Prepare a reachable channel source, guide data, recording storage and viewer access before scheduling recordings.
Choose a source and guide
Portico accepts M3U playlists, Xtream Codes sources and HDHomeRun tuners. You can enter a source URL, discover an HDHomeRun on your network, or upload an M3U playlist. HDHomeRun channels marked as DRM-protected are skipped.
Guide listings use XMLTV. Supply a guide URL or upload an XMLTV file with a playlist. Xtream Codes can provide its own XMLTV guide. Live channels can play without listings, but guide-based recording needs matching program data.
Use only sources you’re authorized to access where you live. See Add a Live TV source and Add and map guide data.
Prepare recording storage
Open Settings → Server → Live TV & Channels → Recording to configure recording storage. The server service account needs write access. Leave enough free space for the expected quality and duration, and review storage limits and retention before relying on recordings.
Check capacity
Live playback and recording share source capacity. They also use network bandwidth, disk throughput and, when conversion is needed, processing capacity. HDHomeRun capacity can be discovered; other sources need a limit that matches what the provider allows. Don’t raise a limit beyond what the source can deliver.
Decide who can watch and record
Review source visibility and each account’s Live TV limits. Under Recording → Who can record, grant recording access to the intended accounts and profiles. Recording isn’t granted to the owner automatically; an explicit profile decision takes priority over an inherited account permission.
Viewers manage recordings they own. Sharing access to a channel doesn’t grant access to someone else’s recordings or permission to delete them.