Managing an extremely large M3U file EMBY

[GaryG 5]

I have a question for the group, anyone who has experience. I stream TV via an IPTV subscripton, through EMBY premier. My provider has an M3U file that is large (82.3 Meg). 

Managing this file via EMBY seems almost impossible. If I set the TV source in Emby to the URL of this M3U, It takes a long time to load. Ive never been able to load it completley because I become concerned that my synology drives are getting overworked, so I have to terminate the load process . I can hear the hard drives grinding away as it loads.

Ive since taken the provider M3U file as a download and stored it locally. I Tried loading it from the local directory, and got the same result, had to terminate it due to the length of the load process.

I have now deleted alot of content from the original file that I wouldnt use. I have also chopped the file up into multiple files based on content (e.g. USA Local Stations, Movies, etc...), which results in smaller file sizes. This has helped. I can get the files to load, it still takes about 10 or 15 minutes to load them. (also the load process display never goes beyond 15% even though the load is completed.)

My question is: Is it normal for an M3U link or file, to take so long to load into EMBY?  If I load the same M3U URL into my IPTV APP ( I use Open TV 1.8.3 for windows) it loads instantaneously. Is there a step or procedure in EMBY I'm missing perhaps? Thanks for any inout or advice.

GG

[GaryG 5]

I tried loading the file from URL utilizing channel filter, it didnt load. I tried it again using file stored locally, It did load, took about 15 minutes. will test it out later on a post result.

Edited November 10, 2025 by GaryG

[Luke 42077]

Hi there, please attach the Emby server log from when the problem occurred:

How to Report a Problem

Thanks!

 

[GaryG 5]

Hi Luke thanks for your response. You and your team are always timely in response, it's great.
I loaded up the M3U successfuly as a locally stored file, and utilizing the "GROUP" filter.  It still takes about 15 minutes or so to load, but its working well.

It never  logged any errors in the log file it just took so long to load.
anyway, Im going to close this out for now. Thanks again.

Edited November 11, 2025 by GaryG