Documentation

Installation

Windows 10 / 11 (64-bit):

1. Download the latest installer from nightmaretv.net.
2. Run NightmareTV-Setup-x.x.x.exe. Windows SmartScreen may ask for confirmation on first install — click More info → Run anyway.
3. Pick an install folder. Default: %LOCALAPPDATA%\NightmareTV.
4. Launch the app. First run initializes the local database (~5 seconds).

System requirements: Windows 10 1909 or later, 4 GB RAM, hardware decoder for 4K HEVC (most CPUs from 2017 onward).

License activation

1. After purchase you receive an email from Lemon Squeezy with your license key (format: XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX).
2. In the app, open Settings → License and paste the key.
3. Click Activate. The app contacts license.nightmaretv.net and registers the current device.
4. Each key allows up to 2 devices. Manage devices from your license dashboard.

Lost your key? Search your inbox for "Lemon Squeezy" — the receipt includes a customer portal link where every key is listed. If you can't find it, email support@nightmaretv.net with the purchase email address.

Add an Xtream Codes playlist

1. Open Sidebar → Playlists → Add Xtream.
2. Fill in: friendly name, server URL (e.g. http://host:8080), username, password.
3. Click Test connection. Nightmare downloads categories and channel list.
4. When finished, the new source appears in the sidebar with Live / Film / Series sections.

Credentials are encrypted and stored locally. They are never sent anywhere except the Xtream server itself.

Add an M3U playlist

1. Sidebar → Playlists → Add M3U.
2. Paste a http(s):// URL or pick a local .m3u / .m3u8 file.
3. Optional: supply an EPG XMLTV URL so programmes can match channels.
4. Save. Nightmare parses the file and builds the channel index.

EPG / guide

Press G or click the clock icon on a channel to open the EPG Timeline. The 12-hour grid shows what is currently playing and what's coming next.

• Click a programme for details.
• Right-click a programme → Schedule recording.
• Press N to jump to Now.

EPG updates automatically every 6 hours when the app is running.

Scheduled recording

Nightmare uses FFmpeg in copy-codec mode, so recordings keep original quality without re-encoding.

1. Open the EPG, right-click a programme → Schedule recording.
2. Pick output folder (default: ~/Videos/Nightmare). Container: MKV or TS.
3. Optional: padding minutes before/after the programme.
4. At the scheduled time Nightmare starts FFmpeg in the background. Progress appears in Sidebar → Recordings.

Multi-angle (sibling cameras)

When you play a live event, Nightmare scans the current category for sibling channels with the same event and offers them as alternate camera angles in a floating panel. Click any angle to swap without buffering.

Child profile

1. Settings → Child mode → Enable.
2. Set a 4-digit PIN.
3. Pick allowed categories.
4. Optional: daily time limit (minutes).

Child mode hides disallowed content. Exit requires the PIN.

Android TV

The Android TV build is optimized for D-pad navigation and appears in the Leanback launcher. Install via APK sideload or from the release page. All features behave as on Windows; filesystem paths differ for recordings.

Troubleshooting

Black screen or codec error

• Update your GPU driver (HEVC hardware decode requires recent drivers).
• Try Settings → Playback → Decoder: switch between auto, dxva2, d3d11va or software.
• If a specific stream fails, try increasing the network cache in Settings → Playback → Network buffer.

License won't activate

• Make sure the computer's clock is correct (license verification uses signed timestamps).
• Check that a firewall is not blocking license.nightmaretv.net (HTTPS, port 443).
• If you hit the 2-device limit, go to your dashboard and remove an old device.

Audio issues (no sound, wrong track)

• Press # to cycle audio tracks.
• For DTS / EAC3 passthrough, enable Settings → Audio → Passthrough and select your receiver's exclusive-mode device.

Recording stops early

• Check free disk space. 1080p live streams produce ~2 GB/hour.
• If the source drops the connection, Nightmare writes whatever was received until the drop.

Keyboard shortcuts

• Space — play / pause
• F — fullscreen
• M — mute
• G — open EPG
• N — jump to now (in EPG)
• # — cycle audio track
• J / L — seek −10s / +10s
• [ / ] — speed down / up
• S — screenshot
• P — Picture-in-Picture
• Ctrl+K — global search

Uninstall

Windows: Settings → Apps → Nightmare TV → Uninstall. Data (playlists, recordings, database) remains under %LOCALAPPDATA%\NightmareTV. Delete this folder to remove all local traces. Your license record on our server persists; remove the device from your dashboard if you will not reinstall.

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Missing something? Email support@nightmaretv.net — this page evolves with your questions.