[lagman]

The json info is a custom format just for the IPTV Recorder and the Recordings folder view.
I was going to make it an nfo file that was compatible with Kodi and other media players but there was some problem. I can't remember what. I'll take another look some time.

You can usually record straight to mp4 but you probably won't be able to watch the recording at the same time reliably.
The length of the recording won't update as you watch it.
mp4 might be easier for some media players.
Change
Settings \ Jobs and Rules \ ffmpeg file extension
from ts to mp4

I tried Jellyfin earlier and it couldn't find ts files.
The internal player was stuttering too. I had to use MX Player or VLC as an external player.
It is good for organising your media library though and has free clients for Android and Android TV.  

You said "The json info is a custom format just for the IPTV Recorder and the Recordings folder view."

Just so I'm sure I understand, if I set the output to .mp4, should VLC then recognize json info?   Or in my situation is my only option to see the program descriptions to use the IPTV Recorder plugin?  

IPTV Recorder is the only program in the entire world that uses those json files and only in the Recordings view.

However the information in those files could be used to create nfo files or rename the ts files with a bit of scripting.

ts files are ok for vlc but some other programs like Emby or Jellyfin will probably ignore them. 

Yeah, VLC can see the ts files and play them easily enough, but I want be able to read the description of each episode before I open the file so I know what I'm about to watch.  Right now all I see are the files and the file names are not descriptive enough.

I'm fine with using the IPTV Recorder plugin as my player so I can see the descriptions.  I installed the plugin on one of my firesticks but I can't figure out how to make it look at my smb:// for the recordings.  In the options I only see 3 folders and no way to manually type in the path (ex. smb://myPC/recordings).  I think if I can figure that out I'll have what I need and can just use the IPTV Recorder plugin on each firestick as a viewer.