Enigma2 Picon Setup: The Complete How-To for Channel Logos

📌 Quick Summary & Methods at a Glance

Plugin Download - Best for beginners, single satellite setup | Difficulty: Easy

Manual FTP Transfer - Best for full control, IPTV, custom setups | Difficulty: Medium

USB/SD Card Install - Best for users with external storage | Difficulty: Easy

Manual Service Ref - Best for troubleshooting missing logos | Difficulty: Advanced

📁 Part 1: Understanding Picon Basics & File Structure

What are Picons?

They are small image files (typically 220x132px PNGs) that your Enigma2 skin uses to display a channel's logo next to its name.

The Golden Rule: The File Name = The Channel's Service Reference (SID)

For automatic recognition, each picon.png must be named exactly after the channel's unique ID.

Example: 1_0_1_283D_3FB_1_C00000_0_0_0.png

Where do they go? (Choose ONE primary location)

• Recommended: /media/usb/picon/ (Fast read speeds, doesn't wear internal flash)

• Alternative: /media/hdd/picon/

• Internal (last resort): /usr/share/enigma2/picon/

Method A: One-Click Install via Plugin (Easiest)

Perfect for standard satellite setups (e.g., Astra 28.2°E).

1. On your receiver, press MENU > Plugins > Green Button (Download)
2. Navigate to Extensions
3. Find and select a picon pack for your satellite (e.g., picon-transparent-220x132-28.2e)
4. Install and restart Enigma2

✅ Pros: Automatic, no PC needed

❌ Cons: Limited to available packs, may not cover IPTV or obscure channels

Method B: Manual Install via FTP (Most Powerful)

My preferred method for full control.

1. Download a picon pack from a trusted source (e.g., oe-alliance, Linuxsat forums)
2. Extract the .zip or .tar.xz file on your PC - you should get a folder named picon
3. Connect to your receiver using FileZilla:
   • Host: Your receiver's IP address
   • Username: root
   • Password: (often blank, check your image docs)
4. Upload the entire picon folder to your chosen location (e.g., /media/usb/)
5. Restart Enigma2 via the GUI or web interface

👉 Pro Tip: Use the Binary transfer mode in FileZilla to avoid corrupting files.

⚠️ Part 3: Troubleshooting & FAQ

Q: My picons aren't showing at all!

• Check 1: Is the folder named exactly picon (lowercase)?

• Check 2: Did you restart Enigma2 after uploading? (Menu > Standby/Restart)

• Check 3: Does your skin support picons? (Most modern skins do)

Q: Some channels still have missing logos.

This is usually a naming mismatch. You need to find the correct Service Reference:

1. In your channel list, press MENU on the affected channel
2. Select "Show Service Information" or similar
3. Note the long "Service Reference" string (e.g., 1:0:1:283D:3FB:1:C00000:0:0:0)
4. Rename your picon file to match this, replacing colons : with underscores _ and adding .png

Q: Channel switching feels slower with picons.

Move your picon folder from a slow network drive or internal HDD to a USB 3.0 stick or SSD. The read speed makes a significant difference.

🔄 Picon Updates & Maintenance

Keep Your Picons Updated:

• Satellite changes - New channels added monthly
• Logo redesigns - Channels update their branding
• Missing logos - Community creates new ones

Update Methods:

1. Reinstall via plugin - Easiest method
2. Download new pack and replace old files
3. Use auto-updater plugins - Enigma2 Picon Plugins

Backup Your Picons:

1. Via FileZilla: Download entire /picon/ folder to PC
2. Via USB: Copy to another drive
3. Via plugin: Some backup plugins include picons

🎨 Part 4: Advanced Tips for Power Users

• Creating Custom Picons: Use GIMP or any editor. Save as PNG with transparent background at 220x132 for HD skins or 100x60 for SD.

• For IPTV/M3U Playlists: Use tools like BouquetMakerXtream - IPTV Bouquet Maker, M3UIPTV or m3u2bouquet- they often have an option to generate and assign picons automatically based on channel names.

• Multi-Satellite Setup: Place all picons in one main /picon/ folder. Modern Enigma2 will find them. Avoid separate folders per satellite unless your plugin requires it.

💡 Pro Tips for Perfect Picons

1. Use transparent PNGs - They work with any skin background
2. Store on USB 3.0 - Faster loading than internal HDD
3. Use symbolic links to save space:
   ln -s /media/usb/picon /usr/share/enigma2/picon
4. Check skin compatibility - Some skins use different paths or sizes
5. Monitor memory usage - Large picon packs can fill internal memory

Here's a comprehensive list of Enigma2 picon resources:

Popular Picon Packs
By Style:

• OCRAM - Classic white/transparent style
• Movistar - Colorful Spanish style
• SRP - Simple Reflective Picons
• Transparent - Various transparent background versions
• Metrix/Reloaded - Matching MetrixHD skin
• Knox - Modern colorful style
• Zombi - Animated picons

By Resolution:

• 100x60 - Standard size
• 130x74 - HD receivers
• 220x132 - Full HD
• 400x240 - 4K/UHD receivers

Download Sources

1. GitHub Collections:
   • https://github.com/picons
   • https://github.com/picon-org
   • https://github.com/oe-alliance
   • https://github.com/Belfagor2005/logos/tree/main
   • https://github.com/tv-logo/tv-logos
2. Forum-Based Resources:
   • Linuxsat Forum - https://www.linuxsat-support.com/board/19-enigma2-picons/
   • OpenPLI Forum - https://wiki.openpli.org/Picons
3. Direct Download Sites:
   • https://picon.eu/

   
   

Picon Plugins, Tools & Software

1. Picon Creator Tools:
   • PiconUpdater - Plugin for automatic updates
   • Picon Manager - Various GUI tools
   • Ajpanel - Plugin with various Picon packages
   • mmPicons & Skins - plugin groups the Picons and Skins of the author mMark
   • Chocholousek Picons updater - Plugin for automatic updates
   • E2Picons - manages the picons, creates, divides, compresses, and applies layers
   • Isettings - checks the channels and assigns the picons
   • E2Piconizer - Picon Downloader/Creator
   • GioppyGio E2 Picons and settings panel - Plugin with various Picon packages and settings
   • E-Channelizer - windows program for managing picons
   • BMP2PNG converters - For creating custom picons
2. Online Generators:
   • https://picon.kingofsat.net/ - Generate individual picons
   • Various channel list to picon converters

   
   

Extra content

Thanks to @abu baniaz

Using service references for picons means that every time the transponder changes, they have to be renamed. To avoid this perpetual change, SNP was introduced in 2014 ( twelve tears ago). UTF8SNP has subsequently replaced SNP in 2024. Enigma2 code supports all formats and checks in this order

Exact SRP

Modified SRP (e.g namespace/dvb type changes)

Utf8SNP

SNP

More details here:

linuxsat-support.com/thread/70852/