How to Set Up Xteve as a Plex Channel for Live TV

Xteve runs as a separate service that Plex can connect to, not as a direct Plex plugin

Xteve is a standalone application that creates a virtual TV tuner and channel guide. Plex does not host Xteve — instead, Plex connects to Xteve through the Plex DVR feature, treating Xteve as if it were a physical TV tuner. This means you install and run Xteve on your own computer or server, then tell Plex where to find it.

The process has three main steps: install Xteve on a machine that runs 24/7, configure Xteve with your TV sources and channel list, then add Xteve to Plex as a tuner. The whole setup takes 30 minutes to an hour if you already have your M3U playlist and XMLTV guide file ready.

Key Takeaways

Xteve is a separate application you run on your own computer or server, not something Plex installs for you.
You need an M3U playlist file (a list of TV streams) and an XMLTV guide file (channel information and schedules) before you start.
Xteve must run continuously on a machine that stays powered on, because Plex relies on it to deliver live TV.
After Xteve is running, you add it to Plex by going to Settings > Live TV & DVR > Set Up Tuner and pointing Plex to your Xteve server's address.

What you need before you begin

Gather these items before you install anything. First, you need an M3U playlist file — a text file that lists all your TV streams and their addresses. This file typically comes from an IPTV provider, or you can create one yourself if you have your own stream sources. The file looks like a list of channel names paired with stream URLs.

Second, you need an XMLTV guide file, which contains the TV schedule and program information for each channel. This file is usually provided by the same source as your M3U file, or you can download one from a public guide service. Without this file, Plex will show your channels but no program listings.

Third, you need a computer or server that can run Xteve continuously. This does not have to be powerful — a Raspberry Pi, an old laptop, or a NAS device works fine. The machine must stay on all the time, because Plex requests live TV from Xteve whenever you try to watch.

Installing Xteve on Windows, Mac, or Linux

Download the latest Xteve release from the official GitHub repository. Go to the Releases page, find your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux), and download the correct file for your system architecture. Extract the downloaded file to a folder where you want Xteve to live — for example, C:\Xteve on Windows or /opt/xteve on Linux.

Open a terminal or command prompt and navigate to the Xteve folder. On Windows, type xteve.exe. On Mac or Linux, type ./xteve. Xteve will start and print a message telling you what port it is running on — usually port 6060. Open a web browser and go to http://localhost:6060 to see the Xteve dashboard.

If you want Xteve to start automatically when your computer boots, you can set it up as a service or scheduled task. On Windows, use Task Scheduler to run the Xteve executable at startup. On Mac, create a LaunchAgent plist file. On Linux, create a systemd service file. These steps vary by system, so check the Xteve documentation for your specific OS.

Uploading your M3U playlist and XMLTV guide

In the Xteve dashboard, go to the Settings section. You will see fields for M3U Playlist URL and XMLTV URL. If your M3U and XMLTV files are hosted online, paste their URLs directly into these fields. If the files are on your computer, you can upload them through the dashboard interface — look for an upload button or file selector.

After you paste or upload the URLs, click the button to fetch or reload the data. Xteve will download your M3U file and parse all the channels, then download your XMLTV file and match the guide data to each channel. This can take a few minutes if your files are large. Once complete, you should see a list of all your channels in the Xteve dashboard.

Check that the channel names, logos, and guide information look correct. If some channels are missing guide data, it usually means the channel names in your M3U file do not exactly match the names in your XMLTV file. You may need to edit one of the files to make the names consistent, then reload.

Configuring Xteve settings for Plex

In the Xteve dashboard, go to Settings and look for the section labeled "Tuner" or "DVR". Make sure the tuner count is set to at least 1 — this tells Plex how many simultaneous streams Xteve can handle. If you have a powerful server and a fast internet connection, you can increase this number, but start with 1 or 2.

Check the "Buffer" setting. This controls how much data Xteve stores in memory before sending it to Plex. A buffer of 1 to 5 MB is typical. If you experience stuttering or buffering when watching live TV through Plex, you can increase the buffer size, but this uses more memory.

Make sure Xteve is accessible from your Plex server. If Plex and Xteve are on the same computer, use http://localhost:6060. If they are on different machines, use the IP address of the Xteve machine, like http://192.168.1.100:6060. Test that you can reach this address from the Plex machine before you proceed.

Adding Xteve to Plex as a tuner

Open Plex and go to Settings. Look for the Live TV & DVR section — this is usually under Settings > Remote Access or Settings > Library, depending on your Plex version. Click "Set Up Tuner" or "Add Tuner".

Plex will search your network for tuners. If Xteve is on the same network and running, Plex may find it automatically. If not, select "Manually specify tuner address" and enter the address where Xteve is running — for example, http://192.168.1.100:6060. Click Connect or Test.

Once Plex connects to Xteve, it will download your channel list and guide data. This can take a minute or two. After the import is complete, you should see all your channels listed in Plex under Live TV. You can now watch live TV through Plex by opening the Live TV section and selecting a channel.

Troubleshooting common setup problems

If Plex cannot find Xteve, check that both are running and on the same network. Ping the Xteve machine from the Plex machine to confirm they can communicate. If you are using a firewall, make sure port 6060 is not blocked. If Xteve is behind a router, you may need to forward port 6060 to the Xteve machine's local IP address.

If channels appear in Plex but have no guide data, the channel names in your M3U file do not match the names in your XMLTV file. Edit your M3U file to make the names identical, then reload the playlist in Xteve. Some providers use slightly different names — for example, one file might say "HBO" and the other "HBO HD" — so check carefully.

If live TV stutters or cuts out, your internet connection may not be fast enough to stream all the channels you are watching, or your Xteve machine may not have enough CPU power. Try lowering the video bitrate in Xteve settings, or reduce the number of simultaneous tuners. If the problem persists, check your network speed and the CPU load on the Xteve machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run Xteve on a Raspberry Pi?

Yes. Download the ARM version of Xteve for your Pi model, extract it, and run it the same way as on other Linux systems. A Raspberry Pi 4 handles Xteve well, though a Pi 3 may struggle if you have many channels or high-bitrate streams. Make sure your Pi has enough storage for the guide data — a few hundred MB is typical.

What if I do not have an M3U or XMLTV file?

You need both to use Xteve with Plex. If you have an IPTV subscription, your provider should give you these files. If you are creating your own streams, you will need to create an M3U file listing your stream URLs and find or create an XMLTV guide file. Some public XMLTV sources are available online, though they may not cover all channels.

Can I use Xteve without Plex?

Yes. Xteve has its own web interface where you can watch live TV directly. Go to http://localhost:6060 in your browser and select a channel. However, most people use Xteve with Plex because Plex integrates live TV into your main media library and works with Plex apps on phones and tablets.

Does Xteve work with Plex on all devices?

Xteve works with Plex on computers, phones, tablets, and streaming devices, as long as those devices can reach your Plex server. However, some older Plex apps may not support DVR or live TV features. Check your device's Plex app to confirm it has a Live TV section.

What happens if my Xteve machine goes offline?

Plex will show your channels but will not be able to stream them. You will see an error when you try to watch. Xteve must be running and reachable for live TV to work. If you need live TV to be reliable, set up Xteve to start automatically at boot and monitor it to make sure it stays running.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.