ChanSort 2024-10-01

March 10, 2025

Additional Information

TV channel list editor app for Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Toshiba and VDR

Version	ChanSort 2025-03-08
Requirements	Windows XP/Vista/Windows 7/Windows 8/Windows 10/Windows 11
Updated	March 10, 2025
Author	Horst Beham
Category	Video Software
License	Open Source
Language	English
Download	1433

Overview

Managing TV channel lists directly on a television can be frustrating—especially when dealing with hundreds of channels, duplicates, or incorrect numbering. ChanSort is a specialized Windows application that allows users to edit, reorder, and manage TV channel lists on a PC, making the process faster, clearer, and far more convenient.

ChanSort works by importing channel lists exported from modern TVs via USB or SD card, letting you organize everything comfortably on your computer before transferring the updated list back to the TV.

What Is ChanSort?

ChanSort is a PC-based channel list editor designed for users who want full control over their TV’s channel order and settings. Many modern televisions support exporting channel lists to external storage, and ChanSort takes advantage of this capability.

It supports a wide range of TV brands and systems, including:

Samsung
LG
Panasonic
Hisense
Toshiba
Linux-based VDR systems

Because each manufacturer uses different file formats, ChanSort focuses on compatibility through reverse engineering rather than official documentation.

Powerful Channel Reordering Tools

ChanSort offers flexible and intuitive tools for rearranging channels exactly the way you want:

Change channel numbers directly
Move channels up or down
Drag-and-drop reordering
Double-click actions for quick edits
Multi-select editing for batch operations

This makes it easy to clean up messy channel lists or match your preferred numbering scheme.

Reference-Based Channel Sorting

One of ChanSort’s most useful features is the ability to use another channel list as a reference. This allows users to:

Apply the same channel order across multiple TVs
Restore a known-good layout after a rescan
Maintain consistent numbering between devices

This is especially helpful for households or installations with more than one television.

Advanced Channel Management

Beyond simple reordering, ChanSort supports a variety of channel management options:

Rename or delete channels
Mark favorites
Enable or disable parental lock
Skip channels when zapping
Hide channels entirely

The side-by-side interface displays both the original channel list and the modified version, similar to a playlist and media library view, helping users avoid mistakes.

Language and Character Support

ChanSort includes:

User interface in English and German, with partial support for Turkish and Portuguese
Full Unicode support for channel names, including Latin, Cyrillic, and Greek characters

This makes it suitable for international users and multilingual channel lists.

Compatibility and Limitations

Not all features work on every TV model or channel type. Support may vary depending on:

Manufacturer
Channel type (analog, digital, satellite, cable)
Firmware version

Notably, Hisense is the only manufacturer known to have provided technical information and a test device to assist development.

Because most formats were reverse-engineered, there is a small risk of unexpected behavior.

⚠️ Important Warning:
ChanSort was developed without official documentation for most TV formats. While rare, there have been a few reported cases of unwanted side effects or TV issues. Always back up your original channel list before making changes.

System Requirements

Windows PC
.NET Framework installed
USB stick or SD card for transferring channel lists
FAT32 file system recommended for external storage

Why Use ChanSort?

Much faster than editing channels on a TV
Ideal for large or complex channel lists
Supports multiple major TV brands
Powerful batch-editing features
Free and lightweight

ChanSort is particularly valuable for advanced users, installers, and anyone who regularly reorganizes TV channels.