DVB-T Tuner Setup in TVHeadend

This guide walks through adding a DVB tuner directly in the TVHeadend UI when running Headendarr AIO.

It covers:

• passing /dev/dvb into the container
• enabling the adapter in TVHeadend
• creating a DVB-T/T2 network
• scanning muxes and mapping services to channels

Prerequisites

• Headendarr AIO is running.
• Your host OS can see the tuner (for example under /dev/dvb/adapter0).
• Antenna/cable is connected to the tuner.

1. Pass /dev/dvb Into the Container

TVHeadend cannot see DVB hardware unless the device nodes are available inside the container.

Docker Compose

Add this to your Headendarr service:

services:
  headendarr:
    devices:
      - /dev/dvb:/dev/dvb

If you also use hardware acceleration, add:

devices:
  - /dev/dvb:/dev/dvb
  - /dev/dri:/dev/dri

Unraid (Extra Parameters)

In Advanced View, set Extra Parameters:

--device=/dev/dvb:/dev/dvb

Optional with GPU:

--device=/dev/dvb:/dev/dvb --device=/dev/dri:/dev/dri

Verify from Container Shell

ls -la /dev/dvb
ls -la /dev/dvb/adapter0

You should see character devices like frontend0, demux0, and dvr0.

2. Open TVHeadend UI

All steps in this guide are done in the TVHeadend backend UI.

1. In Headendarr, click Show TVHeadend Backend in the header.
2. This opens the TVHeadend UI in a popup dialog.
3. Continue in that popup (or open it in a separate tab/window if preferred).
4. Go to Configuration -> DVB Inputs -> TV adapters.
5. Confirm your adapter appears.

If it does not appear:

• re-check /dev/dvb mapping
• restart the container
• verify host has loaded tuner drivers

3. Enable Adapter

1. Click your adapter in TV adapters.
2. Tick Enabled.
3. Save.

4. Create DVB-T/T2 Network

1. Go to Configuration -> DVB Inputs -> Networks.
2. Click Add and choose DVB-T Network.

3. Configure:
   • Network name: e.g. dvb-t-local
   • Pre-defined muxes: choose your country/region transmitter list
   • Leave scan options at defaults to start

4. Click Save.

5. Assign the Network to the Adapter

After creating the network, you must apply it to your tuner adapter.

1. Go back to Configuration -> DVB Inputs -> TV adapters.
2. Select your tuner adapter.
3. In Networks, select dvb-t-local (or whatever network name you created).

4. Click Save.

6. Scan Muxes

1. Go to Configuration -> DVB Inputs -> Muxes.
2. Wait for scan to progress.
3. Confirm muxes move toward OK state.

If all muxes fail:

• confirm antenna signal
• confirm correct transmitter/region list
• test with a narrower or correct local pre-defined mux set

7. Review Discovered Services

1. Go to Configuration -> DVB Inputs -> Services.
2. Filter by your DVB network/adapter.
3. Confirm services are discovered.

8. Map Services to Channels

1. In Services, select the services you want.
2. Click Map selected (or map all).
3. Start with defaults, then adjust as needed:
   • create provider tags
   • merge options
   • channel number policy
4. Save.

Channels will now appear under Configuration -> Channel / EPG -> Channels.

9. Optional: EPG and OTA Metadata

For DVB broadcast EPG:

1. Go to Configuration -> Channel / EPG -> EPG Grabber Modules.
2. Enable relevant OTA modules (for your region/standard).
3. Confirm guide data starts populating.

You can also continue using XMLTV via Headendarr if preferred.

10. Validate Playback

1. Test playback in TVHeadend web player or your client.
2. Confirm audio/video starts quickly and is stable.
3. Check TVHeadend logs for tuner lock/signal errors if needed.

Notes for Headendarr Users

• Headendarr-managed IPTV networks are normally prefixed with tic-.
• For manually managed DVB networks, use your own naming (for example dvb-t-local) and manage them in TVHeadend directly.
• Avoid renaming manual DVB networks to tic-* to prevent confusion with Headendarr-managed objects.