RTSP support

[tian-yan]

I have TV live streaming URL in m3u8 file starting with rtsp://x.x.x.x/..., works perfectly in other players such as PotPlayer, but failed in IPTV Simple Client on KODI version 21.1, it stays on Spinning status when open the channel.

Hence I am wondering is RTSP support on roadmap ? thanks.

[phunkyfish]

RTSP should work ok.

Can you supply a full debug log using a paste site?

[phunkyfish]

Also, can you try putting the URL in a .strm file and see if it plays as a video?

[tian-yan]

Hi phunkyfish,
much appreciate your prompt reply. honestly, I am new to IPTV and M3U8 / STRM file etc,
Hence, please allow me some time to research on how to convert m3u file to strm file and how to collect debug logs of IPVT Simple Client. thanks.

[phunkyfish]

You simply create a text file with the URL in it and save it with a .strm extension. Then place it somewhere Kodi can play it as a video. Note this is not played by iptvsimple, just by Kodi directly.

For the log file, search for “Kodi log file easy” in a browser and you’ll find instructions.

[tian-yan]

Hi phunkyfish,
thanks for your help. I tried .strm file extension and problem persists (exactly same symptom, keep on spinning).
attached is the kodi log, thanks again for your time & efforts on this.

NOTE that, IP address has been replaced with 1.1.1.1
kodi.log

below are what I found:

2025-01-21 10:48:21.397 T:19480    info <general>: Loading skin file: MyPVRChannels.xml, load type: KEEP_IN_MEMORY
2025-01-21 10:48:21.409 T:19480   debug <general>: CGUIMediaWindow::GetDirectory (pvr://channels/tv/TV@2/)
2025-01-21 10:48:21.409 T:19480   debug <general>:   ParentPath = []
2025-01-21 10:48:21.413 T:22152   debug <general>: CTextureCacheJob::GetImageHash - unable to stat url TV-1
2025-01-21 10:48:22.631 T:19480   debug <general>: CInputManager::ProcessMouse: trying mouse action leftclick
2025-01-21 10:48:22.631 T:19480   debug <general>: AddOnLog: pvr.iptvsimple: pvr.iptvsimple - `anonymous-namespace'::FormatDateTimeNowOnly - "rtsp://1.1.1.1/PLTV/666666/44/776547654/iptv2021.smil"
2025-01-21 10:48:22.631 T:19480 warning <general>: XFILE::CFileFactory::CreateLoader - **unsupported protocol(rtsp)** in rtsp://1.1.1.1/PLTV/666666/44/776547654/iptv2021.smil
2025-01-21 10:48:22.631 T:19480   debug <general>: AddOnLog: pvr.iptvsimple: pvr.iptvsimple - `anonymous-namespace'::FormatDateTimeNowOnly - "rtsp://1.1.1.1/PLTV/666666/44/776547654/iptv2021.smil"
2025-01-21 10:48:22.631 T:19480 warning <general>: XFILE::CFileFactory::CreateLoader - unsupported protocol(rtsp) in rtsp://1.1.1.1/PLTV/666666/44/776547654/iptv2021.smil
2025-01-21 10:48:22.631 T:19480    info <general>: AddOnLog: pvr.iptvsimple: pvr.iptvsimple - IptvSimple::GetChannelStreamProperties - Live Stream URL: rtsp://1.1.1.1/PLTV/666666/44/776547654/iptv2021.smil
2025-01-21 10:48:22.633 T:19480 warning <general>: XFILE::CDirectoryFactory::Create - unsupported protocol(rtsp) in rtsp://1.1.1.1/PLTV/666666/44/776547654/iptv2021.smil
2025-01-21 10:48:22.633 T:19480   debug <general>: CPlayerCoreFactory::GetPlayers(rtsp://1.1.1.1/PLTV/666666/44/776547654/iptv2021.smil)
2025-01-21 10:48:22.633 T:19480   debug <general>: CPlayerSelectionRule::GetPlayers: considering rule: system rules
2025-01-21 10:48:22.633 T:19480   debug <general>: CPlayerSelectionRule::GetPlayers: matches rule: system rules
2025-01-21 10:48:22.633 T:19480   debug <general>: CPlayerSelectionRule::GetPlayers: considering rule: mms/udp
2025-01-21 10:48:22.633 T:19480   debug <general>: CPlayerSelectionRule::GetPlayers: considering rule: lastfm/shout
2025-01-21 10:48:22.633 T:19480   debug <general>: CPlayerSelectionRule::GetPlayers: considering rule: rtmp
2025-01-21 10:48:22.633 T:19480   debug <general>: CPlayerSelectionRule::GetPlayers: **considering rule: rtsp**
2025-01-21 10:48:22.633 T:19480   debug <general>: CPlayerSelectionRule::GetPlayers: considering rule: streams
2025-01-21 10:48:22.633 T:19480   debug <general>: CPlayerSelectionRule::GetPlayers: **matches rule: streams**
2025-01-21 10:48:22.633 T:19480   debug <general>: CPlayerSelectionRule::GetPlayers: considering rule: aacp/sdp
2025-01-21 10:48:22.633 T:19480   debug <general>: CPlayerSelectionRule::GetPlayers: considering rule: mp2
2025-01-21 10:48:22.633 T:19480   debug <general>: CPlayerSelectionRule::GetPlayers: considering rule: dvd
2025-01-21 10:48:22.633 T:19480   debug <general>: CPlayerSelectionRule::GetPlayers: considering rule: discimage
2025-01-21 10:48:22.633 T:19480   debug <general>: CPlayerSelectionRule::GetPlayers: considering rule: sdp/asf
2025-01-21 10:48:22.633 T:19480   debug <general>: CPlayerSelectionRule::GetPlayers: considering rule: nsv
2025-01-21 10:48:22.633 T:19480   debug <general>: CPlayerSelectionRule::GetPlayers: considering rule: radio
2025-01-21 10:48:22.633 T:19480   debug <general>: CPlayerCoreFactory::GetPlayers: matched 0 rules with players```

If clearly says "unsupported protocol (rtsp)" in 

2025-01-21 10:48:22.631 T:19480 warning <general>: XFILE::CFileFactory::CreateLoader - **unsupported protocol(rtsp)** in rtsp://1.1.1.1/PLTV/666666/44/776547654/iptv2021.smil

However, it seems that rtsp is supported but for some reasons it matched streams.  I am completely confused and lost here. 

2025-01-21 10:48:22.633 T:19480   debug <general>: CPlayerSelectionRule::GetPlayers: **considering rule: rtsp**
2025-01-21 10:48:22.633 T:19480   debug <general>: CPlayerSelectionRule::GetPlayers: considering rule: streams
2025-01-21 10:48:22.633 T:19480   debug <general>: CPlayerSelectionRule::GetPlayers: **matches rule: streams**``

[phunkyfish]

In the addon settings can you post a screen shot of your timeshift settings?

You can try forcing the settings for a single stream by editing your .strm file and placing the following before the URL. See if that works?

#KODIPROP:inputstream=inputstream.ffmpegdirect
#KODIPROP:mimetype=video/mp2t
#KODIPROP:inputstream.ffmpegdirect.is_realtime_stream=true

Note that I’m guessing what mimetype your stream uses. Do you happen to know what that is?

[tian-yan]

As per your instructions, I created below test.strm file,

#KODIPROP:inputstream=inputstream.ffmpegdirect
#KODIPROP:mimetype=video/mp2t
#KODIPROP:inputstream.ffmpegdirect.is_realtime_stream=true
rtsp://1.1.1.1/PLTV/666666/44/776547654/iptv2021.smil

when I try to play the TV channel, below error pops up.