Tunarr Setup Guide: Turn Your Media Library into a 24/7 TV Network
Do you have a massive digital media library on Plex, Jellyfin, or Emby? While on-demand access is great, many of us miss the simple, nostalgic experience of channel surfing—stumbling upon a forgotten movie or a classic episode of a favorite TV show. If you want to bring that linear, broadcast-style feeling back to your personal collection, Tunarr is the ultimate tool for the job.
Tunarr is a powerful, open-source application that lets you create custom, 24/7 live TV channels using your own movies and TV shows. Think of it as building your own personal TV network, complete with scheduling, program guides, and seamless integration with your favorite media servers. This guide will walk you through what Tunarr is, why you should use it, and how to get it set up.
What is Tunarr and Why Should You Use It?
At its core, Tunarr acts as a virtual TV tuner. It pulls content from your media library and “broadcasts” it as a continuous live stream. Your media server, like Plex or Jellyfin, can then tune into this stream just as it would an over-the-air antenna or a cable box.
Here are the key benefits of using Tunarr:
- Rediscover Your Content: Instead of endlessly scrolling through menus, you can flip through your own custom-built channels. Create a 24/7 cartoon channel for the kids, a non-stop action movie channel, or a channel dedicated entirely to classic sitcoms.
- Seamless Integration: Tunarr works flawlessly with the Live TV & DVR features in Plex, Jellyfin, and Emby. It provides the necessary M3U playlist and XMLTV guide data to make your custom channels appear right alongside any other live TV sources you have.
- Deep Customization: You are the network programmer. Schedule specific shows at certain times, create blocks of content, and even insert your own “commercials” or filler content (like movie trailers or custom videos) between programs.
- Completely Free and Open-Source: As a community-driven project, Tunarr is free to use and constantly evolving. It stands as a powerful alternative to similar tools like the now-deprecated DizqueTV.
Getting Started: How to Set Up Tunarr with Docker
The most reliable and recommended method for installing Tunarr is using Docker. Docker containers package an application with all its dependencies, ensuring a smooth and consistent setup process regardless of your operating system.
Prerequisites: You must have Docker and Docker Compose installed on your server or NAS (Network Attached Storage) device.
Step 1: Create a Docker Compose File
First, create a folder where you want to store your Tunarr configuration files. Inside that folder, create a new file named docker-compose.yml and paste the following configuration into it:
version: "3"
services:
tunarr:
image: ghcr.io/tunarr/tunarr:latest
container_name: tunarr
ports:
- "8100:8100" # Exposes Tunarr's web UI on port 8100
volumes:
- ./config:/config # Maps the container's config to a local folder
environment:
- TZ=America/New_York # IMPORTANT: Set this to your local timezone
restart: unless-stopped
Key Configuration Points:
ports: This line maps port 8100 inside the Docker container to port 8100 on your host machine. This is how you’ll access the web interface. If port 8100 is already in use, you can change the first number (e.g.,8101:8100).volumes: This is crucial for data persistence. It ensures that if you update or restart the container, your channel configurations and settings are not lost.environment - TZ: You must changeAmerica/New_Yorkto your correct timezone (e.g.,Europe/LondonorAustralia/Sydney). This is essential for accurate scheduling and the electronic program guide (EPG).
Step 2: Launch the Container
Open a terminal or command prompt, navigate to the directory containing your docker-compose.yml file, and run the following command:
docker-compose up -d
This command will download the Tunarr image and start the container in the background.
Step 3: Initial Tunarr Configuration
Once the container is running, open a web browser and navigate to http://YOUR_SERVER_IP:8100. You will be greeted by the Tunarr setup wizard.
- FFmpeg Setup: Tunarr requires FFmpeg for video processing. The web UI will typically guide you, and in most Docker environments, the pre-packaged version works out of the box. Simply verify the path and continue.
- Add Your Media Server: Select Plex or Jellyfin from the list and enter your server’s address, port, and authentication credentials. This allows Tunarr to see and access your media library.
Building Your First Channel and Integrating It
With the initial setup complete, you can start programming your channels.
Create a Channel: In the Tunarr web UI, navigate to the “Channels” section and create a new one. Give it a name and a unique channel number.
Add Programming: This is where the magic happens. You can add individual movies, entire TV series, or specific playlists from your media server. Use the scheduling tools to arrange content, set it to play in a random shuffled order, or create complex schedules for different times of the day.
Get the Integration URLs: Once your channel is configured, go to the “XMLTV & M3U” section in Tunarr. Here you will find two critical URLs:
- M3U Playlist URL: This tells your media server where to find the video stream.
- XMLTV EPG URL: This provides the electronic program guide data, so you can see what’s currently playing and what’s coming up next.
Add to Plex or Jellyfin:
- In Plex: Go to Settings -> Live TV & DVR -> Set Up Plex DVR. When asked for a tuner, choose to add one manually and enter the M3U Playlist URL from Tunarr. Next, for the Program Guide, select “Have an XMLTV guide on your server?” and enter the XMLTV EPG URL.
- In Jellyfin: Go to Dashboard -> Live TV -> Add Tuner Device. Select “M3U Tuner” as the tuner type and paste in your M3U Playlist URL. Then, go to the “Tuner Guide Data Providers” section, add a new provider, select “XMLTV,” and paste in your XMLTV EPG URL.
Important Security Tip: Secure Remote Access
By default, Tunarr is only accessible on your local network. Avoid forwarding the port directly on your router, as this can expose the service to the public internet without protection. For secure remote access to manage your channels, consider using one of the following methods:
- VPN (Virtual Private Network): Services like Tailscale or WireGuard create a secure, private network between your devices, allowing you to access Tunarr as if you were at home.
- Reverse Proxy: If you already use a reverse proxy like Nginx Proxy Manager, you can safely expose Tunarr through it, often with the added benefit of password protection and an SSL certificate.
By following these steps, you can transform your static media collection into a dynamic, engaging, and deeply personalized live TV experience. Dive in and start building the TV network of your dreams today.
Source: https://www.linuxlinks.com/tunarr-create-configure-live-tv-channels/
