Setup and common questions

• Setup
• Check in the app
• Common questions
• Contact

Setting up your VDR

The paths apply to most distributions; on easyVDR, yaVDR, MLD or a self-built VDR they may differ. Replace 192.168.1.0/24 with your network. The app shows the matching entry under VDR Requirements.

1. Allow SVDRP for your network

   SVDRP is built into VDR. Add your network to svdrphosts.conf in the VDR configuration directory, usually /etc/vdr:

   # /etc/vdr/svdrphosts.conf
   127.0.0.1
   192.168.1.0/24

   vdrLive connects on port 6419, or port 2001 for VDR versions before 1.7.15.

2. Set up streamdev-server

   The streamdev-server plugin must be loaded with its HTTP server turned on (plugin settings: “Start HTTP server”, port 3000). Allow your network in streamdevhosts.conf as well, usually in /etc/vdr/plugins/streamdev-server:

   # /etc/vdr/plugins/streamdev-server/streamdevhosts.conf
   127.0.0.1
   192.168.1.0/24

   streamdev-server plays recordings from version 0.6.1.

3. Restart VDR

   Changes to both files take effect after restarting VDR, for example with sudo systemctl restart vdr.

4. Optional plugins

   restfulapi (port 8002) provides channel logos as well as images and extra data for programs and recordings; the images come from scraper2vdr or tvscraper. epgsearch adds timer conflicts and search timers. The app is fully usable without these plugins.

Check in the app

On first launch, vdrLive searches your local network for VDRs. If none is found, enter the address and port manually. Under More › Settings › VDR Requirements (on Apple TV under Settings), the app checks whether SVDRP and streamdev-server are reachable and which optional plugins are installed. If something is missing, it tells you why.

Common questions

The app does not find my VDR.

Allow vdrLive to access the local network (Settings › Privacy & Security › Local Network). iPhone, iPad or Apple TV must be on the same network as the VDR, and svdrphosts.conf must allow the device. The search covers ports 6419 and 2001; if SVDRP runs on a different port, enter address and port manually.

Channels and guide appear, but there is no picture.

Then access to streamdev-server is missing: the plugin is not loaded, its HTTP server is off, it uses a different port, or the device is missing from streamdevhosts.conf. The VDR Requirements overview shows which one applies. If streamdev requires credentials, enter them in the server profile.

Live TV works, recordings do not play.

streamdev-server streams recordings from version 0.6.1. Check the version in the VDR Requirements overview.

Channel logos or program images are missing.

Logos and images come from the restfulapi plugin (port 8002); images for programs and recordings come from scraper2vdr or tvscraper. Without these plugins, the app shows colored placeholders.

Playback stops after three minutes.

That is how vdrLive works without a purchase: every feature is available, but each playback ends after three minutes. The in-app purchase vdrLive Pro removes this limit permanently. If you already bought Pro, tap “Restore Purchases” under More › Settings. vdrLive for TV has no limit.

I bought vdrLive Pro in version 2.

Your purchase remains valid. After the update, vdrLive recognizes it on this device. On a new device, use “Restore Purchases”.

Where is the Apple Watch app?

vdrLive 3 no longer includes the watch app of version 2. It will return in a later version.

Does vdrLive work away from home?

vdrLive connects directly to your VDR and does not use any internet service. Away from home you therefore need access to your home network, for example through a VPN, with enough bandwidth for the video stream.