IPTV M3U List Order and Organization in Emby Server

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When working with IPTV channels on your media center, ensuring they are properly organized and ordered can make all the difference. However, many users have encountered issues with regards to this aspect, particularly when using Emby server as their primary content management system.

In this article, we will delve into the world of IPTV M3U lists and explore some common problems that may arise during channel ordering within Emby Server. We'll also discuss potential solutions and workarounds to resolve these issues once and for all.

Understanding .m3u Files

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Before diving deeper into the specifics of Emby server's handling of .m3u files, let's quickly cover some basic information about what these files are:

* A `.m3u` file is a plain text document that contains references to media files. In the context of IPTV streaming, it typically includes URLs pointing towards various channels.

* Each channel entry within an M3U list starts with either `#EXTINF` or `#EXTGRP`, followed by relevant metadata such as title, logo URL (optional), and group titles.

Common Issues with Emby Server's .m3u File Handling

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### Issue 1: Channels not displaying in the correct order

One of the most common complaints from users is that their IPTV channels do not appear in the expected order within Kodi or other supported media players. Despite following proper file organization and naming conventions, the channel list remains scrambled.

Possible causes for this behavior include:

* Emby server's default sorting mechanism prioritizing metadata such as title over actual numerical values assigned to each channel.

* Inconsistencies between how channels are listed in the `.m3u` file versus their corresponding entries within Kodi or other players.

### Solution

To resolve these issues, you can try one of two approaches:

1. Enforce strict alphabetical ordering by editing your `config.json` file located at `%programdata%\EmbyServer\MediaBrowser-Client\Kodi`. Add the following lines under `'LiveTV'`: `'SortMethod': 'Name'` and restart Emby server.

2. Implement custom sorting criteria

Alternatively, you can manually configure specific sorting rules within your `.m3u` file itself using `#EXTINF` tags with additional parameters:

```xml

#EXTINF:1 group-title='channelA' channel-id='12345'

...

```

For example, to sort channels based on their numerical IDs instead of title, you can modify the above line as follows:

```xml

#EXTINF:1 channel-id='12345'

...

```

### Issue 2: Channels not re-ordering after changes

Another common problem users encounter is that when making modifications to an existing `.m3u` file (such as adding or removing channels), these changes do not immediately reflect in the corresponding Emby server library. Instead, you may need to manually refresh your channel list or even restart Kodi entirely.

Possible causes for this behavior include:

* Cache issues within Emby Server preventing it from recognizing updates made to the `.m3u` file.

* Inadequate re-scanning of newly added/removed channels by client devices (e.g., Kodi).

### Solution

To resolve these issues, try one or more of the following solutions:

1. Clear cache and restart Emby Server

Go to Settings > General > Advanced tab in your web browser's address bar, click on 'Advanced', then select 'Reset User Agent' followed by a manual server restart.

2. Force re-scanning of channels within Kodi or other supported media players using the following steps:

* Open Kodi and navigate to System > Add-ons.

* Find the Emby Client add-on, highlight it, right-click (or long-press on Android) then select 'Information'.

* Scroll down until you see an option labeled 'Force Refresh Library' or something similar; click on that.

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In conclusion, while working with IPTV M3U lists can sometimes be frustrating due to the various technicalities involved, understanding how Emby Server handles these files and making necessary adjustments can go a long way in resolving common ordering issues. By following this guide and applying the suggested solutions outlined above, you should now be able to enjoy an organized and well-structured IPTV experience on your media center without any further headaches.

Remember that keeping your software up-to-date is crucial for smooth operation; always ensure that both Emby Server and its corresponding client add-ons are running with the latest available versions installed. Happy streaming!

Working iptv m3u list