channel ids

Dockers/self-hosted-iptv/README.md

@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ docker run -d --name iptv -p 8080:8080 \
   -v /path/to/data:/data \
   self-hosted-iptv
 ```
-When using TMDB metadata, mount `/data` read-write (as above) so the app can store and reuse metadata in `/data/tmdb_cache/`. Use `-v /path/to/data:/data:ro` only if you do not use TMDB.
+Mount `/data` read-write (omit `:ro`) so the app can persist the schedule cache in `/data/cache/` — otherwise the schedule must be rebuilt on every restart. TMDB metadata also requires read-write access for `/data/tmdb_cache/`.
 
 **EPG timespan:** Set `EPG_TIMESPAN` to control how far ahead the guide is generated (default `14d`). Examples: `2d`, `7d`, `48h`. The randomized schedule is refreshed after (timespan − 3 hours) so a new block of content is ready before the current one ends. Example: `-e EPG_TIMESPAN=2d` gives 2 days of EPG and a new schedule every 45 hours.
 

Dockers/self-hosted-iptv/data/channels.json.example

@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@
           "tmdb_id": "97596-kika-bob"
         },
         "series/Kim Possible",
+        "series/As Told By Ginger",
+        "series/De grote boze wolf show",
         {
           "path": "series/Beugelbekkie",
           "display_name": "Beugelbekkie",

Dockers/self-hosted-iptv/iptv/cache.py

@@ -75,6 +75,9 @@ class CacheManager:
         """
         If channels.json has changed, clear all caches and return True.
         Otherwise return False.
+        Only clear when we have a stored hash that explicitly differs; when
+        stored is None (hash file missing), do not delete cache files — they
+        may be valid and we don't want to destroy them on every restart.
         """
         current = get_channels_hash(self._channels_file)
         stored = self._get_stored_hash()
@@ -82,7 +85,7 @@ class CacheManager:
         if current is None:
             return False
 
-        if stored != current:
+        if stored is not None and stored != current:
             logger.info("Channels changed (hash %s -> %s), invalidating cache", stored, current)
             self._clear_cache()
             if self._schedule_builder and hasattr(self._schedule_builder, "invalidate_cache"):

Dockers/self-hosted-iptv/iptv/server.py

@@ -74,6 +74,11 @@ class IPTVHandler(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
         self.end_headers()
         self.wfile.write(body.encode("utf-8"))
 
+    def _extinf_channel(self, cid: str, name: str) -> str:
+        """Build EXTINF line with tvg-id for EPG matching and persistence."""
+        safe = lambda s: (s or "").replace("\\", "\\\\").replace('"', '\\"')
+        return f'#EXTINF:-1 tvg-id="{safe(cid)}" tvg-name="{safe(name)}",{name}'
+
     def send_channels_m3u(self):
         """Master M3U for Plex DVR: one live stream URL per channel."""
         base = get_base_url(self)
@@ -82,7 +87,7 @@ class IPTVHandler(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
         for ch in channels:
             cid = ch.get("id", ch.get("name", ""))
             name = ch.get("name", cid)
-            lines.append(f"#EXTINF:-1,{name}")
+            lines.append(self._extinf_channel(cid, name))
             lines.append(f"{base}/live/{cid}")
         body = "\n".join(lines) + "\n"
         self.send_response(200)

Dockers/self-hosted-iptv/main.py

@@ -50,9 +50,15 @@ def main():
     channel_repo = ChannelRepository()
     schedule_builder = ScheduleBuilder()
     schedule_builder.set_channel_repo(channel_repo)
-    tmdb_client = TMDBClient()
     cache_manager = CacheManager(schedule_builder=schedule_builder)
     schedule_builder.set_cache_manager(cache_manager)
+    if not cache_manager._ensure_cache_dir():
+        logger.warning(
+            "Cannot create cache dir %s — schedule will rebuild on every restart. "
+            "Ensure /data is mounted read-write (not :ro).",
+            cache_manager._cache_dir,
+        )
+    tmdb_client = TMDBClient()
     prefetcher = MetadataPrefetcher(schedule_builder, tmdb_client, channel_repo)
     prefetcher.start()
     epg_builder = EPGBuilder(