I found that I could play live streams and recordings by side-loading VLC onto my quest 2.
By using my alternative tvh_epg epg and channel listing web interface, I could download m3u files which vlc would open and then stream from tvh. Both dvb-s and s2 HD worked.
You can do this directly on quest 2 with skybox media player
gah! I wish I'd known that in advance!
well, it means I've got sidequest, f-droid, x-plore and vlc working well, so not entirely wasted.