IPTV-ReStream

This app allows remotely viewing source-specific multicast RTP streams (e.g. Deutsche Telekom MagentaTV), by forwarding it using HTTP.

Features

• lightweight: there is no de- or encoding happening, the stream is simply forwarded
• simple Dashboard with Statistics
• Station List with Images
• VLC-ready playlist included
• Open stream directly in VLC (iOS & Android only)
• automatic running program detection (from MPEG-TS stream)

Installation

1. Install Node.js (v13.1 or higher)
2. Clone this Repo: git clone https://github.com/n-thumann/IPTV-ReStream or click 'Download'
3. Install dependencies npm install and transpile npm run build
4. Download this list of stations (by iptv.blog) and place it in the data directory
5. Export environment variables (see below), if necessary
6. Run npm start

Or with Docker (Linux only):

1. Install Docker
2. run docker run -d --network host --restart always --name IPTV-ReStream [-e HOST="127.0.0.1" | -e PORT=3000 | -e MCAST_IF="0.0.0.0" | -e XSPF_PROTOCOL="https" | -e XSPF_HOST="my.server.com:8080" | -e XSPF_PATH_PREFIX="/iptv" | -e ALLOW_UNKNOWN="false" | -e DEBUG="iptv-restream:*"] nthumann/iptv-restream:latest (parameters in brackets are optional)

The image is also available on GitHub Container Registry (use ghcr.io/n-thumann/iptv-restream:latest).

Configuration

It's highly recommended running this application behind a Reverse Proxy (nginx or Apache httpd) that enforces authentication (and encryption). When using a reverse proxy it's probably mandatory to adjust environment variables XSPF_PROTOCOL, XSPF_HOST and XSPF_PATH_PREFIX, otherwise the application may generate an invalid VLC XSPF-Playlist. For example, if the application is reachable over a Reverse Proxy via https://my.server.com:8080/iptv, then run export XSPF_PROTOCOL=https XSPF_HOST=my.server.com:8080 XSPF_PATH_PREFIX=/iptv. Also, if the clients real IP and Port should be visible on the Dashboard, make sure to pass HTTP Headers X-Real-IP and X-Real-Port from the Reverse Proxy to the Application.

Environment Variables

Variable	Description
HOST	Web interface Listen Host (default: empty to listen on all interfaces)
PORT	Web interface Listen Port (default 3000)
MCAST_IF	joins the multicast group using this interface (default 0.0.0.0, lets OS choose automatically)
XSPF_PROTOCOL	Protocol (http/https) for generating XSPF
XSPF_HOST	Host and Port for generating XSPF
XSPF_PATH_PREFIX	Path Prefix for generating XSPF
ALLOW_UNKNOWN	Allow forwarding streams that are not in the station list (default 0/false)
DEBUG	Enable Debug Logging (iptv-restream:*)

Usage

Open the web interface and navigate to Stations, then download the XSPF Playlist for VLC and open it. Done! If you're running iOS or Android, you can also simply hit the play button in the web interface to open up VLC automatically.

It is also possible to access the source-specific multicast streams directly by opening /live/mcast_source@mcast_group:mcast_port (e.g. /live/[email protected]:10000 for Das Erste HD) or by using the shortcut at /live/station/station_title (e.g. /live/station/ZDFSD for ZDF SD). Please note that running on Windows only supports streaming one program. For streaming multiple programs concurrently use Linux.

Under the hood

For example MagentaTV delivers the H.264 video stream via MPEG-TS, wrapped into RTP packets over source specific multicast. Therefore, it is not possible to access this stream when connected to a non-MagentaTV line. This app is proxying the video stream: It receives it, just as usual, at your Telekom line at home and re-streams it over HTTP to your other devices. This concept is inspired by udpxy.