly, as Headendarr will manage the important parts for you. However, it can be useful for:

  • Viewing Stream Statistics: See who is watching what and check for any stream errors.
  • Checking Logs: The TVHeadend log is useful for diagnosing connection or streaming problems.
  • Advanced EPG/DVR Settings: Accessing more granular settings for the EPG and DVR that are not exposed in the Headendarr interface.
  • Creating Client Users: Creating specific user accounts for client applications with different levels of access.
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It is recommended to let Headendarr manage the core channel, mux, and EPG configuration. Manually changing these settings in the TVHeadend UI can cause conflicts with the settings synced from Headendarr.

Why use TVHeadend?​

  • Stability: TVHeadend is exceptionally stable and designed for 24/7 operation.
  • Compatibility: It supports a huge range of clients via the HTSP protocol.
  • Performance: It is highly optimised for streaming and recording multiple channels simultaneously.
  • Feature-Rich: It includes a powerful DVR, time-shifting capabilities, and detailed stream analysis tools.

By leveraging the power of TVHeadend, Headendarr provides a best-in-class experience for managing and watching your IPTV content.