Fixed hidden groups consuming batch slots

public/index.html

@@ -309,6 +309,17 @@
                     directly.</span>
                 </div>
               </div>
+              <div class="setting-item">
+                <div class="setting-info" style="flex: 1;">
+                  <span class="setting-label">Stream Output Format</span>
+                  <span class="setting-hint">Container format for Xtream streams. Try TS if you experience buffering
+                    issues.</span>
+                </div>
+                <select id="setting-stream-format" class="source-select" style="width: auto; min-width: 200px;">
+                  <option value="m3u8">HLS (m3u8) - Recommended</option>
+                  <option value="ts">MPEG-TS (ts) - Better buffer</option>
+                </select>
+              </div>
             </div>
 
             <div class="settings-section">

public/js/components/ChannelList.js

@@ -216,13 +216,25 @@ class ChannelList {
             groupedChannels['Favorites'] = favoritedChannels;
         }
 
-        // 4. Sort Groups
+        // 4. Sort Groups and filter to only those with visible channels
-        this.sortedGroups = Object.keys(groupedChannels).sort((a, b) => {
+        const allGroups = Object.keys(groupedChannels).sort((a, b) => {
             if (a === 'Favorites') return -1;
             if (b === 'Favorites') return 1;
             return a.localeCompare(b);
         });
 
+        // Pre-filter to only include groups with visible channels (so hidden groups don't consume batch slots)
+        this.sortedGroups = allGroups.filter(groupName => {
+            if (groupName === 'Favorites') return true;
+            const channels = groupedChannels[groupName];
+            // Check if any channel in this group is visible
+            return channels.some(channel => {
+                const rawChannelId = channel.streamId || channel.id;
+                const isHidden = this.isHidden('channel', channel.sourceId, rawChannelId);
+                return !isHidden || showHidden;
+            });
+        });
+
         this.groupedChannels = groupedChannels;
         this.showHidden = showHidden;
 
@@ -819,7 +831,8 @@ class ChannelList {
         // Get stream URL
         let streamUrl;
         if (channel.sourceType === 'xtream') {
-            const result = await API.proxy.xtream.getStreamUrl(channel.sourceId, channel.streamId, 'live');
+            const streamFormat = localStorage.getItem('nodecast_tv_stream_format') || 'm3u8';
+            const result = await API.proxy.xtream.getStreamUrl(channel.sourceId, channel.streamId, 'live', streamFormat);
             streamUrl = result.url;
         } else {
             streamUrl = channel.url;

public/js/pages/Settings.js

@@ -97,6 +97,19 @@ class SettingsPage {
                 localStorage.setItem('nodecast_tv_epg_refresh_interval', epgRefreshSelect.value);
             });
         }
+
+        // Stream output format
+        const streamFormatSelect = document.getElementById('setting-stream-format');
+        if (streamFormatSelect) {
+            // Load saved value
+            const savedFormat = localStorage.getItem('nodecast_tv_stream_format') || 'm3u8';
+            streamFormatSelect.value = savedFormat;
+
+            // Save on change
+            streamFormatSelect.addEventListener('change', () => {
+                localStorage.setItem('nodecast_tv_stream_format', streamFormatSelect.value);
+            });
+        }
     }
 
     switchTab(tabName) {