Summary
- FIXED: [SLM] Rare crash when generating Stream Links/Files
- NEW: [SLM/PLM] Use PO Tokens for YouTube Live Streams and Static Videos
- MODIFIED: [SLM/PLM] HLS Stream Selection Process
- NEW: [PLM] 'Playlist Behavior' option to combine Gracenote and Non-Gracenote playlists
FIXED: [SLM] Rare crash when generating Stream Links/Files
In a rare situation where SLM and the folder it places Stream Links/Files (i.e., the Channels DVR server) are in separate places, and SLM does not have the proper permission/security rights, the SLM UX could crash while generating Stream Links/Files. This has been corrected, as well as additional debugging logging and other protections to ensure the safety of the user interface and the correction of actions by SLM in the backend.
NEW: [SLM/PLM] Use PO Tokens for YouTube Live Streams and Static Videos
In the continuing effort to ensure the availability of YouTube live streams and static videos, a new feature has been added for users to be able to have PO Tokens added to their request. Full details can be found on the Wiki:
Please note the warning at the bottom of that page about the highly experimental nature of using these. That said, with this in place, users now have the ability to watch full quality static YouTube videos using SLM Streams in clients again. There are some considerations, that are discussed in the next item.
MODIFIED: [SLM/PLM] HLS Stream Selection Process
When playing a Streaming Station or a SLM Stream using the HLS method, the process of determining what source to pull from has been modified. Of key importance, if separate streams for video and audio are of higher quality than a combined stream, the separate version will be selected. Further, SLM/PLM can now not only combine together separate m3u8 tracks, but can also bring together pure audio and video files, remux, and stream them. There were also a number of small performance and quality improvements along the way.
As a side effect of all this, some progress has been made on #53 as the combined method brings together all available audio tracks, including multiple languages. From there, it would not be very difficult to add in closed captioning. However, doing so will require eliminating the direct play method for the most part, which in turn will make the issues seen with Channels DVR clients in #52 even more prevalent. It is a tradeoff that will have to be considered carefully, perhaps as an option for end users.
NEW: [PLM] 'Playlist Behavior' option to combine Gracenote and Non-Gracenote playlists
As of Channels DVR prerelease v2026.08.14.1836, Channels DVR can now take a playlist that combines Gracenote and Non-Gracenote stations together and then parse them out appropriately for getting guide data. As such, PLM has been modified to have an option for 'Playlist Behavior' in which you can choose to continue to receive the separate Gracenote and Non-Gracenote playlists, or get a combined one either in addition to or in place of this. This is true across all feed types. Complete details can be found on the Wiki.
This resolves #109.