ErsatzTV Mass Channel Automate

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This guide demonstrates how to automate the addition of multiple channels to ErsatzTV using a Python script with Selenium WebDriver. If you regularly need to add a variety of channels to ErsatzTV and find the manual process time-consuming, this solution can streamline your workflow by automating channel and genre inputs.

Why Automation?

Automating the channel addition process in ErsatzTV provides several benefits:

  • Efficiency: Automates repetitive tasks, saving you significant time.
  • Accuracy: Reduces the risk of human error in data entry.
  • Scalability: Easily manage large lists of channels, adding them consistently without additional effort.

Prerequisites

Before you start, ensure you have the following:

  1. Python Installation: Python must be installed on your system. Download it from Python’s official website.
  2. Selenium WebDriver: Selenium is a powerful tool for web browser automation. You will need the Chrome WebDriver:
    • Download Chrome from ChromeDriver downloads. If using windows use chrome-win64.zip then unzip.
    • Download chromedriver if using windows chromedriver-win64.zip and unzip it.
    • Drop the chromedriver.exe in the chrome-win64 directory.
  3. Access to ErsatzTV: Ensure you have administrative access to ErsatzTV where you intend to add channels.

Setting Up Your Environment

  1. Install Selenium:
    • Open your command line interface (CLI) and run:Copy codepip install selenium
  2. Script Configuration:
    • Modify the webdriver_path in the script to point to where you’ve placed chromedriver.exe.

Script Breakdown

The script automates these key steps:

  1. Initializes the Chrome WebDriver to interact with the web browser.
  2. Navigates to the ErsatzTV channel addition page using a predefined URL.
  3. Dynamically inputs the data for each channel’s name, genre, and group from a list into the ErsatzTV form. If a channel does not have a specified group, the script automatically assigns a user-defined default group.
  4. Submits the form for each channel entry using Selenium’s automation capabilities, ensuring that all fields are correctly filled before proceeding.

Running the Script

Prepare the Script:

  1. Save the provided Python script to a file named add_channels.py or whatever you want.
  2. Ensure your channels list in the script is updated according to your needs, especially paying attention to the group field—if it’s empty, the default group will be used.

Execute the Script:

  1. Open a terminal or command prompt.
  2. Navigate to the directory containing add_channels.py.
  3. Run the script: python3 add_channels.py
  4. Watch the automated browser perform the data entry on ErsatzTV.

Monitoring:

  • The script will output logs in the console for each step, helping you track the automation process and troubleshoot if needed.
  • Logs include confirmation messages for each field, ensuring the correct data is entered before submitting the form.

Conclusion

Using this Selenium-based script to add channels to ErsatzTV transforms a manual, repetitive task into a seamless and efficient process. The script is designed with flexibility in mind, automatically applying a default group if none is provided for a channel. Customize the script as needed to accommodate different types or numbers of channels, enhancing your productivity and data management in ErsatzTV.

Script:

# ============================================
# 🧭 CONFIGURATION
# ============================================
WEBDRIVER_PATH = 'chromedriver.exe'              # Path to ChromeDriver
URL = 'http://172.30.33.15:8409/channels/add'    # Target page URL
DEFAULT_GROUP = "Default Group"                  # Fallback group name
FIELD_WAIT = 10                                  # Seconds to wait for fields
CLICK_WAIT = 10                                  # Seconds to wait for buttons
DELAY_BETWEEN_ACTIONS = 0.5                      # Delay between typing
RELOAD_DELAY = 1                                 # Delay after adding a channel
CONFIG_FILE = 'channels.json'                    # Channel config file

from selenium import webdriver
from selenium.webdriver.common.by import By
from selenium.webdriver.chrome.service import Service
from selenium.webdriver.chrome.options import Options
from selenium.webdriver.support.ui import WebDriverWait
from selenium.webdriver.support import expected_conditions as EC
import time
import os
import json
import sys

EXAMPLE_CHANNELS = [
    {"categories": "Comedy", "name": "LaughStream", "group": "General Entertainment"},
    {"categories": "Comedy", "name": "Comedy Central", "group": "General Entertainment"}
]

def load_or_create_config():
    if not os.path.exists(CONFIG_FILE):
        with open(CONFIG_FILE, 'w', encoding='utf-8') as f:
            json.dump(EXAMPLE_CHANNELS, f, indent=4)
        print(f"'{CONFIG_FILE}' created. Edit it and rerun.")
        sys.exit(0)
    with open(CONFIG_FILE, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as f:
        return json.load(f)

channels = load_or_create_config()

options = Options()
options.add_argument("--start-maximized")
service = Service(WEBDRIVER_PATH)
driver = webdriver.Chrome(service=service, options=options)

driver.get(URL)
time.sleep(2)

for channel in channels:
    try:
        name = channel.get("name", "")
        group = channel.get("group", DEFAULT_GROUP)
        categories = channel.get("categories", "")

        name_field = WebDriverWait(driver, FIELD_WAIT).until(
            EC.presence_of_element_located(
                (By.XPATH, '(//input[@type="text" and not(@readonly) and not(@disabled)])[3]')
            )
        )
        name_field.clear()
        name_field.send_keys(name)
        time.sleep(DELAY_BETWEEN_ACTIONS)

        group_field = WebDriverWait(driver, FIELD_WAIT).until(
            EC.presence_of_element_located(
                (By.XPATH, '(//input[@type="text" and not(@readonly) and not(@disabled)])[4]')
            )
        )
        group_field.clear()
        group_field.send_keys(group)
        time.sleep(DELAY_BETWEEN_ACTIONS)

        category_field = WebDriverWait(driver, FIELD_WAIT).until(
            EC.presence_of_element_located(
                (By.XPATH, '(//input[@type="text" and not(@readonly) and not(@disabled)])[5]')
            )
        )
        category_field.clear()
        category_field.send_keys(categories)
        time.sleep(DELAY_BETWEEN_ACTIONS)

        add_button = WebDriverWait(driver, CLICK_WAIT).until(
            EC.element_to_be_clickable(
                (By.XPATH, '//button[@type="button" and .//span[contains(text(), "Add Channel")]]')
            )
        )
        add_button.click()
        time.sleep(RELOAD_DELAY)

        driver.get(URL)
        time.sleep(1)

    except Exception as e:
        print(f"Error on {channel.get('name','(unknown)')}: {e}")
        driver.quit()
        sys.exit(1)

driver.quit()

Here is a list off a Ton of Channels Pre-formatted.

[
    {"categories": "Latest Movies", "name": "Epic 2024", "group": "Random Movies"},
    {"categories": "Latest Movies", "name": "CinemaNow 2024", "group": "Random Movies"},
    {"categories": "Latest Movies", "name": "Spotlight 2024", "group": "Random Movies"},
    {"categories": "Latest Movies", "name": "Premiere 2024", "group": "Random Movies"},
    {"categories": "Latest Movies", "name": "Silver Screen 2023", "group": "Random Movies"},
    {"categories": "Latest Movies", "name": "Cinematic 2022", "group": "Random Movies"},
    {"categories": "Latest Movies", "name": "Blockbuster 2021", "group": "Random Movies"},
    {"categories": "Latest Movies", "name": "Cinematic Era 2020", "group": "Random Movies"},
    {"categories": "Latest Movies", "name": "Screen Spectacle 2018", "group": "Random Movies"},
    {"categories": "Latest Movies", "name": "Blockbuster Vault 2017", "group": "Random Movies"},
    {"categories": "Latest Movies", "name": "NeoFlix 2016", "group": "Random Movies"},
    {"categories": "Latest Movies", "name": "Screen Scene 2015", "group": "Random Movies"},
    {"categories": "Latest Movies", "name": "Cinema 2013", "group": "Random Movies"},
    {"categories": "Latest Movies", "name": "Flashback 2011", "group": "Random Movies"},
    {"categories": "Latest Movies", "name": "Reel 2010", "group": "Random Movies"},

    {"categories": "Comedy", "name": "LaughStream", "group": "General Entertainment"},
    {"categories": "Comedy", "name": "Comedy Central", "group": "General Entertainment"},
    {"categories": "Comedy", "name": "JokeBox", "group": "General Entertainment"},
    {"categories": "Comedy", "name": "GiggleTV", "group": "General Entertainment"},
    {"categories": "Comedy", "name": "Chuckle Channel", "group": "General Entertainment"},

    {"categories": "Drama", "name": "TurbulentTV", "group": "General Entertainment"},
    {"categories": "Drama", "name": "PassionPointe", "group": "General Entertainment"},
    {"categories": "Drama", "name": "FeelTheEmotion", "group": "General Entertainment"},
    {"categories": "Drama", "name": "VitalSignsTV", "group": "General Entertainment"},
    {"categories": "Drama", "name": "HeartbeatTV", "group": "General Entertainment"},

    {"categories": "Reality", "name": "RealWorld TV", "group": "General Entertainment"},
    {"categories": "Reality", "name": "Reality Stars", "group": "General Entertainment"},
    {"categories": "Reality", "name": "Survival TV", "group": "General Entertainment"},
    {"categories": "Reality", "name": "House & Home", "group": "General Entertainment"},
    {"categories": "Reality", "name": "Talent Quest", "group": "General Entertainment"},

    {"categories": "Family", "name": "FamilyTime", "group": "General Entertainment"},
    {"categories": "Family", "name": "KidsWorld", "group": "General Entertainment"},
    {"categories": "Family", "name": "Adventure Kids", "group": "General Entertainment"},
    {"categories": "Family", "name": "Toon Planet", "group": "General Entertainment"},
    {"categories": "Family", "name": "Family Classics", "group": "General Entertainment"},

    {"categories": "Crime", "name": "Crime Scene", "group": "Genre Specific"},
    {"categories": "Crime", "name": "Law & Order", "group": "Genre Specific"},
    {"categories": "Crime", "name": "Detective's Den", "group": "Genre Specific"},
    {"categories": "Crime", "name": "Underworld", "group": "Genre Specific"},
    {"categories": "Crime", "name": "CrimeWatch", "group": "Genre Specific"},

    {"categories": "Horror", "name": "Nightmare Cinema", "group": "Genre Specific"},
    {"categories": "Horror", "name": "HauntTV", "group": "Genre Specific"},
    {"categories": "Horror", "name": "Fright Night", "group": "Genre Specific"},
    {"categories": "Horror", "name": "ScreamStream", "group": "Genre Specific"},
    {"categories": "Horror", "name": "Dark Shadows", "group": "Genre Specific"},

    {"categories": "Science Fiction", "name": "Sci-Fi Spectrum", "group": "Genre Specific"},
    {"categories": "Science Fiction", "name": "Galactic TV", "group": "Genre Specific"},
    {"categories": "Science Fiction", "name": "Future Vision", "group": "Genre Specific"},
    {"categories": "Science Fiction", "name": "Alien Encounters", "group": "Genre Specific"},
    {"categories": "Science Fiction", "name": "CyberStream", "group": "Genre Specific"},

    {"categories": "Fantasy", "name": "MythosTV", "group": "Genre Specific"},
    {"categories": "Fantasy", "name": "Enchanted Realm", "group": "Genre Specific"},
    {"categories": "Fantasy", "name": "FantasyQuest", "group": "Genre Specific"},
    {"categories": "Fantasy", "name": "Dragon's Lair", "group": "Genre Specific"},
    {"categories": "Fantasy", "name": "Mystic Lands", "group": "Genre Specific"},

    {"categories": "Animation", "name": "Animotion", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Animation", "name": "ToonTime", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Animation", "name": "EpicToons", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Animation", "name": "Cartoon Galaxy", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Animation", "name": "Animagic", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},

    {"categories": "Adult Cartoons", "name": "Nocturne Animations", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Adult Cartoons", "name": "Outlaw Toons", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Adult Cartoons", "name": "Twisted Laughs", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Adult Cartoons", "name": "PsycheToons", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Adult Cartoons", "name": "Retro Rebellion", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Adult Cartoons", "name": "DarkHumor TV", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Adult Cartoons", "name": "MatureToons", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Adult Cartoons", "name": "WickedCartoons", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Adult Cartoons", "name": "Edgy Animation", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Adult Cartoons", "name": "RebelToons", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},

    {"categories": "Documentaries", "name": "Insight Films", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Documentaries", "name": "TrueVision", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Documentaries", "name": "LifeDoc", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Documentaries", "name": "DocuWorld", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Documentaries", "name": "Deep Dive", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},

    {"categories": "Biography", "name": "BioPix", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Biography", "name": "Life Stories", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Biography", "name": "Portraits TV", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Biography", "name": "Icons Network", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Biography", "name": "Legendary Lives", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},

    {"categories": "Adventure", "name": "Questline", "group": "Action and Adventure"},
    {"categories": "Adventure", "name": "Journey TV", "group": "Action and Adventure"},
    {"categories": "Adventure", "name": "Adventure Realm", "group": "Action and Adventure"},
    {"categories": "Adventure", "name": "Explorer's Edge", "group": "Action and Adventure"},
    {"categories": "Adventure", "name": "Epic Trails", "group": "Action and Adventure"},
    {"categories": "Adventure", "name": "Frontier TV", "group": "Action and Adventure"},
    {"categories": "Adventure", "name": "Odyssey Channel", "group": "Action and Adventure"},

    {"categories": "Action", "name": "Adrenaline Rush", "group": "Action and Adventure"},
    {"categories": "Action", "name": "Strike Force TV", "group": "Action and Adventure"},
    {"categories": "Action", "name": "Action Zone", "group": "Action and Adventure"},
    {"categories": "Action", "name": "PowerPlay", "group": "Action and Adventure"},
    {"categories": "Action", "name": "Impact TV", "group": "Action and Adventure"},
    {"categories": "Action", "name": "Shockwave", "group": "Action and Adventure"},
    {"categories": "Action", "name": "TurboMax", "group": "Action and Adventure"},
    {"categories": "Action", "name": "Combat Kings", "group": "Action and Adventure"},

    {"categories": "War", "name": "Battlefront TV", "group": "Action and Adventure"},
    {"categories": "War", "name": "Warriors' Legacy", "group": "Action and Adventure"},
    {"categories": "War", "name": "Conflict Chronicles", "group": "Action and Adventure"},
    {"categories": "War", "name": "ValorTV", "group": "Action and Adventure"},
    {"categories": "War", "name": "WarZone", "group": "Action and Adventure"},
    {"categories": "War", "name": "Patriot Films", "group": "Action and Adventure"},
    {"categories": "War", "name": "The Frontline", "group": "Action and Adventure"},

    {"categories": "Medical", "name": "MedixTV", "group": "Special Themes"},
    {"categories": "Medical", "name": "HealthScape", "group": "Special Themes"},
    {"categories": "Medical", "name": "VitalSigns", "group": "Special Themes"},
    {"categories": "Medical", "name": "MediVision", "group": "Special Themes"},
    {"categories": "Medical", "name": "DocuMed", "group": "Special Themes"},
    {"categories": "Medical", "name": "ER Chronicles", "group": "Special Themes"},
    {"categories": "Medical", "name": "Pulse Network", "group": "Special Themes"},
    {"categories": "Medical", "name": "MediStream", "group": "Special Themes"},
    {"categories": "Medical", "name": "The Med Channel", "group": "Special Themes"},
    {"categories": "Medical", "name": "ER TV", "group": "Special Themes"},
    {"categories": "Medical", "name": "LifeLine", "group": "Special Themes"},
    {"categories": "Medical", "name": "VitalWatch", "group": "Special Themes"},
    {"categories": "Medical", "name": "MediFocus", "group": "Special Themes"},
    {"categories": "Medical", "name": "CureTV", "group": "Special Themes"},

    {"categories": "Marijuana", "name": "Cannabis Chronicles", "group": "Special Themes"},
    {"categories": "Marijuana", "name": "GreenWave TV", "group": "Special Themes"},
    {"categories": "Marijuana", "name": "The High Life", "group": "Special Themes"},
    {"categories": "Marijuana", "name": "BlazeTV", "group": "Special Themes"},
    {"categories": "Marijuana", "name": "Weed World", "group": "Special Themes"},
    {"categories": "Marijuana", "name": "HerbVision", "group": "Special Themes"},

    {"categories": "Music and Musicals", "name": "Hits & Classics", "group": "Music and Musicals"},
    {"categories": "Music and Musicals", "name": "RockOn TV", "group": "Music and Musicals"},
    {"categories": "Music and Musicals", "name": "Rhythm & Blues", "group": "Music and Musicals"},
    {"categories": "Music and Musicals", "name": "PopNation", "group": "Music and Musicals"},
    {"categories": "Music and Musicals", "name": "Indie Beats", "group": "Music and Musicals"},
    {"categories": "Music and Musicals", "name": "MelodyTV", "group": "Music and Musicals"},
    {"categories": "Music and Musicals", "name": "SingAlong", "group": "Music and Musicals"},
    {"categories": "Music and Musicals", "name": "Broadway Classics", "group": "Music and Musicals"},
    {"categories": "Music and Musicals", "name": "DanceFloor", "group": "Music and Musicals"},
    {"categories": "Music and Musicals", "name": "Harmony Channel", "group": "Music and Musicals"},

    {"categories": "Food", "name": "Culinary Creations", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Food", "name": "Foodie Network", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Food", "name": "BakeTV", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Food", "name": "Gourmet Adventures", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Food", "name": "Healthy Eats", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},

    {"categories": "Home Improvement", "name": "HomeRevive", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Home Improvement", "name": "Fixer Upper TV", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Home Improvement", "name": "DIY Dream", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Home Improvement", "name": "Renovation Nation", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"},
    {"categories": "Home Improvement", "name": "Home & Garden TV", "group": "Niche and Special Interest"}
]

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