There have been more comments on the article for FreeTuxTV. Apparently this app has not been updated well, so let's look at another as well as how to update it yourself.
I’ve found I can add channels to FreeTuxTV, but it slows it down if I add an extensive list.
The app we’ll be using is called Hypnotix, as mentioned by ‘Egzoset’ in the FreeTuxTV article. Hypnotix seems a better choice than FreeTuxTV.
Most people should note, this method is not allowing you to select a channel, then select the video you want. Using Hypnotix, and the like, only streams a show that is currently playing. This is not like using Roku, Firestick or a Smart TV where you can choose a show from a series and watch it.
Installation
There are a few dependencies needed for Hypnotix that have no updates and one no longer exists. Every time I tried to download the dependencies, I would have broken dependencies, and it was an absolute mess. Luckily I was using a test system so I could just reinstall Ubuntu.
Apparently, Linux Mint comes with Hypnotix, so we know we can easily install it on Ubuntu with a little know how.
Since there were so many problems installing it the regular way, I found a Personal Package Archive (PPA) that has the current version (4.6).
Before we add the PPA, some Ubuntu 22.04 systems can not add a PPA automatically. To fix this, do the following command:
This should install the command ‘add-apt-repository’ to your system.
To add the PPA, use the command:
The new repository, once added, should also cause the repository list to update. Now, you only need to install the app.
If you open ‘Hypnotix’, you’ll see the app as shown in Figure 1.
FIGURE 1
Click on the button on the top-left with the three horizontal lines and then select ‘About’. The new window should show the version of ‘4.6+klbkjammy’. So, leave the ‘About’ box and go back to the main screen.
Looking at Figure 1, we can see that there are three categories of videos: TV Channels, Movies and Series. Each of these is followed by a number signifying the number of channels. Granted, these channels may not all be available. Some may not be 24 hours a day, and others may shutdown entirely.
Opening a Channel
In the main window, choose either ‘TV Channels’, ‘Movies’ or ‘Series’.
After making your selection, you’ll see something similar to Figure 2. Here, language, genre, country, etc separates the choices. Make a choice.
FIGURE 2
The next screen may open a bit differently, but is like Figure 3. Here you can choose your channel to open. Some channels may take longer to open than others, while some may not start a video at all. Some channels may not be available 24 hours a day.
FIGURE 3
Be aware that these channels are not all that are available.
Adding Channels
You would think there was a central database of channels for IPTV. Well, there is.
The database can be found here. Select the option, such as ‘Grouped by language’. Once you have selected the grouping type, find your desired group. Download the ‘m3u’ file and save it to a folder, such as ‘~/.hypnotix/’. Remember the folder and filename where you save it.
At Hypnotix main screen, select the square above the ‘Series’ box. It should have the pop-up message ‘Providers’.
Once opened, as shown in Figure 4, you can see the existing database called ‘Free-TV’
FIGURE 4
Select the button at the bottom labeled ‘Add a new provider…’. A new window should appear, as shown in Figure 5. At least similar, select the ‘Type’ as ‘Local M3U File’ and it should change to match the Figure.
FIGURE 5
Set a name, one that will appear below the ‘Free-TV’. This will be a second database and you can add multiple database entries. For the ‘Path’ entry, choose the folder to the right of the Path Entry. Find and select the ‘m3u’ file you saved before. Select ‘OK’ when prompted to add the database which is parsed by Hypnotix.
Now, on the same screen, shown in Figure 5, you should now see two database entries. Click on the new database entry and you should go back to the main Hypnotix screen and see different numbers for the three channel items.
Select your channel item and see the new entries.
You have an option to add a master database on the internet. Before changing the ‘Type’ to ‘Local M3U File’, leave it as ‘M3U URL’. For the ‘URL’, put in ‘https://iptv-org.github.io/iptv/index.m3u’ and select OK.
When you update the database, it should update the app when started, and the file is read from the Internet. Keep in mind that this list contains all languages and all countries.
Favorites
Once you start a channel, if you like it, you can select the start at the upper-right. This will add the channel to your Favorites list.
The Favorites option does not appear in Full Screen mode (F11).
To see your Favorites list, just click on the star at the main screen for a faster way to access these channels.
Keyboard Shortcuts
As we’ve covered, F11, is the full screen mode on and off. You can also use the ‘F’ key.
To see the ‘About’ information for Hypnotix, use the F1 key.
For information about the Video/Audio settings for the currently playing channel, use F2.
CTRL+F lets you search the database. There is also a magnifying glass at the top of the channel list to use for searching. If the database is large, be prepared to wait a bit for the entire database to be searched.
If you need to the see the keyboard shortcuts, press CTRL+K.
To reload the providers, use CTRL+R.
If you are done watching and want to close Hypnotix with the keyboard, use CTRL+Q or CTRL+W.
Running Channel
When closing the channel list and going back to the main screen, the channel may still be running. It can be closed by simply clicking on the stop (square) at the bottom right of the screen.
Even while it is running, you can still hear the audio in the background, unless muted.
Conclusion
To watch TV or stream Video/Audio you can use IPTV apps like Hypnotix.
Some have a built-in ability to record the streaming content. Recording the content lets you watch it when not connected to the Internet. For some, this may be handy when you do not have a constant internet connection.
I’ve found I can add channels to FreeTuxTV, but it slows it down if I add an extensive list.
The app we’ll be using is called Hypnotix, as mentioned by ‘Egzoset’ in the FreeTuxTV article. Hypnotix seems a better choice than FreeTuxTV.
Most people should note, this method is not allowing you to select a channel, then select the video you want. Using Hypnotix, and the like, only streams a show that is currently playing. This is not like using Roku, Firestick or a Smart TV where you can choose a show from a series and watch it.
Installation
There are a few dependencies needed for Hypnotix that have no updates and one no longer exists. Every time I tried to download the dependencies, I would have broken dependencies, and it was an absolute mess. Luckily I was using a test system so I could just reinstall Ubuntu.
Apparently, Linux Mint comes with Hypnotix, so we know we can easily install it on Ubuntu with a little know how.
Since there were so many problems installing it the regular way, I found a Personal Package Archive (PPA) that has the current version (4.6).
Before we add the PPA, some Ubuntu 22.04 systems can not add a PPA automatically. To fix this, do the following command:
Code:
sudo apt install software-properties-common -yThis should install the command ‘add-apt-repository’ to your system.
To add the PPA, use the command:
Code:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kelebek333/mint-toolsThe new repository, once added, should also cause the repository list to update. Now, you only need to install the app.
Code:
sudo apt install hypnotix -yIf you open ‘Hypnotix’, you’ll see the app as shown in Figure 1.
FIGURE 1
Click on the button on the top-left with the three horizontal lines and then select ‘About’. The new window should show the version of ‘4.6+klbkjammy’. So, leave the ‘About’ box and go back to the main screen.
Looking at Figure 1, we can see that there are three categories of videos: TV Channels, Movies and Series. Each of these is followed by a number signifying the number of channels. Granted, these channels may not all be available. Some may not be 24 hours a day, and others may shutdown entirely.
Opening a Channel
In the main window, choose either ‘TV Channels’, ‘Movies’ or ‘Series’.
After making your selection, you’ll see something similar to Figure 2. Here, language, genre, country, etc separates the choices. Make a choice.
FIGURE 2
The next screen may open a bit differently, but is like Figure 3. Here you can choose your channel to open. Some channels may take longer to open than others, while some may not start a video at all. Some channels may not be available 24 hours a day.
FIGURE 3
Be aware that these channels are not all that are available.
Adding Channels
You would think there was a central database of channels for IPTV. Well, there is.
The database can be found here. Select the option, such as ‘Grouped by language’. Once you have selected the grouping type, find your desired group. Download the ‘m3u’ file and save it to a folder, such as ‘~/.hypnotix/’. Remember the folder and filename where you save it.
At Hypnotix main screen, select the square above the ‘Series’ box. It should have the pop-up message ‘Providers’.
Once opened, as shown in Figure 4, you can see the existing database called ‘Free-TV’
FIGURE 4
Select the button at the bottom labeled ‘Add a new provider…’. A new window should appear, as shown in Figure 5. At least similar, select the ‘Type’ as ‘Local M3U File’ and it should change to match the Figure.
FIGURE 5
Set a name, one that will appear below the ‘Free-TV’. This will be a second database and you can add multiple database entries. For the ‘Path’ entry, choose the folder to the right of the Path Entry. Find and select the ‘m3u’ file you saved before. Select ‘OK’ when prompted to add the database which is parsed by Hypnotix.
Now, on the same screen, shown in Figure 5, you should now see two database entries. Click on the new database entry and you should go back to the main Hypnotix screen and see different numbers for the three channel items.
Select your channel item and see the new entries.
You have an option to add a master database on the internet. Before changing the ‘Type’ to ‘Local M3U File’, leave it as ‘M3U URL’. For the ‘URL’, put in ‘https://iptv-org.github.io/iptv/index.m3u’ and select OK.
When you update the database, it should update the app when started, and the file is read from the Internet. Keep in mind that this list contains all languages and all countries.
Favorites
Once you start a channel, if you like it, you can select the start at the upper-right. This will add the channel to your Favorites list.
The Favorites option does not appear in Full Screen mode (F11).
To see your Favorites list, just click on the star at the main screen for a faster way to access these channels.
Keyboard Shortcuts
As we’ve covered, F11, is the full screen mode on and off. You can also use the ‘F’ key.
To see the ‘About’ information for Hypnotix, use the F1 key.
For information about the Video/Audio settings for the currently playing channel, use F2.
CTRL+F lets you search the database. There is also a magnifying glass at the top of the channel list to use for searching. If the database is large, be prepared to wait a bit for the entire database to be searched.
If you need to the see the keyboard shortcuts, press CTRL+K.
To reload the providers, use CTRL+R.
If you are done watching and want to close Hypnotix with the keyboard, use CTRL+Q or CTRL+W.
Running Channel
When closing the channel list and going back to the main screen, the channel may still be running. It can be closed by simply clicking on the stop (square) at the bottom right of the screen.
Even while it is running, you can still hear the audio in the background, unless muted.
Conclusion
To watch TV or stream Video/Audio you can use IPTV apps like Hypnotix.
Some have a built-in ability to record the streaming content. Recording the content lets you watch it when not connected to the Internet. For some, this may be handy when you do not have a constant internet connection.
Scheduled, ✔ OK, Ⓖ Geo-Locked, △⌗✱✘ Avoid, Ⓣ Text (Fr.), ⓣ Text (En.), Ⓛ List, Ⓜ Menu, Ⓥ Vocal desciption, Ⓦ Web, Ⓨ YouTube, ℚ Québec.
