PlayTVH Support
Everything you need to connect PlayTVH to your TVHeadend server and troubleshoot your setup.
Supported devices
PlayTVH is available for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV. Android phones, tablets and Android TV are coming soon on Google Play.
Getting started
PlayTVH is a client for a TVHeadend server you already own or control. It does not include channels or a cloud TV service.
- Have a reachable TVHeadend server (LAN, VPN, or another secured remote-access path).
- Open PlayTVH and use Find or add server, or enter the host and port (default
9981). - Sign in with a TVHeadend user that has streaming permissions and, if you use recordings, recording permissions.
- Open Channels and tap a channel to start watching.
On the same network as the box, mDNS / LAN discovery can find TVHeadend for you.
Connecting to your server
- HTTP — classic TVHeadend installs often run on HTTP. PlayTVH supports this for self-hosted setups.
- HTTPS / TLS — preferred when your server is exposed beyond a trusted LAN; configure certificates on the TVHeadend side.
- Custom webroot — if TVHeadend is behind a reverse proxy with a path prefix, set the webroot in PlayTVH.
- Multiple servers — keep several TVHeadend instances and switch between them.
- Wake-on-LAN — store the NIC MAC under Servers and enable wake-before-connect if the box sleeps.
When connecting from outside your home network, prefer a VPN or another appropriately secured remote-access setup. Avoid insecure open port forwarding.
Playback
- Pick TVHeadend stream profiles that match your network—lighter encodes for cellular, higher quality on Wi‑Fi.
- Configure separate Wi‑Fi and cellular profiles in PlayTVH when needed.
- If a channel will not play, check that it also plays directly on your TVHeadend server and that a tuner is available.
AirPlay & Chromecast
On iPhone and iPad, use AirPlay for recordings or Screen Mirroring for live TV. Chromecast is also available on iPhone and iPad. Mac and Apple TV do not send playback through the app’s AirPlay or Chromecast controls.
Your Chromecast must be able to reach the TVHeadend server itself. If casting will not start, try a WebTV / H.264 stream profile supported by your server instead of pass.
Recordings & offline downloads
Manage finished, upcoming, failed and series recordings in the library.
Offline downloads of completed recordings are available on:
- iPhone
- iPad
- Mac
Offline downloads are not available on Apple TV.
Keep the completed recording on your TVHeadend server until its download finishes. Once downloaded, you can watch it without a connection to the server.
FAQ
Does PlayTVH include TV channels?
No. PlayTVH is a client for a TVHeadend server you already own or control.
Can PlayTVH connect when I’m away from home?
Yes, if there is a working network path to your TVHeadend server—for example through a VPN or another appropriately secured remote-access configuration. Do not rely on insecure open port forwarding.
Why does stream authentication fail?
Check your saved username and password and the user’s streaming permissions in TVHeadend. Playback may require HTTP Basic authentication even when the channel list works with Digest. Changing the stream profile does not change these permissions.
Is there a subscription?
No. PlayTVH is a one-time purchase with no in-app subscriptions. See the App Store for the current price in your region.
Contact
Send a message below. Include your OS version, TVHeadend version, and what you were trying to do.