Test pattern

[and-cesbo]

Write about test patterns and blank channels.
Customer asked:

This behavior becomes particularly problematic in a DVB-C headend environment using Cesbo, as channels like this are not detected during a channel scan unless they are actively broadcasting. Consequently, end-users are unable to find these channels unless they happen to be live at the time of the scan.

Response:

As a solution, I can suggest using a "blank" video stream for inactive channels:

1. Use ffmpeg convert any image into a TS file, or download one here: https://cdn.cesbo.com/media/
2. Create a channel named "blank" or "test pattern". Set the stream ID to "blank", and in the input define the full path to your file with the loop option: file:///opt/media/stream.ts#loop
3. Create the sky-channel: the first input is original stream from DVB: dvb://a01b#pnr=328&cas, and second input is stream://blank - the channel created from file ("blank" in the input address refers to the stream ID from step 2).

This way, when the original channel stops working, Astra automatically switches to the second input and switches back when the channel becomes active again.