Some LiveTV questions

[podonnell 47]

Hi,

I have a few questions about LiveTV and hoping someone with some experience can help direct me to the best options --

One thing I'd like to do is set up a channel for a family member that just plays home movie content continuously. I heard of VirtualTV plugin so far but the amount of options to set up a playlist is a bit much. It also seems to lag out and never save the settings I am testing. Is there a more streamlined plugin for something like this? I'd just like to be able to target either a library, tag, or genre and set up a channel.

Another thing I'd like to test out is the M3U playlist feed stuff. I see there are some examples to test, but I do not have the M3U Tuner setup listed in the Live TV page as this page describes: https://emby.media/support/articles/M3U-Tuners.html#example-m3u

I only see Add TV Source. Do I need a physical device from the list that is shown for TV devices? Or can I use an M3U playlist directly into Emby?

Thanks!

[Luke 42077]

Hi, does it have to be a channel in live tv? If yes, then I would look at virtual tv.

But I would really suggest using a playlist or collection instead.

[podonnell 47]

1 hour ago, Luke said:

Hi, does it have to be a channel in live tv? If yes, then I would look at virtual tv.

But I would really suggest using a playlist or collection instead.

I was looking for something where someone could tune in to a channel and content would already be playing, and others would be able to sync up on the content.

[Luke 42077]

OK then virtual TV is probably your best bet.

[podonnell 47]

Is support for that in a different channel? I keep trying to create a basic channel but I get a spinning circle when attempting to preview.

[Luke 42077]

 

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

 

[podonnell 47]

I was able to figure out the Virtual TV stuff, but adding an M3U playlist is still an issue -- I don't see the options listed here:
https://emby.media/support/articles/M3U-Tuners.html#example-m3u

When I go to the LiveTV page, there is no 'Tuner Devices' --> Add option.
Is there some other prerequisite to get that to show up? Perhaps one of the TV sources is required to play an M3U playlist?

Edited November 14, 2025 by podonnell

[Luke 42077]

It's TV Source. Just a new wording for Tuner Device.

[podonnell 47]

On 11/14/2025 at 12:30 AM, Luke said:

It's TV Source. Just a new wording for Tuner Device.

Hmm, still not seeing that under add device:

[Luke 42077]

You must have uninstalled the m3u plugin at some point.

[podonnell 47]

3 minutes ago, Luke said:

You must have uninstalled the m3u plugin at some point.

Bingo!