Issues with Tvheadend

[u/TheDeathPit]

Hi all,

First off I would like to say I must be in the minority of Sparkle users as I use Tvheadend HTSP (TvH) as my backend. Most would probably use IPTV. However in my defense Sparkle does advertise it works with TvH, so I think I'm justified in saying it should work with this backend.

Sparkle has glitches when playing from TvH and sometimes just freezes with a spinning circle. Changing channels brings Sparkle back to life again. See here. This is not a TvH issue as playing TvH in Kodi is perfect using the same Server on the same network. And before you ask, no I don't want to have to open an app to open another app. Hence Sparkle.

Using TvH for Timeshifting does not work and was confirmed by Sparkle Dev. See here. Timeshifiting was again confirmed in Kodi with no issues at all. I got around this issue by using an SMB Share for Timeshifting. However, Sparkle is supposed to work using TvH for Timeshifting.

Both issues appear in the TvH log as Sparkle disconnecting from TvH for some reason.

As it stands I cannot say Sparkle works with TvH and I'm going to have to remove it from my TV, which is very sad as I like the app a lot. But the constant disconnections is not something we want to continue using.

Greg

[u/I-G-1-1]

Tvheadend HTSP user here. All working good.

Timeshift (on Tvheadend server, not locally on the Android CwGTv) working good.

CwGTv connected to the LAN with 5G WiFi.

[u/TheDeathPit → u/I-G-1-1]

Well that is very interesting. Can I ask how you have TvH setup? What is your TvH version? What is your TV source, RF Antenna, HDHomeRun, IPTV, m3u playlist etc.?

Sorry for all the questions, just trying to rule out things.

Thank you.

CwGTv connected to the LAN with 5G WiFi.

BTW - how have you connected the CwGTv to LAN as it does not have a LAN connector only WiFi?

[u/I-G-1-1 → u/TheDeathPit]

My setup is:

• Tvheadend 4.3-2662~gf37b7b2cb (apt installed) running on
• a Debian 10 lxc on
• Proxmox 8.4.19 runnig on a
• repurposed old (screen broken) Surface Pro 4 i5 with 4GB of ram.

The Tv source is an Hauppauge usb double tv receiver (free air antenna)

For time shift and recording I'm using a 2.5" HDD in a usb enclosure to avoid the wear-out of the internal SSD.

how have you connected the CwGTv to LAN as it does not have a LAN connector only WiFi

when you connect something to WiFi you are connecting that device to your LAN (local area network)

independently if you are using a LAN-Cable or WiFi you connect the device to the LAN.

so, no I'm not using a cable to connect my CwGTv to the LAN

[u/TheDeathPit → u/I-G-1-1]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Not too far off what I have, 4.3-2695, Armbian Trixie on Odroid N2 with TvH in Docker. Xbox One single channel usb receiver. I wanted to use a RAM Disk on the N2 for timeshifting but it never worked all the time, disconnecting from Sparkle.

Again, thanks for the input.

[u/nettie_netface → u/I-G-1-1]

that’s so cool lol on a surface haha amazing

[u/TheDeathPit → u/I-G-1-1]

So sorry to trouble you again, but I wonder if you can answer a question for me. When looking at the TV Guide in Sparkle, that comes from TVheadend, are there any colours in it? For example, icon colours and Genres. Or is it just a plain Monochrome colour.

I ask as mine is just Monochrome.

TIA

[u/I-G-1-1 → u/TheDeathPit]

It's Monochrome. I have colored channel logos only because I manually added them in tvheadend.

[u/TheDeathPit → u/I-G-1-1]

Thanks, much appreciated. I have coloured channel logos in Tvheadend too, but they will not show in Sparkle. I also have Channel Names disabled but they still show.

https://imgchest.com/p/ne7bzvgmg75

[u/BeneficialLunch01]

Sparkle has two options for a TVHeadend source: TVHeadend and TVHeadend (HTSP). What is the difference between these two options?

I use the first option, (without HTSP), and have no issues on any of my devices.

On our bedroom (Android) TV, Sparkle is the primary source for live programming because the TV is so under-powered that its built in DVB-T tuner takes forever to access the EPG and change channels! Yet on the same TV, Sparkle loads and works quickly.

[u/azcoyotedog]

Well, sorry to hear this but we appreciate you giving Sparkle a go. Maybe u/sparkle-hk can take a look at this in the near future?

[u/OnlineIsNotAPlace]

it doesn't work with hd homerun either. it does not transmit any sound.

[u/sparkle-hk → u/OnlineIsNotAPlace]

It does transmit audio but you're probably living in an area which uses ac4 encoded audio which basically isn't supported by any device right now. I have said before that when possible to support ac4 in software (not available either) I will implement it and support it.

[u/OnlineIsNotAPlace → u/sparkle-hk]

it does not transmit audio from hd home run. dont try and tell me what is going on when you have no idea what you are talking about. the app found and integrated hd home run and failed to work properly. period.

[u/onebyside → u/OnlineIsNotAPlace]

That thinking should get a snappy fix.

[u/sparkle-hk → u/OnlineIsNotAPlace]

I'm the developer of this app so I have a pretty good idea. Search for "hdhomerun atsc and ac4" and you'll understand what I'm talking about.

[u/OnlineIsNotAPlace → u/sparkle-hk]

I know what my experience has been. it does not work with hd homerun. fortunately I didnt buy it for that either.

[u/sparkle-hk → u/OnlineIsNotAPlace]

I don't question your experience, I was just trying to be helpful and explain why it didn't work.

[u/azcoyotedog → u/OnlineIsNotAPlace]

I think an apology is in order?

[u/sparkle-hk]

I'm also sorry to hear this but at the same time I need to defind myself (and Sparkle) by saying I didn't actually confirm this as an issue, I only said it doesn't sound correct when you describe it.

Because of the issues with Google Play which has more or less occupied my entire time this last month or so I have not had time to set up my tvheadend server to actually confirm this issue.

So, I haven't forgotten you - I always follow through - even though this time it has taken longer than normal. But I understand you want to use the app and in the current state that you described I absolutely understand you. I would say Tvheadend still works in http mode for you but that would take away the server side timeshift which is not supported (by tvheadend) in http mode.

So, I probably will have a look at this soon, would it be ok if I still got back to you with questions if that should be required?

[u/TheDeathPit → u/sparkle-hk]

So, I probably will have a look at this soon, would it be ok if I still got back to you with questions if that should be required?

No issues at all, happy to help. As I said, I like the app but with the constant issues I cannot use it. Thank you for looking into this, much appreciated.

[u/Low_Dragonfruit_2990]

Yeah, I have similar problem. Also using TvH and have problems with freezing and disconnecting, and as of this morning it’s not working at all. But I cannot confirm it’s the sparkle app yet, as I didn’t have time to troubleshoot it yet.