Guide Data Screen Shows No Channels and No Data

[MarcusJ]

When I try to look at (TV) Guide screen, it no longer shows anything - no channels, and no data. Screenshot below. This used to work, at least partially. Until recently, I could see all of the channels listed, but I have never been able to see more than 2 days of guide data. Now it doesn't work at all.

I am running xTeVe, but I don't believe that matters as I see the exact same problem when I remove the xTeVe links in the Live TV Setup and use the original IPTV provider links. xTeVe shows that the xTeve proxy m3u has almost 7,000 available streams and over 2,000 XEPG channels.

I also run Express VPN. I live in Phoenix, but needed to route the VPN traffic thru the U.K. to get channels to work (suggested by the IPTV provider). My Live TV Setup is still configured with my Phoenix zip code. I don't believe this is a the problem either, as I see the same issue even when switching the VPN traffic to Phoenix.

I have tried every combination of xTeVe M3U, IPTV Provider M3U, xTeVe XMLTV, IPTV Provider XMLTV, separating each test with a clearing out of Live TV setup completely and a re-start of emby. No matter what I try, the Guide screen does not change. It feels like I have caused some file that is used to populate the Guide screen to become corrupt or unusable.

1. Any guidance would help to get my Guide Screen working again.
2. If anyone can suggest why I can never get more than 1-2 days of Guide Data, that would also be very helpful.
3. If anyone knows why my live tv channels don't play unless I route the VPN through the U.K. (or any non-U.S. VPN server), I would LOVE to know. Can this be fixed?

Thanks!

embyserver.txt

[Luke]

Hi, please try running the refresh guide scheduled task and see if that helps.

[MarcusJ]

4 minutes ago, Luke said:

Hi, please try running the refresh guide scheduled task and see if that helps.

Yes, I have refreshed the Guide data 100 times both from the Live TV Setup screen as well as from the Scheduled Tasks screen. Nothing changes.

[MarcusJ]

i found and fixed my primary problem. On the MY MEDIA > LIVE TV > GUIDE > SETTINGS (3 DOTS), under the CHANNEL TAGS settings, somehow "NONE" had been selected. I returned the setting back to "ANY" and viola, the Guide returned to normal.

I'd still love some help regarding points #2 and #3 above, especially if someone may be aware how to get more than a day's worth of Guide data.

[EODCrafter]

I didn't do anything but Map to Emby Guide and I'm getting 7 Days, Hmmm

[Luke]

Regarding playback, 

 

Hi there, let's look at an example. Please attach the information requested in how to report a media playback issue. Thanks!

 

[MarcusJ]

2 hours ago, EODCrafter said:

I didn't do anything but Map to Emby Guide and I'm getting 7 Days, Hmmm

 

I've tried Emby Guide Data Lineups from our local Cable TV carrier, Dish (Phoenix), Dish (USA), Direct TV (Phoenix), Direct TV USA. Absolutely no change.

I'm using an xTeVe m3u as the TV Source, and have "M3U" as the tuner type. I have assumed this is correct (not Hauppauge or HD Homerun).

I have had this exact same result even using different IPTV providers, and its the same whether I use the m3u link they provide or the proxy m3u that xTeVe produces using that link.

Screenshot attached. You can see the clean cutoff of Guide data.

[MarcusJ]

2 hours ago, Luke said:

Hi there, let's look at an example. Please attach the information requested in how to report a media playback issue. Thanks!

 

Luke, I just changed the VPN to Phoenix (my city of residence) and tried Live TV and it failed (see screenshot). Then, I changed the VPN to London and it works again (see screenshot).

I have attached the most current log file.

FWIW, I believe my IPTV provider is Europe-based.

Any ideas would really help.

embyserver.txt

[mark-in-dallas]

If you are using the EPG data from your IPTV provider, most only provide 1 or 2 days worth of guide data.  You can use the Emby Guide Data source and get up to 14 days worth of guide data, but you would need to map out all of the channels individually.  

As to only being able to play channels when using a UK VPN server, that may have something to do with either the VPN protocols supported or the IPTV provider blocking certain I.P. ranges.  Try connecting with the VPN off to see if the issue is with the VPN or IPTV provider.   If it works with the VPN off, then the issue would be with the VPN, if still doesn't work  then IPTV provider is likely blocking.

Edit:  You might also want to download the EPG file from your IPTV provider, and check the dates to make sure that current and future data is available.

Edited September 24 by mark-in-dallas

[MarcusJ]

Mark, thank you for the response. I will be trying out your ideas when I get back home.  I have one question...

9 hours ago, mark-in-dallas said:

Edit:  You might also want to download the EPG file from your IPTV provider, and check the dates to make sure that current and future data is available.

What exactly does this mean? I am already using their xmltv link. Are you referring to something different (EPG file)?

[mark-in-dallas]

You're welcome.  No, the xlmtv link is the EPG and contains all of the guide date, including start and end date and time info.

[MarcusJ]

On 9/24/2022 at 5:27 AM, mark-in-dallas said:

You're welcome.  No, the xlmtv link is the EPG and contains all of the guide date, including start and end date and time info.

Mark-in-Dallas, your comments were spot on! Thank you! I took some time to scour through the XML file and figured out that it does include very limited EPG data. I have requested from the IPTV provider that it be expanded to 14 days. I doubt they will do anything, but at least I learned why it is behaving the way it is.

Several people have suggested that I simply use the Emby EPG data source. I really wish it were that simple. I use xTeVe to clean up the the M3U and XML files and to add hundreds of customized Channel Logos and Channel Names. These customizations really improve the user experience. Unfortunately, when I switch the EPG Data Source in Emby as suggested, I lose 100% of those customizations. I wish there were a way to keep all the xTeVe customizations I have made to my XML file, and also use the Emby EPG Data. Unfortunately, it appears to be either/or. I tried adding two EPG Data sources in Emby (my xTeVe XML file and an Emby Data Source), but that seemed to literally have zero effect on anything. Emby appears to use the first EPG Data Source and completely ignores the second one??? Ideally, they would complement one another - giving priority to the first EPG Data Source, then filling in the missing parts from the second source. Perhaps this could be a future enhancement to Emby's Live TV.

In any event, thank you for the XML insights. They were very helpful.

I'm still experimenting with the VPN issues.

Mark

[mark-in-dallas]

18 hours ago, MarcusJ said:

I use xTeVe to clean up the the M3U and XML files and to add hundreds of customized Channel Logos and Channel Names. These customizations really improve the user experience. Unfortunately, when I switch the EPG Data Source in Emby as suggested, I lose 100% of those customizations.

You're welcome, and you can customize the logos in the Emby front end.  Go to any channel and click on the 3 dots, then Edit Images.    The downside is that if your IPTV provider changes a channel source the logos need to be added for the new source, but it sounds like you've been putting a lot of effort into your Emby setup anyway.

Edited September 28 by mark-in-dallas