ProgDVB is a Windows application for watching television and listening to radio from digital tuners, Internet streams and local network sources. It brings those sources into editable channel lists, with a program guide for browsing broadcasts. The free Standard edition covers television reception and Internet viewing; Professional adds recording, scheduling and several ways to watch multiple channels.
Channel sources
A compatible tuner lets ProgDVB receive satellite, terrestrial or cable television. Its supported broadcast systems include DVB-S/S2, DVB-T/T2, DVB-C, ATSC and ISDB-T. Satellite settings identify the satellite and its LNB, the converter fitted to the dish. Professional also supports DiSEqC controls for compatible switches and dish positioners, so the selected channel can use the appropriate satellite connection.
For IPTV, ProgDVB can take a provider’s channel list from a URL or a local file. It supports M3U, M3U8 and XSPF lists, along with Stalker and Xtream Codes sources. Playlist updating keeps the channel lineup connected to its source.
Organizing channel lists
The resulting channel lists can use folders, subfolders and multiple favorites lists. You can change sorting and grouping, assign channel numbers, and move or copy entries between lists. The list can show logos, channel types and program information, or use a compact view containing the channel type and title.
Program guide
ProgDVB obtains electronic program guide information from digital broadcasts or imported XMLTV and JTV files. Grid and list views present the schedule in different layouts, with descriptions for individual programs. A time offset adjusts guide entries when the supplied schedule does not match the local broadcast time.
In Professional, a program selected in the guide can become a recording task or a reminder. A reminder switches to the selected channel at the assigned time; recording tasks also control the output filename, repetition and what happens when recording finishes.
Broadcast recording
Professional can record television and radio to a chosen folder, with a second destination available when the first drive fills. TS recording can retain multiple audio streams, allowing a broadcast’s alternative language tracks to remain in the saved file. Subtitles carried by the stream can also be included or left out.
For TS and MPEG-2 recordings, file splitting uses either a size limit or a duration. Recording can begin directly from the viewing controls or run as a scheduled task with specified start and end times.
TimeShift
TimeShift stores the current channel in a memory or disk buffer while it plays. Pausing stops your viewing position while buffering continues, and resuming plays from that position. The navigation slider also lets you move back through buffered material. Switching channels resets the buffer, so this temporary viewing history belongs to the current channel.
Picture, subtitles and multichannel viewing
ProgDVB supports HD and 4K broadcasts, including H.265/HEVC video, with zoom and aspect-ratio settings that can apply globally or to individual channels. It can display teletext subtitles, image-based subtitles and closed captions. Professional adds picture-in-picture, a mosaic for previewing channels, and simultaneous playback or recording of several channels from one or more devices.
ProgDVB and ProgTV interfaces
ProgDVB provides the classic desktop interface with its channel lists and detailed controls. ProgTV is a separate interface that can run from the same folder and share the channel list and settings. ProgTV supports an HTPC remote as well as a mouse and keyboard, while the classic ProgDVB interface has no remote-control support.
